The swan rebirth

chapter 6

Chapter 6

Riley continued to lay there in her bed for a few minutes; she couldn't wrap her head around what happened in her dream. Meeting Emma, Henry's birth mom, the same woman, whose soul was in her body. The last 4 or so months in this town she has seen and heard some crazy stories, been forced to believe unbelievable stuff. She thought her friendship with Henry would be that one thing that kept her feet on the ground so to speak. He then comes up with the idea that his birth mom's soul was in her. And yes, she totally thought it was crazy. But then she goes to sleep to find out it was true, all of it, she had Emma's soul. So now there was no denying it, Emma said all Henry wanted and needed was a friend, she could be that friend. The only thing she still wasn't sure of was whether or not her similarities where because of the soul thing or just mere coincidence, she just had to wake up so soon. She runs her fingers through her hair again "Of course, even in a dream world I can't do things right" she chuckles at herself.

After about 15 minutes she looks at the clock, it was 7:05 am now. She had to talk to Henry and apologize. She sighs and picks up her cellphone to text Henry. Hey Henry. Look I'm sorry about yesterday, but it was a lot to take in. I know it's early and we have school, but please meet me at the castle, I want to talk. Xo Riley. Riley sets her phone down and goes to get ready for school, knowing she may not get a reply just yet. Once she was done, she looks to see there is a new text from Henry. Ok, I will get hot chocolate :). She smiles at her phone "Thanks Henry" she says quietly to herself.

Both Riley and Henry make their separate ways to the castle. Henry stopping for hot chocolate, while Riley stops for doughnuts, getting herself a bear claw and Henry a cinnamon bun. The pair getting there within a couple minutes of each other, Riley was there first she sees Henry walking up "Hey Henry" she says unsure.

He gives her a pleasant smile "Hi Riley" he hands her a hot chocolate "here you go."

"Thanks" she turns to the box next to her "This is for you" she says hanging him the cinnamon bun.

"Thanks, you remembered" Henry says then taking a bite.

"That's what friends do Henry" she takes out her bear claw and starts eating it. After a couple minutes they both finish their treats. "Ok Henry I was hoping we could talk about yesterday."

"I'm sorry for overwhelming you" Henry says sincerely.

"I know" she puts her hand on his arm "and I'm sorry for running off like that. But that was a lot to ask someone to believe Henry."

"I get it" he says solemnly.

Riley gives Henry a sympathetic smile "Alright so here's the thing Henry, when I left yesterday, I wasn't sure what to think. I even considered stopping being your friend" he looks worriedly at her "but something happened."

"What happened?" looking even more worried.

"So last night in my dream I saw her I saw Emma" Riley started.

"You saw my mom?" He asks, tears starting to form.

Riley smiles "Yeah, I see why you love her, she is pretty awesome" Henry gives her a teary chuckle and nod "Oh" she wraps her arms around him and holds it a minute "she asked me to give you a hug and tell you she loves you."

"Thanks" Henry says pulling away from the hug "I hope she knows I miss her."

"She knows Henry, and she misses you too" Riley says with a smile "she really loves you, you know."

Henry nods "I know, I never questioned it, although I know she questioned if she deserved my love. You're not just saying that to try and make me feel better are you?"

"No I'm not" she takes a big breath "it's hard to explain, but she somehow, and I'm not sure how she did, she shared her feelings about you with me. Not like just talking, but somehow I just know how much she loved you."

Henry gives her a bit of a unsure look "You don't like feel it do you?"

Riley chuckles, she gets it, she felt the same way in the dream, he was her friend she didn't want to feel a love for him, especially the intense love of a mother "No you're still just my friend Henry. No I just know how much she loved you, I know how truly she loved you, from the moment she knew you were coming, how she had to bury those feelings so she wouldn't get attached."

"She never really told me about that time" Henry says sadly "I know it was tough."

"She never forgot about you, she tried, but you never left her heart or mind Henry. I know I already said it, but she really, really loved you, you where her most favorite person, her first true love" she said with a smile, hoping she was telling him what he needed to here.

Henry had tears falling again now, he nods his head "I always hoped so, I know that she wanted me to have my best chance, but I hoped she thought about me to. Thank you Riley for telling me, her letter was nice, but it was stuff I wish I could of heard from her you know?" he says know wiping his nose with his napkin. "So where do we go from here? I get it if you don't want to be friends or leave or something."

Riley shakes her head "Henry before this, you where my one and only friend. You're not going to get rid of me that easily, I want to still be you're friend, if that's ok with you" he nods "besides I kind of promised Emma I would still be your friend. I get that you're not looking for a mom from this. You're looking for the friendship you guys had. Emma made me realize I could help fill that hole you feel with her being gone. And if that's ok, I want to try, someone who understands and is there no questions asked."

Henry gives her a teary nod "I don't want to lose you either Riley. I know I told you this before, but since she died you're the only person, who helps, when I'm around you, it hurts less" he takes the final sip of his hot chocolate and sets the cup aside. "What my mom said is true; I don't expect you to be my mom or something, just a friend. No one will ever replace her."

Riley puts her hand on his shoulder "No, probably not. Moms are not replaceable, especially when you have a relationship like you two had. But I promise I will do everything I can to be that friend Henry. We are in the craziness together, we will always have each other's backs, through thick or thin" she holds out her pinky finger.

Henry takes his pinky and wraps it around Riley's "Friends, through thick or thin."

Alright guys, all that is left is the epilogue. I know this story is short, but I don't want to drag it on and on for no reason, I feel things would move along like this.