Precious Virtue ✓

Chapter 32: Angel's Prayer

Precious Virtue

Chapter XXXII: Angel's Prayer

[Adrien's POV]

I couldn't breathe. My heart pounded, blood pulsing in my ears, a stab of terror striking me in the chest. My entire body was rigid, my stomach twisting in tight, painful knots.

"Oh god. Oh god. Oh god." My breaths came out sharp and quick. I couldn't fight the panic that devoured me, I was sick to my stomach at the thought of something happening to Preston. I wouldn't know what I would do. I didn't want to imagine it.

I quickly scrolled through my list of contacts until I came across Elijah's name, and quickly pressed the call button. My phone nearly fumbled out of my grasp as I brought it to my ears, the rings echoing in my ears for what felt like an eternity before Elijah finally answered.

"Hello?"

"Elijah?" I answered quickly, unable to hide the panic in my voice.

"Hey, what's wrong? Is everything okay?" Elijah asked concernedly.

"Where are you right now?"

"I'm on my way back to my dorm. I just finished a lecture. Why?"

"It's Preston. I need you to check on him." I urged. "Please. I...He—we were on the phone, and he said some things. He said that he was tired and that he didn't want to be here anymore, that he didn't deserve to live. I'm scared that he's going to do something."

"Shit." Elijah cursed. There was a brief moment of silence on his end, followed by the sound of wind blowing and shuffling, before he spoke up again, talking fast like he was in a rush. "Okay. I'm hurrying back as quickly as I can. I'll text you later, okay?"

"O-Okay." I quickly thanked Elijah and hung up the call.

Tears burned my eyes as I scrolled further down my contact list. I used one hand to rub away the tears that escaped down my face and quickly dialled Luka's number. I knew it wasn't smart of me to go to him about Preston after what happened, but I didn't know who else to go to.

"Hey, Adrien," Luka said when he answered the call two rings later, but before he could get another word out, I cut him off.

"I know you're mad at me right now and you have every right to be and I know it's stupid of me to ask but I need you to please, please drive me to Preston's dorm." I rambled on without stopping to take a breath. "It's an emergency. Please, Luka. The bus will take too long and I have no one else to drive me. Please, please drive me."

"Okay baby, slow down and take a breath for me, alright?" Luka replied calmly. I choked back a sob. "Everything is going to be alright. I'm heading over now. I'll be there soon, okay? Just hold on."

Luka hung up the call. I paced back and forth in my room, gripping my phone tight in my hands, unable to control my breathing.

No matter how many times I tried to slow my breathing to calm myself down, it didn't help. My mind was consumed with the worst possible scenarios—what if Elijah didn't make it to Preston in time? What if that phone call with Preston was the last time I heard or saw him ever again? I wouldn't be able to live with myself. This couldn't be the last time I saw him—he couldn't just tell me that he loves me and then just leave me like that. He just couldn't. No. I wouldn't let him.

I needed him. I fucking needed him.

God, please. Please let Preston be okay. Please let him be okay.

Ten minutes later when Luka texted me that he was here, I booked it out of my dorm and stormed outside as fast as I could. Luka was waiting for me just outside the building in his car, the engine running. I hurried over as fast as I could and practically threw myself into the passenger seat.