Learning to Live Again

Chapter One

It takes us about fifteen minutes to reach the small ranch stayed house Colby calls home. However it was pretty hot outside so we were exhausted by the time we make it inside.

I take a breath and smile as the AC cools me off. I slump down on the big brown leather couch. Colby copies me.

"Remember that one movie you were talking about a few weeks ago?"

I nod, "It's my favorite."

"Well I figured it might be okay if I watched it. Even if it is scary. That's why I got you early today. It's coming on soon." He clicks the power button on the remote and a fuzzy image appears on the screen. Moments later it clears into a picture.

"Are you sure?" I ask. "I mean I can always watch it some other time. I know how you don't like scary movies, and this one does get pretty scary in some parts."

Colby shakes his head, "Nope, I have to. I use to love scary movies. I'll be fine."

We end up having to turn the movie off twenty minutes in. I knew Colby would get to shaken up so I wasn't bothered by it. However Colby thought I was and wouldn't stop apologizing. Topical Colby.

"I'm sorry." Colby says for the tenth time.

I smile, "Really it's fine. I've seen this movie a million times. If I wanted I'm sure I could play the whole thing in my head. "

He sigh and stands up, "I'll watch it with you one day, I promise. I'd say it lunch time. Let's get some food." he grabs my arm and pulls me from the couch. "My grandma made some pizza yesterday."

I grin, Colby's grandma was an excellent chief and I do love pizza.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" I ask as we enter the kitchen.

Colby shrugs and walks to the refrigerator. He opens it then pulls out the tin foil covered pizza. He takes two plates from the cabinet.

"How much do you want?" He asks putting two on his plate.

"Eh, just two. I'm not very hungry today." I mutter remembering the Sam thing.

Colby gasps, "You not hungry? What happened?"

I frown at tad, "nothing. I'm just not hungry." I could see why Colby was so shocked. Despite the fact I was pretty skinny I always ate more than a normal person would. Two pieces of pizza was more like a snack rather than lunch.

"Come on. I know something is up."

I sit down on a bar stool and lay my head on my hands, "He's gone Colby. I'll never get to see him again."

Colby ponder for a second then he stiffens up, "You're talking about Sam right?"

I look up at him, "Yep." I grab the page form my pocket and hand it to him.

He unfolds it and stares at the article. As he makes his way down his expression changes from skeptical to morose.

"Oh God Damien, I'm so sorry."

"I guess it really doesn't matter. He didn't know and I probably never would have never told him." I admit. I hate to say that I was really that shy but every time saw the blonde would get tongue-tied.

I knew Colby felt what I was feeling. He was probably never going to see that Alex guy he sometimes mentions, hell he was never going to see his family again. I should be the one telling him sorry, I'm the strong one. I rarely show my feelings, but somehow I can't help but to mope around. God I'm such a loser.

The announcement of Sam's death was a kill-joy. Colby and I sat awkwardly and ate our pizza. His warm mine cold, leftover pizza always tastes better cold. We spend the remainder of our Saturday watching our favorite shows, well Colby's, I honestly could care less about TV but he seems to enjoy watching it.

About five O'clock my pocket starts buzzing. I reach down and discover my mother was calling. I motion for Colby to turn the TV in mute. As soon as he does I answer the call.

"Hello?" I greet. So far no screaming maybe for once she isn't mad at me.

"Where are you?" She hisses.

I mentally facepalm, "Uh, you do know it's Saturday."

"I'm going to ask you once again. Where are you?"

"I'm at Colby's, where else?

"Out doing drugs again-"

"Mom, I never did drugs." I cut in.

"Well you were smoking, that's close enough."

I remember the day she caught me smoking. I had just turned fifteen however I'd been stealing them from my father since I was fourteen. I was up in my room (bad decision) when all of a sudden she burst into my room. I didn't even hear her come home. The rest of the story contains a bunch of yelling and the broken promise that I would stop. I tried, I really did, however no matter what I just couldn't do it. Nowadays I don't smoke as much and I certainly make sure she or my dad aren't around. Colby knows I smoke. He doesn't agree with it and he's tried to get me to stop but I usually just ignore him. One thing I can't stand is people telling me what to do.

"Whatever mom. Why'd you even call?" I ask her.

"Aunt Lynda and Uncle Steve are coming tonight don't you remember? They're going to that wedding and asked if they could stay with us for a few nights. Joel and Devin are going to share your room. From what I saw it was a pig sty. I want it clean by the time they get here."

Shit!

Lynda and Steve aren't really my aunt and uncle. Lynda and my mother go way back. Honestly I think her and Steve are stuck up snobs. Their kids, Joel and Devin are twins. Devin being the slutty girl usually throws herself at me and Joel is the too cool for school type. To sum it all up I hate all four of them.

Sighing I snap my old flip phone shut and stand. Colby perks up.

"You have to go?" He asks.

"Yeah, a friend of my mom's is coming. I'll see you later." I smile at him as I exit the house.

The walk home seems to take hours unlike the trip here. I guess having someone with you sure makes a difference. I open the door and step in the sweet smell of chocolate chip cookies greets me. Of course, my mom is trying to impress them with her 'famous' home baked cookie again. It didn't work last time, what makes her think it'll work this time?

"I'm home." I yell running up the stairs taking two at a time like I normally do. I slam the basement, which also happens to be my room, door. I flick on the light switch and a shiver goes down my spine.

Was my room really this dirty when I left. I suppose it had to be, it's not like there's some evil troll who enjoys making my like a living hell. If there was I'd say it's doing a pretty good job.

Finding out that the only person you ever liked died last night and that the creepy twins are going to be sharing my room sure makes for a disappointment.

I start by piling up all my dirty clothes in the corner of my room. Next i throw away all the empty soda cans followed by making my twin sized bed. When the doorbell rings I figure my room is the best it's going to get. I dig my fingernails into the palm of my hand, fake a smile, and bolt upstairs. I might as well get greeting them out of the way.

My mom was already opening up the door reviling the 'perfect' family. As soon as Devin eyes meet my I groan. This is going to be a long couple of days.

Hope you liked it, if you do PLEASE vote and comment. If you don't I'd LOVE to know what I could do to make it better ^^

Oh...first person to vote and comment gets a dedication. Unless you already have one then I'll go with the second one. I want to give out as many dedications to as many people as I can!!

-Sky