Fandango [Josh Kiszka] Book One

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Day Twenty- Four 

Big Bend National Park was where they had decided to camp for the next 5 days then they would all drive to Comstock to part ways. Luanne sat going through her footage on her computer when Mickey found her this morning. Mickey was beyond worried for her friend. They had six days before work began. 

"Hello gorgeous, what are you up to so early?" Mickey asked sitting beside the girl at the picnic table. 

"Just been editing, you gonna be okay when we leave them?" Luanne didn't look up from the laptop as Mickey took in a deep breath staring at the trees in front of her. 

The blonde flicked her lighter quickly out of anxious habit. Was she going to be okay? Of course. It shouldn't bother her leaving the boys behind. If someone had asked her last week she would've automatically denied any allegation of being upset. As she thought about it now Jake holding her hand as she walked down the rocky path yesterday flashed across her mind. Mickey didn't want to think about Jake. He just kept showing up in her head. 

"I will be fine. I always have my mind set on the future. It's you I am worried about babe." Mickey watched the bits of film flashing across the screen seeing Jake sitting by the fire playing his guitar. 

Luanne saw the hints of pain flash in her friend's eyes at the footage. She was beginning to understand her new friend to a deeper level at this point. Mickey was not one to admit she cared but you could see it in her eyes. They were a darker than any brown Luanne had ever seen but they carried every emotion. Right now they radiated pain and confusion. 

"I will be fine. It will hurt like hell. In the end, I knew what was coming all along." Luanne spoke quietly staring at the computer once again. Mickey couldn't ask more as Josh ran out of a tent throwing his arms around the red head kissing her all over. Mickey couldn't hide her small smile at the two as everyone else began emerging. 

As they all sat around the tables in front of them Luanne and Josh worked to put together food. Emmeline had her head laying against Sam while Mickey helped Danny and Jake braid together bracelets. Jake fumbled with the pieces of string while watching his twin spin Luanne by the grill. 

"What are we going to do with them?" Danny asked also watching the couple. Everyone raised their heads then watching them dance to Luanne's small speaker. 

"Nothing. We let them enjoy it. They aren't hurting anyone by being together." Emmie announced looking between the two tables.

"We just watch them be happy, be ready to pick up the pieces." Sam's voice cracked as he pulled Em tighter to his chest, placing his chin atop her head. Seeing Danny eyeing him he knew that he would be in pieces too. 

Jake turned his attention to Mickey feeling his heartrate quicken as she tied her finished bracelet around his wrist. Her acrylic nails tickled his palm and made a chill run down his spine. Jake's shy grin met her eyes and she pulled her hands away leaving the triple knotted bracelet to dangle on his wrist. "I liked the light blue for you." Mickey spoke quietly before picking green thread for Luanne and Emmeline. 

"I made you a pink one. Your favorite color right?" Jake asked before sliding the bracelet towards Mickey who slowly lifted it to see the multiple shades of pink messily combined. 

Josh carried forward the large plate of food placing it between his brother and Mickey eyeing the two before walking back towards Luanne. "You see them too right? Making friendship bracelets?" Josh watched Luanne tilt her head toward the two sitting awkwardly apart staring at their wrists. "If you are so concerned Joshua, maybe Mick will make you one too." Luanne replied kissing his cheek before walking another plate over.