Three Steps Back

28

James

You that people tell you, when you truly love someone. You can tell the shift in their personality? I never understood that until Riley went away
She's been gone for over 3 weeks at this point but from talking to her, her instagram posts to her text messages
it's was obvious she needed this time to rejig herself
She seems to much happier lately and I love it 

The first couple days were the hardest for both of us. We were learning how to deal with distance all over again and that wasn't easy with all my classes and Riley's random trips with her dad but we managed. Hell we thrived through it all 

Then Liam and Lynsey went to join Riley and her dad and contact with me lacked a little bit but I didn't care. I watched on the side lines as Riley became herself again 

Her and Lynsey have only grown closer and I think that is something Riley needed. Obviously she has her sister and she has Michelle. But there is something Truly unique about her friendship with Lynsey and they all know it 

The longer Riley was gone the more I noticed she became more and more smiley, social, Riley again

And then she even managed to branch out to meeting an old friend of hers. I remember when she told me she was going out with Daniel, she was calling me constantly to make sure that I was okay with it

Her little head was worried I would be freaking out over the fact Daniel was a guy
But I trust her with my whole heart, I don't think there is anything she could do to put our relationship in trouble
Neither of us would dare

At this point, Riley and I were back to talking multiple times a day and I loved it. She would call me the moment she woke up and call me right before she went to sleep

The boys weren't a fan when she went out with Daniel, but only because she was calling me at 3am drunk 
But Hey, I loved talking to her so I couldn't complain

Emily managed to even get some time off to join them all, it was safe to say that I think they all needed this to sort of factory reset themselves
Riley has grown so much on her little trip and I'm so god damn proud of her 

I have no idea when she is coming back but god I can't wait 

Last week, Riley Liam, Emily and Lynsey went away to a cabin they used to spend their childhood at
I remember Riley was showing me around it on FaceTime adamant that we both need to go there some day. I would gladly do that any day

It's been a lot not being able to see her daily, I know she needed this but I just wish I had been able to be there you know

The last time Riley posted was a couple days ago, part of me was worried but also a part of me knew that she was safe with everyone
"hey man" Eldon said coming into the room
"hey" I said looking at him
"Missing her huh?" He asked and I nodded

Riley and I hadn't even spoken today like usual so I guess the longer I go without speaking to her the harder it feels
"Well something tells me, she's good considering her post" He said and I quickly picked up my phone 
Of course Eldon was right, Riley had just posted another photo

But this one was a little different to the rest

"Did you miss me" A voice said making my head snap up

There stood where Eldon once had was the one and only Riley
"Fuck" I cursed rushing over to her crashing our lips together as giggle escaped her lips
"I'll take that as a yes?" Riley smiled combing her hands through my hair as we pulled away

"That's a hell yes" I said picking her up before pressing our lips together again