This chapter will be in Riley's POV. Aren't you curious of what he thinks?
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Riley's POV
I've never seen Mrs. Jenkins act so motherly in my whole life. Well, they never had a child and this is the first time I see her like this. She looked so frantic and nervous for Jane.
"Got everything you need? Your reviewers, your -"
Jane sighed for the nth time. "Yes, Rose. I'm all set," she spoke reassuringly. Apparently, Mrs. Jenkins has been asking her the same thing since last night.
She took a deep breath and glanced on her niece, still visible doubt on her eyes. "Good." Mr. Jenkins and I took secretive glances at each other before a smile formed on my face.
"Jane can handle it. She's smart," Mr. Jenkins grinned proudly. He opened his arms widely in which in return, she hugged him and I heard her whisper 'thank you'.
Just a few minutes ago, we arrived here in the airport and currently using the remaining minutes we have before she says good bye. I honestly don't know how to wish her luck and what to say to her ever since I noticed myself thinking about her all the time.
I never told this to anyone, not even my brothers.
I've always known she's attractive in a sense that she's born with charisma. Sometimes I find myself observing her whenever she's not looking, her mahogany hair flowing freely; I prefer her hair in that manner. All in all, she's really pretty.
Don't tease me about it. My brothers think she's pretty too so I'm not the only one.
Today, she looked different. Whenever we hang out in public, we usually wear black and people think we're bouncers from an event like a concert. Funny, right? Black is our favorite color.
But today, it's the first time I saw her wear other than dark colors and a really new look. She wore a striped shirt tucked under high waisted jeans and ankle boots. She barely wears make up but today she does but only a light one. Her hair is tied in a messy bun. She totally rocked her outfit today but I didn't understand why it affected me so much.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from her.
Another thing that I grew fond of is her small height. Hey, petite girls are cute! Her height is only up to my chest which gives me the chance to lean my arm on top of her hand, pretending that she's my wardrobe. It annoys her, I know.
Anyway, I couldn't feel more happier for her. Just a week ago, I saw her in her worst - suddenly breaking down, trying to escape from her dark past, and secluding herself from other people. Despite the struggle she's going through, I know she's trying. Seeing her take a step to be an aspiring doctor is already a great thing.
Now, she's trying to build her future, reaching her dreams, and trying to be happy. I feel so proud like I have accomplished something huge. I helped a person and it made a huge impact in her life like she did to me.
Setting those thoughts aside, I cleared my throat and crossed my arms on my chest. "Nail it or else you won't have ice cream," I threathened with a goofy grin on my face.
She laughed - it's becoming my favorite - and shook her head. I laughed as well and opened my arms in front of her. "Come here. Gonna miss my favorite bud," I said.
She walked in front of me and wrapped her hands around my neck and her head resting on the crook of my neck while I wrap my arms on her waist.
Her hair smelled like strawberries. I don't know why but I'm getting used to it and sometimes I crave for it. Ha, it's creepy. My thoughts are so creepy.
"Aw I'll miss you too. It's just three days," she whispered. She pulled away but her hands are still linked behind my neck.
She smiled at me. The curves of her lips reached right beneath her eyes. I noticed she smiles more often these days and she doesn't know how angelic her smile is, how it brightens my mood instantly.
"How about our agreement?" I asked.
"Oh. That. I guess we'll continue it once I get back. You can't give me reasons why not to die while I'm away."
"Okay."
"So you're gonna miss your gorgeous friend?" She giggled.
I rolled my eyes at her. "Don't have one. All I have is a pig hugging me right now."
She faked gasp and pulled completely away from me. "I'm not a pig. Didn't your teacher tell you that humans evolved from apes?"
I chuckled. "I wouldn't call you a pig if you weren't one. But ape works too. You want me to take you to the zoo once you get back? I'd love to meet your clan."
This is where she gives me a sarcastic comeback but she has moments that she can't give me one. One point for me.
"Funny joke, Ri. I'm not buying that," she huffed and stuck her tongue at me.
