Chapter Twelve: Morning purple (Part 1)
Riley's POV
"Riley, it's me—the man of your dreams," a very fake voice said, dragging me out of a perfectly good sleep.
I heard giggles and scrunched my brows in irritation and confusion.
A second later, icy water splashed all over me. I jolted upright with a sharp gasp, my frown deepening.
The irritating baboons in my room burst out laughing.
"Oh my gosh, you should've seen your face!" Amber laughed, almost wheezing.
"I took a picture," Harleen added, holding up her phone as they laughed even harder.
After a full minute of torture, they finally stopped and turned to look at me.
"You've officially ruined my day," I said flatly. "And for the record, I don't dream of guys."
"I know what you dream of," Harleen said with a giggle. "What the guys have."
"That's disgusting. And why are you all in my room anyway?"
"We came to wake you up," Amber said, pointing at Cleo, who was still laughing at the stupid picture. "Your totally cool sister let us in."
"Keep laughing and I'll show Mom the phone that's very close to me," I threatened.
Cleo froze immediately.
"What've you got in there?" Harleen asked curiously.
"A picture I took last night."
Flashback
Yawning, I tiptoed downstairs, careful not to make a sound, and headed straight to the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and closed it quietly.
That's when I noticed something felt… off.
I sighed and rubbed my eyes. It was past midnight—I really didn't want to wake anyone.
I turned to head back upstairs when I heard a faint squeak near the door.
My heart slammed against my chest. I didn't even dare reach for the light switch.
I've watched enough horror movies to know how that ends.
The sound came again, making my heart nearly jump out of my body.
Slowly, I reached into my pajama pocket and pulled out my phone, turning on the flashlight.
I scanned the room—then screamed.
The lights flipped on instantly.
Cleo stood there, holding her finger to her lips in a shushing motion.
I frowned when I realized what was going on.
"You snuck out," I said, my frown deepening.
"Shush. You're not telling anyone."
"You can't tell me what to do."
"Ril, please. I'm tired and don't have time for this," she muttered, trying to walk past me.
"Well, let's see if you have time for this," I said, snapping a picture—surprisingly clear.
"Riley, stop acting childish and delete that," she sighed.
"I'll show you what childish really is when Mom finds out you snuck out," I said, brushing past her.
End of Flashback
"You snuck out?" Amber asked, clearly impressed.
"Harleen, delete the picture," Cleo said, stretching her phone toward her.
I smiled. "Good girl."
I climbed down from my bed.
"Riley, go take a bath and wear something nice. We're going out," Amber said before leaving the room, followed by Cleo and Harleen.
After drying my hair, I tied it into a low ponytail, letting a few strands fall around my face. I slipped into a gray tank top, a blue jacket, a sky-blue jean skirt, and grey canvas shoes.
Grabbing my phone and some money, I went downstairs to find them chatting.
I cleared my throat, and they all turned to me.
"Riley, you look good," Harleen said. "Now come on, let's go."
"I need to eat something," I protested, turning back.
"We'll eat on the way," she said, steering me outside.
"Where are we going?"
"Stop asking questions. You'll see."
We stopped in front of a massive mall.
"Wow," I muttered.
"I don't get what we're doing here."
"Riley," Harleen grinned, "what do people usually do in huge malls?"
"Shopping," Amber answered, pulling out a card.
Two hours later, they still weren't done.
I was officially bored.
"Try this one," Cleo said, holding up yet another bikini.
I sighed. "Why do I have to try on so many of these?"
"Maybe because we're staying at a pool house for a whole week?" she replied.
She handed it to me, and I walked into the dressing room.
When I came out, they nodded.
"No. It's too tight, doesn't suit my skin tone, and it's way too revealing."
Amber nodded and passed me another—white with black polka dots.
I went back in and came out again, tugging the bottom down.
"Still too tight. Not better."
Harleen then handed me a Calvin Klein bikini—more covered.
My savior.
"Please save me," I muttered to it before heading back into the dressing room.
When I came out, I sighed in relief.
This was the first bikini that actually felt comfortable since we got here.
✨💞