Fast Lane (4/9)

**As said, this was inspired by Obsess-Confess's pic Need a lift?. So, enjoy it and this... and stuff. Bye~**  

     An intense wave of emotions rushed through Preston's veins - every single one conflicting with each other -  making Ainsley's issues and dealing with them even more troublesome. He pondered over the possible paths he... they could take, and almost resulted with nothing, until he made a sudden realization. While calming her down and revitalizing her sense of happiness at least a little bit was important, that couldn't be done if she was in too much pain to care... or live. So, he went with his gut feeling (and his past learning from first-year Psychology) and scooped her up within both of his hands as carefully as he could, carrying her against his chest for safekeeping to start a search for some kind of alleviation. However, when he figured where the closest spot for some probably was, he figured that he'll probably be the one in need of a remedy.

     Within the surprisingly roomy confinements of flesh and thick hoodie fabric, attempting to focus against the loud lub-dubs shaking her system and her increasing panic from being up so high so quickly, Ainsley cowered - curled into herself tightly (and painfully, but she wasn't caring about that at the moment - listening to the repeating sounds of crushed grass and gravel and rubbing fabrics. She already knew that he was moving, taking her elsewhere, but the specific location was unknown... and when she heard music and new mumbles of voices using such intimidatingly professional jargon, she really didn't want to know.

     Preston climbed the hill leading to the main party - well, the private party at the big party - and wasn't surprised that he was met with a variety of facial expressions as he merged with the main collection of gatherers. Some were happy to see him, but most people had their eyes set on the hands by his chest... and what was hidden behind them. Preston caught a hiding Thomas looking, too, before his gaze shifted it away when the blonde spotted the daggers Preston was sending his way. The angered look Preston briefly gave before continuing to walk was almost disregarded until an outsider cut him off. An admired outsider.

     Ainsley felt the instant change in velocity when Preston stopped moving. However, she wasn't put down immediately, like she expected... and hoped would happen. Another voice popping into the picture was also a surprise. "Preston, is that you?" a new, slightly older male cheerfully called, wrapping an arm around the hooded college kid's shoulders in a brief hug. "Man, it's been a while. How've you been?"

     Part of Preston's insides fluttered at the recognizable voice - it belonging to a man that was practically a brother to him. Well, actually, he was... but not by blood, at least. He smiled when he turned to see Lindsey Parrish, a popular, past president of their chapter of their fraternity... and the man that personally invited Preston to join when he was just a new kid three years ago, even though he was going to join, anyway. Covering the pained petite with his fingers to not cause suspicion, Preston 'played it cool' and greeted his superior and friend. "Uh... y-yeah, dude. H-Hey. I've been alright, I guess - just... uh, living life, you know." After a brief moment of shared smiles in silence, Preston saw his buddy's eyes began to lower, so he tried to diverge the conversation in the best way he could. "I guess you've just become too good to come to our function now, since you graduated, huh?"

     "Oh, ha-ha," Lindsey chuckled. He knew what his bro was trying to do, but he would play along... for now. "Someone's salty, huh? I'd never think you, of all people, would call me out for a slacker or something. Excuuuuuuse meeeeee for getting a job, a fiancee that always wanting to plan the big day, and a baby within three years. Myyyy bad."

     Now, Preston felt bad - one for assuming bad character and also because he felt that he should've known that. That's one time he could say that he wasn't on social media enough. Little did he know that even tiny Ainsley felt sympathy, too... aside from the intense pain and ever-growing fear of the future, obviously. "Alright, alright, you win," Preston agreed, with another smile. "S-Sorry, dude. I just..." He didn't intend on weaving bits of his present reality into the conversation, but he did, under his breath. "I kinda wish that... I would've had your input before it was... too late."

     The all-knowing President Parrish knew there was something going on in the background, and with Preston's shadiness and privacy toward himself... and whatever he was holding, he had to end it. It was just so unusual of him. "This... 'input' of yours wouldn't have anything to do with... that, would it?" he inferred, pointing to the precious in question.

     With his plan know completely shattered, Preston was a deer in headlights, unsure of how to respond... especially if Ainsley was still up, running, and listening in. So, all he could was stand there with his mouth agape and wide eyes. Meanwhile, Ainsley went frozen at the acknowledgement of her existence. Since neither Preston or whoever this other character was explained anything about their relation, though she definitely guessed and assumed a few things, she hadn't a clue whether or not to be fearful or relieved. But, she did know two things: 1) "I could be going crazy right now, but this guy sounds A LOT like that Mac kid," and 2) "My body... r-reallllllllly didn't like me freaking out back there. Mistakes... ugh, so many mistakes were made..." 

