I Got You ~ C.B

TWO

First observation of American grocery shopping: what the hell. And that's a statement- not a question. I'm surprised to find out there is actually a difference between tomato sauce and ketchup. And if I didn't know what it looked like, I would never have found a capsicum. I forgot they're bell peppers here. Same with eggplants and rock melon. Fucking aubergine and cantaloupe. We've decided to be more healthy now having moved. You know, fresh start and all. But I can't help but load up on the Flamin' Hot Cheetos. I can't get enough of them. And Cinnamon Toast Crunch. If it wasn't for Diana my trolly, sorry, cart- would be full of American goodies I've missed for months since I was last here. It's a balance. It's going to be a lot of money. I round a corner into another isle, eyeing the selection of coffee beans, all brands I have never even seen before, when my hand is gently grasped at my side. I look to the hand first, male, wearing lots of chunky silver rings- some Gucci, some Cartier, nails painted with white on some fingers. Cute. Furrowing my eyebrows, smile tempting my lips, I look up the arm to the face, to the familiar blue eyes- my breath catching. Colby Brock? He reacts the same as me, eyes locking on mine, smile on his face
"I know you."
He identifies. I raise an eyebrow
"You sure?"
The corner of his mouth turns up
"99.9%"
I hum
"Funny," I look down to the hand still holding mine in question, stating "that must explain why you're holding my hand."
Looking back up and meeting his eyes again, he realises, and breaths out- for no particular purpose but almost in disbelief
"Alaska..."
I wink
"Hey stranger."
The hand holding, turns into an excited embrace. His arms around my shoulders, mine around his waist, head against his chest. We sway, and he asks
"What are you doing back?! Since when?!"
I laugh, stepping back from the hug
"Literally about two hours ago. I've moved on over!"
He gasps, eyes wide
"That's amazing! What are you doing now?"
I'm kind of cut he isn't aware, considering I'm literally at his amount of followers and subs. Surely he's seen me around online. He then realised
"Never mind- you're doing YouTube. I'm honestly not surprised you've done so well so fast. I knew you'd take off."
I suck my teeth sarcastically
"Oh did you now? Why didn't you follow me then?"
He flushes a little
"I subscribed. And watched all of your videos. And it's a two way street, thank you."
I laugh
"You know full well I was already subbed and followed you."
He shrugs
"I didn't want to reconnect with you online."
I smirk
"So you just knew fate would bring us back together did you?"
He grins
"Exactly."
Sam approaches with a camera, smiling
"Hey, I'm Sam."
"I know."
I reply, but shake his hand anyway. Colby tells his friend
"This is Alaska."
Sam nods
"I know. We're following each other."
Colby presses
"Remember ever meeting her in person?"
He thinks back and nods
"Oh yeah- wow- hey. Welcome back. You've been making waves online since I last saw you. Sorry, I can't believe I forgot."
I giggle, hugging him
"Don't be sorry. I met you for barely twelve hours. I get it."
I turn back to Colby
"You still haven't addressed the whole hand-holding thing."
He claps
"Right, no, we're filming right now remaking that 'holding hands with strangers' vine series we used to do."
I laugh
"Of course you are," I lower my voice, suggesting "maybe just don't recreate the whole 'following fat people' ones yeah?"
He smiles down at me, from his ten inch vantage on me
"Ah Alaska, watching out for me as always."
I laugh, remembering what he is referring to.

Previously- Four Years

I can't sit in this hotel room and wait for Diana to beat jet lag. She couldn't help but sleep. But I know there is nothing worse to do for jet lag than sleep as soon as you land. So I take off, in search of a Tender Greens. I've heard great things about it, and can't wait to try it for myself. I find an Uber take it all the way to the nearest restaurant, tipping of course. If it wasn't for the jar already set up expecting tips, I would forget. I forget it's a big thing here. I get in, the line isn't too bad, but it's quite full. They told me there was a free seat for a single person outside but I couldn't find it. In fact the only free seat I can find is inside at a booth, across from a brown haired, blue eyed, all black wearing guy already inhabiting that booth. I'd rather take the leap than go back to the chick who served me to say there wasn't a seat left and cause a stink. So I go up to the booth in question, sliding into the seat across from him. He looks up, eyes expectant but turning confused when they land on me. Although with furrowed eyebrows, his eyes are curiously humoured and he smiles
"Hello?"
I grin
"Hi- this seat taken?"
He looks around, answering honestly
"Not yet."
I think I get what he's implying
"Oh- oh you're waiting for a date or something huh? Sorry. And in that case you should probably button one more button up. Don't want to look too obvious now huh?"
He looks down at his black button up, worn purposely unbuttoned. I like it, kind of carelessly handsome, but with the number of buttons left undone, he may as well forsake the shirt all together. He does as I suggest, nodding with a laugh
"Thank you."
I wave it off
"All good- I got you. Anyway, I see a couple at two o'clock about to leave so I'm going to run and snag that table. Sorry for the intrusion, brother."
I stand and make way past him to get to that table, but he stands too, grabbing my arm before I can move to far past him
"Wait," he begins, and I pause, turning back to him "my date is actually going on forty minutes late so I'm beginning to think I've been stood up. The seats free if you want it?"
I look back to the table I was just heading to, and then back to him, meeting his spectacular blue eyes. I smile, nodding
"Yes please. Thank you."
He shrugs as we sit back down
"Don't mention it. If you got me, I got you."
I extend a hand to him
"Alaska."
His lips spread into a charmingly boyish grin as he shakes my hand
"Colby."
Leaning back in my side of the booth, I question
"So, tell me about the crazy-lady who seems to have stood you up? Or crazy-dude, no judgement here."
He nods
"It actually was a dude," I make my 'oh, juicy' face at him and he laughs "no- it actually wasn't a date at all. Just my friend. He's probably stood me up to go on a real date."
I giggle, deciding
"Still crazy," I playfully wink at him "At least you can say you did the same thing now."
Laughing, he has a great laugh, he shakes his head
"Brennan wouldn't believe it for a second."
"Believe what?"
"That I landed a date."
I hum
"More like was forced into one."
He denies
"No. I kind of feel like you needed up in my booth for a reason."
"Yeah, because I'm hungry."
He chuckles, sliding me a menu
"Good point. Here."
He asks as we look over what's to offer here
"Australian?"
"What gave it away?"
He nods at me
"The tan."
I scoff
"Totally not the accent, huh?"
He chuckles
"Maybe that too."
I inform him
"Well, the tan is actually genetic not from the Aussie sun, but you're right either way Colby."
He smirks, and something catches his eye over my shoulder. I pretend to read my menu as I watch him wave his hand and point, mouthing 'go away'. I can't help myself and turn, seeing a brown haired, tanned guy miming back to him, pointing to me and then to him and puckering his lips as if kissing someone. I laugh, waving at him. Busted, he lowers his hand and wiggles his fingers at me flirtatiously before walking back out the door and out of sight. I turn back to Colby, who clears his throat and turns back to the menu, stating like nothing happened
"The chicken here is good."
I hum in agreement, going along with it too. Although both of us break character to laugh.