MeromeFTW would you stop READING MY MIND that's literally... I just... I swear I wrote this three months ago
Mitch nervously tapped his fingers as the panel was about to begin. Someone decided putting him and Jerome up there alone was a smart idea, so he prepared for a barrage of relationship questions. This could go horrible or in their favor. He just had to pick his hand.
"Welcome to the panel!" Ashley announced. "Keep all the questions PG and within comfort level for our panelists, Mitch and Jerome!"
The crowd applauded as the first audience members approached the mic.
"When did you guys start your channels?"
Mitch sighed in relief. This might not be so bad after all.
::::::::::::
He couldn't have been more wrong. The fans seemed to have unintentionally organized themselves so that the questions slowly escalated. It was subtle at first, going from "How long have you been doing YouTube?" to "How long have you been friends?". But soon friendship questions got a bit deep.
"How did you meet?" A fan asked, thankfully breaking the streak of creepy, suggestive questions.
Mitch chuckled at the memory. "Well I was this cool kid and Jerome was all alone in the forest-"
"No way!" Jerome interrupted. "I saved his life two times, jumped willingly into lava once, and fought off another bacca whilst he sat there like a helpless baby!"
"He hit away my sword!" Mitch protested, crossing his arms.
"See? Helpless baby. It's a wonder I even like you." Mitch stuck his tongue out at Jerome.
A nervous looking girl approached the mic. "How- How did you get asked out?"
"Good question." Mitch assured, smiling at her. Her whole face lit up. "Jerome, being the extremely romantic person he is, told me he'd kill me off spawn in every hunger games if I didn't go on a date with him."
"And Mitch, being as gullible as he is, said yes!" Jerome retaliated. The crowd laughed, and everyone seemed to believe it. "Alright, we've got time for one more question."
A bold-looking member with a #1 Fangirl shirt stepped up to the mic. "Would you do me a favor, actually?"
"Of course. Anything for the fans." Mitch said happily.
She grinned evilly and Mitch nearly shuddered. "Kiss."
Jerome choked on his drink as Mitch's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"Kiss. Right here, right now." She explained. "We need it for edits an fanart."
"I...um-" Mitch stuttered. "That is a very bold request."
"You guys have done it tons of time before, right? Why is it a problem now?"
Mitch looked at Jerome. "What do we do?" He mouthed.
"I don't know." Jerome mouthed back.
"Have you guys not kissed before?" The fan asked, a fake gasp escaping her mouth. This is a plant, Mitch realized. A test to see how far we'll go.
"We believe a relationship should be more than physical." Mitch explained. "Enjoying each others presence, just spending time together?"
"Exactly!" Jerome said, at least pretending to get where Mitch was going. He started to talk about the joy of spending time with friends and loved ones while Mitch tried to signal someone with his eyes. His glance caught Ashley's, who looked extremely concerned. As soon as Mitch gave her the signal she rushed up towards the stage.
"I think we are going to wrap up this panel, if you could all make your way to the desserts pavilion we'll cut the cake-"
"My question was never answered."
Ashley glared at the child in the audience. "You didn't have a question in the first place. And quite frankly, it was making the panels' members uncomfortable. Thank you for all your great questions, everyone, and see you in five!"
"I think some fans will be mad that you've failed to complete your task. Fans may start disappearing." The brat looked directly at Mitch then, signifying she knew he knew.
This was it. This brat would report back to her leader; Jerome's dad, probably, and get them all killed. He had to do it, whether Jerome knew it or not. He was going to regret this.
Just as everyone was getting up to leave, Mitch got up and planted a kiss firmly on Jerome's lips.
Well, that's the end of the chapter guys. Thanks for reading, I think I may end the book there...
Just kidding! Continue!
"I'm sorry." Mitch whispered as he pulled away. "I'll explain later."
One scream set off a chain reaction as a shocked Jerome stared at Mitch. "You better have a fantastic reason for that."
"It was a trick. We have to leave." Mitch said urgently, grabbing Jerome by the wrist. "Adam! Jerome and I must go now."
"Oh no you don't. We have to talk." For the first time in the past few minutes, Mitch notice the fire in Adam's eyes. "Ashley, take care of the guests."
"I want to be a part of-"
"Go!" He yelled. She shied away and hurried off to the pavilion. "You two. Now."
