A disastrous book

Chapter 20: 3 days

Riley's POV

It was day two.

Once Alex agreed to give me three days to prove myself sane to him, I immediately executed my plan and started writing non stop.

He wants proof? The only way he'll actually believe me is if the same thing happened to him.

Now I just have to wait.

In the meantime, I started thinking of what will actually happen if this doesn't work, which, chances are, it wouldn't.

I'd have to keep my end of the bargain and admit that I was on the brink of insanity. I'd just tell my mom it was all stress, and that I haven't been eating well or taking care of myself or whatnot (which was half true since there was a lot on my mind lately). She'd probably make me see a therapist a couple of times, they'd tell me the exact same thing and probably prescribe me some pills, I say I'll take them and I'll slowly heal and everything would be just fine and dandy.

Easy.

But I'm hoping that I wouldn't have to resort to that, because then I'll have to be extra careful around Alex and never bring up this subject ever again, if I want to stay out of the looney bin. And honestly, I want him to believe me so I'll have someone to talk to about it. Someone who will understand.

It might be selfish of me to make him go through what I'm going through, but I honestly see no other choice.

Now I'm in a constant state of awareness of my surroundings. I'm jumpy, jittery, unable to pay attention in class, or to anything really. Just waiting for something practically impossible to happen.

I discretely take out the stack of papers I brought with me today, and go through it for the hundredth time.

This is so silly.I think to myself. What if this is all really in my head? Am I really losing it? Am I gonna end up like one of those crazy street people that have a full on conversation with themselves while swatting at invisible flies? Oh no, I can't live on the streets, I'm too spoilt for that! Where am I gonna sleep?! What if a dog saw me sleeping on the ground and took a piss in my-

"Riley-"

"I don't wanna live on the streets!" I shouted in the middle of the classroom, all heads turned in my direction while I blinked and reality popped up in front of me.

Oh that's right, I have class now.

Mr X opened his mouth to say something, but then decided, cleverly so, to seal it shut with a slight nod of his head.

"I'm not even gonna ask." He said as he presumed his lesson.

On any other occasion, I would have wished for the earth to swallow me whole, but now I just didn't have it in me to give any fuck.

The bell rang, and I messily gathered my books and papers and headed straight to the door, only to stop at the sound of him calling my name.

"Riley, a word please."

I reluctantly dragged my feet to his desk, and we waited until the classroom was empty.

"Are you okay Riley?" I sigh. Again with that concern.

"I'm okay, why wouldn't I be?" I shrugged.

"You tell me." He shrugged back. "You've been distracted all day, you look rather anxious about something."

I kept my mouth shut and looked down.

I hear some slight shuffling, and then really fancy shoes suddenly appear in my line of vision.

"Hey", he said more softly, "talk to me."

I look up to see him standing closely, way too closely to me.