All Chapters of Mr. President Perfect: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Josh woke up to the sun’s radiation biting his skin. His lids fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was the mischievous light spilling through his window.He half-expected Tristan to be there, rattling his fist against the transparent glass so they could have another session of talking—talking about things that made his heart flutter, a dangerous pink color attacking the iron barriers of his chest.His fingers pressed over his eyelids as he rubbed them. A memory replayed in his mind over and over again: Dylan’s hands raking into his flesh.It felt as if his stepfather's touch carried a dark energy, sending a violent shock of electricity straight through his body.He forced his eyes open and reminded himself that he could not be like this. He needed to stop, because this feeling was a disease that would rot the butterfly wings fluttering inside his stomach.But the terrifying words River had spoken last night kept echoing in his head. He knew what he felt whenever he was close to

Josh stepped out of the store. His heart hammered wildly against his ribs as his eyes searched frantically for any sign of Tristan. His gaze drifted toward the trails where he felt he might still catch a lingering sense of his presence. Beside him, the road was a blur of passing vehicles.His eyes welled up with tears, fueled by a desperate urge to run and find the person he hated.He could not bring himself to believe that Tristan was capable of taking a life. He refused to judge him because he knew there was another side to the story that he had yet to hear for himself.A knot formed in his stomach, feeling as though a massive, invisible hand was squeezing him from the inside.He stepped out and bolted across the street, only to be met by the deafening blare of a car horn. The shock sent him crashing to the ground. His hands throbbed with a sharp pain that felt like splinters under his skin.He looked up and squinted at the car, only to see a woman behind the wheel flashing him the

Josh stood there, facing his father, Dylan, who was waiting for him.Dylan held a thick, hard wooden stick that he had likely picked up from outside.Josh kept his eyes fixed on the ground, his heart rattling in his chest as he stood before his father.He was well aware of the situation he was in, especially after Tristan had been involved in such a dark and difficult circumstance.He felt helpless, his hands and feet trembling as a heavy vibration seemed to fill the surroundings."Who was that? Who was that person?" Dylan asked, his voice deep, sharp, and serious."I was the only one in the taxi," Josh replied, making excuses even though he knew those excuses might cost him dearly."Do not play jokes with me, Josh," Dylan snapped, his voice booming as he turned toward him.Josh looked up at his father, a man who demanded perfection in every aspect of life."I have given you everything, and yet you still bring home imperfection," Dylan continued. "Just because your grades are straight

Josh’s breathing became heavy. The line was being struck by Nathan’s appearance in front of him with his hair disheveled. Josh rubbed the back of his neck. Fire rose in his stomach.“Stay away, Nathan,” Josh explained. “I don’t want you being near me.”Josh spoke with his voice with light. He wanted the distance between them and Nathan to flicker away from existence.“You have to believe me, Josh. I loved you,” Nathan said, his voice ragged.Nathan stepped forward. Josh felt trapped. Josh felt his body shutting. Josh wanted to step his way out of Nathan’s face.“I told you, go away!” he yelled out.His voice echoed. Eyes darted onto him. Josh felt scared of the stares lingering on his skin.“I want you to go away. Please. You’re ruining me,” Josh warned. He wanted to punch Nathan’s sharp nose.Josh had to protect his ego. His pride. His straight A’s. His lines. His status.The hallways felt narrow. The air turned thin. Nathan reached out, his fingers trembling. Josh recoiled. His back

Josh dropped his gaze on the ground. A hot, bitter poison surged through his veins as he watched them together, a jealousy so sharp it felt like swallowing glass.He never ever wanted to be close to Tristan’s presence anymore. His eyes began to sting and burn with a pressure he couldn't suppress, blurring the world into a smear of painful colors.His legs weakened, trembling as if his bones had suddenly turned to water.Josh walked away, his heart breaking into a thousand jagged pieces with every step. He hated watching Tristan with another girl. Josh had saved Tristan from a human parasite, a girl who clung to him like a blood-sucking tick, but it didn't matter now.Then he stopped in front of a trash can. He removed the necklace hanging on his neck, then threw it away inside the trash.He’s never ever taking that disgusting item that he agreed to put upon his skin. He’s straight. Not so ever he will like the same gender as he was. He’s basically a man with a man's pride.He walked i