*Riley’s POV*
My fingers go up to absentmindedly touch my lips, feel them and think in a dizzied kind of amazed horror that these lips had been pressed against Charlie Liftmen’s a short time ago. The kiss was like nothing I’d ever experienced. It had been an impulse kiss, but I don’t regret it.
Afterwards he’d promised me that he’d dump Emily. And he better. Ever time I saw him kiss her or hold her hand, I wanted to go balistic. I know Charlie has been more of a vitim then a boyfriend to me, but he was still mine in a way that couldn’t be described. He wasn’t allowed to date.
As I walk down the hall, stride steady, head held high, I greet the popular people and sneer at the dirty kids. It’s morning and class is yet to start. I hate Thursdays for some reason-there’s never any sports practices held and it’s just a torturous day away from Friday. Seeing Henry, I give him the ‘sup’ nod and approach.
He looks strangely sick. His eye’s are shifty and his cowlick in the front stands up boyishly in the way he hated. Normally he parted his hair differently to hide it, but from the look on his face, he had more pressing matters in mind. “Something wrong bro?”
He flinches, like I wasn’t standing right in front of him before speaking. “What? Oh no, I’m fine”
He looks past me, scanning the halls for something or someone. I have no idea what could possibly bring this on-he doesn’t have a girl and no ones strong enough to mess with him.
“You don’t look so fine” I point out, poking his arm. He grabs my wrist and meets my eyes.
“I said I’m fine Riley, so fuck off” I blink up at him. He’s never been so angry in his life.
“Calm yourself” I tell him neutrally. Yes he could beat the shit out of me, but we were best friends.
He sighs “Sorry” he releases my hand “I’m just..stressed” I watch his jaw flex and unflex.
“All good” I assure him. Then I spot Charlie weaving through the crowd. “But I got to go. See you in class”
He nods after me and I hurriedly elbow past band geeks and drama freaks, chasing after him happily. Maybe I could pull him somewhere secluded without anyone noticing and then kiss him for real.
I’m just about to reach him when I bump right into Emily Gale. Her eye’s are a little puffy and when we collide her books go flying, paper scattered across the floor. The gentleman in me wants to help her pick it up. Knowing what people would think I stay rooted in place.
She stares at me, her wildly blue eye’s wide and suddenly angry. Her notrils flare. I’m suddenly a little frightened, though my expression is my natural amused smirk. This girl means business would be my guess, so I take a casual step back “Sorry about that”
“Sure you are” she spits. I feel like I stumbled upon a pissed off alley cat. “I’m sure your sorry for ending a lifelong friendship to? Not to mention me and Charlies relationship and everything else I cared about” a tear slips from her eye and she angrily swipes it away. “I’m so sure your sorry”
“Look, I have no idea what you’re talking about” I lie easily.
“Don’t you though?” she whispers, leaning in closer to me. “Do you know what Katy’s telling everyone?”
I blink. I hadn’t encountered Katy since…
*Flash back* (This is after he bullied Charlie in the cafeteria)
