"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.”
— Helen Keller
Riley POV
,,So....are you still mad at us?" Mom asked immediately after Mason left.
To be honest, I didn't know. I was just confused.
,,A little, but I'm just confused about everything." I said and I saw a little sadness in mom's and dad's eyes, but they both nodded understanding.
,,What did Nick tell you?" Dad asked.
,,It doesn't matter. I don't believe him. I'm sorry it took me this long, but when he brought me at his apartment all the things you said started to make sense."
,,What happened there? Did he do something to you?" Dad asked concerned.
,,No, no! I'm fine. Mason was with me and Nick didn't do anything to either of us. But he left last night and let us with his girlfriend that invited a guy over and well..."
,,Did that 'girlfriend' cheat on Nick in front of you and Mason!?" Mom asked in shock.
,,No! She made us go in the guest room and close the door. We did that, but when Nick came back he was drunk and they got into a huge fight. That's when Mason and I got scared and left. You two said that he is an alcoholic and that was proof enough for me to know that Nick was lying about what he told me." I said leaving out some details, but mom and dad were still in shock about what I said.
,,Riley, we're sorry that we lied to you about Nick being dead... I just thought that the truth would hurt more, but I guess the truth is always better no matter how hard it is to take it." Mom said and dad nodded.
,,To be honest, it hurts more to know that he left me by choice..." I said and a tear escaped even though I tried to fight it.
I wiped the tear away quickly, but mom had already seen it. She took my hand in hers and pulled me in a tight hug. Dad joined us and hugged both mom and I.
Nick didn't want me. He apparently refused me before I was even born, but mom and dad loved me from the beginning. They are my real parents. They gave me the love I needed no matter what and I was a bitch not to believe them over Nick from the beginning.
,,I'm sorry for not believing you from the beginning...." I said into the hug.
,,There is no sorry needed, but...you should probably talk to Nate. You missed his first game." Mom said and broke the hug to look at me.
I'm sure Nate hates me for that. I know how important that is for him and I fucked it up. I'm literally the worst sister ever!
,,But not now. Nate feels sick and you need to go to school. You'll have time to talk to him after school. Okay?" Dad said and I nodded.
,,Now get ready for school so you aren't late. I'll go and call Nate's principal to tell him that Nate is feeling sick and I'll have to call your principal too to tell him that you were sick yesterday. I'll also try to find an excuse for Mason. God, having kids is hard." Mom said making me and dad chuckle.
,,Good thing that you found out early enough." Dad said sarcastically.
,,Come on, smart-ass. We are keeping Riley from getting ready." Mom said, took dad's hand in hers and pulled him out of my room.
I just got changed quickly in the outfit I picked out a few minutes ago and then quickly brushed my teeth, styled my hair a little and put on some lip gloss and mascara because I had no time for more.
When I was ready, I ran down the stairs and thank God I didn't fall down while doing it.
Dad, Ami, Mason and I went to the car after saying "bye" to mom. Dad dropped off Ami first and then me and Mason.
,,Take care, okay? And don't run away again. Mason, you are responsible if she does another stupid thing." Dad said and Mason held his hands up like he was trying to defend himself.
,,I promise for both of us that we'll be brave." Mason said and I couldn't help but laugh lightly.
,,You better be. Bye, you two." Dad said and waived at us.
,,Bye, dad. I love you!" I said before he drove off and I saw a smile on his face that also brought one on mine.
I remember every time I wished for Shawn to be my biological dad. I remember every time I used to be so jealous of Ami and Nate for having him as their biological father. Now that I met Nick I am even more jealous of Ami and Nate to have a father like Shawn. Sometimes I wished that Shawn would have at least adopted me together with Mila...
,,Riley...? Wake up!" Mason snapped at me and I didn't even realize that I've zoned out.
,,Hm? What?" I asked and he just chuckled before he put his arm over my shoulders and started walking with me in the school. ,,Where are we going?" I asked and he chuckled again.
,,We have class, Riley. Did you forget that that's why we come to school?" Mason asked making fun of me so I just rolled my eyes.
,,Do we have class together?" I asked and he nodded.
,,Yeah, but we have maths." Mason said and groaned lightly while I cheered excited. ,,I'll never understand how you can like maths." He said and supported himself on me while walking.
,,It's so fun when you understand. If you would pay attention then you would understand and like it too." I said and he rolled his eyes lightly.
,,I'm sorry Riri, but I'm not as smart as you are." He said and smirked at me.
,,Riri?" I asked smiling.
,,Yeah. I just found another nickname for you. Like it?"
,,Yeah. It's original. Use it more often." I said with a smile and he nodded.
When we got in our class, I was so relieved to see that Amber wasn't there and neither one of her friends. I already knew this was going to be my favorite class of the whole school year.
I pulled Mason by the hand so we could sit down in the front row, but he protested.
,,Forget that, you nerd. I'm not sitting in the front row. I'm just gonna sit behind you." Mason said.
,,But Mason..." I said and gave him my puppy eyes.
,,No."
