Receiving

Chapter 15

 Riley’s POV

 It is Christmas Eve and I am in the kitchen with Sophie and her Mother, Anne.

 ‘What are you doing for Christmas?’ I asked.

 ‘We are having some family around. You are welcome to stay’ Anne offered.

 I hate meeting new people so I declined and said that I was going to be with my own family which is a complete lie.

 When I woke up on Christmas morning it was pouring with rain. I pulled on jean and jersey as well as a rain jacket before slipping downstairs. No one was awake so I managed to sneak out without being questioned.

 I walked to the cemetery and sat in front of Ryan’s grave. The marble was still perfectly clean and you could clearly read the writing. It said. Ryan Wright. 1994-2014. Died age 20. Beloved friend and jokester and will be dearly missed.

 The next grave isn’t nearly as nice. All it has is a name. Natalie. Not even a last name. You would guess that it is an older grave but it isn’t. It has only been here three years.

 The third grave is simple as well. Almost the same as Natalie’s but this one has a last name. Cass Wright. It has been here about two years and it also looks older.

 The final grave of someone I know is the definitely the best of the four. It said. Toby. 1996-2010. Brother, Son and best friend. You are destined for the best things.

 I must have been there an hour before I heard footsteps.

 ‘I knew you would be here’ Luke said sitting down next to me.

 ‘Why are you here?’ I asked.

 ‘You should spend time with your family for Christmas so I came to find you’ he said.

 ‘I don’t care. I’m fine’ I said.

 ‘Riley, you are not fine. Would you listen to me for once and let me explain?’

 I know exactly why I’m not letting him explain. I’m worried that I will let him come back and he won’t change and I will be left alone again and I don’t want that.

 ‘Luke you know that I won’t listen so can you leave?’ I asked.

 ‘Riley, all you do is push people away. For once you should let people come close and let them past the walls you put up’

 ‘I can’t because look what happened. I hate Thomas now and I can’t trust you anymore’

 ‘What about Sophie and Peyton?’

 ‘They don’t know the full story but then again neither did you or Thomas’

 ‘You seem to talk in riddles’

 ‘If you actually listened to me maybe you would understand’

 ‘Fine, be alone. If that is what you want then I will leave you’ he snapped standing up.

 He walked out of the cemetery but I stayed sitting.

 I was soaking wet by the time I returned to Sophie’s. It was only five but I knew that most of her family would have left by now. When I open the door she is standing in the middle of the living room, hands on hips.

 ‘Look what the cat dragged in’ she said in a sarcastic tone.

 ‘Sophie, I’m sorry but this isn’t my kind of thing, meeting new people’ I said.