vexatious (infuriating sequel)

chapter sixty-five

"you're really gonna post it tonight?"

i take a deep breath and stare at colbys computer screen.

"why not? it's funny, and maybe it'll distract people from oh my god she's dating colby to oh she's actually her own person, right?"

"i hate to say it, baby. but nothing will distract them from the fact that you're dating me, but it's not a bad opportunity for you to finally start," he admits. i know that the heat will be on me, and i will probably have to avoid the comments on my video with the boys, but i want to post it regardless. i want to get it done now, because if i know myself at all i know that i never will if not now.

"it's a christmas video it's not like i can wait a long ass time to post it," i explain. i know i am only trying to convince myself, and colby is already on board, but i need more reasons to finally click the upload button.

"just do it!" he exclaims as i hover the mouse over the screen. i laugh and press the button, watching with my eyes wide as it processes my request.

"maybe i shouldn't!" i yell out when it is half way done posting.

"oh, baby," he says, grabbing me by my face and kissing me. i lean my head back and give him better access to my lips.

a knock on the door distracts me from my moment with colby and i quickly turn my attention to the figure that emerges from the hall.

"hey!" i exclaim when i see julia. she came over early this morning, waking me up from the deep sleep i fell into after my late night with colby at the abandoned house. we ended up hanging out inside, the air getting too cold to stay outside.

"hey! what are you guys up to? we were gonna go to mcdonald's, just seeing if you two wanted to come," she suggests and i smile. she is so sweet, and i am so glad that her and jake are off to a good start. my first day of being with colby, he told me he kissed another girl.

"her video is posting, we can go while we wait," colby answers for me. usually, i'd roll my eyes at him but right now i am glad that we are back to the comfortability level in which he can talk for me. i am glad we are back to normal.

"you're posting the video?" she smiles like a child.

"we'll have a watching party when we get home," she squeals after i nod and confirm colbys words.

i quickly grab my jacket from colbys bed, where it ended up last night after we came home. i try to blink away the heated memories of him slipping my arms out of the sleeves, and pray that julia doesn't notice the coincidence.

•

"it's up!" julia squeals from next to me, her phone open to my video finally posted on my channel.

"oh my gosh," i blush, the cheers from the table a little too loud to be made in public.

colby wraps his arm around me, pulling me close and keeping me warm as he eats his food nonchalantly. his eyes wander around, but refuse to meet my stare. i can't draw my gaze away from him, and i am mesmerized by his every move. will i ever get tired of this boy?

"staring is impolite, i'm telling your mom," he comments, his eyes still not meeting mine. i scoff in response and return my attention back to the girl in front of me, reading a few kind comments that have been left on my video already.

"one of them said oh my god she's so cute."

"they're right!" colby exclaims and i let out a small chuckle. i am glad that she is only reading positive comments, because i know there are bound to be hateful ones just the same. i just have to ignore them, and i will be fine.