A Thousand Miles [merome one-shot]

A Thousand Miles

{mayroooooooome}
•

I couldn't help but grin. Here I was, on one of the last days of 2014, grinning helplessly at one of the most amazing people I've ever met.
He returns the smile, messing around his desk. His light eyes flicker to the screen and the ground continuously, the slight blush on his cheeks never disappearing.
"Mitch, you know it's a new year in two days." He says. He bites his lip and immediately looks at the ground.
"I know, G. I'm excited to start it off right." I answer, quietly giggling under my breath. I run a hand through my messy honey colored hair. It was almost midnight, and I was excited to spend the last few minutes of the day with someone who meant a lot to me.
"I-I am, too. Mitch, h-how do you think this year will, um, turn out? Like... I don't know... Are you hoping for a new..." His words drifted off. I sighed and twirled around in my chair.
"Jerome, don't worry. I know exactly how I'm starting off the year. And I promise it'll be perfect." I sigh in content. Jerome finally focuses on the webcam atop his computer, staring intently at me.
"Y-Yeah, so will mine." He whispers, his voice shaking. "Hopefully."
I stop spinning for a moment. Something is bothering him.
"You all right, biggums?" My voice fills with worry.
Jerome becomes flustered at the sound of our nickname for each other.
"Oh, I'm absolutely perfect." He responds quite quickly.
"Listen, Jerome, if there's anything bothering you, I promise I'll be the one you can go to. I'll always trust you and love you no matter what."
"Oh my God..." He whispers under his breath. Honestly, it was a great attempt to hide it from me.
"I gotta go. I'll Skype you later, yeah?" I reach for my mouse, moving the cursor to end the call.
"Of course, Mitch. I'll see you soon."
"Bye." My finger hovers over the left mouse button, ready to click, but Jerome shouts for me to stop.
"Mitch, goodbye means bye. It ends something and I don't wanna end this. I want to see you soon, not end what we've got. This will never be goodbye, Mitch. All right? Hokeyp?" He urgently says, his gaze never leaving mine. I swear his eyes could burn through my own.
"I-I didn't realize-" I stutter in shock. "I'm sorry. And hokeyp?" I slowly question at the new word.
"Oh, hokeyp is a word I kinda made up. It basically means 'okay' or 'all right' or used for an agreement. Hokeyp can be our new okay."
{wOw tfios reference hits strong}
I nod, happy with the new word. It's our word. Ours.
"Hokeyp. I really need to go, Connor needs me. Uh, see you soon, biggums." I give him a quick wave and end the call right then.
My God, what happened?
"Mitch? Are you okay?" A younger voice suddenly whispers from behind me. I then feel Connor's head rest on my shoulder.
"I'm fine, Connor. But is my little bro all right?" I turn around abruptly. Connor squeaks in surprise and smiles.
"I'm okay. I just wanted to visit you before I sleep. You really like that Jerome guy, huh?" He giggles.
"Well, I wouldn't say that..."
"Oh come on, Mitch!" Connor rolls his eyes. "I see the way you talk to him. You should visit him for New Years. You said you'd start off your year perfectly. Might as well start with him."
I blush furiously.
"But I live in Canada, Connor. He lives all the way in New Jersey. We're thousands of miles apart. I doubt he'd even want to see me anyways." I murmur, ducking my head.
"Oh please!" He scoffs, laughing. "Take my word. I'll make mom get tickets for New Jersey for tomorrow right now. You're gonna see that guy, whether you like it or love it." He nods is head once and runs off, leaving me in confusion.
Oh, when did my younger brother become so wise?

----

I carefully weave my way through the airport, hoping to find the exit soon. New Jersey sure is busy.
I flag down a taxi and give the driver the address of the hotel I'd be staying at. The driver gives me a quick smile and nods. I take the chance to look at his name.

Adam Dahlberg

Adam drives me to the hotel in under ten minutes. I tell him I grateful for his service and he just laughs.
"Go get 'em." He simply says before speeding off.
I will most certainly 'go get 'em.'
I check into the hotel and do all that boring stuff before calling Jerome.
"H-Hello?" His soft voice answers. He sounds like he just woke up.
"Jerome, by chance where do you live?" I nervously ask, hoping he doesn't ask further questions. Luckily, he must've been too wiped out to add onto the conversation. I thank him and hop around in excitement.
This is it.
This is it.