The Time of Your Life || c.b

Fourteen

The next few days were awkward, to say the least. Colby and I had agreed that what happened what simply a spur of the moment type of thing, and that neither of us had those feelings for each other. I was still getting over Warren anyway, I didn't need a new relationship, nor did I want one. The whole house knew what was going on, it seemed. I got smirks from Elton and Corey, but Sam and Aaron didn't seem to like the idea of Colby and I doing that together.

I was still looking for a place, with no luck. I was the one paying the rent for Warren's apartment now, along with buying groceries. I really didn't have much money to pay for a new place. Especially now that I was taking less shifts. I hadn't gone to my classes in a while, either. Life just didn't seem to be going my way.

Now, Colby, Sam and I were sitting on the couch together watching some random cartoon on TV. Sam spoke up when a commercial came on. "So Agnes, what's going on with everything? How come you're not going to your classes anymore?" he asked, shifting in the bean bag chair so that he could face me.

I thought for a second before answering. "I don't really think I'm cut out for UCLA, to be honest. I liked photography better when it was all about me and what I wanted to shoot. Now I just shoot what my professor tells me to. Not to mention I'm kinda broke right now," I laughed. It was true.

Colby furrowed his brows at me. "So are you dropping out then?" he asked me, concern suddenly covering his features.

I nodded. "I think I might. You don't need to go to school for photography to be a good photographer. And plus, it gives me more time to do shoots with people and to find clients. I think I'll probably make more money that way anyways."

"Plus with all the subscribers you're getting off of us, you might actually be able to make a career out of YouTube, if you wanted to," Sam agreed. I wasn't sure how I felt about making YouTube a career, but I really did enjoy filming videos with the guys.

I ended up continuing classes up until the Christmas break. I was still staying in the garage of the mansion after a good month. I had even moved my bed and dresser in from the apartment, since Warren and Jessica were back from their trip now and I needed to move out. I insisted on paying rent, but Elton didn't think it was necessary. 

It was December 24th now, Christmas Eve. My mom was here from Jamaica, staying with my dad. It was nice because my parents were still best friends and they spoke all the time, even after their divorce. It was somewhat upsetting still, to know that they weren't together anymore, but I felt lucky because I could still see my parents in the same place. 

Sam and Colby had already flown back home to Kansas a few days ago, and Corey and Devyn were staying at Corey's parents' house for the holidays. It was just Elton, Amanda, Aaron and I here now, but I would be driving to my dad's place in the next couple hours. We had a Christmas tree set up in the living room, and I had bought presents for everyone in the house, even though we had decided to do a secret Santa.

After saying goodbye to everyone still at home, I grabbed my overnight bag and headed out. The drive home wouldn't have been too long if everyone wasn't trying to get out of LA at the same time. LA traffic times 100, it seemed. Finally, I arrived at my dad's house, just down the street from Austin's. His car was still parked in his own driveway, but I could assume that him and Maddison were here. As I stepped into the house, decorated by Joyce, my step-mom, I got enveloped in hugs and kisses.

The first was from mom, squeezing me so tight I could barely breathe. "Oh, there's my beautiful young woman! How is UCLA?" she asked me in her strong Jamaican accent that I so loved. 

I couldn't bear telling my family that I was dropping out before second semester could start, so I just smiled and told her I loved it. I would tell my family those news on a day that wasn't Christmas. 

Next was dad. His fiery red hair had begun to grey since I last saw him, and he seemed a lot more tired than he used to be. Still, his jolly attitude and big, goofy grin were both there. He hugged me gently like always, but it was a long and cozy hug. He smelled of cinnamon, so I assumed he had attempted to help Joyce with her baking. "Been busy?" he asked me. 

I shrugged. "How about you? You look tired," I replied, a small amount of concern in my voice.

Dad laughed heartily. "I'm anything but tired, sweetie. Your parents get old too, Agnes!" he joked. I cringed a little in a joking matter. My dad was such a goofball.

We spent the night drinking wine and eating sweets that Joyce and my mom had made together. We watched a lot of movies and I even got some time to speak to Maddie. We weren't really close anymore, but we both caught up a lot and made some jokes together. All in all, it was a great night. Perfect, compared to the next one.

~

sorry this one's short!! i wanted to leave y'all on a cliffhanger but tbh i'm doing the same to myself so i might keep writing and post the next one today before i have to work ahahah. almost 500 reads wtf!! thank you all for all the support, it means a lot that you guys like my book so far. much luv!!!