Chapter 10

COLBY'S POV

It took Alyana about a week to go back to her normal self. For the first couple of days she was pretty depressed and kept to herself. She would wake up, take a shower, try to eat, watch tv, and fall asleep. It was so hard to see her like this, but I completely understood. Well not completely, I didn't go what she went through, so I guess I understood through empathy. All of her trauma was brought back up again, how could she go on with her normal life. I tried my best to cheer her up and do as much as I could for her.

One day, I took her to get her nails done and then out for coffee, which cheered her up a lot. She was so happy once her nails were done, it was like a fresh start. Who knew something so small could get her going again.

Even though everything was back to normal, those three words uttered that night haven't been uttered since. It was casual and in the moment, but I meant it. 

We both have been absent on social media for two weeks, due to everything going on. We thought today would be a good day to tell the fans about us. I sat down at the camera alone to film my intro.

"What's up guys, Colby Brock here!" I start waving at the camera, "I apologize for being away for so long. I had some very personal issues that I needed to deal with, but I'm back with a new video for y'all."

I look over to my right to see Alyana standing out of frame, waiting for her entrance.

"Today, I am joined by the lovely Alyana Thomas!"

She runs into frame and plops down on the couch beside me.

"Hey guys," She smiles and waves to the camera. I couldn't help but to smile at her.

"So, I know you guys are little detectives," I squint my eyes mocking the fans," and have been questioning Alyana and I. And we are here to deny those rumor."

"What?" Alyana side eyes me and furrows her eyebrows.

"I'm kidding," I laugh putting my arm around her, "Yes, Alyana and I are dating."

Hearing myself said that made me smile and think about how happy I am with her. I know our relationship is still new, but there is no doubt that she is the one for me.

"So for the video we are going to be playing 'truth or drink.' Corey is behind the camera with questions that the roommates came up with and if we can't answer the question, we have to take a shot. It's only 3:00pm, so I really hope we can answer these questions."

Alyana chimes in, "If you guys get this video to 60k likes, then we will do this again, but with your guys questions!"

"Oh good one," I agree.

"Let's get started, Corey ask away."

"Okay, when did y'all start dating?" Corey reads the questions from his phone.

"It was actually the night of the abandoned hospital video," I answer by Alyana cuts me off.

"No you idiot," She hits my arm, "It was the next day because you were too stupid to remember to ask me out."

"Oh shit you're right," I cover my mouth and laugh, "Does that mean I have to drink cuz I got it wrong?"

Corey nods with no remorse.

"Great start," I down the shot of Crown Apple and wince at the warm liquid hitting the back of my throat.

"Okay," Corey begins to ask the next question, "what was your guys first impression of each other?"

"Well the night of the Queen Mary is when we first met and he kept checking up on me and making sure I was okay. I thought he was going through a spiritual awakening since he could always tell when something was wrong, like an empath. No, he just had a little crush on me," She makes fun of me and I laugh shaking my head.

"I thought Alyana was just a cool and easy person to talk to and I knew I wanted to get to know her better.  Not to mention, I thought she was absolutely beautiful," I grin looking into her eyes.

"Eeww," Corey jokingly gags from behind the camera making all of us burst into laughter.

"What body party are you most physically attracted to on the other person," Corey continues.

"Definitely your hands," Alyana blurts out before I could even think.

"Damn that was fast," I laughed.

"What, you're hands are hot and I think your fans would agree with me."

"They're just hands I don't get it," I say confused holding up my hands to the camera.

"Whatever, you're just oblivious. You answer," She pushes my hands down.

"Ummm I don't wanna say it on camera," I whisperand my face turns red.

"Ooohh Colby," Corey yells, "Nasty boy."

"Oh shut up," I groan pouring myself another shot.

"Okay, let's see how this one goes," Corey smirks before asking the question, "When did you guys first, ya know."

We both grab the bottles of alcohol and pour a shot for ourselves laughing. There's no way we're saying that on camera.

The questions kept coming from Corey, but nothing bad. We didn't end up drinking again, thank god.

"Alright guys I hope you all liked the video and don't forget, if you get this to 60k like we'll do it again with questions that you ask. Bye!" I end the video and turn off the camera.

"Thanks Corey," I say as he gets up from behind the camera.

"No problem brother."

"Hey Colby?" Alyana says in a questioning tone coming up to me as I clean the living room.

"Yes," I answer fixing the pillow on the couch.

"Can you take me home. I'm out of fresh clothes and I pay rent there, so I should probably live there a little."

"Umm, yeah sure I can in a second," I reply with a bit of disappointment in my voice.

"Okay, I'm gonna get my stuff together," She runs up the stairs.

As I finish up downstairs I find myself wishing that she would stay the night again. It's been almost two weeks of her staying here. I'm use to her being by my side at night. I don't want her to go.

Of course I opened the doors for her, but the rest of the ride was almost silent until Alyana broke.

"Can we go to the beach soon?"

"Yes of course," I smiled and laid my hand on her leg.

"I've lived here for 3 years and I've never been," She stares out the window as we pass the boardwalk.

