Young Volcanos

July 5

Flashes of a face, over and over again. A heartsick pain. The same name repeating itself over and over in my brain. It had been the same dream that I had had for the past almost month. Pathetic, right?

I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. My conscience screamed for me to apologize to Logan and tell him that whether I liked it or not, I still had major feelings for him. Unfortunately, my pride and my brain screamed that they wouldn't allow it.

I looked down at my plaid soft shorts and tank, what happened? Life had never been like this back home. I had tried to avoid the question but summer had to be over at some point; could I ever go back to being that Riley?

I sighed and went into the bathroom. After brushing my teeth I went downstairs and made a piece of toast. I looked at the clock on the microwave, 10:30, everyone was gone at this time. Dylan was at lacrosse, Sadie was at the mall, Daphine and Rick were at work; It was Riley time.

I screamed the lyrics to Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri while I cut a watermelon, poured orange juice, and cooked toast. Once I finished making my breakfast, I obviously ate it.

Thirty minutes later, I walked upstairs, grabbed my laptop and fell into my bed. I loaded Netflix and clicked on the show Sherlock. This had been my only activity of late, I was on the third season.

I pushed play and settled in to my show.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My phone buzzed, I looked down to see a text from Rick.

Rick: Going out to dinner as a family at five

Riley: Okay, you guys have fun.

Rick: Rilenne. You are part of the family too.

Riley: Convincing. I'll give you that.

I sighed and looked at the clock, it read 4:30. Wait... 4:30?! I had finished the show and started another. What had happened?!

I hopped out of bed and grabbed a pair of black jeans and a blue shirt. I ran a brush threw my knot filled hair that hadn't been brushed for three days, showered for the first time in two days, and put on my first real clothes since four days ago. Yeah, I had been a little unproductive.

I let my hair hang down naturally, which was rare, and then threw on my flip-flops. I grabbed the keys to my car. On my birthday I had gone car shopping but realized that I wasn't going to be here very often so I had just rented a jeep. I hopped in and drove to the restaurant. There were only three restaurants that my dad would consider in this town (I had the town memorized like the back of my hand) and he had said 'as a family' so that meant it would be the bigger place: Zoë's Bistro.

I pulled into the parking lot around back and locked the car. I got out and walked into the restaurant. I quickly saw my 'family' and walked over. Rick smiled at me and then looked back at his real family.

After ordering, the family began to talk. My dad started to talk but was quickly hushed by Daphine, "Rick. I don't think that we should pay for Riley's meal. She's not really a member of this family." I sighed, Daphine always made comments like this. I looked up to see Rick's face go red.

"Daphine. She's my daughter."

"She's useless and not that good looking! We'll be lucky if someone even wants her to be their maid. Even that's a stretch."

I heard an eating utensil slam on the table. "Mom. Shut up, this is un-called for!" Dylan whisper shouted. Daphine looked at him angrily, "Dylan, if you can't take Mommy's side then you can leave."

"I'm sick and tired of taking your side. You've had way too much to drink and You're wrong, Riley's great."

"Go to the car. Now." Dylan sighed and obeyed his Mom's command.

Daphine chugged her ninth martini and I received a text

Dylan: For the record me, and a lot of other people think that you're are definitely not ugly. At all.

Riley: Thanks Dylan. I love you too. Not in a weird way.

"Anyways, Rick I refuse to pay for that little brat. All she does is talk and breathe." Well excuse me for living.

"Daphine, please, let's just eat dinner."

"Rick! Shut up and listen to me, you are my husband or her father. Nothing else! You're an idiot, a mooch, and completely useless on your own!"

That had been the last straw, I slammed my hands on the table and stood up to match Daphine's stance. "That's it! You don't talk to my dad like that! You're ridiculous and you drink too much. No one did anything to you but you can't be happy! You need the drama don't you? You live off of it. Don't ever speak to my father like that again or so help me, you'll rue the day that you ever met me."

She looked stunned. Rick stood up too.

"Rilenne Viveca Winston. You may never ever speak to an adult like that again, do you hear me? Especially not my wife!"

I stared at him blankly. He didn't want my help. He enjoyed her doing this to me, to HIM. I stared at him and then opened my mouth, "You like this. You like when she does this to me and everyone else! You were my dad before her husband! But you didn't want me or mom, you just filed a divorce! I tried to understand, I really did but I never could. I haven't called you dad except to your face since the day you left! I've never admitted it to myself because I tried so hard to hold on to that slight hope but now I know. You never wanted me! I... I..." I spoke every word with venom, I could feel the tears of anger rolling down my face. "I hate you." I said staring at him. He stared at me, I couldn't tell his emotion.

I kicked my chair out of the way and walked out the door. I heard my name called behind me and I ran, as fast and far as I could.

That had been it. The truth had come out.

When I finally stopped I realized that I was in the main area of town. We had spent two hours at the restaurant so it was now seven. I found an ally and sat there, thinking over way had happened.

When I broke out of my trance, it was dark out. I stood up and let my feet roam. I didn't pay attention to where I had been walking.

I stopped and looked at where I had ended up. It was the skate place Logan had taken me to. I pushed the door open and grabbed a board. I walked towards the ramps and did the only thing I could do; I ride that skateboard until I couldn't.

Once I reached the top of the ramp for what seemed like the millionth time, I stopped and sat down on the edge. I was the only one here. I sighed and put my face in my hands. I always tried not to cry, it showed a weakness that I refused to have. I tried to seem like I never cared about anything because it seemed like the easiest way to handle my life falling apart (which it seemed to do constantly). This time though, I cried. I tried to cry with the most dignity I could muster so I cried silently.

I heard someone sit down next to me but I didn't look, I kept my head on my arms which were on my knees.

"Um...hey."

I sighed and looked over. I inwardly screamed, I didn't need this today too!

"Hi Logan."