Bridge over troubled waters

3| With You

Bailey

I've always wanted to come to Chicago from a artists perspective. They have museums and beautiful landmarks and so many sights to see. As a creator this place was a gold mine for things to do and explore. Inspiration is around every corner, in every person and I couldn't wait to experience it all, to have the chance to maybe add to the extensive art collection here.

And the best part of it all is that I get to live out my dream of being surrounded by some of the worlds greatest inspirations and do it with my bestest friend in this whole world. Corey was my most favorite person ever and I'm so happy that god stuck me with him. He was sweet and caring and funny, and seemingly he was only like that with me. I loved being able to grow up with him, to grow with him and still have a best friend after sixteen years of me giving him a hard time. I loved him so much and I am so happy that I get to do this with him. I couldn't imagine going through life with anyone else.

I hear a knock on my door early this morning and I take a look at my phone that sat by my pillow. I was very active on social media so I had quite a few notifications from Twitter and Facebook, but through all of that I see it's 7 am and I let out a long groan. I roll out of bed and head to my door before looking out the peep hole. I see Corey standing there and smile big before I swing the door open.

"Woah. You look like shit" he claims and I scoff. Nothing like that brutal honesty at the root of every great friendship.

"Oh and you don't" I accuse pointing to his wrinkled clothes and scruffy hair.

"I never look good. You always look good, so this" he says picking up my hair, "is quite shocking" he claims.

"Well pardon me for getting woke up out of a deep sleep at 7 am" I pout.

He lets himself in to my apartment and heads to the kitchen. He sits on a stool at the island as he turns to me.

"What's for breakfast" he asks me as I wipe the sleep out of my eyes.

"It's about to be the last bit of my patience" I claim.

"No, that's too bitter" he smirks.

I hit him on his arm as hard as I could as he lets out a "oof". He rubs the spot that I hit as he gives me his pouting face. "Ouch. That hurt" he admits.

"Good. It was supposed to" I say. "Why are you up this early anyway? This is insane" I groan as I sit next to him.

"Well it's technically game day and the first preseason game at the United Center is tonight so we will have morning skate. That means I gotta be there by 8:30 but I was gonna see if you wanted to grab a bite for breakfast before I headed out" he explains.

"A wake up call would have worked" I tell him.

"You don't wake up to your phone ringing and you know it" he accuses. The number of notifications sitting on my phone was proof of that.

I smile his way because he knew me a little too well. "Alright. Give me 20 minutes to freshen up and we can go" I say.

"15" he tries.

"20 or I'm not going" I threaten.

"Alright, fine. I gotta go back and get my phone and wallet anyway" he admits.

"I'll see you in 20 minutes Corey" I warn.

"Okay, I got it, 20 minutes" he assures me.

So I go and get changed into my favorite pair of jeans and a light link long sleeved t-shirt. I was quite petite for a 25 year old but that's okay, children's clothing is cheaper anyway. Once I braid my long blonde hair and apply some chapstick I was ready to go. I meet Corey outside his door and we walk not too far from our place to a cute little cafe. I order some coffee and a bagel and we find a place to sit. Corey sits across from me as we enjoy a nice meal.

"So what are your plans for today" Corey wonders as I try not to play with my food. I have a bit of a maturity problem, but people find it endearing. My parents might have something different to say though.

"I was gonna scope out a few places to take pictures then go get some art supplies. Once that's all done my super cool best friends got me the hottest season tickets around so I was going to go watch him play" I say.

He smiles big as his eyes get a big wider. "You're coming to the game tonight" he squeals.

"Of course I'm coming. I missed watching you play" I admit.

"You hated coming to my games" he accuses.

"No. I hated that you always guilted me into coming to your games when I should have been studying" I defend. "You always played me that "I play better when you're there" card and I fell for it every time." Ever. Single. Time.

"I have no regrets" he smiles.

"I'm sure you don't" I accuse.

He just smiles at me as he stirs his straw in his coffee. It falls silent as he clears his throat trying to get a conversation started. "So are you all settled in? Anything I can do to help you" he wonders.

I stop playing with my food to look up at him as he watched me. Something was different, and it wasn't too hard to tell. But what was different wasn't as obvious as the problem itself.

"I think I'm settled in. Got everything plugged in and set up to my liking. I'm really going to like it here" I smile.

"I sure hope so" he claims.

"And what does that mean" I question.

"That I want you to have the best time here. And that we can get back to the way it was when it was you and I" he insists.

I just shake my head as my eyes fall. The weight of the world falling on my eyes causing them to close. "I don't know if things will be the same as then Cor. We're not kids anymore. I mean look at you! You always said you would play in the NHL and now look what happened. You're here and I'm right next to you just like we always planned. But things are different and they're going to keep changing" I insist.

He lets out a long sigh as his head drops. He looks at the table as he taps his fingers. "I know that. But I still want you in my life like I did back then. I still think you're the greatest person I know and I don't want that to change. I don't want us to drift apart because of who we are both supposed to be. Living without you by my side all these years... its been awful. I hated it. And you're finally here and I want to make sure you're happy" he claims.

I just smile at him as I reach over and rest my hand on top of his. He looks up at me before he too starts to smile. "I'm here and I'm happy I'm here. You know why" I ask him. He shakes his head as he looks at me. "Because I get to be with you."