Chapter 33 33

Chapter 33 33
Easton's POV

I stood close to Riley with my hand still halfway in the air. My heart pounded hard in my chest.

“I do not know how to stop,” I whispered. “And it is driving me crazy. Every time I try to stay away, I end up wanting to get closer to you.”

Riley looked at me with curious eyes. She waited for me to continue what I was saying. I opened my mouth but the words wouldn’t come out easily. I felt like everything was stuck inside me. I stopped talking and just stood there looking at her, my breath coming short.

“Why do you always do this, Easton?” Riley asked, her voice low and obviously frustrated. She took a small step back and crossed her arms over her chest.

“One minute you are saying things that make my heart race and then you stop. There's no way I can keep guessing what you wanted to say.”

I looked down at the floor for a while. My hands were heavy at my sides.

“I am scared, Riley,” I said quietly, my voice sounding weak even to me. “I'm scared of what this means. Scared of hurting you. Scared of my dad finding out about the recent development about me.”

Riley’s eyes softened for a moment but then became hard again.

“Enough with your flimsy excuses. Being scared is not an excuse for you to keep pushing me away, that shouldn't even be coming from someone like you,” she argued.

“One minute you are defending me and the next you act like I do not matter. Make up your mind about what you want, Easton. Stop confusing me with your childish excuse of being scared.”

The air between us became thick and hot. I wanted to touch her but I held myself back.

“I am trying,” I replied, my voice dropping lower. “But every time I get close to you, something inside me tells me to run.”

Riley shook her head slowly, her shoulders still. “Then stop getting close if you are just going to run away again,” she said in a soft but painful voice.

There was a long pause between us with intense staring at each other. The silence felt heavy between us. Finally Riley turned around breaking the awkwardness.

“I am going to my room,” she said quietly. She walked away quietly before I could say anything without looking back. Her footsteps echoing on the staircase as she walked away. I watched her go until she disappeared out of my sight. The living room felt empty after she left.

I stayed inside the living room a little longer, my mind full of unanswered questions. I couldn't stay anymore so I went to my own room and closed the door behind me.

That night it was hard for me to fall asleep. I kept thinking about Riley’s words and the way she looked at me with hurt in her eyes as I rolled on my bed.

Later in the midnight I woke up feeling thirsty after successful attempt to sleep. I got out of my bed quietly and head downstairs to the kitchen.

The house was dark and silent except for the soft sound of Riley’s voice coming from the living room. She was speaking on the phone with someone I could tell that it was her best friend because of the way she was talking.

I stopped in my tracks at first, then tiptoed to the kitchen door to listen more.

“Amara, everything feels so confusing right now,” Riley continued, her voice sounding tired but warm.

“One minute Easton is protecting me like I mean something to him and the next second, he is pushing me away. I don't know what to think or do anymore.”

I stayed hidden near the kitchen door and listened more carefully, my heart beating faster as I waited for Amara’s reply.

“Girl, you need to focus on yourself first,” Amara replied on the other end of the phone. Her voice came out lively and full of energy.

“Stop stressing yourself over that boy. Save yourself from all this drama. That aside please, do you emember my crush guy in my math class I used to tell you about him?

“Yes I do, what happened to him?” Riley asked.

“He smiled at me today and I almost dropped my books!” Amara beamed.

Riley laughed softly and the sound made something warm move in my chest.

“You always know how to make me smile. And that's why I can't trade you for anything.” Riley praised her. “Tell me more about him. Does he already like you back?”

Amara giggled loudly. “I think so! He asked me for my notes yesterday and his hand touched mine. It felt like sparks, Riley! But enough about me for now. I just want to chip that in to ease the tension. What are you going to do about Easton?”

Riley sighed softly. “I do not know. I don't want to stress myself over him as you said earlier. It hurts, Amara.”

“I know girlie, you don't have to tell me before I know how you are feeling right now. But don't tell me you are already falling with this boy huh?”

“What? Never!! If I'm falling for me then I must be crazy,” Riley quickly replied.

“Well I trust you, just make sure you followed my advice.”

Their conversation continued with Amara giving advice and sharing more funny stories. I stood there in the dark kitchen listening until they finished talking.
I thought about Riley's words for a long time after she went back to her room.

The next day at school was going on smoothly until the principal made an announcement during morning assembly.

“Good morning everyone,” he greeted. “We are happy to announce that there will be a prom party coming up at the school hall soon,”he said loudly.

“Everyone should start preparing for this event and choose your dates.”

The whole school rejoiced after the principal finished his announcement. Everyone started talking loudly in the hallways, classes and cafeteria about dresses, suits, and who would ask who.

I heard groups of students making plans everywhere.

“Who are you asking to prom?” one boy asked his friend loudly.

“I am thinking of asking Sarah this time,” the friend replied with a laugh.

The girls were not left out. They gathered in corners giggling about their makeup and hair. The excitement filled the air and made the school feel different and alive. I stood there watching all of them as if none of it concerned me.

During lunch, I kept looking at Riley from the other side of the cafeteria. She sat quietly with her food, unbothered and minding her business as usual.

As I watched her, a thought came to my mind. “Why can't just ask her to be my prom date?” I thought to myself.

But before I could finish with my thoughts, I noticed Blake walking up to her with a nervous smile on his face.

“Riley, can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked politely.

Riley nodded slowly and stood up from her seat. They moved to a silent corner near the windows and stood there.

I moved from my seat and close enough to hear what they wanted to discuss without them seeing me.

“Will you be my date to the prom?” Blake asked, his voice hopeful. “I really want to take you and have fun with you. I promise I will make it special for you.”

Riley's jaw dropped. She opened her mouth to answer but I couldn't hold myself back anymore.

I stood up quickly and stared walking towards them. My heart pounded hard in my chest.

“She’s not going with you,” I said possessively as I got to their side. My voice came out strong and clear. “She is going to be my date.”

Blake turned to me with his eyes full of surprise. Riley also stared at me in complete shock, her mouth slightly open.

I stood there looking straight at her, my hands shaking a little at my sides.

“Riley,” I called, my voice lower now but full of tension.

“Will you go to the prom with me instead?”