Letting Go (A Before You Exit Fanfic)

Falling In

Riley’s POV:

I was at the fair getting ready for the show with the guys. We’ve been here since about 10:00, two hours before the concert started. This allowed Kenzie and me to spend some time together. Plus we had the extra times that the bands before us were playing. I took her on as many rides as time allowed, my favorite being the Ferris wheel. It was cheesy but classic. I had my arm around her as her head rested on my chest looking up at me. She had the most beautiful smile. I had never seen one like it before. She was so beautiful. Why would anyone ever hurt her? I could never understand that.

It was quiet on the Ferris wheel. But it was a good kind of quiet. We exchanged smiles that made my cheeks a deep shade of red which only made her smile more. This was going to be a new start for her. She’s away from Luke and all of the pain that she’s been through. I wasn’t going to let anything hurt her. I would never let him touch her again.

We got off the Ferris wheel and just walked around. I slowly moved my hand toward hers and entangled our fingers together. She looked down at our hands and then back up at me and smiled. We walked around aimlessly not really having anywhere in mind to go. We ended up back at the stage where everyone was already hanging out.

“Hey Ri, I’ll be back. I gotta go use the restroom.” She kissed my cheek before getting up.

“Do you want me to walk with you?” I asked getting ready to get up after her.

“No, it’s fine. I know where it is. Stay here with everyone and talk. I’ll be right back.” She smiled and then walked away to the bathroom. I watched her with a smile until she was no longer in sight.

I was beginning to fall for her, fast.

It was about 2:40 and we went on in about 20 minutes. I should be focused on the show but the only thing that was on my mind was Kenzie. She said that she needed to use the restroom. But that was 25 minutes ago. Where was she? She hasn’t responded to my texts or calls or anything. Saying that I was worried was a huge understatement.

I walked over to where Connor, Braiden, Thomas, Cassidy, and Tayler were all standing. Toby walked over with a huge smile on his face as Rachel walked beside him.

“Hey guys! Connor, Riley, you remember Rachel don’t you?” He asked.

“Of course!” Connor said smiling. “Nice to see you again, Rachel.” Connor said pulling her into a hug.

Toby introduced Rachel to everyone else while I just looked in every direction trying to find Kenzie. I ended up finding Dyanna and ran right towards her.

“Dyanna! Where’s Kenzie?! Is she with you?” I asked in a panic.

She had a blank stare across her face. “No, she’s not. She left before me. She said that she wanted to spend time with you before the show.” Dyanna matched my look of concern.

“She was here! She went to the bathroom like 25 minutes ago. I thought maybe she met up with you or something.”