Chapter twenty four: Arrangements?
RILEY'S POV
The last Friday of exams finally came, and I swear I've never been so relieved to drop my pen.
The bell rang, loud and freeing, and almost immediately the classroom filled with noise—chairs scraping, people talking, laughter spilling out like everyone had been holding it in all week.
I leaned back in my seat, exhaling slowly.
It was over.
No more late-night reading. No more cramming. No more stress.
I packed my bag slowly, watching as everyone rushed out like the building was on fire.
"Finally," Amber groaned from behind me. "If I see another textbook, I might actually cry."
I let out a small laugh. "You say that now."
She rolled her eyes.
After saying goodbye to her and Harleen, and decided to catch up later, I made my way out of the school, the afternoon sun warming my face.
For once, everything felt… light.
The ride home felt shorter than usual.
When I got home, I pushed the door open, slipping off my shoes.
"I'm home," I called out.
No answer.
I frowned slightly even tho I wasn't expecting someone to be home and stepped further in.
That's when I heard voices coming from the living room.
I paused.
Dad?
I walked in, and there he was, sitting with Mum. Both of them looked a little too serious.
"Dad?" I said, surprised. "You're back early."
"Hey, kid," he replied, giving me a small smile.
"I thought you weren't coming back from you trip until next week."
"Plans changed," he said.
"What's going on?" I asked, glancing between them.
Mum sighed softly. "Riley… your grandmother isn't feeling well."
My chest tightened slightly. "Is she okay?"
"She's been unwell for a while," Dad added.
"We think it's best we go see her."
"We?" I repeated.
"Your dad and I will be traveling," Mum said.
I nodded slowly. "Oh."
Before I could say anything else, footsteps sounded behind me.
"Traveling?" Cleo's voice came as she walked into the room. "Where are we going?"
Mum turned to her. "Your grandmother isn't well. We'll be going to see her for a while."
Cleo didn't even hesitate. "I'm coming too."
Dad sighed lightly. "Cleo—"
"I'm coming," she repeated, more firmly this time. "I'm not staying back."
A short silence followed.
I looked between all of them, already sensing where this was going.
Mum and Dad exchanged a look.
Then—
"That's actually why we made arrangements," Mum said slowly.
My stomach dropped.
"You'll both be away," I said, catching on.
Dad nodded. "We can't leave you here alone."
"And Cleo won't be staying back either," Mum added.
There it was.
"So?" I asked, even though I already knew.
"You'll be staying over at the Silvers' house until we return," Dad said.
I blinked.
"…What?"
"The Silvers," he repeated calmly. "It's safer, and we trust them."
My mind went blank for a second.
The Silvers.
As in—
Xander.
Cleo's head snapped toward me so fast I was surprised it didn't fall off.
"No way," she breathed, a grin already forming.
"Cleo," I muttered.
"What?" she said, clearly enjoying this way too much. "I'm just saying, that's—"
"Don't."
She held up her hands, but the smile stayed.
"When are you leaving?" I asked my parents, ignoring her.
"In a few days," Mum replied.
I nodded slowly, trying to process everything.
"So I'm just… staying there?"
"Yes," Dad said. "Only until we get back."
I let out a quiet breath.
"Okay," I said, even though my brain was still catching up.
Because what else was I supposed to say?
Cleo nudged me lightly as she walked past.
"Have fun," she whispered.
I shot her a look, but she just smiled wider.
I picked up my bag. "I'm going to my room."
I didn't wait for a response before walking off.
Once I got inside, I closed the door and leaned against it.
The Silvers' house.
Xander.
And now Cleo was going too… leaving me alone there.
I exhaled slowly.
Yeah.
This summer was about to get complicated.