All of the Lights

Chapter Nineteen

Previously...

As we finished paying and left the restaurant, I couldn't help but notice how much Rob changed. I could tell that I had hurt him when I left. I wondered what he had been going through. It was strange to think that a person so close to me has no idea about what I've been going through. That only made me realize that whatever he was going through, I didn't know about either. Rob was just another person I affected. I still am affecting him. Everything I do is going to affect him.

He's another person I'm going to hurt... He's another person who's pain I'm responsible for. I can't hurt Rob too.

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Chapter Nineteen

Rob followed behind us as we drove back to our house. As soon as we hopped in the car, I slammed my hand against Sam's elbow as hard as I could.

"What the fuck?" Sam gave me a disgusted look.

"I hate you." I groaned. I leaned back against the car seat, wanting to turn invisible.

"You need him, Riley. I know this sucks, but he's going to help you." Sam stared out the window.

Ah, I see what he's trying to do. Great.

"No. The less people who talk to me, the happier I'll be." I tried to insist. Truth was, Sam's plan was working. He wanted to re-introduce important people to me so that I wouldn't kill myself. He thought that if I realized how much I cared about someone, or they cared about me, I wouldn't want to end my life. I would see how lucky and blessed I truly was.

"Just be nice." Sam warned. We pulled into the gate, and opened it for Rob. We drove down the curved road and parked on the driveway. Rob parked on the side of the street.

"Welcome to casa de Bernard." Sam joked, walking out of the car and over to Rob. He didn't bother to open my door.

"Nice, man!" Rob sounded excited. I'm sure he was. He was finally being invited to my house. After years of barely talking and seeing each other, he was finally allowed to step foot in where I lived.

I slowly walked behind Sam, following him and Rob inside the house. I plopped down on a couch and cuddled up by myself. Sam showed Rob around the house as I sat there and twiddled my thumbs.

This is so stupid.

The screen door opened and Cody walked in.

"What's up, pretty lady?" He asked when he saw me sitting on the couch. He sat next to me, close enough that I was leaning on him.

"Hi." I murmured. I didn't want to talk.

"Sam here?"

"Yeah. He's showing Rob around the place. They went upstairs."

"Rob's here?" Cody's eyebrows rose. He was shocked.

"Yup." I popped the p at the end. Cody let out a small laugh and nuzzled himself into my side. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer to his chest.

Stop liking me Cody. I'm only going to hurt you, too.

"Sorry, kiddo." He whispered in my ear. I sighed and folded my arms.

"Whatever." I breathed. Sam and Rob walked back downstairs and joined us in the living room. Sam gave Cody an angry glare as he sat on the couch across from us. Rob sat next to him, smiling at Cody and I.

"Hey Rob." Cody gave Rob a nod, not wanting to unravel his arms from around my stomach.

"What's up? I haven't seen you in a while!" Rob laughed.