Things Change

Part 17:

You don't know how amazing it feels to wake up and not have to put on that stupid boot. Though I have to admit it feels weird not to have it on. Not saying that I miss it one bit but I've been so used to it that it seems strange. "Riley, you up?" My mother knocks on my door. I sit up in bed pushing the covers back. "Yah." I answer with a yawn. I get out of bed walking to the bags by my closet door. Shopping with my mom wasn't all bad. In was actually kinda fun. It was like old times. Something I didn't realize I missed so much until now. My mom and I used to be really close but I ruined that when I started dating Brad. The thought leaves a bad taste in my mouth so I push the thought away. I set the bags on my bed pulling out a few articles of clothing. I grab a dress from on of the bags pressing it against my body to see how it looked. I didn't really like wearing dresses or shorts when I had my boot on. I felt like it drew more attention to my leg. My cripple leg. The thought makes me smile. I pull the tags off the dress tossing it on the bed. I shove the rest of the clothes back into the bags. I set the bags in the closet on one of the empty shelves. I have about twenty minutes before I had to be downstairs for breakfast. It was just enough time to shower. I grab a towel from the bathroom closet then turn on the warm water. Once its set to the temp of my liking I discard my clothes getting in. I make sure to shave my underarms and legs throughly. Then wash my hair and body. After rising off I shut the water off. I get out of the showering drying my body. I run back into my room grabbing black lace undergarments pulling them on. The dress had buttons going all the way down to the bottom so I put it on like a shirt then button it all the way up. I grab my black flats from the closet sliding my feet into them. "Mom! Do you know where the hair dryer is?" I call down the hall towards my parents bedroom door. It takes a few moments but she finally answers me. "Bottom shelf in the bathroom." She calls. I check the time on my phone. Ten minutes. I didn't have enough time to completely dry my hair but just enough to where it wasn't soaked. I blow dry as much as I can and since I couldn't dry it completely my hair was left in its semi damp curly state. I walk back into my bedroom pulling on the jean jacket I set aside yesterday. I apply a small amount of make up before running downstairs. "What do you think?" I ask Dad modeling my leg. He laughs. "It looks just like it did before you broke it." He say. "Good to have you back leg." He adds jokingly. I roll my eyes pouring myself a glass of orange juice. "Is my bag still in the car?" I ask. Dad nods taking a drink of his coffee. I grab another granola bar then head off to the front door. "See you after school!" I yell opening the door. I step out closing it behind me. The heat of the sun hits me. I'm glad I wore a dress. I unlock the car getting in. After starting the car and buckling up I roll down the windows and turn the radio on. I felt nervous for some reason and I didn't know why. Maybe it was because I was finally going to see Grayson after him ignoring me all week. I back out of the drive way turning onto the main road when I reach the end of my street. I listen to the news as I munch on my granola bar. I grab my cellphone off of the passenger seat when it starts to ring. "Hello?" I ask. "You forgot your lunch money." Dad says. Shoot. "Do you have your card?" He asks. My debt card? I pull to the side of the road looking through my bag. "No, I left my wallet." I say. "I can drop it off to you on my lunch break." Dad offered. I thought about it for a moment. "No, it's okay. I have five dollars in my locker." I lie. Maybe Cody will let me bum five bucks from him. "You sure?" Dad asks. "Yeah, positive. I'll talk to you later." I say. He says his goodbyes then hangs up. I pull back onto the road turning the corner and crossing the street to the school parking lot. I park towards the front then turn off the car. I grab my bag off the passenger and my keys from the ignition getting out. I lock the car running inside. I walk down the senior hallway to my locker where Susan is waiting. She smiles brightly at me. "You finally look normal." She exclaims with a laugh. I chuckle in agreement. "I know. Less cripple." I say. I put the combo into my locker opening it. I set the bag inside grabbing my history book and pencil. "Do you still have to go to physical therapy?" Susan asks. I nod my closing my locker. We turn walking to first hour. "What did I miss yesterday?" I ask. "Just a worksheet. Oh and we're starting prompt essays today. So be ready." She grumbles. I nod. We make it around the corner our first hour only a few feet away when Susan gasps. "I almost forgot you won't believe who-" But she was cut off when Daniel threw his arm around her shoulder. She squeals in surprise then smacks him. I laugh until an arm wraps around my waist lifting me up. "Damn it Cody." I curse when he sets me back down. "Good to see that your leg is not cripple anymore." Cody teases bumping his shoulder into mine. I roll my eyes at him. "Do you have something against cripples?" I ask. Cody shakes his head causally. Daniel and Susan walk in ahead of us. "No I just think you're leg was funny." Cody winks. I open my mouth to protest but Mr. Fitz stops me at the door. "Good to see you Ms. Clark." He greets me. "Finally have the boot off?" He asks gesturing to my leg. I look down then meet his eye again and nod. I offer him a small smile. "Yes finally." I say. He nods. "You missed a worksheet yesterday. Nothing big-" He turns walking into the class. I walk in behind him following him to his desk. He grabs the sheet holding it in his hands. "What you need to do is read the passage