when we were young // bryce hall

chapter 1

caitlin's pov 

"Hey guys!" I wave at the camera when I start my first youtube video. I don't expect to get big, but my best friend has a channel and it looks really fun, so why not?

"This is my introductory video so I'm Caitlin, I'm 14 and in eighth grade. I play year round volleyball and I love love love younow and youtube..." I continue with the video before turning off my phone camera and checking my notifications and I see that Bryce Hall is live.

I jump into my bed and watch Bryce. He's gonna be my husband one day obvi... he just doesn't know it yet. He's literally perfect and I'd do anything to meet him, oh my gosh!

I then  grab my iPad and log into my fan account on instagram, posting a new Bryce edit then an edit of Zach and finally, Jonas. That should be enough edits for today 

"Hey honey what're you doing?" Mom comes into the living room, putting down her work bag.

"Watching younow." I show her.

"That looks just like.." she comes closer in surprise me. "What's his name?"

"That's Bryce. Bryce Hall."

"How'd you find him Cait? Are you Facetiming? I didn't even know you remembered him let alone talking to him!"

"What? No younow is livestream and he's a famous younower." I shake my head. She opens her mouth to say something, but says nothing.

"What'd you mean remember um?" I question.

"Well when we lived in Connecticut. You were best friends." 

"Please mom. I would remember him. Plus it could be a different Bryce."

"No!" She protests. "I recognize that face anywhere. I think I have Lindsi's number still I can talk to her later."

"You have his mom's number?" I ask in shock.

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON? 

"If this is a joke..."

"No, no. Wait hold on." She leaves to her room and I realize she's being totally for real. All of a sudden, I can't stop shaking. 

I open a text with my bestfrined Ally.

Me: DUDE OMG IM SHAKING

Ally: ??

Me: I KNEW BRYCE

Ally: good one

ME: NO FR

Ally: mmk 

I roll my eyes and start typing, but my mom gets my attention soon enough. She hands me a small pink scrapbook with my name across it in purple foam letters. I open it excitedly, as my hands starts to shake more vigorously.  What's in it? 

I flip through the pages, a picture of when I was born, to my first christmas and other firsts until I reach it.

The beach with a boy all too familiar. Bryce.
Pool with Bryce.
First day of school with Bryce.
My birthday with Bryce.

And finally a crinkled poloroid picture of young me and my favorite younower with big smiles but sad eyes. I take a minute or five observing the picture, Bryce's short hair, but same face, my blonde hair to my shoulders with a puppy on my shirt, a random box in the background, and the fact that Bryce Hall's arm was around me.

I look to my mom, who sits on the couch next to me. I open my mouth, but no words come out. My eyes fill with tears, I'm overwhelmed okay. 

I look back down, grabbing my phone and going back onto younow from my texts. Bryce pops up and starts dancing around.

"He's gotten so big." Mom smiles.

"Can I meet him?" I finally ask. "Talk to his mom and can we like, go back to Connecticut?" 

"I'll call her later, let me just take a shower and start dinner."

"I'll start dinner, you call." I firmly say, making my way to the kitchen.

"Don't be dissappointed if he doesn't remember you Cait. You were young."

"I know, but I like to dream big."