𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 | 𝐜.𝐛

8

Colby

When I wake up, Noelle is next to me. Sitting up, I carefully climb out of the bed, not wanting to wake her. I walk into my closet and change into a pair of dark jeans and a black hoodie. When I walk back out, I see Noelle is still asleep. The blankets are around her waist and the shirt she's wearing has risen up some. I can see her flat stomach and the bruises she's gained. I kiss her temple and stand. As I go to walk away, she grabs my wrist.

"Just a little longer, please?" she whispers. Chuckling softly, I sit next to her. My fingers brush stray hairs out of her face. She nuzzles into my hand and I smile down at her.

"You're precious," I whisper. She smiles softly and looks at me. "Please tell me I wasn't dreaming yesterday."

"About what?" she questions, sitting up.

"About-" she cuts me off by pressing her lips to mine. I can feel her smiling into the kiss. She pulls away and rests her head against mine. "That."

"You're also supposed to take me out today," she smiles. Smiling, I pull her up off of the bed. My hands are on her hips and she wraps her arms around my neck. 

"Have you ever played laser tag?" I question. She laughs.

"When I was little. It's been a while."

"Then laser tag it is. Tonight. Do you need anything? Like clothes?" She bites the inside of her cheek and nods.

"I just don't want to risk you getting hurt." I kiss her forehead.

"Hey," I cup her cheeks, "what do you say that me, Elton, and you, all go."

She sighs, "I don't want to bring all of you all into this."

"Hey, we will be fine. It's you I'm worried about. We'll run there and if his truck is there then we'll leave. If not, then you and I can go in and get your clothes and whatever else you need."

"I mean, we can see." I kiss her forehead. "Okay, let's go."

Noelle

When we arrive, there is no truck and the house looks empty. I take a deep breath. Colby turns to me.

"Ready?" he asks.

"Yeah, you all know what to do right? Just sit out here and if we're not back in five minutes-"

"We'll go in," Elton finishes. I nod. Colby and I leave the car and walk towards the house.

"We don't have to go in. We can buy you new clothes," he assures. I shake my head.

"I've already intruded enough-" he cuts me off.

"No, Ell, you haven't. This is your life." Sighing, I look up at the house. Two stories of pure hell through the past nine years.

"Let's go."

When we enter, it's cold and quiet. The smell of alcohol has never been stronger. I whisper for Colby to stay down here, he protests but listens. Quietly, I walk upstairs and into my room. Opening the door, I see everything intact. Quickly, I grab a various amount of hoodie, shirts, and pants before shoving them into a duffle bag. When I'm done, I rush into the bathroom and grab what I need from there, then back down the stairs. The time is shaky considering we don't know when Henry will be back.

"You have everything?" He questions.

"Yeah, I think." He grabs my hand and we walk out of the house. As we do, I see Henry's truck turn the corner. "Shit." I pull Colby back into the house. He's about to ask what's wrong but I pull him out the back door instead. Quickly, I look around for another escape. The woods behind my house are all I have. I grab his hand and run. Once we're decently into the woods, we stop.

"Elle, are you okay?" he asks breathlessly.

"I couldn't let him hurt you." He grabs my hands and pulls me into him.

"It's gonna be okay. You don't have to come back now. Ever." He kisses my hair.

"Thank god." He holds me and rubs my back. We begin walking back to the car the long way.

"When do you think you're going to stop wearing hoodies?" he asks. Pursing my lips, I shrug.

"I don't know. I'd have to regain that confidence he took from me."

"You'll get it back. Have you ever thought about starting an Instagram?"

"Honestly, I wouldn't know how," I laugh. He swings our hands back and forth.

"We could help you."

"Would you really? I mean- I don't get the hype but I'll try it." He chuckles and kisses my forehead. When we finally reach the car, we climb in.

"That took forever, where were you all?" Elton asks.

"I saw Henry's truck so we took a back way out."

"Did he see you all?" Sam asks.

"It doesn't matter now. He can't hurt us," Colby comments. He puts the car in drive and drives us home.