Preston woke up even more tired than he started. He tossed and turned, trying to fall back asleep. The rain hitting the roof wasn't helping. Eventually he gave up, glancing at the clock. 4:53 a.m.

   He sighed quietly and picked up his phone, playing a few app games on it. When that grew stale, he plugged in his earbuds and hit shuffle. He also grabbed a notebook. He started listing random things. Everything he had eaten yesterday, the successful plays he'd written, things like that. At one point, the teen began listing everything he liked about Max. His fluffy black hair, his aqua green eyes his attitude. Soon enough, Max took up at least five pages of his notebook.

   Preston's gaze travelled towards his phone. "Should I text him?" he asked himself. He bit his lip, considering it. Finally he shrugged and grabbed it, sending the other boy a text.

FuckingAdorable: Hey. You awake?

   He went to change the song on his phone. Once he did, a reply came in.

HethinksI'mcute: i am now
FuckingAdorable: Sorry. I just couldn't sleep.
HethinksI'mcute: its fine
HethinksI'mcute: ill keep you company
FuckingAdorable: Thanks ❤️
HethinksI'mcute: woah, throwing out the heart emojis
FuckingAdorable: Should I stop? ❤️
HethinksI'mcute: bring it on ❤️💕

   And so the heart emoji war between Max and Preston broke out. They were both smiling like dorks the while time.

FuckingAdorable: I can't believe the party's in a week ❤️💕💞💓💝💚
HethinksI'mcute: yeah, you better get your ass in gear ❤️💕💞💓💝💚💛
FuckingAdorable: Did you just
HethinksI'mcute: whoo I win ❤
HethinksI'mcute: and yes

   He laughed softtly at the Heathers joke. "Two can play at that," he thought playfully.

FuckingAdorable: You going to make this whole town disappear?
HethinksI'mcute: no, we're gonna make it beautiful
FuckingAdorable: You know Max, you say you're numb inside, but I can't agree
HethinksI'mcute: hey hey
HethinksI'mcute: Keep it locked out there
FuckingAdorable: Dang, Dang, Diggity dang-a dang, then...

   This went back and forth until the sun rose at 6:20 a.m. Preston was still texting him as he was getting dressed. They finally said their goodbyes and he hurried towards the front door, in a better mood than before.

•~•

A/N: Only about four or five chapters to go until this book ends... Are you ready for it?  ~FB667