Los Angelos, City of Dreams...

Chapter Six

         My face turned pale as I read the unknown number on my screen. I looked up from the glowing screen at Abs who was clearly anticipating the answer to the phone call. I shook my head, just escaping one of the worst anxiety attacks I've had yet, I felt the creep of another making its way up my spine. About two seconds left until the call would get sent to voicemail and I'm frozen. Just before the call ends Abs rips the phone from my finger tips and answers the call, "Chloe's phone, Abigail speaking..." Silence radiates the room as she listens to the voice on the other end of the phone call, I look at the door in which Colby just walked out of, longing the feel of his warm, soft skin on mine. His gentle soul still lingering in the room with us. Abs continues, "Oh hey! She'll be so happy to hear from you. Let me hand the phone over." She pauses before handing me the phone. Confused I take the phone, giving the unknown number another look before putting the phone to my ear at last. "Hello?" No one answers, and I'm met with silence. I take another look at the screen wondering if the call may have dropped, then put the phone back to my ear and listen. After what felt like and eternity the silence finally breaks when a soft deep voice greets me. "Hey Chloe, it's Colby. I told Abs I would reach out once things were settled with 'Con. This is my personal number, and figured it would be less weird to call rather than just give you my number while you were coming out of your anxiety attack." I'm frozen again, ice smothering my spine, the only thing I can mutter is, "Uh huh..." He chuckles, and continues on, "Hey, so anyway, I'm headed to a party later on tonight, at Temple. A little celebration for myself and the crew if you and Abs would like to come join us tonight? I can put in a word with the bouncers so they don't give y'all any trouble." My eyes widen as I slowly scan the room for Abs. She meets my gaze, and perks up in excitement. From across the room she starts screaming, "Yes! Yes! Whatever was just said, YES!!!" I choke back the mountain of saliva stuck in my mouth and comment, "Well, actually we're suppose to fly home tonight, and the tickets are non-refundable...." I paused for a long while, eyeing Abs still jumping for joy on the other side of the room. I was hoping Colby would have some sort of solution. I begin again, "If we didn't have to fly home, I would absolutely say yes to joining you tonight." My heart is shattering by the second, he's taking too long to respond. Finally, Sam counters from the background, "What if we bought you new tickets to go home tomorrow night instead?" Abs agreed, and since she is one of my only security blankets, I had no choice but to oblige.
         After spending hours of trying to find an acceptable outfit, many makeup mishaps, and a gallon of mouthwash, we are finally walking up to the doors of Temple Night Club. As we approach the bouncer we both show our ID's and walk inside, before we get too far into the door, the bouncer grabs my arm and says, "Colby should be in the back, near VIP, with a big booth. Security should let you pass, if they give you any trouble come get me." I nod, and we begin to make our way to the back of the club. People are dancing all around us to the loud music in the air. Sweat pouring down their faces, and smiles shining from ear to ear, a euphoric feeling. Flashing strobe lights surround us, and I spot a sign that indicates we're getting close to the VIP section. To my left are large round tables filled with party goers, as I'm scanning the tables for Colby, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I look at the text, Turn around (: I turn to face my right, after looking up from my phone and I'm starring directly into someones chest. Before I can make eye contact I'm apologizing, "I'm so sorry, excuse me.." Once I finally bring my gaze to the strangers face, I am stunned to find it's Colby, smiling down at me, his bright blue eyes shifting from dark to light with the strobes around him. "Oh!" I exclaim as Abs interrupts, "She's clumsy, don't mind her. Nice to see you again!" He continues smiling and nods, then waves us over to his table where Sam and Tara are already seated. As we make our way in front of Colby, I can feel his hand settle on the small of my back, and I'm basically gasping for air once again. Sam recognized us, and greeted us with open arms. The table was covered in confetti, and little placement cards for everyones seats. I found my name next to Abs and Colby, who was next to Sam. He saved a spot for me? Never in my life did I imagine getting invited to a party with some of the biggest influencers on Youtube, let alone be seated next to someone I have grown to love so deeply over the years for his charismatic and undying love for the paranormal. Initially, I made those letters as a joke, something I didn't think they'd read, let alone care about, but now that I am here, I couldn't be happier with the outcome. I take my seat, and look over to Abs who is completely enticed in the music, she catches me starring at her, "Oh c'mon, we're having fun, loosen up." She's right, but I am so focused on not making a fool of myself to even think about fun.
         Everyone else finally arrived to the table, Sam ordered a round of shots for everyone to take, and everyones been chatting and dancing around the table. I'm taking in the happiness from everyone around me, as I meet Colby's gaze. Blushing, I look down at my hands to distract myself. "You look good!" he says, "Better than earlier, ya know with the frozen body and stuff." He's a little tipsy now, slurring his words and mumbling some. I look up at him again, "Thank you, and also thank you again, for earlier, you don't understand how much it means to me that you came. Abs is my best friend, but she lives in a different state, so I don't get to be around her much, which also makes it hard for her to understand the episodes, and how to stop them." He smiles, and looks down too, "It's no biggie, really, I'm just glad I could help, couldn't let a cutie like you suffer alone, now could I?" He meets my eyes again, slowly licking his bottom lip. A swarm of butterflies enters my stomach and I'm at loss for words. He's gorgeous, his plump pink lips glistening in the lights around us. "I suppose not." My cheeks are hot, and he knows it. He reaches out for one of my curls, tangling his fingers in it. I'm swooning, I have him all to myself, in this moment. "You know, I wrote that letter a very long time ago, assuming I would never meet you, or have this opportunity." I paused waiting for his reaction. He looked into my amber eyes, a smile forming on his lips, "Now that I am here with you, it feels like a dream." Before I can continue, he places one hand on my thigh, and the other under my chin to look at him, "Chloe, I've known about you for years... I read your journals on Reddit a lot. You're an amazing writer, and I'm so glad I finally have you here in person." My eyes widen in shock. He reads my Reddit? There's no way, actually. Right? I'm pondering what to say when he continues, "I've wanted to reach out for a long time, but with how many fake profiles there are, of me, I didn't want you to think someone was trying to punk you or something. I wanted to be able to talk to you, so you could know it was actually me." I'm lost in his eyes, everything that he just said is gone, I am completely lost. "I have wanted to get to know you, aside from your writing for a long time. You are gorgeous, and your mind is outrageous, the things you can come up with, it's amazing!" I smile, "Thank you, Colby." I nod, keeping eye contact with him. "So, now that you have my number, and I know you're flying home tomorrow, I would like to keep in touch with you, if that's possible?" I nod again, too excited to speak. He smiles and leans closer to me, whispering, "I'm looking forward to it, baby girl." His soft lips kiss my cheek, and I'm in heaven, I could only wish this night would never end.