Flashbacks: Head Versus Heart

Chapter Three: Letting Nostalgia In...

“Soooo, what’s with the guest room being full of paint and wood?” I had to ask.

“My parents are remodeling. No big deal, you can stay in Colt’s room, he probably will stay at his apartment with his friends this weekend. Won’t be your first stay in there!” She thought she was so hilarious.

“Oh, how fitting. I bet it’s still set up like High School, just to throw some more salt in the wound.” I joked half-heartedly.

She piped in before I could continue my spiel, about how their parents never changed either of her rooms when they went away to college, but neither Vera or Colt complained much since they didn’t stay the night there often.

Vera got a phone call so I went to Colt’s room to unpack my things for the weekend. Looking around, and laughing to myself. There was still a handful of pictures of Colt and I up.

It was literally like walking into a time capsule. Why wouldn’t he have taken these down? Maybe his parents were the ones that kept them up and he didn’t care. Just as I was about to continue my snooping, Vera popped in.

“I hope you’re not mad at me, Peri... but I got called in to work tonight. Apparently, the other biology student on staff fell ill, and she needs me to cover for her. ”

“Aww. I’m sorry Vera. I was looking forward to wine, movies, and gossip tonight. But, you know I am definitely not mad!”

“We can still have dinner, without the wine, and get a little bit of gossip in before I have to head out. I’m sure you’re tired anyway!”

“I really am!” She wasn’t kidding either, I was tired – I probably looked disheveled from the long drive.

“Let’s head out to the kitchen and whip up some dinner, I was thinking tacos!” “VERA MY FAVS!”, this girl knew me! I love tacos.

While eating dinner, we decided to catch up on things, even though we talked often, it

was hard to discuss everything over the phone. I didn’t want to ask how things were with her and Chris until she brought it up, which she didn’t do very often. Tonight, she opened up, and it was good to know they were the minority of high school relationships, still going strong.

He was in the same grade as Colt, so he was two years older than us. He and Colt never got along much, and the two of them ended up going to the same University, and still playing football together. They are both Juniors now, set to graduate – well this time next year. Crazy how time flies.

Vera and I were having a great dinner. It felt so good to laugh with an old friend. I hadn’t realized how much I missed her company. It had started getting late, so we cleaned up, and finished chatting. When Vera decided to get ready and change for work, I headed to bed myself. I knew she would be working until the early morning, I mean super early, before the sun comes up. I got myself changed, and laid in Colt’s bed.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the first night I slept in here with him. Their parents had gone to purchase a recreational vehicle for vacationing, and stayed the night out of town. We had completed the school year a few days prior, so naturally we had been celebrating another year down and the gorgeous summer we were having. I had been in Vera’s room, when Colt texted me to let him know once she fell asleep.

As soon as she fell asleep, I met him downstairs in their parent’s kitchen. We had spent a little while sitting at the dining room table laughing and joking with one another. I felt so at ease with him. It started to get pretty late, so we headed back upstairs to bed, and before I could walk into Vera’s room, Colt grabbed my arm and spun me into his arms. He asked me to stay with him.

My heart started beating almost violently, I had never been so nervous in my life. I was only 15, and he was my first boyfriend. I had never slept in guy’s bed before, especially one I couldn’t keep my hands off. Before I could even respond he picked me up and I wrapped my legs around him while he carried me into his room. We spent hours talking, cuddling, and obviously making out. I remember waking up that morning and checking my phone – Vera texted me to tell me she was going for a run.

I laid back in bed with Colt until he woke up. He didn’t really say much to me before he reached over and placed his hands under my shirt, and lifted it over my head. In that moment, everything made sense. The way his body intertwined with mine, and the way we came together... It made sense. It started to become a regular thing for me to “sneak” into his room at night when I stayed over, to sleep with him, to have him hold me as I drifted off to sleep. As often as I could have him over, he would stay with me when my father was out of town. We spent nearly every night together, after that. We were inseparable.

I couldn’t believe I was back in the same bed I spent countless nights dreaming of my future in. His pillow smelled like he had recently slept in it, awakening emotions I thought I had left elsewhere. I always thought Colt was it. That he would have been my husband, the father of my children, my whole future. Yet, here we are, not even friends. I need to get to sleep, all of this thinking is giving me a stomach ache. I found myself drifting off while caught up in my thoughts.

I felt like I had only fallen asleep when I was jolted awake by the ringing of my phone. I didn’t even know what time it was, let alone who would be calling me that late. I about jumped out of my own skin when I saw the name on the caller ID. Why is Colt calling me this late? I hope he’s alright.

I answered it with a hesitant tone.

“Colt?”

“H-Hey, Peri... I’m sorry I’m calling so late. ”

“It’s alright. what’s going on?”

“... I tried calling Vera first...”

“Colt. Really. It’s okay. ”

“I need a ride home, Per. My roommates are super wasted and I drove here with them.

Can you please come get me?”

“Um. . . Yeah. Sure, I can. Vera is working, she got called in last minute, that’s

probably why you couldn’t reach her.”

“Oh, that sucks. I know you guys had so many plans for the weekend.”

“Yeah. It’s whatever. Can you text me the address? I’ll head over.” It's not like I really had another option... Vera would never forgive me if I left her brother stranded. 

“It’s actually out by where my aunt lives, that apartment complex out there.”

“Okay. Just text me the address so I can get there and back here so I can sleep.” I likely sounded frustrated with him at this point. 

“Thanks a lot Per. I really appreciate you.”

“I’ll see you soon, Colt.”

My mind was racing a mile a minute while scrambling to get ready. I checked my phone

to see what time it was... ONE IN THE MORNING, is he insane? Who does he think he is? Why did he even bother calling me? I just need to pick him up, drop him off, and get back here to bed. It’s not my concern – what am I worrying for, he only called because he KNEW I would be here and he couldn’t reach anyone else. Let’s hurry up and put this address into my GPS so I can find this place.

Oh, it’s close... Okay, let’s go...