When She Was Mine

Part 14- On the Radio

Later that night, Riley invited me to his place. It was the house my mom sold him. We drove up to the house and I say, “What? My mom didn’t tell me you guys actually bought the house.” “I told her to keep it a secret. I wanted to surprise you,” he smiled.

I remember that night so vividly. I then remember thinking about the song “Dangerous.”

I felt like I was “dangerous” for Riley. I held so much baggage. I was never suicidal or anything, but I would constantly think about death. Up until I met Riley. I’ve been clean for 3 months and I haven’t even thought about a razor. Even my anxiety attacks started to lessen.

Tonight was our official 3 months together. I told Riley to not plan anything because I could care less about material things…  I already had everything that I wanted: loving parents and an amazing boyfriend.

I had only one class today. A lecture class with no one I knew. I haven’t befriended anyone these past couple months. I just felt like there’s no use of making friends if I’m only going to know them for 4 months of a semester and never see them ever again.

I met Riley at our usual place: Starbucks. I saw him leaning on a column with his arms behind his back. “Hi, babe,” he says. I run to him and kiss his mouth. Our lips were locked for a moment, then I realized we were in the middle of the cafeteria. I break the kiss and say, “Hi, yourself.”

Riley reveals what he was hiding behind his back and it was a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was gorgeous. “Babe, I told you to not get me anything,” I say. And he just laughs, “C’mon, I just wanted to do something cute for you.” “You don’t have to try, though, babe,” I reply.

I inhale the aroma of roses. I smile and say, “Riley, does it make me a hypocrite that I actually got you something too?” He laughed, “It depends what it is.” I took out a box wrapped with blue paper from my purse. I gave it to Riley and his mouth formed a smile as his eyes lit up. He told me before he’d open it that he wanted to bring me somewhere. Riley looks at his watch and continues, “Okay, we need to leave ASAP.” He laughs and pulls me towards the door and we start walking to the parking garage.

We’re about to leave the parking garage and Riley’s band starts to play. “Wait, Riley. Is this the radio or a CD?”

I stare at him while he’s driving and I see him gulp. “It’s the radio,” he says. We stop at a traffic light and I say, “Riley, that’s amazing!” I hug him and kiss him on the cheek. He half smiles and he looks worried, like he was preoccupied with something. “Baby, what’s wrong,” I ask.

He looks at me and says, “Nothing, babe,” and without taking his eyes off the road, he finds my hand with his and holds me. “Okay, babe,” I say.