Butterflies (A Before You Exit fanfiction)

Chapter 19

*(the next day)*

TOBY'S POV

It's 10:30 and I woke up a half hour ago. And I'm really worried about Maria. I mean, mine and Kaitlin's relationship is going great, but now since Riley keeps on disappearing, I don't know what's gonna happen. But, it's not like I can take her right away. I mean, from the way Connor has been staring at Maria and sometimes even smiling, I think he likes her too. I don't think that Riley knows, though. I doubt that he knows that I know. This is awful. Riley, Connor, and I are all crushing on the same girl. Well, with how Riley's been acting I don't even know.

"I'm going to Starbucks." Riley said to Connor and I.

Crap. He's doing it again. And I could of sworn I just same him smiling at his phone. Unbelievable. We've gotta do something about this now.

"Okay." Connor and I said while giving each other the look, but Riley didn't notice because he was too busy smiling at that damn phone.

As soon as Riley closed the door Connor asked, "You thinking what I'm thinking, lil bro?"

"Definitely. This has to end. Call the guys, but not Jeremy. You know, just in case Riley is doing something against the boyfriend/girlfriend code. I think we both know that Jeremy would try and beat Riley. And the girls are sleeping so that's perfect timing. We wouldn't wanna get them involved unless we have proof that Riley's doing something he's not supposed to be doing." I answered.

"Okay. One sec." Connor said and left the room, most likely calling Braiden. Thomas stayed with Braiden last night.

Connor came back to me about two minutes later and said, "They're on their way."

"Okay."

Braiden lives a little farther away to my house than Jeremy does, and Jeremy is at the end of the block, so it's like a 5 minute walk.

"Wait, are they walking or driving?" I asked.

"Driving. I figured that we could get there earlier. We gotta catch him in the act, you know, take a picture. Maria isn't gonna believe us."

"O-" I got cut off by a beep outside.

"I guess they're here. Leggo." I said.

When we got in the car, Braiden said, "So, we're going to Starbucks to spy on Riley because?"

"Because we see him smiling at his phone, then going to Starbucks like once or twice everyday. I mean, yeah we go to Starbucks everyday but twice, never." Connor explained.

"Okay. And if he's doing something he's not supposed to?" Thomas asked.

"We take a picture. Then, we go up to Riley, while he's in the act, but we don't mention the picture. I'll be recording so if he tries to tell us not to tell Maria, I'll show her the tape, plus the picture." I said.

"Okay. Let's get this show on the road." the guys said.

*

Okay, we just got here and Thomas is parking the car.

We all got out and Connor pointed to the window and put a finger to his mouth, telling us to be quiet. He crouched down, and waddled over to the window. The rest of us followed. Thank God there's not anyone else really outside.

I instantly spotted Riley, all of us did I bet.

Unbelievable. What does he think he's doing?

I ran through the door and up to Riley. His back is to me so I put my hand on his shoulder and roughly turned him around.

He stared at me with wide eyes.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I asked him.

"Uhm... um.. uhhh..." Riley stuttered.

"What the fuck dude?" Braiden yelled as he walked in. He never yelled, or cursed. That made Riley's eyes grow bigger.

Then, Braiden did the absolutely unexpected: he punched Riley in the nose.

Before I knew it, they were on the ground, physically fighting for the first time.

*

Thomas, Connor, and I pulled Braiden off of Riley and dragged him outside and into the car.

"What the fuck is his problem? Why the fuck would he do that?" Braiden was screaming.

"Relax. Breathe, Braiden. Just breathe." Thomas said calmly to Braiden.

Braiden started taking big breaths and then the angry expression and the bright red on his face faded, and was replaced with his normal color and a hurt expression.

"I'm really sorry guys. I just can't believe that Riley would ever do that. But I'm not gonna apologize to Riley, or just yet, because he deserved it. Crap- who taped it or got a picture?" Braiden asked, suddenly sounding worried.

