It's Always Been You

chapter twenty-six

Riley

One year ago

Today has been the worst day ever.

Saying goodbye to my Dad.

We are currently in the local cafe, my Dad's favourite, holding his wake. So many people from the town attended today and it's amazing to see just how many people my Dad had helped in some way. All with wonderful stories or moments they shared with him.

Through the tears we were smiling, my Dad was such a caring and loving man.

After an emotional day, we start to head back to my parents house. Lucas and his girlfriend Natalie, Nathan and Cara with my niece and me and Mom.

I wish he was here. I thought that he might have had it in him to attend today, but I guess that's thinking too highly of him.

I don't know why I would think after a year of not contacting me, that he would be here on the day I needed him most.

But we aren't together. And he has made it very clear we can never be friends.

A group of my brothers friends all stand as we walk past them through the cemetery entrance, I recognize Noah immediately. He gives a slight nod as I cast my eyes over the guys he is stood with.

Shaking my head and hooking my arm through my Mom's, we all keep quiet as we walk a short distance until we reach our childhood home.

I thought for a second that he had turned up with Noah and proved me wrong but I must be imagining things.

I have cried non stop for the last two days I've been back here and I couldn't tell you the last time I ate a proper meal, so I wouldn't be surprised if I started hallucinating at this point.

I feel weak and drained as we finally make it inside, my body collapsing onto the sofa.

"Riles, you ok?" My oldest brother Nate crouches before me, holding onto my knee.

"Yeah I'm fine."

I go to stand, wanting to head up to the bathroom, but as I do black spots appear in my vision and my head starts spinning. Feeling my feet give way from beneath me, I fall forward into Nate who catches me.

"Riley!" I hear my Mom's voice shouting my name, then shouting for Luke to come inside.

I must only have been out for a second because as soon I close my eyes and reopen them, my vision clears and I'm laid on the sofa.

"Oh thank god!" Mom grabs onto my hand as tears stain her cheeks. "Please eat Riley. We need you to be well if you're going back to the city tomorrow."

"You alright there sis? Gave us a fright then." Nate rubs my shoulder gently as Luke comes over with a slice of pizza and a glass of water.

"Chase said she does this sometimes. Forgets to eat until she nearly faints."

I freeze at my brothers words.

He told them that? Why would he tell them and make them worry about me?

"Oh honey. I know you put a lot of pressure on yourself to pass all your classes and graduate, but not prioritizing your health is silly."

"I'm sorry Mom."

My throat dry and rough from being so dehydrated.

"Well now you have graduated and you have a couple of jobs lined up, I hope you can start to get into a routine and looking after yourself. Didn't Chase teach you to cook at all when he came over to study?"