"So where are we going?" I ask. My ankle still hurts from the jump off the roof. Suck it up Autumn, I mentally yell at myself. Huh, talking to myself. First step of insanity.
"To terrorize the town." He smiles at me. I look away from his face, afraid of the flutter I feel in my chest. "Have you ever gone to Aunt Jenny's?" He asks.
"Never heard of it." I look at him, regretting it instantly. He's biting his lip, which makes my heart hurt with emotions I don't understand.
"It's this little cafe and it has the best ice cream in the world." He spreads his arms, showing me the world. I smile a small smile.
"C'mon let's go." He grabs my wrist, which is covered by my sweatshirt, and drags me to a tiny house on the corner. When we get to the little house, I get a sickening feeling.
"Hey, you okay?" His face changes from excitement to concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I put on a fake smile. By the look on his face, he doesn't believe it, but he let's it go. He leads me into 'Aunt Jenny's.' The smell in here reminds me of my old home in Arizona. I miss it there, before everything happened. Before Mary decided to come back and break our family again and before Jamie's death. Before everything.
We sit in a booth right by the window. 2 mistakes right there. 1. comfortable seat. 2. WINDOW. I lay my head on the table, turning so I can still look out the window.
"What can I get for you kids?" An old lady with way too much eye makeup asks us.
"Vanilla ice cream for me and oreo ice cream for her." He points at me. I shoot up straight in my seat once the lady goes away.
"What?" He looks around, confused.
"You ordered me oreos." I say blankly.
"Yeah, it's the best kind." He says in the same tone of voice I just used. I nod. Well, I guess I have to suffer through this so he doesn't feel bad.
"Here ya go." The makeup lady places the vile ice cream in front of me. It makes my stomach twist. Maybe I can't do this. Riley digs into his ice cream while I sit there staring at my food.
"What's wrong?" He asks, his mouth full of ice cream.
"Nothing." I pick up my spoon and hesitate before putting the ice cream in my mouth. I immediately spit it out into a napkin.
"Is something wrong with it?" RIley asks, picking up the spoon and looking in the bowl.
"No. Yes. I hate oreos. They make me want to puke." I say, feeling guilty. He bursts out laughing with his old man chuckle. I shrink down in my seat, feeling self consious. He doesn't stop until tears are running down my face.
"You can stop laughing at me." I say quietly, feeling like I might start crying.
"No, it's just that your face looked so innocent when you spit it out. It reminded me of a little kid." He keeps laughing.
"That's exactly what I mean." I mumble before getting up from the table and leaving. Everyone in the cafe stares at me judgementally as I walk out.
"Hey, wait!" Riley calls after me but I keep walking. "Autumn, geez, would you slow down?" He grabs my arm, forcing me to stop.
"Can you let go?" I yank my arm but it's no use. He has a tight grip.
"No, you can't keep running away from your problems." He says to me, making me want to punch him.
"Screw you." I spit out at him. I manage to get my arm out of his grasp and stamp away, faster than the last time.
"Autumn!" He yells after me. He runs, catching up to me really fast.
"Leave me alone!" I half-yell when he blocks my path.
"No, I made you a promise, I intend on keeping it."
"What promise?" I glare at him. He looks at me like I should know this already.
"That I'll fix you." He stands up straighter, getting serious. I stay silent, shocked that he actually meant that. He sighs. "At least let me walk you home." I nod, not knowing what else to do.
We walk in silence the whole way back to my house. For some reason, it doesn't feel awkward. I hope he feels the same way. When we get to my front door I pause, not knowing what to say. I keep my back towards Riley, hoping he doesn't notice my flustering. I look for words to say but he beats me to it.
"I meant it. I'm going to make you happy again." I nod. We stay silent for a few more moments, the only sound is our breathing.
"Just promise me you'll give up if it doesn't work." I say, staring at my door. I close my eyes, waiting for his response.
"I can't do that." He whispers. I turn around to argue with him but he's already walking away.
I sigh and go inside my house, keeping my eyes on the floor. None of my sunshine has been returned to me today. I jump when I see someone standing down the hallway. I expect my dad but am surprised by Mary. I freeze, scared and confused. Her mouth twists into a smile that unsettles me.
"Aren't you supposed to be at school?"
