A little teasing once and I was already a mess. What would happen to me later on?
He'd asked me about going home but nana had said my parents had something urgent to deal with so we have to postpone that. I am used to it, it happens all the time but, that doesn't mean it hurts less.
I haven't seen them in a month, they'd dropped me off and left. They haven't called even once, didn't care whether I ate or slept. I have tried calling only to be told off and sent more money, like I need more of that. To tell the truth, I am still a minor, a minor away from home ...all alone ...
There were people who went home every weekend while I'd been banned from going there. Money dropped in every other day, sometimes even twice a day, I think because they forget they had sent it before. To tell the truth, I don't think I use that money, Riley always insists on paying stuff for me, he even gives me money when I go out with my friends.
I only use that money when Riley isn't around and that scenario had become less and less over the past weeks. And even when he's not around, I still have his card with me, I find it easy using his money than my parents, is that strange?
It's Saturday...even on such a day he wakes up early. I sit Infront of a mannequin as he sits Infront of the desk working on something, maybe assignments, maybe work. I'd had inspiration to work on something but now everything felt dull and gray. He's tried to cheer me up, even asked to take me to the zoo...THE ZOO!!!
Why? Does he think I am still a kid? That statement made me mull for a good while.
I'd told him I'd do draping, that was over an hour ago...I haven't touched a piece of fabric.
"You know the idea still stands, right?"
"I'd rather see fish than some wild animals right now. "
I'd also rather he leaves me for at least five hours so I release some frustrations my own way than him being here and looking at me like he wants to relieve me of all the pain in this world.
Wait, I had seen hiking gear in his belongings the other day. When does he plan to use them anyway?
"Biking?"
Now I am interested.
"Shopping?"
"You don't like shopping."
And we'd done that yesterday. I'd gotten a new pair of sports shoes and he'd won me a teddy bear at the arcade. It was pink and had a battery powered message box. Each time I poke it, it says...
"I am right here baby."
In Riley's very sexy deep voice. He'd gone through a series of messages before he stuck with that one.
I stand from the stool and she'd my shirt as I look for a tracksuit...the sport shes now have a job to do.
"So, biking?"
"Yeah!"
Maybe with going outdoors, I'd stop thinking about some things, I hope he helps me out with this though.
He comes over to me and hugs my waist from behind, his head resting on my shoulder.
"I can't say anything about it because I don't understand the situation. But even I get calls in the middle of the night...I have to rush out of nowhere to check on things because I don't really trust others to do it.
Not that it's an excuse darling but it was our sweat that we put in, years of hard work and efforts as well..."
He took a sniff of my hair, something he does when he doesn't want to do something he'll regret I guess. I think he also likes the new shampoo I got the other week.
"I wouldn't want it to collapse."
"I know...but doesn't mean it hurts less. Can't I hurt a little when my own parents don't want me home?"
"It's not the first time, right?"
I guess he also knows me so well. He turns me around so we get to face each other.
"I want to make a promise to you today. One I really hope to keep. I'll make sure to remember the most important...even the least important things. I'll try to always be there every step of our journey together. I'll also help guide and make the most important decisions so that you're never alone."
"Riley!"
"I want us as equals. In future you'll also want to work so..."
I hugged him. I know how much he works...he gets out of the bed just to answer phone calls. To make me worry less, he doesn't argue Infront of me. Just the other day, he'd sent Quint instead of going himself because he had promised me. Yet he's still making these promises that were filling my heart...I want him to be selfish.
Sometimes school gets too stressful...like when we have tests like today. We mainly have written tests this semester though we were learning practicals alongside. I like the way we study. Having everything inclusive like this made it more intriguing.
The tests were to check on progress but I still hate tests.
My mentor used my measurements for an assignment. After I was done with my exams, I had to go find her...get dressed in the sports attire she'd made...it fit me so well, she got a few words of praise. I think that is what I really needed, to see it for myself that you could from scratch make clothes for others...that was the essence of what we were learning in school anyway...but this experience somehow made it more real for me.
Riley found me in our dorm room...I was draping for the first time. Though I'd had a mannequin for a good while, I hadn't gotten a feel of it until today. Once I'd even wished Riley hadn't bought it for me, it was eating dust and making me procrastinate.
Back then, he'd told me not to worry and just go with the motions...I think I understand that now.
He was sweaty as he leaned in to give me a peck but I don't mind. He's been playing tennis for a while now... he'd said it wasn't for competitions but everyone in the club praised him and his skills. I'd heard from his 'kids' that he'd always been good at sports. Just not much of a fan, but anyway, what wasn't he good at?
He could even Riley me up so much... no... not now Blane. He came out if the shower a few minutes later.
"Have a picture in mind?"
"Yes!"
"Oh! What is it?"
He pulls a stool closer as he waits, that was when I realized he's talking about whatever I am doing...damn it Blane!
"N..Not really, just going with the flow."
With him, with the mannequin. I don't know if he realized I'd been in a gutter but he never showed.
"Can I take a video?"
"Okay!"
Good thing our room is always neat thanks to Riley, I was also looking at my best. If I want my video taken, it had to be something great...mostly if it was Riley taking it. He was good at photo taking.