The Bet

Chapter 48

Riley's POV

I've never been in trouble before. Is this the result of being with James? What will happen the next time when I'm in trouble? Maybe I should break up with him...

I hear the stairs creaking, I indicating that Emily's coming up for her usual big sister talk.

"I know I'm in trouble, I know I did wrong, I know I'm a disgrace of a daughter. Can you go now?" I mutter.

"Look Riley. I have to agree with dad on this one." She says.

"We were just kissing! Big deal!" I snap.

"Riley, it's more to it than that." She sighs.

"Than what is it?" I inquire.

"Riley listen now. I'm gone. Mom's gone. You're all that dad has left." She tells me.

"So what you're saying is that dad doesn't want to share me with James?" I inquire, raising an eyebrow at her. She shrugs.

"I guess you can look at it that way. But what I was trying to say is that you're growing up so fast, having a boyfriend, spending time with him. It's all too fast for dad." She explains.

"You're right." I sigh. "But what about James? I can't ignore him."

"I know, just try to balance it out." She says.

Something crossed my mind. I was kind of stressing over staying with James Friday night. I heard about his reputation, the way he is with girls.

"So maybe I shouldn't stay over to his house Friday night?" I question.

"What do you mean?" She inquires.

"James's parents are out Friday night, so he asked some of his friends and me to come over and he asked me to stay over all night." I explain.

"I don't think that's a very good idea. I know how guys think, and he's probably no exception." She says, concern and worry evident in her tone.

"But I don't think-"

"Riley, listen. I can see right through him, and I can already see that he's far from good news." She says.

"So I shouldn't sleep over?" I ask. She shakes her head.

"It wouldn't be a good idea, in my opinion." She tells me. I sigh.

"Okay." I mumble.

~~~~~

I lean against the lockers, James's body practically pressed against mine. He lifts my chin up with his index finger and gives me a soft, yet somehow rough kiss on the lips.

"I can't wait for you to come over tomorrow." He tells me. I bite my lip and look down.

"About that. I can't stay over all night." I mumble. He tilts my head up again so I'm looking at him.

"Why?" He asks.

"My sister and dad don't think it's a very good idea." I mumble again.

"Riley, I wouldn't do anything to disrespect you. I swear." He says. I shrug.

"Try telling my sister that." I mutter.

"Riley, I wouldn't, okay? People talk, that's just it. People talk, they say stuff, but that doesn't mean it's true." He explains. I push him away.

"I need to get to class." I say under my breath, walking away from him.