Pictures Last Forever

Chapter 5

-Riley's P.O.V-

I lay in bed thinking about what Ella said before about loving me...she probably didn't mean it the way I think she did. Ella was probably just really excited and was more than likely saying it in a friendly way. I don't know why I'm giving this so much thought though. She is my best friend we could never have something like that between us. It could ruin everything. Wait....why am I thinking about this so much? Do I have feelings for my best friend??

-Ella's P.O.V-

The tickets are taped to my mirror in clear sight. I still can't believe that Riley got me 2 tickets to see Justin Bieber! He is the most amazing best friend anyone could ever imagine and I'm lucky enough to have him. He's like an older brother to me...even though he's only 8 months older than me. Riley's birthday is January 18th and mine is exactly 8 months later on September 18th. I'm honestly so lucky that he cares about me so much. Let's be honest here, if he didn't I'd be living on the streets right now.

-

"Riley" I said quietly opening his bedroom door.

As always he was sitting on his bed playing his guitar amazingly. I never could get over how well he plays and how amazing it sounds. He didn't hear me say his name and I don't think he noticed me open the door either. Riley had his back facing me so I walked over to him quietly and sat down next to him. He didn't acknowledge me or even flinch when I sat down, he just continued strumming the chords gently. All of a sudden he stopped.

"Ella" he said

"Yes?" I asked curiously

"You know how earlier when I gave you those tickets you said that you loved me?" he said

"Umm...Ya....Why?" I questioned

"How did you mean that?" He asked me

"Don't worry Riley, its not what you think. I love you like a brother. Nothing more ok" I told him.

Almost immediately I could've sworn I saw his face flood with hurt...but I tried not to pay attention because I didn't want to make it awkward.

"Ok, good" he said giving me a fake smile.

I wasn't looking at him but I could feel him staring at me intently. The tension in the room was so thick that you could probably slice it with a knife. Before I knew it Riley wrapped his arms around me tightly giving me one of his amazing hugs. I didn't question, instead I hugged him back tight. His touch sent sparks flying through me. I have never felt like this before with Riley before. His scent made me go crazy inside. It was a smell that couldn't be described but it was amazing. He didn't let me go, we just stayed there his arms wrapped tightly around me and mine doing the same around him.

"Riley" I whispered

"What?" he said back

"I think...umm...never mind" I said not having the courage to tell him that I might actually have feelings for him.

"What is it Ella. you know you can tell me anything." Riley said looking at me seriously.

"Ry...I think...I think I like you" I said quietly

"I know you like me El, we are best friends. It's kind of weird having a best friend that doesn't like you. Don't you think?" he replied.

"No, no Riley you don't understand...I'm saying that I think I like you as more than a friend" I told him.

He didn't say anything. Just stared at me. I began to get scared.

"I knew I shouldn't have said anything" I said getting up to leave.

Before I could go anywhere Riley grabbed my arm pulling me towards him. I was leant up against the wall, Riley standing in front of me. Our faces were inches apart.

"El, I have something to tell you that I should have told you a long time ago." he whispered

"What is it?" I said quietly

"I love you" He said pressing his lips to mine gently

Wait...this can't happen. Riley is my best friend we shouldn't be doing this. I decided that even though I did like Riley as more than a friend, we really shouldn't risk our friendship. I quickly pulled away and soon saw Riley's face flood with hurt once again.

"El-Ella...what's wrong?" he asked

"Nothing...I just...I don't think we should be doing this." I said

"B-b-but you just told me that you liked me" he said, his voice full of desperation

"I know I did. But listen to me. We are best friends. Do you honestly think we should risk that friendship with a relationship?" I asked him

"Can I tell you something Ella?" he pleaded.

"Of course" I said.

"I have had feelings for you for so long Ella, I just didn't say anything. When your parents kicked you out I took that as my call to bring us even closer. I know we are like brother and sister but I feel like there is so much more for us beyond just a friendship. I wanna be with you Ella! I honestly think that I have fallen in love with you, and I promise that whatever happens we will always be best friends. So please El, just give it a chance" Riley said.

When I heard him say this it honestly brought tears to my eyes. Riley, my Riley is in love with me. The look of desperation in his eyes honestly tells me that he meant every single word that he just said. There is nothing I can say to change the situation. There's only one thing I can do. I pulled him close to me and kissed him.

-

-Riley's P.O.V-

I woke up feeling someone sleeping next to me. Ella had fallen asleep here after what happened last night. I looked down to see her sleeping so peacefully. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead I got up and made my way down stairs to make us some breakfast.

"Riley, sweetie" my mom said

"Yes?" I answered

"Is everything alright? I thought I heard someone up around 1:30 this morning" she asked

"Oh ya, everything's fine mom. It was just Ella and I." I told her

"What were you two doing up at that time?"

"Mom, Ella likes me!" I explained.

"Of course she does sweetie. You are best friends" mom laughed.

"No mom! I'm saying that she really likes me. The way I like her!" I exclaimed

"Oh Riley, that's wonderful"

"Ya...." I blushed "I kissed her mom"

"Kissed who?" I heard Ella's voice say as she came down the stairs.

"You silly" I teased

"Oh ya." she laughed "Why did you get up?"

"I was going to make some breakfast...what do you want?" I asked

"Alright you guys, I'm going out for about an hour or so, don't get into any trouble" my mom said walking out the door.

"Looks like its just us for a while" Ella smiled

"Yup" I said moving closer to her "which means I can do this as much as I want without my mom saying anything" I said before wrapping my arms around Ella's waist and pulling her in for a kiss.

It was soft and gentle, Ella gave me that warm fuzzy feeling inside. When we pulled apart she looked at me and smiled.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of doing that" I told her.

She let out a small giggle, still standing close to me. "Riley, I thought you were making breakfast?" she asked

"Way to ruin a moment Ella, but ya I'll make us something. What do you want?" I laughed

"Sorry, I'm just hungry. I kinda want pancakes" she said

"OK then, get dressed we're going out."