oxygen (e.d.)

chapter twenty

{riley}

"you guys are cruel," i laugh as i hand sloane her phone back.

"but come on," she prods, "it was good?"

i sit and think for a moment, hiding a smile.

"yes it was good," i admit.

"yes," wyatt fist pumps.

"she looks like... a crack head?" sloane giggles, "and i'd know. my mother is one."

she embraces her family situation with humor, which makes everyone more comfortable.

but, some nights she'll sob in my arms for hours after her mom denies help again.

she'd never let it show, though.

wyatt announces he has to leave for a baseball game he scored tickets to.

"going alone?" i ask.

"you didn't want to go... dad didn't want to go... grayson's busy and so is ethan..."

"what about sloane?" i ask.

she hits me and sends me telepathic messages saying, "shut up now."

wyatt raises his eyebrows at sloane, saying, "you wanna go?"

"uh-" she looks to me for help, and i widen my eyes, telling her yes.

"sure, i guess." she answers.

"cool. i'll come back down in a few."

after he leaves, sloane turns to me with a glare. i giggle and she hits me again.

"you asshole."

"you've been spending a lot of time with wyatt lately," i wiggle my eyebrows teasingly.

"oh shut up. he's a brother to me. besides, that'd be weird."

"that's what i said about ethan," i sing. she grabs a pillow and i duck as she brings it down on my head.

i shriek and grab one of my throw pillows, declaring war.

"oh it's on," i smirk with a laugh.

...

after wyatt and sloane left, i sat in my room for 2 hours, just staring at the analog clock on my wall.

i tried running, but got bored after 30 minutes.

currently, i sit in the dining room with my mom, helping her file cases.

"so," she says with a smile, still counting papers, "i think someone's birthday is coming up?"

"wyatt's birthday isn't until november," i frown.

"no, silly," she laughs, "yours."

"oh yeah," i say, "forgot, i guess."

"that's a real shame, because it's your big 1-9."

"19 is not a big deal mom," i roll my eyes playfully.

"oh shut up! it is too." she argues, "what do you want?"

"a boyfriend? a life? a hobby, maybe?" i snort sarcastically.

"seriously, riley. what's on your list?"

"world peace."

"little more attainable."

"equal rights."

"a bit more," she urges.

"well," i shrug, "i did see this really pretty dress at lacey's the other day."

lacey's is a local boutique in my town that thrives off rich, spoiled white girls.

i always made fun of it, but then i saw this dress.

it's white laced on the top with a sweetheart neckline. the bottom is more of a skater dress flow, but it's silk, making it more classy.

"a dress?" she wrinkles her nose, "when would you ever wear that?"

i suddenly get very self conscious and look at my lap.

"but," she says, fixing her mistake, "if it's what you want then i'd be happy to check it out. send me a picture and i'll go look this weekend."

"thank you," i smile, "it's really the only thing i want."

"i'm sure it's very pretty."