I licked my bottom lip, fighting the urge to laugh. She's so weird and cute. "Update me when you get there."
"Who are you? My father?" Looks like I'm not yet forgiven.
I shook my head, chuckling in amusement.
"Cut it off you two," Mrs. Jenkins said with a smile on her face. "You guys are so cute."
"Who? Us?" We said in unison and pointed at each other.
"Not in a million years," Jane grumbled nervously.
"She said cute, not cute together," Mr. Jenkins said with a smirk on his face. All of us laughed except for Jane who's blushing.
Looks like she's on the roll of getting tongue-tied today.
Jane sighed. "I better get going before I beat Riley into a pulp."
"Hey don't be violent," I chuckled and squeezed her shoulder. "You're such a very good friend," I added sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes. "I know. I need to go."
We bid our good byes and hugged her one last time before going. All the world's luck for her and I hope she really passes her test.
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It was almost lunch time when I got home. Marie, our house helper had her day off so it's probably just my brothers and my parents.
I arrived at the kitchen to see my mother stirring something on the bowl. "Hey mom," I greeted her before hopping on the stool.
She smiled at me. She always had this glow whenever she smiles. "Hi honey. How's Jane?"
"She's good. I hope she passes her test."
"When will she be back?"
"Friday afternoon," I answered shortly. She nodded. Suddenly I smelled the aroma of something familiar and I like. "Are you making muffins?" I grinned.
"Yes," she beamed. "The first batch will be finished soon. You can get some if you like."
"Thanks mom. Have you seen Toby or Connor?"
"They're both out. Toby said he's going to Chipotle with some friends I think. Connor said he's meeting up with a friend and help her out with some errands."
After mentioning the word her, I couldn't help but grin. "You mean he's with Angel?"
She shrugged but I could tell she loves that idea. "He didn't tell me." Then she leaned closer to me and whispered, "Are they back together?"
I shrugged with a smirk. "Wanna play matchmaker mom?"
She sighed. "I love to but your brother's old enough already. I don't think he'd like it if we pry into his personal business."
In my dismay, I released a defeated sigh. "Well...."
"Anyway, ask Jane if she could eat dinner with us sometime. I'd love to talk to her. You guys are inseperable these days."
I looked up to my mom and saw something in her eyes. "Mom whatever you're thinking... it's not it."
She laughed and held a defensive look. "I'm just asking if you could invite her to dinner. You and your crazy assumptions."
I laughed at her. "Because you're probably thinking that -"
"I'm home!" Connor shouted. "We're here in the kitchen!" My mom replied.
Seconds later, he appeared and took the stool beside me. "Hey mom."
"Hi honey. I'm making muffins. Just a few more minutes."
"Dude where have you been?"
He briefly smiled at me and looked away from me. "Ate breakfast with a friend and helped her with some things."
"Friend," I emphasized in a sarcastic tone while wiggling my eyebrows.
He rolled his eyes. "Shut up."
Our mom interrupted us and placed a plate of muffins before us. I immediately snatched one and Connor did the same. "Thanks mom."
"Mom I'll just be upstairs," Connor smiled and stood up. "Tasty," he murmured.
I scrambled up from my seat too. "And I'll go annoy him," I grinned.
She shook her head at us. "I wonder why you boys don't act like your age," she murmured to herself.
I followed Connor upstairs and to his room. He sat on the foot of his bed while I occupied his desk chair. "I need to ask you something," I said.
His back crashed the bed then he sighed. "Yeah?"
I've been wanting to ask him this last night and it bothers me up to my sleep. "Why did you tell Angel about Scarlett?"
He shot up and showed me an apologetic glance. "Sorry. It slipped through my mouth."
Scarlett, the familiar name peeled a lot of emotions inside me. Pain, regret, remorse, anger, and.... love.
If you're wondering who Scarlett Sharman is, she's the 'starbucks girl' that Jane's been asking about last night.
