Athena

Thena

As soon as Colton walks out of the bathroom I start undressing.

I start the shower and go in.

In the distance I can hear someone start to play the guitar.

It's Colton. He starts to sing.

She would not show that she was afraid
But being and feeling alone was too much to face
Though everyone said that she was so strong
What they didn't know is that she could barely carry on

It's was a song I remember listening to when I was younger.

This made me remember my life, little things one might have forgotten as time went on. The long drives during Christmas time, looking at Christmas lights.

But she knew that she would be okay
So she didn't let it get in her way

Sometimes it all gets a little too much
But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up
And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same
And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much

She would always tell herself she could do this
She would use no help it would be just fine
But when it got hard she would lose her focus
So take my hand and we'll be alright

I start crying. Everything is changing.

And she knew that she would be okay
So she didn't let it get in her way

Sometimes it all gets a little too much
But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up
And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same
And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much, yeah

A little too much, I said a little too much, oh

Sometimes it all gets a little too much
But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up
And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same
And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much yeah

This song, I think it was by Shawn Mendes, A Little Too Much.

Sometimes it all gets a little too much
But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up
And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same
And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much

At this point I'm just standing, crying in the shower.

Colton stopped singing and playing the guitar. It was quiet so I decided to stop crying and finish showering.

I can't be a burden for another person. I quickly finish my shower and get dressed.

I put on the sweater and sweatpants.

I hang the towel to dry and walk out.

I head to the living room and I see Colton there.

He's sitting in his little recording space.

"Hey. Thanks for letting me use your shower and letting me just hang here for a little." I say as I sit down and look over at him, smiling.

"No problem, I'm just that good of a neighbor." He says as he turns to look at me from his desk.

"Wow, those clothes look better on you than they do on me." He says as he looks me up and down.

"Yeah right, may I remind you of the height difference. These clothes are practically dragging around the floor." I say with a small smile. "Anyways, what have you been doing?" I ask him curious about his recording studio.

"Oh, I was playing on my guitar a little. My friend made this song a while ago and I remembered it today. I don't know, just messing with my guitar." He says looking over at the guitars on the floor.

"You also play bass?" I ask him.

"Yeah, I know how to play a lot of instruments." He stands up and sits next to me on the couch. "Part of my job I guess." He says as he relaxes into the couch.

"What do you do for work?" Colton asks me turning his body and looking at me.

"Oh, in one day my break is over and I get to go to work. I work in HR for this music company." I say as I sit criss crossed facing Colton.

"That's cool. Which music company?" He asked me.

"They just built a new building for International Records here in Toronto and I got hired there." I say being very proud with my new job.

"Really? That's so cool, congratulations." He says.

"Thank you. I know it's going to be a little hard because that record company oversees a lot of famous artists." I say as I unfolded my legs and start putting my shoes on.

"Where are you going?" He asks as I am standing there with one shoe on and the other in my hand.

"I appreciate you letting me stay on your apartment until I felt better but I can't be bothering you. And before you say that that's not true, it will eventually happen and then you're going to end up not even wanting to see me. I'm gonna go for my keys and I'll be out of your hair." I say with a smile.

He smiles back. "If that's what you want then I won't stop you, just know that I'm glad you let me help you out." He says as he starts standing up and walks towards me. He pulls me into a hug. "Whatever it is you're going through right now just know that I want to help you, you're not alone." He hugs me tightly and I hug him back.

He let's go and opens the door for me.

"Thank you Colton, seriously. If you hadn't let me stay for a while I probably would just be in my room staring off into space." I say with a small laugh. We smile at each other.

"Do you want me to go down to the garage with you?" Colton asks me.

"No it's fine. If I don't find them I can sleep over at Sara's." I say.

"Alright if you need anything just call or text me, I'll even let you FaceTime me and I don't let many people do that." He says.

"Really? Well in that case, I'll also let you FaceTime me and trust me, I let literally no one FaceTime me." I say as I start walking down the hall to the elevator.

"See you Colton, have a good night." I say as I stop in front of the elevator.

"Night Thena." He says and I hear his door shut.

Thena. No one except for Sara calls me that.

I like how it sound when he says it.

I'm snapped out of these thoughts when the elevator dings and it opens. A tall guy walks out, I feel like I've seen him before but I'm not 100% sure so I just walk into the elevator as he walks out.

I click the garage button and head down to find my keys.

I end up finding them. I'm a little confused when I find them because they are literally in the cup holder, in a very obvious place.

How could Colton not see them? I brush off the thought and head to my apartment and go to sleep.