This year has been different. Especially when you noticed how Cole wasn't himself. After Cole's leg injury, he left the football team and lost his scholarship, he has changed. He would spend his nights out smoking pot in one hand and a beer in the other. He has been giving everyone the cold shoulder but you got the worst of it. You both promised each other you would tell what was bothering you no matter what, except he has pushed you away. You went from texting back and forth during the year to him leaving you on read on every message. As you would see him around town he tried to stay as far away from you as possible.
You were at your friend, Olivia's lake house sleepover party, of course, she had invited some of the football team members, including Cole as well. The party had already ended, but you couldn't seem to fall asleep, so you went to the kitchen for a glass of water and just stared out of the window, you noticed someone sitting in the backyard all by themself, it didn't take you long till you figured out it was Cole. You watched as he finished off his joint from one of the porch windows and put it out. He stood up taking his legs out of the water. Cole wiped his wet legs with a towel before heading to the door of the house. As if he could feel your eyes he looked up and his long hair fell perfectly over his forehead. The door opened and he broke eye contact closing the glass door behind him. You opened your mouth but he stopped you.
"I don't need another person telling me to stop smoking." he huffed walking into the kitchen
"That's not what I was going to say." you walked towards him as he filled a glass with water probably about to make his way to one of the bedrooms for the night "I wanted to see you." He drank the water and raised his eyebrows before putting the glass down on the counter
"Well, here I am." he let out sarcastically. the negative energy flew off of him and towards you
"That's not what I mean and you know it. Cole what's going on?" he sighed and dropped his head
"Why the fuck does everyone keep asking me that?" his shaggy head picked up and his eyes connected with yours
"Because you have been more distant than ever." he scuffed and rolled his eyes
"Of course, you would notice." he picked up his water and made his way for the stairs
"What?" he continued walking away from you "Cole Walter" he stopped when you said his name
"Yes?" he didn't look back just stood
"You can always talk to me, please." you pleaded
"Yeah I got it." he paused "Good night y/n." he then disappeared up the stairs as you waited for his door to close to let your breath go.
You took time to clean up the downstairs before heading up to your room. You got ready for the night. Getting into bed you scrolled through social media before picking up a book next to you and reading to make yourself tired. After about 20 minutes your phone made a sound signaling that you got a text. placing the bookmark on the page, you picked up your phone.
Cole <3; can you please come here
Sighing to yourself you got out of bed and made it across the hall to the room he was staying in. The light was still on and there was walking going around the room. You didn't bother knocking and entered to see him walking back and forth and breathing quickly. When you closed the door he looked up and his eyes were on the verge of tears.
"Cole-" you walked towards him slowly
"I think I'm having a panic attack." his voice cracked as you walked closer to him
"C-can I touch you?" he nodded and you grabbed both of his hands in yours. he let a sob out but you knew crying while trying to breathe was almost impossible "You need to calm down, I need you to breathe with me." he shook his head and closed his eyes as a tear fell from them. "Here." taking his hand you put it over your heart so he could feel your heartbeat "Can you follow my breathing." he nodded breathing as you did. "Do you remember when we played chicken when we were younger? and we teamed up and we're undefeated." a small smirk came onto his face "And remember when you let me braid your hair and it was super curly for like four days." his breathing calmed down as you were talking about memories you had with him
"I'm sorry." he whispered keeping his hand over your heart but you thought he just liked how he was so close to your boob "Um I can't keep this stuff in me anymore." just like his tears disappeared they came back "I ruined my future, my stupid leg still doesn't work after all these treatments, I lost football, I lost my scholarship and with my dropping grades ill never be able to get into college, plus it's not like my parents can even afford it after they wasted a shit ton of money on my treatments," he whispered and you get your whole word break.
Cole's head fell to your shoulder as he moved his arms to hug you and sobbed everything he was feeling. As you stood there holding it all in yourself to not cry, Cole looked up at you.
"Can you stay in here tonight, please," you could never say no to his eyes. you glanced at the bedroom door and then back to him
"Of course."
You both moved to the bed and as you laid down Cole cuddled into your side putting his head into the crook of your neck and he breathed in your scent feeling at home.
"Sleep well Cole." you moved some of his messy hair out of his face and kissed his forehead and he smiled into you
"Thank you," Cole replied and kissed your neck softly before you both fell into a silent sleep for the night