We had a complicated history. A year ago, I met her in Starbucks because she worked there. Every morning, I would go there like a daily customer. I wouldn't deny the fact that I immediately had a crush on her. I flirted with her for months before having the courage to ask her out for real.
I gave her everything she wanted. I offered her my time whenever she needed me even if I'm busy. I fell too hard.
But the things is, she didn't want a serious relationship. She didn't want feelings.
But if you love a person, you would do anything for them that's why I agreed to be in an open relationship with her.
People ask us 'are you guys dating?' and she would always answer that we're friends. Friends who enjoy each other's company and likes to kiss each other.
I gave her everything and she didn't give me that one thing I'm asking for: a serious relationship or an exclusive relationship. I wanted to call her my girlfriend but I couldn't. She didn't want to.
My feelings made me too blind to see the real truth - I deserve someone better. It lasted for five months until one night, she broke up with me saying that we're better off as friends and not friends with benefits.
It was purely devastating and I wasn't myself for weeks. That's when I thought that maybe someday she'll go back to me and tell me that she loves me.
It has been two months but everything's still the same.
I zoned out for a while when I heard Connor snapping his fingers at me. "Riley."
I looked up to him. "What?"
"Are you still thinking about her?"
"Sometimes," I murmured and placed my hands on my face. I groaned, feeling so confused right now.
"What is it really?" He asked.
"What is what?"
"Do you like Jane?" He carefully asked and I turned to him. What?
"Do you like Jane?" He repeated.
My emotions clashed inside me. Her smiling face flashed inside my mind and I remember all the time I spent with her this week. I remember how soft her skin felt against mine, how smooth and delicate her hair is that smells like strawberries. I remember the sound of her laugh and everything about her.
"I-I don't know... I don't want to decide something that I'm not sure of."
He sighed. "You can't decide to like or to not like someone. It happens."
"But -"
"Are you still in love with Scarlett?" He asked. I looked down, feeling a block on my throat. I couldn't answer him. I don't know how.
"I.... Yeah, I still am," I answered quietly. "But when I'm with Jane it's -"
"You need to know what it really is. But you wanna know what I think?"
"What?"
His jaw clenched and looked down. "Scarlett ruined you. That's what I think."
"You don't know her, Connor. I know she treated me like trash but it was me who insisted to date her. It's my fault. She's a great girl," I said, my voice getting a bit louder.
I don't know why but I never got angry at Scar for what she did. I'm mad at myself for not being good enough.
"But Jane is better for you! I saw the way you look at her -"
I stood up and held my face in frustration. "Stop pushing me to Jane! I don't have feelings for her."
He stood up in front of me. I saw the decisive look in his eyes. "I know you like her. You just couldn't accept it because you don't want to move on from Scar."
I stopped. He's right.
"If I say I like her, it wouldn't change the fact that I'm still in love with Scar and it frustrates me."
Connor sighed. "Does Jane know about Scarlett?"
"No but Angel mentioned it to me while she's there.... Connor, I saw the look on her face when I won't tell her. It's bothering me. I don't want to see her like that." I ran a hand through my hair.
"Why wouldn't you tell her?"
I gulped and shook my head. "I don't want to."
"But she trusts you. What's the harm in telling her?"
I took a deep breath. "Because I don't know what I'll tell her if she asks me if I'm still in love with Scar."
"You need to make up your mind. I'm your brother and I don't want to see you hurt again."
I sat on the chair again. "I don't know anymore," I said, feeling my voice getting little.
"Then why are you helping Jane?"
"Why did we create this band again?"
His forehead creased, looking a bit confused. "To make a difference."
"And I'm going to make a difference in her life," I answered with conviction.
"But what about Scarlett?"
"I want to forget her but I can't."
"Can't or won't?"
There are so many questions inside my head. I don't know how to answer them. I'm so confused.
Connor's question lingered inside my mind. Why can't I forget Scarlett?
But I like Jane. I need to make up my mind.
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I know it's long and a bit confusing but the next chapter will explain it a bit more!