The Boy From my Childhood

And Nick came Bargin' in

Notice: Point of View Change

POV: Nick

Why in the world does that Riley kid stay in a room on the freakin' third floor? There's many available rooms and he's all the way up there. I don't really want to climb up this stupid flight of stairs. The elevators never went up to the third floor for some dumb reason that I don't know. I hate to sweating so early in the morning.

I reached the top and went to Room# 210. I rehearsed what I would say to him the night before while laying in the infirmity. Something that goes like:

Me: I was acting irrationally the day before. It was solely my wrong-doing. I won't snitch on you as long as you don't tell anyone that I was choking my roommate. By the way, he's fine and doing great.

Then Riley would say something like: Yeah, man. I wasn't going to tell anyways. I apologize for causing you to get hurt too.

Yes. Yes. Then everything would be good and we could forget that this all happened and no one would need to know I lost a fight in a single blow. I grabbed onto the knob. It was unlocked, which was convenient; I'd hate to be standing out here for so long in this cold, heater-free hallway. I opened the door.

My hand immediately slipped from the doorknob. My body became stiff as a person came in view. There near the window, stood an unknown girl with a towel wrapped around her body. I recognized who it was immediately. Her short dark red hair dripped down the water fresh out of the shower. She didn't hear me open the door. Her dark green eyes just stared outside the window in silence.

I got out the doorframe into the hallway and closed the door quietly. I started walking away quickly, but couldn't. My knees nearly gave way. I leaned my side against the wall and slid down to the floor with both of my hands over my mouth from the shock. My face was burning hot and my heart was beating loudly. I was afraid it would just tear out of my chest.

"What. What the hell was that," I whispered to myself.

I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I jumped to my feet and tried cooling my face down by waving my hand at it. But, it couldn't stop burning.

"What brings you here Nick?" said a voice.

It sounded like that dull pres.

"Hey, Glen," I said smiling at him in my normal fake way, "I just came here to remind the new kid, Riley, about our class schedule today. Since today is Tuesday, we have physical education for second period. He needs to bring his PE clothes with him so he won't need to come back to the dorm."

"That's seems kind of you," Glen said.

But usual cold tone of his voice didn't.

"Why didn't you just wait for him? Class is about to start anyways," said Glen as he passed by me and started towards Riley's door.

"Don't go in there."

I clamped my mouth shut. Why did I just blurt that out? Am I an idiot or what? Glen glanced at me briefly. He's definitely suspicious!

"Why?" Glen said.

He was about to reach the knob.

"Pres-"

The door opened and Riley stood in front of him. She was wearing the school uniform. It really made her look like a guy. Our eyes met for a quick second. Darn it. My face is getting hot again. I turned away and covered it with one of my hand.

"I knew I heard voices," Riley smiled, "what's up, Glen?"

Why didn't Riley include my name?! Why didn't she say hi to me? Glen looked over his- no her shoulder.

"What's the meaning of this Riley?" said Glen with his stern voice.

What? What?! What is he looking at? I only could see Glen's big head. Why are they both ignoring me?

"What do you mean, Glen?" Riley said.

"Your room, Riley. Where did you sleep last night? There isn't even a mattress on your bed frame. And where's all of your luggage?"

Oh...he's just talking about her room.

"...was this room suppose to have a mattress?" said Riley, "I just slept on the window seat. It was comfortable."

"That seat is too small to fit any person's body. Don't lie."

Riley made a small smile and did brief laugh.

"I'll talk to the dorm head about this. What about your luggage?" Glen said.

"Ah...this is all I have. My clothes and some pocket money," Riley answered.

They continued chattering random nonsense. They're friends already? The cold-hearted school pres and the girl in disguise as a guy?! Don't tell me he knows her secret already; that he knows Riley is a girl.

"Hey Riley," I said interrupting their conversation after getting extremely bothered by their easy-going attitude toward each other and ignoring me, "I'm the person from yesterday. Remember?"

They both stared at me. On the face of Riley, I saw a quick look of discontent, but it disappeared as fast as it came.

"Oh yes. I know you," Riley said smiling slightly, "You're my desk neighbor. Thank you for allowing me to sit next to you."

"No, yesterday in my room. We spoke together," I hinted out some information so Glen would be left out.

"I don't seem to recall meeting you elsewhere, Nick."

She tilted her head and smiled. I was suddenly angry. Was she taunting me by playing ignorant!? She was pretending because Glen was here! I grabbed onto her shoulders and pushed her against the wall.

"Are you freakin' kidding?! What do you believe you could gain by pretending like nothing happened!"

"I- I don't know why you're talking about!" she said with a frighten expression.

It was all act. She had a stunningly great acting skills. My hands gripped tighter onto her shoulders. Her facial expression clearly showed that she was in pain, but a weak smile was still on her face. I can't help but want to wipe it off. Without another thought, Glen grabbed my arm. He forcefully grabbed me away from Riley and pushed me against the railings of the stairs.

"Don't touch Riley," said Glen quietly, "He said he doesn't know what you're talking about so let's leave it at that."

I've never seen him show any emotion except annoyance. I pushed him off of me. It's never good to be involved in a situation with Glen.

"Yeah...right," I said.

I stared at Riley again and scoffed and walked away down the stairs. What is that girl playing at?