If Yesterday was Real (Benson Sisters #1)

Chapter 9: It's all for show

Chapter 9: It's all for show

I never really thought getting lost in someone's words was possible outside the classroom.

But as Colter speaks, my mind drifts. I stare at him wordlessly, his voice giving me a sense of wonder. I know he's probably talking about how my speech doesn't make any sense and why my arguments are stupid, but it doesn't eradicate my current admiration for him.

The determination to fight and prove why he's right is evident not only in the way he speaks and delivers, but with the way he looks around the room with authority and power. He knows what he's doing — he knows what he can do, and he's showcasing it with confidence. 

His speech reaches more than 7 minutes. When Bryan cuts him off, I'm the first one to stand up, clasping my hands together.

"My boyfriend is amazing!" I let my voice echo throughout the entire room, and to my surprise, the debaters cheer in unison except Melissa, who looks more than annoyed.

I don't stop complimenting Colter, even when we get in his car and reach my apartment.

"You crushed it, babe!" I keep praising him endlessly, impressed. I've never seen someone talk like that. It was probably a debater thing.

He keeps shaking his head, but the edges of his mouth are lightly curled up. "Don't forget — dinner party this Sunday night. Wear something formal or elegant." Colter reminds me. His voice isn't the same monotone - in fact, I can see him squint his eyes lazily and take a few deep breaths.

He seems paler than usual. I don't know if he's been like this all week and I've only just his noticed his stress now. "You seem so tired," I comment quietly, meeting his eyes in the dark. "Are you okay?"

He nods. I don't know what other answer I was expecting — it's not like him to open up to me anyway.

It's not like him to dress himself in football clothes and kiss me in front of the entire school too. "Talk to me, Parkers." I place my hands on both his shoulders and he's forced to stare into my eyes. I laugh at the look on his face. "We're dating now, remember?" and we've already kissed too. "Plus, I've been overstressed before. Trust me when I say it's not good."

He glances at me curiously, and I oblige. "I worked in the coffee up until November last year. I got hospitalized due to stress." He looks like he's about to say something but I wave him off, "I'm fine. I still work there in the summer. Anyway, that's why my sisters refuse to let me work part time during school days. Now don't change the topic, Colter."

He doesn't tell me to shut up, nor does he tell me to remove the weight on his shoulders. "It's almost the November debate cup, and I really want to break first under open." He tells me quietly.

I nod in understanding, although I'm unsure what he means. When he sees the look on my face, he gives me a lopsided smile. "Think of breaking as something synonymous to advancing. Open is like, well, a non novice bracket."

"You're going to do great, Colt. And I'm not saying this because I need to. I'm saying this because I know you will."

He shrugs. "There are a lot of dinos in the November cup.  I think a few of the teams competing have already made it to Worlds."

I may not be a debater, but I'm sure I know exactly what he means. I envision a debate room with several Colters screaming at each other and feel a little faint. "And I'm sure you're going to outshine them all the way you usually do when you speak up." I return nonchalantly, meaning every word.