Left Behind (Completed) *editing*

Chapter Ten

A month had passed by from the terrible accident that took Riley's family. I hadn't spoke to Riley in that time. My brother hadn't tried to find me. I stayed with Colin and his Mom, Debbie. Everything in my life seemed to be falling into place. I only had one small issue.

My problem had a name: Dylan Morrison. Riley would always have a part of my heart but Dylan seemed to have stolen a piece as well. Dylan was charming, funny, smart and sexy. If I were to pick one word to describe him best, that word would be dangerous. I spent most of my time with him.

When I wasn't by his side, I couldn't stop thinking about him. He was enticing and hard to resist. He was like a drug I didn't know how I would live without. I felt beside myself because in a few months he'd be gone and I would be helpless, unsure what to do. It was frightening because I had never felt this way before. Out of everyone I'd ever lost, I had never felt like I couldn't survive without them.

A bell rang loudly, sounding the end of school for the day. It was Friday and finally the weekend. I quickly jot down my homework assignment and set out into the busy hallway. I found my locker, grabbing every book that I would need and placing them into my black book bag.

I hooked the bag around one shoulder, scanning the people that walked past me as I waited for Colin. He always took his time when school ended for the day. Who knew how long I'd wait today? Dylan had been picking us up from school but he couldn't today. Their Mom had fought with him until he agreed to apply for summer jobs.

Today he had an interview for Express, the clothing store. I was disappointed though. The notion that he'd find a job would mean that he'd be busy. That meant I'd see him less. Today we'd be walking home and Dylan made me promise to wait for Colin. He was afraid that Liam would find me if I walked alone.

A hand tapped my shoulder and I spun around with a smile, ready to get out of here. That smile abruptly washed away when I realized that the person standing behind me wasn't Colin. It was Riley.

I studied his face, seeing that his cuts had healed. He had a slight scar along his hairline on his forehead. His arm was still in the cast. Riley looked defeated. His posture had changed. He used to stand tall, now he stood in front of me hunching slightly. His whole composure was different.

I could tell just by looking into his eyes for a moment that he was emotionally destroyed. My heart ached with terrible remorse as we stood staring at one another silently. The tension between us was so strong that a stranger could sense it from miles away.

"Riley?!" Colin's voice shouted, shattering the silence. I felt more comfortable as he approached us.

"Hey," Riley said to him, forcing a small smile. Colin pat him on the back and stood next to me, grinning.

"When did you get out?" Colin asked him, surprised. He nudged me. "Val, you didn't tell me he was coming home!"

I took a deep breath and looked away from them both. Colin didn't know that I hadn't seen Riley. I had lied for the past month. I had to keep up the charade of going to see him in the hospital and the rehab facility. If I didn't, then I'd have to tell Colin that I'd been hanging out with his brother and try to explain our relationship to him.

I didn't want to have that conversation with him. It was a complicated one, at least for me. Please, Riley, don't let him know I haven't been with you, I mentally begged him. I looked up and into Riley's eyes. I could tell that in some way, he knew I had moved on and that it hurt him. I felt like a monster.

"I actually got out yesterday," Riley told him. "I came in to speak with a few teachers about the make up work I've done before I come back on Monday."