Solby | Give Me Love

9. This Is What It Takes

   "Hey Sam, could you come down real quick ?"

   Sam glances up from his laptop when Elton's face pops in his room, he was about to start editing the video he's just filmed to let the Sam and Colby channel's viewers know that they're taking a break. His explanation is purposely vague, which is so unlike Sam, but there's just no way he can tell the world what is really happening.

   A frown makes its way to his face at his friend's request but he nods nonetheless and follows Elton down the stairs, expecting to see Brennen there as well. However he's surprised to spot a familiar man bun instead. It's been so long since Elton and Corey have been seen in the same house, let alone the same room, especially after what happened the last time they bumped into each other at the Trap House, a couple months after Elton moved out.

   "How is he doing ?"

   Sam scoffs at Corey's question, does he even have to ask ?

   "Well, what do you think ?"

   The two other boys wince at Sam's rude tone but he doesn't care. Corey's words have caused anger to fill Sam's body in a split second and Elton and Corey exhange a glance when they see their friend clench his fists.

   "Let's say his life isn't all rainbows and unicorns at the moment."

   A dry, sad chuckle escapes his lips as his mind wanders to his brown-haired best friend, who's currently completely still in his bed upstairs.

   Elton's hand on Sam's shoulder snaps the blonde out of his trance and when he looks up, his friend is staring at him with concerned eyes.

   "We need to do something."

   Sam shakes his head, running a hand through his hair, that hasn't been trimmed in a while. They can't do anything, Colby doesn't want to be saved. Maybe he's even too broken to be fixed.

   "And what are we supposed to do ?!"

   Elton and Corey stare at the boy in shock, it's not usual to hear him raise his voice. Maybe they shouldn't have brought anything up, seeing as it's such a sensitive subject to Sam. Unfortunately it's too late to back down now.

   "Force him to talk or so-"

   "I am not forcing him to do anything and neither are you guys." Sam cuts Corey off in a stern voice, giving his friends a serious look to accentuate his words. "He needs to figure it out by himself, we can only hope that it's gonna happen soon."

   "Can't you see it, Sam ?" Corey asks in a such quiet voice that Sam had no idea was possible for the naturally loud boy. "He's slowly killing himself."

   Sam opens his mouth to contradict him but it hangs open once realization hits him. He kept telling himself that Colby was just going through a hard time, but it was just his way of ignoring what's right in front of him : his best friend won't last long if he keeps going like this.

   "No, h-he's not." He stutters out stubbornly, shaking his head vigurously and suddenly wishing Colby was down there with them to refute the accusation. "He's not killing himself, he's gonna be fine, we're gonna get the old Colby back."

   The others' hearts ache at Sam's desperate attempt to convince himself that his best friend isn't so close to be a lost cause, he can't accept that his friends are right. They've got to be wrong.

   "Sam-"

   "He's not gonna die !"

   Before he knows it, Sam's hand has flown to the counter, slamming on the surface as tears spill out of his piercing blue eyes. He's panting, overwhelmed with fear, unable to control his racing thoughts. He hears his heart thudding in his ears, making him feel like he's in a loud room when in reality, the three males stand in a heavy silence. Pathetic sobs leave Sam's mouth as he crumbles in front of Elton and Corey, his knees buckling beneath him.

   "Sammy ?"

   All heads shoot towards the staircase at the sound of the small, raspy voice. Colby's standing on the first step, watching as a river of tears run down his best friend's face. He's heard the last words pronounced by the blonde and it feels like someone's stepped on the already shattered pieces of his heart. However the only thing he cares about is Sam's breakdown, deep down he knew it was coming sooner or later but it doesn't hurt any less. And it's all his fault.

   Sam furiously wipes at his cheek, the last thing he wanted to happen was for Colby to see him in that position. He rises on his feet and pushes past the two other, still dumbfounded, boys. Rushing to Colby's side, he cups the brunette's face gently.

   "Hey, what are you doing downstairs ?" Sam asks in a calm voice, stroking Colby's cheek with his thumb.

   Colby rests his hands on top of his other half's and looks down.

   "I just felt like... you might need me."

   Sam sighs softly at the slightly embarrassed look on Colby's face, little does Colby know, his words are true. Sam pulls Colby into a hug and buries his face in the crook of the boy's neck, exhaling deeply as tears threaten to fall again. He manages to keep them at bay when he pulls away slightly and places a gentle kiss on Colby's forehead, hoping the brunette can feel all his love through the simple gesture.

   "How about you go back upstairs and I'll make you something to eat, okay ?"

   It's obvious to everyone that Sam is treating Colby like he was afraid of breaking the already broken boy, but in a way Colby appreciates it. It just shows how much Sam cares for Colby. The whole time Corey and Elton are watching, surprised at how different Sam is compared to a few moments ago. It's like his pain's disappeared as quick as his tears have dried. Both boys know that the blonde just doesn't want Colby to see him vulnerable, he feels like he has to be strong for the both of them and that is not healthy.

   Colby nods slowly and silently turns on his heels to walk back upstairs. No one mentions the fact that he didn't acknowledge his other friends' presence or that every step seems to take the last ounce of strength he has in him.

   Sam watches Colby with sad eyes, he doesn't know what to think anymore.

   But he sniffles, turns around and starts cooking. He acts as if nothing happened and so do the others, although it's harder for them than for the blonde. However he's the closest to Colby, he's witnessed the boy at his lowest, maybe they should trust him.

   Or maybe not.