Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-five

RILEY

“Are you really leaving?” Lucy asked, her voice echoing the disbelief she’d been voicing all day as we packed up my things.

Exams were done and dusted, and today was the day Dad and I were hitting the road.

I wasn’t exactly on cloud nine, and everything still stung like hell, but I’d been keeping myself busy with packing and tidying up the house.

And, honestly, I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to bump into Tristan at school anymore.

~Let him rot in hell.~

“Like I’ve been saying, Lu. Grandma’s sick and she’s all by herself in Phoenix. Dad and I are moving there to be with her,” I explained, trying to keep my smile from faltering.

She responded with a pout. “Okay, but I still don’t get why you and Tristan broke up. You two were so good together, babe. He’s head over heels for you.”

I let out a long sigh. “I’m just being realistic, Lu. Long distance relationships are tough. I’m doing us both a favor,” I said, trying to sound as serious as I could.

She gave me a look that screamed I was losing my mind. “You’re being absurd. I feel sorry for him, Ri,” she grumbled, clearly annoyed.

I couldn’t help but let out a small, sarcastic laugh.

~If only she knew.~

“I’m still concerned about the fact that you don’t know if you guys used protection or not.”

“Breaking up with him was hard enough, Lu. I didn’t want to scare him even more. I’m pretty sure I’m not at risk.”

“Well, if you’re so sure, then I guess I’m okay with it. But I’m gonna miss you so much, babe.” She pulled me into a hug. I hugged her back and we collapsed onto the bed together.

“You’ll make tons of new friends at college, Lu. And now that you’re single, you’ll probably snag a hot boyfriend,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

She shook her head. “Correction. ~We~ are single. And no one can replace you as my best friend, Ri. It’s always gonna be you, and only you.”

“No, no, no, I see what you’re doing. Cut it out, weirdo.” I laughed and smacked her with a pillow.

“Damn, you’re too smart.” She laughed with me as we continued packing my things.

***

“Can you do me a favor?” I asked her as we made our way to the living room. My dad had been busy loading our stuff into the car while I chatted with Lucy.

“Yeah, sure,” she said, looking at me expectantly. I pulled an envelope from my pocket and handed it to her.

“What’s this?” she asked, eyeing the envelope. She opened it to find a wad of cash.

“I started tutoring for the money for college, but things changed. Now it doesn’t matter anymore. I want you to give it back to him.”

“But Ri, you earned this. And you need it for college,” she protested.

I shook my head. “I’ll manage. Everything’s gonna be okay, Lu. Trust me.” I smiled, fighting back tears, and she pulled me into a hug.

“You’re an amazing person, Riley Adams,” she sniffled into my shoulder.

“Right back at you,” I chuckled and kissed her cheek.

“Call me as soon as you get there, and remember what I said—text me, or Facetime me at least once a day. If you forget, I’ll come to Phoenix just to kick your ass,” she threatened.

I laughed. “I will, Lu. I’m gonna miss you the most, but you were going to move away for college. So it would have been like this anyway.” I shrugged.

She nodded in understanding. “We could have spent the summer together, but I get it. I’m definitely going to make our long-distance relationship work,” she joked.

I smiled at her, hiding my sadness and pain. We left the house, and I locked the door behind us.

“Alright, ladies. All packed and ready to leave,” my dad announced as we approached the car.

“Lucy, we’re going to miss you so much, dear. You’ve been a part of our family, and you’re like another daughter to me. Come here.” He pulled her into a hug, and I started to cry.

~Damn, this is so hard.~

“I know, Mr. Adams. Have a safe journey, and take care of your mom. I’ll miss you guys a lot, too.” Lucy pulled back, wiping her tears, and looked at me.

I nodded at her with a big smile on my face, trying to reassure her that everything was going to be alright.

“Shall we?” my dad asked, looking at me.

I gave Lucy one last hug before getting into the car. I kept waving at her until our house was out of sight, then I leaned back in my seat with a sad smile on my face.

“Are we doing the right thing, Dad?” I asked him after a moment.

He glanced at me briefly. “Of course, dear. We’re going to another home, and I gave you enough time to decide. Everything’s going to be fine, sweetheart. Don’t worry.”

“Okay,” I mumbled, staring out the window. It was hard leaving behind all the memories.

Tristan and I. Our first fight, our first kiss, our first ~everything~, had happened here.

I knew moving away wouldn’t erase a single memory from my mind, but at least it wouldn’t be a constant reminder.

I closed my eyes and said a silent goodbye to him, even though my heart was screaming for him to come running back to me.

I wiped away the single tear that had escaped from the corner of my eye and shook my head.

~I can’t keep thinking about him if I’m trying to forget him.~

~A fresh start and a new life in Phoenix.~

~Everything is going to be just fine.~