First of Two

First of Two - Chapter Ten

First of Two – Chapter 10

R I L E Y

Riley thought about it.

She didn’t understand, not at all. What Adrian had just told her felt like something that floated out of nowhere. Out of thin air—unexpected. Unlikely. What had she seen coming anyway, when she saw—felt—that there was something off about the way he smiled and laughed and looked at people?

That was part of the reasons she couldn’t say anything, even if she wanted to. Because all she could probably give him right now was her presence.

She thought about her past, of the light circumstances she had to deal with. Studies had always occupied the most part of her world. None of her past struggles seemed close to how Adrian described the monster in his head. But she also thought of how she learned to deal with her own struggles alone. She thought about how she learned to deal with being alone.

It might have even messed her brain up.

No matter how she put it, she couldn’t imagine herself in Adrian’s situation. And maybe that was it—she didn’t really have to. Maybe he just needed her. Or someone. Anyone to make him feel like he wasn’t by himself. Thinking about what to do was just becoming too much, so Riley stopped. She shut her brain for a second and focused on their hands tied together on her lap.

“Adrian.” The cold air made her lips quiver. “I don’t… I don’t understand. If you lost your memory, why do you still see him?”

For the first time, it was Adrian who took a while to respond. He shook his head and said, “It’s part of having an adjustment disorder.” A gulp followed his response as his breathing went faster. Adrian got up from the bench and let go of Riley’s hand. He looked her in the eye, his pain—hard to read—reflecting through them. “I have to go,” Adrian whispered. “I’m sorry.”

And then he was gone. Riley froze, knowing better than to follow as she stared at him walk away. Maybe he needed time. Maybe he didn’t want her presence after all. Something broke inside her and it felt like a part of her was being snatched off by Adrian who was now out of her sight.

When she pushed herself to her feet, it had been a few minutes. The lump in her throat wasn’t getting any lighter. She walked to her dorm room, not even thinking about the school work she had to do anymore.

If she lied down on her bed with her eyes shut, she could pretend that everything was alright. Even if she wasn’t sure what exactly was making it not.

Tomorrow, Adrian was going show up in his seat. She was going to take her place next to him. He was going to flash his smile, laugh with his friends, and whatever happened today, whatever worried Adrian today would be forgotten. Riley shut her eyes a little tighter.

Maybe when she would finally open them, everything was going to be fine.

A D R I A N

“Adrian.”

He heard someone say his name. The drive home was a complete and utter blur; he wondered why he was still alive at the moment. When his head was a mess, everything was a mess. Holding Riley’s hand felt like a grip. But he would be dragging her down. He should have never told her about the chaos going on in his head.

“Adrian,” he heard again. He looked up. It was his mother and she was standing by the front door. “Honey, what happened?” She sounded worried. But that was exactly what he didn’t want to happen. He couldn’t respond or else he would have to tell her the truth.

Who is he? Why is he in my memory? Who is he, who is he, who is he?

His mom’s arms were already leading him to the living room and he sat on the couch, staring out the window. “I’ll get you some water,” he heard her say.

When his mom was back, he didn’t want the glass of water. “Mom,” Adrian finally spoke. “Can you tell me about my father? Why does Jerome hate him?” Jerome was his brother. All he knew about him was that he lived with their grandparents. He’d only had one memory of Jerome; when he gave him the pendant his father had left for him before he died. They were supposed to have a pendant each, but Jerome didn’t want his.

“Adrian, is there something bothering you?”

“I keep seeing him, Mom.” Their eyes met. While Adrian’s were filled with pain, his mother’s were brimming in worry. “And I’m not talking about my father.”

He thought his mother might cry. He would comfort her. She took care of him for as long as he remembered, even if pictures were the only proof that she had been a part of his life ever since he was born. But behind her eyes, he knew she was hiding something. He knew she was the only one who could answer his question.

Who was the man in his memory? Why did he feel so much pain whenever he would appear? Why did it matter so much, enough that he had to leave Riley—the only person who’s ever seen through him, just by looking into his eyes—in the discomfort of his own problem?

It took a while, but his mom sighed and said, with her hands trembling, “You remember him, don’t you?”

“I don’t. But he’s playing with my head.” His voice was fierce, determined. “Who is he?”

“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” Her lips pursed into a thin line, like the truth was too sour in her mouth. “You… you were never in a car accident, Adrian. You lost your memory by falling off the stairs.”

Adrian’s head twisted in torment. He didn’t know whether the rest of the truth was coming from his mother’s revelation or his own memory.

Craig. That was his name. He never told anyone that he had a step-father. His mom watched while Craig’s fists, Craig’s belt, Craig’s feet slammed, hit, stung his body. Tortured. She watched—helpless—while Adrian was tortured, traumatized until his father came to visit after ten long years.

It happened on top of the stairs.

His father was bruised as Craig stopped at nothing to protect himself. A gun shot fired. Craig wasn’t fast enough. But neither was Adrian.

Now, looking up the tall flight of stairs, he trailed his eyes down until they reached the hard marble floors. He lost his memory in this house and his mother kept it from him, lied and manipulated his memories.

Adrian had one last thought before his brain stirred and his eyes shut, his grasp of reality slowly fading away.

Maybe when he would finally open them, everything was going to be fine.

PLEASE READ:

Hey, guys. Just wanted to thank you for reading this. And to let out this important note about First of Two's plot. Whale, if you haven't noticed, I twisted up the summary a little bit. I know (and I understand if you'll realize how messed up this story is after reading this chap) that this started out as a cute cliche thing. That's what I thought too. But apparently not. Maybe a little, but not as much as I expected. Trust me this surprised me big time. I never imagined it to turn to this direction but I hope I didn't blow too much plot holes into the story with what just happened with Adrian. I apologize if I did. I'm sorry for any confusion.

BUUUT THANKS FOR READING <3 (The story's not over btw, there are two chapters left).