Girl Meets New Years Eve

Chapter Twelve: Everythings Coming Undone

R I L E Y

I followed Charlie out to the roof, silent the whole way up. I glanced down at the street below, silently observing the lights. Charlie cleared his throat after a while, his eyes focused on me. Taking a breath I turned my face slightly, so I could look at him.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Charlie asked curiously. "Or was this just a clever stunt, to get me up here alone?" A smirk growing in his face.

I furrowed my eyebrows slightly, confused on his sudden smirk. Shaking my head, I took a breath. "No.. It wasn't a stunt. I really do need to talk to you" I say quietly looking down at my hands.

"About what babe?" He asked, tilting his head ever so slightly.

I glanced up at him, bitting my lip. "About this.. About us." I finally managed to say after a while.

Charlie raised an eyebrow looking at me, a bit skeptically. "Alright.. What about us?" He asked, leaning against the wall.

"Us, this whole thing. It's just not working out." I said quietly, looking over at him.

His face furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, not working out? I've learned all your favorite things, picked up on your little quirks. I've worked so hard for this, for us, isn't that enough?" He asked, looking at me in frustration.

I looked at him, processing the words he'd said. Sure it was true, he was trying, but hearing that didn't change my feelings. Any other girl in that moment, would have instantly regretted even having thought of breaking up with him. Sadly, I wasn't any other girl.

"No." I said quietly, flashing an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry Charlie, but it's not.. For a relationship to work, it needs more. It needs two people, who are willing to put in the effort. You're putting way more into this than I am... It's not fair of me to keep stinging you along. You deserve better." I said softly.

"Riley... Babe, come on, you can't be serious right now." He said taking a step towards me, holding his arms out. I took a step away from him, shaking my head again.

"I'm serious Charlie, I can't keep doing this.. We're done" I say quietly, not looking up at him.

"This is about Lucas isn't it. You can't honestly tell me, you've still got feelings for him." He said in disbelief.

"This isn't about Lucas. It's about you and me." I say quickly, looking up at him.

Charlie rolled his eyes. "It's always about Lucas, can't you see the guy doesn't deserve you!?" He asked raising his voice, as he took a step closer to me.

"And you do!? I'm sick and tired of you parading me around, like trophy you need to rub in other people's faces. You constantly rub it in Lucas' face, that you've got me. News flash. I'm not a prize to be won!" I snapped at him turning away from him, as I head back inside.

"This conversation isn't over Riley." he called as he started after me. "You can't just walk away from me."

"No. Actually I think it is." I spat going through the door, heading down the steps. "I can do as I please, thank you very much."

...

THIRD PERSON | POV

The Matthews living room, was bursting with excitement, as the finale thirty minutes of the year rolled by. The noise in the room was pretty loud as everyone conversed, with one another at the same time. It wasn't however too loud, since the moment the front door was slammed shut everyone grew silent. Everyone's eyes seemed to turn towards the front door, curious to see what caused the slamming. In through the door stepped Riley, her face a mix of anger and frustration.