Homecoming

One step forward, two steps back

Riley's P.O.V

I'm in a dark room. The feeling this room gives me isn't a very pleasant one. "Hello?" I call out. "Is...is anyone here?" I call again. No answer. I suddenly see a light turn on from behind a door that has suddenly appeared. I walk toward the door and press my ear against it.

"She is the worst kisser in the world. I don't know why I kept going. I felt bad for the freak." I hear a deep raspy voice say. I know that voice. I continued listening.

"We told you mate. She's a freak, no wonder she had to move, people probably couldn't stand her where she lived." I hear someone say. It sounded like Louis.

I take a step away from the door. No. This can't be happening. Everything was going fine. I had my friends back. I'm happy. They made me happy. They liked having me back. Or so I thought. No. No. NO! I begin having a panic attack and the door flies open.

"LOOK! I told you she was a freak!" Harry yells pointing to me. I hear laughter booming around the room. Harry, Louis, Niall. Everyone is laughing at me as I have a full on panic attack in front of them.

I close my eyes and shake my head furiously. This isn't happening. Please not again! Tears are flowing down my face and I feel someone kneel down next to me. My face is grabbed a bit harshly. I open my eyes and meet the intense green stare in front of me. "Did you really think I could really care for you?" He says in my face.

"Harry. Please." I shake my head "please don't do this to me." I plead.

His laughter booms in my ears and another set of sobs rip through my body. No. I can't lose him. Please no! "FREAK!" He yells in my face. I fall back to the floor and sob furiously.

How could I have ever thought anyone could love a freak like me.

I feel someone shaking me and calling my name in the distance. "Riley!" Is that mum? Suddenly I jolt upright and gasp for air. I begin hyperventilating and my crying begins to subside. "Shhh it's okay sweetie it was just a bad dream. It's ok it's ok." my mum coos as she rocks me in her arms. I try and calm my breathing. After a few minutes I finally begin to breathe normally and my crying has come to a halt. My mother wipes my face with her sleeves and holds my face in her hands. "Riley baby, you're okay. It was just a nightmare." I nod my head so that she knows I understand. There's no way I can speak right now. "Here drink some water." She suggests, handing me a glass of cold water. I take a few sips and set it down.

"S-sorry for waking you." I apologize, barely hearing my words myself.

My mum shakes her head and holds me close. "I will give up sleep altogether if it was to benefit you love. Try and go back to sleep Riley." She says leaning against my headboard with me laying on her lap. She plays with my hair and it slowly comforts me until a dreamless sleep takes over my body.

-

I woke up to my phone buzzing under my pillow. Great time to get up for school. I sat up and rubbed my face with my hands. I haven't had a nightmare since I moved. I shake my head and walk to my bathroom, I take a look at myself in the mirror. I look like hell. I splash some water on my face and begin doing damage control. I really am not in the mood to get dressed. I decide to go to school comfortably today. I get dressed reluctantly and throw my hair in a bun and put a bandana on. I go back into my bathroom and take a look at myself. Harry doesn't think any of that does he?

I spend about five minutes trying to convince myself that my dream was just a dream and that everything is fine but I'm still quite uncertain. I'm brought back to reality by my phone ringing. Harry's face shows on the screen and I feel the blood drain from my face. I shake off my uneasiness and answer. "Hello?" I say a bit shakily.

"Hey I'm outside. You alright?" He answers back. Crap, I forgot he was taking me to school.

"Uh yea I'm fine, I'll be down in a minute." I tell him and hang up quickly. I notice my hands are shaking and I hold onto my bathroom counter. Get a grip Riley, Harry has been the only thing keeping you sane since you got here. He's not just going to kick you to the curb. I take a deep breath and grab my bag to go downstairs.

I walk to Harry's car and get in, mumbling a quiet hey. I can feel his eyes on me but I focus intently on a loose thread on my shirt sleeve. He begins driving but I can tell he's trying really hard not to ask me what's wrong.

Today is going to be a long day.