Moving In With The McDonoughs (a Before You Exit Fanfiction)

Chapter 33

We kept walking down the hall to different rooms when I realised something was wrong. I stopped.

"Hey guys, where's Riley?" I asked them. They turned and looked at me. Connor, Toby and Thomas shrugged.

"He said something about heading to the dressing room," Braiden replied. Then I remembered that Riley was trying to tell me something for so long but hadn't got the chance to.

"I'll go and check on him. You guys go on ahead," I said and started heading to the dressing room.

"Uhh, Haley?" Connor called out. I stopped and turned around.

"Yeah?"

"You do know that this tour is for YOU, right?"

"Yeah, I do! I just... I'll be back, okay?" they nodded and we kept walking in different directions. I found the room I was searching for and knocked. Nobody replied so I turned the knob and went inside. I saw Riley sitting quietly on the sofa, staring at his phone. He looked up when I closed the door. 

"Hey, Riles," I said quietly and smiled at him. He, in return, gave me a sad smile. I frowned.

"What's wrong, buddy?" I asked and sat opposite him on the table in front the sofa. He looked down and shook his head. 

"Okay, if nothing's wrong, then why are you so quiet all of a sudden?" I asked and he looked up. 

"Its nothing," he mumbled. I tilted my head to the right.

"Riley, you KNOW I can see past that excuse, right?" 

"Yeah..."

"Then, what's wrong?" He took a deep breath and looked like he was struggling for words. 

"Why... Umm..." he started but broke off. I sighed.

"Riley..." 

"Haley, whydidyougivemeyourvarsityjacketandnottoconnorortoby?" he said in one breath. My eyes widened. I kind of understood what he had said but wanted to make sure I heard right. 

"What?" I asked a nervous looking Riley. 

"Look, if it helps, I'll look away and you can say whatever it is you want to say without worrying, okay?" I suggested and when he nodded, I stood up and walked to the mini fridge. I had my back to Riley and heard him take in a deep breath. 

"Umm... Why did... Uhh... Why did you give me your... Your varsity jacket and... Umm... Not to... Connor or... Or Toby? he asked and I could tell he had a hard time saying it. I closed my eyes briefly and smiled, turning back to Riley. I went and sat back down on the table. 

"Why do YOU think?" I asked him.

"Come on, Haley! I want an answer... Please..." Riley said and I thought that I heard his voice breaking. 

"Well... I thought that I could give my things to my twin and... I did!" I answered, smiling at him. He let out a shaky chuckled. 

"But why ME?" he whined. 

"Why NOT you, Riley? Don't you remember the first time I wore it?" 

*FLASHBACK*

I ran down the stairs and sprinted to the dining room. That was the first time I was late for lunch.

"Sorry I'm late!" I said, panting and walked into the room.

"Hey, it was you fir... WOAH!!" Riley said, startling me. 

"What?" I asked cautiously. 

"That is some jacket, Haley!" He commented, making me grin. I looked down at my dark blue and white varsity jacket, under which I wore a plain white t-shirt, dark blue skinny jeans and dark blue and white All-Star converse. I guess I looked good enough but the boys were staring at me like I was wearing a sparkly dress or something!