𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙥.

Young Love.

Two days went by without Killian hearing a word from West.

He tried to convince himself that West was just getting settled, that he'd call him as soon as he was able, or at least answer one of the dozen texts he'd sent, but deep down, Killian wasn't even sure he believed all the things he was telling himself.

He went about his days as normal as possible, as normal as he could without going out of his mind. Work also served as a welcomed distraction. However, working alongside his mother proved to be extremely difficult.

"You're late... again."

"Oh, hush." Linda said as she strolled through the door, coffee cup in hand. "It's not like Shirley's going to know."

"Where were you?" Killian asked, trying not to let his annoyance at the situation show.

His mother only rolled her eyes, "Is that Weston's car parked out front? I thought he'd left already."

"He did. He, uh... lent it to me."

"I see."

Killian could sense Linda had more to say on the topic of Weston, as always. "What?"

"You should give it back to his father before - well... you know."

"Before what?" He questioned through gritted teeth.

Linda placed her coffee cup on the counter before grabbing both of Killian's hands and offering him a look that seemed very close to pitying.

"Honey, how do you think this is all going to play out? He's in Michigan now, miles away from you. He's in a new city, having new experiences, you know. Making new... friends."

Killian shrugged, catching her innuendo but refusing to acknowledge it. "There's nothing wrong with that."

"I know you wish things were different. Young love is beautiful, but it rarely ever lasts, put long distance into the mix, and it's a recipe for disaster."

He freed himself from his mother's soft grip and crossed his arms. "You and Dad met when you were in high school... got married right after. I don't see how this is any different."

"You don't seriously think you and him are going to get married, do you?"

The thought almost made her laugh.

Killian sighed dejectedly. He was in no mood to get into it with his mother about his love life. Either way, it was none of her business.

"I have to get home. Trenton's talent show is in an hour... he's probably waiting for me."

"That's today?"

"I have to go."

Once outside, He climbed into the car and put the keys into the ignition. The movement suddenly caused the loosely closed glove compartment to pop open and reveal some miscellaneous items that West had left behind.
A lighter, glasses that Killian had never seen him wear, guitar picks, an empty packet of Reese's peanut butter cups, and the ring He'd bought at the thrift store in Florida.

He grabbed the ring and turned it over with his fingers, memories of that day flooding his mind and planting an unconscious smile on his face.
That day in Florida, stealing someone's identity (even if it was only for a few hours), eating French cuisine that they didn't pay for and probably couldn't even afford anyway, then jumping off the balcony when they got caught, was the most fun he'd ever had in his life.

Of course, the most memorable part for him was the fake proposal. It'd definitely come as a surprise to him, but he'd composed himself and acted the part. He'd never thought about marriage before that day. After all, he was still 17 years old. Him and West had only been dating for a couple of months, and they were in love, truly. And maybe it was too soon to say, but Killian could see himself spending the rest of his life with West. Question was, did West feel the same?