Dear August

|Twenty-three|

Dear August,

So we have a problem. A pretty big one if I may. Dad wants to come from Arizona and see me. I don't know if I want that. I'm still mad at him for everything. I mean, wouldn't you be? I'm pretty sure you still are. What douche bag doesn't show up to his own daughters funeral? Whatever, I shouldn't sweat over it. Give it a week and he'll probably change his mind. Anyways, I haven't been having any flashbacks lately. So maybe they're done? Shouldn't get my hopes up though. There's not much else to talk about. We'll talk soon.

With love,
Riley.

Why does he have to be such a douche. Can't he catch a hint that I probably don't wanna see him? Last time I did see him I ignored him literally the entire time. Plus he's never bothered to introduce us to his new family. He doesn't think about other people. The only person that exists in his world is him.

"Riley?" Joeys green eyes stare down at me as she snaps me out of my trance. "Class is over."

I must've been spacing out.

"Yeah sorry," I close my books and put them into my backpack.

"We still going to Finley's?" She asks as we walk through the almost empty halls towards the junior lot.

"Uh, yeah."

How long was I spacing out? That can't be good.

"Hey, are you okay? You just seem, I don't know, distracted?" She turns towards me.

"You caught me," I sigh.

"So what's up?"

I sigh again.

"I don't know. My dad wants to come see me."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

I quietly snort.

"It would be if he actually cared about me."

"What makes you think he doesn't care about you?"

"Well, for one, he left my mom when August and I were still really young. Got with his mistress and had kids with her. And never bothered to visit me or August. He didn't even show to her funeral."

"Damn," She looks at me with furrowed brows. "Hey, I don't know what to say to you. But I can help distract you from it? Let's just go to Finley's and have a good time right?"

"Thanks Jo," I smile.

"Finally!" Finley shouts from beside her car, Luca and August standing by her.

"Sorry guys, we're just really slow walkers!" Joey shouts as she speeds up her pace.

The three roll their eyes almost in unison and reach for the door handles.

"Whatever, just get in the car," Luca says, yanking open the backseat door. I slide in to the middle seat. Ever since I got here there's been a seating chart whenever we drive. Me in the middle, Luca on my right, August on my left, Joey in the passengers seat and Finley driving.

None of us even question it, we sort of just do it. Like a second nature.

August places his hand on my knee and I look over at him. He flashes me his dorky, goofy smile.

"Hey," he greets, grabbing my hand. I return his smile.

"Hey."

"How was your day?"

"Good," I lie. "How was yours?"

"Alright alright, stop banging each other in my back seat," Finley turns from the drivers seat and flashes me a smile.

I roll my eyes at her and smirk. "I mean we could actually bang in your backseat?"

The car erupts into disgusted sounds and groans.

"Come on Riley, you didn't have to go that far," Joey fake gags. August just giggles from beside me.

My phone buzzes from between my legs and I pick it up.

Mothership💞
You're father will be here Saturday

I roll my eyes and drop it back into my lap.

"You okay?" August looks at me concerned. I smile and nod.

"Just my mom telling me when curfew is."

"Ten again?"

"Yeah."

Finley pulls into her driveway and Luca August and Joey all run towards the front door. Finley pushes some rich person futuristic button on her keys and it unlocks. I stay behind with her.

"So you're being quiet today," she observes. Looks like I do wear my heart on my sleeve more than I think since everyone's catching on that I'm upset.

"It's nothing really," we walk slowly to the door.

"You sure? You can tell me anything."

"It's just my dad. He's coming on Saturday from Arizona to see me."

"And you're upset because...?"

"I don't particularly like my dad, you know?"

"Oh," Finley scoffs a little as she fake laughs. "I know a thing or two about not having the best relationship with your parents."

I look over at her as she just stares straight ahead.

"Let's just drop it for now, yeah? Try to just have a good time with the crew?"

She bites her bottom lip and pulls on a smile.

"Yeah of course."

We enter the house and already hear the three shouting and fighting over which movie we should watch first. Joey hops up from the couch and follows Finley and I to the kitchen.

"The boys wanna watch a scary movie, but I suggested a comedy and now they're fighting it out in there about whether 10 Things I Hate about You or the Notebook is better. I have no idea how they got onto the romance topic but, I give it half an hour till they come in here."

Finley and I giggle and roll our eyes.

We all turn our heads towards the doorway where Eleanor was now standing. She looked at us with raise eyebrows and a phone in her hand.

"Finley, mom and dad are on the phone. They wanna talk to you."

Finley looks over at us, rolls her eyes, then walks to Eleanor and grabs the phone.

"Hello?"

Her voice fades as she walks up the stairs into her room. I look over at Joey who just simply shrugs.

"They could just be checking in."

I purse my lips and nod. Luca and August walk into the room like a storm. Luca strings his arm over my shoulder excitedly, making me stumble slightly.

"Guess who's throwing a start of summer party!" Luca shouts in that bratty frat boy voice that every college guy seems to have.

Joey and I share an uneasy look.

"I don't know guys, us and parties don't really mix," I say. Luca leans down to have his face level with mine and rolls his eyes.

"Silly Riley," he boops my nose. "It's not just any party. It's Finley's party."

"Have you asked Finley about it yet?" Joey asks, crossing her arms.

"We overheard her on the phone with her parents. They're not coming back to visit for another month. Which means it's fine," August chimes in. Finley walks slowly back into the kitchen.

"Yeah. They're not coming back for another month. So do whatever you guys want. Plan a party whatever," she says, sullenly. She grabs a bag of Doritos and heads up the stairs back to her room.

The boys celebrate the approval while Joey and I share another knowing look. Without any words, we both follow her up the stairs.