~mild anxiety attack. very mild tho.~

Vanessa's house was big. Not mansion-like big, but very spacious. She had a beautiful backyard illuminated with string lights and tiki lamps. Salsa music was playing in the background, allowing for some couples and friends to dance around the space in the middle that was free of tables.

Colby and Brennen had arrived later than Bradlee. The latter was already sitting at a table with four empty chairs. When the elder saw his friends, he immediately stood up and excused himself around people to get to them.

"About damn time!" He exclaimed, pulling Colby into a quick hug and giving Brennen a lame high five. "I've been waiting for like twenty minutes!"

"You're do dramatic." Brennen rolled his eyes.

"Someone couldn't decide what to wear." Colby said, looking over at the brunette next to him.

"I didn't even take that long deciding!" Brennen defended.

"You brought like five outfits to my house, spread them all out on the floor, stood on my coffee table, and stared at them for ten minutes. In the end you told me to choose!"

"Alright, alright! No need to expose me now, geez." Brennen chuckled and grabbed Colby's hand, not missing the blush on his cheeks and Bradlee's small smirk. He pulled the younger around a couple of tables and people, muttering apologies as they went. They all finally sat down at the table Bradlee was originally at and looked around the party.

It was as lively as can be; people were having comfortable conversations, dancing on the makeshift dance floor, laughing as they ate. It felt very homey and Brennen allowed himself to relax.

Bradlee was talking to Colby about something, but Brennen wasn't paying much attention. He just stared at the way Colby talked so animatedly, his wavy hair rocking back and forth slightly. He didn't snap out of his trance until Colby turned to him and asked a question.

Brennen barely saw his mouth move before answering dumbly, "What?"

Colby rolled his eyes but smiled, "I asked if we should get something to eat."

"Oh! Uh... yeah! Don't get up, I'll get your food."

The silver haired boy looked taken back. "Thank you... that's so sweet."

It was a compliment no one had given Brennen. He'd always tried to be a gentleman but girls seemed to think he was doing it cockily, to look more macho. But apparently with Colby he wasn't gonna have that problem. It felt nice.

"Of course. Brad, you want something?"

"I'm good, Romeo." Bradlee smiled cheekily, laughing when Brennen rolled his eyes and left. "So... you winning him over?"

Colby raised an eyebrow, "He isn't a trophy, Bradlee."

"I know but Vanessa dressed really nice todayyy... just sayiiing..." He singed as he took a sip of his water and looked over the rim of the cup.

Colby curiously followed his gaze and saw Vanessa in a tight black jumpsuit. She looked beautiful; hair curled voluminously, makeup done to perfection, and the suit showed off her curves. He smiled when they made eye contact and waved hello. She returned the favor before they both turned to another conversation.

"Yeah, she looks really pretty." Colby agreed truthfully. "But I don't think someone's outfit is enough to make Brennen forget his morals."

Bradlee blinked, "Wow, you really don't know boys."

The younger chuckled, "Not all boys are the same."

"Well you're definitely not. I guess that's why Brennen likes you so much. You're like a breath of fresh air. Can't believe you're even human."

Colby simply smiled and looked around the party again. He spotted Brennen assembling their burgers on a picnic table when Vanessa approached him. They greeted each other in a hug and began a conversation.

To anyone else, Brennen and Vanessa seemed like the perfect couple. They were both popular and they were both gorgeous, the chemistry flowed easily between them. But, in a way, they were almost too much of a perfect couple; both were stubborn as hell (from what he'd heard about Vanessa and how long he'd known Brennen), both were too proud of themselves to let anyone know the real them, both liked taking charge, and both were too involved in pleasing others over themselves.

Brennen truly sounded like he wasn't very interested in Vanessa anymore, which was a relief to Colby— not because that meant he was single, but because it was best for his friend.

Brennen needed someone who made him feel comfortable enough to be himself. If that someone was Colby, he would be over the moon. But if it was someone else, he would be happy for him. He wasn't gonna try to win Brennen over. Whatever happened, happened.

By the time Colby was done having a whole conversation in his head, Brennen had returned with their food. He gave him a small thank you before digging in, and the three of them started a random conversation.

