Freak Show {The Pack and Friends}

• Part 8 •

Jerome's Perspective

Mitch and I walked through the woods, the two of us backtracking to Rob's car. The cool morning air causing the both of us to shiver. Lachlan and Rob had stayed back at the Cirque, helping us to pack up and leave tomorrow.

Mitch was totally silent, throwing Rob's keys up in the air as he walked. They made a small jingling noise, clashing together when caught. I had learned a lot about the Canadian last night. He was the one doing most of the talking, with I asking small questions, prompting him more and more. I learned that he had been born in Canada, moving to America in the fourth grade.
He had met Rob that year, the only other Canadian in his school. They became friends almost instantly. They had both met Lachlan last year, him having moved all the way from Australia to Florida. I had known him for a day, no, not even half a day, and yet, I knew Mitch was talkative. Loud and bright, always one to be the center of attention.

It irked me that he was being so quiet, making me more nervous than anything. Was something wrong?

"Penny for your thoughts..."
Mitch looked at me like I was crazy, like I had asked him to kill somebody rather than figuring out what's on his mind.

"Oh, It's nothing. Just a bit confused."
I swear I saw him blush, a soft pink spreading up along his neck.

"Where did you last remember your car being?"
Mitch shrugged.

"It was about half a mile back from the church. We ran into Vikk back there, so we must be close."

I walked a bit faster, finally seeing Rob's stuck vehicle. He was right, the back tire was sunk in mud, mostly hardened from being here overnight.

"Step back. I don't want you to get hurt."
I reached my hands under the rear bumper, lifting up the back end. The wings helped, fluttering higher as the tire became unstuck.

Mitch watched in awe as I set the car back down in a different area. I wiped my palms on my jeans, running the back of my hand over my forehead.

"Done."
"Thanks Jerome. Let's start her up and head back."

Mitch hopped in the driver's seat, I sliding into the passenger side. He was going to drive back to the Cirque, picking up Lachlan and Rob before heading home.
Mitch stuck the key in the ignition, turning it to start the car. It sputtered for a bit before starting, the radio turning on.

"Thanks so much for helping us. It would have been a nightmare to try and move this ourselves."
Mitch looked down at his hands, clenched, was he shaking.
I brought my hand under his chin, lifting his gaze toward me. I leaned forward a bit, giving him all my attention.

"Hey, what's wrong? You can tell me you know."
Mitch's gaze flicked to my lips for a split second, meeting my brown eyes. He leaned closer to me, the console getting in the way.

"It's... It's just like I said, it's nothing."
I leaned forward again, meeting his lips. He kissed back, everything dissolving around us. It was just him and I, locked together, lips moving in sync. I felt my shoulders drop, wings brushing along the roof.

Mitch pulled away, resting his forehead on mine.
"It's you..."

"Hmm."
"You're the problem. I've known you for less than a day. I haven't known you for more than twenty hours. Yet, I kissed you."

"And I kissed you back."