48 Hours

Chapter Five: I Broke Steven

Chapter Five: I Broke Steven

2:38 p.m. Friday, August 8th

Riley was leaning against the car while texting away on her phone. When we pulled up into the parking lot, she decided that it was best she text her mom with some story she pulled out of her butt. Something about spending the weekend at my place.

Ha, we so weren't taking this to my place.

"Okay, mom says it's alright. It's the summer anyway. But you should probably continue this Round Robin and tell yours." She passed her phone over and I sighed.

Not coming home. Staying with Riley this weekend. Text you if anything goes wrong. :) Love you.

I snorted as I pressed send. 'If anything goes wrong'. Right. Cause it really hasn't.

Riley rolled her eyes at me as she shoved her phone into her back pocket.

"Where do you think Steven is? Shouldn't he be here by now?" Riley asked. I shrugged and bumped my hip against the car door, bouncing on my heels. I was apprehensive, I'll admit, but it wasn't because I cared about him!

Psh, no. I only wanted the information he had. Which he neglected to share with me during our hasty retreat. 'Things went down, punches were thrown, and now I'm a target.' What exactly did that mean?

We now had a whole other crew of Mafia boys after us, next to the hardened escaped prison convicts? I sure hope not. But it looks like my hopes have died, because that's exactly what it sounds like. I'm really not one for sugar coating things.

Just ask my family.

"I don't know. He seemed to have had his hands tied when we left. I'm sure he'll be here any minute now. Just relax and enjoy the sunny day. Once Fall rolls in there won't be much more of it left." I said. Riley scoffed.

"So that's it? You're just going to blow him off? He's helped us enough already by just knowing a guy. I know you're stubborn, Paisley, but you aren't heartless." Riley said, crossing her arms and huffing in annoyance.

Hey, it wasn't like I was trying to ruffle her feathers, but why care when caring just causes problems?

And I constantly ask myself why I don't have a boyfriend...

"I'm not blowing him off. I just...I don't know...I don't like having him here. He's like this huge walking reminder about how much I suck at being a teenage girl." I groaned. I didn't really want to get into this. It was way too complicated. But knowing Riley, it's just starting.

"How does he remind you?" She asked. I gave her a look before sighing and getting comfy against the side of the car. I had a feeling this conversation was going to last a lot longer than I had originally anticipated.

"Because the only boyfriend I've ever had, dumped me after two weeks because I wouldn't sleep with him. And it's just a constant reminder of the possibility that I'll forever be alone. And that, my dear, is my worst fear." I stated.

Riley was quiet, and for a moment I thought she actually dropped the subject. But if you read that correctly, you'd notice the 'thought'. That is not another word for did.

"You don't have to worry about that, Paisley. You're so special. You're funny, cute, sarcastic, witty, and have so many more assets than someone like me. You won't be alone your entire life. I promise you. You're just on a different level of maturity than others our age. Give yourself some credit." Riley wrapped her arm around my shoulder as I rolled my eyes.

Here she goes, being all understanding and supportive and whatnot.

Exactly the opposite of what I wanted. I'd rather she just give it to me straight and tell me I'm going to own fifteen cats with ridiculously cliche' names like, Fluffy, and Patches. At least she would have been honest.