bittersweet

Chapter 1

Finn's POV

I entered the library carrying my tote bag. Besided me stood a complaining Colton.

"Do we HAVE to be here," he whined.
"Yes," I stated firmly, "You literally asked me yesterday to help you with your psych class."

He looked at me and pouted. I just gave him the side eye and then he grabbed both of my wrists.

"OK after this can we go to that new burger joint that opened up?" He pleaded, his deep blue eyes staring into my soul.
"Of course.... only if you behave."
"I'm on it cheif!," he said, saluting me.

I sighed and led both of us over to a table with a velvet couch. Colton Underwood has been my best (and really only) friend since kindergarten. He's super sweet and is basically a golden retriever. He loves to play any instrument and has a passion for baseball. He likes to smoke weed and drink occasionally but he's in control of it. He also seems like the brother I never had. I'm an only child, so it's nice to have him.

Colton also was the first person I came out to as bi. I was a little scared and didn't want to ruin our friendship, but accepted me with open arms.

He's one of the few people I feel safe and comfortable around him. I admit, I do have a big crush on him, but I feel as though it's just something platonic. I'm thankful he's my roomate. He's desperate for a girlfriend, but I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up together.

I pulled out my professor's huge, 800 page textbook, and set it on the coffee table with a thud. Colton stared at it and swallowed nervously.

"It won't be that hard," I reassured him.

For the next 2 hours I taught him some basics of psychology and guided him along. He started getting tired and I felt him scoot closer to me and he put his head on my shoulder.

"I'm tired," he whined. "Can we please stop?"
"Sure buddy, thanks for agreeing with me to teach you."

He gave me a toothy grin and hugged me tightly. He jumped up and jumped in place excitedly.

"Now, let's go get some burgers!" I exclaimed.

If Colton had a tail, it would be wagging vigorously.

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We went back to our dorm and grabbed our shit and left for the burger joint. The Colorado fall was definitely here and I smiled slightly as I felt a gush of wind blew into my face. We walked along the path towards downtown.

I pulled out my phone and opened Google Maps, which said we were about a 15 minute walk from Trisha's Burgers. I heard a crunch every so often and looked up to see Colton jumping around like a little kid at each pile of dried leaves he could find.

He turned around and I just raised one eyebrow at him.

"What? Can a man not have fun?" He pouted and trotted back over to me. He swung an arm around my shoulder and I could feel his warmth radiating on to me. He patted his tummy and looked at me.

"Boy could i eat. I'm starving after that study sesh'."

I just chuckled and kicked at a stick. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and really pondered how I felt about him. For the next 5 minutes, we walked in silence with Colton right beside me, shoulders touching.

"Hey, bud, is there somethin' on your mind? You haven't said a word this whole walk?"
"No I'm just... I dunno. I'm fine though."

I reassured him with a smile and tossed a stick up ahead. He ran and retrieved it to me. Boy, I thought, He really is a golden retriever. He gave it back to me and I simply burst out laughing.

"What? I play baseball, I'm good at running after things..."
"You're just so precious. I don't know what I'd do without you Colton."
He blushed and stammered before trailing off.

We arrived at the restaurant which was more like a bar, and took seats at the bar. We split some onion rings and each ordered a burger. After we ate, we walked back to our dorm together in the dark. I always feel uneasy walking at night and Colton could tell.

"Don't worry," he said, "I'll be your knight in shining armour."
"Thank you my dear sir." I said playfully.

**************************************
We arrived at out dorm late and we went to bed. I heard a knock on my door as I was plugging in my phone and turning off my light.

"Come in!"
Colton walked in and walked next to my bed.
"Thanks for today," he said smiling up at me.
"Of course bud," I said ruffling his messy brown, fluffy hair.
"I got a game tomorrow with my freinds if you wanna come?"
"Sure! Of course I wanna see my best friend kick ass."
"Aight, good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite!" he said in a mocking tone.

I laughed him off and I headed off to bed.