Things Change

Part 19:

My head felt like it was a pounding time bomb that was going to explode at any moment. I take a few pain killers to help sooth my headache. After rummaging through my drawers I find dark blue holy skinny jeans. I pair the jeans with a nude colored spaghetti strapped flowy top. I slid my feet into making nude colored flats as I throw my hair up into a messy bun. I gather my Mac book and the brown wallet placing them into my bag. I grab my cellphone and keys off of the night stand. I turn off my bedroom light and walk downstairs. The smell of coffee fills my nose. Dad greets me with a smile when I walk into the kitchen. I look around to see that Mom was already gone. Dad sets a bowl of granola mixed with vanilla yogurt in front of me. "We ran out of strawberries this morning when your mom made a smoothie." Dad informs me. "She left already?" I ask taking a bite of the yogurt. Dad looks over his shoulder at me and nods. He fills a portable coffee cup with coffee. "So, how bad's your hangover?" He asks setting the cup in front of me. "Bad." I mumble. He leans against the counter with a frown on his face. "Riley, I have been linnet with your drinking but this needs to stop. You promised me you were done." He states. "I am done. It was a one time thing."
"So what is it that made you drink again?" He asks. I shrug my shoulders as I shove spoonfuls of yogurt into my mouth. An unsure look appears on dads face. He holds this look for a moment then nods. "I'm going to a meeting this weekend. So I'll see you Sunday night. You're mother is going on a trip with her friends." My dad says pulling out his wallet. He pulls out a couple hundred bills. "Here some money for whatever. Just follow the house rules. Your mothers house rules. And no drinking." He scowls. I force the yogurt down my throat and nod. "Promise." I say. He holds out his pinky and I can't help but smile. "Come on, don't leave me hanging." He states. I chuckle locking my pinky with his. He sets the money in my hand then smiles. "Alright, kiddo, you might wanna go." Dad says. I place the money in my bag and slid off the bar stool. I take the cup of coffee from the counter and grab my keys. "I'll call to check in. Have a good day." Dad states. I nod. "Have fun, old man." I wink and walk out of the kitchen. The sound of his laughter was the last thing I heard as I left the house. I climb into the car setting my bag on the passenger seat. I roll down my windows and crack the radio before backing out onto the road. I drive to the end of the street and make a left to the main road. I take a sip of my coffee when I come to a stop sign. I make another left and pull into the school parking lot. I turn off the car and grab my bag getting out. "Riley," A male voice calls. I turn my head to see Grayson. He jogs towards me. I don't know why I stand here and wait for him but I do. "I'm surprised you waited for me." He admits. "Would you like me to leave?" I ask sarcastically. He shakes his head. I turn and we walk towards the entrance together in silence. "So, is there a reason why you stopped me?" I ask finally breaking the silence between us. Grayson scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. "I wanted to ask you if-how are you?" He suddenly changes his sentence. He holds the front entrance door for me. I thank him and walk inside. "Is that really what you wanted to ask?" I say looking over my shoulder at him. He nods. "Okay, well...I'm just peachy." I say. I stop at my locker and put in my combo. "Did you know about my mom?" I ask. He leans against the locker beside mine. When my eyes meet mine, I know that he knows. The look on his face tells me. I suck in a deep breath looking into my locker. I could feel my eyes start to water. "You tried to tell me too. And I was-"
"Riley, it's okay." Grayson cuts me off. I shake my head and place my bag inside. "I'm still sorry." I say looking at him. I jump when his hand touches mine and he gives it a gentle squeeze. "How good are you at finding people?" I ask. He shrugs his shoulders. "Depends on the people. Why?" He asks. I grab the brown wallet from my bag and hand it to him. "I happened to pick this up when my mom was doing the deed." I say. Grayson lets go of my hand and opens the wallet. "Edger Dean Ingle." Grayson read the name out loud. I scrunch my nose in distaste. "That's a terrible name. Poor bastard." I say in distaste. Grayson stares at the wallet for a few moments. "Ms. Clarke," I grab the wallet from Grayson's hands shoving it into my bag. I turn to see Mr. Fitz. "I hope you have a jacket to wear over that. Straps have to be three fingers or more." He informs me as he walks past us. Grayson looks at me then shrugs out of his leather jacket. "Here," He extends his arm trying to hand it to me. I shake my head. "No, it's okay." I try to decline but he doesn't drop his arm. I sigh grabbing the jacket from his hands. I slid my arms into the sleeves and the smell of his cologne fills my nose. "Thanks." I say. He winks at me and walks away. I grab my books for my first class then close my locker. I needed to figure out who this guy was. Maybe, I could get some dirt on him to make him leave. Mr. Fitz smiles at me when I walk into the class. "Nice jacket, Ms. Clarke." He says as I walk to my desk. I watch the door waiting for Grayson to walk in. When he does, his eyes meet mine. A strange look appears on his face but it's replaced with a smirk. He walks towards me and takes the seat that Cody normally sits in. "Meet me at my house after school. I'll be home so you can just walk in." He says. "Okay." I agree. He smiles kissing the side of my head then walks to his desk. Cody grins at me when he walks into the classroom. I look across the class room at Grayson to see him already looking my way. I couldn't help but feel my heart swell at him staring at me.