Burning Out - Tree Bros

Chapter 17

TW

Out of sight and out of kind. I repeated that sentence over and over.

But no matter what I do, it all keeps flooding back to the thought of why didn't I climb higher? None of this would have happened if I climbed higher. He could've been happy with Michael or whatever his name was.

He could be happier without me.

Jared keeps trying to persuade me to believe that I don't need him. Sometimes I believe him my god do I miss everything about him.

I miss how he used to put his hair in a man bun, I miss how one of his eyes are brown and the other's blue, I miss his sarcastic humor, I miss the way he kissed me, I miss how he made me feel protected and wanted.

Today Jared is taking me to the mall to go shopping. Something about my old clothes is keeping me attached to Connor. He read it online.

I hopped in his car and he nudged me, giving me a goofy smile. "Are ready to have some fun?"

His goofy smile made me giggle and I just screamed 'HELL YEAH' In the best Jenna Marbles voice I can give. And damn was it good.

He laughed and started driving, cracking a few jokes here and there. I kept my eyes fixated outside and watched the world pass by.

Until my eyes flashed the Murphy House pass by. Before I could think of anything, Jared handed me the phone, not looking up from the road. "Het, you wanna choose something to listen to? I would but I'm the one behind the wheel."

I nod and take his phone, scrolling through playlists.

He's always had no sense in music so I make an Evan playlist, quickly adding all of Cavetown's songs as well of a few of Pen Blatt's. Man I love that guy.

As Lemon Boy drags off, I look over and see Jared laughing. "Oh my god, you're such a softboi."

"A what?"

"A pastel femboy."

I'm still confused. He waves me off as he notices this and parks the car.

I almost fall when I get out and he laughs at me. "Oh my god, you're such a dork."

I blush in embarrassment.

We walk in and the smell of mall food hit me like a pound a bricks.

"So where ya wanna go first, Hansen? Cinnabon? Wetzles Pretzels? Forever 21?" He rested his arm on my shoulder. He's only a little bit taller.

I laugh. "All of the above?"

I saw something spark in him and he grinned. "Oh this is gonna be fun."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me across the mall. I was laughing the whole way.

"You want sweet or savory?" He asked when we made it to the food court.

"Sweet?" I shrugged.

He nodded and pulled me into the Cinnabon line. He ordered for me because he knows I can't. I appreciated it.

We sat at an empty space with a butt load of spinny bar stools. Who would sit anywhere but a spinny chair?!

We spinned for a while and ate our cinnamon buns.

"Where to now?" Jared almost fell off his stool. Karma for calling me a dork.

I shrugged. "Forever 21?"

He nodded and started pulling me to the escalator. "I will give you a full on soft boy makeover." He laughed.

I still have no idea what he's going on about.