INTROVERT

COLIN

It's almost 11 PM as Colin tried to put a spell on himself; repeatedly chanting inside his heart these 9 simple words. You must let Rachel be happy with her choice.  You must let Rachel be happy with her choice. You must let Rachel be happy with her choice.

Colin is sitting on his bed, one of his hand holds a small package of ice pressed onto his bruised cheek. His mind try to relive what had happened in that bar just a few hours ago.

Before he can do or say anything else, Jason ( apparently the guy whose shirt Colin grabbed ) managed to punch him in the cheek until his body stumbled and fall onto the floor. And before he can even realized what happened, James showed up. It takes everything Colin had, not to lunge at him at that very moment, because he saw Rachel showed up right behind James. Both of their expression shocked.

While Jake and Jeremy each gave Jason a fist bump and welcomed him back into a seat between them, Colin stands up. Not wanting to answer any question, he try to grin and gave each of the 3 'J's a fist bump. "Nice punch." He said when he got to Jason's fist. "I'll beat you next time." He forced Jason to stand back, pulling him by the arm, gave him a bro hug, as he lean closer and hissed at Jason's ear, telling him to never told Rachel the truth. And then he let go.

As he walk past James and Rachel, Colin smile. Pat James' back, hug Rachel a little longer,...said that something suddenly came up, that he's sorry, that he promised he'd treat them for some bottles of beer the next time they met them. And then he heads for the door, leaving both of them puzzled.

As Colin managed to walk a few meters out the door and thought that Rachel can't see him anymore, he rubbed his aching face. But a voice stopped him; it stopped his step, and then it stopped his heart. "Col, wait !"

Colin tried to set his expression before turning back to face Rachel that already stands behind him. "What happened??" Rachel demands, when she finally saw the bruise,"Oh my God ! Col ! Your face !"

Colin tried to laugh teasingly.
" Rach, isn't it a little too late now ? You're complimenting my good looks over here while your fiancee is standing over there ?" Colin teased. "People said you could never appreciate what you have until it's not yours. Too bad. If only you came to me yester-"

"Colin, shut up !" Rachel snapped, forcing Colin to look her at the eyes. "I'm not joking. Your face is beginning to bled. What the hell happened back there ?"

For a some seconds, they were both quiet. Colin wanted to tell her the truth; that James used her, that James had their sex tape and show it to his friends. For some reason, Colin wanted more than anything to tell her that he love her, and to beg her not to go back inside the bar.
But Rachel might not believe him, and then their friendship will be ruined. Even if she would believe him, Colin knew that she loved James; and that this morning James proposed to her. Colin doesn't want to be the one who ruins Rachel's day. And the worst possibility was that she might believe him, know about the sex tape, become so embarrassed that she thought everybody saw the tape-that Colin, for some reason, saw the tape, and never ever want to speak to Colin again.  Man, that was the last thing he ever wanted.

Colin shrugged. "You know,.." He said slowly; his mind is racing, trying to make-up a believable story, "I place a bet. A simple one, really. I said he can't fight me-you know, he didn't looked like capable of doing so,...while he and his friends bet he can. But then, he said he would beat me even without a payment, and then I said I would let him beat me, if he can."

When Rachel looked unconvinced by the story, Colin hug her tight once again.

"Rach. I'm fine." He tried with every willpower that he had to convince her, "I'm happy that you're happy. I want to say, congratulations, personally to you." But most of all, Colin knew he was trying to convince himself. "So goodbye. Take care. Get back to your man. You know tomorrow I'll have to lead that Bali trips. I'll send your regard to my grandpa if I have the chance to visit."

After that they chat briefly about work. And then they exchanged goodbyes. And then Colin let go.

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Now, it's past midnight. Colin is still sitting on his bed, trying to  swallow his tears back. He felt silly as tears starts to blurred his eyes. But he can't hold it. Because, truthfully, Colin's heart is breaking, as he keep thinking how he should start to avoid Rachel Gray if he plan to let her be happy with her choice.