The Better Life

Chapter 22- Redemption

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I was lost in his lips. These lips that I have been wanting to kiss for the longest time, and now I can without worry. Tanner wrapped both his arms around me and kissed me harder. I broke off and looked into those beautiful eyes of his.

"Why did you do that?" He asked.

I was shocked. I took a step back. "Wait, so I'm not supposed to kiss you?"

"No, it's just- since when did you want to kiss me? I mean that just doesn't happen."

"Well, it just did." I looked around. That wasn't the reaction I was hoping for... "I should get back to class..."

"Riley wait!"

But I was already leaving the room. That had to be the most embarrsing thing in the world. Did that really just happen? It'll be fine, I told myself. Just three more days and school is over, and I may never have to do that again, no matter much it hurt.

*~*

I stood backstage and looked out at the audience. Tanner and I were up next. Mason wasn't talking to me and I am very said to say that Masolissa has broken up. She cried for hours but assured me that it was for the best.

And if you're wondering about the nightmares, yes. They still haunt me every night. Tanner has been staying over a lot lately and sits in my room with me. He swears that he hasn't been kicked out.

Currently though, I am mentally screaming. The song we're about to sing shows every emotion I've ever had for Tanner.

Today is the day I will tell him I love him.

This song say it all. Since Tanner's stay in the nurses office we have been acting like we're dating but... We haven't called it official. Hopefully, after today, we can.

"Hey." Wilson came up behind me, making me jump.

"Hey.." I mumbled.

"You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. I'll be fine."

"Okay. Break a leg up there." He kissed my temple and walked to the seating area in front of the stage.

Am I actually about to do this?

"Yes you are."

"Jesus, Tanner!" I shouted. "People really need to stop scaring me."

"Just think! After this, there will be one week of school and then summer vacation. Though, you have to come back next year."

"Well, I'm sure I'll be graduating quicker than you think."

"What makes you say that?" He said as he draped his arm over my shoulders.

"Let's just say... I have enough credits to graduate with you."

"How? You missed two years of school."

"I have the brains to be in University."

"Well, then. That makes me feel stupid." He nuzzled his face into my neck.

"Stop it." I smiled and shoved him off me. "We have to go on."

"Let's do this."

We walked on stage, he grabbed his guitar and introduced himself and myself to the crowd.

"We will be singing..." He looked at me.

I smiled. "Everything has changed, by Taylor Swift"

And so we started...

*~*

I dropped my eyes to the ground as we finished. I looked out at the crowd, who were on their feet cheering. I smiled and turned to look at Tanner. He smiled and I hugged him. I held him tightly, frightened that if he let go, I may just fall into the crowd. I broke off from the hug and looked out at the crowd again. I spotted Wilson, who was smiling.

"Tanner," I tugged on his shirt like a five year old. "Wilson is smiling that we're actually doing something together for the first time."

"Yeah." He looked at the ground and back at me. "Can you go down to the crowd? I have somnething I need to do."

"Okay..." I raised my eyebrows and walked down to the crowd.

"Okay!" Tanner said as he tested the mic. "I have a song I would like to sing to a certain girl, that is really.... just amazing. I can be dangerous, as most of you know. But she saw past that and well... this is for-" He paused and looked right at me. "Riley Carmell."

The crowd gasped and whispered. He rushed to my cheeks.

"Tanner, what are you doing?" I scolded.

"Just listen, please." He pleaded.

I nodded.

Then, his voice rang out like an angel's, making me feel warm and safe. Demons by Imagine dragons was what he was singing. I knew the whole meaning, too.

I smirked and looked at my feet as he reached the second chorus.

"When you feel my heat, look into my eyes. It's where my demons hide it's where my demons hide. Don't get too close, it's dark inside. It where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide."

Girls whispered beside me. "She's so lucky." and, "If she won't have him I gladly will."

He was finishing and finally, the last words held me in their tight grip, then released me. Everyone was whispering again some were clapping and then, there was me. I didn't know what to make of this. I walked up to the stage. But no thank you left my mouth.

Of all things, I said; "You're an idiot, you know that right?"

Nice one Riley.

"I just can't please you, can I?" He said, and marched off the stage.

Oh man, I screwed up.

I ran out the doors after him, shouting his name. He stood outside leaning against his truck. He was drenched in the rain that poured down endlessly.

"Tanner!" I said as I opened the doors.

"What? Come here to reject me again, Carmell?"

"No." I jumped as each rain drop fell on me. "I came here to tell you what I've been trying to tell you for weeks now. Hell, maybe even years. But this time, you were blind."

"What?"

I took another step closer to him and looked up at his beautiful blue grey eyes.

"Tanner middle name I do not know, Mattson." I said confidently. "I have loved you ever since I was fourteen years old, and I never stopped. Even when I was in a coma, I loved you."

"What are you saying?"

"I've seen all of your demons. I love them as much as I love you. I love you Tanner. I love you."

He didn't respond, he just kissed me. A kiss in the rain.

It never seemed so perfect.

We broke off, my face held gently in his hands. "Riley Alicia Carmell, I love you too."

And we sealed it with a kiss.

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Hello! This is the final chapter, but I will be writing an epilogue. This was short but I needed to finish do I could write a 1D fanfic and then a bunch of other books! I love you all so much for reading this, you don't know how happy I am to see I had reached over 400 hundred reads over a two day period of time. You are all so wonderful, and I hope you read my other stories.

Xoxo, Juli