Chapter Twenty Five: Moving In?
RILEY'S POV
Over the next few days, I kept thinking about my options—either stay at the Silvers' house or convince Mum and Dad to let me go with them.
After much thought, I decided to stay.
Partly because I don't like long trips, partly because I already had plans with Harleen and Amber… and partly because a small, curious part of me wanted to know what would happen if I actually agreed to live with the Silvers.
"Baby, here comes the choo-choo train, say ahhhh," Harleen cooed.
Yeah… you can already guess what was happening.
Harleen and Amber had decided we should play a game of family. I was the baby, Harleen was the mother, and Amber was the father.
I didn't even know how they managed to convince me to agree to this.
"Honey, be gentle with the baby, she's so fragile," Amber said in a fake deep voice before bursting into laughter, Harleen joining her immediately.
"Alright, playtime is over," I said, yanking the napkin from around my neck.
"It's alright, honey," Amber added, still using that ridiculous voice. "I got it on video."
I froze.
"You what?"
Harleen started laughing even harder.
"I'm deleting that," I said, narrowing my eyes as I stood up.
"Catch me first," Amber shot back, already backing away.
I rolled my eyes at the two of them, though I couldn't stop the small smile forming on my face.
After Harleen and Amber finally left, the house felt unusually quiet.
I sighed and started packing the little things I'd be taking with me.
Mum, Dad, and Cleo were leaving tomorrow… which meant I'd be leaving too.
Just to a different place.
Every time I thought about staying at the Silvers' house, my stomach tightened slightly.
Not because of his parents.
Not because of his siblings.
But because of him.
Xander.
I mean… I'd see him every day.
Eat with him.
Be around him.
And the list just kept going.
I sighed for what felt like the tenth time before flopping face-first onto my bed.
What was I even getting myself into?
The next day
I turned on my bed, trying to get more comfortable.
"Do you always sleep with drool on your face?" a voice said.
"I don't," I grumbled—then paused as it registered that someone was actually in my room.
My eyes snapped open as I sat up, looking around.
That's when I saw a figure by my closet.
The figure leaned out just enough for me to recognize her.
Kayla.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, quickly wiping my mouth—only to realize there was no drool there.
"Helping you," she replied casually. "And you should probably take a shower. Your parents are leaving soon."
Before I could respond, she turned and walked out of my room like she owned the place.
…Okay then.
After showering, I came out and grabbed the clothes Kayla had laid out for me—a white tank top, a black mini skirt, and my grey high boots I'd completely forgotten about.
After applying some moisturizer and a little face powder, I tied my hair into two pigtails, fixing the front before heading out.
By the time I stepped outside, Mum and Dad were already loading their luggage into the trunk. Cleo was in the car, drawing hearts on the window—which I ignored—and Kayla was leaning against the door, busy on her phone.
"Are you guys leaving now?" I asked, walking closer.
"Yeah, baby. I promise I'll call you as soon as we get there—and every day," Mum said, pulling me into a hug.
"And be a good kid for Natalie and James," Dad added, patting my head.
I nodded.
They got into the car, and a moment later, it started moving.
Just before they drove off, Cleo drew the biggest heart on the window.
Mum smacked her head lightly, and I couldn't help but laugh.
I stood there for a second, watching the car disappear down the street.
"Now, before you break down and cry, let's get you packed up and moving," Kayla said from behind me.
"I wasn't going to cry," I muttered, turning to follow her back inside.