Chapter Text
I stare at the blank wall, replaying the last things I said to him. That fight. What did I mean to him? Pound. My jumbled up feelings I couldn't make sense of. And now he’s an ocean away. Maybe I could ask mirror or like caramel apple- wait. What the fuck am i saying. Caramel apple? Well, I’m civil with both of them, but I think mirror is the better bet. I could ask and see if she has any information on him? She’s one of the least insufferable people, pretty nice overall. Hm. Well, if she isn’t hanging out with yearbook (gay) then maybe I could reach her. And pound. I take a second to process this. WE JUST got out of the show, and I immediately want to reach out to pound? This is all very sudden. I roll over, picking up my phone from my dresser to see if I can stalk- uh, I mean find anything out about pound. I open messages, my finger hovering over mirrors contact, the only one i bothered saving off of that stoopid gc someone made and somehow got EVERYONE in. Sadly, pound isn't there. Or maybe he is and I left too early. Aughhh. I hate being gay for a stupid hot british guy. Well, Mirror would be a start. I click , opening our messages thread thingy. Hmm, should i type a message, or call? She could be busy.. Well I could just ask to-yeah ill just..
Tap tap keyboard souncs i guess
“Hey mirror, mind me asking smth?”
(mirror is typing)
“Yah ofc just gimme a sec im w yearbook <33”
Ugh of COURSE those lesbians were together. I stare at the phone until it glows with her name on the screen. I swipe left, picking up the call. Mirrors face fills up the screen with yb in the background. “Hey fireball! What's up! What's your question??”
I chew on my lip, unsure if this was worth the risk.
“Yeah uh, I know this is out of the blue but uh, do you happen to have any of pounds info? Or anything on him whatsoever?”
(...)
“Course you want his info. I don't, but I'll see what I can do. Im a tech genius after all >:D”
“No ur not you idiot”
“So, remind me WHO hacked into those cameras that one challenge??”
“Whatever floats your boat buddy.”
I sighed, putting my phone down on my dresser, knowing my chances of finding him were not in my favor.
I decided since it was still early, i could go out and grab something to eat. Besides actually knowing how to cook, i probably would start throwing stuff if i kept thinking about what I should've said instead. Pulling on a sweater and some sneakers, I opened the door to a cool breeze. Hm. the weather got colder faster than i anticipated. As i walked down a sidewalk, knowing i would probably end up at that diner a few blocks away, since it kind of became a comfort place after the show. I frequented there beforehand, but now it's something i grasp on too, as well as a few other things that hadn't been ruined by me. The show. I still didn’t really believe i won. It didn't feel like i did, since i lost pound. You make a deal with the devil and pay the price (lol get it cuz pounds a pound.. Ok sorry) I remember my cousin, fiery, who after winning had some issues with his best friend, but got over it and they're back to normal (wink wink) now.. I wish i could say the same. I realize I've been spacing out. Ugh, I need to stop disconnecting in public, i look like i’m on something while having vacant eyes. I turn and walk into the diner, sliding into the same cracked booth i frequent. Service is usually slow, but i welcome the silence now. Well, i probably shouldn't be alone with my thoughts, but..
“Hey fireball!”
I hear a cheery voice and look up. I’ve kind of met most of the staff, usually seeing the same waiters. This is Sketchbook, an art student who works here part time who I'm most familiar with. They have a cousin who I’m familiar with, used to work as some sort of detective or something..
“Hey sketch, how's it going..?” my voice seems to trail off a little. Uh oh, too obvious?
They look skeptical for a second.
“Something on your mind?” I pause at that. They continue, “oh uh, besides that, usual?”
“Yeah,” I say looking down. “Uh, i’m thinking about that competition again..” I see them huff
“Again? Look, fireball, I know you resent most people there, but what exactly got you hung up on this? Its not.. Well, I'll continue after. Let me go get your drink.” They walk off leaving me with a looming sense of dread.
Buzzbuzz (whatever sound a phone makes)
“..” OH!! Mirror said she’ll call me back.. Right? I frantically scramble for my pockets and grab my phone, never having swiped faster
“Fireball! I have good news! Well, awesome news!! .. Amazing news!”
“I’m assuming it’s about pound.”
“Dude why do you sound so formal?”
“BROSKI JUST TELL ME OMGA”
“There it is. Well…”
“Mirror dont play”
“You’re so not tough fireball, you're still worried about your boyfriend~”
“MIRROR JUST TELL ME”
“Well, besides finding where he is in England roughly, he’s actually back in town briefly for, uh.. something.”
“Mirror. What’s that tone.”
“Well since he's richie rich over here like you, he's back for some meeting thing. Soo..”
“So, what?”
“So SHOOT YOUR SHOT!!”
“Dont you remember how we left off? I'd be surprised if he doesn't hate me.”
“ You two were so obviously head over heels. You think he hates you after your little breakup? I’m hanging up now, you're hopeless”
‘Wai-
I sigh, frustrated, shoving my phone back into my pocket. I would say that got me nowhere, but I know that pound is back in town. (lol) I mean.. Maybe luck will be on my side. I look up, realizing sketchbook is walking towards me with my drink
“Alright fireball, here ya go. Super awesome iced tea” They placed it down and say,
“You look alleviated. What happened?”
Oh dang. They caught me off guard. Also, what does..
“what? “
They looked shocked for a second. “Oh uh, you look relieved. Like a lot less wound up than before. So, what caused that?”
I think for a moment. I trust them, so why not?
“I, uh..i got news that a.. ”what would i say? Friend? pound isn't just a friend. He's so, so much more to me. But as much as I trust sketchbook, I can't say.
“A friend. They're back in town for a while, after I've been looking for them ever since the show ended.”
They stare at him, and I know they must know more than they let on. Hm. They might be like me, observant. Except my temper gets in the way of being rational. I hate it. I hate myself. I look back out the window, seeing the warm colors of fall paint a picture of serenity.
“Well,” they smile, "That's good! Are you planning to find them soon?” they ask
After what he said to him? Odds aren't in his favor.
“Well, I'll see how it goes. Uh, can I get the check?”
“Oh! Just stopping by? Alright ill be back then. It's just tea.”
I sigh. I really want to see him, but the real question is, how will he react to seeing me? It’s a hit or miss. After sketchbook comes back, I pay and get ready for another day of pretending I'm busy until sketchbook says “..fireball?” They sigh, and as if to recover and say “I think I can help with your problem..” I pause.
“What?” they look up, then saying
“Well, we could talk about that tomorrow. You sound hopeless.”
The second time someone told me that today. Ugh. But I do need help..so, “yeah, sounds good.”
I then turn to walk out, thinking over the promise of support and maybe, just maybe someone new to talk to. I mean, I can gush about pound but, as much as I hate to admit it, I need friends.