Tiny Glowing Screens

3

A longing stayed in my heart for a long time. 3 months had passed since I last saw George. My senior year had ended, I had a job, and a loving boyfriend. We lived happily together, smoking every night and talking about our thoughts.

I often thought about attending college but no university ever appealed to me. Well, no reasonable university appealed to me. I did really like The University of San Diego but that was never going to happen.

Colson and I laid on the couch, Animal Planet was having a Planet Earth marathon and we were not missing an episode. I stared at the TV as dolphins swam across in a group.

"I wish I was a dolphin," Colson said.

I looked over at him and laughed a little. "Okaaaay? Why?"

"I don't know I just think that it would be less worries, you know? Carefree just swimming around and shit," he explained.

I nodded. "I can see where you're coming from, babe. It would be nice to be carefree. We don't have many problems though, baby. We're lucky."

Cole smiled and wrapped his arm around me and snuggled into the crook of my neck. "I'm lucky to have you in my life. You know that it was pretty shitty before."

I patted his head. Before Cole moved in with me, he was into some pretty bad shit with some pretty bad people. He didn't have anywhere else to go. We met at the store one night. He was sleeping in front on a bench. I woke him up and invited him over. He ate like he hadn't been fed in years; his arms were covered in trace marks. I remembered look in his eyes seeing the broke boy that I found. I told him that he could move in, we could go get his stuff tonight. This is when he told me he didn't have anything but the clothes on his back. Slowly I helped him build a wardrobe and helped him get a nice job. Colson met the world to me.

We fell asleep on the couch that night, tangled in each other.

When I woke up, Colson was in the kitchen making breakfast. I stretched and groaned loudly. Colson ran into the living room. "Oh thank god. I thought something was wrong," he said.

I shook my head and smiled at him. "No, just stretching."

"Breakfast is ready. Come get some, baby," he said holding his hand out for me.

I took his hand in mine and followed him to the kitchen. Breakfast looked delicious; ham and cheese omelets with freshly cut fruit and juice.

"Thank you, Cole. I was starving," I said grabbing a plate and filling it.

"My honor babe. I hope it tastes okay," he said giving me a lame grin.

I patted his cheek. "I'm sure it tastes great, baby. No worries."

I sit down to eat and it actually tasted edible. "Wow, this is really good, Cole.  I'm proud of you."

Cole nodded and smiled. "Thank you," he said. "By the way, I have plans with some friends soon. I won't be home for a while."

I nodded. "Where will you be?" I asked still eating.

"Jay's house," he replied. Then he looked at his phone and grabbed his jacket. "He's here."

I stood up and walked to the door with him. "I love you," I said giving him a kiss.

"I love you too," he replied, kissing back.

He walked out of the door and I looked out the window. To my surprise, I saw, not Jay, but a blonde haired, junkie-looking, girl drive away with my boyfriend.