Homecoming

Moving Forward

Riley's P.O.V

Its been five days days since I found out about my dad. Five days since he hasn't been here. Five days of feeling numb. Everyday I wake up hoping that it was all just some screwed up dream but unfortunately it's real life.

My mum hasn't been doing great. She stays in her room for the most part. I don't blame her, if I could just stay in my room and let my sheets swallow me then thats what I'd be doing. I can't though because Harry won't allow it.

Everyday since my dad left Harry has been here from the morning until bedtime and I wouldn't have it any other way. Granted I wish he could sleep here with me but his mum got pretty upset that he stood the weekend so he's just giving her time to cool down. When Harry is here, I feel all my problems disappear. It's pretty crazy how that works. When he leaves the only thing that keeps me from shutting down is the fact that I know he'll be here in the morning. It doesn't stop the numb feeling though.

When Harry is gone, the reality of what happened settles and I just feel numb. It's like how I felt in Arizona when everything just got too much for me to handle and I'm afraid what will happen if I allow myself to succumb to the numbness. The only thing that helps is the pills and Harry. I'm afraid what will happen if Harry decides he doesn't want to deal with my depression anymore, even though when he's around I don't feel depressed I'm sure it still shows.

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling after another sleepless night, I can see the sun start to rise from my window. I sit up and pull my knees up to my chest, resting my cheek on my knees and watch the sunrise. Watching the sunrise puts me at ease. I watch as the beautiful pinks and oranges mix together around the clouds painting a beautiful picture to start the morning. Once the sun has completely risen from behind the houses I get up to get ready for school.

I feel like a robot, going through the motions. Shower, get dressed, hair and makeup, check on mum, try and eat breakfast, and wait for Harry. My daily morning routine. Once Harry is here then everything livens up.

When I am showered and ready, I go to my mum's room to check on her. When I get to her room the door is already open which is strange. "Mum?" I call in but no answer. I suddenly smell bacon and hear humming coming from downstairs. I raise my eyebrow and begin the walk down to the kitchen. When I enter mum is at the stove cooking and humming to herself. I clear my throat and her eyes fly to me and a smile appears on her face.

"Good morning love. Hungry?" She asks as she pulls a plate from the cupboard and begins to serve me. I sit down at the breakfast bar and stare at my mum. For someone who has been locked up in her room the past few days she seems rather chipper.

"You alright mum?" I ask as she places the food in front of me.

She sighs and smiles back at me. "Truthfully?" She asks and I nod my head. "I'm... I am upset, I really am, but I realize that I can't just lock myself in room everyday. You really have made me realize that you know. Everyday when you came in to check on me it made me see how strong you were being and how weak I must have looked. When I woke up this morning the first thing I told myself was 'I have to get up for Riley'" she tells me smiling widely.

I shake my head "You aren't weak mum. You're human. You're allowed to be upset for a few days, but I'm glad you're trying to be ok." I say smiling. She grabs my hand and squeezes. "I love you mum." I say pulling her into a hug. She hugs me back tightly and we stay like that until we're startled by my buzzing phone. Harry must be here. We laugh at our jumpiness and I answer my phone.

"Hello curly." I say smiling. My mum raises and eyebrow questioningly. "Yea I'm ready but come inside for a minute." I tell him and hang up.

We hear the door open and close and my mum looks at me questioningly again before she hears the deep raspy voice call out "What smells so good? There's no way that you cooked breakfast Ri-" Harry stops talking when he comes into the kitchen and sees my mum smiling at the stove. "Mrs.Starrke! Good morning!" He greets her.