A Piece of Me

26

Elizabeth's pov

The first step to showing these fans how strong I am is to tell them.

What better way to do it than Colby's stream? He'll probably be done soon, this will be like the grand finale.

I pushed myself off the bed, walking out of the room and down the hall. I kept my head high as anger stormed throughout my body.

I took in a deep breath, gently pushing open the door that Colby streamed in.

He glanced up at me, his headphones only covering one of his ears, "Hey, what's up?" His voice remained cheery, and distant.

I almost felt bad that I was about to destroy that, temporarily damaging the amount of joy he found in streaming for his friends.

"Nothing," I shrugged, walking into the room and bending next to Colby, waving to the lens that was recording him, "Hi guys,"

I could see us on the screen, and see the chat in the corner. Some of the messages were filled with hi's and hello's.

"Did you just come in here to say hi?" Colby asked, and I looked into his eyes. The fans couldn't read his eyes like I could, and he knew I had a reason for being in here.

His nervous expression said so.

"No, I just want to talk to the fans since I don't have socials," I smiled at the camera, my grin coming off as smug.

"Guys, I've been seeing the stuff online, and it's seriously not fucking cool. Remember that I'm a human too, and Colby is a twenty one year old man. He can make decisions for himself," I began, my tone seeping with anger as I let it leak out of my body, "And as for the video, that doesn't even look like us. Like, did you even take the time to look at Colby's Instagram that night? I wasn't even at the damn party, and we know how antisocial Colby is,"

"Liz I don't think-" He began, raising his fingers to hold the top of his nose.

"No, Colby," I stopped him before looking back at the camera, "I'm not as nice as Colby, and I'm not just going to let this fucking slide. I'm not about to let me or anyone here get shit talked because a couple of twelve years olds have access to social media. Like, you guys are the ones telling me to grow the fuck up, but I think you need to take a look in the mirror and see what you're doing. It literally makes me sick to think that my friends," I paused, nodding over to Colby subtly, "Are getting harassed because I'm around,"

I stopped talking, watching the chat as different emotions, some angry and some apologetic, bubble across the screen.

"That is all," I said, a sarcastic grin appearing on my face, "Have fun with the rest of the stream,"

I left the room, faintly hearing Colby apologize, apologize, for the way I acted. I can't believe him.

I felt like a thousand pound weight was lifted off my shoulders as I walked into Colby's room, flattening out a part of the blanket for me to sit on.

I don't know why he even put a couch in here, we hardly ever use it unless he's doing laundry.

I went on my phone, meaninglessly texting my aunt that I'd visit my mom in the morning. My venting wasn't over, not yet.

I don't know whether or not I'll play nice with her or tell her how much she deserves to die. I never choose until I get there.

I have yet to choose the latter, sadly.

Hardly ten minutes later I heard footsteps come down the hall, and I glanced over as Colby burst into the room.

"What the hell was that?" He asked loudly, his tone outraged.

"What the hell was what?" I asked innocently, standing up off the bed.

"Who the hell do you think you are coming onto my stream and yelling at my fans?" He asked, "They are people too, you know! They matter!"

"Are you saying I don't?" I asked, mocking hurt, "Jesus fuck Colby why are you so pressed that I stood up for myself?'

"You wasted five minutes yelling at twelve year olds!" He shouted.

"It wasn't even five minutes, more like two," I corrected, "And sometimes kids need yelling at,"

"My stream is supposed to be a safe place and you coming on there screaming shit is going to cause so many problems that you won't even think of," Colby pointed out, throwing his arms in the air.

"What, are you going to lose a couple of fans on Instagram? Oh no," I was blandly sarcastic, "Sometimes you need to think more about the people in your real life than the numbers you see on a damn screen,"

"Do you reallize what you've done?" Colby asked, crossing his arms, "You can literally be arrested for shit like that!"

"Bull fucking shit I can," I laughed maniaclly before continuing, "Why can't you just see where I'm coming from? Do you need a reminder that I'm your fucking girlfriend? The people you love and care about should come first!"

"I don't fucking love you!" Colby shouted, and if I was sensitive that definitely would have made me cry.

"That's besides the point, anymore! Are you literally taking the side of people who want us both to rott in hell over me?" I asked, crossing my arms to mock Colby's position.

"No. But at the end of the day, I need a career more than anything. And I can't fucking have that if I have other shit messing it up," Colby explained.

"Life is not all about a career, jackass!" I pointed out, "Why can't you understand that I'm trying to help you here? Set some boundaries with these fucking fans of yours before I do it for you,"

I walked past him, shoving him out of the way.

"God damn fucking stupid," I trailed off, not wanting anyone to overhear me.

I stepped off the last stair, making my way to the front door.

I was so close to leaving before Jake stopped me, "Hey," His concerned voice echoed through the downstairs as he ran up to me, "I heard yelling, is everything alright?"

I didn't answer, though I shut the front door behind my back. I studied his demeanor, searching for any trace of something suspicious.

When I saw nothing, I let it all spill out.

I was a damn, and I just broke.