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

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"Why would I? I knew that you would do exactly what you're about to do right now. You're going to go straight to Instagram and Twitter to see what people are saying. Don't. Just let it go. Okay?" I had already swiped and was scrolling Instagram before I knew it. "T," he said, grabbing my attention. I looked up and met his eyes. "Please don't. Not yet. Just wait until the video comes out, okay? Then we'll worry about it." "Ugghh fiiine," I said, dropping my phone onto the couch. He grinned, and kissed me. "Thank you. I promise that no matter what, it'll be okay." I sighed, and closed my eyes. "But Colby, what if they hate me? What if it ruins your career? What if-" He cut me off. "NO. You're not going to do that. If I lose a few followers, it's not the end of the world. If they leave, then they weren't true fans anyway. Jake and Tara became a power couple. Sam and Kat, the OG power couple are still going strong. It. Will. Be. Fine. I promise. Okay?" I opened my eyes to meet his again. "Okay," I whimpered. I wasn't so much worried about myself. My personal account was still on private where it would stay. I was worried about messing up his career. He had worked too hard to get to where he was, personally and with Sam. It wouldn't be fair for all that to be taken away just because of me. I wasn't worth it. But I waited. Every day felt like it was speeding pass, getting me closer to judgement day, but also dragging by. I was itching to go online and see what everyone was saying, if anything, but I had promised Colby that I wouldn't. I didn't want to break my promise. When Friday arrived, Colby came over to hang out that evening. "Hey, we posted the pics on the merch website, if you want to check it out," he said absentmindedly, scrolling through YoutTube on the television as I worked on my laptop. I had more photos that needed to be edited a little before I was finished for the day. "Yeah, I will in just a few minutes," I said, keeping my focus trained on what I was doing. "What's up guys, it's Colby Brock. Welcome back to my channel." I jerked my head up as soon as those words hit my ear drums. "Is this the new video?" I asked, looking at him on the couch, and not on the screen. He nodded, and pulled my laptop from my hands, to set it on the coffee table. "Yep, sure is. Watch it with me. I think you'll like it." "Oh God," I groaned, covering my face with my hands. I kept it covered as he pulled me back against him. "I wanna talk to you guys today about something really important. About someone really important to me," his voice from the screen continued. "Come on T, move your hands and watch," he said from next to me, pulling at my arms. I complied, but I didn't want too. I had been anticipating and dreading this so much that now I didn't think I was ready. "Look guy, you know I love you all. If it weren't for you and Sam, I wouldn't be where I am today. You mean the world to me, so I don't want to hide it anymore. I met someone a while back. I ended up falling for her, but it didn't work out. Recently, we found each other again, and I realized that she was still in my heart. I know, it's weird, right? Colby Brock with a girlfriend." He laughed, but I could tell he was just as nervous recording that as I was watching it. "I need you to know that if I didn't think this was something real, something that would last, I wouldn't even bother telling you. But it is real, and I really want it to last. I'm going to need your help with that. She's scared to tell you guys, because she knows how much I mean to you, and that you'll always be protective of me." Wow, the way he was spinning this was incredible. "You guys are always telling me how you want me to be happy and that you love me. She makes me happy guys. More than anything, I want you to accept her. Be nice to her. Give her a chance to make you fall in love with her, just like I did." I felt my eyes water, and sure enough, tears spilled over my bottom lashes when I blinked. Colby didn't say anything, but he pulled me tighter against his side. The video continued with him showing a montage of the clips that he compiled together of us playing games, chasing one another around the Trap House, playing chicken with Sam and Kat in their pool, watching me dance with the girls in the movie theater room, even going as far back to when I was still in my bed, recovering from the accident. How the hell did he film that without me knowing? Jesus, I really was unobservant. There were so many clips of us just being stupid and having fun, then he would turn the camera to his own face and wink or smile. I caught myself smiling with the Colby on the screen. The song that he paired with it, was by One Direction's 'What makes you beautiful.' The montage was paired perfectly with certain clips of me turning away from him with no makeup on, or when I was dressed up for a party we went to. For a moment, I saw myself through his eyes. For a moment, I felt like the most beautiful girl in the world. The end of the montage came, and then it showed Colby and I sitting on the couch. I could see how uncomfortable and nervous I looked at first glance. They were going to eat me alive for sure, simply because I was showing weakness. Thankfully, that only lasted a few minutes, then he did his outro and it was over. "So what'd you think?" he asked, kissing the top of my head. I leaned my head back so that I could look up at him.