Not As Different As They Thought

Chapter 9

Riley's POV

"He's been like this with everyone, except you mom."

'Bull shit! You know the real reason! Now tell her!'

My mom gasped and glared at me, "Watch your language, mister."

I would have been sarcastic and signed it again this time watching my hands, but I'm in enough trouble as it is. And I'm too pissed.

"I'm out of here!" Rachel yelled and began to walk to her room.

"No Rachel, you will get back here till someone tells me what's going on!"

She rolled her eyes and sat on the stairs and went on her phone. I'm pretty sure she muttered, "Whatever."

"Riley. What is going on here?"

Do I get in even more trouble by being silent? Or do I make her feel pity for her son and disappointment for her daughter?

'I can't say mom.'

"Why?"

A tear slipped down my cheek, 'You'll never forget.'

To explain what happened next, let's just say my mom started sobbing and she made us all have a group hug. I'm not in trouble anymore, and neither is Rachel, but in a way we're still being punished. Because now we are having family dinners every single night (no excuses) and a movie night every single Saturday night for family bonding (also no excuses). That's gonna be fun.. not.

Right now it's 1 in the morning and I'm just laying in my bed in the dark. I can't sleep. Suddenly though, I got a message to distract me from my insomnia.

B- Hey, you awake?

R- Yup

B- I can't sleep

R- Me neither

B- Hey can I ask you something?

**

"No one loves you!"

"You're a mistake!"

"Kill yourself!"

"Why are you even here?"

"Stop it! Stop it! Please!"

It won't stop! Everyone hates me. Even Beck. I'm a nobody!

**

I shot straight out of my bed, breathing heavily.

"It was just a dream..." I let out a breath, "Thank God."

I heard my phone buzzing. Beck was calling. It's been a half hour since he texted me, and I left him on typing. Shit.

B- Riley?
B- You okay?

R- Yeah, sorry. I... fell asleep

B- Oh did I wake you? sorry

R- It's okay
R- What did you want to ask me?

B- I was wondering.. would you want to go to a movie this weekend?

R- Sure!

B- Okay, great! :)

R- :)

B- But like.... would you like to go as more than friends?

Oh. My. God.

R- Yes, I'd like that a lot

It took him maybe less than three seconds to send his next reply.

B- There's this new comedy movie coming out on Saturday. Can I pick you up at 7? The movie starts at 7:30. And I could take you out to dinner after that, if you'd like.

R- That sounds awesome. I can't wait.

B- Me neither. :)

My heart is literally beating out of my chest right now. And I can't stop smiling. Why am I acting like this? This is the exact opposite of how I am. But I don't hate it...

What the hell?

B- Good night. See you at school tomorrow ;)

R- Good night. :)

I fell asleep maybe within 5 minutes after that. And I had no more nightmares.

*** Saturday***

It's 6pm right now and I'm being a girl and I don't know what I want to wear for later. Do I dress how I usually do? Wear a button down? What?

I've literally never had to worry about this before. Being demiromantic and mute is a great combo, because it means I only get feelings for people when I know them really well.. but I don't know anybody because I never talk to anyone.

R- Hey.. weird question
R- What should I wear for tonight?

B- Dress however you're comfortable :)
B- I'll be over around 7

R- Okay. See you then :)

I decided just to wear my usual black hoodie and black ripped skinny jeans. Because I feel like I'll be weird or uncomfortable if I wear anything else. Especially if Beck isn't dressed up. It's just a movie.. and maybe dinner. It'll be fine.

*riiiing*

Aaaaand here come the nerves.

I practically ran down the stairs, only to find my mom chit chatting to Beck.

He was wearing his mostly usual button up shirt, except this one is a blue plaid, and the sleeves are rolled up. He has on black jeans and black tennis shoes, which is also mostly normal. But something about him today makes him seem... more handsome than before. Like I'm just noticing him for the first time.

He must have noticed me standing on the stairs behind my mom, because he suddenly looked up at me and smiled.

My mom turned around, "Oh Riley, I didn't even know you were there. Me and Beck were just talking about how Olive Garden is a great place for dates." She wiggled her eyebrows as she said date.

Which, I'll admit, probably made me blush a little.

Beck smirked at me a little and signed behind my mom's back, 'You look cute when you blush.'

Which only made me blush even more and want to smack and then hug both of them as a way to say sorry.

'Well we should probably be going. Gotta catch that movie...' I walked down the rest of the stairs and hugged my mom, 'See you later.'

"Okay honey, I love you! You boys have fun, but not too much fun!" She said while laughing and winked.

I rolled my eyes, 'Love you too!'

Beck signed something, probably just saying goodbye, and we both walked outside. He ran up in front of me, just to open the door and smirk at my blush.

I swear, he is nothing like I once thought he was. He's so much better!

Because we couldn't necessarily talk during the drive, it was mostly silent besides the quiet music I had playing so I didn't feel awkward. Which, surprisingly, I didn't.

Once we got there, he jumped out and opened the door for me again.

And before I got the chance to even take a step out of the car, he signed, 'Can I hold your hand?'

I smiled, maybe a little too wide, 'Of course.'

He then held his hand out and I took it and got out of the car. We then walked inside the theater, hand in hand, big smiles on both of our faces.