--= Mitch's + POV =--
"So this is where you've been, huh, should've known." I laughed. Preston laughing shortly he cut himself off and seemed to escape deep into thought.
Lips slightly parted I stared at Preston's concentrated expression. Preston's hair was a little more ruffled than usual, still messy, but a tad more....Spiky, if that made sense.
Like, a stylish hedgehog. Preston's eyes were a deep brown. No longer shiny, more hidden. Preston's eye lashes fluttered onto his eyelids, waving up and down similar to one of a hand held fan.
"Yeah,.....I'm sorry for, hiding like a coward." Preston spoke up. A blush of embarassment racing across Preston's cheeks I stared as Preston lifted a hand to scratch at the back of his head.
"I would be mad, but how could I when I practically did the same thing. I'm no hypocrite, just a little cowardly too, I guess." Smiling, I lifted my glass of hot chocolate as a cheer, before lowering it to my lips and taking a sip.
The hot chocolate wasn't as hot, maybe a little warmer than lukewarm, just the way I like it. Shutting my eyes for a moment, I enjoyed the silence and the taste of the sugary caffeine before reopening my eyes and locking eye contact with Preston for a moment.
Preston seemed to be reading my expression, trying to find any little hidden crevice of guilt, anger, any emotion Preston could grasp or see....And by the looks of how Preston's face fell, I guess Preston found something after all.
"Merely because Jerome dragged you. You felt sorry for your boyfriend and ran off, not like you had any choice. Jerome tried protecting you and thought it was the right thing to do.....But, in the end?....It wasn't.
So you ran off I assume and that is how you got here. Because while Kenny was out looking for me, he bumped into you instead." Preston theorized. Preston rubbing the bottom of his chin I felt my hot chocolate and my own heart suddenly get heavier.
In fear of dropping the hot chocolate I lowered my mug onto the coffee table and turned to stare at Preston. My own lips now slightly apart I watched as Preston's nose scrunched up, telling me Preston was getting slightly impatient I pursed my lips.
"Well, am I wrong?" Preston tried covering up the impatience after seeing my anxious actions I merely shook my head.
"No, spot on, actually.....Amazing. Quite the watchful eye, huh?" I questioned. Cocking at Preston I watched as Preston's lips turned upwards into a mocking smile.
"No, just a good listener." Footsteps of Preston's cackled across the floor as Preston slowly made his sweet time to the couch casually.
Like it was any ordinary day.....The floor creaking as Preston came to a stop, I kept my eyes on Preston as he began to sat down, plopping himself gently onto the couch before turning towards the coffee table.
Reaching out a hand, Preston slid his fingers away from the hot chocolate mug, placing it on the coffee table beside my own. Reeling in his own arm again, I gazed at Preston's expression. Seeing the happiness flutter in those big, brown orbs of Preston's.
"....You've been lonely, haven't you, Preston?"
.......Silence.
"I mean, here with Kenny and all."
".......I mean, I guess so...But you're here now and that's all that matters, right?" Preston chirped. Smiling to himself, I felt my shoulders draw in as I felt my heart compress. Preston's face slowly fell, and the black in Preston's eyes shrank as a thought lay expressed across the bull shit smile.
"...........Besides, I'm glad you're back. I mean, that means Jerome's no doubt going to follow you and come along too. In fact, Jerome is probably already here searching for you." Preston added.
A smile now parted into Preston's lips I felt a cold wind gush over me....Jerome followed me?........I have to go and find him.
Standing up from my seat I flashed a smile at Preston, raising and waving a hand back and forth Preston returned the actions.
Slipping on the jacket that was hanging on the coat rack I zipped it up quickly and ran out the door, into the brittle yet somewhat enjoyable air.
Jerome I swear you better be fucking home.
