5 years ago, James left for the first Tour with his band. He was 21 years old and as far as we he was concerned he had his whole life ahead of him. He had his family, his friends, his band and his girl..
That was until he got a call that nobody ever...
"James come on" Eldon said as he walked into the flat again this time bringing in West and Hunter too They seem to think that I can't handle being alone today, I mean they aren't wrong but at the same time I do not want to be around people It's the definition of a catch 22
This place still just screams Riley, I haven't had the stomach to change any of it in the 5 years she's been gone All of our unfinished projects like her photo wall still remains unfinished It's half completed with photos of us growing up. It's makes my heart tear a little at the thought of all the photos that could have been up there had we finished it All of her pillows, blankets and books remain in the same place. When my mum used to come over to clean I had to make sure she put it back exactly where Riley had left it
There is a huge part of me that is just waiting for the day that she'll walk through those doors again. She'll tell me that everything is okay, that this was all just a bad dream. That none of this happened But the longer I'm here alone, the more it's setting in that this wasn't a bad dream
None of it makes sense.. Not even a second of it I don't know why Riley would be on the road that night, or on the night at all. She hates driving in the day and driving at night is a no go. She would rather walk for miles then do that I have no idea why she was on that side of town either. The only thing remotely known to us was my Dad's office but she wouldn't be there All that is there besides some office buildings are bars but Riley wasn't a drinker
Why is it the one night she chooses to tackle things she hates.. it takes her away from me?
"James this isn't healthy" West said looking in front of me where the photos of Riley and I laid flat. There were a few of my favourite ones of her that I'd taken or ones that others had taken of the two of us Truth be told, Riley always had her camera on her, she loved the idea of her life being seen through polaroid's
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West wasn't wrong, this wasn't healthy. It was the further thing from it but who cares right? Riley isn't here so why should I care about being healthy? She had so much left she needed to do. We had some much left to do..
"Boys give him a break" Another familiar voice said making the boys sigh as the filled out of the room before Michelle came and took a seat next to me "I haven't seen some of these before" She said not even reaching to touch any of them. I think out of everyone, Michelle is probably one of the few people actually able to get through to me on today "She would kill me if she saw some of these" I said smiling at the one of her asleep in the library "I think she would love it deep down but she would put on her pout about it" Michelle said wrapping an arm around my shoulder rubbing my back lightly
"Why don't we get you out of the flat for today? You know that she wouldn't want you feeling like this James" She said softly but I shook my head "I can't" I whispered turning to her "James" She said but I shook my head again
"Tell me about this one" Michelle said pointing to the photo of Riley in the red dress "That was the night after Internationals. We went out for dinner once we got back to the hotel" I smiled "What? you told us all you guys went to bed early. Something about being tired from doing an additional dance?" She said nudging me lightly "Yeah well if we hadn't said that then you all would have dragged us to the afterparty" I reminded her making her chuckle
"She would be proud of you, you know that right?" Michelle said making me look at her, there was a moment of silence before I turned back to the photos "Riley should still be here Michelle. It was not her time.. No matter how many times people tell me is was" I explained "It wasn't" I said sitting back against the sofa placing my hands over my face
It truly was not her time, she had so much to look forward to, so much she had planned.. So freaking much
After internationals we spoke a lot about going travelling after Tour, we wanted to have our feet settled somewhere before we headed out on a new adventure We had moved into the flat just 6 months before she died, we still hadn't really made this place a home So now I'm stuck in the in between
Her wardrobe is still full of her things, her glasses are still on her bedside table with the book she was reading at the time Our room still honestly looks like it houses two people, even though only one of us comes home each night to it
--
Michelle and the boys left a few hours later, their failed attempt at getting me to leave was noted but I think they all knew it was a losing battle The last thing I want to do on this day every year is leave our home The last place everything was fucking okay
I went to head to the bedroom when the ringing of my phone that was on the kitchen island caught my attention It was 10:35pm at night, who the hell was calling me now. I'd already spoken with my parents and Piper. The Gang had already seen me There was nobody else who should be reaching out at this hour
As I walked over to it, I kept replaying the list in my head but as soon as I'm meant with an unknown number, I'm even more confused
"Hello?" I answered before the shuffling on the over line making me furrow my brows "Oh hello! Is this James Miller?" A man's voice said on the other side of the line "Yes, speaking?" I continued, this was just confusing me more and more "Hi, I'm calling from Meriam Memorial Hospital. We're calling you because we've had a patient come in this evening and you are down as her next of Kin" He explained "Poor sweetheart was in a terrible accident today. She barely has a scratch on her but the docs want to keep her in for observation" He rambled
Who the hell had me down as a next of kin
"Who is it?" I asked "Oh shoot, of course. Uhh her name is Riley Phillips" He said making my eyes widen "That can't be correct. Riley's passed away 5 years ago today actually" I explained "I'm sorry sir but according to the blood results and her ID, the Lady in room 203 is Riley Phillips" He said making me sit there for a minute in silence
"Where is this hospital?" I asked grabbing my jacket as I walked out of the house
If there is even the slightest possibility she's there.. I'm going.
