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"I've been friends with them for as long as I can remember. We were that iconic friend group, yknow? Anyways, I've always had a hint that Brennen liked me, and one day last year he actually ended up asking me out. And I said yes... So we went out and, for a while, everything was fine, but I noticed that he was changing a little bit. And one day... I caught him beating a boy up in the street. He was brutal. The poor boy was bleeding and crying and I felt sick to my stomach at the fact that Brennen was just mercilessly beating him! He claimed that he was talking badly about me but, being completely honest, I didn't think that was a good enough excuse to hurt someone so badly... So I left. I barely talked to them until now."

Colby frowned at the story. He never imagined Brennen hurting anyone.

"Brennen wasn't happy that I wanted to break up. But I felt as if he was changing for the worst," she continued, picking at the surface of the table with her manicured nails. "So I told him he had to learn to be mature and not act on impulse and that, when he did, I would gladly go out with him again. And I want to! I really miss him! And I know he wants to too... But we've agreed on just being friends for now."

"... Can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"I don't think you made a mistake breaking up with him. I think he had his personality and you had yours, and they just didn't match... And because of that I do think you made a mistake making that deal. Even if he did learn from his mistake, I'm pretty sure he is still Brennen."

Vanessa sighed and shyly looked up at him. "Well when you put it like that it makes a lot of sense." She breathed out an awkward laugh. "I don't know... I just miss him. And he looked so happy when I said I was considering getting back together..."

"Maybe you guys should try actually getting to know each other?" Colby offered. He wasn't gonna lie, he was really confused. If Brennen looked so happy about getting back with Vanessa, why would he act so touchy around him? And give him kisses and bring him breakfast? It made no sense.

Maybe Colby was overthinking everything.

"You're right... I guess I don't know him as well as I thought."

Colby smiled, "Well you should get on that. Because the Brennen Taylor I know is so wonderful."

... The rest of the day continued like normal. Vanessa and Colby made conversation the rest of art class and parted ways afterwards. They grew fond of each other, they actually had a lot in common.

The only thing that threw Colby off a little was lunch. As promised, he sat with Brennen and his friends. Jamie didn't seem to mind this time, she just made conversation with her boyfriend and stayed on her phone most of time.

Vanessa sat next to Brennen. Apparently she took his advice extremely quickly because that's the only person she talked to. They were stuck in their own little bubble for the forty minutes of lunch. Thankfully, Bradlee and Juno were kind enough to keep Colby company.

Colby wasn't upset or anything, specially since he knew after school he would spend time with Brennen.

And that's exactly what happened.

Brennen was all his after their last hour. They met up at his car and shared a hug before hopping up and driving to the mall.

Truth is, Brennen felt bad for some reason. He didn't notice he practically ignored Colby until the lunch bell rung and he left with Bradlee and Juno.

Talking to Vanessa was really nice... But it wasn't the same as talking to Colby. His once girlfriend had become a total stranger and it was a bit awkward to find conversation.

"Are you okay?" Colby asked after Brennen found a parking spot. The car drive had been completely silence other than the radio in the background. "You seem a bit troubled."

Brennen smiled, "I'm fine. Just a bit confused."

"Confused? About what?"

"I'll explain later, yeah? We're gonna miss our appointment." Brennen said as he took his seatbelt off and opened the door to step out. Colby did the exact same, searching for Brennen's eyes after they stood. "I'm fine, Colby." Brennen repeated when he saw Colby's concerned face.

"Just making sure." The younger smiled as he closed his door. They walked into the mall hand in hand, Colby becoming more nervous as they approached the salon.

"So, did you pick a color?"

The no-longer-going-to-be brunette nodded and answered with a small smile, "Silver."

"Did you choose that because you wanted to or because I wanted it?"

"Both." He giggled, "Don't you think I made a good choice?"

"Of course I do. I just wanted to make sure you'd feel confident with it."

"... Do you think I'll look pretty?"

Brennen stopped in his tracks and looked at him as though his brain fell out. "Of course you'll still look pretty! Nothing can can ever make you stop from looking pretty! You're the most beautiful boy I've ever fucking seen- okay too far- I meant- you know- I mean it's not a lie-"

"Okay! Okay! Thank you!" Colby laughed, holding up his hands to make Brennen stop talking. "I don't know why I asked..."

"Because you wanted to hear me say you're pretty." Brennen said in a joking manner, just as they arrived at the salon. As usual, he opened the door for the lovely boy, who smiled at him brightly before stepping in.

After a while they were side by side, in the infamous chairs, staring at themselves in mirrors. Brennen could care less about the dye. He was ready to try something new, plus this process would be shorter than the last.

Colby, on the other, was freaking out. His leg bounced up and down with anxiety as he watched his dark brown hair slowly turn into an obnoxious yellow under strips of foil.

Brennen raised an eyebrow suspiciously and looked at Colby's nervous reflection. "You okay princess?"

