Broken and Fearless // C.B.

Chapter 10

[Slight trigger warning. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here.]

Colby's POV: (right after Juliet leaves)

I turned to Jenna. "What was that about?"

She bit her lip. "Well, you obviously annoyed her."

"And?" I asked, getting the feeling there was something more. In the short time I'd known Juliet, she'd never been this way.

"Her friend died today. You know how she can't listen to Cancer by My Chemical Romance, even the Twenty One Pilots version, without crying?"

"Yeah. Is that why?"

"That's why. Seven years ago, to the day, her best friend died of leukemia."

"So that's why she's so short. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known."

"Colby, you have to promise not to tell her I told you. She'll literally kill me. That's her secret to tell. Not mine."

"I promise. But if it's her secret to tell me, why did you instead?"

"So that you understand my sister. She's a weird mix of cold, sweet, joking, and irritating all in one. And right now, you're seeing the cold Juliet and I was worried you would be turned away."

"You, what's the word, ship us together, don't you?"

"Absolutely. Which is why I'm telling you."

"Jenna, I'm not turned away. If anything, I want to help her even more. I don't really know how, though."

"Well, food is always a great first start. She likes food. Movies and shows are a great second option. Suggest watching her favorite movie with her."

"Great idea. Uh, what is it?"

Jenna sighed. "You're kidding me."

"No. I actually don't know what her favorite movie is. Is it like Narnia or something?"

"While she likes those movies, they're not her favorite. Her favorite movie is 300. A semi-historical action movie about the Persian war. She's looked into it historically and can tell you about the battle. If you're willing to hear her lecture for a good hour at least."

"An hour? Really?"

"Oh, yeah. She can go on and on with something she's really passionate about. I'm guessing she's made a lot of song puns based on her music taste?"

"Tons."

"Can you understand them?"

"Yeah. We have a running joke about Party Poison and Fun Ghoul."

Jenna smiled. "Good. She found someone who understands her. You're perfect for her, Colby."

"Yeah. Except there's one problem. We're not together."

"You will be. By my estimate, I expect you two to be together in two months or less."

"That's pressuring."

"Two months is awhile. Besides; you two are obviously really close, and she's been here for all of a couple months. I suppose your trip to New Zealand helped fuel that spark."

"Okay, can we stop talking about me and your sister? It's kind of weird, and I think your sister needs you right now."

"She probably does. Let's go."

Jenna looked at her phone and said, "Colby, we need to go right now."

"I'm going, I'm going! Wait. Why?"