The Bad Girl

Chapter 11 ~ Dread

Chapter 11 ~ Dread

Jacob P.O.V

It feels weird that it's only Riley's third night staying at our apartment. It feels like she has been in my life for so much longer than that.

All because of this dumb bet with Chase.

I'm sitting here alone in my favorite 24/hour diner, drinking my hot chocolate. I ran out on Riley after we kissed.

I know. It was such a dick move.

But I was confused and overwhelmed so I just had to get out of there. Of course I feel awful about it now. But what am I supposed to do?

A better question would probably be: How do I actually feel about her?

I've spent all of the time I've known of her hating her and despising her for how she was, and now I'm kissing her? I spend a week with her and suddenly she's falling for me? How on earth did this fucking happen?

But I suppose it's different. I didn't know her any more than what I saw on the outside. I didn't know about her family or why she acted like she did. She'd been hurt too many times before and so she put up a wall.

And here I am, running away from her when I actually care about her. How stupid am I?

Yes, I care about her. She's incredibly beautiful and smart and funny and outgoing and playful and fun and everything in between. But I'm sure no guy has stuck around her long enough to see all of those things. They used her just as much as she used them.

My phone vibrates once on the table in front of my and I lift it reluctantly.

A message from Riley Dean.

'I'm sorry. We've both had a bit 2 drink and just got carried away. Plz come back.... I'm worried bout you.'

I rub my tired eyes and check the time. 1.39am.

Fricking hell.

I decide it is probably best to go back to the apartment anyway. It's going to be awkward, but I need to sort things out with Riley. And also because of the fact that I'm really tired.

*****

She is sitting on the edge of my bed. Her knees are pressed together as she fidgets with her hands in her lap, picking and examining her nails.

"Riley." I say softly, and her head snaps up.

"I didn't hear you come in," She says.

I step fully into my bedroom and walk closer to her. She stands up, and nervously looks at me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry if I freaked you out," She begins, "I've had a bit to drink."

"So you didn't mean what you said before?" I say, trying not to sound annoyed.

"Well......I did mean that. That is how I feel."

"I care about you too, Rye." I whisper.

"But you don't feel like that about me, in that way?" She tries to guess.

"I don't know," I exasperate, "This is all happening so quickly."

She looks down, quiet for a moment.

"You're right," She then says. "This is too sudden."

"Yeah." I simply reply.

"It's been a long night, for both of us. How about we just sleep on it?" Riley concludes.

"Sounds great." I offer her a small smile.

I get changed for bed and crawl in beside the already sleeping Riley. She is facing away from me, and I stare at the back of her head trying to figure out how her brain works.

*****

Of course, the morning was no less awkward than the night before.

But once we got distracted by classes and study and our friends, it got more comfortable. I think we actually grew closer over the next couple of days.

The four of us went out for lunch some days, or went bowling or to see a movie. Some nights we'd all stay in and cook popcorn and play pictionary or charades. Although, no one ever one any of the games because we'd lose score or get bored before a winner could be declared.

And even though neither of us mentioned it, I was dreading Riley's return to the dorms at the end of the week. We'd lay awake in my bed late at night talking just so we didn't waste any precious time together. I would miss her sleeping beside me, trying to steal the warmth from my body to keep herself from shivering.
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A/N: Hey,

I know this chapter was short but I'm pretty sure the next one will be quite long.

I'm slowly getting some inspiration back for this book but I'm also getting distracted with other ideas at the same time.

Thanks for the support <3

Bye xx