If They Only Knew...

Chapter 26- Colden

I look down at the ground, almost crying from their sweet moment. It's so nice to hear friends being so... warm... & kind, & understanding with each other... I mean, I'd seen it in loads of shows, but to see it in real life... So sweet...

I sigh. I should probably go... Don't want to interrupt their precious moment any more than I already am...

I start to walk away, but Or puts his hand gently on my shoulder, eyes soft.

"You don't have to leave ya know... You can stay, if you want..." He gestures toward his friends, tears in his eyes. "I... you said you never really had real friends... We could be your real friends... If you want..."

I sigh, frowning. "I..." I put my hand slowly on his cheek, hesitant & gentle. Trying to provide him some kind of comfort. "I... really want to, I do... I... really like you... But... there are a lot of things... It's just... so complicated..." I feel the tears in my eyes & I suddenly put my hands up to my face, willing them to go back in. I try to breathe slowly, & after a moment, I feel a light hand on my shoulder. I slowly bring my hands down, seeing Or looking at me, eyes sad & understanding.

He slowly takes my hand, squeezing it gently. "That's ok... You can figure your shit out with us, if you want... I can't promise I'll always understand what you're going through, but I'll do the best that I can..."

Raven & Ayo nod in our direction. "Us too." Raven gestures to the both of them. "You... seem like a nice guy... & I trust Or's judgement... He doesn't usually get so worked up about someone..."

Or blushes, & I smile slightly, glad to know he cares about me. "Raven! You think that, not say it!" He lightly punches her in the arm with his other hand, his left one still holding mine, surprisingly.

"Thank... you." I smile softly, looking them each in the eyes in turn, trying to tell them just by looking at them how much this means to me. "All my friends... have always been my sister's..."

"-& she's an ass," Ayo interjects & we all laugh.

I nod. "Yeah, I'll give you that... I mean... I know she cares about me, in her own special way... But I feel like it's conditional, ya know? Like, if I told her something she didn't like, she might never talk to me again..." I look away, but I can feel all their eyes on me. Don't ask. Don't ask.

"And... what exactly might that be?" Raven asks gently, though her eyebrow arches skeptically.

I bury my face in my hands again, having to let go of Or's hand for a moment. "I... don't know. ...& that's what scares me..."

Sorry to end on a cliff-hanger, guys. Gotta keep you reading somehow I guess (sorry) :'D :/. You gotta agree though that Colden is baby. The baby character that we must protect (bodyguards, assemble, lol). Haven't even met his sister yet & we already ready to throw hands, 'm I right? Or at least, I am (I dunno about you guys, lol) :'D. Welp, see yaaaaaaaaaaaa :'D :3