I love you, so I forgive you.

ILYsoIFY 5

Leah and Angelo finally came home. I was very tired already! Shit I don't know how to sit!? Feet of the couch.. Let's act like a proper person.. Shit I didn't clean up the mess I made with Soof.. Now she'll think I'm irresponsible.

"Hey Riles! How'd it go??" she asks. "Yeah, hey, all went pretty well. We went on the trampoline and I've been watching American Idol."

"Ahh season 14??" she laughs. "Yupp haha I am addicted to Jlo and harrifer."

Shit... Why did I just say that?? What if Jen hates harrifer and she told that to Leah??

"Oh my god! I knoooow right!? Me too!!! They're soo adorable!! I always make jokes to Jen and ask her when she will finally hook up with Connick..! But it's out of the question unfortunately."

That made me smile. But also feel kind of awkward. Leah is one of the closest sources of Jennifer.. My idol. And I am just another big jlover who ships harrifer. It feels weird to talk about this with Jen's bff.

"Angelo, honey, are you going to check up on Soof? I will ride Riley back to her house now."

"Yeah sure, baby. I'll be waiting for you in bed." he kisses her on her cheeck. Well, that was kind of awkward to hear & see...

"Goodbye, Riley, thanks a lot for taking care of Soof!" he kisses my cheeck 3 times while he shakes my hand and then he walks upstairs, to Sofia's room.

We're sitting in the car and Leah's driving me home. "Did Sofia talk to you or was she too shy?"

"Ohh no we had some nice chats and we had the most fun I've head in a long time!" I tell Leah.

"Okay, that's good to hear..." brief silence.. "Christie told me about your mom and dad. I'm sorry for your loss, Riles. And I truly hope that your dad will get out of rehab soon. Clean."

I swallowed. I didn't know Christie had been talking about me with Leah..

"Thanks.." thats all I can say at the moment.

Leah seems to feel my sudden mood change. She feels my pain. "I'm sorry.. Shall we go to the McDrive to cheer you up a bit??" she smiles at me. How sweet! "Oh, well, you dont have to, I mean, Angelo is waiting for you, right?"

"Well, I can text him that he can sleep already.. Yes or no?" she chuckles.

"Then.. Yes." I don't know exactly why I say yes... I used to say 'no' to offers like this.. But I think I just feel like having some ice cream tonight. And I can really use a cheer-up right now.

We go to McDrive and eat the ice cream in the car. We talk about so many things! I don't know why, but Leah is taking so much time for me.. I get kind of suspicious that this was all my aunts idea. Taking Leah to my house, the sudden call, her proposing me to be Soof's babysitter, all of this.

Anyways.. I really like it! I could really use something like this. "So do you have a boyfriend??" "Gosh.. What's that with all of you? Sofia aksed me that too!" I laugh. "Hahaha ohh Im sorry honey... So I guess thats a no?"

"Yeah. I don't have a boyfriend."
"Why not?"
"Because apparently nobody is interested in me..."

"Awh, baby that's not true! I don't believe that!"
"Well.. I don't know.. I'm too introvert I think."
"Isn't that because of what happened to your mom and the circumstances with your dad after that?"

"I guess.. Maybe.. I am too insecure about myself."

"Honey, please, don't be. I got bullied when I was your age. And look at my personality right now. I'm not sure if everybody likes me.. But at least I like myself."

"I like you." that popped out of my mouth too quick.. Now I sound like a creep.

"I like you too." and she pulls me into a hug. I can't help but cry. Big tears stream down my face. I miss this. I used to have these kind of conversations with my mom...

"Ohh honey.. I feel so sorry for you.. I wish there was anything I could do for you. Just so you know.. You can always call me, okay?? Anytime when there's something you are struggling with, just call me."

"T-thank you so much. It means a lot to me." I hug her back. "Why are you doing all this for me? Why are you so kind to me? I mean.. You're a busy woman, you must have more important stuff to do."

"Honey, no matter how busy I am, I will always make time to help you. To be there for you. I met your aunt 5 years ago and when your mom died 3 years ago I noticed Christie was so stressed all of a sudden. She had dark circles around her eyes, looked tired and was staring all the time."

"Sometimes you could talk to her for minutes until she noticed you were talking to her. I asked what was wron and she told me about your mom and about you."

"Ohh..." I answer. "Well.. I don't want you to do all this because you are sorry for me. I don't want you to look at me like some kind of charity project."

"Oh honey, I don't. I really don't. I actually like to have these kind of conversations with a girl. Sofia is only 10. Can't wait to talk about grown up stuff with her."

"Yeah.. I can imagine. I also like to talk to you. It reminds me of the conversations I had with my mom. Thankyou Leah."

"No, thank you Riley. For sharing so much and being so open to me even tho you only met me today. That takes a lot of courage."

"Haha no problem..."

"Sooo.. Shall I drive you home now?"
"Sure. Thanks."

On the road to my house we turn the radio on high volume and sing along out loud with the music.

"CAN I HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE? SAY YES, SAY YES, CUZ I NEED TO KNOW!" we sing together. It's so much fun!

We arrived to my house and  Leah walks me to the front door. Christie opens the door. "Well, thank you so much baby!! Ohh and before I forget: here's your money!"

"Thank you, Leah, for everything." I hug her.

"Youre welcome, sweetie, thank YOU for taking care of Sofia." she strokes my head. "Bye, Chris! See you later honey!" Leah hugs Christie too and she walks back to the car.

"Bye Lee!" Christie says.

I wave at her.

This night was amazing, but emotional. I am happy to have met Leah and she is such a beautiful person! Just like Sofia, can't wait to see her again!