Paper Planes • s.g + c.b

chapter twenty four

It'd been a little over two years since Sam moved out. He didn't visit over the summer like he promised he would, but then again it was a twenty four hour drive so Colby didn't hold it over his head.

No one seemed to like the house enough to buy it, which was perfect for Colby because he broke into it numerous times a week just for the nostalgia. He managed to stay in Sam's old group of friends who all welcomed him with open arms and smiles on their faces. They had all promised to own a house together in Los Angeles, California so they could start an all new adventure in their life and in search of Sam to rekindle what they used to have.

The wooden door creaked slowly open and echoing footsteps invaded the silence that hung like a cloak around the house. A thick carpet of dust clung to every object that still sat in the house, the rays of light shining through the glass windows catching on the particles suspended in the stagnant air. He moved deliberately, dust billowing into clouds as he passed. He continued to move through the house, kicking up more dust until it was difficult to see through the billions of particles that now swirled in the air. Then he came to a door, faded pink from a prank he'd pulled, brass handle almost consumed by a network of cobwebs, reaching out, he turned it. Sam's room, or rather used to be.

Colby slowly walked across the dusty wooden floor, making his way to the outdoor balcony that still seemed to stand. The doors creaked as he opened them, sitting on the edge, his legs dangling through the cracks of the support beams. The woods that surrounded Sam's backyard were rather beautiful and he almost swore he could hear Sam's laughter in the room behind him.

Colby searched the wood of the balcony for specific carvings, almost satisfied when he finally found the words that they'd etched into the woodwork together.

'Sam + Colby vs the world'

Although right under it he discovered new markings, ones he knew he didn't do.

'Onward and Upward, Colbs.'

Colby slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone, hitting the blue outlined FaceTime button. He didn't care if he was already over his data limit, he could pay an extra fifteen more dollars to his mom.

FaceTime is unavailable for Sammy.

Colby sighed. This would happen a lot, he'd call or FaceTime and Sam would barely ever answer. He's left Sam approximately twenty three voicemails, to which Sam would never actually call back but he'd text instead. It was usually always an apology for not being able to answer or a 'I'll call you back later, I promise' to which he never did. It made Colby's heart ache for when Sam still lived in Kansas, his stomach churning just thinking of what could possibly be more important than him.

"I knew you'd be here." Colby jolted and swerved his head around to see who intruded on his own sulking.

"Hey, Kat." Colby rested his head against the support beam again, looking into the beautiful woods below him. Katrina took that as her welcome and sat next to him, dangling her legs off the edge too.

"So, how are you?"

"I'm okay, you?"

"I'm okay too."

When Colby finally cried there was a rawness to it, like the pain was still an open wound. He clasped onto the beams for support, and then his whole body shook. The sobs were stifled at first as he attempted to hide his grief, then overcome by the wave of his emotions he broke down entirely, all his defences washed away in those salty tears. When he turned his face to Katrina he was a picture of grief, loss, devastation. It was the face of one who had suffered before and didn't know if he could do it again.

"Oh, Colby." Katrina mumbled as she pulled both him and herself off the edge. She wrapped her arms around him as they continued to sit on the cement balcony. A ringing interrupted the moment and Colby pulled his phone out, silencing the call from his mother.

"At least we move this year, right Colbs?"

"Yeah. . I know we graduated last month but I'm still on the edge about moving to California so early. I'm not sure Sam even wants to see me."

"Of course he wants to see you. The real questions is, do you want to see him?"

"I. . . I don't know. We've barely spoken since he moved, like everything in California is suddenly more important than me. It's either that or he's too busy to make time for me. I feel like when I see him again everything's going to be different." Colby laid his head on Katrina's shoulder, something about her made him feel safe.

"Of course everything is going to be different. It's been two years, everyone's most likely going to change. Is Aaron still the same person as he was last year?"

"No. . ." Colby saw where Katrina was getting at but that only made him more anxious to move.

"Listen, just because he's changed doesn't mean anything. It gives you guys a chance to explore more, get to know each other again. It's not the end of the world if one or two aspects of Sam changed over two years."

"When did you get so wise?"

"When I learned I'd have to take care of your sorry ass."

"Wow, makes me feel special."

"Oh you are. You definitely are."

——

I feel like Colby and Katrina deserved this heart to heart moment.