I LOVE YOU

Chapter 9

STEFI'S P.O.V

I walked inside my house, turned on my room lights, and sit on the couch.  I got the front room, so it actually has the straight view to the McDonough's house.  The parents were home.  I was about to go there but I guess not.  Try not to ruin something today, Stefi.

I changed myself into pajama, did nothing with my hair, and covered myself with a blanket.  I miss Mom; she was being the one who would listen to my story no matter how boring it was.  I miss Dad; he was the one who would cook me dinner even if he's not the best chef.  I want my family, not that one across the street, that I can't really call my own.  And now there's Richard.  He just burned me out and tore me into pieces.  I'm more broken than I already was.  Probably the McDonough wasn't my family.  Never be my family.  And I don't belong there.

"My goodness Stefi, open the damn door!"  I woke up to a voice from the front door.  Somebody kicked my door repeatedly.

"Who's there?"

"Who do you think I am?"  He shouted.  

I walked to the front door but not opening it.  I was scared to death.  "Ri...actually...it's not the right time...  You should leave..."

"What?  Are you kidding me?  Open this freaking door, Stefi!  We're worried about you!"

I sighed.  We stood before each other with this door blocking us.  So I decided to open the door, finally.  He wrapped me so tightly and kissed my forehead repeatedly.

"What did I say about coming home?"  He whispered.  I already cried so hard.  "Why didn't you come home?"

"I did."  I whispered back.

"That home across this house.  To where I was. Remember?"

"This is my home, Ri.  I never can change that."

"But we're worried.  Mom and Dad didn't sleep until late night.  And I didn't see you coming back here.  Where did you go?"

"Just went to the park, that's all."  I walked to the fridge and drank some milk.

"Hey, what happened to you?  Being too cold for me, huh?"  Riley confronted.

"Nothing Ri.  I'm just confused."

"Stop saying nothing from now on."  He sit in front of me at the kitchen bar.  "What makes you confuse?"

"That's why I'm confused.  I can't explain."

"So why do you get to be so cold to me?"  He gave me that serious expression.

"What you really want me to do, Riley?  I'm acting normally."

"I want you to be with me all the time.  Okay?  All the time.  Stay with me, sleep in my room, wear all those dresses in my dresser, share the bathroom, play guitar with me, eat with the bros, say hi to Mom and Dad, everything."

"I don't belong there..."  I sighed.

"Then it turned out like this in sudden because...?"

"Because I just realized.  Look Riley, I appreciate everything you all did to me.  But I have a life to face too.  And I want to start living my life..."

"Am I not one of it?"  Riley suddenly looked at me with that soft look.

"Ri...I'm not...  It's not like that..."  I bowed my head.  No way I can face them.  His face was 2 inches away from me, with his hands wrapping my waist.  I can feel his breath on my forehead.

"I love you, can't you see that?"  He whispered too slowly.

"Riley..."

"Can't you just realize it already, that I want to be with you?"  And he kissed my forehead.

"Me...too..."

"Thank you."

"But it's not...the one we really want to do..."

He stopped me leaned on a kiss on my lips.  That's an intense one.  I used my whole power to deny it.  I remember Richard.  But after all, probably this was the first thing that I can gain.

"I want to be with you, Stef.  Stay in mine."

"I...can't..."

He released the kiss and looked at me.  "What?  You can't be serious."

"I am not the one you want to be with...  Trust me."

"After these years and the whole week?"  He threw his sight off in disappointment.

"I'm sorry Riley...  I wish you understand..."

"I don't!  Okay, I don't want to understand!  For God's sake Stefi, can't you just leave it all behind and be my girlfriend?"  Riley shouted as well as blinked a tear.  My Riley was crying.

"Did...I...hurt you?"  I swept the tears away on his cheek.

"I want you...  Let's be together..."

I hit my head against his chest slowly, rested in there for a while.  I can't figure it out.  It's Richard's words and Riley's disappointed eyes.  It's the dream ruiner and my whole life.  I hope it's legal to be selfish sometimes.

"Okay..."

"Is it a yes?"  He widened his eyes like a little boy.

"Yes."

"Thank you!  I love you so much."  Riley pecked my lips.

"I love you too..."  I took a deep breath inside his hug.  "Let's go home..."

"That's my girl."  We walked across the street to that house again.  I didn't know if that's okay to do.  Everything seemed so wrong now.