The New Guy

Braden and I

I look at him, and we're just pulling into the parking lot.

"Braden..." I sighed.

"I knew I had to tell you. And I know about you and Colby. He loves you too. And Adrian."

Raising one eyebrow, I got out of the car, and looked at him. "Suuurree." I rolled my eyes.

"No, really they do."

"What do you mean about Colby and I?"

"I thought you guys..."

I laughed. "You're so cute. But no. Colby? I mean, yeah, he's cute and all, but I doubt he actually likes me. And besides..." I stepped closer to Braden.

He leaned down, and pressed his lips to mine softly.

"Besides what?" He murmurs against my lips.

"Besides, I love you too."

He wrapped his arms around my waist, and kissed me again.

I heard footsteps, then a cough.

I turned to whoever it was, about to be upset for interrupting our moment, when I saw who it was.

Colby.

"Hi!" I smiled.

His expression was sad. 

He shook his head and walked away.

I turned back to Braden, and he kissed my forehead. "Go. Talk to him."

"Thank you!" I ran to Colby.

"Hey. What's wrong?"

He stopped abruptly. "What's wrong? You kissed him. You were in his arms, against him. I thought..." He was whispering, eyes glistening.

"You thought what?" I was now just playing stupid. Of course I knew he liked me, and I didn't want to hurt him. 

I closed my eyes, preparing myself to hear him say it.

"I thought that you loved me like I love you. Chelsea, from day one. You are absoulutely amazing. You're sweet, and caring, and adorable. Even though you're broken inside, I wanted to be the one to fix it! Chelsea, I loved you. And you-you made me feel like you loved me too."

My hands were shaking. "Colby..." I took a deep breath in. "Look, I love you, but I can't. You just don't get it. Braden does, and I love him too. We're still friends, right?"

Colby turned around back to the car. "Where are you going?" I asked.

"To go drink away all thoughts of you. Chelsea... fuck off. Just don't talk to me anymore. Ever."

A tear slid down my cheek, and I sat down. 

I felt an urge to find my razor blade.

To draw with silver to get red.

Braden came over to me, and sat beside me.

"Hey... come here." I snuggled into his chest, and cry.

I cried for another minute or so, before standing.

"Let's go to hair and make up. They'll fix me up, right?"

He laughed. "I am hair and make up. But, yes. I'll fix you up."

Smiling through the tears, he pressed his lips to mine, soft, sweet, warm, and loving.

"I love you Braden." I whisper.

"I love you too, Chelsea."