The Bad Girl

Chapter 23 ~ Far From Being Ok

A/N- I have no idea what I'm doing.

Sorry to spring this on you out of no where but this may possibly be the second to last chapter.

The next chapter is going to be quite short so I might combine the Epilogue into it. I don't know yet.

Sorry.

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Chapter 23 ~ Far From Being Ok

Jacob P.O.V

Classes have resumed as normal. The heavy sense of loss and devastation still looms over campus like a dark cloud. The students are quieter somehow, and the teachers more forgiving.

I slide in and out of my first and only lesson for the day. The teachers words blurred together anyway, so I might as well have not gone.

"Jake." A familiar voice says.

I turn and offer a smile. "Hey, Mare."

"When did you guys get back in? Riley didn't tell me she was coming back."

I look to the floor. "It's just me. I caught a flight out late last night and got in this morning."

"Why? What happened?"

"America I really don't want to talk about it-"

"Why would you leave Riley in Vegas?!" She interrogates me aggressively.

"It's about the fire. I.....we.... there was this thing on the news last night," I run fingers through my hair. "And Vegas is just so.....so..... and I had to come home and see the building. I had to see it. I left her a note and tried ringing her this morning but couldn't get through."

"Are you nuts!?" America fumes.

"Probably." I look down glumly. "I have to go."

I turn and leave her behind in the crowd of students.

*****

I rattle the keys in the apartment door and it clicks to unlock. I sigh and step in before closing the door behind me.

"What the hell, Jacob?"

I jump and spin around. Riley stands in the living room with her overnight bag she took to Vegas at her feet.

"Riley. When did you land?"

"An hour ago. I came straight here."

I walk forward to hug her and she turns coldly.

"What's wrong?"

"Why the fuck did you ditch me?!" She yells.

"Riley, I-"

"I went back to the apartment and all your bloody stuff was gone with no trace! How scared do you think I was? How fucking angry?"

"Riley shut up!" I yell, and her mouth slams shut in shock of me yelling. "Just listen to me for one second would you? I left you a note. I wrote it down and put it on your pillow."

She frowns. "I didn't see a note?"

"Did you even sleep on your pillow then?"

"No I went to sleep at the end of the bed-" She stops and realizes. "Oh shit. I didn't even put my head near the pillow. But you could have answered my calls, or even called me at all."

"I tried this morning, but I guess you were on your flight. And if you tried calling me late last night then I was on my flight already."

There is silence, both of our minds piecing together information.

"So why did you come home?" She asks.

"I had to see the building. After what I saw on the news I had to just come home. I kept thinking about it until I cracked. I'm so sorry I scared you."

"I should have stayed in the hotel with you. I shouldn't have gone out to dinner at all."

"It's ok." I nod.

It's quiet again, before Riley steps forward and hugs her arms around me.

"I guess I'm just glad you're ok." She says.

I hug her back tightly. "I'm far from being ok, Riley. But I have you and that helps."

All I want to do is be here, with her, in my shitty little apartment I share with one of the most annoying but best friends ever and just be. Not worry or stress or be sad or be angry. Just be, with Riley Dean in my arms.

She pulls away and I notice there is pain still in her eyes.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"My Mum rang me just before you got here. She's pressing charges against Dad."

"Oh my god." I blurt out. "How do you feel about it?"

"I don't know. A mixture of relieved and shocked. I'll have to go and stand as a witness and whatever. That part is scary."

I lean down and peck her lips softly. "I'm right here for you."

Chase appears from the hallway, Paisley trailing behind him.

"Uhhh," I find myself confused and lost for words.

"Hey Jacob." Paisley smiles at me, then I look to Chase, who shrugs with a grin.

I shake my head and try not to laugh.

"We were just going to head to the memorial and put some flowers down. Would you guys like to come?" Chase asks me and Riley.

I look at her and she smiles very softly.

"We'd love to come."
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