He Calls Me Ice Princess

Chapter 19- Back Home

After I realized that I really did love Tristan, I was silent other than when I was giving Luc directions to my house. Sometimes Luc and Ariana would have conversations in the front, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying over the loud noise the truck made. All I could think about was that I loved Tristan and he didn’t want me at all. He’d said he did and then he’d cheated on me. We hadn’t even had a chance to go on a real date!

When we reached my house, I couldn’t stop a grin from spreading over my face. I was so happy to be back where there was running water and crutches. Luc and Ariana got out while I opened my door. I knew I couldn’t get out on my own so I waited for their help. I hated having to depend on them so strongly.

Luc helped me down and wrapped an arm around my waist, carefully avoiding the gash in my side. He helped me limp to the house while Ariana stared at the door. I laughed at her and cringed when it hurt my side. “Go ahead and knock.” She did and seconds later Mom opened the door.

Her eyes and face were red and she had a tissue in her hand, but she grinned when she saw me. She blinked a couple times as if making sure I was real. “Riley!”

“Mom,” I greeted, smiling back at her.

She looked me over and frowned, probably at my many injuries. Her eyes flickered between Luc and Ariana. “What happened?”

“It’s a long story. Can we come in? These are my friends; Luc and Ariana,” I introduced them as she let us in. Ariana smiled politely and Luc waved with his free hand.

Mom was still grinning from ear to ear and she led us all into the living room. I looked around in surprise; it looked like everyone from the Streak was there.Dad, Jason, Tally, Jazz and Sam, along with a lot of other people whose names I didn’t know, but I recognized their faces. Even Tristan was there and he looked awful. He had circles under his eyes and his hair was a mess, yet he somehow managed to pull it off. When he saw me, his eyes went wide and I looked away so I wouldn’t cry.

“Riley what happened?” Jazz exclaimed as she ran over. She and Luc helped me to the couch where I sat down. They’d put me right next to Tristan…

I didn’t look at him as I said, “I was kind of attacked by Henry’s Streak. Ariana’s Pack found me after and she fixed me up.” Instantly everyone had a question that they were asking. I sighed. “Shut up! I’ll tell you the whole story…” So I told them everything, starting from when I’d run out of the school.

When I was finished, I could tell that Dad was mad, even before he spoke. “And why did you think running into the woods alone to shift was a good idea?”

“I didn’t think; I just ran off. I know it was stupid but I had to get away” I informed him, glancing at Tristan. He was staring down at his hands.

Dad shook his head. “Why?” I opened my mouth to tell him, but I found I couldn’t. Tristan was already excluded because he was from the other Streak- this would just make people hate him more. I found it awful that I even cared after what he did to me, but that was what being in love did.

“I just did. Personal reasons,” I replied, earning a glare from almost everyone in the room. “I’m sorry I worried all of you. I would’ve come back sooner if I could have.”

Mom gave me a smile. “Alright everyone who’s not in the family, please leave. We need to have a family talk.” With that said, everyone began clearing out. The only people that stayed and weren’t in the family were Tristan, Jazz, Luc and Ariana.

I watched Jason get up and go over to Ariana. He said something to her and she smiled at him. Then they both exited the room together. I smiled; they would make an awesome couple. “Mom, Dad, is it okay if Luc and Ariana stay with us for a while?”