"I did. None of you nimrods even noticed me take my phone out. Toby, I know, there was nothing to tape. But, I taped Braiden and Riley fighting." Thomas said, waving his phone in the air, obviously proud.

"Okay. Now the hard part. We gotta tell the girls, and Jeremy. Someone call him and tell him to meet us at the girls' house?" Connor said.

"I got it." Thomas said.

"Great. Kristina, Jenna, and Jeremy are gonna beat the living crap out of Riley. And all hell breaks lose."

*

We just told Maria everything. At first she looked like she was gonna kill someone. Now, she's sobbing.

She was sitting on Braiden's lap, with me to her left, Connor to her right, and Thomas sitting on Connor's lap. 'I want to be close to my Smiley' he said as he sat on Connor's lap a few minutes ago. Jeremy, Jenna, and Kristina were sitting on the coffee table in front of us. They look so pissed.

"Hey, don't cry." Jenna said.

I could've sworn that I saw a light bulb over Kristina and Jeremy's head. They looked at each other and nodded.

Then, Kristina said, "How about Jenna, Jeremy, and I go get some Starbucks for you and the rest of us. Starbucks will help with anything. Trust me."

"Okay. But shouldn't we all go?" Maria asked.

Kristina shook her head. "No. You guys are all comfortable and the guys will keep you company. They're doing an excellent job of it. Plus, you guys are all snuggled together so we'll go."

"Okay." Maria said. Then, Jenna and Kristina, as if having the same brain, winked at Maria and wiggled their eyebrows. Maria blushed. She's so cute. Uhm... okay that was awkward.

*

They've been gone for 15 minutes. I know that doesn't sound long but according to Jenna, she was driving, so it was less than a minute drive for them. They should've been back 5 minutes ago. I know that it's not long but I think that they have some kind of plan to hurt Riley. I'm getting a little worried.

*

Okay. Now it's been a half hour. They definitely should have been back by now. Something's not right here.

"Where could they be?" Maria asked.

Connor's, Braiden's, Thomas', and my eyes all went wide. Since he didn't have to make an excuse he could go whenever he wanted. Then, the girls and Jeremy probably saw the same thing we did. Oh God. All three of them said they would hurt Riley if he hurt Maria. And she's laying on Braiden, tears coming down her face. Crap.

Braiden moved Maria to the other couch while the rest of us got up and ran to the car.

"Where are you guys going?" Maria yelled, running after us.

Then we stopped and looked at each other. Should Maria come with us?

"She should have the choice." I said then we all looked at Maria. She had pure worry in her eyes. Awh.

"Okay. Remember when the girls and Jeremy said they would hurt Riley if he hurt you? Yeah well we saw him in Starbucks today, so I bet they saw him now and if we don't get there quick.... well... I don't even know what would happen. So, do you wanna come or stay here?" Connor said in one breath.

Maria thought about it for a little then said, "I'm definitely going."

Then, we all ran to my house and into Connor's car. Luckily Connor had his keys on him. 'You never know when they'll come in handy' he said when we asked him about it.

Once we got to Starbucks, you can see Riley's and Jenna's car parked. They're just not in Starbucks. Wait... there's a park across the street!

"Guys! The park!" I exclaimed.

Then we all took off running again towards the park. And there they were. Jenna, Kristina, and Jeremy screaming at Riley.

We ran to them.

"Guys! Let me handle this." Maria said as she stepped in front of Riley. He looked terrified. They probably did a lot of threatening, but luckily, nothing physical because we got there in time.

Then, Jeremy took off and made a bee line for Riley with his fists clenched. Crap.

But, luckily, Thomas and Connor were there in time to stop Jeremy. Now, they're holding him back. Then, the girls started for Riley. Now, it was mine and Braiden's turn to hold them back.

When we finally got them under control, Maria said to Riley, "I trusted you. You said you would never hurt me. I just want to know, why would you do this? What did I do wrong?"