"Are you serious? You've never been to the beach here!" I say shocked taking my eyes off the road. I can't believe she's never been to the beach.

"Nope."

"Then we're going tomorrow," I squeeze her thigh slightly and she smiles up at me.

Getting to her apartment, I insisted on opening the door first to make sure everything was safe. I don't know about her, but I'm still worried even though he's locked away. After seeing that the inside was untouched and the way we left it, I let her come inside.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with me again?" I question shutting the door behind us.

"Yes, like I said, I pay rent for this place I need to actually live in it," She giggles sitting her back on her couch.

"Well, do you want me to stay here?"

"Colby, I'm fine. Seriously, you can go home," She reassures me, but that's not why I asked.

"Well, what if you didn't have to pay rent here? You could move in with me. Everyone loves you and you're there half of the time already."

"Colby I can't move in," She gets a weird, off look in her eyes, "Our relationship is moving really fast."

Hearing that made my heart feel brittle and kinda mad if I'm telling the truth.

"But it's always been that way, it's not like all of the sudden we're moving fast," I start to raise my voice, "The first day we met, I saw you without a shirt on."

She cuts me off, "That was because of the scratches," She points out.

"The next day, we kissed and you slept in my hoodie. A week later I was holding you in a tiny closet, protecting you from that guy. That night, we fucked and the next day we started dating. Alyana, I've seen every side of you, inside and out. I don't see why 'moving fast' is an issue now."

"That's the issue," She yells slightly, "You've seen every side of me, you've seen the vulnerable and ugly side of me. I didn't want you to see that part of me yet. The crying and scared side, the side that is weak, the sides that I'm so insecure about. And in my mind, maybe if things start to slow down, you'll forget about that side and create a new image of me. I don't want you to think of me as 'the girl that was abused' or 'the girl that you have to take care of.' I want to be your new girlfriend that you're still discovering new things about. I don't want to start over, but I want to have my space. God Colby, I haven't even met your family yet." 

I stand there silent for a while, shocked and taking everything in, "Okay, I'm sorry, but I want you to know something. All those sides of you that you don't like, they make you who you are and I want you to be you. I don't regret a single thing that has happened so far, I've loved seeing every side of you. Even the scared you, or the weak you, because it's you."

"I'm sorry," She covers her face with her hands and slides them down pulling on the soft skin, "I don't know, this past week has been exhausting and I'm burnt out. I didn't mean to blow up like that."

"I understand where you're coming from, but you have to understand where I'm coming from as well," She slowly nods looking ashamed, "Also, I can arrange that you meet my family," I wink making her smile.

"I would love to. I wish I had family you could meet."

"What about old friends, or cousins?" I suggest.

"I mean theres my childhood best friend, Jaid. She was the only person I told about me leaving Michigan, and I haven't seen her since," She looks down as a sorrowed look grows back on her face.

"This weekend," I say making her face light up.

"What?"

"We can go to Michigan this weekend and then go to Kansas to see my family," Seeing her smile come back made me smile.

"You're kidding right? You have to be kidding!"

"I am not kidding."

"You're the best!" She squeals and runs to me for a big hug. It's the least I could do.

"I know I know," I brag jokingly as I hug her back, "Now I should probably leave, you know since you're tired of me."

"Oh shut up," She playfully hits my arm after pulling away from the hug.

"No, but I understand what you mean. Have a good evening, Alyana," I bend down and place a soft kiss on her temple.

"Thank you," She smiles as I walk away.

"What did I say about thanking me?" I raise my eyebrows at her before shutting her apartment door.

When I got back to my place I sat down with the guys and watched some tv and just talked. We talked about how crazy the past couple of weeks have been and I agreed. I actually couldn't shut up about it. They let me vent, which I was thankful for, I needed it.

After a while we all one by one split off into our rooms. Sam and I were the last to go. When I made it up to my room I sat down and tried to edit the video I filmed with Alyana. Before I knew it, it was midnight and I decided I should go to sleep.

Considering that I was pretty worn out, I feel asleep within minutes of laying down before I was awoken hours later from my phone ringing.

"Hello?" I say groggy and confused.

"Colby?" A familiar voice said on the other end.

"Alyana?"

"Umm, forget everything I said earlier for now. Can you come over?" She stuttered embarrassed.

"Yeah, is everything okay?" I rub my eyes and sit up in bed.

"Yeah, I'm just kinda scared."

"I'll be there in 10 minutes," I laugh a little before hanging up the phone.

"Was my little girl scared?" I mocked her rubbing the top of her head and messing up her hair when I got to her apartment.

"Shut up," She rolls her eyes at me before walking up the stairs and I quickly follow her.

She has on one of my sweatshirts and some spandex. She looked adorable.

"If we're going to the beach tomorrow, then you're gonna need your sleep," I crawl into her bed as she stands to the side of it looking down at me.

"Yeah that's why I called you, stupid. I couldn't sleep."

"I know, come here."

I hold out my arm for her and she doesn't hesitate to crawl in. Nuzzling her head on my chest, I gently rub her shoulder with my thumb. I can feel her body start to drift to sleep, so I place a gently kiss on her cheek before joining her in sleep.