[A/N: I would like to begin this with my sincere apologies. Sadly, I have written another story about Colin, and I have an idea for yet another. Don't ask me why I keep writing things that are Colin-centered. I guess it's because I think he's going to die, and I want to get all this out before he does.]

Set: Pre-Accident

Colin Hart was a charmer. Or so he was told, by his neighbors, family, and schoolmates. A sorcerer who worked his magic on anyone who stood before him, sweet-talking his way into money, help, privileges, anything he wished for. He would be a great salesman when he got older, he was told, because he could change anyone's mind about something they felt strongly about. Girls were hypnotized by him, guys wanted to be him, and parents wished their children were like him. He was the king of Everwood and he received anything he wished for, including his queen, Amy.

Colin Hart was a liar. Or so he was told, by the whispering voice in the back of his head while he lay awake at night. A dirty cheater who didn't go through what everyone else had to, a con man who didn't play it fair, a deceiver with a thin film of guilt that no one saw.

Colin Hart stretched the truth. Or so he was told, by himself when he looked into the mirror every morning after a night of uneasy sleep. A good guy, just trying to take advantage of situations when he could.

Colin Hart lived in things that were not true. Or so he was told, by the sun and the sky and the trees and the water that fine day in July. But in the end, when Amy said, "I love you," Colin did not lie by saying it back. In the end, Colin told the truth. In the end, Colin just swam away. All his life he had lived in untruths, and when it really mattered, when someone was really hurt, he could not lie.

And the whispering voice in the back of his head was proud.

--Fin--

[A/N: What was I on when I wrote this? It really doesn't deserve being put up by itself, it's so short and stupid. Oh, well. One thing you need to know:

I am thinking about writing something that's more than one chapter. I'm not sure if I want to do so (when I last tried it, it didn't turn out pretty; my first fic, "Recovery," was seven chapters and it sucked). So please review with your suggestion.

Thanks for reading this mess, and review. :)

--Elle]