Back To Basics

Chapter 9 - "Tie-dye & Kisses"

He couldn't even look at me. Riley thought to herself as she took the elevator to her floor. He broke up with me in his car and he didn't even have the decency to look me in the eye when he did it.

She was surprised by her reaction. When he said he "couldn't do this anymore" she just closed his door and walked away. Told herself not to look back, and she didn't. Instead of crying or getting angry, she felt numb. It was almost like it wasn't real.

She opens the front door and sees her parents and brothers, sitting at the table having dinner.

"Hey Riles, we saved you some." Josh says holding up a plate.

"I had some takeout at Charlie's...I'm just going to go to bed." She walks by them, ruffles Auggie's mop of curls and heads into her room.

She doesn't bother turning on the light. She just kicks off her boots, slips off her clothes and climbs into bed ready for the day to be over.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

In the morning she still feels numb. She takes a shower and eats breakfast with her family because she knows Lucas won't be waiting outside their coffee place to pick her up.

"Hey dad, could you give me a ride to school?" Riley asks, pulling on her coat.

"No subway today?"

"I'd rather ride with you, if that's okay."

"Of course." He gives her a warm smile and they're out the door.

At school Riley meets up with Maya by their lockers. The two girls hug and Maya starts going off on a tangent about how Josh didn't call her back last night.

"God what is wrong with your brother?"

"Lots of things." Riley jokes.

"Do you know if he's avoiding me?" Maya had a worried look on her face.

"He's probably just slammed with homework and studying for the SATs." Riley didn't know if that was the truth but she did see Josh with a bunch of textbooks on his bed this morning, so it was easier to assume.

The girls part ways and meet up again during lunch.

Riley sits next to Farkle and the two start chatting about the after school fundraiser tomorrow. The school is trying to raise money for a youth at work charity group. Students are encouraged to set up booths to earn money. Farkle and Isadora are going to tell people their fortunes based on their astrology knowledge, which should be interesting. Maya is doing face paint and Riley has yet to decide if she's even going to participate. She likes the idea of helping out for charity but she's not sure what to sell.

While she and Farkle are talking she feels someone sit next to her and an arm wrap around her waist. She has a slight panic thinking its Lucas but when she turns and sees Charlie she's back to feeling drained.

"Hey you" Charlie beams still holding her waist.

"Um hi." Riley responds trying not to make the situation even more awkward.

No one else seems to notice that Charlie has his arm around her. Riley tries not to think too much of it. Maybe he was just being friendly.

"What're you guys talking about?" He asks, tucking into his food.

Farkle fills him in, "We're brainstorming ideas for Riley's booth. So far we've ruled out baking."

"You're really into fashion, how about something with clothes?" He suggests.

Maya seems to really like the idea, "Ooo that's a good one, soufflé! I would pay big money to raid your wardrobe, Riles."

"I am not selling my clothes."