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Chapter 18

18: Riley

Finding Myself

The next day I get up earlier than usual to walk to school. I'm still not in the mood to talk to Mason just yet. I know I'm being childish, I can't avoid him forever. It's wrong to run from my problems, I have to face them someday, but that day isn't today.

So, when I finally make it to class I head straight to first period to see Quinn. She's the only thing that makes my days a bit better. Seeing her smile instantly puts a smile on my face and makes me feel better.

"Hey there, kitten," Quinn teases. She won't let yesterday go, when I tried to climb the bookshelf for the book. I honestly thought no one was looking, but I was wrong.

I roll my eyes at her and playfully shove her shoulder which causes her to laugh at me. "Whatever," I mumble as we walk into class.

"Maybe I should use my eyeliner to draw whiskers on you," she adds making me laugh as well.

"No, never going to happen!"

"I'll take that as a maybe for halloween," Quinn suggests while smirking at me.

When I sit down in my desk I immediately grab an eraser from my backpack and throw it at her. She dodges it and it falls to the ground. "You have a thing for throwing things, I see. Not as innocent as I thought you were," she teases.

"And you're not as agile as I thought you would be. I guess I need to help you out in that department," I joke back.

"Please do, I'm all ears. Show me what you can do," she replies.

Just before I can respond the teacher comes in and starts class. Every now and then I look over at Quinn who spots me and gives me a warm smile. I can't help but feel a tug at in my heart. I love being around her so much. I love the banter and the support that she gives me. She's truly a one of a kind person.

After class ends we go our seperate ways, but not before she grabs me and pulls me in for a hug. It's a short friendly hug, but it's also so much mor e than that for me. She's so soft and warm and I feel so safe and comfortable in her arms. Is this what every hug is supposed to be like? I should start hugging more people, especially her.

Throughout the day my thoughts keep going back to Quinn, which surprises me. Shouldn't I be thinking more about my boyfriend and the fight that we had. That's more odna pressing issue that I need to deal with. I don't want to break up with Mason, he's to important to me. He's like my best friend, I've known him forever and I don't want that to change. Maybe I should approach him and try to fix our problems.

So, I decide to head to Mason's practice today instead of heading the library like I did yesterday. I have to make things right with him. I don't want him to think I'm a horrible stuck up girlfriend who runs when she doesn't get her way.

As I make it to the field, the first person I spot is Quinn. She is already practicing with her team, but I wish I could talk with her a bit more. Oh well, I walk past them and catch her eye. Quinn looks at me wierd for a second, but then continues practicing her routine. She can't break, she has to be in sync with the other girls. But she makes sure to give me a big smile and my heart starts pounding. She's so beautiful with her hair up and in her uniform. I didn't think someone was capable of being that good looking, but I'm wrong.

I try to take my eyes of off her and continue on my journey to find Mason. I try to find him in the mass crowd of football players and finally do after a bit. I patiently wait until he turns around and I wave my hands to catch his attention. He recognizes me and asks to take a water break. He comes running over to me and I get ready to apologize, but he cuts me of.

"Riley, I'm so sorry for everything. You're right, I pushed you and I shouldn't have. I'm sorry for bringing him up. I won't do that again. If you want to talk about him then we will and if not then that's fine too. Just please forgive me," he blurts out.

I'm stunned. Why is he saying sorry? I though I was overreacting. Was I not? Am I not supposed to apologize as well? I don't really know what to do since we have never really fought before.

"Also, wait here, I have something for you," he adds running over to his bags. He opens one and grabs a bouquet of flowers and runs back over to me. "Sorry, they are a little damaged from being in my backpack all day."

He hands me the flowers and I take it. I give him a big smile because he put in a lot of effort to fix things. Maybe I should have given him something to?

"Do you forgive me?" He asks and of course I do. I know he didn't have bad intentions the other day. He was just trying to help so I say yes and he instantly pulls me in for a kiss. I wasn't exactly ready for that right of the bat, but I kiss him back. I don't want to cause any more problems or make a public spectacle by rejecting his kiss.

He pulls back and gives me the happiest smile and I reply with a half smile. I think he is so caught up in his emotions and in practice that he can't tell I'm not at the same level he is, but I don't dare say a word. He quickly goes back to practice and head to the bleachers to sit down.

I would prefer to be in the library, but I feel like I have to stay here. I can't just leave after making up with Mason.

However, I have a bad feeling like I made the wrong choice, but I push that thought away. I didn't make a bad decision. I couldn't have. Everything is good between Mason and I now. Everything is okay now I keep repeating over and over again.

After practice ends, both Mason and Quinn come over to me. However, Mason beats Quinn to me by a few seconds and pulls me in for another kiss.

"Oh, so you guys are okay now?" She asks and Mason replies yes for me. I notice that Quinn doesn't look like her happy usual self.

"Okay, well I need to go back to my practice. Mine hasn't ended yet, so Quinn, can you still take her home?" Mason asks.

Quinn nods yes and he leaves to to back to the field. And I turn to face Quinn and ask, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just a little tired from practice that's all," she replies.

"We should get going so that you can rest when you get home. Take a nap and just relax before doing anything," I suggest.

Quinn gives me a soft smile before agreeing with me and we head to her mom's car.

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Author note: I'm back! Happy 2020 everyone.

Heads up, I might not be updating every single day, but I will try my best.

Hint hint, the party scene is coming soon.

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