A Piece of Me

27

Elizabeth's pov

"I see where you both are coming from," Jake shrugs as we sat on his bed, staying a respectful distance away from each other.

"I just don't see why he can't appreciate that I'm standing up for myself," I sniffled, wiping my nose on my shirt, "Like, I'm not going to be cyberbullied by a ton of fucking kids. No a-thank you,"

He cracked a smile at that. I liked how much easier it was to amuse Jake. Colby was always so serious, but just breathing funny was enough to make Jake laugh so hard he couldn't breathe.

"Filming is his top priority. You are certainly a bonus," Jake winked, causing me to huff out a laugh, "The only way he'll have both is if it doesn't cause a problem,"

"Yeah I know," I sighed, "But I just can't understand why he doesn't see that I, in fact, have emotions and opinions,"

"You're currently crying in my room instead of his," Jake pointed out bluntly, "I'll let you connect the dots,"

"Fair," I smiled, "Thanks Jake, I appreciate you,"

"Aw," He cooed before grabbing me, pulling me into a bear hug, "It's good that you talk about your problems instead of holding them in. Even if it's not necessarily every problem, it certainly does help,"

"I wish Colby could be as understanding as you," I mumbled, my face smashed into his shoulder.

As soon as I said that, Jake grabbed my face with both hands, holding it close to his like he was talking to a puppy.

"Listen, even though you have your problems, Colby cares about you very much," Jake grinned, "Don't let one little fight tear you guys up,"

I nodded, a smile on both of our faces.

Suddenly, Colby burst in, causing us both to jump apart though we were doing nothing wrong, "Hey brother I- What the fuck?" He glared at me, "I thought you left,"

"Jake saw I was upset and instead of yelling at me he actually asked me what was wrong," I snapped, rolling my eyes, "What does it matter to you?"

"I don't know, maybe because I walked into my friend's room to see my girlfriend all wrapped up on him," Colby said, pointing at Jake.

"We were hugging chill the fuck out," I stood up off the bed, causing Jake to instantly stand up cautiously.

"Honestly, I'm really sick of your shit right now," Colby sighed, crossing his arms.

"I'm not the one coming at you like a lunatic!" I pointed out, "Why can't you get your head out of your ass and just see that how you're acting is not normal?"

"I'm not the one getting angry over every little thing," Colby pointed out, though it was the most obvious lie I've ever heard.

"You're not the one getting death threats from hundreds of people!" I defended, glancing over at Jake.

He was looking back and forth between us, as if he didn't know what to do or who to help.

Once I caught his eye, something clicked in it. I couldn't tell what exactly was going through his head, but realization and understanding filled his features.

"Colby, what's going on?" Jake asked, slightly stepping in front of me, "You have to talk to me, brother,"

"I don't have to do shit," He retorted, staring daggers into his friend.

"I know, but it's probably a good idea if you do," Jake said, "I feel like the problem is that you two aren't communicating. How are you going to be a happy couple if the only time you really talk is when you're pissed off? Not to offend you guys, but that's some toxic shit,"

"I don't need you to monitor my relationship," Colby sighed, rubbing his face with his hands.

Even though he didn't like what Jake was saying, it seemed to be calming him down.

Maybe he found my voice annoying.

For no reason, that thought made me giggle. Very, very loudly.

Colby's head snapped over to study what was going on. I could tell that he was still fighting to hold on to his anger, bafflement covering the two boys like a blanket.

"What's so funny?" Jake asked, not even trying to fight his smile, "Is this a prank?"

"No," I said, holding my stomach as it started to ache, "It's not a - oh my god I can't breathe,"

My laughter went from loud to louder, as if I just heard the funniest joke in the world.

It really wasn't all that funny, but as soon as I tried to calm myself down and face Colby's stern expression, I was sent back into a laughing fit.

"I don't think anything's funny," Colby said, "Care to share?"

I felt like he was speaking to me as if I was a child.

Which made the whole thing ten times better.

"You're-" I couldn't contain my laughter, "You're face!"

"What the hell?" Colby asked, slightly offended even though he was struggling as to not grin, "Jake is my face really that funny?"

"Funny looking, that's for sure," Jake agreed, causing Colby to punch him in the arm, "Ow,"

"I can't take this," I said, trying to cover my mouth to contain myself, "I need a drink,"

I moved around the two of them, leaving the room. By the time I got downstairs, my neverending laugh had escalated into a coughing fit that an entire bottle of water did nothing for.

Devyn walked into the room while I opened the fridge on a hunt for another water bottle, "Oh god! Oh fuck," I gagged, shutting the fridge and stumbling into the counter.

"What's going on?" She asked, looking at my red, watery eyes and sick expression.

"That fridge smells like ass and I need water," I gasped for air like a fish out of water before plugging my nose and opening it again.

"Oh my, yes it does," Devyn said, covering her own face, "It smells like someone died in there,"

I pulled out three bottles of water, slamming the fridge shut and setting them on the counter.

"How long has it smelled like that?" I asked, ripping open one of the lids and gulping down half of the bottle.

I pulled it away from my mouth, gasping for breath as she stared at me, "Calm down, girl. You're gonna make yourself sick. And I don't know," Devyn answered, "Since the last party maybe?"

"Elizabeth?" Colby called as he came down the stairs.

"Hold on a second!" Devyn shouted as I finished off the second bottle.

Within seconds, he was in the room, watching as I grabbed paper towels to dry off my face.

Devyn looked back and forth, between Colby's fiery blue eyes and my own green and dazed ones.

"I'm gonna go," Devyn said awkwardly, pointing out of the room over her shoulder before quickly disappearing up the stairs.

"Yeah, me too," I said, following her. I didn't make it past the threshold of the kitchen before Colby stopped me.

"No," He said, grabbing my arm.

I had a feeling he wouldn't let me go.

Not ever.