Swimming in Stars | Byron Langley

fifteen

"I can't believe you're leaving." I said as Jackson pulled me into a hug.

"I'm going to be back." He said. "Plus I'm moving back to Colorado so you can come visit me."

I pulled back and wiped the tears. I nodded at him and moved on to my mom.

"I love you." I said. "Thank you for coming."

"It was the best thing I ever did." She said and hugged me tight. "We'll come back soon."

I nodded and pulled away. I turned to Andrew and smiled.

"Keep her happy," I said and hugged him, "Thank you."

"Thank you," He said.

We pulled away and I wiped my face again.

"Okay, we really have to get going." My mom said. "But I love you and be safe."

"You too," I nodded.

We hugged again and then they all walked out of the flat. I let out a deep sigh and crossed my arms. I turned around and saw Byron who hadn't been standing there before. I jumped slightly.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"What's it to you?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes and walked back into his room. I scoffed and went over to the couch. I pulled out my phone just as Conor started calling.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey," He smiled, "I wanted to know if you wanted to go and get lunch."

"What time?"

"Thirty minutes?"

"Yeah, let me get changed." I said.

"Great," He replied and hung up.

I looked down at my phone and sighed. I wanted to like Conor, I did, but no matter what I did, nothing worked. I pushed myself off the couch and to my room. I pushed the door shut and went to my closet. I grabbed out a pair of jeans and a random shirt. I brushed through my hair and then put on makeup.

I looked at myself in the mirror just as there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." I said.

The person walked in and I saw Conor.

"Hey," He said.

"Hey," I smiled softly.

"Are you ready?"

I nodded and grabbed my vlog camera.

"You're going to vlog our date?" He asked.

"Well, we can just saw we're hanging out." I said. "For them, because you know..."

"Right," He nodded.

----------------------------------------------------

When we got back to Joe's flat, Joe and Byron were talking.

"I'm back!" I yelled.

"Hey," Byron said as he walked in with a suite on.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Is it a date?" Conor asked.

I scoffed, "he'd need to find a girl willing."

"Joe and I have a meeting with Caspar and Josh." He rolled his eyes.

I nodded, "Well your tie is wrong."

He looked down, "no it's not."

I handed Conor my jacket and camera. I stepped in front of Byron and undid his tie. I began to fix it, pulling it tight.

"There." I said.

He looked down, "thanks."

"Okay, we have to leave." Joe said and looked to Conor and I. "You two behave please."

"Always," I nodded sarcastically.

He shook his head and walked out with Byron. I grabbed my stuff from Conor and headed towards my room. I dropped them on my bed and turned. Conor was standing in the doorway, staring at me.

"What?" I asked.

"This isn't working." He said and shook his head.

"What isn't?"

"Us," He said, "You're hopelessly in love with Byron."

I choked, "In love with Byron?"

He nodded, "You may not see, Joe may not see and maybe he doesn't either but I do."

"I do not love Byron, I don't even tolerate him."

"Look," Conor said, "We should just end things on a good note."

I nodded as he looked at me. I put on a sad expression but inside I felt like I was free.

"Have a goodnight Lex," He said and walked out.

I heard the flat door shut and I let out a happy sigh.

"Oh my god," I said and smiled.

I did feel bad that I couldn't commit to Conor like I wanted to but I just didn't feel the connection. I can also say that I didn't feel that connection with Josh and definitely not Byron. Never in a million years could I ever love Byron...or even like him.

---------------------------------------------------

Later that night I had been passed out on the couch. I woke up when I heard Byron's laugh and then Joe say something. I was only slightly awake, enough to know my surrounding but not enough to move.

"She left all the lights on." Joe said, "And the TV."

I heard footsteps and then Byron's voice.

"She fell asleep on the couch."

"Oh, I'll get her a blanket." Joe said.

"No, I'll carry her to her room." Byron said. "I'm sure she'd prefer her bed."

"She might hurt you for touching her."

"She's threatened me with a knife before, she doesn't scare me."

"Okay, your funeral." Joe said.

I felt my body be lifted and I felt the warmth of Byron's body as he carried me. Then I felt myself be lowered on to my bed. He pulled a blanket over me as I flipped on to my side. He pushed hair behind my ear just as my eyes opened slightly. I saw him look down at me.

"Goodnight Al," He said.

"Goodnight B," I nodded.

He smiled as my eyes shut again. He walked out, shutting the door and I felt sleep take over my body again.