Heartless

74

We all sat and ate breakfast, talking about Sam and Colby's childhood. I could help but admire the way they all spoke to eachother. They all loved eachother so much it was infectious, even Sam was treated like they were his parents, it warmed my heart.

I helped Colby's mom clean up breakfast as the boys went upstairs to get ready. "Cora?" Mrs. Brock said as she handed me a dish to dry. "Yes?" I said and smiled, "thank you for being there for Colby..he really needed someone like you in his life." I smiled, "I needed him too.." I said and turned away, placing a plate in the cupboard. She brought her hand up to meet my arm, but I flinched slightly again, this time she noticed. "Honey..." she whispered as tears pricked my eyes. "What is it?" She spoke gently as my lip quivered. "I'm sorry..I'm sorry I flinched at you.. I just..my mom...she.." I trailed off as I started to sob.

Mrs. Brock's arms went around me tightly, giving me an instant sense of comfort. "It's okay honey...it's okay." She said and pulled me closer to her. "She used to hit me.." I whispered causing her to tighten her grip on me. "Oh Cora.." she whispered as she brushed my hair with her fingers. "I promise I will never lay a hand on you like that. She is despicable for doing that to you. You're safe here. With me and Layne, you're safe." I nodded as she brushed my tears away. Colby was right, he and his mom were so similar. The way they cared for others, the way they spoke. "Thank you...for everything." I said as she nodded, "you're part of the family now. Don't forget that and please honey don't be afraid of us. We love you." I nodded and hugged her.

We spent the next couple minutes trying to get me to pull myself together. I didn't expect to tell her about my mom, but I had to explain why I flinched at her. I also didn't expect her to be so willing to love me though, that feeling was foreign to me, and for her to tell me I was part of the family meant so much to me.

Once we finished the dishes I went back upstairs, only to see Colby shirtless standing in front of his closet, "hey b-have you been crying?" He said as he held his arms out to me. "I told your mom..I told her about my mom." He gasped slightly and brought his hand to my cheek, "she was so supportive Colby." I felt tears well up in my eyes again, causing me swallow hard. "Babe...I'm so proud of you." He said and pulled me into him. "I flinched at her...I didn't mean to I just..." he kissed my head, "shhh..it's okay." He whispered and put his cheek on my head. "She said I was part of the family." I whispered as a steady stream of tears streamed down my cheeks. I felt a rumble in his chest as he chuckled, "because you are a part of the family. I love you, and they love you." I looked up at him and kissed his jawline. "I love you." I whispered and rested my head back on his chest.

"Come on, get ready so we can have some fun." He said and turned me away, before smacking my ass, "Colby!" I giggled out and turned to him, wiping my face, "I'll do it again if I have to." He teased as I walked to my suitcase and pulled out an outfit to wear. I quickly changed and brushed my hair out. When I turned around Colby was staring at me, "what?" I said and looked down, expecting there to be something wrong with my outfit. "Nothing, you're just so damn beautiful." He said and walked over, putting his hands on my waist. "Shut up I'm not even wearing any makeup. And I just got done crying so I know my face is all blotchy." He shook his head, "doesn't matter. You're still the most beautiful girl I have ever seen." He kissed my forehead tenderly, "I love you." I whispered causing him to smile, "I love you too, now come on, I want to show you off." He said and grabbed my hand.

We made our way down to the bedroom Sam was staying in for the night, "Samuel are you decent?" Colby said and knocked on the door, "no!" He yelled but I could tell he was joking, "alright I'm coming in!" Colby said jokingly but opened the door to a fully clothed Sam. "I said no!" Sam said and covered his body with his hands, "you're ridiculous" I laughed out causing Sam to bend over, laughing at himself. "Alex and Nate are already there, so we need to go." Colby said as he chuckled, pulling at my hand slightly. "Alright alright, let's go." Sam said as we all walked downstairs. "Bye mom! Bye dad!" Colby yelled and grabbed the keys to the car, "bye love you!" They called out as we walked out to the car.

The drive was short, I let Sam sit up front, since my legs were shorter and it would be more comfortable for him up front. He and Colby talked about their leave from the channel, I looked out the window. It was raining today which gave me a certain sense of comfort. I missed the rain, it never rains in LA which makes every rain storm special. My mind flashed back to Colby dancing with me in the rain when we were at the hospital for my dad, the way his eyes stood out against the grey hue of the sky, and the way I fell so much more in love with him as we swayed. I never wanted to take him for granted, he was truly the best thing to ever happen to me and I knew in my heart we were meant to be together for a long time.

"Cora, you okay?" Colby said softly, pulling me out of my thoughts, "what? Yeah." I said and turned my head to the front, he was pulling into the parking lot of the arcade. "You were just so quiet I got nervous." He said with a chuckle, "yeah, I'm good." I opened my car door once he parked and stepped out into the rain, opening my arms and letting the drops hit my skin. I felt familiar hands grasp my hips and turn me around, making me giggle. "You shouldn't be in the rain with your stitches." Colby mumbled into my hair as he pressed his lips to the top of my head. "I'm wearing pants, and I love the rain. I miss it." I said as he grabbed my hand, lacing my fingers through his, "I know you do, I miss it too, it's one of my favorite sounds." He smiled and looked over as he opened the door to the building, letting me go in first. Sam had ran inside already, not wanting to get wet.

He was joined by two guys, one was very tall and lanky the other was shorter but still way taller than me, I recognized them from watching some of Sam and Colby's old videos. We made our way to them, Colby's hand still firmly in mine. I thought it was funny how much he was trying to prove to his friends that I'm really a person and I'm really dating him. "Colby!" Nate yelled and gave him a bro hug before turning to me, "well I'll be damned. She's real." He said and turned to Alex slightly, "in the flesh!" I said and gestured to myself. "Nice to meet you, I'm Nate!" He said and held out his hand, "I'm Cora." I said and took it. "I have to pick your brain, there is no way you are insane enough to date Colby." Alex said and laughed, "Bro!" Colby said with a laugh, "I'm kidding! I'm Alex by the way" he said and I shook his hand also. "Nice to meet you." I said quietly then took Colby's hand again, starting to feel nervous. He squeezed my palm reassuringly, "well let's actually go play some games instead of just standing here.