(28): Riley

"Okay... reverse. Who is Josie?" Nick asks.

Kat smacks his head "Her step-mom, you idiot, can you listen faster? I really want Chels to finish the story. The suspense is killing me"

"Okay, okay" Nick defends looking to clean his ears.

Idiot.

We've all just finished writing our first exam. Mine wasn't that bad, I'll admit. We are sat by our 'usual' spot on the grass. It's Winnie, Nick, Kat and I. Winnie brought us all home-made tiny cookies so we're munching on them.

They're really good.

I don't know why we aren't all going back to our dorms to study for tomorrow's paper. I guess we're just enjoying the sun and each other's company.

"Okay, anyways, I confronted her about why she was so horrible to me and she broke down apologizing" I continue "Then I started crying too. And now I think I'm willing to forgive her for everything"

Winnie coos "That's so sweet. She's lucky to have an understanding and kind step-daughter like you, Chels"

I smile "Thank you Winnie"

"Yeah. Any other person would hate her for life and be bitter about everything until the end of time" Nick adds softly "You're a really strong person, little Chels"

"Thank you, you guys" I say appreciatingly.

"I still think she doesn't deserve it" Kat adds.

Trust her to be negative.

"What? Why not?" I defend taken aback "You don't even know her"

"Chels, she is the reason you stopped visiting your dad for an entire three years" She says matter-of-factly.

"Dad too. He stopped calling"

She gives me a look "Yes, because his wife didn't like you"

Does she have to be so blunt?

"Kat. You can't only blame her" Winnie intervenes in my defense. "You just have to be happy for Chels, okay?"

She sighs "You're right. I'm sorry, Chels"

"It's fine" I wave her off frowning. "Anyways how were your guyses weekends?"

"Mom met Nathan" Kat blurts.

"She did?" We all ask at the same time.

Kat laughs nodding "She does not like him. I was with Kyle too and she likes him. She says him and I would be better together"

"You and Kyle?" I snort.

Nick also laughs "Do you guys even like each other? Like, as friends?"

"I doubt it" Winnie snickers.

Kat narrows her eyes at us "I think you guys are missing the point that my mom doesn't like my boyfriend"

"Hate to break it to you, but no one likes Nathan at the first encounter" I tell her.

"It's true. I hated the guy" Nick says.

Winnie nods agreeing "Same"

"See? So this is completely normal" I try to reassure laughing "She'll like him later on, just like the rest of us"

"Yeah. After a year" Nick murmurs causing Winnie and I to bark out a laugh.

"I hate you guys" Kat scowls.

We're still laughing at her misery "Anyways how come she likes Kyle?" I asks when we've sobered up.

"You guys wouldn't believe how nice and well- mannered he is to older people" Kat gasps "He was like a little angel"

My eyes widen "He was?"

Winnie and Nick don't look surprised "He naturally is. He's only rude to his peers. The guy is really well mannered" Nick says.

"I never saw this coming" I breathe.

"Our parents adore him" Winnie informs.

"They actually adore all the Chambers children" Nick says before looking at Winnie "Remember how dad was once upon a time set on me marrying Riley even though she was so much older?" Nick laughs at the memory and so does Winnie.

Riley. As in Riley Jane Chambers?

"Who's Riley?" Kat asks before I can.

My ears perk up at their answer.

Winnie's eyes widen "Oh shit, we weren't supposed to mention her. You guys can't tell or ask Kyle"

"Only if you tell us who she is" I bargain.

"She's Kyle's sister-"

"Kyle has a sister?" Kat interrupts shocked.

I have to feign shock too so I don't give too much away.

Winnie nods frowning "Yes. But you guys, she's been missing for more than two years"

"Oh my gosh, what the fuck?" Kat gasps.

"Kyle thinks she's dead now. I have a very strong feeling that she's not" Nick adds "You guys can't tell him that we told you. He hates speaking about it"

"That's why he's so... detached" Kat sighs.

"He's always been like that but it got so much worse after everything" Nick says.

"Chels, why are you so quiet?" Winnie notes looking at me concerned.

"It's just... it's a lot to take in" I lie.

I already knew all this. Well except the part where Kyle thinks she's dead. To be honest I would too. Imagine someone goes missing for an entire two years and more. There's no other scenario that would make sense except that one. It sucks to admit.

I can only imagine how Kyle feels.

"Do you guys know how she went missing?" I ask in the silence.

I think Kat is way too shocked to say anything. Winnie and Nick look saddened at the reminder. They probably also knew Riley and were her friends.

