I doublecheck my bag quickly, making sure all my clothes and other belongings are in it. My jackets, my shirts, and of course, a picture I bring everywhere I go. I pick up the picture, admiring the frame (which is made to look like tree bark), before I gaze at the picture. It's a picture of Jerome and I from our first convention. We have our arms wrapped around each other and the smiles we're wearing are huge. I set the picture down gently on the desk, deciding to leave it as a memory for him. He might as well have something to remember me by. I haven't gotten any texts from Mariana, since I agreed to leave. Seems I made her happy, which will make Jerome happy. And all I want is for Jerome to be happy. I shove my bags under the bed after checking the tickets to make sure I know when my plane leaves. Jerome runs in just at that moment.
"Hey, Biggums. Want to record a battledome with some people?"
I fake a smile and nod. It'll be my last battledome with Jerome. After glancing at the clock, I realize that it will probably be my last video with Jerome, period. I head into Jerome's room and we get in a skype call with Preston, Rob, and Bodil. We're playing against Ashley, Nooch, Lachlan, and Vikk. I glance over at Jerome as he takes over the intro. It's starting to hit me how much I'll miss him.
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Later that night, Jerome and I just finished uploading the battledome. He stands up to leave but I stop him and hug him quickly. He looks surpised but hugs back.
"What was that for, Biggums?"
I force the happiest looking smile I can muster.
"Just felt like giving you a hug."
He chuckles.
"Alright. I'll talk to you in the morning, G."
He's about to walk out but I call after him quietly.
"I love you..."
He turns to look at me. I guess he sees that I don't mean it in a more than friend way and he smiles.
"I love you too, Mitch."
He walks out, leaving me alone and realizing I'll never see him again.
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At about 3 in the morning, everyone in the Team Crafted house is asleep. I sneak out into the kitchen with my bags, paper and pen in hand. I sit at the table and write a note before I go.
"Members of Team Crafted,
I'm sorry for leaving this so last minute, but I'm returning to Canada. I don't think I'll ever come back here. I'll miss you all, but I have my reasons for going. Even if we never speak again, just know that you guys are still my family. I love you all and I'll miss you all more than you'll ever know.
Thank you for being the amazing people you are. You guys have inspired me up to this point and will continue to as long as I live. Never stop being amazing.
Love from your benj, Mitch."
I sign my name and leave it on the table. I grab my bags and head out to greet the taxi I called to take me to the airport. As it drives off, I take one last look at the house I'll never visit again. I'm doing this for Jerome's happiness.
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I arrive at my house hours later. I bring my bags in and throw them on the couch. I gaze around my apartment. This is my life now. Alone and shut out from the world. Exciting. I go to my room and flop on my bed, my mind thinking of nothing but Jerome. My phone buzzes with another text.
"Jerome texted me saying you were gone from the house. I bet he's never been happier."
I throw my phone against the wall, ignoring the crack of the screen as it makes impact. I'm angry at everything right now, but mainly myself. I don't know why I'm mad at myself but I am. I'm mad at the whole world right now.
But the primary target is, as usual, myself.
