Alone Awaken

Chapter 25: Remi

"What is your favorite Harry Potter book?" Colton looks down at me waiting for my response with a smile.

We've been asking each other questions back and forth the entire walk, just how Colton wanted. It's definitely been enlightening.

Colton has lived in Victor his entire life with his little sister, who they call Jess, and his mom and dad. His grandparents are still alive on his moms side, but his dad's side passed away when he was really young. He has a bunch of cousins that he sees as often as he can. He says they're practically his siblings. His mom has five other siblings, hence the large amount of cousins, that all live in Rochester. His dad only had two other siblings that live near him but their relationships aren't very close, so he never really sees that side. He was the "star player" of his soccer team. I'm sure that's exaggerated. When he's not playing soccer he loves making music. An obvious one. He not only knows the piano, but he knows the guitar and the trumpet. He jokingly wants to master the Harp next. I'm pretty sure he was serious though. He enjoys watching Mobster movies and Comedic stand-ups, while binging on peanut butter cups. He said he could probably live off peanut butter cups if it came down to limited resources. And his favorite color is green.

What I told him about my family... wasn't the whole truth. But I didn't lie. I mentioned how I had a mom and a dad. True. All my grandparents have passed away. True. I didn't play any sports or instruments and my life is pretty boring. True. I just.. if I told him everything, then he'd know about him. I'm not ready and he said it himself if I wasn't ready to talk about it, then I didn't have to. I will let him know, in time.

"Wow, I haven't read those books in ages." I try to think back. Did I even have a favorite one? "I guess if I had to pick.. either the sorcerer's stone or the prisoner of Azkaban."

"Oh, do tell why?" Colton makes a serious face as if he's a professor challenging me. He's trying to be funny. I smile.

"Well, the first book opened this door to a world that anyone who read it, could escape to. To believe in something more magical, then the boring life you were living." I tuck my hair behind my ears. "The prisoner of Azkaban on the other hand, was a huge turning point for Harry. In my opinion. And for the reader. Finding out so much more about his past and truths that no one else knew.." I pause and think about what I just said.

"You alright?" Colton puts a soft hand on my shoulder.

"Oh yeah." I shake my head and give him a small smile. I grab his hand to let him know I'm ok.

Next weekend I'll be heading back home to my past. A place I try to avoid every winter and summer break. What Colton doesn't know is that I always spend my fall breaks at school. It's just easier for me to be alone at school then back to a town that just reminds me of what I lost.

Campus comes up pretty quick and I get a little sad knowing Colton's going to want to get back to shower and nap. His routine is one thing I've picked up just by observation. The man loves to nap and to be clean. I've gotten to a point to not bother asking him to stay with me after practice.

We make it to the main center and I turn on my toes to wrap my arms around his neck.

"Today was great, besides the whole meeting-your-family-without-telling-me thing." I lower my brow in blaming him.

Colton tilts his head back laughing. "Ah, I know! I just knew you wouldn't go if I told you. I'm sorry." He makes a terrible puppy-dog pout. But so fucking cute.

"Mmmmm k." I sarcastically say while letting go of him to head inside.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa." Colton grabs my hand and pulls me back to him gently. I squeal like a little girl. That was embarrassing .