Winnie shrugs "Kyle never told us"

I wonder.

"But it was such a big deal. It was all over the news. Jef is a big guy so everyone knew and they were all looking for her" Nick says "It was a real shame when she was never found"

"Poor Kyle" Kat mutters sadly.

"They were really close" Winnie says "All three of them; Kyle, Riley and Zorro"

"I can't imagine Kyle and Zorro getting along" I can't help but laugh lightly.

"You would be surprised" Nick snorts.

"Zorro used to be such a good guy" Winnie tells us "I think I even had a small crush on him"

I look at her weirdly amused.

She shrugs defensively "What? The Chambers men are fine. Not even you can deny that, Chelsea-Anne"

I can't.

"Maybe" I snort.

"I also can't" Kat chirps "Kyle is all kinds of fine. I had a huge crush on him in the first semester"

"Huge is an understatement" I mutter.

Nick raises a brow "Does Nathan know this? And by the way, I hope you guys know that I don't appreciate you fan-girling in front of me"

I smirk amused "Oh come on, Nicky, you're all kinds of fine too"

"True" Kat nods pinching his cheeks "That curly hair could get any girls panty's wet"

Kathrine.

"She's speaking for herself" Winnie snorts.

"Yep" I agree laughing.

Nick scowls at us "So could Kyle or Zorro get your guyses panties wet?"

Winnie shrugs "The old Zorro maybe"

They all look to me.

"What? I don't have to answer that" I defend.

"Yes you do.We all know Kyle could get your panties wet, Chelsea-Anne" Kat teases smugly.

"Only he can call me that" I deadpan.

"Oh so Kathrine's right cause you're not denying the first part of her statement" Nick smirks moving his eyebrows up and down.

"No" I screech loudly.

"So why didn't you deny it" Winnie challenges.

I struggle for words "Leave me alone!"

Winnie smirks looking at her other smug expressioned friends "Someone has a crush"

"What? No!" I defend exasperated.

"But you admit that Kyle could get your panties wet?" Kathrine asks.

"No. I never admitted that" I scream.

"But you didn't deny it" Nick smirks.

"Kyle could get your panties wet, Kyle could get your panties wet" Winnie starts to sing joyfully causing me to wish the ground would open up and swallow me.

"Sorry, what?"

Oh jeez. That's Kyle's voice.

I look behind me to confirm and to my horror, that's definitely him. He's with Nathan and they take a seat on the grass when no one answers.

"Why are you guys singing about Kyle getting someone's panties wet?" Nathan asks laying on his girlfriend's lap and looking up at the sky.

"Yeah, and who is that someone?" Kyle asks from next to me.

Any time now, ground.

He doesn't give much away in his tone and I'm too embarrassed to turn my head to look at his facial expression.

"Chelsea" Nick blurts.

"Nicholas!" I screech hitting his arms.

Nathan looks at me weirdly "Why are they singing that about you, Chels?"

"Let me tell you what happened" I start to explain hastily because I don't want anyone getting ideas

"Winnie confessed to having a crush on Zorro when they were younger then now they're forcing me say that I have one on Kyle. And I think we all know that that's not true"

"She didn't deny it" Kat mutters.

I narrow my eyes at her "I did!"

"Why were you guys speaking about my brother?" Kyle asks, his tone confused and suspicious.

I couldn't be more relieved that he ignored that whole crush thing.

"They were fan girling about hot guys" Nick lies smoothly. We were actually speaking about his long lost sister.

Nathan looks up at his girlfriend "Babe, I better have been the first on that list"

"Actually I was" Nick smirks.

Winnie nods provocatively "Yep. She said and I quote 'that curly hair could get any girl's panties wet'"

"I was being nice" Kat defends loudly "Babe. Ignore them"

"No she wasn't" I add, giving her a taste of he own medicine "Literally no one forced her to say that"

Nathan tseks unimpressed "Wow"

"Sorry you're always second best to me, man" Nicholas smirks smugly causing Nathan to flip him off.

Kyle sighs from next to me "Chelsea-Anne, I'm leaving now so you should probably come with. Unless Winona will drop you off"

Winnie shakes her head no "I'm not leaving until later. I need the study hall"

"Okay" I squeak seeing as that's not an option as I get up after Kyle "Bye you guys"

They all wave.

"Bye, Chelsea-Anne" Nick teases.

I flip him off.

"Hey, wait up" I call after Kyle who's walking so fast that I can't quite catch up.

Luckily he does slow down and we start walking at the same pace "How'd your first exam go?" I ask.

