Chapter Fifteen

"So, Riley, what are your future plans? Career ideas? Where do you want to go to school?" I smile at Mr. Lyles as I got ready to answer.

"Dad, what's with the twenty questions?" Trevor actually looked a little embarrassed. And Trevor being embarrassed was quiet possibly the cutest sight I'd ever seen.

"It's fine, Trev. He's just making conversation." I look across the table at Mr. Lyles and continue. "I'm actually looking into going to college back in Georgia. I have hope of becoming a marine biologist one day."

Mr. Lyles looks impressed and nods his head as he swallows a piece of his filet mignon. "That's impressive, Riley. You seem to have a good head on your shoulder. I bet your father is proud." Everyone looks to my dad. His face is set in stone, far from proud.

"Georgia? You're going back to Georgia?" This was from Trevor. I nod my head.

"Yes, it's home. I love Georgia." Trevor's body seems to vibrate beside me. All of a sudden everyone is surprised by Elizabeth's laughter.

"Awh, look at that. Little miss hick ready to go back to the country. I'm so surprised. Not." This woman really was a cunt. I watched her take another sip of red wine out of her third glass since dinner started. Before I can be snarky back, dad decides to chime in.

"Yes, well not everyone is ashamed of their roots as some of us seem to be. I guess the apple fell really fat from the tree this time didn't it, Elizabeth?" I'm floored but confused. What is he talking about? I look around the table and the person other than my dad and Elizabeth that doesn't seem to be completely lost is Layla.

I look at Elizabeth who looks both shocked and outraged. And maybe even a little scared. "Get out. Get OUT! NOW! Just some trash bringing in more trash. Leave my house immediately, you are no longer welcome here! And you!" She looks at me, pointing her boney finger in my face. "You stay the hell away from my son- he's too good for some hillbilly whore." I gasp. Trevor jumps up to his feet beside me.

"Mom! How dare you! You don't even know her! And if she isn't welcome here, neither am I!" I try to pull on his hand to calm it down. He just grips it harder as if to put actions behind his words.

This isn't right. She might be a total witch but this is her home and Trevor is her so . If she doesn't want us here then that is her decision. Finally Layla speaks up while still eating her food. Her eyes never leave her plate.

"Sit down, Trevor Lyles. If anyone isn't welcome here it's Elizabeth. Now I don't know how the rest of you are blind to it but I saw it as soon as the Brinks walked through the door. But I suppose that conversation isn't appropriate for the dinner table." Huh?

I begin standing up with dad when Mr. Lyles finally decides to speak up. "Now I don't know what's going on here but what I do know is our night has turned into complete chaos ever since you and your daughter came into my house tonight, Mr. Brinks. I do believe I am going to have to ask both of you to leave." I snort.

"What did you think we were going to do? Stay for dessert?" I shake me head and refuse to look at Trevor. I hear Layla laugh.

"I like her, I really do. She's genuine." I liked her too but what did that matter now? What was I thinking even entertaining the idea that Trevor and I could be an 'us' thing? I'm just that redneck kid from Georgia in their eyes. Just basic trash. I'd never been one to care what people thought but for some reason I did tonight. And now I was hurting.

"Obviously we were on our way out, Noah." My dad puts his arm around my shoulders. "Come on, Riley." I follow him outside and to the car. I looked at the shiny silver paint and felt a tad bit sadder. I missed his beater car. It was more him, more us. We would never belong here. Mostly I just hurt for my dad. He really wanted this.

I got in the car with a sigh. We both rode in silence for the first few minutes before dad broke it. "Georgia? You're planning on going back? Riley you aren't supposed to look back, girl. And you aren't supposed to leave me too." My heart shattered.

"Dad, it doesn't matter where I go. I will always be there for you. I don't see going back to Georgia as going back to the past, I see it as continuing on with my life. You're the one with ghosts back home, Dad. Not me." He sighs and runs his hand through his hair.

"When did you get so smart? So wise beyond your years? I'm sorry I drug you here. Whatever you decide you know I'll have your back. And I know you're going to have a lot of questions about why happened back there, but please just let it rest for now. Just until I know how to explain everything to you in a way that you will understand, okay?" I sigh but nod my head. I was really tired anyway.

Dad parks the car in our driveway and we make our way inside. "Goodnight baby, I love you." I attempt to smile.

"Goodnight dad, I love you too." I make my way to my bathroom. I strip and get into the shower without turning the light on. Showers are magical, don't you think? They just seem to wash all of the bad stuff away. And a shower in silence and in the dark? Complete bliss.

By the time I make it to my bed I fell as though I am half way dead. I fall into the mattress and wallow into my pillows until I am completely content. Just as I am about to fall asleep though I hear my phone buzz.

Trevor Lyles: I'm not giving up on you. On us.

Trevor Lyles: My mother will come around and even if she doesn't, so what? You mean too much to me to turn back now.

Trevor Lyles: And we've got to talk about that Georgia thing. Goodnight, Peaches.

I read his messages but don't respond. No way would I get in the way of him and his mother. He already lost one, I'm not going to be the reason he loses another.

I lay in bed for hours thinking about what happened between Trevor and me in his theater room. We had just stared each other in the eyes, forehead to forehead, for I'm not sure how long before we were called to dinner. I would be a liar if I denied the connection between us, but I would be selfish if I acted on it. I'm going back to Georgia as soon as we graduate anyway, so it wasn't like it had a chance anyway.

Sleep was lost on me at this point so I pick my phone back up.

Riley: Wanna go get some ice cream?

Claudette: OMG YES. Come get me?

Riley: On the way!

I smile and quietly get up. I slide my boots on with my pajamas and make my exit out of my room. I had never snuck out before. This was exciting.

As soon as my fingertips touched the front door though my dad tapped my shoulder. Man I really sucked at being a teenager.

"Where are you going? It's 11:30 on a school night." I sigh and turn around. I try my hardest to look innocent and sad.

"I couldn't sleep so I was going to go get ice cream with Claudette." I look at the floor, let my lip tremble a bit.

I hear my dad chuckle and I curiously look up. He's full on smiling now. "This is the first time you've ever acted your age and I love it. Hell yeah girl, go get you some ice cream. Bring me back some Rocky Road." I'm stunned and wonder where my real dad has gone but decide to keep it moving just in case he shows back up.

When I make it to my truck my dad yells out for me, "Oh and uh, Riley? Might want to work on your ninja skills. You sounded like a bull in a china shop." I hear his deep laugh and I manage to laugh as well. I'm pretty sure this isn't your basic 'teenager vs dad' scenario but I'll take it.

When I get to Claudette's she's squatting behind a bush, waiting for me. She's obviously better at being a teenager than me. She hops in and whisper yells at me. "Why is your truck so loud? Go! Drive! I could hear you from a mile away!" I laugh my butt off at her panic.

As I'm driving I realize something. Claudette is dressed like she's going out. "Why are you wearing pajamas?" She beat me to it.

"Why are you not wearing pajamas? It's nearly midnight and we're just going to get ice cream, right? Right?" I start to panic. What if she wants to go to club? I can't go to my first club in pink penguin pajamas. And I don't even have a fake ID!

"Calm your tits Miss Goody goody. We're just going to get ice cream, yes. But we're going to get ice cream in L.A." Realization dawns on me.

"So there's a small chance some people from school might be there?" I ask this in a small, slightly frightened voice.

"Girl. There is a huge chance a lot of the school will be there. Don't worry, though. You look super adorable." I gasp rather loudly.

"Because I really want to be known as that adorable little girl in penguin pajamas right?" I groan and smack my forehead as Claudette laughs until she cries at my unfortunate predicament. This should be an interesting night.