The New Separation (Book 2)

Chapter 20

Elliot

It was just starting to snow lightly when I parked Mom's car in front of Colton's house. There were a few lights on inside, but the window my eyes were drawn to was dark. He couldn't be asleep already, right? I know it's late, but it's not that late.

I should leave. This was a stupid idea anyway. Why should I even want him back? I needed to just move on, like everyone said. It'll be worth it in the end.

I was just about to drive away when I noticed his bedroom light switch on. I could see him walking into his room, which meant he definitely hadn't been asleep. Then he pulled off his shirt. I was too far away to see anything, really, but I'm sure my memory still held a decent picture.

Sometime during my little daydream, Colton must have looked out of his window and seen me parked here. All I know is that one second I was watching him change, the next, he was at his front door, staring right at me.

I couldn't run away now.

Getting out of the car, I slowly walked up the front walkway. I stopped at the bottom of the two steps to where he stood in nothing but sweatpants, a t-shirt, and socks, not even shoes. Did he not realize it was it was cold enough to snow?

"You're going to freeze out here," I said, unable to focus on anything else at the moment.

He ignored the comment. "What are you doing here?"

I shook my head. I shouldn't be here. "I'm sorry. I should go."

I turned and started walking back to the car, although I only made it a couple steps before I felt his hand on my arm, stopping me.

"Elliot."

Something in the way he said my name made my heart swell. I did need to do this. I could do it.

I faced him again. "I'm still in love with you," I blurted.

There was shock written all over his face, at least, from what I could tell with his face half in the shadows from the single light hanging above the door behind him. "Really?" Then he smiled. It was one of his smiles that could light up an entire room. The smile that I could see even in this darkness. The smile that made me smile back just as widely.

"Yeah," I whispered, since my voice seemed to fail on me. "I am."

I meant to come here with more words to get out. I wanted to say them, but I couldn't exactly remember any of them right now. All I could focus on was Colton stepping closer to me and putting his hands on my cheeks, then placing his lips on mine.

I kissed him back, hungrily. It's been so long since I've kissed him - anyone, actually. I needed him.

He broke the kiss first, folding into me as I wrapped my arms around his body. I kissed the top of his head, which had started collecting snowflakes. And that's when I remember how little he was wearing.

"Colton," I said, pulling back from him a little. "You're going to freeze out here."

"Come inside with me."

I would have, if I didn't promise Mom I wouldn't be out long. "I can't. I need to get home. I just... I needed to tell you that."

Colton stepped closer to me again and kissed me one more time, this one much shorter than that first one. "Okay. Can we go out tomorrow? A date?"

I smiled. "Yes. Of course."

Colton

"Go inside," he whispered to me. He had been speaking in whispers for a while now. It was almost like if he spoke any louder, it'll break whatever spell brought us back together. "You need to warm up."

I nodded. "I will," I whispered back. "But you're still here."

It was insane. We dated for two years, and yet I felt all those feelings that I felt when we first got together. I was giddy. I didn't want to let go of him. I wanted to cuddle up with him forever.

"I need to go home. It's a school night."

I sighed. Right. He still had school tomorrow. "But it's the last day before Christmas break, right? Are you really going to be doing anything important? You can miss one day to spend the night with me."

Elliot kissed my forehead. "I'm sorry. We will, though. Soon, okay?"

I nodded and kissed his lips one more time. "I love you."

He said the words back to me as he started walking towards the car. I continued to watch him as he got in and then pulled away. And even then, I couldn't bring myself to move from where I stood for a while.

Finally, when my whole body felt like an icicle, I went inside. As I stepped up the two steps to the door, I realized there was already a solid inch on snow on the ground. No wonder my feet were freezing - I was only wearing socks.

When I entered the overly warm house, I just leaned up against the front door for a minute. The snow started melting and dripping from my hair, but I didn't care. I had a date with Elliot. I never expected that to happen again in a million years.

"Colton, what are you doing?" my Dad asked, walking by. "Why are you covered in snow?"

I smiled at him. "He still loves me."

Dad looked at me like I had lost my mind - which I wouldn't doubt, at this point - and shook his head before walking away. It didn't matter what he thought right now. I had a date with Elliot. I couldn't be happier.

But then my mood crashed down when I saw the text he just sent me. I'm so sorry. I can't go out with you tomorrow.

My heart sank. The spell was broken, wasn't it? I knew it was too good to be true.

But then a second text came through. I forgot I have to work tomorrow. Are you free this weekend?

I sighed in relief then quickly texted back: u scared me I though u wer bacng outon this hole thing but ths weeken sounds perfect. I didn't even care how many typos were in that text, I hit send anyway. He'll understand it.

"Why are you soaking wet, Cole?"

I let my eyes land on Kyle and Josh, who had just walked into the room. I was still smiling, unable to help myself. "Guess who's dating Elliot again," I said.

Kyle gave me a weird look. "And you did this by going out in the snow in a t-shirt?" Then he looked to Josh. "Have we ever done something so stupid for each other?"

Josh just laughed before looking at me, suddenly extremely serious. "If you ever break his heart again, Whitaker, I will murder you."

That threw the smile right off my face. I didn't doubt that he would.