Things Change

Part 23:

Riley:
"Dad?" I call. I push open the bedroom door to find a suitcase on his bed. He turns to face me. A handful of clothing in his hands. "Dad?" I ask stepping into his room. He sighs shaking his head. He tosses the clothes into his suitcase then returns to the closet to grab more. "What's going on?" I ask feeling my eyes start to water. "I gave your mom the divorce papers this morning." He stated. I blink back the tears. "She asked me to leave." He added after a moment. I shake my head. "You can't." My voice cracks. He stops packing his bags to look at me. "I'm sorry, Riley but I don't have a choice."
"This is your house too. You don't have to leave." I say. He steps towards me. His hands finding my cheeks as he wipes away my tears. "It's just temporary." He assures me. "What about me? I told you I don't want to stay with her." I remind him. He drops his hands from my face. He steps back to the suitcase on the bed and zips it up. "Look, just stick it out with your mom for a few more weeks until I can get a place. For now this is the best place for you."
"Dad-"
"I love you, Riley. This isn't the life I imagined for you." He stated. He grabs the suitcase off of the bed. "I'll call you in a few days." He assures me. He kisses the side of my head then leaves. I hastily wipe my tears turning on my heel to follow him. I stood by the front door as I watched him out of the drive way and drive away. My heart sinking. What was I going to do now? "Riley, I'd like to have a word with you." My mother appeared behind me. I suck in a deep breath turning to look at her. "I'm not up for dealing with you at the moment." I state. She lets out a dry laugh. "Well that's to bad. I am your mother and though you may not like me you'll have to deal with me. I know that you took Edgar's wallet." She announces. "Did you have a nice time shopping?" She smirked. I roll my eyes at her. "Now I just want you to know why I did why I did." She paused. "Mom I really don't want to hear your excuses." I say.
"They're not- wait what exactly did your father tell you?" She asks.
"Mom I don't-" I start to say but she cuts me off.
"I wasn't the only one carrying on an affair, you know. You're father was dating a co-worker. We both knew about our affairs but we didn't do anything about it until your accident." She paused. "We tried to make things work when we moved here but the truth is we don't love one another. That's why I was okay with the divorce papers. I just don't see a need for him to be here." She explain.
My head was spinning with all of this new information. Why didn't my dad tell me?
"Honey," My mom spoke. She steps towards me. I shake my head. "I'm late for school. I'll...I need time to think." I mumble.
I toss my bag onto the passenger seat and start the car. My mind was in a jumble. Why would my dad lie about his affair? Why didn't they tell me? I guess it was better to pretend then to tell me that they had a loveless marriage. I grab my phone dialing my dad's number but he sent me to voicemail. I groan in frustration throwing my phone onto the seat.
The parking lot was empty when I pulled into my usual parking area. I wipe the tears away from my face as I head inside. The sound of my shoes was the only sound filling the silence. I walk into the office to get my pass for being late to class. The receptionist eyeing me as she scribbled onto the pink slip. Hastily she hands me the pass sending me on my way. I mumble a quick thank you then leave the office. I stop at my locker shoving my bag inside then head to class. I was already twenty minutes late.
When I approach the class room I notice that the lights are off and the projector was going. Mustering all the courage that I had I open the door. I notice a few looking in my direction. My eyes traveling to Mr. Fitz who was sitting at his desk. "I'm sorry." I whisper handing him my pass. His eyes scan over mine. I know he noticed that my cheeks were red and puffy. "You okay?" He asks. I bite my lip as the tears start to form in my eyes. I shake my head letting out a small sigh. My voice felt think. "Just stuff. I'm okay." I whisper. He gives my hand a gentle squeeze then nods towards my desk. I force a smile then walk to Susan and Daniel. Cody smirks at me as I slide into my seat. "What kept you held up, hot shot?" He asks in a whisper. "Slept in." I lie so easily. He shakes his head but smiles. His attention returning to the projector. I look over him to see Greyson looking in my direction. I wanted to talk to him but I couldn't since our fight. If you even could call it that. I look away from him. I rest my head on my arm trying to pay attention to the film.

I wake up to a pair of hands on my shoulder. I lift my head to see that the lights were on and the class room was empty. Mr. Fitz was standing in front of me. "I'm sorry." I said rubbing my face. "Riley, I understand that you are going through something but when you are in class all I ask is that you focus. Just think of this as your escape. You don't need to worry about anything else but English in here. I read your paper. So I know that you enjoy reading." He flashes me a smile. "With that being said I'll let it slide this one time." He states. I nod gather my bookings. I stand from my desk walking towards the door. "Riley," He called my name. I turn to look at him. "If you ever need someone to talk to my door is always open." He offers. I nod. "I'll keep it on my mind." I assure him then leave the class room.
"Riley!" Asher calls my name rushing toward me.
"Hey, I wanted to apologize for standing you up the other day. I didn't mean-"
"You could have called." I cut him off. His eyes scan over mine. "I'm sorry. Something with my family came up but I would really like to make it up to you." He said. I ponder on it for a moment. I didn't really have time for a relationship in my life. I sigh. "Please, I promise you won't regret it." He pleads. "Fine but if you don't show up this time then you don't get another chance." I threaten him. He chuckles. "I'll be there. I'll call you later?" He asks. I nod. He kisses my cheek then rushes off to class. What was I do?