Healing Hearts ✅

19. Visitors

When you lose someone it's impossible not to let it affect you in some way. Most days the memories of my brother rest in the back of my mind peacefully but there were some days when the loss was overpowering and suffocating. Today was one of those days.

The worst part is, you never know when these days will come. They sneak up on you and consume you. I roll over in bed and cling to Violet, allowing a stray tear to slip down my face. "Riley" my mom knocks before letting herself in. "Princess are you okay?" she asks as she walks over to me and sits on my bed.

"Just having a bad day" I sniffle as I wipe my tears. She gives me a sympathetic smile as she rubs my back soothingly.

"Okay" she says simply. "Get some rest. I'll call you in" she assures me. She leans forward and kisses my forehead before slipping out of the room. I turn over and stare out the window knowing that Lucas will be here any minute.

I sigh and let my eyes flutter shut as I clutch Violet tighter and fall asleep.

~ 💟 ~

"Your mom said you were home today" Lucas says as he leans against my open doorway. "You sick?" he asks worriedly as he steps towards me. I shake my head causing him to quirk his eyebrow at me. "Okay. Are you skipping?" he questions. Again, I shake my head. "Alright" he says as he moves to sit on the edge of my bed. "What's wrong princess?"

I sigh, running my fingers through my har. "Remember when I told you about my dad's bad days?" I ask and he nods. "Well this is what my bad days look like. I sit in my room with my stuffed cat and wallow. It's depressing but somedays are just hard" I explain. He nods in understanding.

"I get it" he smiles softly. "You lost your brother. I wouldn't think you could bounce back from that without having some bad days in the mix" he adds sweetly making my heart flutter. "Just remember that I'm here now. You can always talk to me if you want to."

I nod knowingly. "Thank you. And thank you for checking in on me" I add. He shrugs as he stands up.

"I'm your boyfriend. It's in my job description" he smiles as he leans down to give me a quick peck. "I love you."

"I l-."

"Who are you?" a masculine voice asks from the hallway. Lucas turns around and steps out of my line of vision allowing me to see our guest.

"Uncle Josh" I gape making him chuckle as he nods.

"Uh yea. Didn't Pangers tell you I was coming?" he asks. I shake my head and he scoffs. "Why do I even bother warning you people?" he asks playfully making me chuckle. "But really, who is this?" he asks as he points to Lucas.

A blush rises on my cheeks as Lucas stands up straight and walks over to my uncle. "I'm Lucas. I work the land here and I'm a friend of Riley's."

My uncle quirks and eyebrow at him. "A friend?" he questions.

I shoot him a glare. "Say a word to my mom and dad and I'll tell them the truth about what happened with your first refund check your freshman year" I smirk.

"Whatever" he scoffs. "Everyone drinks their first year of college. And the second and the third" he trails off making Lucas laugh as I roll my eyes. "But" he adds. "I won't tell. It's none of my buisness and you seem to be having a bad day."

I nod as the doorbell rings catching our attention. "Who could be here?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion while a smile pulls at Lucas' lips.

"I may have mentioned to Maya that you weren't feeling well today" Lucas says making me chuckle.

"You are such a dork" I smile as I climb out of bed and head down towards the door.

"Whose Maya?" Uncle Josh asks as he follows after Lucas and I. I pull open the door and come face to face with my best friend holding a bag of candy.

"Candy always makes me feel better when I'm sad" she explains making a smile pull at my lips.

"You are the best" I assure her as I open the door wider for her to come in. She steps inside and immediately I watch her eyes flick over to my uncle. Her eyes widen and a smirk pulls at my lips as I look over to find my uncle staring at her. "Uncle Josh this is Maya. Maya, my uncle" I introduce.

"You didn't tell me about your uncle" Maya says as she shoots me a pointed glare.

"That's because he's just visiting."

"Until after Thanksgiving" Josh clarifies as he takes a step closer to Maya.

"Oh" she blushes. I roll my eyes as I share an amused look with my boyfriend.

"Okay" I exclaim as I clap my hands together. "Why don't I put in a movie and we all spilt this candy" I suggest.

"I really should get back to work" Lucas says but I shake my head.

"I'll tell my parents that I got lonely and wanted some company" I shrug. "Please stay" I insist as I step closer to him. "Don't leave me alone with them" I whisper making him chuckle as he reluctantly nods his head.

"Okay" he concedes. "You really are lucky that I love you."

"The luckiest girl in the world."