Tough Love

Chapter 45

Riley's POV

After a long walk, I finally reach my house. I had considered calling Charlie to come pick me up and bring me home several times when a drizzly rain had started to fall, but had always pushed the idea from my head each time.

I shrug off my damp jacket in the porch and go into the living room. I wasn't surprised to see Hunter in there with Emily. They were cuddling on the couch, but stopped when they noticed my presence.

"Hey Ri." Emily greets me.

"Sorry for, um, interupting." I say shyly. She shrugs.

"No, don't worry about it. We were about to watch a movie though, if you want to watch it too." She says kindly.

"Um, thanks. But I don't feel up for it." I mumble.

"Ah, c'mon." Hunter says.

"Yeah Ri, c'mon." Emily chimes in. I roll my eyes and flop down on the opposite couch.

"Fine." I mutter. Emily turns on the movie and she and Hunter cuddle up together, while I sat lonesome.

It was a scary movie, meaning that whenever some creepy or gory part came up that would lead me and Emily screaming at the top of our lungs, Emily would be clutching onto Hunter, and in my case, clutching onto a pillow. I never watch scary movies without James. I don't even like scary movies! The only reason why I would watch one is because James would make me because he gets to comfort me. And I miss that. Was taking a 'break' from our relationship a good choice? I get up and start to leave the living room.

"Where are you going?" Emily asks.

"Uh, I don't really want to watch a movie." I say. She shrugs.

"Suit yourself." She mumbles. I nod and run up to my room.

James POV

It's been one hour, eighteen minutes, and twenty seven seconds since Riley left. Yes, I've been counting.

I've also been fighting the urge to go over to Charlie's house and knock some good common sense into him. If it wasn't for him kissing her, me and Riley wouldn't have fought, she wouldn't have wanted to take a 'break' from our relationship, and Riley would probaly still be in my arms right now. But Riley was very persistant in saying that the kiss was a mistake. So, I decided to just forget it, and focus on getting my Riley back. It was killing me inside knowing that I hurt her.

I pick up a picture frame on my bedside table. It was just a simple picture of me and Riley together. I don't remember exactly when it was taken. I think it was the night we came back from winning regionals. All of A Troupe were hanging out at Michelle's house to celebrate. We were all out on the back deck, and Riley kept on complaining how cold she was, so I pulled her onto my lap and started cuddling her so she would warm up. That's when A Troupe started teasing us, and than Eldon took the picture of us. We were both so happy than. Beth was far from our minds, and so was Josh.

Josh. That's when it came to me. I got jealous easily when I see Riley with any other guy. I was very controlling over her. I always get angry with her for no real reason. And lastly, I hurt her. I hit her. I physically abused her. Call it whatever you liked, I had hurt Riley, and it was something that can be forgiven but not entirely forgotten.

I was just like Josh.