Fire Star (a Merome story)

{chapter two} What have I done?

Ashley's warm hands press lightly on my body, spreading their healing powers through the wound on my chest. It feels so nice, so welcome... I am about to open my eyes when a familiar voice comes limping towards me.

"-I always told him I'd be there for him, no matter what and now I've betrayed him! Seto you don't understand, I threw the car! I picked up the car and I actually threw it!"

"Jerome, there's nothing you can do. What's done is done and as far as I know there's no reversal potion."

"He'll be the only one, please Seto!"

"I promised I'd meet Ty in the forest in five minutes now please do get over it Jerome before I die of old age and in our case that would be quite an achievement."

There is the sound like a shuffling of feet as Seto walks out of the room. Ashley takes her hands off my chest and I have to stop myself from complaining out loud before I embarrass myself.

"Jerome come here." Says Ashley's soft voice. I suddenly feel a new presence close to me, it's warm breath running down my neck. I'd almost say it felt comforting. I let out a sleepy sigh just to help my act. The two bodies next to me shift closer.

"Ashley, I can't tell him."

"You have to, Jerome. If you really care about him you'd just tell him." Ashley replies.

"But-"

"No buts. Tell him or I will. I've had 16 marriage proposals and believe me they appreciate brutal honesty." Ashley laughs, Jerome seems to shrink closer into my 'sleeping' body.

"Ashley, you're such a good friend I don't know what this house would do without you."

"Thank you Jerome. I'll leave you to it then."

I feel Ashley get up from next to me. It occurs to me that I am alone in a room with Jerome so I try to burrow my head further into my curled up form.

The warm breath on my neck gets closer and closer and I have to stop myself from trembling like a little idiot. I've known Jerome almost all my life, surely I shouldn't hide myself from him. We're best friends, this is what best friends do right?

But the breath stops almost right beside my neck, Jerome's so close to me that I can't help but scrunching up my eyes. I hate being powerless to everything but for some reason I let him nearer.

"Oh god Mitch what have I done?" He whispers softly.

That's when his hand touches my hair and I freeze up, don't move, don't move oh my god. I try lightly flicking myself but nothing happens, I'm not dreaming. His hand is still there.

The hand stays there for a long while, I can't quite remember when I decided to move. Jerome had gone from the room and I was pretty sure there was no one else.

I open my right eye to check that everyone is gone and when the course is clear I open both of my eyes to the light of the mysteriously yellow tinted ceiling. With some effort I pick myself up from the soft plushy sofa and tiptoe to the stairs. Before quietly creeping up the stairs I fix my sweeping side-fringe and plaid hoodie in the mirror, I don't want to attract attention by looking stupid.

Before I can reach the top stair however, a voice behind me nearly scares me to death. I swivel round rapid, it's Jerome. Oh no. I have to hold my hand to stop it from shaking. All I can think of is his hand laying gently on my head.

"Uhh Mitch?"

"Y-yeah?"

"I uh- Are you OK? I mean- um- wanna record some Hunger Games?" He looks nervously down at the floor.

"I was- uh- thinking of getting some rest, Ashley said to-" I fumble clumsily.

"Sorry I shouldn't have asked, of course you need rest. Sorry." And just like lightning he is gone. I find myself quivering with fear and confusion, am I scared of him? Why didn't I just get up and tell him to stop touching me?