They entered a room filled with the other members of Team Crafted. "Sit, please." He said like a siren to a sailor. "Now, we need to have a discussion about what just happened. You are aware that would be categorized as an inappropriate display of affection, correct?" Jerome nodded, so Mitch went with it. "That's against the rules. Care to explain?"
"Listen, we would, but we can't." Mitch said.
"Oh? And why would that be?" Adam looked unamused.
"It's private."
"Why is your private life all over our stage then?"
"In their defense, a fan brought it up, not them." Jason said. Adam nodded.
"Although that is true, they were not being held with a gun to their head to kiss and they did anyways."
If only they knew, Mitch thought.
" Now, from what I saw, Mitch initiated this kiss. Did Jerome have any part in it?"
"It was all me." Mitch said firmly, an idea forming as to where this was going.
"I see..." Adam said. "I'm sorry, but rules state that we have to vote on whether you stay in the group or not."
"Since when do we have rules?" Ian objected.
"Since forever." Adam answered. "Now remember when voting that this is nothing personal. It's more so whether we believe you broke the rules or not. Alright, all who think he didn't break the rules?"
Ian and Jason raised their hands.
"All who think he did?"
Quentin, Kermit, Seto, and Ty raised their hand. "I see. Mitch, I'm sorry to say, but you are out of Team Crafted."
"All because he kissed me in public?"
Jerome said, speaking up for the first time. "Ridiculous!"
"It's not that, it's the issue of fan requests. If you do one they'll all be asking for us to make out."
"We're in a relationship." Jerome said. "You know, I'm done. It's been great, but I quit. Thanks for the memories." He dragged Mitch outside to the sound of arguing voices.
"Don't be upset." Jerome said once they were out of earshot.
"I'm not upset."
"We don't need them."
"I'm not-"
"Someday they'll understand."
"Jerome!" Mitch said. "I'm fine. Listen, that fan was a plant. She was sent by your dad to see how far we would go. I don't know if we'll get a good report or a bad, but we need to get out of here."
"But-"
"Go home." Mitch said firmly. "Pack some things. I've got clear my head, form a plan of some sorts. I'll be home as soon as I can."
"Biggums." Jerome said, looking into Mitch's eyes. "You need to work on your kissing skills."
"Is now really the time?" Mitch complained jokingly, lightly punching Jerome's arm. "Go on."
"I know what we're working on tonight!" The bacca called over his shoulder. Mitch rolled his eyes and began his walk out of sight of the fans. When he came to the pavilion, he was surprised to see no one there. A girl jogged over to him quickly and hugged him.
"Are you alright? What did Adam do to you?" She asked.
"Kicked me out of Team Crafted." Mitch said. "Nothing, really."
"Nothing?" Ashley said incredulously. "That's huge! Your career is gone!"
Doesn't matter where I'm going, Mitch thought. "It's stupid how one kiss upset so much. Why can't I kiss the person I- love?" Mitch stuttered over the love part.
"About that," Ashley said. "Why'd you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Kiss him. It's obvious you didn't want to do it. So why would you let a fan boss you around?" She asked.
"I... It's complicated." Mitch replied.
She looked at the ground. "Oh. I just thought we were close enough friends that we could tell each other secrets and have trust, you know? Guess it's one-sided." She laughed coldly.
"Ashley, don't be like that."
"It's fine, I get it. I'm too trusting. Probably scared you off by showing you who I really was back then, didn't I?"
"I'm not telling you for your own good." Mitch insisted. "Your life would be in danger."
"I already have you figured out, Mitchell Hughes." She stared into the depths of his eyes. ""I see the way you look at him. There's something there, but it certainly isn't love. What is going on Mitch? Admit it, please. I'm dying to know."
Mitch froze. "Why do you care?"
"I want to help you. No one should have to spend their days pretending to be something they aren't. I don't know why you do it, but I'm here for you."
"Thank you, but-"
"Stop lying to the fans!" She begged suddenly. "Stop acting like this hollowed out shell of a person! You may have fooled everyone else, but I've known since day one there's been something off about you! And I will not rest until I find it."
"Stay out of it!" Mitch demanded. "Just stay away from me!"
And with that, he ran.
OH CRAP
SCARLETT WHAT DID YOU DO
I just changed the game. Be prepared for next chapter.
~Scarlett
