Girl in a Hoodie: Where the Future Lies

Chapter 11

Riley's POV:

I feel my nails dig deep into the flesh of my palms as I read over Emily's text message once again.

Emily: Hey Ri. Mum's wondering if you would like to move in with us for a couple of months instead in NYC? She's recently moved house with Marcus - You remember when I spoke to you about him, right? Anyway, my boyfriend Hunter and I are staying with them for a bit until we're able to move out (we're looking for houses at the moment). Mum says that she seriously wants to see her "darling daughter" and I just think it'd be good for you to go. You can think about it for as long as you need but let me know soon! xx

It's so shocking. I think I know what to say to her but at the same time I'm not so sure. If I choose to go and live with my mum for a while, I'd have to leave James since he can't come with me because of work and although I'd love to finally be given the chance of meeting my mother, the thought is also terrifying. What if I didn't turn out the way she expected me to? What if she doesn't approve of what I wear or how I talk or even what I look like? What if she isn't supportive when I end up telling her all about the happenings of my life at the moment?

But then at the same time if I don't go, I'd end up having to live with the never-ending wonder of what could have been. Maybe she isn't rude and obnoxious, maybe she's the mother of my dreams, loving and caring, and even though I haven't technically made the best choices in life, it wouldn't mean anything to her because all she'd care about is me.

Sighing, I read over the response I've typed out for my sister.

Riley: Are you in the city currently or have you already left for NY? If not, when are you planning on going, and have you spoken to Dad recently? There are a few things I really want to discuss with you both, maybe not including Mum since she'd have no idea what I'm talking about. I really don't know. I'll think about it and get back to you x

Sent.

I stay sat in the cramped end of the leather sofa despite there being so much room since Piper, Rose and Jasper are at school and Laci is staying at her boyfriend's for a few days. It's oddly quiet when Deborah and Ian aren't home because they're at the hospital. From what I know, James's dad is slowly getting better with the help of the chemo, but still needs to take multiple medications. At least he's come off of the ventilator, that means he's stepping in the right direction.

"Hey, Riles," James says, entering the living room after taking a shower upstairs. I smile as he takes a seat next to me, swinging his left arm over my shoulder whilst placing a light kiss on my temple. I lean into his side and exhale a rather short breath. "Something bothering you?" I shake my head. Something tells me that if I do nod, then he'd have the tendency to overreact and load me with a bunch of questions, something I don't want to have to happen especially with all of these hormones flying through me as quick as lightning bolts. "Who were you texting?"

"Em," I tell him. I take his hand, which was past my shoulder, in mine and begin to play with his fingers absent-mindedly. "Mum wants to see me apparently," I add, my voice not changing from its dull expression of devoid emotion.

"Babe, that's great!" he exclaims. Of course he'd think it's amazing, and I won't say that it's not. It just means that things are going to be different now and I'm not totally sure if that's a good thing or not. I've been waiting for this day to come for so long, but now that it's here, I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about it all.

"I know it is," I state, letting out a brief sigh.

"But...?" he gathers, already being able to tell how stiff I seem at the moment. I look up at him.

"But... she wants me to move to New York with them for a few months," I say slowly. It's better for me to just break the ice and tell him instead of keeping this secret. He manoeuvres his hand from around my shoulder and then moves it down to clasp my hand which was lying stiff in between our thighs.