     Taking note of his friend's shock, Lindsey figured that maybe he was dealing with a sensitive subject. But, that didn't mean he wasn't going to let up. After all, Preston already looked stressed before he mentioned anything, and from what he could tell... it was currently getting worse and worse. "So, I'm right?" Lindsey correctly conjectured. "I thought so, but why're you so shaky? You're acting like you stole something."

     "Well, I didn't steal anything. That's for sure." Preston said that without hesitation, but technically... "I'm not 'stealing' her, r-right? I'm trying to help..." He began combating with himself over the thought.

     "Of course not. Only joking, dude. You're too much of a goody-two-shoes to do that." Oh, Preston hoped that Ainsley heard that sweet sentiment. Maybe it would change her outlook on him. Though, with the obvious association between him and Thomas the Tool Bag, the hammer thing, and just whisking her away like this, he didn't have much confidence in himself left. "But, really, what'cha doing?" Lindsey continued. "Trying to nurse another bird back to good health or something?"

     "Ha! Dude, that was one time, two years ago." Preston didn't think he'd hear of one of his escapades from sophomore year again, especially from someone who wasn't even there to experience it. At least it was better to talk about that than his current problem. "Hey, I did it and got hella extra credit, but come on, Linz. I wouldn't do that again, unless I had to." Preston humored himself, but by the looks of it, Lindsey didn't share the same feeling. In fact... "Wait, why would you even say that?" When Lindsey slowly lifted an arm toward Preston without any explanation, the younger one's heart started racing. So, imagine the inner chaos Preston was experiencing when Lindsay brushed a finger across his hand and returned it to view - it now having a faintly colored, wet, shiny streak on its pad.

     Less than five seconds passed before Preston exposed his small secret, and when he did, he was greatly shocked at what had somehow occurred in just a few minutes - his tiny special guest now slowly trembling and taking broken breaths in a soaking wet dress in a shallow puddle of some substance leaking from her and through his fingers. Yet, Lindsey, on the other hand, was anything but speechless, not believing what was brought before him and its condition... or what had possibly gone down to result to it. "When I said 'bird', I wasn't talking about this kind. What the hell happened!?"

      "I... sh-she..." Preston fumbled with words as he noticed people beginning to huddle around, most of them being fraternity brothers that also lived in the house with him and Thomas. But, speaking of the infamous leader, he wasn't found in the crowd, except way in the back... almost like he was trying to- "Hey, Tommy," Preston yelled, taking pressure off himself and putting all attention on the lone wolf, causing him to stop on a dime. "Where're you going? The *sigh* current president going off, already? That's no way to host a party."

     A few of the younger brothers, including a somewhat disgusted Mac, went over to the sheepish blonde and brought him over to the duo. "Ah, y-yeah. Y-You're right," he responded, fully knowing of what he was being dragged into. But, he didn't want anyone else to know that. "What... What'cha got there?"

     Preston caught the false sincerity in an instant, and Lindsey sensed something off about the encounter, but they were most focused on the damaged doll. "Cut the crap, Thomas," he hissed, just quiet enough so only he could hear. "You know what you did." Behind the seemingly (and faked) surprised and concern on his face, Preston saw Thomas' true worry, as he should've had... especially for what would happen to him next. There were many ways Preston could've proceeded, but what he did resulted in the ultimate consequence... you know, without violence and other unnecessarily bad stuff: full, deserved retribution with plenty of witnesses. 

     With a smirk on his face, Preston restarted, questioning, "Just wondering, guys, do any of you know this girl personally?" Part of him wished that there was someone who could've at least helped him care for and/or familiarize him with Ainsley, but as he expected, mostly based on her timidness earlier, none of them did. "Yet, you know who she is, right?" Still following his assumptions, all of the current guys in the house did. "And why is that?" There was a bit of hesitation, but in the end, all of their eyes ended up on Thomas, who couldn't take the heat from the staring.

     "Did... I miss something?" Lindsey questioned, aware of the sudden increase in tension.

     "Yeah," he answered sadly with a sigh. "I'm sure these guys'll quickly fill you... and fill everyone else that should know in on everything, but long story short, a bunch of drama led to a bunch of insanity-"

     "-that led to this little miss becoming... this?"

     "Mm hmm." Aside from the shaking and/or dropped heads Thomas received, all eyes were on Ainsley practically, if not completely, unconscious self. "I came here for one thing, but now..."

