Changes

Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

**Riley’s POV**

It’s really early, around five, and I am about to get on the bus. I have everything I need. I left the letters where they would be seen beside the flowers I got for Mum. I thought the flowers might help but how are they really?

We pulled out of the bus station and headed out of town. This is it. I put my headphones in and started drawing; trying to blink the tears away. Goodbye Melbourne.

**Gina’s POV**

It was just after nine when I got up. I walked into the kitchen and saw a gorgeous bunch of flowers on the table; they were next to a bunch of envelopes, each with Riley’s handwriting. Each envelope was addressed to someone different; there was one for me, Beau, Luke, Jai and, Nonna and Nonno.

I sat down and opened the envelope addressed to me. I started to read…

“Mum,

I don’t really know how to say this, I guess that is why I am writing it down. I am leaving town and I am sorry. By the time you read this, I have already left. I am so sorry but I can’t stay in Melbourne anymore. I need to go. I need to do this. I need to find myself and decide my future. I don’t know when I’ll come back, but I want you to know that I will be ok. You all will be. I know you will all look after each other. Please don’t be sad and don’t look for me. I love you always Mum. I promise I will be back one day nut I really don’t know when that will be.

Love always,

Riley xxx”

Just as I finished reading, Beau came into the kitchen and noticed I was crying; he asked “Mum, what’s wrong?” I looked at him, without saying anything and handed him the envelope addressed to him. I then got up and went to my room. I needed some time to process this.

**Beau’s POV**

I’d just woken up, so I got out of bed and walked into the kitchen to get some breakfast. Mum was sitting at the table, crying. I said “Mum, what’s wrong?” She looked at me, then handed me a envelope, she left the room without saying a word. I looked at the envelope in my hand, noticing it was addressed to me. I took a seat at the table as I opened it and took out the letter. I started reading…

“Beau,

I know you won’t understand this nut I have to go. I’ve left and I can’t tell you where I am going. Please understand that I need to do this, I can’t be here at the moment. One day I will be back, I just don’t know when. You and the boys have created something so incredible and special. I know you will go far. You can do anything you put your mind too. I know I don’t have to say this but please take care of everyone including yourself. I’m sorry, I hope you can forgive me, someday.

Love always

Riley xxx”

I can’t believe this. I raced to her room; all her stuff was gone, she was gone. I thought she was getting better. I raced into Luke and Jai’s room yelling at them to “GET UP”. They both looked at me and rolled back over. I then said “Boys, GET UP, Riley’s left. Get to the kitchen now and look at the envelopes. I’m going to check on Mum.” As soon as I said that Luke and Jai both got out of bed and went to the kitchen when I went to check on Mum.

**Jai’s POV**

I heard Beau yell “GET UP”, I groaned, rolling over and pulling the blankets up; then he said “Boys, GET UP, Riley’s left. Get to the kitchen now and look at the envelopes. I’m going to check on Mum”. I knew immediately by Beau’s tone that he was serious. I got out of bed, as did Luke and raced to the kitchen with Luke. Just like Beau had said there were three envelopes on the table. Luke and I both grabbed ours. I said to Luke “I don’t know whether I want to read this but I am going too”. I began reading…

“Jai,

I am sorry that you had to find out this way. I wanted to tell you but I knew if I did, you wouldn’t let me go. For me, at the moment, being in Melbourne hurts. You have everything going for you. Follow your dreams and never give up. I’m sorry for everything I have put you through. I hope one day you can forgive me for leaving. I love you Jai, I’m sorry too.

Love always

Riley xxx”

I can’t believe she is gone. How could she leave without saying goodbye? I guess she is right. I wouldn’t have let her leave. I got up and walked to Mum’s room; she was sitting with Beau in silence.

**Luke’s POV**

I walked into the kitchen with Jai and we grabbed our envelopes. Jai looked at his envelope then looked at me and said “I don’t know whether I want to read this but I am going too”. I watched as he began to read, so I started to read too…

“Luke,

Please don’t be angry. I am sorry for everything. I need you to know that you have an amazing heart and you are going to go far in life. I’ll be back one day, I promise, I just don’t know when. I’m sorry. I love you.

Love always

Riley xxx”

No, she can’t do this, she doesn’t get to leave. She doesn’t get to run away. I walked back to my room, got changed and left the house.

**Riley’s POV**

After six hours on that horrible bus, I am finally here. This is my new home. Port Macdonnell in South Australia is my new home. A new town in a new state. I went to my new house and dumped my belongings. Now, its time to go to the local hairdressers and change my hair, I don’t want anyone to recognise me.