18 Days ➳ Riley McDonough/ Before You Exit Fanfic

2.

October 11th

R I L E Y

We were in the backyard of our house, because it was a whole lot bigger than Jade's, Thomas', and Braiden's. Also, it was the only one that had a place for a bonfire and space for about eight people.

It was Toby and Thomas on one log, then Connor and Braiden on another log, while Jade and I were seated on some old deck chairs we found in the garage, because there weren't enough logs. It wasn't like we actually minded.

"Can you pass the marshmallows, please," Jade said, and Braiden passed her the bag of jumbo mallows we had bought at the convenient store earlier.

"Slow down, princess. Save some for us," I teased, chucking a bit. It was about her seventh marshmallow and, so far, she was the only one eating them.

"I can't help it. Marshmallows are my favorite!"

"I thought I was your favorite!" I cried, in fake pain, and she pouted her lips, trying to conceal a smile.

"You're number two on my list. Sorry Riley."

"Wow, I definitely feel the love."

She laughed at my words, before placing a sticky kiss on my cheek.

I looked at the other guys and they were all talking, not really paying attention to anyone else but the person sitting beside them.

Connor and Braiden were complaining about being single and lonely, while Toby and Thomas were just staring blankly into the fire as the flames lit up their faces, making their dark eyes look a lot brighter than they actually were.

"Jade, you've got some marshmallow on your face," I said and she started feeling the area around her mouth, anxiously.

"Where?"

"There," I replied, and connected our lips into a sweet kiss.

"No PDA!" Braiden yelled and I pulled away, quickly, as the blood started rushing to my cheeks and the same thing was happening to Jade.

I turned my head back to her and smiled. "There we go. All gone."

She hit my shoulder, lightly, and I started laughing. She was trying to cover up her whole face, because it had already turned bright red. At this point, she sort of resembled a tomato.

"Come on, guys. Just stop it. Let them have their moment," Connor scolded, trying to be the sensible one in this situation. He was always like this. Connor respected other people's business and that's one of the reasons why I admire him so much.

After that, everyone returned to their previous conversations and left Jade and I alone, for once.

"Jade?" I cooed, brushing some hair out of her face- which she was still covering with her hands. I gently placed my hands on top of hers and removed them, revealing her beautiful face. It was no longer as red as it was a few minutes ago. The bright color had been reduced to a light shade of pink.

My actions didn't make her look at me, though. Instead, her gaze was focused on the fire pit right in front of us, and I watched as the flames danced around in her eyes. But, even in such a serene state, something felt a little off.

I looked at Jade closely, examining every aspect of her face, and I noticed that her skin was ghostly pale and her lips were slightly blue. Her breathing was a little uneven as well.

"Are you okay, princess?" I asked, concern leaking into my voice.

"I'm fine."

"But you're as pale as a ghost! And your lips are blue."

"Just a little cold," Jade replied, rubbing her arms to create some kind of heat. "It's pretty chilly tonight, isn't it?"

I quickly shrugged my jacket off and put it around her shoulders, as she hugged herself. She was shaking quite violently, so I moved her chair closer to the fire and she held her arms out to soak up as much warmth as possible.

"Jade, are you okay?" Braiden asked, taking ahold of her hand, which made me slightly tense and uncomfortable. "You're so cold."

"Do you want to stay the night?" I questioned. Jade's house was about a twenty minute drive from our place. It wouldn't really be a good idea to bring her back there when she was in this sort of state.

"I'll go get the guest room ready," Connor said and practically ran into the house and up the stairs. Even if our mom loved Jade to pieces, she still wouldn't let any of us sleep in the same room as her, or any girl for that matter. I sort of understood why, but it was completely out of the picture.

I pulled Jade onto my lap and tried my best to share my body heat by hugging her and rubbing her arms, but nothing seemed to be helping. Even Toby, Braiden, and Thomas were helping me get her warm.

"Here. drink this, Jade," Braiden said, offering her a mug of hot chocolate, overloaded with marshmallows. I gave him a look and took the mug from him, before bringing it to her lips.

She held it up with both of her hands, but I kept my hands on the cup, because she was still shaking pretty hard and would probably spill the hot beverage over the both of us if I didn't keep it still.

She took a long sip out of the cup, leaving a hot chocolate mustache on her face — which I wiped away with the collar of my jacket; the one I'd lent her.

"Riley! The guest room's ready!" Connor yelled and I quickly stoop up, carrying her bridal style. She snuggled up to me, her face buried in my neck.

I took the steps two at a time and once I finally got to the guest room and went inside, I placed her on the bed and pulled the blanket all the way up to her chin.

I knelt down before the bed and just stared at her shaking figure, all balled up.

"You're going to be alright," I reassured her, giving her hand a light squeeze. "I'm here."

I watched as her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes clenched shut as she gathered all of her remaining strength to squeeze back. It was slightly heartbreaking.

"Please stay," she begged in a hushed whisper.

"I'd never plan on leaving you while you're like this."

I slipped my shoes off and got into the bed with her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close to me.

"I love you, okay?"

"I l-l-love you t-too, Ri," she replied as her shaking became less violent and the blue in her lips faded back to pink.

"Forever?"

"And always."

I waited for a long time. I waited until her shaking had ceased and she was fast asleep, before I went back downstairs to hang out with the boys again.

It was a stupid move, but I chose to do it.