     "Bro, look," Lindsey spoke sweetly, placing both hands on Preston's shoulders. "I don't know exactly what has gone down with her, but I do know three things: 1) she needs care... NOW, 2) Thomas needs to explain himself, whatever he apparently did do, and what he probably didn't do, and 3) We've got an hour or so before people, big and small, are gonna start coming here for one of the biggest shindigs this year... semester... whatever."

     "Whoa, whoa! We can't still have this party!" Preston exclaimed forcefully, halfway hoping his volume would wake up the mini miss. "Do you know what will happen if people find out about this? Do you know what'll happen to me, if people find out about this!? I'm the-!"

     " I know who you and your overachieving butt are. Just. Calm. Down! As much as we all want her to go back to normal... whatever 'normal' may be, this celebration is still happening. There's been too much prep for it not to. I mean, I freaking made it here!"

     "Yeah, you did, but now we have her to deal with. Look at her, man..."

     Lindsey did as his friend suggested, quickly grazing a finger over her skin from head to toe. Although, in this case, the action was strictly for health checking, Ainsley totally wouldn't have been about that life, if she knew. Anyway, he was bothered by her drastic temperature changes, as he traced her body. Half of her was freezing, while the other half was severely heating up. This was something he hadn't seen in quite some time.

     "This is pretty bizarre," he began, "but nothing too bad. In fact, this is rather reminiscent of a little episode a certain brother of mine had at a talent show years ago. Freaking dork..." No one was sure of what he was going on about, until they noticed his glance at Mac, who just gave a snarky look back. Thomas laughed at the banter, but the younger Parrish wasn't in the mood for ridicule, especially from someone who humored himself by willingly making life harder for others, especially the doll-like damsel who resembled his future sister-in-law in the most important ways. With a forceful squeeze, Mac put his 'superior' - if that was still considered an adequate word - back in check, and Lindsay continued, "Yeah, this is probably just anxiety or something. Though, it wouldn't hurt taking her to a medic or something..."

     "Ohhhh no," Preston but in. "I mean, it's the smart thing to do, but... If I take her there, then there's gonna be a lot more drama than necessary. Whenever she awakens..." Note: 'when', not 'if'. "...and the docs start asking questions, she won't know what to say... 'cause she doesn't know a damn thing about what happened! Ughhhh! For Christ's sake, Thomas, you don't know what you've done!"

     "Preston, chill, before you make this any worse!" Lindsey didn't mean to lash out, and no one thought that he would. But, it did silence him, so there's that. "How about... you take her over to the gazebo or something, and just watch her for now, okay? At least until she wakes up? It shouldn't be too long. I'll go see if someone has a first aid kit or something. Everything'll be fine."

     Preston smiled at the confidence the gracious leader had for him, hoping that some of his awesomeness had somehow spread onto him. With how things outside this whole fiasco had been going, maybe some of it did, but he'd never know for sure. Right now, it was all about her. "Alright then. I guess you'll know where to find me. But, seriously, though. Don't take too long." In response, Lindsey simply smirked and saluted before taking away Thomas, his posse, and anyone else who obviously knew whatever he didn't know to talk... making sure to invite some of the other past frat members from the university to listen in, too.

     When everyone went away, he was glad to have a clear path to the gazebo, with no one around to watch, snoop, or take pictures, like what he was used to getting on school grounds. He didn't want to imagine the headlines on the school's newspaper, if someone snapped a pic of him with Ainsley like that. It'd be worse if the school's gossip magazine got one of them... and laced it with absolutely NO context, as it usually did (hence 'gossip magazine'). However, if he wanted to, since they couldn't see him, then Preston could've easily taken a photo of anyone else, as the gazebo was located on a hill that overlooked both the private frat party (and its guests) and the continual set-up for the beach party where thousands of students would eventually flood in. But, for now, he was alone, sliding himself onto a wooden bench under a wooden table with an unlit candle, with a little lady in his hands... in a drenched dress.

     While it wasn't hot, exactly, he knew how it could be cold for anyone just coming out of the water... or anyone just wet, in general. So, getting her warmed up was the first priority. He reached into a side pocket, hoping to find what his best friend had asked him to hide for him earlier in the day (for personal reasons...), and he was successful, pulling out a lighter and lighting the candle, adding a bit of a comfy, floral aroma to the sweet smells of the ocean air. Preston was about to just place Ainsley on the table in front of him, next to it, and wait for her awakening and a health kit, until he realized how it wouldn't be warm enough for some time. But, was there a way to help... and not make it weird? Well, he had one idea, and it would work... if she didn't wake up right then and there.