and answer the questions in complete sentences." He says handing the paper to me. I look at it. "Oh, the last one on the back is for extra credit." He adds. "Okay." I say turning around. My gaze instantly meets Grayson. His icy blue eyes intensely watch me cross the room to my desk. I slump down in my seat beside Cody. I couldn't focus on what Mr. Fitz was saying so I pretend to listen. Eventually the bell rings and we are dismissed. Grayson is the first one out the doors so I don't get a chance to catch up with him. I half listen to Cody ramble as we walk to class together. After second hour the rest of the morning blends in together and we finally reach lunch. I set my books into my locker when Grayson walks past me. I go to call his name when Susan walks up beside me. "You ready? I'm starving." She asks. I close my locker walking beside her. "Before I forget the guys and I are going out to the beach if you wanna come." She offers. We walk into the cafeteria standing in line behind two other people. "What beach?" I ask. "Wales. It's just a forty five minute drive from here." She says. Wales? I don't know if my mom will let me go. I just got back from spring back. I've only been home for a day. Maybe I can convince her to go. "Okay, sounds like fun." I agree. She smiles grabbing a lunch trey handing it to me. It doesn't dawn on me until I reach the register that I don't have any money. And I didn't ask Cody. "Is that all for you?" The lunch lady asks the guy in front of me. He shakes his head. "Hers too." He looks over at me. "Oh you don't-" I protest but he shakes his head handing over the money. The lunch lady rolls her eyes but takes the money. He starts to walk off but I grab his arm. "You really didn't have to do that." I say. He smiles. "I know but I had to find a way to talk to you." He admits. I give him a questioning look. "Why?" I ask. He shrugs his shoulders causally. "I think you're cute." He winks. I feel my cheeks redden at the compliment. "I'm Asher by the way." He introduces himself. "Riley." I say with a smile. I turn walking away from him going back to my table where Susan is waiting with Cody and Daniel. I take a seat next to Cody across from Daniel and Susan. "What was that about?" Cody asks in a low whisper. "He spotted me money." I say causally. "I could have done that." Cody mumbles. I sigh picking up my fork to picking up a few pieces of salad. I look up to see a couple embracing each other. The guy has his arm around the girls waist holding her closely to him. "What the shit?" I can't stop the words from leaving my mouth. Loudly I may add. Susan turns her head in the direction I'm staring at and frowns. "That's what I was trying to tell you." She inputs. I look back at her. "Apparently Grayson hooked up with her at a party then they made it official by becoming boyfriend-"
"I think I'm gonna be sick." Cody cuts her off dramatically. Only I did feel like I was gonna be sick. What happened to him liking me? Was that all some sort of head game to get me to make out with him? Oh god. He saw me naked. Well not completely but more than I would have let anyone else see. What the hell is wrong with me? The first guy to give me attention since Brad and I start to let my walls down. What an ass. "Who is she?" I ask bitterly stabbing at my salad. Susan shrugs her shoulders. "Some junior. Jules Hanover. She's kinda been with everybody." She says bitterly. That no good bastard thinks he can play with my heart and get away with it. I don't think so. Who the hell does he think he is? "Hey, Ri." Cody whispers. "What?" I snap glaring at him. He looks at me with a worried expression. "You killed your salad." He says. I look down at my trey to see I even broke the foam bowl it was in. I frown standing up. "I'll just see you guys later." I mumble walking to the trash cans. "You still coming to Wales?" Susan calls. I nod my head throwing away my trash. After setting my trey on the holder I run out of the cafeteria. I make it half way down the hall when I hear my name being called. "Riley." Grayson calls my name again. I shake my head. I walk faster when I hear his foot steps behind me. "Hey, wait a sec." He grabs my arm stopping me. He stands in front of me. "You're not seriously pissed are you?" He asks. I bite my tongue shaking my head. "It seems like you are." He says. "What do you want? A round of applause? Because you're not gonna get it from me." I snap walking around him. "A round of applause for what?" He asks. I stop walking facing him. "You're no better than Brad. Playing with my feelings."
"Oh I'm no better? You're the one who plays with people Riley." He yells. "How's that? I'm not the one who has a new girlfriend after telling another girl you like her." I yell back. He narrows his eyes letting out a deep breath. I shake my head. "You hurt me." I whisper. "Funny thing is you hurt me first. Even after you promised not to." He says. How? I rack my brain trying to remember when. He thinks I left to see Brad didn't he? "Is that what you think? That I went to see him." I ask. He clenches his jaw and I get the answer I'm looking for. I nod. "So you pay me back by getting with another girl." I assume. From the look on his face I know I'm right. "Wow. That's low. Even for you." I say. His eyes meet mine. "It doesn't matter. I officially want nothing to do with you." I lie. Those words felt like vomit coming out of my mouth. I turn away from him forcing back the tears. I don't need these head games. I had them with Brad and I wasn't going to do it again. I turn the corner leaning against the wall. I wince when he punches a locker. "Fuck!" He curses hitting them again. It takes everything in me not to turn around and calm him down. I close my eyes taking a deep breath. You're gonna have to forget about him, Riley.