(So we had Lachlan confessing his love for both Rob and Preston in his thoughts in Chapter 12.. What if Leston really happened? ;)

Send me cute Fanart of Leston!
Kik- mformaddiexo
Skype- Frostxeevee )

"..He's dead."

"Preston, you weren't supposed to find out like this.."

"....He's dead.."

"Are you okay?" Seto glanced nervously to the left, biting his bottom lip. He had never been good with comforting people. Brice was always better with things like this...

"I'm perfectly fine.. Why wouldn't I be?" Preston forced a chuckle, his voice growing shriller by the second. "I mean, I was just told my best friend died. I'm just p-peachy!" It cracked at the end.

Seto flinched, his eyes glossy with tears. He was frightened, but he knew Preston was just as scared and confused as he was. He cringed as Preston advanced towards him, yelling out the first name that came to mind.

"Lachlan! Lachy, help me!"

He wasn't exactly sure why he called the Australian's name. Maybe because Lachlan reminded him of Brice, who was home sick today. It didn't really matter. As long as someone came, he'd be fine..

Lachlan's head snapped to the left, gaze flickering around until he spotted the two. His expression was one of rage as he stalked over to them. Without a word, he picked Preston up like he weighed nothing.

Seto watched, half amused and half terrified, as Lachlan carried the struggling and screaming Texan away. He let out a shuddering breath he didn't know he was holding, picking his books back up and continuing on his way, guilt eating away at his thoughts.

"Put me down! I'm a fucking adult!"

"Actually, you're not."

"Am too!"

"Adults don't go to high school."

"Put me down! I'll fucking kill you!"

"No you won't." Lachlan sighed, walking up the first flight of stairs. Preston's shrieks were hurting his ears, but it was better to have him screaming in anger than anguish.

"Fight me!"

"You're like, 5'3. I'd win easily."

"The fuck? I'm 5'7, dude!"

"Whatever you say." Lachlan grunted, holding Preston away from him so he wouldn't get hit by flailing limbs... The boy was rather small. The Australian's hands were almost able to completely span his waist. Fragile... He's like a little doll..

"-And if you don't put me down by the count of three, I'll destroy you!" Lachlan blinked, breaking out of his trance. He stopped walking, staring at Preston.

"..Uh, Lachlan?" The intensity of Lachlan's gaze was making him uncomfortable. Already he could feel his cheeks heating up, his face flushed a light pink.

"Preston.." Lachlan started to say slowly. "Why were you crying? Are you okay?"

The last sentence sent him over the edge. Preston burst into tears, surprising his friend. With a soft wail, he lurched forward, burying his face into Lachlan's chest.

Lachlan tightened his grip, one arm around Preston's back, the other under his bum(so he wouldn't fall). "Shh.. It's okay.. I've got you, baby.. I'm here. It's me." He cooed. He held him firmly, but gently, afraid if he squeezed too hard, he'd break the boy even more.

"He's gone.. He's gone.. He's gone.." Preston kept repeating, taking fistfuls of Lachlan's shirt. It was getting hard to breathe, panic overwhelming the teenager.

"Preston, listen to me. Listen to my voice. Put a hand on my chest. Feel my heartbeat? I need you to breathe to the rhythm of it, okay? Can you do that for me, baby?" Lachlan murmured. He felt Preston take a shuddering breath and do what he was told, his sobs gradually fading.

After a few minutes of silence, he finally spoke up, quiet and shy. "Why is your heart beating so fast?"

"Because I'm scared for you, Preston." That was only half true. He was worried, but he was also nervous. It took all his concentration to resist pinning Preston against the wall and slamming his lips into the smaller boy's.

"I don't think that's why.. You're just scared, Lachlan. Are you scared of me? You're holding back.."

"I'm n-" He never got to finish. His eyes widened as he felt a pair of thick lips ghosting over his own, shutting him up. It was a passionate, timid gesture, tinged with fear.

"Just kiss me, Lachlan.. Make me forget."