Perfect Places

Chapter One

A/N: I really, really loved writing this. It took me about seven hours, which is really saying something, because I've barely even edited it yet. I will probably come back at some later date and edit the crap out of it, but today is not that day. Why? Because I honestly just want to get something up and share the main premise of this work with you guys. I think it has some potential and I already have ideas for continuing it which is awesome! I will do my best to update soon, and I'll see those of you who make it at the end of the chapter. Also, almost forgot to mention this; the title of this book came from the song Perfect Places by Lorde. I think it is a nice accompaniment to the story, so maybe listen to it if you want to. Okay. This is way too long. I'll end it here. Enjoy!

Everything in Colby's day was going fine. He had gotten up at around eleven after a night of fitful sleep, spent about an hour checking his socials and snapchatting Brennen before finally getting up and showering. Then he headed downstairs, fully intending to spend the day laying around, watching his four roommates play videogames and doing absolutely nothing of importance. He hadn't even bothered to change into proper clothes, merely throwing on a plain tee shirt and some joggers after his shower.

Downstairs, Colby made himself comfortable slouching at one of the stools at the kitchen counter. He pulled out his phone and had gotten halfway through captioning another snap for Brennen when chaos exploded behind him. It sounded like a troupe of buffalo and screaming hooligans were falling down the stairs. Colby rotated slowly on his chair, one eyebrow raised, to be met with the sight of Corey being chased by Elton and Sam. All three of them were shouting exuberantly at each other. Colby sighed inwardly, wondering if any of them had ever heard of "relaxing".

"I AM NOT PG! I AM NOT!" Corey screamed, his face flushed. "Colby," He said, spinning on his heels to face an unimpressed Colby. "Do you think I'm PG?"

Colby opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by Elton before he could get a single word out.

"I never said you were PG. I said your channel was PG. You are definitely just G rated, right Sam?" Elton was wearing his omnipresent half smirk, half smile, and Sam was laughing into his hands, his face bright red from all the excitement.

"That's right dude." Sam agreed, still laughing. "Take that Corey." He jokingly directed at a fuming Corey. Corey turned for a second to send both of the laughing men death glares, then faced Colby again.

"Do you think I'm PG?" He asked again, and Colby wetted his lips, stalling slightly. He glanced around Corey and gave Sam a what-the-heck-is-going-on look. Sam grinned at him, and Colby smiled back at him, then looked Corey directly in the face.

"I mean, I don't know dude, your channel is getting kinda tame..." He said, trying his best to keep his face straight. "You mostly do Fortnite dances and pranks... And those pranks are kinda lame, right?" He added, putting his hand up to the side of his mouth and mock whispering to Sam and Elton. Elton burst into another fit of laughter and Corey let out a dramatic gasp of outrage.

"Oh, so you're on their side now?" Corey accused. "Why does everyone in this house live to antagonize me?!" Corey threw up his hands and stomped off into the living room. Elton and Sam immediately followed him with cries of "Told you he'd agree" and "Oh, don't be mad Auntie Corey!" Colby watched them with a look of bemusement, allowing himself a small smile when Sam turned around for a split second to flash him a thumbs-up before rejoining the pursuit of Corey. Colby shook his head slightly at his best friend's retreating back, then lifted his phone out of his lap. There were three snaps from Brennen, two of them asking if he was dead and the third asking what type of flowers he wanted at his funeral.