,,Please...." I said and walked closer to him resting my chin on his chest while looking up at him with my puppy eyes.
,,It's not working on me. I got immune to it during the past years."
,,Pretty please...." I said and wrapped my arms around his neck not giving him any private space.
,,I'm running to the store in the break to buy you ice cream if you let me sit behind you." He said and I scrunched my nose not liking the fact that he was trying to manipulate me....but who am I kidding, it's ice cream!
,,Okay fine." I said giving up and he kissed my cheek unexpectedly making me blush, so I turned around to sit down at my table while trying to hide my cheeks.
,,Riley! Hi!" A familiar voice said and when I looked up I saw Tamara the girl who I talked to in the first day of school.
That was the girl who said she thinks Mason is cute. Great... I mean she's not wrong, but it's weird to hear that from someone else. He's my cute best friend.
,,Hi!" I said smiling at her even if it wasn't a totally sincere smile.
,,I wanted to give you the notes from Monday's biology class. I couldn't find you yesterday so...here you go." She said handing me her notes.
Shit! Why is she nice!? She can't be nice! If she's nice I can't hate her! If she's nice I've no reason to hate her! But I wanna hate her! I don't know why, but I want to.
,,Thanks... You didn't have to..." I said and noticed that she wasn't even looking at me. She was looking past me and when I turned around I noticed she was looking at Mason who was on his phone.
Why was she looking at him!? And why the fuck do I care so much?
,,I'll see you around." I said wanting to get rid of her.
,,Yeah sure. Wanna sit together at lunch?" She asked.
,,I'm gonna sit with Mason. Social contact is not really our thing." I said giving her a smile that felt somehow fake.
,,Correction! Social contact is not really YOUR thing. I just hate everyone in this school, but you." Mason said to me and I didn't even know he was paying attention to the conversation I had with Tamara. Apparently he did.
,,How can you hate everyone if you don't even know everyone in this school?" Tamara asked looking at Mason and I just wanted to rip her eyes out.
Wait what the fuck is wrong with me!? Gosh!
,,I can read people by just looking at them." He said with a smirk.
Was he flirting!? Was he actually flirting with this girl?
,,That's a lie." I said, crossed my arms and turned around not being able to see that smirk on his face anymore.
,,Then what do you think about me?" Tamara asked completely ignoring what I just said.
,,You are new in the city, you like to study and you are way too nice to people." Mason said and I saw Tamara blushing from the corner of my eye.
Kill me! I was about to throw up because of all this.
,,How did you-" Tamara started, but then got interrupted by a voice.
,,Everyone go take your seats!" The teacher said as she entered the room and I was never this happy to see a teacher in my entire life. Thank god the class will start and I won't have to stand Mason's disgusting flirting.
But of course it couldn't be this easy!
Tamara sat down at the table left next to me. Great! I let out a silent groan and rolled my eyes at that and just tried to ignore her completely.
,,Hello class! I'm Mrs Wanderwood and I'm going to be your maths teacher this year." The teacher said and I was surprised at how young she looked.
,,Hey..." I heard Mason from behind but I ignored him.
,,Psst..." I heard Mason again, but ignored him again.
,,Ey..." I heard him say and then something poked me in the back.
,,What?" I whispered in a pissed off tone.
,,Why are you suddenly in such a bad mood?" He asked and I just rolled my eyes and turned back around to pay attention at the class.
,,Did I do something?" Mason whispered right into my ear sending shivers down my spine. The teacher wasn't looking and was writing something on the board.
The feeling of Mason whispering in my ear like that was weird and I never had it before. I don't like it.
I turned my head around lightly to see that he leaned over his table to reach me and his face was now a few inches away from mine.
That was nothing new to me. We are best friends since kindergarten and we got close like that a million times before, but this time it made something with me and I didn't like it.
,,You're just pissing me off." I said looking him straight in the eyes.
,,There is more behind it, Riri." He said not breaking the eye contact.
,,There is nothing more. Now let me pay attention to the class and go talk to your new girl." I said and wanted to slap myself for the last part. I wasn't planning to said that out loud and exactly that brought a smirk on Mason's face.
,,You are jealous." He said smirking.
,,In your dreams." I said and turned my head around to look at the board instead of Mason.
,,You don't have to be jealous. No one will ever take your place, Riri. You're the person I love most on this planet." He said, placed a kiss on my cheek and then sat properly back in his seat.
Deep in my heart I wished there was more behind those words, but I knew he meant it in a friendly way. I hated that I wanted more from him than just a friendship. I don't wanna have a crush on Mason. From all people on this world, I can't like Mason. He's way too important to me to risk anything for a stupid crush. Because this is nothing more than a stupid crush.
I know the story of my parents and I know that they were just as close as Mason and I are, but this is different. They were adults when they started dating. We are kids. If I would tell him that I like him I would ruin everything and I won't risk that.
,,I wasn't jealous. I have absolutely no reason to be." I said as I turned around not wanting Mason to believe he was right. I'm stubborn what can I say.
