COLD TO THE TOUCH || RILAYA

E I G H T

I spent the night at the hospital talking to Riley. At times, we would cry. But we'd also laugh. Every time she smiled, it gave me hope. Hope that one day we would happen. I also remember how Lucas would give up their relationship for me to have her.

"Peaches?" she said, breaking my train of thought.

"Yeah, Sunshine?"

"Are you okay? You kinda spaced out there."

"I'm good. As long as you're safe, I'm perfectly fine," I replied with a smile. I saw her blush and look down to the floor, which made me do the same.

"Uh, how's Lucas doing?"

I felt my heart sink, just like every time I see her share the same smile she gives to me to him.

"He's doing alright, but worried just like the rest of the us. You should get to talk to him more tomorrow after school, though."

I see her smile, so I look down at my phone to see it's three in the morning, which means we've been talking for five hours straight. I laugh, confusing her.

"What's so funny?" she asks with a chuckle.

"I've just been waiting so long to have this... you know... bay window moment. Even if it's in a hospital, I'm still with you and that's all that matters. That's all that'll ever matter to me."

"Aw Peaches-"

I cut her off when I lean in and get so close to her face, we can exchange oxygen. I wanted this to be the time I can show her how much I really love her, but I couldn't bring myself to it. I look at her lips, then her eyes. I brush the hair off her face and stroke her cheek, light enough so I don't hurt her stitched wound, but just enough so she can feel my hand. She takes a deep breath, but doesn't back away.

"I really care about you, Riles, more than you could ever imagine," I said, bringing my face closer.

"I know you do. I do, too. I don't want anything to ever happen to you," she said, lifting my chin, bringing the chance of us kissing even higher.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm the reason you're in here-"

"Stop. Never blame yourself for anything that happens to me. Anything that puts me in danger is my own fault. You are the reason stuff like this doesn't happen on a day-to-day basis," she said, emitting a small laugh.

"I hope so."

"Hey Maya?" Riley said, slowly inching away.

I sigh to myself. "Yeah?"

"Can you sleepover tonight? I don't want you to leave."

"Of course."

I woke up in the middle of the night, guessing that everything that happened was a dream. But I looked around to see I was asleep in Riley's hospital room and her arms were wrapped around me. I smiled and kissed her forehead, wishing the moment could last forever. I looked at my phone to see it was five and I have six new messages. One each from my mom, the Matthews family, and the gang.

Mom: Hey baby, I hope you're doing alright with Riley. And now might be the time to tell her. Miss you lots!

"Tell me what?"

I turn to see Riley woke up and she was looking at my phone, reading the messages.

"Oh, it's nothing you need to know now. You'll know once you get out of here because it might stress you too much and that's the last thing I want for you."

"Okay, whenever you're ready."

She rested her head on my shoulder and fell back to sleep. I sighed, regretting not telling her.