Just another love story [BeforeYou Exit Fan Fic]

Then and Now

I stormed into the building and even the dim lighting inside the building forced a pain into my already sensitive eyes. They were stinging just from crying so much a few minutes before, and my throat was dry. I just needed water.

Even though I saw multiple coolers filled with water bottles, my body wasn't able to push itself to reach for it. My arms felt numb, my legs were sore and weak, then my mind started slowing down and working at a mile per hour. The miscellaneous sounds, talking, and music blended together into a symphony of chaos. Faces seemed blurred out and unfamiliar. I didn't feel like myself at all and this side of me is rare. I hadn't felt like this in a long time and running away from everyone and myself seemed like a good idea.

Minutes after my absent-minded wandering, I felt a warm hand resting on my shoulder. I looked up and saw Riley's comforting eyes beaming down into mine. "You wanna talk about it babe...?" He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close.

"No..." I mumbled. I feel bad for making him put up with all of this, even though he sincerely wants to help me. He didn't have to... Yet he was being so gentle and kind. It helped to lift my spirits up a bit. He hugged me again and I heard Adri calling for me.

"Dani...?" She knew. Just by her tone, I could tell that she knew everything and I didn't have to tell her or explain anything. I gently pulled away from Riley's embrace and he kept one of his arms wrapped around me. He was my rock and if he let me go, I may have had a break down.

"Hey..."

"Do you wanna go home? We can if you want to..." As much as I wanted to go home, it was the last place I wanted to be. Being alone in my room, crying, was not ideal.

___________________

That night, we ended up going downtown for a bit. Riley was talking about how he really wanted pizza, so we went and bought a couple boxes and went back to the house and watched a few

movies.

From the looks of it, you would've thought that Riley and I were a couple. We were huddled together the whole time and the only time we let go of each other is when I got up to go to the bathroom. When I came back, I reclaimed my spot next to him, using him as a pillow, and his arm was wrapped around me.

Since that night, a couple months ago, Riley and I have become really close. We've had a few conversations early on about feelings and crap like that. He used to like me, back when we first met and Connor and I had a thing. We kissed once. and its safe to say that there's nothing going on between us. He cares about me and I care about him. He's my best friend and when I'm not hanging out with Adri, I'm with him.

Today Riley and I decided to hang out with Adri and Braiden. They had officially been dating since last month. They are so cute together and though they keep to themselves, its noticeable how happy they are. I told Riley I would pick him up because I like driving, and whenever we hung out, I offered to drive anyways. It's relaxing. I pulled up into his driveway and texted him:

Me: hey doll, I'm outside!

Riley: do you mind coming in for a bit? I'm still getting ready and I don't wanna make you wait in the car.:P

Me: yeah sure, no problem. As long as you let me steal a soda from the fridge.;)

Riley: well duh! Not a problem, well unless you are still addicted to soda. The door should be unlocked so let yourself in.:)

Me: that was the plan anyways. xD

I got out and made my way into the house. I noticed Toby sitting on the couch intensely playing a game of Call of Duty. "Hey kiddo!" I said as I made my way into the kitchen and took out a can of Coke from the fridge.

He paused his game and looked at me weirdly, "hey! haven't seen you around here in a while!" He reached for a bag of gummy worms on the coffee table and offered me some.

"Yeah... I guess it's been a long time. How have you been?" I gladly took a few of the worms and he shoved a handful into his mouth.

"I've been good!" He said,chewing the candy, "just hanging around but I've been good! I would ask how you are but I hear enough about you everyday." He said half jokingly, "Riley tells me about you and how you two are BFF's and then..." He motions his head towards the back porch and as I peered over, I saw Connor outside playing guitar, "yeah. He just mentions you. And argues with Riley that you and him shouldn't be friends. When really, he's just jealous that Riley gets to spend all his time with you and Connor doesn't." He shrugged his shoulders and I guess I am kind of curious as to why Connor isn't over what happened.

"Well even if you were wondering, in doing well." I sat there and took a sip of soda. I heard a set of footsteps approaching from the hallway at the same time the sliding glass door was opening.

"Just your luck huh?!" Toby said as he sat back on the couch to observe what was going to happen.

Riley entered the room at the same time Connor did. I sat there and looked at both of them."Hey!" Riley said, approaching me with open arms and a wide smile.

"Hi!" I stood up and hugged him as Connor just looked at us with no expression. I waved awkwardly at him and he half smiled and waved back.

"Ready?" Riley asked.

"Umm... Yeah!" I grabbed my keys and Connor still hadn't said a word to me, "bye Toby, it was good seeing you kid."

"Good seeing you too! Bye!" He replied. I turned around and Riley grabbed my hand and we walked outside.

On a scale of one to ten on how awkward that was...

It was a twenty.