In Another Life

161

"Here ya...oh," that deep voice that sent shivers down my spine said. He froze when he met my gaze. Neither of us spoke for a moment. I drank in his appearance, gulping it down like I had been thirsting to death in a desert. He looked amazing, just like he always did. He had kept his hair with the blue scattered throughout it. Tonight, he was wearing his black jean jacket, that he had custom made, over a plain white t-shirt, and black jeans with his chains on the side. The chains that I remembered hung around his neck, the multiple charms resting on his chest. My own chest tightened with emotion, choking me so that I was unable to speak. There was a ringing in my ears blocking out everything else. My eyes focused on him, his blue eyes so intense that they stole what little bit of breath I had left in me. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. The old feelings that I thought had disappeared reared up in me, screaming at me. I gasped in a short breath, breaking whatever spell had been over me. He slowly held my phone out to me, and I reached out to take it. Our fingers brushed ever so lightly, and I felt electricity zing through where he had touched my flushed skin. "Terra," he whispered softly, still holding me with his gaze. The way he said my name had me unconsciously stepping forwards, toward him. I wanted to be in his arms. "Colby," I whispered back, wrapping my arms around his neck and clinging to him, like I would die if I let go. Maybe I would. Maybe my heart couldn't take it, and I would just die right here, if I let go. His arms came around my lower waist, and clung there, tightening around me. I buried my face in his neck, feeling his warm skin against my face. I was home. The thought flitted through my mind, shocking me enough so that I came back to reality. I let go of him, and backed up. His arms fell away from me. The sadness that I felt when that happened, reminded me of the way I used to feel. The desperation, the loss, the grief. It was like he had died and taken part of me with him. "It's good to see you," he said quietly, running his hand through his hair, then twisting his helix piercing. The same old habits I see. Somehow, they brought me comfort. I smiled, or I tried too. I felt my lips twist into what I hoped resembled a smile, and not the grimace I imagined it to be. "It's good to see you too," I replied, my voice barely more than a whisper. "You look good," I continued. He smirked a little at my comment, then his eyes roamed my body from top to bottom and back up again. I felt naked under his gaze. "You look amazing," he replied. Just then Justin cleared his throat, reminding me that he, and my friends were standing next to me. "Oh," I exclaimed, embarrassed that he had gotten to me like that. "Colby, you know Justin, Denise, and Kenzie. Sarah is around here somewhere," I said, not looking away from him to check. "Yeah," he replied, looking up at everyone. He smiled and waved at Denise and Kenzie. "Been a while ladies." His smile dropped when he got to Justin. He nodded at him instead. "Justin," was all he said. "Colby," Justin replied back. When I dared to glance at him, he had a stony look in his eyes as he stared at Colby. Oh boy. I heard a female voice then. "Colby, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" The same voice that had said sorry to me, when she had bumped into me. I looked away from Colby and met a gorgeous pair of aqua eyes. Almost the exact shade as mine, only much prettier. They were accompanied by a gorgeous face and long blond, luxurious hair. The body attached to the face was even more immaculate. I don't why I thought it would be any different. Of course Colby would be with someone absolutely gorgeous. He was gorgeous, so it just made sense that he would be with someone equally as beautiful. Someone on the same level as himself, instead of someone...like me. Someone normal. "Oh, yeah, of course. Sorry baby," he told the barbie looking girl. Baby? Damned, if that didn't hurt like a hot poker going right through my heart. At least he didn't call her baby girl. Not sure I could've handled that. "Kira, this is Terra, Denise, Kenzie, and...Justin." The way he said Justin sounded like it left a bad taste in his mouth. I knew he never really cared for him, but he didn't have to be rude. I wasn't being rude to his barbie bitch. "Yeah, it was nice to see you guys, but we gotta go," Justin said, his words clipped. Just then Sarah and Brennen walked up. "Oh!" She exclaimed, her eyes bouncing from me to Colby. "Well...I see you two have found each other. Leave it to you guys to find each other in a room of hundreds of people. You just can't help it huh? It's like you're drawn to each other or something," Sarah said, turning her drink up. I could tell she was feeling good, but did she really have to say that. Besides the ache it caused in my chest, I felt Justin stiffen beside me. I took his hand, and watched Colby's eyes flit down to our hands, then back to my eyes. That stare was going to actually be the death of me. He almost looked angry but I still couldn't look away. "Nice to meet you too. It's always nice to meet Colby's friends. He's never mentioned you guys before though," She smiled at me so sweetly, I could taste the sugar. "No worries,"I replied, holding her gaze and smiling. "We were never really just friends. See you around." I couldn't help myself. The words fell from my lips before I could stop them.