Headphones // Merome

Chapter 38: Lay Me Down

_-Rob's POV-_

A good while into Prom, I went back to mine and the Pack's table to see a sad-faced Preston. "What's wrong, Preston?" I asked, and he smiled weakly at me. "Nothing. Just watching Vikk and Lachlan dance." He replied, pointing to the pair. "You look sad though." I said sitting down next to him. "Not really. I'm feeling pretty normal right now." He said, and sighed. "You aren't normally this sad, Preston. What's wrong ba-buddy?" I asked, and then mentally slapped myself. Did I almost just call Preston babe? "It's nothing... I-I just... I wanted to dance... But I obviously have no one." He said quietly, as his gaze shifted from Vikk and Lachlan to Mitch and Jerome. Without thinking, I grabbed his hand. "I'll dance with you?" I offered, more like a question. "That's okay. That girl over there came alone I think-" "It's okay, Preston. I don't mind." I smiled at him, and he started to turn pink, but I brushed it off.

I stood up and pulled him up with me, and started to bring him towards the dance floor. "You really don't have to do this." He said softly, lowering his head. "Maybe I want to." I answered, and put my hands around his waist. he tensed when I touched him, and then slowly wrapped his arms around my neck. He kept his gaze to our feet, and I just stared at the top of his head. I started thinking about this. I'm dancing with Preston at prom... But we're still just friends... Right? He was just my best friend. Nothing more. I wouldn't mind being more... What? Did i.... I didn't like Preston did I? In that way? And he couldn't like me back... Well, he blushed when I told him I'd dance with him, and he won't look at me now. And he's been all to quiet today, nothing like his normally-cheery self. Did I do something wrong? Was Preston okay? Was he not telling me something? "Robby? Can we... Can we go somewhere else for a minute?" Preston's voice snapped me from my thoughts, and his dark brown eyes were staring up at me. "Of course."

We started to walk around the boarders of the fields, along the fences. We walked mostly in silence, and Preston looked like he was about to pass out. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it, and he stared at me. I smiled, and he weakly smiled back. He didn't pull his hand away, and we kept walking until he finally stopped us. We were in front of the backstop of the baseball diamond, standing right at home plate.

Preston had his back to me, and was staring at the dirt beneath his feet. I reached out and put my hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright bro?" I asked. He spun around, and his eyes were glossy. "That's exactly why I'm not okay. 'Bro.' I can't stand it anymore, I don't care if I'm about to lose you for saying this. I'm in love with you, Rob. You are so much more then a best friend to me. I want you to be so much more. And you can't see it. Hell, you don't even like guys. But I couldn't keep it hidden anymore. I love you." He had a few tears falling from his eyes. I stood in shock for a moment, staring at him with wide eyes. "Preston..." I tried, not knowing where I would end that sentence. Did I love him too? More then as my best friend? I argued with myself, inside my mind, until I gave myself the answer. Yes.

"I'm sorry, Rob. I probably just ruined everything, but I needed you to know. Sorry." He started to walk away, but I reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Don't go." I whispered, unable to fully use my voice or speak more then three words. I pulled him back so he was standing in front of me again. "Go ahead. Tell me off. You don't love me, I know. But if you're about to do that, don't. My mind is already doing it. Thanks though. Bye, Robby." He pulled his hand from my grip and ran off, leaving me alone.

I stood stunned. "What the hell just happened?" I wondered aloud. Go after him! My mind shouted. I turned the opposite direction that Preston ran and walked back to the table and the majority of Prom itself. I saw Mat, Brandon, Hope, Victory, Vikk and Lachlan sitting at our table. I went over and picked up my phone, and Preston's seeing he left it. "Hey guys, Preston's not feeling great, and I'm gonna take him home. I'll see you guys later, okay?" I said, giving them all a sad smile. "Aw, hope that little Pressy is okay!" Vic smiled. "Yeah man. Sucks you've gotta go this early. Hope he's alright." Brandon said. "Preston's not sick. Rob's taking him home to get in his pants." Mat commented with a huge smirk. I glared at him, and Lachlan and Hope both laughed. "Whatever it is, have fun or feel better." Vikk said, smiling. "See you guys." I waved, and ran off to find Preston.

