Becoming Riley

Chapter 5: The Internal Awakening

Riley knew she needed more than just school as an escape from the treacherous place she called home. She became very religious, seeking God when she needed him, praying every night, and trying to attend Sunday services. But as her life progressed Riley saw no help from her Lord. She began to stop attending Church and read her bible less. It became transparent that Riley lost all hope when she entered ninth grade. She was beaten down spiritually, after seeking help several times but no one would listen. Then a light appeared in the corner of her eye in her third hour class. To her right a few desks over sat a girl; her eyes blue and silver, her hair brown with a tint of red, and a huge bag covered in whale print. The light came from the girl's bracelet but now Riley was so fixated on this girl she had never seen before but attended school with for years. It was as if a sign from above.

Coach Emerson dismissed the class after the bell rang, Riley jumped up and grabbed her stuff in a jiffy. She wanted to beat this mystery girl to the door, hoping to accidentally run into her or spark a conversation about the bracelet she had on. When she reached the door she noticed the girl was still sitting there packing her bags nice and slowly. You could clearly tell she was in no rush to leave the classroom. This made Riley even more intrigued with her seeing as students usually rush to their next class with a small five minute time slot. The girl looked up and made direct eye contact with Riley. She smiled, waved awkwardly, and stood up.

Riley didn't know what to do, she didn't wave back, she just stood there by the door as the mystery girl strolled up to Riley. "I...I like your whale purse" Riley stutters. "It's a bag and not a purse but thanks!" The girl exclaimed loudly. This startled Riley because she wasn't used to people talking to her let alone loudly. Riley extended her arm to shake the girl's hand.

"Hi, I'm Riley S. Vern. What's your name?"

"It's Anastasia Stephens! Some people call me Anna and it drives me insane ahah like I'm not already that, right?" The mystery girl giggles.

Riley's breath is lost, such a beautiful name and one she's never heard of. She just stands there and smiles back at Anastasia. "What's your next class Riley?" she asks. Riley looks at her schedule and winces. "It's Coach Cain, American Government in room 204."

"THAT'S MY NEXT CLASS TOO OMG LET'S WALK TOGETHER!!!" Anastasia grabs Riley's arm and Riley flinches. "Sorry, instinct" Riley mumbles and she allows Anastasia to hold onto her arm again. They strolled through the hallway almost gracefully. Riley enjoyed this, even though something in her stomach told this was wrong, having Anastasia by her side and on her arm. It was like no other student in the crowded hallway existed. It was just them two. And Riley felt true happiness for the first time in years.

"So why did you look not happy when you saw you had Coach Cain, Riley?"

"He's mean, from what I hear he picks on students and belittles them. I get enough of that at home," Riley mumbles the last part under her breath but Anastasia still catches it but chooses not to push that topic for now.

"Well then, we will just have to sit in the back then won't we? Problem solved," Anastasia says as she elegantly glides into room 204 and into the second to the back desk. Riley watched as Anastasia's black lacy skirt flowed so effortlessly and gracefully. She then realized she was staring at Anastasia and the bell had already rang. Riley sat down in the seat behind her new friend and imagined her life with Anastasia. She imagined going to the movies with her, hanging out at the park, even grabbing some Wendy's from down the street. It was the simple things Riley craved with this not so simple girl. Riley didn't realize it yet, but she was falling in love. And that was just the beginning.

She would stare at the back of Anastasia's head during that class period, ignoring Coach Cain as he lectured half assed notes and markings on the board. Riley started to crave Anastasia's attention, on the inside she was begging for her to turn around and say anything to her. Just to be able to look into those blue and silver eyes made Riley's heart feel gold, not rust like the way her family made her feel, but real solid gold.