The New Guy

Settling In

Colby sat on the couch with the two other guys, watching football.

All of them turned when they saw us, and Colby sighed loudly.

"Go upstairs to my room. 3rd door on the right." I murmured.

Then, I turned to Colby. "You realize that you don't have to be here. This is my house, and it's my life, so you need to chill the fuck out or leave. I know you're friends with the guys, so in respect for them, I'll let you stay." I clenched my fists, and went out to the weight room, and began beating on the punching bag. 

I did that for a while, before passing out, fists bloody.

***Later***

My eyes fluttered open to a dark room.

I sat up in my bed, and looked at my bandaged hands.

Stumbling onto my feet, I found my way to the door, and silently opened it.

The guys were downstairs talking.

"She can't have you living here." That was Colby.

"It's her house. And I'm her boyfriend. Look, man. I don't wanna fight over her. You saw how stressed out she was. She beat the shit out of the punching bag, and passed out. Us arguing won't do her any good." Braden.

"No. It's either me or you. She'll have to make a choice." Colby sneered. I had never seen this side of him before, and I hated it.

"She doesn't have to choose, Colby." That was Jake.

"Yeah. Like we said before, more stress is bad!" Adrian's voice was full of worry.

Colby laughed, no humor in it. "Me or you, Braden."

I was done by then.

Quietly, I descended down the stairs. 

"Colby, leave my house. Now." My voice was harsh.

All four guys turned to me in surprise.

"Chelsea, you're okay!" Colby's voice was full of concern.

I glared. "Don't play me. Leave. Now. And if I have to make a choice, just know, I've already chosen Braden."

He stared at me, blank expression.

"Now!" I yelled.

Colby scrambled to his feet, and left.

I turned to go back upstairs, but a pair of hands caught my shoulder.

"Hey." He whispered. It was Braden.

I turned around and buried my face into his chest.

"You okay?" He asked in a whisper.

I shook my head. "I'm never okay. Let's go upstairs. Please."

He led me upstairs, and sat me on his bed.

"Hey, Chels. What's goin' on?"

"Everything. Nothing. I just can't do it. Life, living. It hurts, to just be alive. To be living in pain, guilt, and everything. Look, get your stuff unpacked. I'm gonna go play my guitar. I'll come in and make dinner. Just get to no the guys, settle in. I need to let off some steam." I kissed him on the cheek, and left.

Once in the room, I began playing a cover of The Art Of Anesthesia acoustic. 

*Not what Chelsea looks like*