The Girl With The Blog | ✓

Twenty-seven

The days following my illness were a blur of recovery and reflection. My body was still adjusting, but I was feeling better. Colby's unwavering support had made a world of difference, and I was finally able to return to my routine, including working on videos and photoshoots. The lingering effect of my recent sickness, however, was the emotional clarity it brought me.

As I settled into the routine of daily life, I found myself thinking more and more about Colby. His presence had been comforting and steady, and it was becoming harder to ignore the feelings that had been bubbling beneath the surface.

One afternoon, while I was sorting through some new photos for my latest project, my thoughts kept drifting back to Colby. The way he'd cared for me, the little gestures of kindness, and the way he looked at me with that soft, concerned gaze—it was all becoming clearer.

I pulled up a new video editing project and found myself staring blankly at the screen, unable to concentrate. My mind kept replaying moments with Colby: the way he'd wrapped me in a blanket, the casual ease of our conversations, the way his arm felt around me when we were watching the video together.

Finally, I threw my hands up in defeat and plopped down on my bed. I took a deep breath, staring at the ceiling as if it held the answers to all my questions. There was no point in pretending any longer. The more I thought about it, the more undeniable it became. I had feelings for Colby.

It wasn't just a fleeting crush or a result of our close friendship. What I felt was real and deep, and it had been growing for a while. I'd been so focused on denying it or brushing it aside, but the reality was inescapable. I liked Colby. A lot.

Admitting it to myself was a relief, but it also left me feeling a bit vulnerable. Colby was my best friend, and I was afraid of what this admission might do to our dynamic. What if he didn't feel the same way? What if this changed everything between us?

With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I decided to take a break and clear my head. I grabbed my camera, thinking that taking some fresh photos might help distract me from my overactive thoughts. I wandered around the neighborhood, snapping pictures of whatever caught my eye. The rhythmic click of the shutter was soothing and helped to calm my racing heart.

When I returned home, I was feeling a bit better but still weighed down by my thoughts. I was in the middle of editing my photos when Colby walked in.

"Hey, Blair," he said, casually strolling into the room. "How are you feeling today?"

"Better," I replied, forcing a smile. "Just been busy with work and trying to keep myself occupied."

He took a seat on the edge of my bed, his gaze falling on the photos scattered around. "These look amazing. You've really been killing it lately."

"Thanks," I said, blushing a little. "I've been trying to keep myself busy."

Colby's smile was warm and genuine. "You're doing great. If you ever need help or someone to talk to, you know I'm here."

The sincerity in his voice made my heart skip a beat. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my feelings pressing down on me. I knew it was time to face them head-on.

"Colby," I began hesitantly, "there's something I need to talk to you about."

He looked at me, concern etched on his face. "What's up?"

I fiddled with the edges of a photo, trying to find the right words. "I've been thinking a lot lately... about us."

Colby raised an eyebrow. "About us? What do you mean?"

I took another deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I've been having these feelings for a while now. Feelings that go beyond friendship."

Colby's eyes widened slightly, and he sat up straighter. "Feelings? Like what kind of feelings?"

"Like... romantic feelings," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I've been trying to ignore them or convince myself they're not real, but they are. I really like you, Colby. More than just as a friend."

There was a moment of silence as Colby processed my words. My heart raced, and I could see the wheels turning in his head. He looked at me with a mixture of surprise and contemplation.

"I... I didn't know you felt that way," he said slowly. "I've always thought of us as close friends, but... I guess I've been feeling something too, though I didn't realize it until now."

My breath caught in my throat. "You have?"

He nodded, a small, hesitant smile forming on his lips. "Yeah. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to mess up what we have. But hearing you say this... it makes me realize I've been feeling the same way."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My heart swelled with a mix of relief and joy. "Really?"

"Really," Colby said, moving closer to me. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately, too. I guess we're both in the same boat."

A wave of happiness washed over me. "So, what does this mean for us?"

Colby took my hand gently, his touch sending a warm tingle through me. "It means we take it one step at a time. We see where this leads us and figure it out together."

I nodded, feeling a sense of contentment. "I'd like that."

Colby smiled, his eyes reflecting a soft, affectionate glow. "Me too."

As we sat there, hands intertwined and hearts open, I felt a new chapter beginning for us. It was a chapter filled with possibilities, challenges, and hopefully, a lot of happiness. And as I looked at Colby, I knew that whatever came next, we would face it together.

In that moment, I felt a profound sense of peace. I had finally admitted my feelings to myself and to Colby, and it felt right. The future was uncertain, but for now, I was content just being with him and exploring what lay ahead.