Slick x Jeremy [M/M]

Chapter 2 - Old Faces in Familiar Places

After leaving his house, Jeremy took a deep breath before making his way towards the car, his mind filled with conflicting emotions. As he settled into the driver's seat, he paused for a few moments lost in thought before finally starting the car and heading into town.

Despite his efforts to push the thoughts out of his mind, the ache in his heart remained. He couldn't help but second-guess himself as he drove down the road.

Upon arriving at the grocery store, Jeremy focused on the familiar clicking sound of his turn signal. It was always a noise he enjoyed. He parked the car and made his way inside, temporarily blinded by the harsh fluorescent lights before his vision adjusted

As Jeremy made his way through the aisles, he couldn't help but feel a sense of numbness as he mechanically went about his shopping. He tossed items into his cart without much thought, his mind preoccupied with the thoughts that had been weighing heavily on him.

He absentmindedly slinked forward, only stopping at the snack aisle. He was reminded that he needed to start making choices to treat himself, a small step towards taking control of his life again.

As he continued down the aisle, he spotted a display of his favorite brand of coffee. A pang of sadness hit him as he thought to himself about how he ruined the morning by allowing himself to get upset. He could've been having that coffee with Slick if it wasn't for him.

The stillness around him was shattered by a voice calling out his name. It was a voice that seemed to come out of nowhere, yet it pierced through the silence with a sense of familiarity. "Jeremy?" he heard, and he turned to see who had called out to him.

For a moment, Jeremy stood there, confused and disoriented. He couldn't place the voice, but something about it tugged at his memory. He scanned the faces of the people around him, trying to identify the source of the call. Then, he saw her. It was Ophelia.

She was an old acquaintance from high school that he hadn't seen in years. They had been close once, but had drifted apart as they pursued different paths in life. Despite the distance, however, the woman's face lit up as she recognized Jeremy.

"Is that really you, Jeremy?" she asked, approaching him with a smile. "It's been ages! How have you been?"

Jeremy was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. He hadn't expected to run into anyone he knew, let alone someone from his past. But he couldn't deny the excitement he felt at seeing a familiar face.

"Hey, yeah, it's me," he said, his voice soft. "I've been... okay. Just trying to get by."

They caught up briefly, exchanging updates on their lives, Ophelia adding herself to Jeremy's contacts. "We should get back in touch sometime," she said before they finally parted ways.

Jeremy stared in her direction, blank faced and surprised by the interaction, before starting off to finish his shopping.

She had always been one of the most beautiful and intriguing girls in their high school class, and now, as a grown woman, she was even more radiant. Not even a gay man could deny that.

Jeremy couldn't help but feel a sense of euphoria as he thought back on their conversation. Despite the years that had passed, there was still a spark of familiarity between them, a connection that he couldn't ignore. He found himself already looking forward to the next time they would cross paths.

But as he reached the checkout line and began unloading his groceries onto the conveyor belt, his thoughts turned back to the present. He had more pressing matters to attend to, and he couldn't let himself get distracted by memories and what-ifs. He was grateful for the distractions, but now it was time for him to relax alone.

Jeremy placed his groceries into his car, locking it with a click. Then a few more clicks. He made sure to press the button on the key-fob again and again, always double checking to make sure the car was secure. He knew it was a habit, but he couldn't help himself. Better safe than sorry, he thought to himself.

He made his way towards the woods that lined behind the grocery store. He had always been drawn to nature, and the quiet serenity of the forest was just what he needed after a morning like that. As he entered the woods, he took a moment to pause and look back at the sprawling parking lot behind him. There was a certain beauty in the chaos of the world, he thought to himself, but here in the woods he found a sense of peace that he couldn't find anywhere else.

He placed his hand on the rough bark of a nearby tree and looked up and down its trunk, marveling at the intricate patterns and textures of the wood. For a few moments, he lost himself in the beauty of nature, forgetting about the worries and stresses of his everyday life.

Jeremy took a deep breath, feeling the cool, crisp air filling his lungs. It was as if every breath was rejuvenating him, revitalizing his body and mind. The rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds were the only sounds he could hear. He let himself become fully immersed in the tranquil surroundings, his senses heightened by the stillness of the forest as if it were his primal instinct.

As he continued to walk deeper into the woods, he came across a small stream that mended through the trees. The sound of the water trickling over the rocks was music to his ears. He sat down on a nearby boulder, taking in the scenery around him. The vibrant colors of the trees, the shimmering surface of the water, and the piles of leaves made him feel alive.

As he sat there, watching the stream flow by, he made a mental note to come back to this spot whenever he needed a moment of solitude and reflection.

Hours passed as he explored the brook, before Jeremy eventually returned back to his car. As he climbed inside, he rested himself in the padded seats savoring the moment of relaxation while he could. He started the engine, and began to slowly navigate his way out of the parking lot.

Feeling a twinge of hunger, Jeremy remembered a nearby ice cream shop that he had heard good things about from Ophelia. Without hesitation, he made a quick turn into the shop's parking lot and walked in, scanning the colorful menu board for a flavor that caught his eye. After ordering a scoop of orange, he settled himself back into his car. Taking a spoonful of the creamy dessert, he put it in his mouth, peering out of the window.

As Jeremy finished his ice cream, he became aware that he had been sitting alone for some time. Rather than feeling lonely, he found it empowering to relish in the simple pleasures of life in solitude. Despite feeling reinvigorated, he remained seated and scrolled through his social media feeds on his phone, savoring the moment of peace and tranquility

.As he was scrolling, he noticed a message from Ophelia that he had missed. Jeremy replied to her text immediately, apologizing for his tardiness, and they started to catch up. They chatted about how their lives had changed since they last spoke, with Ophelia sharing that she was getting married to an overbearing fiancé. Jeremy could empathize with her and appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend.

Ophelia extended an invitation for Jeremy to come to her house, and he felt touched by her offer. She also extended one to Slick to be sure. They said their goodbyes, and Jeremy made a mental note to prioritize socializing in his life. As he put his phone away and checked the time, he realized that he had been in the parking lot for over an hour, and the sunset was painting the sky in vibrant shades of orange. Jeremy observed it, before driving off and back onto the country road.

As Jeremy cruised down the winding road, his eyes caught sight of the telephone poles racing by in streaks as he sped at fifty-five miles per hour. Feeling the need for some tunes, he turned on the stereo, but after a few disappointing tracks and shooting looks of disapproval, he decided to Bluetooth his own playlist to the radio instead.

As the music filled the car, Jeremy felt himself relax into the rhythm of the road. The sun had set, leaving the sky dark and starry. He glanced up, taking in the sight before returning his attention to the road ahead. As Jeremy continued down, he occasionally caught the glare of headlights from oncoming traffic, temporarily illuminating his path. A few of the vehicles had LED headlights, and he couldn't help but groan inwardly at how much he despised those kinds of lights.