I got back to my car, hoping Preston would be there. He wasn't. That would've been to easy. I figured maybe he started walking home, even though his house was far away. I jumped in my car and started driving towards his house, looking for someone on the side of the road.

I went back and forth from Preston's house to the school twice. I couldn't find him. I was getting worried. To distract myself from the horrible thoughts about what happened to him, I turned on the radio.

Yes, I do, I believe, that one day I will be, where I was, right there, right next to you. And it's hard, the days just seem so dark, the moon, and the stars, are nothing without you. Your touch, your skin, where do I begin? No words can explain, The way I'm missing you. The night, this emptiness, this hole that I'm inside, these tears, they tell their own story.

You told me not to cry when you were gone, but the feelings overwhelming, it's much to strong. Can I lay by your side, next to you, you, and make sure you're alright. I'll take care of you, and I don't want to be here if I can't be with you, tonight.

I was going to give up looking. I was scared out of my mind though. I looked all around town, at places I knew Preston liked to go to. I tried his favorite diner, the park, and the river by the school. As I started to go back to the school, to tell someone the truth and ask them for help, it hit me. Literally. The flower I kept in my car visor fell into my lap, and I knew. Preston had given me this. He picked it from the little garden I'd made in a clearing in the woods behind my house. Of course, he wouldn't go to his favorite place. He'd go to mine.

I parked in front of my house and ran through the back gate, and then into the woods. I knew my way to the clearing, I could find it with my eyes closed. When I got close, I called out. "Preston?" I shouted, praying he would answer. He didn't, but I kept going. "Preston!" I said again. I heard something, but it wasn't Preston answering. It sounded more like he -or someone- was crying.

I'm reaching out to you, can you hear my call? This hurt that I've been through, I'm missing you, missing you like crazy.

You told me not to cry when you were gone, but the feelings overwhelming, it's much to strong. Can I lay by your side, next to you, you, and make sure you're alright. I'll take care of you, and I don't want to be here if I can't be with you, tonight.

I pushed through the branches of the trees that hid the clearing and stepped out, and my heart shattered.

Preston had picked my favorite flowers, white and blue roses, and weaved them into a flower crown. He just held it in his lap, and let his tears fall on the petals.

His coat was over the wooden bench I'd built, and his shoes were beside it. I snuck around to put my shoes and coat with his, and he still hasn't noticed me. I tiptoed over, dropped to my knees behind him and put my hands over his eyes. "Please don't cry." I whispered. He jumped and turned to face me. "R-Robby?" He asked, and I smiled. "W-What are you d-doing here? Shouldn't you b-be at p-prom?" He stuttered through the tears. "If my date isn't at prom, why should I be?" I answered. He flung his arms around me and cried into my shoulder. "I'm sorry. I was stupid. I shouldn't have told you, I ruined everything. You probably hate me. I'm so sorry." He mumbled a bunch into my shirt. "Preston... If I hated you, would I have followed you? Spent that last hour looking for you?" I asked, and he pulled his head out of my shoulder. "N-No... I guess not. But why did you follow me?" He asked. I moved back a little and cupped his face in my hands. I used my thumbs to wipe the tears from his cheeks, and smile at him. "Because," I pulled his face closer. "I love you too." I softly pressed my lips on his. My heart felt like it would stop at any second. When we backed away, he gave me a small smile. "Thank you." He wrapped his arms right around me again and buried his face in my chest. "For what?" I asked, playing with his hair. "For coming after me. For not giving up on me. For loving me." He answered. I pushed him away so I could see his face. "I'll always come after you. Ill never give up on you. I'll always love you." I took the flower crown that had fallen from his lap into my hands. "I love this, by the way." I smiled and placed it on his head. "The flower king found his queen."

::A/N::
That was an emotional roller coaster for me, damn. I hope you all enjoyed, everyone who was been waiting for the Poofless to happen. Honestly, this was NOT how I planned for it to happen. It just kinda did. Anyway, love you Rosebuds long time, and until next chapter, ~Rosie <3

Lay Me Down, by Sam Smith