Rivals

"I love you💖"

I opened my eyes and my curtains were closed and my lights were off. This was unusual to me because mum usually came first thing in the morning to open my curtain and switch on my lights.

I was sad. But I understood very well that she was disappointed. Yh.......I know, I didn't have any alcohol but she thinking I did is well......enough. Because, I mean, even if I explain to her, she will keep on wining about it over and over.

I was so tired and frustrated. I got out of bed with a thought of seeing mummy before she left to work. I quickly freshened up and I rushed down the stairs. I noticed mum and dad sitting on the dinning table with one pulled-out empty chair with food on the table in front of it.

Mum then said, "Riley, come have a seat and eat your breakfast". I went to have my seat slowly my heart beating fast. Then they began. "What happened last night?". Dad asked. "Dad, I promise I didn't have any alcohol. A waiter bumped into me, spilling glasses of alcoholic drinks on me". I said with every effort in me trying to hold back the tears. "So there was alcohol at the party?!". Mum shouted.

For some reason, mum and dad were so anti-alcohol. Probably because Dad takes health too seriously. What was wrong even if I took a sip of alcohol. By the way, I'm sixteen and half. I'll be seventeen in May and I'm technically old enough to do certain things. I mean, they didn't even give me a car though I aced my driver's test.

After a minute or two of deep thinking and awkward silence, Mum broke the silence when she said, "So you are not gonna answer me?" I remained quite. "Look, Riley, you have to understand that your Dad and I want the best for you. We don't want u being an alcohol addict." Mum said. "Especially because of those Herbetsons and their roudy son." She mummered in addition.

"Mum!" I said with disappointment in the zero amount of trust she had for me. I swear, I almost broke into tears. How can my own mum think that I could take even a sip of alcohol, much less become an addict. I was angry, sad and disappointed. All rapped up in one.

I paid less attention to all that serious talk mum was yaming about. After all, I had not had any alcohol. She went on and on until I heard mum and Dad leave the table. Dad went upstairs and mum went straight to work. I later left the table after clearing it, after my breakfast. I got up and went to my room.

It was ten. Almost eleven. I layed flat on my bed with tears silently flowing down my cheek with my teddy beside me. About thirty minutes of complete silence, without even a sniff, I heard a sound like stones hitting my window. I ignored the sound presuming it was the neighbourhood birds. I covered my ears with my pillow but the sound got even louder.

I walked up to my window with my teddy tight in my arms. There, I saw Jake. I bent down trying to dodge the stone he threw. "Emmmm......sorry" he said with guilt all over his face. " oh please.....I know you did it on purpose". I said with giggles in my voice. He dashed a killer smile at me. Mannnn! He looked hotter than ever.

"So.....what brings you hear.....to my windows?". I said trying to give a hot smile. "I just wanted to check on you". He said unusually looking shy. "Oh really?" I said trying to hold in my shyness. "Aren't you gonna take any of those your.....u know.....afternoon walks" He said blushing. God! I've never seen a guy blush so hard he looked so cute.😊

"Emmmm.......funny thing.....I'm grounded" I said turning the whole mood upside down. "Grounded?. At your age? That was a funny one. Now come on out I'm waiting". He said. "I'm serious. Mum and Dad think I had alcohol last night. You know.....because of the waiter". "Yh....right.".

"Admit you had a good time last night " he continued. "Yh. You are an amazing dancer" I said blushing uncontrollably. "You are not so bad yourself". He added.

The coversation went on and on. We laughed and smiled at each other. We talked and talked until I picked up my phone. "It's 1:37 pm" I said "Really?. When I'm with you I loose track of time". He said flirting. I blushed deeply and I finally spoke out. "Aren't you gonna leave,?"

"Yh but before I go.......Riley.... " he said. "I love you" he said as his face turned red and he looked sweaty. "Huh?" I said confused. "Riley.......I'm in love with you". He repeated. I have fallen in love with you......I love you". He added. " jake......... I don't know what to say...." I said stummering.

" Look Riri, I'm not forcing you to feel the same I just want you to know how I feel. I know you need time but I love you and you can take all the time you need to think...... I love you."
I stood in silence.
"Bye Riley" he added. I raised my hand giving a wave as he walked away.

I stood there all confused. He just told me he loved me and I just stood there. I know I said my affection for him couldn't go as far as to a romantic affection. ..........I think it just did.