Look After You | Colby Brock

LA Baby

The faint sound of house music has started to give me a headache by the end of the night, pulling my phone out of my pocket I read the time, 1am. Colby has been passed out beside me for about an hour as I watched the drunken bodies that fill the living room floor.

Being alone to my thoughts for a while I really have started to grow doubts of my choices that I'm making so early on into my college career. As much as I like Colby and enjoy all the time I'm spending with him, my friends and family have been part of my life a lot longer and seeing the way Will and Fran reacted tonight made me realise that perhaps I'm taking things in the wrong direction. Brennen seems to be in the back of my mind quite a bit too and I can't seem to figure out why, I'm guessing because I know he's a threat. "Do you want to call us a cab babe?" Colby's croaky voice startled me, I glance at him before nodding and standing to my feet.

The alcohol has completely worn out of the both of us as we pace to the door, he hesitates saying goodbye to all his friends before we head out into the fresh air but follows behind me as I leave. I pull my phone out and order a cab before turning to Colby, resting my head on his shoulder. "Do you think I'm helping you Colby..You know, mentally?" I ask, looking up at him. His blue eyes glistening under the street lights as he stares ahead.

"I do..I mean, it's still very early days but I haven't thought twice about a lot of things Aliyah. I can't quite put my finger on what it is about you that makes me so crazy" He places a finger on my chin to tilt my head up, planting a kiss on my lips before swiftly separating. "Why do you ask?"

I sigh as I lift my head from his shoulder, "I definitely have noticed a personality change in you, but I don't know if I'm changing with you, I really don't want to walk into something I'll regret." I look at my feet and Colby puts an arm around me, "You're not, I promise. I'll look after you, always." He smiles down at me and my butterflies in my stomach go crazy just as the cab pulls up.

—-

"Have they picked up yet?" Roselyn asks as she renters the room. Colby and I headed straight to bed in our own dorm rooms after the long night I had last night. I spent majority of the morning washing the alcohol smell from myself and my clothes, whilst also calling Fran and Will. They will be leaving this evening for their flight back home.

"I don't think they're going to pick up." I frown, tying the shoe-laces of my white vans. "Do you need me to come by the hotel with you?" She asks, I shake my head as I pull my denim jacket over my yellow summer dress.

"You're good. I'm just going to go by, apologise and then give them some space. I'll get us some snacks at the store on the way back. I really need to study." She laughs and I join her before grabbing my keys and heading out the door.

It's quite Cloudy out today which is a nice change from the constant heat that comes from the Los Angeles weather. I climb into the driver seat of my car and belt up before hitting the route to the hotel. I hope they accept the apology that I give them, my thoughts fill with different outcomes as I drive.

The hotel car park is pretty quiet so I find a space close by to the reception door and climb out, heading inside. I recall the floor that they were on and enter the elevator. Pulling my phone out I try giving Fran another ring before I reach their floor but no pick up. The floor is quiet but a few cleaners are already in some rooms, I frown as I make it to the room they were staying in that is also being cleaned. "Hello, are the guests gone?" I ask the women who is removing bed sheets from the room, she shakes her head, "Checked out." My heart sinks as I walk away. Their flight isn't till this evening, I frown deciding to check the lobby.

There are several places in the bottom floor, I opt to check out the restaurant. I smile as I see them sat at a table, thankfully it's quiet. "Hello." I say quietly as I reach their table, Fran looks at me confused and I can't help but notice the bruised eye that Will has acquired. "What are you doing?" Fran asks, I sigh and pull a chair to their table before sitting.

"Look, I hate this. I don't know what to say or do but I never meant for any of this to happen. Will, I'm sorry about the fight and for not thinking twice about bringing you guys to the party. Fran, I'm sorry for not being the same person you remember me to be." I take a breath after my apologies.

Will continues to eat without commenting but Fran looks at me, "I never want you to feel like you need to be the same person you always were Aliyah. LA is a pretty big change from Arizona and we know that. But we came to see you and since we arrived we barely did. You went on a date and told us you'd only be gone a couple hours but then spent the night, then you take us on a bus tour and didn't even have the money, which I know you payed me back but it was the lack of thought. Then last night, we came to that party because it's what you wanted but you didn't even speak to us."

I look away as Fran's angry eyes pierce into mine, she is right. I've been incredibly selfish. Will sighs, "Look. We are just going to head home and when we are ready to see you being happy in a different scene that isn't your home life again, we'll be here for you." He smiles slightly. I look down at my hands that I've clasped in my lap. "Okay." I clear my throat, standing to my feet.

"We are happy that you have found someone that you can see something with Ali, but just be careful." Fran sympathetically nods, I smile at her. "Thanks. Have a safe flight, text me when you land" I wave back to them as I head back to the car.

That was awkward, but everything they said made sense to me. It doesn't change my opinion on Colby. They can't expect me to live a life like I did with my parents and my brothers, LA is a different lifestyle, and I'm going to live it. I turn the music up as I leave the car park to drown any thoughts, I'm going to make the most of this life.