Soulmates

36

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I fed Colby his food. I was trying to keep it together but the fact that I was going to meet his parents had me on the brink of an anxiety attack.

I didn't want to get close to them because every time I got close to someone they either died or got injured.

I knew that sounded ridiculous but it was a newfound anxiety I had since everything that's happened in the past couple years.

I was afraid that I would get attached, and that they would be ripped away from me. I was afraid that they would be ripped away from Colby.

I was just afraid.

"Violet?" Colby asked, breaking me from my thoughts. "Sorry." I whispered then brought another forkful of food to his mouth. "What's going on in that pretty head of yours?" He asked quietly as I shook my head.

"Don't worry about it. How are you feeling?" I asked and smoothed his hair from his forehead. "I'm worried about you." He said as I shook my head. "Colby, please don't be. I promise I'm okay." I said as he frowned.

"Tell me what's going on then." He said said as I sighed and sat down. My legs were shaking from how weak I was feeling. Maybe I did need to go home and rest.

"I'm nervous." I said and picked at my leggings. "About meeting my parents?" He asked as I grabbed a tissue and blew my nose. "Kinda." I said as he held his hand out to me. "I know it's scary, but they're gonna love you." He said as I laid my hand in his palm. He was still really weak but he was able to tighten his hand around mine slightly which sent butterflies through my stomach.

"It's just...I don't want anything to happen to them." I said then pulled my hand from his again. "What do you mean?" He asked as I pulled the blanket around my shoulders so it would be tighter.

I was suddenly very cold.

"Everyone I get close to dies or gets hurt. I don't want that to happen to your parents." I said, feeling the vulnerability pouring out of me. "Oh, baby..." Colby said as I looked down at my lap.

I knew I was getting emotional because of my lack of sleep but I could feel the tears already starting. "I just....You scared me so much." I sobbed out as I looked up at him.

"And all you care about is that I'm feeling okay. I don't care how I'm feeling, Colby. I care that I almost lost you too." I said as he looked at me with so much pain in his features I had to look away.

It reminded me of when I left him.

"Vi, I love you so much and I know you're not feeling well and you're not sleeping and it just makes me nervous." He said and held his hand out to me again. "You don't have to be nervous." I said and took his hand, massaging it gently.

"I do though. I know how sensitive to death you are, especially since losing your grandma...I don't want anything to happen to you from the stress of this. I know that you're an adult though. I shouldn't be so overbearing and I'm sorry." He admitted as I nodded. "I know it's just because you care. It's fine, just please stop worrying about me so you can get better, okay?" I asked as he grinned.

"Fine, but only if your stubborn ass will take some medicine." He said as I scrunched my nose. "Deal." I said then texted Sam, asking him to bring me some on the way back.

"Do you really think they'll like me?" I asked and stood up so I could clean up the trash that was on his food tray. "I do. My mom is the sweetest, I honestly love her with my whole heart." He said as I smiled.

"Are you a mommas boy?" I asked as he chuckled. "Maybe." He said and pursed his lips. "I think it's cute." I said then leaned over and kissed his cheek as the door opened.

"Oh, Cole baby..." An older woman said as she came into the room. She was a little taller than me if not the same height and had long brown hair and bangs. "Hi mom." Colby said as she came over and hugged him as a tall man and Sam came into the room.

Colby's dad looked just like him. I was almost taken back by it as I took a step back and let them see Colby. "Here ya go, V." Sam said and handed me a bottle of pills. "Thanks, Sam." I said then grabbed my water bottle.

I took the pills then started to feel really woozy. I knew it was because of the fever but I found myself clutching onto Sam's forearm to keep myself from falling.

"Woah, I gotcha." Sam said and guided me to sit. "Sorry. I think I need some sleep soon." I admitted then drank the rest of the water bottle. "I can take you home for a little while if you want." He said as I nodded.

When I turned back to them Colby was talking to his mom. She was holding his hand and gently rubbing his forearm in a loving away. It was so cute getting to see him interact with his parents.

He seemed much more vulnerable and like he was the most comfortable around them. It made sense since they literally raised him, but it was still cute to see.

They stood around and greeted eachother for a while before Colby's dad looked over at me. "Are you going to introduce us to your friend, Cole?" He asked as Colby looked over with a smile.

"Mom, dad, this is my girlfriend Violet." Colby said then gestured to me as I smiled. "Hi, it's nice to meet you." I said and waved. "Oh, Colby. She's gorgeous!" His mom exclaimed and opened her arms for a hug.

"Oh, I'm sick." I said and held my hands up to try and stop her. "Oh, sweetie. I'm a nurse, I don't care. Come here." She said then hugged me.

I melted into the hug, feeling a sense of relief that she liked me enough to want to give me a hug.

"You're shivering, sweetheart." She said as I nodded. "Yeah, I think Sam and I are gonna head out so I can get some rest and you can spend some time with Colby." I said and looked over at Colby.

My heart still broke every time I looked at him. He had a big smile on his face though as we watched us which warmed my heart almost immediately.

"Will we see you after?" Colby's dad asked as I nodded. "Yeah, I'd love to get to know you two more." I said as Sam grabbed his keys. "It was great meeting you!" Colby's mom said with a warm smile.

I really liked the energy that was radiating from them. It felt like a warm hug after a long day of freezing weather.

I was looking forward to getting to know them.

"Ready, V?" Sam asked as I nodded. "Text me when you can." Colby said as I leaned down to kiss his cheek. "You're not supposed to be looking at screens." I reminded as he chuckled. "Right, but I still want to hear from you." He said as I shook my head and brushed his hair from his face. "I'll be back later." I reminded then stood up straight.

"Get some rest, we'll see you later on." Colby's mom said and rubbed my back as I grabbed my bag. "See you later." I said with a smile then left the room with Sam.

I could feel all of my energy vanishing as soon as the door closed. I didn't really realize it until I was reaching for Sam's arm again.

"Are you okay?" He asked as I nodded. "Yeah, just tired." I said then steadied myself and kept walking. "I'm worried about you." Sam said as we walked. "Don't be. It's all good." I said with a grin, then nudged him with my shoulder.

I knew I was being stubborn but I didn't really know how to accept help when it came to stuff like this. I had been so independent for so long that I kinda just had to deal with it and keep going.  

It was just second nature.

When we got home I walked into the house and started going up the stairs so I could go to Colby's room, even though Kat and Ki were coming over to talk to Sam and I. I didn't care since I was feeling really unwell now. I knew I needed to get in bed.

"Vi?" Ki called out as I reached the top of the stairs. I turned to look at her but the room started spinning so badly that I gripped onto the railing. I heard them asking me questions but instead my hearing filled with a high pitched screeching noise.

I mumbled something before I stumbled slightly. "Violet!" I heard someone yell as another person ran up the stairs.

I couldn't respond before I collapsed, my vision going completely black.