The Girl With The Blog | ✓

Five

I lay down on my bed, clutching a pillow tightly against my chest. My cheeks were stained with tears, the evidence of the emotional storm that had swept through me earlier. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a lamp casting a warm light over everything. Colby, ever the steadfast friend, had brought a chair into my room and was now sitting beside my bed, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Blair," he said gently, breaking the silence.

"What?" I asked, my voice cracking as I sniffled.

"Stop crying," he said, his tone soothing.

"Why?" I mumbled, my voice thick with emotion.

"Because I love you too much to see you crying over a boy," he replied, his voice firm yet tender.

"Oh?" I managed to say, trying to muster a small, sad smile.

"You're my best friend, Blair. You're way better than him. You're going to be better off without him. He was an anchor that you didn't need to drag. Now you can run free without that weight," Colby said, his words wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.

I looked at him, appreciating his support but feeling the weight of my own heartache. "Can we go get ice cream?" I asked, the thought of a simple comfort food seeming like a balm for my broken heart.

Colby chuckled softly, his smile warm and reassuring. "Yes," he said, his tone brightening.

We got up and made our way downstairs. Colby's car was parked outside, a reliable friend in a moment of need. As we drove, the familiar streets seemed to blur by, and for the first time that day, a glimmer of hope pierced through the cloud of my sadness.

When we arrived at the store, Colby's playful side came out. "We need to get the gallon tub," I said, buckling my seatbelt and looking at him with a mischievous grin.

"There's no way we can eat all that," he protested with a laugh.

"Watch me," I smirked, already envisioning the indulgence that awaited us.

Once inside the store, Colby pushed the cart while I sat in it, pretending to be a child on an adventurous ride. We headed towards the freezer section, where the promise of sweet, creamy relief awaited us.

"What do you want?" Colby asked, peering at the array of ice cream flavors.

"I dunno, what do you want?" I replied, feeling the indecision weigh heavily on me.

"No, I asked you. You're the one who's heartbroken, not me. What do you want?" he insisted, his tone a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"I don't care," I said, shaking my head.

"Blair, I will tip this cart over if you don't pick," he warned with a mock-serious expression.

"Okay, okay, I'll pick," I conceded, throwing my hands up in mock surrender. "I really don't care...Just grab whatever."

Colby turned around and grabbed a tub of Blue Moon ice cream.

"Oh please, no, not that," I said with a shudder.

He put it back and reached for mint chocolate chip.

"Not that one either," I added, scrunching my face.

Colby turned back to me, giving me that classic "mom look" that seemed to say, "Really?" or "Seriously?"

"Okay, okay, okay, get coconut ice cream," I finally caved in.

"See? Was it that hard?" he asked, a triumphant smile on his face as he placed the tub in the cart.

"Yes," I replied, trying to hide a grin.

He shot me another "mom" glare, and I couldn't help but laugh. Despite the lingering ache in my heart, Colby's antics were a welcome distraction, reminding me of the strength and support that surrounded me.

With our ice cream selected, we headed to the checkout line. As Colby paid, I felt a strange mixture of gratitude and sadness. While the ice cream was a small comfort, it was the companionship of a true friend that was truly healing.

"Thank you, Colby," I said as we left the store, clutching the ice cream tub like a lifeline.

"No need to thank me, Blair. I'm just glad I could be here for you," he replied, his voice full of sincerity.

As we drove back to the trap house, the evening sky painted with hues of orange and pink, I felt a renewed sense of hope. With Colby by my side, the road ahead seemed a little less daunting. And though my heart was still mending, I knew that with the support of friends like him, I would find my way through the darkness and into the light.