Ugly Girl

Twenty-Three

A/N: Sorry it is so short!

Chapter Twenty-Three: Riley

“Riley, I don’t want you to leave like this.” Ally says sadly. It’s my last day in California. I currently sit on my porch steps next to Ally and Johnny, watching the last of the moving trucks drive off. “I want you to leave on good terms.”

“Don’t worry. Just because Zoey doesn’t like me doesn’t mean I won’t think any different of you guys.”

“She does like you she just didn’t know how to react.” Johnny volunteers.

“I think that may have been the most intelligent thing to come out of your mouth.” Ally says with a snort. Her smile quickly fades, “Stay in touch Riley.”

“Yes ma’am.”

All three of us get up and hug, “My next school will be so much different form this one.”

“Because you won’t have us.”

~Zoey~

                “I-I love you.” Riley says for the umpteenth time. Someone at homecoming had videotaped Riley’s whole confession. I hadn’t been able to stop watching it. He had been so sincere and kind. He truly was a nice kid. I was the jerk in this situation. And Johnny and Ally! How would they ever forgive me for the mistake I made?

                I had left homecoming because it had been A LOT to take in. In reality, Riley was right, 100% absolutely positively right. And today at school, I would tell him.

                I grabbed my bag off the counter and slid into my jeep. Ready for the day to begin. I would apologize to Johnny and Ally and maybe even make amends with Lizzy. But then I would tell Riley that I actually did return his feelings. I smiled widely when I saw the giant, looming school. My grin only grew when I saw the four people I used to be best friends with.

                Quickly parking, I leaped out and rushed up to them, “Ally!” I called out.

                She spun around, along with everyone else. When she saw me running towards her, she smiled and opened her arms. I flew into her hug and tightly gripped her, “Ally, I’m so sorry! I made such a mistake!”

                “It’s okay, honey. It’s okay.” She soothed, smoothing my messy hair down.

                “And Johnny, I’m sorry too!” I sob, pulling away from Ally.

                He grins his stupid grin at me and I instantly feel better. He bear hugs me, “It’s okay! We all make mistakes!”

                Lizzy then steps forward. “Zoey, please forgive me. I made a terrible mistake!”

                I smile at her. “We both did.” I quickly hug her before turning to Ally, “Where’s Riley?”

                All four of them are suddenly overcome with sadness. Ally’s face falls as she steps forward, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Zoey, Riley moved to Florida.”

                My heart stops and I can feel my face fall, “W-what?”

                “His dad got stationed down there. He just found out before homecoming. I’m sorry Zoey…” Johnny sighed.

                “Wait!” Mace said suddenly, “I thought you didn’t like him?”

                “What? Of course I like him!” I cry out. Why wouldn’t I? Johnny and Ally exchange a nervous glance. They totally just discussed something in front of me without even talking. “What is it?”

                “Riley thinks that you don’t like him.” Johnny sighed.

                “We tried to tell him you do, but he wouldn’t listen!” Ally cried, gripping my shoulders even tighter.

                “B-but I do!” I feel tears well up in my eyes. “Oh no! I can’t tell him! He-he left…”