In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

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"You just assumed it was me. When you know how hard this has been for me. You and Denise both. You didn't even give me a chance to say anything. You just assumed!" "But T, I didn't even say anything to you! You just yelled and ran out!" he exclaimed. I shook my head. "You didn't have to say anything Colby. It was written all over your face. You thought that I took that bottle of pills." He threw his hands up, grabbing his hair, and let out a long sigh. "Fine. I did automatically think that you took them. But you have to admit that it's weird! You've been doing so well tonight, when usually, you end up being in so much pain after a short time that you can't stand! It didn't make sense, but I didn't question it. So yes, I did automatically assume that." He stopped talking and looked around at everyone staring at us. "Um, maybe you should go inside and talk about it brother," Sam said, staring at us intently. "That's what I'm trying to do Sam," Colby replied, then looked back to me and held out his hand. "Baby girl, please." My heart fell, like it always did when he called me that. I knew I was being a bit of a bitch but it just hurt so much when the people I trusted the most in the world didn't trust me. But I understood why they didn't. I reached out slowly and placed my hand in his. He let out a sigh of relief, then gathered me in his arms, hugging me tightly while he buried his face in my hair. "Terra, I love you. I will always love you," he murmured against my ear. I squeezed my eyes shut and held onto him tightly, before he pulled back and took my hand in his again. We walked back inside the house, and I saw Denise standing at the kitchen counter with her back to me. Her shoulders moved with her silent sobs. I glanced at Colby, then took my hand from him. He nodded, and walked into another part of the house, to give us space. "Neece," I said quietly, putting my hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" She sniffed, wiped her cheeks, then turned to face me. "I'm fine T. Just fine. Are you?" I nodded. "Yeah. I'm sorry I blew up. I know that I'm gonna be suspect number one for a while in these situations but it really sucks when I'm trying so hard to not let that rule my life. I need you to trust me this time. I know that I've lied before, I know that I was a shitty friend, and I probably don't deserve  your trust but I need it, now more than ever. I didn't take the pills. I did take the one, and maybe it was a mistake, but-" She held her hand up, stopping me. "I believe you T. I do. I'm glad you told me about your taking what you did. I love you more than anyone in my life right now. You're my sister, my ride or die. I understand that you have a problem and you always will. I also understand that you've worked so hard at getting this life that you have. You've earned it." I raised my eyebrows at her, with a little smile. "Okay, not the wreck obviously Terra, you know what I mean!" she exclaimed. I laughed, and leaned forwards, wrapping my arms around her. "I love you Neece. You'll always be my sister, no matter what we go through, I know that you've got my back. I've got yours too." I leaned back, and laughed because she was trying to hide the few tears that had fallen from her eyes. "I pray to God that I never relapse but that isn't  probable. Addicts will usually relapse at least once, usually more, in their lifetime, especially without people to help them fight against it. I don't plan on relapsing. I love my life right now. I don't want to lose it. I can say that I was just hurting earlier and I didn't want to ruin the night, and while that's true, I didn't have to take that pill. It was my choice and I chose wrong. So obviously, I can't be trusted around things like that just yet. I admit that. I'm glad that someone took them. I probably would have kept taking them, making excuses to myself." She shook her head. "I don't think so. You're stronger than that." "I'm not though Neece. I'm really not. Not yet. But someday." "And I'll be by your side," she replied, taking my hand in hers. "Now go talk to your guy. He's worried about you." She nodded towards the doorway, and I smiled. "I love you!" I yelled behind me as I walked out. "I love you more!" I heard her yell back. I entered the living room, my heart 100 times lighter than it was before. "Hey," I said softly, walking over to the couch and sitting beside Colby. He had his hands covering his face, but looked up at me, when I sat down. "I'm sorry," he said, taking my hands in his. I shook my head. "Don't be. I know everyone is going to suspect me, especially if it happened in my home. Hell, they even had my name on them. I get it. I've accepted it. It's just that sometimes, it gets a little harder to accept, especially when I know that I didn't do it...but maybe I was feeling a little guilty about taking what I did. I'm sorry that I went off on you." "T, you know I'm just worried about you. Sometimes, that seems like it's become another part of my personality. Just worrying about you all of the time, but I can't seem to help it. Since I almost lost you, I'm scared that I might lose you again. It terrifies me." I raised one hand to his cheek and smiled softly at him. "You're never gonna lose me Colby. I'm the lucky one remember? You're my YouTube crush. This doesn't happen to normal people. This shouldn't have happened to me." A smile broke out across his face. "You're anything but normal Terra Brooks. You're clumsy, sarcastic, emo as hell sometimes, hot headed, loving, but most of all, protective.