My Neighbour

twenty four

Riley

It's been a week or two since the weekend with James, but that's the least of my worries at the moment
"Get out" I hear Dad yell for the final time before hearing the door slam. I look out my window to see Mum putting her final bag in her car before leaving.
It was real, it was happening
"Riles" My dad asked gently knocking on the door. I took a step away from the window turning to look at him
"Oh honey" he said opening his arms for a hug, one I knew I needed 

After a couple minutes of hugging Dad pulled away taking a seat on the window seat with me
"I think we should talk about what's happened" He said taking his hands in mine 
"This isn't something you should be worrying about, you can still see your mum as much as you want okay?" He asked and I nodded
For the last week and a half all I've heard is the pair of them arguing while they think I'm asleep. I know what he is about to tell me, this is going to do nothing more then confirm what I already know

"your mum found someone else, she's been out seeing him and his family" He said making my purse my lips together
"why?" I asked and he shrugged
"Sometimes in life, things don't go the way you have them planned" He said, I could tell by the look on his face that he was breaking on the inside but he didn't want me to see that
"Cheating isn't a mistake, it's a choice. And your mother made her choice" He continued
"I in no way want you to hate her Riles, I wasn't your mums forever but I was her almost and that is good enough for me because I got you out of it" He said hugging me, I sighed hugging him back
"Are we having to move back?" I asked and Dad shook his head
"Your mother and I will be getting a divorce but I won't be making you move back. You can stay here with me if you'd like or you can go with you mum baby. It's up to you" He said
I nodded allowing him to hug me once more before leaving my room shutting the door behind me 
I don't know why but I found myself back over by the window

At first I was looking at the spot where mums car once was but I then found myself looking across the road to see James stood at the gate of his back garden, standing there with his friends
He glanced up at me and offered me a smile.  A smile I wanted to return but I couldn't.. Not yet anyway

--

I won't lie, the next day felt pretty lonely. Not because I was being isolated but more the fact I was isolating myself.
After everything last night, I text Thalia and Giselle I needed some space today. I figured that I had a lot to think about

My parents broke up because my mother cheated, James and Beth broke up because James cheated. What does that say about a relationship we could have?
What stops him from doing it to me too?

I walked through the corridor to see Giselle and Thalia stood with James and the boys. That was news to me
The last I heard about that. Thalia was telling me to steer clear
I made eye contact with both of the girls who shot me a smile that I returned to them before I continued to walk through the corridors

What I don't understand about all of this is, Mum always taught me to keep my guard up, she taught me never to let anyone in. She taught me all of this but she went and destroyed all the trust and love Dad had for her
My Dad gave her the world at the cost of his happiness. He loved her more than I think she ever gave him credit for 
It's a no brainer for me, I'll be staying with my dad. Easily but I can't get over the betrayal of my mother. She didn't just cheat on Dad. She went off with a whole other family.. 
Neither of us were good enough