,,If you say so. Can we have lunch with Tamara then?" Mason asked and I just glared at him. I had to say "yes" to prove my point about not being jealous, but I think I'd die if she would eat with us. ,,I take that as a "no". Now you better pay attention, jelly Riley." He said smirking at me.
,,You're so fucking annoying today." I said and turned around.
For the rest of the class I didn't look once at Mason nor Tamara and when the class ended, I was kinda disappointed. I didn't know what class I had next, but I took my stuff.
,,Don't leave me behind!" I heard Mason shout from behind and I took a deep breath and stopped right before the door of the classroom to wait for him.
He smiled at me while packing his stuff and I gave him an annoyed smile.
,,Ms Cabello, good that you are still here 'cause the school's swimming couch told me to give you this and I almost forgot." Mrs Wanderwood said and walked over to me and gave me a paper.
,,What is this?" I asked.
,,The timetable of their training. They have training today, but if you can't go today there then that's no problem and you can go tomorrow or any other day." Mrs Wanderwood said with a smile.
,,Thank you very much." I said and returned the smile.
,,No problem. Have a nice day." She said and left the class.
,,What time would be the training today?" Mason asked as he approached me and we started walking at our next class. I didn't know what was my next class, but I was following Mason. He would get me a hint of where I have to go at some point on the way. I hope at least he will.
,,Right after school, but I don't have my swim stuff with me." I said.
,,Call your mom and tell her to bring your stuff over. She is home with Nate, isn't she?"
,,Yeah I will. But...what class do we have now exactly?" I asked and Mason started laughing.
,,We have art class." Mason said and I suddenly got excited.
,,Wednesday is such a chill day. We only have cool subjects and the best thing is we have them together!" I said excited and started jumping around like a bunny making Mason chuckle lightly.
,,So that means I'm not pissing you off anymore?" He asked and I rolled my eyes lightly.
,,Not anymore, but I wouldn't push because my mood can change really fast if you didn't already know that."
,,That was well known to me." He said and we both laughed lightly.
Art class was really cool. Sadly, Bianca, one of Amber's friends, was in that class too, but she didn't bother me because she wasn't as confident without Amber around.
This might sound mean, but thank god Tamara wasn't in that class either.
After art, we had lunch and Mason and I made our way to the canteen while I was on the phone with mom.
,,I know it's really cool, but I need my swim stuff and I don't have them with me because I was unprepared. Could you bring me the stuff after school?" I asked on the phone while walking side by side with Mason.
,,Of course sweetie, but you have to promise me to talk to Nate when you get home." Mom said.
,,I will. I hate to know that he is mad at me, but I deserve it."
,,You two will fix it. Anyway, see you later. Love you." Mom said and I could feel her smile through the phone.
,,Love you too." I said and then hung up.
,,So? Is she coming?" Mason asked me and right then we got at the canteen and lined up to get our food.
,,Yep." I said and nodded with smile.
,,Okay 'cause I'll stay and watch." Mason said and I groaned lightly. ,,What? I wanna support my best friend!" he defended himself.
,,You're just gonna make fun of me and look at the other girls' ass. So no thanks." I said and Mason smirked.
,,I'm only looking at your ass." He said and I gasped. Comments like that are normal in our friendship. Logan, Stacy, Mason and I always say things like that to each other because we all grew up so close to one-another.
,,So it is... What will dad think about that? Guess who won't be allowed to sleep in my bed anymore." I said and this time Mason gasped.
,,You wouldn't." He said and he was right.
,,I wouldn't, but I still wanted to say it." I said and we both started laughing.
,,What do you two want?" The lunch lady asked and I noticed it was the same woman as on Monday. Well it makes sense. I mean she works here.
,,Two of that thing, a soda and an ice cream, please." Mason ordered for both of us and the woman looked pissed off at him. ,,Oh come on! I said please this time." Mason defended himself and I couldn't help, but laugh.
I started laughing so hard that I hid behind his back not wanting to piss off the lady too. The woman gave Mason what he ordered while giving him the death glare and Mason paid then quickly. He took me then by my hand and we both walked as fast as possible away from that lady.
,,She hates us." Mason said and started laughing too as he put our food on a free table. We both sat down at the table opposite each other and divided the food Mason got. ,,I promised you ice cream so here you go." He said to me and I smiled to him.
,,Thank you, but you said you will run to the store and get me one. You didn't do your task completely." I said and be laughed lightly.
,,Be grateful for the things you get, Missy." He said and I rolled my eyes.
,,Hey, you guys! Can I sit here too?" A voice said and I knew exactly who it was and I already wanted to shoot myself.
Tamara. Yey...
Mason looked at me for approval and I only looked down at my plate and started eating.
,,I guess you can. You can sit here." Mason said and then stood up from his chair, walked around the table and came to sit next to me. He smiled at me and then put his arm over my shoulders pulling me closer to him.
Tamara looked a little uncomfortable and started eating her food, but I didn't really care.
--------
Sorry for not updating, but I'm trying to make it up with this huge chapter. Hope you guys like it...