Headphones // Merome

Chapter 7: He Will Be Loved

|Jerome's POV|

My phone vibrated on the coffee table in front of me. I slowly reached to grab it, and it buzzed again. I picked it up, and saw I had two texts. I read the first, which was from Mitch.
M- Uh... I kinda need your address lol.
J- Yeah, probably

I gave him my address, and read the second text I got. It was from Brandon.
B- Good Luck Dood ;)
J- I hate you.
B- I know!
J- How'd you even find out?
B- Where do you think Preston went after leaving your place?
J- God, I hate you both.
B- Preston said "love you too!"

The doorbell rang, and I nearly dropped my phone. I sent a quick goodbye to Brandon, and went to answer the door. I opened the front door, and Mitch was standing on my front porch. He had one earbud in and was looking at his feet. "Hi Mitch." His head shot up immediately. "H-Hello." He said. "Come on in, I'll got get my stuff." I gestured him in, and then ran up to me bedroom to pick up my bag. When I found it, I grabbed it and walked back into the entryway, where Mitch still stood, looking around. "Ready?" I asked, and he nodded. "This way." I lead him back into the living room. I sat on the couch, behind the table while Mitch sat on his knees across from me. "You can come sit on the couch, dood." I patted the spot next to me. "It's alright, I'm good." He said softly. "No guest if mine will be sitting on the floor, Mitch. Get up here." I demanded. He stood up and sat down again next to me. "Good. Now let's do this."

<They worked on their project for an hour>

"Well. wasn't that just so much fun!" I said sarcastically, as I closed my binder. "Yep." Mitch nodded, slipping his stuff back into his bag. "Well, thanks fir letting me come over, I'll see you at school." He said, standing up. "Wait, you aren't gonna stay?" I asked, a little disappointed. "I... I can, I mean, if you want me to." He said, looking from me to the door, then back to me. "Yeah! Stay for a while, we can play video games, or watch a movie or something." I suggested, throwing the rest of my stuff in my bag. "Okay. A movie sounds great right now." He answered, looking at the big TV in front of us. "My parents won't be home until late, we can watch in here." I said, standing up. "Okay." he replied, sitting back in the same spot on the couch. "Whatcha wanna watch?" I asked, looking through the rack of DVDs next to the TV stand. "Do you have The Hunger Games?" He asked quietly. "Yeah, who wouldn't?" I asked, slipping it from the shelf and into the DVD player. "Yes! That's my favorite!" He cheered. I smiled, that's the happiest I'd ever seen him. "Why are you smiling?" He asked as I sat down beside him. "You're so cute when you're excited." I said, then instantly regretted it. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. We sat in silence for a minutes, and I don't think I've ever been more grateful for the opening scene of a movie.

By the time the movie ended, it was close to eight. I yawned as Mitch stood up, stretched, and reached for his bag. "Thanks for the movie Jerome, see you Monday." He said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Then, I heard Preston's voice echo in my head. "You have to ask him out, like, now!" It screamed. "Wait!" I called. "You really don't want me to leave, huh?" He asked, a small smile spreading across his lips. Not really, I thought. "Maybe we can hang out again sometime?" I asked, and watches the smile on his face slowly fade. "We don't need to do any more work on the project, we can do that during free periods." he said, giving me a confused look. "No, I mean, just you and me. I don't want to have to work every time I see you." I said, giving him the same look back. "You. You want to hang out with me? Alone? For fun?" He shook his head, laughing a forced laugh. "What?" I asked, confused. "Who put you up to this, Jerome? I mean, really. You've heard it all, I know it. So who better then thee perfect boy. I'll see you soon, Jerome." He started walking to the door. I sat stunned for a split second, my mind processing. He's been through that much, that we can't even tell when I'm being sincere? That's so wrong, I thought. "No, Mitch!" I sprung up after him. I reached him just before the door, grabbing his shoulder. He winced at my touch, and I turned him around. "I'm serious, Mitch. No one put me up to anything." He was biting his lip, and he nodded fast. "Okay." He breathed out. "Hang out after school Monday?" I asked. "If you let go of my shoulder." He whispered, and I did. I had held it tight, and he rubbed it with his other hand. "Sorry, did I hurt you?" I asked. "You didn't." He said, turning to the door. I grabbed his arm this time. "Who did?" I asked, even though I was pretty sure I already knew the answer. "No one. Its okay, I'm okay." He said, trying to wiggle from my grip. "It isn't no one, Mitch." I said. "Please, I want to help." I said, trying to show him I really cared. "No you don't. No one does." He squirmed out of my grasp and ran out the front door. I followed him, and for the hundredth time, stopped him. "God damn it, Mitch! I care. I really do." I said. "It was Dominic and the other three, okay?" He practically yelled. "Yes, thank you. Meet me out in front of the school Monday morning, and I'll walk you to your locker so Dom won't need with you. Got it?" His jaw dropped. "Y-Yeah, fine. Thanks again." I let him go and he walked to his car, and opened the door. Before going in, he glanced back at me. "I'm sorry.... and thank you." He said, and then he was gone.

He was always there to help, he always a belonged to someone else

I drove for miles and miles and wound up your door. I've had you so many times but somehow, I want more

Tap on my window, knock on my door, I want to make you feel beautiful. I know I tend to get so insecure, it doesn't matter anymore

I don't mind spending everyday, out on your corner in the pouring rain, looks for the boy with the broken smile, ask him if he wants to stay a while, and she will be loved, she will be loved.

Please don't try so hard to say goodbye.

::A/N::
Hello Rosebuds! You all seem to really love this book, and I'm so grateful. I love you all so much, and until next chapter, ~Rosie

P.S. Song: She Will Be Loved, by Maroon 5

P.P.S. This chapters for @ZamaRose2 <3 stay aliveeeee