     Making a temporary comfort, he wrapped Ainsley's body with a spare napkin he found and placed her gently onto the hard tabletop before beginning to remove his hoodie for her to use, not only as a heat source, but it would be much softer than hard oak... maple... whatever kind of wood that was. If that wasn't awkward enough, then the sounds of someone approaching as he did so definitely was.

     "Uh, am I interrupting something?" one of the Parrish brothers asked cheekily, pausing Preston's progress briefly. Brushing aside the bit of embarrassment, he finished disrobing to find a smirking Mac leaning by the side of the gazebo, holding a perfectly unused first aid kit in his hands. "I can just leave this and go, if you want..."

     Laying the plushy garment next to the sleeping girl and then wiping his damp palms on his T-shirt, he looked up to his smart-aleck of a friend, straightened out his tee, and responded, "Heh, heh, you think you're funny, don't you? Nah, you're fine."

     "I'm just saying... It looked pretty questionable, dude," Mac said as he sat down, too. "Any progress with her, yet?"

     "*sigh* No. If you slamming that box down didn't wake her, then I don't think anything will, except fate... maybe. But, what are you doing over here?"

     "What do you mean?" Mac queried, opening the kit and looking inside.

     "I thought you'd be helping your bro out with Tommy boy or something."

     "What? Oh, Linz... Don't worry. I'm gonna do what I can. I'm just delivering this 'cause... Well, Thomas never actually incorporated me. I just heard about his scheming from others, so I wouldn't be as much of a help, anyway. Still sucks, though..."

     "It does..." Preston took the box of medicinal products and looked inside. He was surprised to see the box separated into two sides, each with their own collections of equipment and stuff... in their respective sizes for each species. However, examining deeper, he noticed that the section of smaller things also had items that he had never seen in a doctor's office, in a hospital, or even in some kind of nature survival show on television. Well, that may have been because they all happened to be human-targeted or specialized, but still... He expected he would've learned about those in some kind of biology or anatomy class... ever. He was about to continue his searching until he heard movement in front of him. Hoping not to scare Little Miss Alcott, if she was waking up, Preston moved slowly as he closed the box to see her. In the end, he did see her... but probably not as he had wished. "What... are you doing?"

     There were so many things wrong the image Preston was presented with. If it said anything, the only good part was that Ainsley was still there, sleeping still. However, to catch her wet, almost see-through (if one looked hard enough) garments being seemingly pulled away from her... by a bent over and a bit too close Mac was something else. To make matters worse for him, Mac caught Preston presumptuous question, looked at him - still with the girl's damp dress pinched between a thumb and an index finger, and tested back, "What?"

     "'What?' What do you mean 'What?'" Preston rebutted, baffled.

     "I was trying to get it off her," Mac replied.

     "Yeah, I can see that. But, why?" Preston couldn't wait to hear what he would come up with.

     "Well, it seemed like you were trying to dry her off or something. So, I thought removing the main reason for her... moisture of sorts and then warming her directly would be a better idea." Preston couldn't deny that logic... or he probably could have, if he actually tried, but he didn't. "Though - heh, heh - I get why you might be peeved by my action."

     "Oh... really?" he chuckled, feeling relieved as Mac moved away from her.

     "Yes, really. Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm not trying to get a peepshow. I'm not that desperate for a girl. You, though..."

     "Hey, hey, watch it, Parrish," Preston teased as Mac stood up. "I have my reasons."

     "I'm sure you do, dude. I should get back now, but hey, I'll keep you updated on Thomas' reckoning..." Mac's sentence began to drop off when he saw Preston's judging look. He was confused until he caught the drift, aka the first reason why they all were there. "...and... and the party planning, too. Man, you've been more on point with this than Thomas has. You should be presi- Oh, right." Mac caught himself, realizing his error.

     "I know, but as long as you know why, then you know why I'm not changing that." Though, for a while, he had considered the idea... whatever it was. "Now, go. When she wakes up, she's already gonna have a hard time with one big guy. Do you really wanna try two?" Mac took the hint, gave Preston a quick fist-bump, and went away to support his blood brother and frat brothers, leaving Preston and Ainsley alone together once again, surrounded by a beautiful, starry night sky and the ebbs and flows of the sea waves .

     Though Preston hoped her revival would be sooner rather than later, and knowing that a celebration was close to beginning, in the end, it was going to be a long night. Now, it was just a matter of time.