Live in Color

thirty five - magenta

"Mom?"

Jericho looks like he isn't sure what to think when that word escapes his mouth. He looks at him Emma's slowly approaching figure, who looks just as surprised to see us here as we do. We're both quick to stand up, Jericho's hand still holding tightly onto mine. I've noticed that Jericho likes to do that- constantly hold onto my hand when he's unsure about something, as if it anchors him to the present and forces himself to disconnect himself from the past. I'm just happy it help him.

Emma purses her lips, looking anxious as she reaches us, standing about arm's reach away from us as she asks, "What are you two doing here?"

"I'm just visiting dad..." Jericho mutters, obviously not too keen on giving away the fact that we're here on a much bigger mission. "What are you doing here?"

Emma uncurls her fingers from a fist, showing us the small piece of paper in her hand- the address Jericho had written down for her. "I told you- I had some apologizing to do. I'm just- I didn't think you'd be here, considering Noel is here. I thought that you two were having a bit of a feud."

"You've seen Noel around?" I ask quickly.

Emma nods, "Oh yeah, just an hour or so ago."

"Do you know where he's staying?"

Pursing her lips once more, she shakes her head. "No, I don't. But when I saw him, he was going to the movies, so I'd think that he'd still be there. You can try and catch him there."

"Thank you so much, mom," Jericho says, moving back to let her visit his dad. Emma's face lights up at Jericho's words before her happiness dies down as her eyes scan over the headstone. Deciding to give her the space she needs right now, Jericho fast-walk our way out of the graveyard before sprinting through the parking lot, booting it into the car.

Once we're inside, Tallie and Jamie are quick to demand what's wrong while Cole questions why we were running like Jericho's dad just crawled out of the grave. I shoot Cole a look for being so insensitive, but luckily Jericho just laughs at his joke and explains the situation to them.

"So they're at the movie theatre," Jamie says, leaning forward to stick her head in between mine and Jericho's seat. "What're we going to do? Camp outside the movie theatre and wait for them to come see us?"

"Well I doubt that they know what Jamie, Cole and Mitch look like, so they can 'casually' stand by the doorway to see if they come out while the rest of us can hide in other places inside," Tallie suggests.

"Amazing," Cole deadpans. "They don't know what we look like. Oh wait! We don't either."

Tallie rolls her eyes and takes out her phone, "I have plenty of pictures, friends. Give me your numbers."

While everyone gives Tallie their numbers, Jericho is busy directing me to the move theatre. I can tell while we're driving that Jericho is beginning to reminisce over the old memories he had in this town, and fight the urge to take his hand. As much as I want to be there for him, I have to let him be a little independent, too. After all, he was pretty much on his alone for a lot of his life, I don't want him to feel overwhelmed with the constant support I want to provide for him.

"Turn right," Jericho tells me, shocking me out of my thoughts. I nod, doing so before glancing over at him quickly to see his head leaning against the headrest, smiling at me like I'm the best thing that's ever happened to him. Jericho softly gives me a few more directions until we're parked outside a pretty big movie theatre. Everyone is quick to get out of the car after the three hour drive, but Jericho and I stay behind for a bit after everyone is out and stretching their legs.