Chapter Four: Stay...
1274 Words
I know this area well, it’s not that far away at all, roughly 15-20 minutes.
Once I found the address, I called Colt so he could come down. I saw him saying goodbye to a few friends. There were so many girls dressed super risqué, but it seemed as if he was there alone. Why did I even care? And why did he have to look so good still. He got in my car and all I could smell was his cologne, it’s still my favorite smell. I’m already losing my mind. I really wasn’t ready or prepared for this.
“Thanks for getting me, Peri.”
“It’s not a big deal. Where is your apartment so I can drop you off?”
“Oh. Yeah… about that. Actually, my roommate is planning on bringing some girl back, so can you drive me back to my parents?”
“Sure”, I wasn’t really thinking when I responded, I guess. Where would he even sleep? I guess I could go sleep in Vera’s room until she gets home, so that’s whatever.
“I’m really sorry again for waking you up, everyone else I know is either drunk or out of town for the holiday weekend.” He spoke up, after a brief silence between us.
“I’m glad you called, wouldn’t want you driving drunk or with someone who was drinking.” I reassured him.
“I only had two drinks over a span of a few hours. I could have drove, but I didn’t drive myself there.”
We had casual conversation from this point on, I tried to keep my responses as short as possible. I really wanted to cry, for some reason every emotion, you can imagine feeling, I physically could feel, and my body was exploding. My heart was racing, as we pulled into the driveway. I didn’t know what to do when we walked in the door.
Once we walked in Colt started laughing about how his parents never change anything, but they are so concerned with the guest room always being up to date. We both laughed. They were creatures of habit, so it was strange for them to change anything.
“So, where are you sleeping?”, immediately he asked me, looking me directly in the eyes – almost like I had done something wrong.
“Well, I was in your room, but I can move to the couch or even to Vera’s bed, so you can get a good night sleep.” I didn’t want to cause any drama, so I suggested these options to allow him to sleep in his own bed.
“No, I’ll sleep on the couch, you’ve already done enough.”
“I can just sleep in Vera’s room, you can sleep in your room, let me just get my stuff.”, I told him as we both walked to his room. As much as I hated being around him, I also felt comfortable, and safe. That same feeling you get after finals week, when you go home to Grandma’s and she’s baked ravioli for you.
“Oh wow. I forgot how much my room has changed… except it hasn’t”, he was laughing while looking at everything. “Remember this?”, he picked up a photo from his junior prom, we looked so young and so happy. He was wearing the most handsome black suit and I had a gorgeous green gown that matched his tie.
“Of course, I do.”, how could I forget one of the best nights of my life? He had no idea. I must have stared at him for minutes after I said this.
“I was scared shitless picking you up. You looked so pretty. ” He smiled and put the picture back. I couldn’t breathe. My chest felt heavy and I was holding back too many tears to mention.
“I think I have all of my stuff out of your way, so you can sleep.” I ignored his comment and smiled politely as I grabbed my phone charger, water bottle, and my pillow.
“Hey Peri. . .”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you came.” he looked at me again, with the same look as earlier, as if I had done something wrong. I couldn’t quite figure it out, some type of squint with a stern lip…
“I told you it was – before I could continue, he put both of his hands on my arms.
“Listen, I knew you would be here. That’s why I tried to stay sober – I didn’t want to call you and drunk dial you when you’d be so close, I guess that backfired on me. I didn’t want to say anything I couldn’t take back. ” He never broke eye contact with me when he said this, I didn’t even know what to say to him.
“I appreciate that. I’m always here if you need anything – Just let me know. I’ll be there.” I wasn’t lying. He meant everything to me. I would have drove all the way from home to pick him up if he needed me.
I began to walk out of his bedroom, I looked back at him and smiled as I walked out. My heart breaking all over again. It felt as though someone had ripped my heart from my chest again. I needed to get away from him before I couldn’t stop the tears. I walked out in the hallway, and took a deep breath as I started to walk into Vera’s room.
“PERI, WAIT. Please…” I heard Colt call out for me, I couldn’t turn around… “Peri. I don’t want to regret this, and I don’t want to regret not saying anything.” I could sense he was about to apologize or say that we could be friends. I didn’t want to be his God damn friend.
I couldn’t take seeing him live the life we had planned together, and talked about for so long with someone else. You can’t be friends with someone when they carry such a big part of your heart with them.
“Colt… what is it?” I said looking at him with obvious fear in my eyes. I couldn’t take another heart break. I couldn’t take any more pain from him.
“Seeing... Seeing you brought back so many feelings for me. I really can’t explain it. I miss you.”, I was so taken aback by what he said I couldn’t breathe. I could feel my eyes welling up, don’t cry, don’t you dare f*****g cry… “Peri? Umm. I’m sorry?”
“Don’t be sorry. I’ve missed you too, Colt. I always miss you. Maybe that’s how we will be. ”, What the hell was he getting at? Don’t tell me you miss me, don’t do it. Don’t bring me down that road again.
“Stay in here with me, don’t leave me again.”, my heart sank. He had to be drunk. He’s talking out of his ass. Is that honestly how he felt? As if I had “left” him?
“Excuse me?”, I snapped back, confused by what he said.
“Stay here. . . with me. . . tonight. No obligations, lay next to me. ” He reached his hand out as to invite me to take it. I had no idea what to do… I took his hand, and agreed to stay. It made sense, the way everything felt so surreal.
- Writer
