reunited | Colby Brock

-2-

I poured a bowl of cereal and crept back up to my room to eat it. I wasn't prepared to face the other boys yet this early in the morning, especially looking like the jetlagged mess I was. Before long, the bowl was empty, so I utilized my time by using the hot water before anyone else woke up. I took a long shower, feeling each muscle relax as the water hit it. I decided against wearing any of Colby's old clothes and put on an old hoodie of my own. My suitcase still lay unpacked in the corner. The room was furnished but lacked any personality. I headed downstairs, determined to make that room my own.

Bringing my empty bowl with me, I was met by a tired looking Colby in the kitchen. It was easily past 10 am at this point, and he was the only other one up. Letting out a deep sigh, I decided to pretend that last night's tension never happened.

"Hey," I said, my words coming out quieter than I expected.

"Hey," he replied, his voice an octave lower than usual. My breath hitched in my throat as I remembered the mornings we used to spend together in high school. Back when I would sit on the countertop and he would stand between my legs, singing a song together and laughing. Back when life was carefree. We'd make breakfast together before school, every possible moment was spent in the other's company. I missed that. I wanted nothing more at that moment than to run into his arms and hug him, and pretend that nothing had changed, but I knew it wasn't appropriate, so I didn't. I stood there in silence, both of us frozen still.

Eventually, we broke out of the trance and I placed my bowl in the sink. Silently, I debated in my head whether to ask him to bring me out shopping. Maybe I'll wait for the others to get up, I decided. I heard Colby sigh as I left the kitchen and went back upstairs. I tried not to think much of it but it bugged me for the rest of the day.

*****

By 1 pm, I was starving and reluctantly came out of hiding. I could hear Sam singing obnoxiously loud so I knew downstairs would be safe. I couldn't help but laugh loudly at what I saw in front of me. Corey and Sam were recreating the infamous Titanic scene on top of the couch while Jake filmed them. Colby was standing in the corner holding his sides laughing. My breath hitched in my throat remembering when he used to smile and laugh like that with me. The way his eyes closed and he scrunched his nose to expose his teeth. He was so.... cute.

I came back to reality and realised they were all staring at me. I had been quiet for longer than I thought.

"Sorry to disturb, keep filming," I mumbled and escaped to the kitchen. The fridge was half empty, typical boys, but I found a tin of baked beans and grabbed a slice of bread. As I turned to toast it, I bumped into Colby. I jumped but tried to play it off.

"Sorry," I mumbled and stepped past him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Me? Oh, yeah. I'm just not used to living with other people," I said, only half lying, but I knew he didn't believe me. He sighed audibly and ran a hand through his hair.

"Look, I don't want it to be awkward between us, so do you want to do something today and get to know each other again?" He chuckled at his choice of words but still had a nervous look on his face.

"I mean, I need some stuff for my room..." I said, remembering my decision that morning to specifically not ask Colby to take me.

"Perfect!" he said a little too loudly, his face lighting up. He blushed slightly and apologised. I smiled.

"Well then, what are we waiting for?"

*****

I stared out the window on the passenger side of the car. My fingers tapped along to the beat of the radio and I chewed on my lower lip. My head turned as I heard Colby laugh.

"What?"

"Sorry, it's just that you always used to do that back in high school."

"How do you remember my old car habits?"

"Tell me that you don't remember them either."

"What, are you gonna put your hand on my thigh?" I teased. Shit, I thought. Was that flirting? Did I cross the line and ruin everything again? I looked over at Colby who had the biggest smirk on his face.

"Only if you want me to, babe." So that's how you want to play this? I thought. We made eye contact and burst out laughing. All the tension broke and we both relaxed. It was just like old times.

"I'm sorry but that was the cringiest thing I've heard you say, and I've heard you say a lot of cringey things," I laughed.

"Even worse than that time I told you about Brennen's-"

"Okay maybe not that bad," I said, cutting him off, and we both giggled remembering those times. We sat in comfortable silence with the radio for the rest of the journey. I was glad I had my Colby back, even if he wasn't mine anymore.

word count; 904

This chapter deleted without saving so many times so it's not exactly how I planned it but I hope you still enjoyed xo.

-May 26 2019-