All of the Lights

Chapter Thirty

Previously...

"I love you, Sam. I only love you." I tried to make myself believe it.

"Do you love Cody?" Sam asked.

"Nope. Never did and never will." I let out another lie. I swallowed a lump down my throat.

Cody's an asshole. Get him out of your head. You never wanted him. You rejected him. You don't want him. All he ever was was a friend.

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Chapter Thirty

After a long and quiet dinner, Sam and I made our way back home. Part of me secretly wished Cody was still there.

As we pulled into the driveway, Cody's car was still parked.

He's still here. Thank God. I have to apologize before he actually leaves.

"Looks like he's all talk and no game." Sam laughed as we walked into the house. He opened the door for me, letting me enter first.

I peered around the room, searching for Cody. My eyes landed on a small brunette. She gave me a nervous smile and waved her hand.

"Hi. Sorry, we were just getting the rest of his stuff." She explained as she picked up a brown box filled with folded clothes.

"What?" I stared at her.

"We're moving in together...?" She told me again, slowly saying the words so that I would understand each one.

"Congrats, Eliza. Can I help you carry that out?" Sam offered.

Why is he ok with this?

"No, that's ok. This is his last box. He's just checking upstairs to make sure he has everything." She smiled.

"I'll go help him out." Sam scurried up the stairs. I stood there in disbelief.

"So you're really moving in together? This isn't a joke?" I asked her.

"Haha, no it's not a joke." Eliza let out an awkward laugh.

"So you love him?" I asked her quietly.

"No... I hate him." She stared at me. I gave her a confused look before she let out another laugh.

"Of course I love him, Riley! I really think that he's the one. I can see us getting married." Her smile was huge.

"Oh, yeah, that's good. That's awesome." I looked at the floor.

"I really hope you're not mad at him. I know you two have been bugging each other lately... I hope you can still be friends with him... And me. You're a big part of Cody's life. Pissing people off is also a big part of his life, so don't take it personally when he gets under your skin. He's just like that." She quietly laughed.

Stop acting like you know him better than me. You don't know him better than me.

"Yeah, I know. That's Cody for you." I gave her a fake smile.

"Talking about me?" Cody walked down the stairs with his bike helmet in one hand, and a bag of chips in the other.

"You ready to go?" Eliza asked, picking up the box.

"Yeah, I'll meet you in the car." Cody opened the door for her and she walked down onto the driveway.

"Sam, Riley; it's been a, uh, stressful few years." Cody's lip started to form into his classic smirk.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were planning on moving out?" Sam asked.

"I don't know. Didn't think you cared." Cody shrugged.

"I care, man. I care a lot about you. And even though you're the biggest douche bag I know, I'm gonna' miss you." Sam squeezed Cody's shoulder and pulled him into a small hug.

"Yeah, thanks." Cody laughed.

The oven timer loudly went off in the kitchen.

"I'll see you at rehearsal on Friday." Sam patted Cody on the back and then ran up the steps to answer to the annoying alarm.

"Bye." Cody let out a sigh.

I just stared at him with a blank expression. I felt a plethora of mixed emotions.

"Yeah. Bye." I let out.

"Anything else?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"No." I continued to stare at him.

"You sure?" He egged on.

"You're such a dick." I collapsed into his arms.

"I know." He whispered. He wasn't being cocky or joking. He was actually admitting to me that he hadn't treated me nicely. Not that I treated him any better, though.

"I don't want us to be on bad terms, ok? So I'm sorry." I wiggled my way out of his arms.

"I'm sorry too, Ri. You're a strong girl, and I admire you for that." He said in all seriousness.

"And you can sometimes be funny." I joked. He gave me a playful shove and walked closer to the door.

"See you around." He smiled.

"Yeah, see you." I felt my small smile turn into a sad frown as I watched my once best friend walk out of our house. A part of me hoped he would find his way back, but I knew he never would. He was gone and we both had to move on.

Throughout all of my struggles, Cody was there helping and encouraging me to push forward. For that, I never could stay mad at him.

Even though we fought like idiots, we still loved each other in this strange, brother-sister way.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. I let go of all of the bad memories and arguments and insults that involved Cody. I let go of the pain and neglect I had felt from him. I let go of everything. Cody and I were no longer mad at each other.

Yeah, it had to take him to move out in order for us to realize that we didn't actually hate each other, but I was thankful for that.

I was thankful for every moment I spent with Cody. Even though it hurt to watch him walk away, I knew he'd never forget the way he felt about me. I had changed his life and he had changed mine.

I don't know if Cody still has feelings for me, or even if I have feelings for him. Only time will tell with that. As of right now, though, I'm happy. I know Cody will be happy too. And that is truly all I can ask for.

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Sorry for a super short chapter, guys! I've been so busy lately. I feel like I complain about how busy I am every time I post an update...

Haha, sorry about that!

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy! Sorry if it didn't make any sense, I kind of just put this together.

Comment, vote and follow!

Xoxo,

Evolislove