Life Match

Unmatched Teaser

I wake up in my childhood bedroom and have that moment of blank that you get when you wake so suddenly. I look around and remember.

****

Riah kissed me and smiled a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, which had gone from piercing to pleading, “You’ll wait for me?”

I nod, “No one can take me from you. I’m yours.”

“Please,” Riah is flipping out. I can tell just by looking at him, “If you ever feel bad or lonely or just shitty come find me. If you fall in love with someone else or if anything great or something that will compromise what we have please promise me you’ll find me. Promise me.”

“I promise,” and then I kiss him and got out the car.

****

Riah. I missed him, which was weird since if you’d asked me three short weeks ago, I would have proudly listed off the reasons I couldn’t stand him. I look at the clock and see that it’s only five in the morning. I get up and wander the house, it’s old floor boards creaking under my weight.

I get dressed and go for a jog, the sun slowing creeping above the horizon. I almost find it prettier than a sunset, the idea of the sun chasing away the darkness. I jog all the way to the old spot where Jericho and I used to watch the sunset. I stop and peer into the water, wanting to throw myself into it. That would be easier, than willing myself to forget. Wanting, needing to forget what happened after.

I was out for a walk with Tahoe when I saw him, his boyish grin written all over his face. Jericho.

I want it to stop, but once the brain remembers, it’s hard to forget.

I had, but didn’t but did, but wanted it but, did I? My mind is scrambled, but by then it’s over. It’s done.

I retch into the bushes and stumble home, loading up my air screen. I dial Riah, and it rings. And rings. I’m terrified he won’t answer, but on the last ring he does. He’s shirtless and his hair is ruffled from sleep.

“Sage?” he yawns, “Didn’t I just drop you off a week ago?”

A week? That’s all it was? 

“I missed you,” I say, “I want to see you. Where are you?”

“You can’t come here,” Riah replies in a whisper, “I’m still at the estate, in my childhood bedroom.”

“Oh,” I reply, deflated, “I’ll let you sleep.”

He kisses his fingers and holds them to the screen. I sign off without doing it back. I crawl into bed and my thoughts torment me with what I did. Jericho. You slept with Jericho.

Dun!Dun!DUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Because my writer's block stopped just long enough to break some hearts.

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