Chapter Twenty Six: Blues
RILEY'S POV
If I wasn't feeling nervous before, then I definitely was now.
We were currently standing in front of the Silvers' driveway—Kayla trying to park the car properly while I gave myself a silent pep talk.
Kayla stepped out of the car, and I followed, moving to unload my suitcase.
She rang the doorbell… then walked in almost immediately, leaving me wondering why she rang it in the first place.
I barely had time to process it before she grabbed my hand casually and led me inside.
"I'll show you to your room," she said.
I looked around, noticing how quiet everything was. No one seemed to be around, which made the huge house feel even emptier.
We walked past the stairs to the second floor and continued toward a set of stairs I recognized immediately.
"Why are we heading to the third floor?" I asked.
"Mom figured the third floor is practically empty," Kayla replied. "The only room in use there is Xander's… so yours is there too."
I stopped for a second, then facepalmed.
Now I get to be on the same floor as him?
"Don't worry," Kayla added, glancing back at me. "He's the quietest neighbor you could possibly have."
Right.
That didn't help.
She stopped in front of a door, just a little distance away from another one I immediately recognized.
Xander's room.
"At least you're not right opposite him," she said, pushing the door open.
I let out a quiet breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Small mercies.
She opened the door, and my eyes widened as I took in the room.
Baby blue desk, bed, closet, walls—literally everything in the room was either blue or had a touch of it. I even realized the door was blue.
It was… really beautiful.
"Wow," I murmured, stepping inside. "What a blue room."
Kayla smiled. "Get settled. I'll call you for lunch."
That's when I realized I hadn't eaten anything all morning.
"I'll bring you some snacks first," she added, like she'd read my mind.
"Thanks," I said, watching her walk out.
I had just finished unpacking when she came back in, placing a tray of cookies and a glass of orange juice on the desk.
I didn't even realize how hungry I was until the tray was empty.
I dropped onto the bed with a sigh, staring at it.
Yeah… that disappeared faster than expected.
Lunch came and went.
I saw everyone… except Xander.
And Mr and Mrs Silver.
Dinner was a bit different.
I finally met Mrs. Natalie, and she was warm—really warm like the first time we met. The kind of person that made you feel comfortable almost immediately.
Mr. James still wasn't back.
And Xander?
Still nowhere to be seen.
Again.
It was around forty-five minutes past ten when I quietly stepped out of my room.
I walked downstairs slowly, trying not to make any noise.
I hadn't eaten much at dinner, and now the hunger was starting to catch up with me.
I was almost at the bottom of the stairs when I heard voices.
Slightly raised voices.
From the kitchen.
I paused.
It sounded like Mrs. Natalie…
And—
Xander?