Riley just shrugged.

"Pathetic. That's what you are. You couldn't even face me. Phony. Fake. Assfuck. Liar. Bastard. Hypocrite. What kind of real man treats a girl like this?" she asked him.

Riley shrugged again. Bad move dude, bad move.

"What you can't even talk to me? I don't even know what I did wrong!" Maria exclaimed.

Riley looked away.

"You know what? I don't even know why I'm trying. I don't know why I'm crying over you. Yeah, I don't know why you, or anyone for that matter, would do something like this, but you know, some people are lying cowards, so yeah, I guess you're one of them. I never thought you would be, when you sang to me on our first date in June. But, no one ever does. Fuck you. Fuck everything about you. Fuck this. Fuck off. I'm gonna say this once, Riley McDonough: if you ever talk to me again, or decide to be a bigger ass than you already have in whatever way, I will fight back. Never talk to me again and leave me the fuck alone. I don't want a fucking hypocrite like you in my sight." Maria said. Then, she ran.

"All of that goes for you too." I said pointing behind Riley.

Jeremy punched Riley and then yelled 'come on!' to the rest of us. Then, we all ran. Apparently, Maria ran to Jenna's car. I guess they need their girl time. But, we are going back to Maria's.

*

When we finally got back to the girls' house, and settled in for good, it was around 6. We ordered Chinese and brought a bunch of funny movies without any romance into Maria's room. She decided that we, Jenna, Kristina, Jeremy, Connor, Braiden, Thomas, and I, were all gonna sleep in her room. Since she had a queen bed, that's where the girls slept. The guys and I somehow fit our sleeping bags on the ground. Maria gave us all blankets and extra pillows. Then, we all sat in front of the tv and watched the movies until about 1am. Connor was sitting on the left end, then Braiden, then Kristina, then Maria, then Jenna, then Thomas, then me, then Jeremy. I guess that the girls could comfort Maria like the guys and I can't. Whatever. I'll have plenty of time to comfort her now.

"Guys?" Maria said.

We all turned our heads towards her.

"Will all of you promise me to never cheat on someone? That if you wanna be with someone else, just to tell them?" Maria asked.

"We promise." all of us said.

Then, Maria asked if her and I can sit on her bed. Of course, they all said yes. Connor seemed a little jealous. Ha. Whatever.

MARIA'S POV

Toby and I are now sitting on my bed. It was so nice to have him with me.

"Are you okay?" Toby asked me.

I kissed his cheek. "Kinda. But the real question is: are you okay?"

He smiled and said, "Same as you. But now we can be there for each other." then he kissed me on the cheek too.

Okay. Yes, I still like Connor and I thought I got over Toby. It's probably just a friend thing. I'll probably get really close to him now. And I'm glad. He's a good friend.

Now to the real business. Why was I asking if Toby is okay? Well, it's because he caught his own brother kissing his girlfriend.

Yes, you heard me right. Riley is cheating on me with Kaitlin, and Kaitlin is cheating on Toby with Riley.

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Hey! School started today and I haven't updated in a few days so I decided to update today when I'm not doing math homework as a living! So, now that schools starting I won't have as much time to update. I'll update when I can and I'll try and make them long.

Next, how do you guys like this chapter! omfg it was so fun to write! But, some of the chapters I write are filler chapters aka the boring ones.

Then, there's this. OMFG I REACHED 600 READS THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH I LOVE YOU ALL! ILYSM ILYSM ILYSM!

Okay so. My goal is to get 1k reads before the new year. So hopefully I'll reach my goal! And every time I get 100 reads my goal will go up 25.

Last, I feel like I'm writing an essay. Anyway, since this chapter was mostly Toby's POV except for Maria's at the very end, I didn't do the girls' outfits. Anyway, vote, like, comment, all of that.

Oh and to the people who comment thank you so much for the support! It makes me feel so good inside when people like my writing! So thanks again and ily all!

~Maria💕