Broken and Fearless // C.B.

Chapter 28

I woke up the next morning completely lost in thought. It was certainly going to be weird being off camera for as long as I decided. What would I do with my life? What would happen? Idiot. Why are you thinking that? You've got friends and family here who care for you.

What a Catch, Donnie was still running through my head and I let out a quiet groan. I didn't need that song, especially after all that had happened over the past few days.

I decided to get up. Colby was still asleep, and had an arm around my waist. The trick would be getting free before he woke up. Luckily, he was a deep sleeper, unlike me.

He protested softly and wrapped his arm tighter around me. After fighting him a bit, I managed to free myself, but fell to the ground with a loud thud. Colby's eyes shot open. "Babe?"

"I'm good. Go back to sleep."

Colby shook his head. "You woke me up. I can't."

"So sad. Didn't mean to."

"It's alright, Jules. How are you today?"

"Okay. Hungry. I'mma make a fluffernutter. It's nearly noon."

"You have an ungodly obsession with those."

"Yes, I do, because they're delicious." I smiled and started poking him.

Colby frowned at me before saying jokingly, "Don't touch the merchandise."

"I'm your girlfriend. I can touch the merchandise if I want to."

After Colby laughed, he said, "Babe, you realize how dirty that sounded, right?"

I shook my head and said, "Apparently not. The words just come out."

"Clearly. It's funny hearing when you say something that sounds dirty. Especially when you don't mean it."

I let out a small snigger. "I don't try to make it sound that way."

"I know, babe, and that's what makes it all the more hilarious."

I made myself a sandwich and Sam came up to me and Colby with a camera. I covered it and told him, "I'm taking a break from social media."

Sam nodded and said, "Might I ask why?"

"Just for my mental health. A lot of stuff happened back in Boston, and I need to take some time to myself."

"I respect that."

"Everyone's here, right?"

"As far as I know, yeah. Why?"

"Cause I think I should tell you guys what happened back in Boston."

"Juliet, you don't have to."

"No, no. I want to. It'll help, I think."

Sam nodded and soon, we they were all gathered on the prank couch. Corey looked around and said, "Where's the camera?"

"There is no camera. I'm off social media. Remember?"

"Oh, right. So, why'd you call us together?"

"Um, I figured I should tell you guys what happened. I think it will help me to say."

I took in a deep breath and let it out. Colby gave me an encouraging nod. "Okay, well, I don't know how many of you know, but my ma passed away a few weeks ago. Hit and run."

Aaron's face dropped. "I'm so sorry. That's awful."

"I wasn't finished. I just need to spit this all out. I'm sure you remember that week after Thanksgiving, when I was mean and barely talking." They nodded. "When Colby and I went back for the memorial service, I got even more depressed. It actually came to the point of attempted suicide. That's what these lines are." I lifted up my sleeves to show them.