Notorious Hope

8. ''You say you're scared of commitment but...''

Elliot's Bedroom-9: 42 pm, Saturday

''Well, well, well...if it isn't Elliot Gregory Jones wallowing all sad and alone in his bedroom on a Saturday night? Never thought I would see this in my life.''

Jean Dakota Wilkins, the childhood best friend of Elliot's, always has and always will be platonic on both sides.  Her wispy auburn locks transpire down her back in pigtails, never worn down and never in a bun. Her honey eyes just like his mother's, as if in another world she was his sister. 

''Shut up, El. I just saw Riley making out with that Friar kid, Lucas? Boy, she's committed to getting that signature for the contract. Heathen said that he saw her and Friar when he was on a date with Austin and she told me the same thing. The way that they were talking about what they saw is making me think that she really is falling for him or she's just playing the part really well. I think I need to keep an eye on that sister of yours.''

First meeting the meddling auburn locked teen when they were 5 in kindergarten when they were put on the same dodgeball team at recess. Since then they've been attached at the hip, like another sister he never knew he needed.

''That would really help a lot J. I just need an inside source to tell me what's going on with my little sister. I'm going to kill that cowboy if he hurts my little sister, Riley may not look like it but since Mom left she's been on edge. I know she looks all fit and content right now but on the inside she as fragile as eggshells. I know that the moment that she knows Lucas is serious about her, she's gonna bolt. We need to stop her before she leaves again.''

Riley's bedroom, 9:57 pm, Saturday

''Hey, yeah, of course, I understand what you mean. I'll get it done, I promise. I just need him to trust me. Course, November at the latest. That Friar thinks I'm head over heels for him? I'm not that hard to break. But, if he wants to play a fairytale romance, then I'll play.''

Plastering her pageant princess like grin as she sees the cowboy. Rolling up the window, allowing him to enter her bedroom.

''Hey''

Her lips curl upward, her facade in full forced motion, her arms crossed against her chest. Furrowing her eyebrows, creases moulding in her forehead.

''What're you doing here? Like I say everytime you come over if my Dad finds you here, he's not gonna care about the court case or the cops, he'll murder you anyway.''

Over-thinking her relationship as he steps into her bedroom, stepping back into a wall. 

''Riles, why are being so guarded? Are you second-guessing our relationship?''

Intertwining their fingers together, her thumb brushes against his knuckles. Her orbs zoning in on his hands. Tucking the loose locks of hair behind her ear, smirking at the golden flecks in her chocolate eyes. 

''No, course not, I know that dating you is going to be dangerous and almost life-threatening, but you're worth the risk and always will be. I would do anything to protect you, Lucas. I know you think I hide things from you because I'm guarded but, I guess I'm just scared of commitment.''

Grasping her fingertips, covering his hands with hers, pecking her forehead

''You say you're scared of commitment but...you are one of the most loyal people that I know. You would give and sacrifice anything to protect the people you love. I just, I get so fucking annoyed at the people like Maya and Missy who think because your not primp and proper like they've been groomed to be, that you have no right to be with me and that you should go to hell and shit like that. And you know what I think about that?''

Shrugging her shoulders, lazily, slipping her hands into her pockets. 

''That they're right? That you're here to tell me that we'd be better off as friends and I can go back into my dungeon of sadness? Well then, I guess I'll be going now''

Twirling around on her heels, a hand grasping around her dainty wrist. A flourish of anger rushes through her veins. 

***

''How was everybody's day today?''

Shuffling the scraps around her plate with her utensils. Days filled with long-sleeved clothing, covering the scars, bruises and self-harm. 

''Good''

Her mother's orbs linger towards her, a soothing hand rests on top of her own.

''Riley? Are you alright?''

Tugging at her sleeves, oblivious to the concern of family members. 

''I'm fine''

The bitter tone in her voice sends shockwaves across the dinner table. Her mental health on the rocks as of late. Although the ultimatum that the mental institution is only miles away gives her courage that she's always needed.

''Riley you haven't eaten anything for days, Josh told me about what happened at school today, I think you really need to go and see somebody about this sweetie. You've stopped eating and you've been lashing out at everybody. Please don't tell me you're harming again sweetheart...I wouldn't be able to live with myself.'

A death glare is sent towards Josh, blinking away the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks as her mother's hand rests on her arm. A glimmer of fury flashes through her chocolate orbs, clenching 

''How could you?! I trusted you and broke my trust! You're supposed to be my twin brother and my best friend, how can I trust anybody else if I can even trust you? I hate you! I hate all of you!''

Her world comes shattering to pieces, slamming the door as she walks down the street. The breeze brushes against her skin, drenched in rain. Admiring happy and loving families inside the houses she strolls past.

''Riley, you can't just walk away when it gets tough. And putting your life on the line for something this stupid isn't the way to go about it.''

***

''Riley, can you hear me? Riley!''

Wrapping her arms around her waist, her complexion goes ghostly white. Unaware of what's happening, completely zoned out. 

''They were right there, it was like time stopped and Mom's voice just rang through my ears and it's like she was right there talking to me. I just, I want her back, Luke, I want my mom back.''

Her head buries into his neck, wrapping her arms around him. Caressing the brunette's luscious locks, cascading effortlessly down her accentuated back. Sobbing hysterically at the thought of her lost mother.

''I need you to breathe with me, Riles, okay?''

Kissing her forehead, gazing lovingly into her orbs. Her face buried into the crook of his neck, buried in a corner as her safe place.

''It's okay, everything's gonna be alright. Come with me, we need to get into bed. Maybe you'll feel a little bit safer there.''

Lifting his girlfriend into his arms, her arms wrap around his neck as if her life depends on him. Tucking her face into his neck, her body begins to calm in his arms as they make it to her bedroom. The emerald eyed boy tucks her in, her fingers clenching the blanket in paralyzed fear.

''Luke...can you stay with me?''

Softly grinning at the brunette as she tucks under the covers with her. Unspokenly maneuvering into her bed. She uses his outstretched arm as a pillow, staring aimlessly into the distance.

''Can you not tell Stiles about this? Because then he would tell Elliot and then Elliot would tell Jughead and Jughead would tell Dad and then when Dad gets over-protective everybody else does and I just don't need that pressure right now. I want to be able to tell them on my own terms.''

Gazing at one and other as they fall into a deep sleep. Safe and secure