Colby breathed out a small chuckle. "y-yeah, I'm fine."

"You not lookin' fine to me." Ariel, the hairdresser, chuckled as well. Colby had been getting his hair done at that salon for a couple of months, and he'd grown fond of the southern lady. She was always so nice to him.

The blue eyed boy glared at her playfully when he heard Brennen laugh.

"You know, when you bleach your hair it's ten times more likely your scalp will fall off." The brunette joked, laughing again when Colby's unamused glare turned back to him.

"You're the one that had blonde highlights up until a couple of seconds ago, Taylor."

"Oh, taking my first name out are we? Getting sassy with me, hon?"

Colby rolled his eyes and tried to cover a smile. "I have some backbone in me."

"I can see that. Too bad you too adorable to be found as threatening."

"I hate you." He laughed softly.

Ariel let Colby stand after a while and took him to the back to rinse his hair off.

Everyone knows the sink is where the real talk begins.

"So... How long have y'all been datin'?" She asked basically the second Colby's hair touched the water.

The boy's eyes widened, "What?! No! We're not- no!"

She raised an eyebrow, "You sure about that?"

"Yes! I mean he's very special to me but..." Colby trailed off, frowning when she smirked at him. "He's not my boyfriend." He muttered.

"But you like him?"

"As a friend, yes."

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Quit that game. You know what I meant."

He smiled softly as he relaxed against the sink, "Maybe... I'm starting to."

~hi, this is the author here, telling you that I got way too lazy to think of an entertaining transition. it's late at night leave me alone.~

.. Brennen's hair was done before Colby's, seeing as they were only making it darker. After a million compliments from the younger boy, Brennen walked outside and took a little stroll, waiting a while until Colby was ready.

Ariel smiled brightly at the sight before her. She'd turned him so that his back was facing the mirror while she finished styling his hair. The blue eyed beauty seemed like a completely different person.  "Not to toot my own horn, but you look amazing." She complimented as she turned the chair around.

Colby's heart dropped a bit when he looked into the mirror. He almost didn't recognize himself. The only thing that reminded him it was actually him was the enthusiastic smile that began growing on his pretty face. "Ho...ly... Shit..."

"You like it?"

"I-I love it! I- oh my god! I don't know what to say!" He laughed, his mouth open in disbelief. "My mom is gonna kill me-"

"You didn't tell yo mama?!"

"I did! I did!" He defended with his hands up in surrender. "I just- I don't think she expected such a big change. I-I don't think I expected such a big change!"

"Hon, that's what you paid me for." Ariel laughed, squeezing his shoulder comfortingly. "How 'bout we get that cute boyfriend of yours back in here?"

"He's not my-" he groaned, rolling his eyes. "Nevermind."

She laughed and hit his head lightly, "You didn't deny it."

Colby rolled his eyes again and stood up, grabbing his phone from the vanity in front of him.

Princess ✨:
I miss you come back :)

Prince ☺️:
How do you look?

Princess ✨:
Good?
I think I look pretty good.

Prince ☺️:
Wrong.
You look pretty
That was the answer

Princess ✨:
You haven't seen me yet.

Prince ☺️:
Don't have to
You'll always look pretty to me

"You smilin' like a kid in a circus, boy."

Colby blushed and gave her an unamused look. "Stop..."

"What's he sayin'?"

"Nothi-" he was interrupted when the door was opened, presenting a stunned-looking Brennen. Colby looked up and smiled at him, "That was fast."

"I-I was two shops down... I think I lost my friend Colby again."

The silver-haired boy laughed, "I think I saw him get washed down the drain."

"Oh no... Well you're just as cute as he is, maybe I could get your number?"

His blue eyes rolled as he walked toward the brunette. "Stop trying to replace me."

"I would never." Brennen smiled, grabbing Colby's hand. "You look... Wow! Just- wow... It's gonna take me some time to get used to it though."

"Me too." He chuckled, "But I like it."

"I like it too... I love it."

Colby smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. "Thank you..." They both stared at each other for what seemed like a million years, both of their gazes sparkling with admiration. Colby's eyes wondered a little lower, suddenly glued to the small smile the older boy was holding. "I.... I have to pay Ariel." He snapped himself out of his daze, bringing his eyes back up to the emerald ones. "Then we can go, okay?"

Brennen nodded, "Yeah. Go ahead."

... After a long smirk from Ariel and a million thank you's from both boys, they were on their way.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay and shop around?" Brennen asked for the tenth time before they exited the mall.

"No, really I-" Colby cut his own sentence off with a gasp when he saw something in the window of a shop. The mannequin was wearing a pastel yellow hoodie with roses embroidered on the sleeves. "Okay, that's really cute though..."

"You wanna go get it?" Brennen chuckled, knowing the boy secretly wanted to.

"N-no. It's fine, I'll get it later." He shrugged, continuing to walk toward the exit.

Brennen eyed the item with a slick smirk before following behind his friend.