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, snacks, and good music. When the sky had darkened, Vanessa made her way over and asked the boys if any of them wanted to dance. Bradlee and Brennen practically jumped out of their seats and followed her to the dance floor.

Okay, that shouldn't have hurt Colby as much as it did.

He knew he couldn't dance, but a little acknowledgement of his presence would have been nice.

He brushed it off and grabbed his phone for the first time since they'd arrived and began reading an ebook.

Colby got so lost in the book that he nearly fell off his chair when someone squeezed his shoulder. He looked up with wide eyes to see Brennen kneeling in front of him with an amused expression.

"Sorry, Princess, I should've made more noise."

"I-it's fine. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong is that you didn't come dancing with me! What's that all about? C'mon," he grabbed him by the hand and began to pull a reluctant Colby to his feet.

"Uh- wait! Wait, Bren, I can't dance-"

"I'll show you then." Brennen smiled and wrapped an arm around Colby's waist as he led him to the giant group of people.

Colby's heart was beating out of his ribcage; he hated crowds and now he was being swallowed by one, being led by a boy who was way out of his league and he was going to embarrass himself in front of everyone and—

"Hey! Breathe, it's okay." He heard Brennen say over the music. "If you don't want to do it, it's okay. I'll get you out. Do you want me to get you out?"

"Uh.. I-I think that's for the best." Colby replied weakly, barely watching Brennen nod before he was pulled away from the crowd, through the house, and into the front yard. He took a deep breath and tried to relax as Brennen rubbed soothing circles on his back.

"You're safe. You're okay."

Colby nodded and gave him a shy smile, "I'm fine. Thank you."

"I'm sorry—"

"Don't! Don't apologize." He blurted, "I-I mean it's flattering you wanted me to dance with you. It was cute you were so enthusiastic."

Brennen chuckled softly, "Well, I should have asked you beforehand."

"But I do... want to dance with you, I mean. I just- I don't know how. And I also hate crowds so that wasn't-"

"I'll teach you here then." Brennen shrugged like it wasn't the biggest deal in the world. "It's easy, I promise."

Colby sighed and stepped closer, "Don't laugh at me, Brennen Taylor."

Brennen grabbed his hands and began moving to the soft music in the background. It was still clear, just not as loud. He taught Colby some basic cumbia steps and told him to just feel the rhythm. By their third song, they were laughing and spinning each other around. Colby stepped on Brennen's sneakers a couple of times but it was quickly forgotten.

They cheesily ended on a slow song, Colby's head on Brennen's shoulder and their hands intertwined. They were speaking softly to each other, lord knows what about. It was a comfortable, random conversation, as if they weren't pressed against each other and basking in each other's warmth.

A soft ding pulled them slightly apart, but not awkwardly. Everything felt so light and natural, as if it were all a dream. Colby pulled out his phone to find a text from his mom, telling him that she was parked two houses down, ready to pick him up.

"I gotta go now." Colby murmured softly, still in Brennen's personal space. "Thank you for teaching me to dance, it was really fun."

"I just had a feeling you'd be a heck of a dance partner."

"Hm, if only I can remember to not step on you next time." He said jokingly.

To which Brennen replied, "You'll learn as we go, Princess."

They smiled at each other brightly. And if Colby leaned up to press a kiss on Brennen's cheek, no one said anything about it.

Colby stepped back, still smiling, before making his way down the driveway and onto the sidewalk.

"Text me when you get home!" Brennen yelled after him and waved his hand.

"You too! Sweet dreams!" Colby waved back before jogging to his mom's car. His mom greeted him softly and asked if he had a good time. When he simply replied "Yeah. It was really nice." She let him be, not wanting to ruin his obviously lovestruck mood.

—

H O L Y S H I T

ITS ALMOST BEEN A YEAR NDJDJDHJDG

the only excuse I have is that I'm not really into this fandom anymore ? But then again, these are practically original characters that just so happen to have the names of Colby and Brennen ?

IDK IM SO SORRY BUT I REALLY AM CONTINUING THIS STORY

I wanted to thank everyone who has been sooooo goddamn patient and so pushy to make me write, that just convinced me that you guys REALLY like this story and I just can't let you down ok 🥺♥️

The amount of support I've gotten from this book is insane and I really cant thank you enough xx

WE'RE BACK BABY