"Horrible" He sighs.

"That's why you're so quiet" I note.

He chuckles "I'm always quiet"

I hum thoughtfully "Now that I think about it... you kind of are. You don't speak much when it's all of us"

"Because you guys speak about different things at the same time" He shrugs "I never really know when or when not to chirp in"

I laugh amused and fascinated "You're the most introverted-extroverted person I've ever met"

"I don't think that's a thing"

We get to the car and we enter before he starts to drive away "Sure it is"

"Sure okay." He says brashly "Why were you guys speaking about my brother?"

I gulp "What?"

He glances at me for a second "Why were you guys speaking about my brother? You know, before Nathan and I got there"

"Nick told you" I murmur.

"I want you to tell me"

Oh gosh. Does he know?

"Winnie was just telling us that she used to have a crush on him when she was younger"

"But why? Why would she just say that out of the blue? It doesn't make sense, Chelsea-Anne" He presses.

I shrug, acting nonchalant "I don't know"

"I know you're lying" He tseks, shaking his head unimpressed "Your ears turn red when you do"

Seriously?

I touch them on instinct "No they don't"

"Whatever. So much for being friends. I thought they didn't lie to each"

I'm guessing he's trying to guilt trip me and it's actually working.

I'm so weak.

"I'm not lying" I protest meekly.

"Sure, okay"

Oh gosh. What do I do?

I know that he knows that I'm lying. But I can't betray Winnie and Nick like that and tell him that they told me about Riley. Plus, I don't think he wants to speak or even think about that right now.

The rest of the ride is spent in silence.

****

After three hours, I'm on my second study break when my phone starts to ring with an unsaved number. I answer the phone.

"Hello?"

There's so much noise on the other side. I think I can even hear a baby crying and screaming. Oh my goodness, what's happening?

"Oh thank God, Chelsea?"

"Jean?" I ask confused. It sounds like her but why would she be calling me?

"Yes" She breathes hastily "It's me. Listen I'm so sorry to bother you but Theo is losing his mind here"

I can't help but laugh slightly "What's happening?"

"He keeps calling for 'ga-ga'. He has never said that word before you so I'm guessing it's his name for you or something"

That's so sweet!

I smile widely "Aww!"

"Can we facetime please so he can see you"

I mutter an excited and happy 'sure' before she really does face time.

"Hi" I smile when I see her gorgeous face.

She holds up a finger, signaling for me to give her a minute. I think she's walking somewhere because the phone is moving around.

"Okay look, here's Chelsea" I hear her say.

Finally she reaches her destination and I'm greeted by a flustered looking Theo. His face is wet with tears and snot. He has a pacifier in his tiny hands and it looks like he's trying to break it apart in frustration.

Cutest thing ever.

"Hi cutie" I coo when he looks at the camera.

"Ga-ga" He cheers smiling for what I think is the first time because his mom breathes a sigh of relief.

I laugh happily "Hi. What's wrong?"

He hits the phone screen excitedly "Ga-ga"

"Why are you bothering mommy?" I ask him with my baby voice.

He points to his mom confused "Mama"

"Yes. Why are you bothering her?" I laugh.

He also laughs, repeatedly hitting the screen energetically and blocking the camera a few times.

"Okay, say bye to Chelsea" His mom says.

Little Theo waves unsurely causing me to coo at how cute that is "Buy-buy"

That little voice! I want one of these!

"Bye, Theo" I grin love-struck.

I think he's in a better mood now because he crawls away immediately, a smile on his face.

"Oh my gosh, thank you so much" Jean says.

I smile "It's no problem at all. I missed his face as much"

"It's just, he hasn't met new people in a long time so he probably got so excited when he saw you" She explains removing hair out of her face.

I wave her off "It's really no problem. You guys can always call again when he gets like that"

"Hey, what did you do to Jake?" She asks playfully but you can see that she's genuinely curious and concerned.

I gulp nervously "Why?"

"After your guyses friend date, he was in such a somber mood and wouldn't tell us why. He left to college like that"

"Oh. Something did happen" I mutter.

"You don't have to tell me what it is, I was just making sure that there was a valid explanation why he was like that" She says.

"Okay" I murmur thoughtfully.

She smiles softly because she can probably tell that I feel guilty "He'll be fine, okay? Bye now Chels. It was very nice seeing you"

"Bye. Tell Monty I say hi" I wave.

She smiles one more time before hanging up.

I'm too guilt-ridden to smile. Poor Jake. I can't help but feel like the worst human ever.