𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 | 𝗦𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲

12. Hate Texts

That night I slept on the couch. It was comfy and I was warm. Riley insisted he stay with me until I fell asleep, but I made sure he didn't. I wanted him to be comfy in his own bed, not have to stay out with me and become a burden for him.

I didn't want to become a burden for anyone.

Riley let me borrow some of his baggy grey sweat pants and oversized jumpers. They didn't fit me like a glove, but then again, half of my clothes in my wardrobe didn't fit me perfectly anyway, so I was cool with the bagginess. I cried myself to sleep, although I kept my cries as silent as I could so I wouldn't disturb anyone. I was afraid I would have a nightmare that night, so I forced myself awake whenever I felt myself doze. But, eventually I fell asleep.

When I woke up, all of the Chanter's were awake, including three year old Evie. I apologised at least twenty times for sleeping in and each time they all said they didn't mind, but I couldn't help but think they were saying that just so they wouldn't hurt my feelings and they actually did care and I was already becoming a major burden for them just by being in their presence!

Pat walked Riley and I to school. They didn't live far from Sly Ridge High. Mr Chanter had work and Mrs Chanter had to drop off Evie to a toddler playgroup thing.

I didn't mind walking. The fresh air did me good after being in a fairly small house with the smell of burning waffles in the air. Pat got distracted from cooking because he had to help his mom when Evie pulled down a bunch of shelves in her wardrobe causing everything to tumble.

I wore the same thing as yesterday, a baggy maroon top, black trackies with my black converses and thin black jumper. Riley let me borrow his hickory leather jacket, which was a bit baggy, but I didn't mind at all. In fact, I loved it, the jacket smelt just like him. Mrs Chanter offered to wash my clothes even though it made me feel very uncomfortable.

"Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me-e-e. I hope I don't die." I sang quietly to myself.

"Aria, what are you singing?" Pat asked.

"Oh, um, nothing."

"Is it your birthday today?" Riley asked.

"Yeah." I confirmed.

"Why didn't you tell me? I would've gotten you something." Riley insisted.

I shook my head, a humourless laugh escaping my lips. "No, you wouldn't have. I don't like making my birthday such a big deal. Don't talk about it, Riley. I don't want others finding out."

"Okay. How old are you now, Aria?" Riley wondered.

"Fourteen." I stated bluntly. "Nothing special."

"It's your birthday, so of course it's special." Riley said, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

I chuckled a bit, leaning in to his embrace. "If you say so."

Riley sighed after a while of comfortable silence. "So, the twenty-fourth of August. I'll remember your birthday forever."

I rolled my eyes, not believing a word he said. I was surprised when I got to school, because the principals assistant was waiting outside the front doors and escorted us to his office.

Were we in trouble? Did I do something wrong? Were they kicking me out of school because I had panic disorder? Did the Nightmares have anything to do with this?

"Hey, relax," Riley said, noticing my shaky breaths and crooked steps. "He probably just wants to update us on our new classes."

Oh. Makes sense.