Dorm Room 210 [Original]

Dorm Room 210: A Colourful Confession

Author Note: Updated and Edited on the 11th of March, 2018 - also it's my birthday!!!

22.10.19 - There's been some heated discussions regarding a certain topic in this chapter, and I have decided to re-write it. If you're new to this chapter, don't worry. If you aren't and know what was said, know that it was changed for the better. While I do encourage discussions, I think this was too much to handle.

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Chapter 19

A Colourful Confession

Nicole arranged a group meeting at the cafeteria prior to coming over. It's the first I've ever seen her look so nervous, despite trying to hide it with her upbeat personality and smiles.

She avoids any questions regarding what the meeting might be about, only concerning herself with last night's events and how drunk she got. Eventually we just go with it, knowing that when Jesse and Rachel arrive everything will be answered.

Raven keeps in tune with Nicole, laughing along to her exaggerated gestures and loud story telling while Noah scrolls through his phone, a look of concern coating his relaxing features. I can't help but be fixed on him as his shoulders slump.

I nudge his side as we round the corner to the cafeteria. "You okay?"

"Mum," he says, before tucking the phone in his jeans pocket. "September can't come soon enough for her. I can't wait for it to be over."

"Birthday party problems." I force a smile to let him know I understand, where in fact it's the complete opposite. I've always had simple birthdays with Stacey, none of which required too much planning prior months away. They usually ended with late night dinners and early morning birthday cake which had us staying in the bathroom for longer than necessary.

Noah isn't going to have that. "From where it's concerned my brother coming doesn't help the situation. But there's no stopping Mum, she has her ways."

"It'll be okay," I reassure him, but mostly to myself. "It'll work itself out."

He acknowledges it but doesn't continue speaking, checking him phone once again when it beeps. I press my lips together, glancing quickly at his open hand closest to mine as courage swims to the point of deciding to take it. My chest tightens as a rush of nerves fall into place. Holding his hand makes everything that more real. And when he squeezes back in return, it all falls into place.

"What about you?"

He hasn't let go of my hand, even as the wind picks up and the flaps of his jacket parts, exposing his solid black shirt. I remember the comfort of the material as though I just wore it seconds ago, making me go out of breath.

"I'm fine."

He raises a brow at me. "I'm starting to get your word 'fine' has a lot of stuff behind it."

When did he start guessing what my words mean? Having to be questioned with what I'm saying begins to set a scratchy, painful instinct to start up again. I push myself to not freeze and default or lie and have walls I've tried hard to break down come back without a momentary thought. This is what it's like to have someone in your space. They're always assessing you.

I swallow it down and squeeze his hand instead, making it out to be reassuring as he tried to do, only failing when I don't meet his eye.

"So much had happened this morning," I say, knowing fully well the events were playing in his mind as servery as mine, "but I really am fine. I'm anxious to know why Nikki wants to have a group meeting."