[wattys shortlist 2018]
Colton has always hated Alexis. It's as simple as that.
Alexis has never hated Colton though, not even after the night havoc was let loose: chaos caused by him.
This summer, Alexis doesn't expect to be reunited with her to...
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If I could shoot myself right now, I would.
After all these years, eight to be exact but it's not like I'm counting or anything, I'm still obsessing over Colton. Every move, every thought, every breath – I need to know about it. I'm worse than a fangirl.
It's not like I already didn't know it, but I'm declaring my brain my biggest enemy. Colton, you've officially been dethroned.
However, regardless of my mini accomplishment against Colton, it's still all his fault which I guess means he's in charge of my new enemy and I lose. Again. As per. As always. I really need to stop overthinking.
But it's my disease. Re-informing myself of everything that has ever gone on including or excluding Colton is how I function. Taking control of the wheel, I steer myself into a self-depreciating, downward spiral. One that magically appears every time I see him. It's as easy as bada-bing bada-bong, make all common sense gone.
Looking up, I'm in the bathroom. At some point during my trance, my feet must have guided me here. Breathing in deeply, I count to three before allowing myself to deflate gradually.
I wring my hand, dancing a little and trying to free myself of the tension. Of course, it doesn't work, so changing tactics I step to the sink, turning on the faucet. The cold water flows freely, small splashes escaping the porcelain sink. Again, I inhale deeply, letting my hands scoop the water in an upward motion. Small trickles of water start from my brow and meet at my chin, eventually landing in the sink.
I look up into the mirror and frown. Hazel eyes stare back at me, holding a story of a thousand sorrows. Brown hair lays dangling around shoulders limply, all energy leaving the strands. The odd freckles disappear and their value also does. Snap out of it. Don't do this.
Two growing blurs walk towards me in the mirror. Shaking my head, I straighten my posture, twisting to reposition myself. "Hey."
"Why did you leave after the ceremony?" Brooklynn asks.
"I needed space to think."
"Lexi, no offence or anything, but going away to think is probably the stupidest thing you've ever done."
"Brooke!"
"No, it's okay Ashley, she's right. I shouldn't give my thoughts time to grow, it only makes them worse." I sigh.
"What's bothering you?"
"Everything and nothing at the same time."
"Colton?" Brooklynn urges.
"Yes and no."
"Either you tell us or you don't. I'm not about to stand here and force you to walk the plank if you don't want to." Who the heck would want to walk a plank, anyway?
