To Be Young And In Love In New York City

Chapter 15: "So Horny"

*Trigger Warning: Eating Disorder/Anoerexia/Body Dyspmorphia*

Colette eyed Matthew's coffee warily.

She had always liked coffee, but was never an active drinker. But with the whole world hell bent on convincing her that she was missing out on a magical thing one could experience every morning, she really wondered if she was.

But coffee wasn't on Colette's mind. Something else was. Something that made her want to distract herself and think about coffee.

When you have a problem with anything or anyone in the world, you go to your best friend. But when you have a problem with your best friend, where do you go?

Colette wished she knew.

Hazel waved her hand in her face. "Earth to Colette?"

She zoned back in. "Yeah?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." Colette replied blankly. "Just all the assignments I have to do."

The answer didn't convince Hazel, but she decided not to push it. "I asked you how your ankle was."

She blinked. "My ankle? Right! My ankle. I hurt my ankle, didn't I?" She chuckled nervously. "It's fine. Like River said, I didn't hurt myself too bad, so it went back to normal the next day."

Hazel nodded. "When are you coming over to my house?"

"For the sleepover? Um......the day after tomorrow?"

She scratched her chin. "......Yeah, I think that works."

"You guys having a girls night in?" Matthew asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

Colette nodded in response.

He swirled the remnant of his coffee in its mug. "I'm gonna get a refill."

Perfect. She could finally spill her thoughts to Hazel. Once Matthew exited J.B's , she averted her eyes to Hazel.

"Hazel? Hazel? I wanna talk to you about something."

Hazel put her phone down on the table and looked up at her. She frowned. "What's wrong?"

Colette pulled out a chair from next to her and sat down. Resting her elbows on the table, she interlocked her fingers. "So, I.........I've been having certain thoughts that I'm not very proud of."

Hazel pulled her chair forward, realizing it was going to be a serious conversation. "Like what?"

"Like the fact that........I don't........necessarily.........like......... Niki and Abri's friendship?"

She cocked an eyebrow. "Are you serious?"

Colette sighed. "It's not like that. I mean, I like Abri. I really do, and I know you do to. And Niki and Abri's friendship never bothered me before, but seeing how close they're getting.....I feel like I'm being replaced."

"Is this about them sharing a tent?"

Colette's eyes filled with surprise. "How......How do you know?"

She shrugged. "I could tell you were somewhat uncomfortable with that idea."

"It's obviously not because I didn't want to share one with you. I just thought, since you and Abri got along so well, Niki and I could, you know, catch up. But that's not the only reason. I've noticed Niki's been spending a lot of time with Abri. Which is fine, she can have other friends, but I can't help but feel...........distant from her. She feels distant."