Times Like These (Smosh FanFic)

[Chapter 13] Be Back Later

-Ian's POV-

I was sitting in the office, editing the video the Smosh Games crew and I filmed yesterday. We did some Big Time Rush Dance Party game. We all looked pretty ridiculous, except Mari because she was an actual dancer.

That's when I heard someone walk down the hallway. It couldn't have been Melanie, because she went out to get her nails done or something. That left Cody.

I jumped to my feet and found her in the kitchen, making herself a bowl of cereal.

"Good morning," I greeted with a wide grin.

She looked up and smiled at me, "Good morning."

After that, there wasn't much said between us. "So, have you decided when you're going to move into the house my Aunt's found for you?" I tried to bring back the conversation that never really existed.

Cody shook her head no, "I'm not sure yet. Why?"

I gulped. It was now or never, I thought to myself, Just tell her you and Melanie are moving in with each other and this house wasn't going to be mine anymore. But instead of listening to what my mind was telling me, I blurted out what I needed to say, "Because I love you." She stopped pouring the cereal and looked up at me.

"Did you just say you love me?" She inquired in a whisper.

I chuckled nervously and scratched behind my neck,"Yeah. I guess I did..."

She stared at me for a little before laughing and going back to preparing what she was going to eat, "That's funny, Ian."

"Why?" I questioned.

"You? Love me?" She replied, laughing once more, "That's just crazy..."

"Is it?" I asked as I walked around the counter and up to her. She looked over at me as I slid my hand under her jaw, leaning in slowly and cautiously, afraid she was going to back away from me, before gently pressing my lips against hers. I pulled out of the kiss and stared into her blue eyes.

Her cheeks grew a bright shade of red as she averted her gaze away from me and back to the counter. "You have a girlfriend, Ian..." She mumbled.

"I don't care, Cody," I retorted. She looked back at me, "She and I...we're on the verge of breaking up..."

"What are you talking about!?!" I heard Melanie's voice boom from behind me. I closed my eyes and smacked my forehead. I felt her grab my shoulder and spin me around, "Ian Andrew Hecox, what do you mean we're 'on the verge of breaking up'?" Before I could answer, she continued, "We're moving in with each other. Not 'on the verge of breaking up'." She mocked me.

"Wait...you're moving in with each other?" Cody murmured. I spun back around to face her, "Is that why you wanted to know when I was leaving?"

"No!" I tried to convince her.

"Excuse me?" Melanie remarked.

I turned towards her, "Melanie..."

"You know what, Ian?" Cody butted in. I glanced back at her, "To answer your question, yeah, I do know when I'm leaving. I wasn't planning on it, but I think I'm moving into my own place today," She grabbed her bag and jacket and, before storming out, she told me, "I'll be back later to get my things, I just need to go talk to someone."

"Thank god," Melanie muttered under her breath, "It's about time she left."

"Oh just shut up!" I yelled at her.

-Anthony's POV-

I couldn't believe my eyes. Sitting in front of me was the girl I gave hope to. The girl I promised I'd escape with and ended up leaving behind. The girl I found sleeping in my bed, and then somehow managed to leave behind for a second time. And yet here she was - sitting on the opposite side of the shatter-proof glass, willing to talk to me for about fifteen minutes.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her.

She shrugged her shoulders, "I wanted to stop by and see how you were doing."

"How I'm doing?" I retorted, failing to resist the urge to burst into laughter, "I'm in this fucking hell hole again, how do you think I'm doing?"

She grinned, "Well put. Sorry for asking."

"Well you look great," I tried to bounce back from the last comment, "It's nice to see you in normal clothes," She blushed, "I'm assuming you've been good?"

"Yeah...good..." She answered. But there was something telling me that was a lie. Maybe it was the quietness in her tone. Or that there were dried streaks running down her cheeks, most likely from her crying. Before I could ask her what was really up, she continued, "Did you hear? I'm moving into my own place."

"What? That's amazing!" I exclaimed, forgetting about the question I wanted to ask her.

"I guess..." She mumbled, twirling the phone cord around her finger, "I just...I don't think I'm ready to move on. But I have to. I'm really scared, Anthony."

I sighed, "Cody, if there's anyone I know in or from this place who's ready to go back to living in the real world, it's you. Like I said, the world is a wonderful place."

"How is it a wonderful place when it insists on playing with me and my feelings?" She replied, placing her hand against the glass. I mirrored her, but didn't answer her question. "First it takes my parents and brother away from me, makes me live with two fakes claiming they love and care about me. Then it sends me here...this place that became my home."

"This is no one's home," I interrupted her, "This is hell."

"Well then hell's my home," She retorted. I zipped my mouth shut after that, "But then you came along," She smirked, "You showed me I wasn't just a wreck." I grinned, "But the the world ripped you away from me." My smile faded, "When I lost you, I thought I lost everything. I was almost sure I did. But then the world gave you back, only for me to be the next one taken away." I was going to say something, but she just went on, "And then Ian came along. He gave me everything - a house, nice clothes, even the thought that I could love someone again."

I sat up in my chair, "Excuse me? Did you just say...?"

She hung her head and brought her hand to cover her eyes, "But then the world played me life a fool again!" She cried, "Making me think he liked me back..."

"He liked you!?!" I shouted at her.

"The world hates me, Anthony. It makes me go crazy!" She exclaimed, ignoring my comment once again.

I stared at her in disbelief, "Since when has Ian liked you?" I inquired.

She shook her head and looked up at me with red and puffy eyes, "I need to go, Anthony. I'll be back later."

"Wait! Cody!" I screamed as she hung up the phone and walked away. I threw the phone at the glass before being dragged away by the guards. The threw me into my room and locked the door. I sat down on the lame excuse I had for a bed and placed my head in my hands.