Lines in the Ice

Chapter 21

“Because he lied to me.”

“Bree, a lot of people lie.” When he said my nickname it hurt my heart a little. Michael was really the only one that said it. Also, he gave me the nickname. It didn’t feel right to have Preston saying it.

“Yeah, but we never lie to each other.”

“What did he lie about?” Preston asked.

I started to go over my story. Preston sat there absorbing everything I said. Nothing changed in his body language to show how he felt. I could tell he was thinking things over for a long time.

“Preston,” I said while placing a hand on his shoulder.

“What he did is not okay,” he said quietly.

“I know,” I replied.

He pulled me over into a hug. He started to stroke my hair. Although kind of creepy, it was really comforting. I placed my hands on his knees. We stayed like that for a few minutes before he leaned back to look at me.

“We shouldn’t stay here, we should go home.”

“But I just got here, Hawaii’s amazing. Surely we can stay for a little longer,” I pleaded.

“Being that close to him.”

“It’s not like he’s going to show up here,” the door opening as I said it.

A guy, who I vaguely remember borrowing a phone from, staggered in with Michael and Will in tow. You had to open your big mouth didn’t you, Bree. Preston grabbed my lower arm. Michael and Will came further into the room. Preston’s grip tightened.

“Spoke too soon,” I mumbled.

“Bree,” Michael started.

For some reason anger just rose in me. I was on the last nerve. “No, Michael. I’ve had it and I don’t want to hear any more of your bullshit!” I yelled. Michael cringed.

“You shouldn’t be so hard on him,” Will said. I pointed a sharp finger at him. He instantly stopped talking.

“Preston, I want to go home.”

Just like that I was leaving Hawaii the same day I got there. It’s beauty was captivating, but not enough to keep me near Michael and Will. I needed to get away from them. Right now, I don’t want to talk to them ever again. No way am I staying with Preston, though. I puzzled over where my home would be once we touched down.

I peered out the window. The beautiful scenery was fading to vast blue ocean. The sight brought a frown to my face. I wanted to stay, I’d most likely never have an opportunity like this again. I pressed my right hand to the window in longing. Preston sat in the seat next to me, eyes closed.

Preston woke me up while the plane taxied down the runway to our gate. Not long after leaving Hawaii I had fallen asleep. Seeing his face made the situation real. I hadn’t just dreamed that Michael and I had gotten in a fight. Everything was real. A single tear slipped down my face. Preston didn’t seem to notice.

Preston handed me my bag from the overhead bin. We waited for the line of people to shuffle off the plane. It was raining, like usual. The weather was much more depressing than that of Hawaii’s. My mood dampened even more.

Preston’s hand slipped into mine as we stepped off the plane. Instead of pushing it away I welcomed the warmth it brought me. I shifted my vision to look over at him. He was looking ahead, but had a small smile playing on his lips.

The cold once again nipped at my face. Suddenly I felt very tired. I suppose the jet lag is kind of bad. Preston pulled me over to a nice red sports car. I couldn’t tell the model or the year, it was nice to say the least. He took my bag and put it in the trunk while I got in the passenger seat.

Preston got in. “Where to?” he asked. I looked at him dumbly. Where to?

“I uh,” I started to say.

“Do you have a place?”

“Currently, no.”

“Stay with me,” he suggested. I looked at him skeptically.

“Just for the night,” he added quickly. Do I trust Preston enough to actually stay with him?

We sat in his car, obviously waiting for me to make a decision. It’s either sleep outside tonight, in the cold, or stay with Preston. I suppose I could break into Michael’s house but that’s frowned upon. Maybe Nick would let me stay there, but that might be awkward.

“Sure,” I said. Preston looked triumphant. I’m so sleeping on the couch tonight. Preston turned the car on and the engine purred to life. I turned on the heat. How I wish I was still in Hawaii.

Everything here is like a big boring blob. Hawaii was exciting and exotic. Now I’m stuck with Preston, I have no home, and I lost my best friend. Well, I lost my best friend partially by myself. Still, he should have told me about Will.

Preston’s hand drifted off the steering wheel and onto my hand. I briefly looked at him. He was smiling at me. I returned it with a fake smile I hope he won’t be able to tell it's fake. Everything Preston’s been doing since well, since that day I went to apologize for Michael, has kind of been awkward. I slyly reached to turn on the music with the hand he was holding. I hope he won’t try and hold my hand again.

“I’m really sorry about what Michael did to you,” Preston said quietly.

“It wasn’t your fault,” I said, “things happen.”

“You’re welcome to stay with me for as long as you’d like.”

“That’s okay, I think I know a place to stay,” I said. Preston looked a little sad.

It stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. Preston didn’t try to hold my hand. I was a bit thankful for this. The college came into view. I was half thankful that I would finally get some rest on the subject. Comfortable rest at that. The plane left my neck sore.

I threw my bag over my shoulder before following Preston into the building. The halls were quiet. I looked at a clock on the wall. It was in the middle of the day. Where is everybody.

“Preston, where is everyone?”

“We have a week off, most people go on vacation or home. Although, some people just stay on campus.” I nodded.

We passed by Michael’s dorm, there was a pain in my heart. My eyes lingered on it for a minute. My best friend, gone.