Sunshiny Things (Original)

Ch. 33 Birthday Wishes

Freya

"I—uh, I brought ice cream. I mean, if you want it or whatever." I smile slightly at Cole and his words as he enters my room again but this time carrying a tub of ice cream as well as two metal spoons.

"When do I not want it?" I tease which causes him to slightly smile before sitting down on my bed next to me. He gets underneath my comforter with me so both of our laps are covered with the floral design. He sets down the ice cream between the both of us and plunges the spoons in. I immediately grab the silver spoon, scooping it full of mint chocolate chip goodness before taking the first bite. I close my eyes, enjoying the cold freshness of the flavor, before reopening my eyes and removing the spoon from in between my lips. I look over at Cole, only to be meet with his eyes that are already watching my every move. I scan his face for a moment as he mesmerizes mine, almost like he doesn't even know what he's doing himself.

"You didn't have to do this for me, you know?" I slowly say as soon as our eyes lock, creating a glare of chocolate brown and ocean blue. He raises the corner of his mouth slightly, grinning before letting a tiny chuckle escape from his lips.

"Don't go all soft on me now, Annie," he teases and I automatically roll my eyes at his playful words and manner. Silence over comes us again, but it's not tension filled and uncomfortable. It's the complete opposite actually. Us, eating the best flavor of ice cream while subconsciously thinking of things to say.

I lost it. Went complete psycho mode and to be honest, I scared myself slightly. Yes, I didn't want anyone here with me today. It didn't feel right. It didn't feel like that's what I deserved, what my parents deserved. But Cole being here, comforting me and holding me until I regained all reason again seemed like the right thing. The perfect thing. And weirdly, it was comfortable...nice even. And that thought alone scares me more then the reason I went complete psycho mode in the first place.

"Freya," I hear Cole softly say from beside me, causing my eyes to imminently avert to his. "What happened? I mean, what was...that?" I hold this gaze, my lips parting slightly as I contemplate on his hardy question and on my own answer. I allow a shaky breath to escape from my lips as his eyes burn into mine and mine his.

"It's called chronic panic order," I start off slow. Cole looks at me with curious eyes but also a little worry in them. I can't believe Im actually telling him this, or that I actually want to. But I experienced Coles open aggression. Its only fair if I share.

"Freya, you don't—."

"They started when I was really young," I continue, cutting him off and completely ignoring him. I need to do this. "Random things would trigger them, like getting anxiety over something or getting a bad grade on test. But ever since the accident—." I take a moment, allowing myself to breathe while thinking over my words carefully. "They've grown more...severe." Realizing that I've been looking everywhere besides Cole, I finally lock eyes with him again, only to be met with miles and miles of pity. The look that he's giving me makes me feel sad. But it also confuses me, making me ask the question of does he really care? And if so...why?

"I'm sorry," is all Cole finally mummers. I smile slightly, partially because I appreciate his words but mostly because he actually cares.

"Fourth time," I say and Cole just looks at me slightly confused.

"What?"

"That's the fourth time you've said sorry to me." He furrows his eyebrows deeper, expressing his confusion. But I roll my eyes and slightly giggle at the same time, before illustrating. "First time was the morning after your travesty of a party, second time was when you apologized pretending to be Chester, third was just a couple minutes ago, and then fourth was just now. Did I miss any?" Cole gulps slightly, and I gift him a tiny smile before taking another bite of my ice cream. But him on the other hand, he just stares down at the tub, looking like he's lost in thought.