Cigarettes & Cold Showers

[ofriley-blog1]

brooksmccarthy

Brooks quirked an eyebrow when his classmate rudely grabbed the red cup from his hand. “I hope you know I licked the rim of that cup. Thoroughly,” he emphasized, and playfully stuck out his tongue at him as the boy gave him his drink back. Taking a large gulp, he swallowed the remaining liquid in the cup. “I’m pretty sure this means we’ve swapped saliva now, Harris,” he pointed out with a grin. “If it makes you feel better; I’m equally unsatisfied and disappointed. “

“Not too worried about your cooties, Brooks.” Riley settled back into a relaxed position. “I had my bets it was water. I’ve got no idea how you drink and still keep that energy in a place as hectic as this.” His eyes reengaged the same journey around the room that they’d been doing all night. “Equally as unsatisfied and disappointed it’s taking so long to catch a buzz, mate.”

[flcvrdelys]

“You know, before I spotted you here, I was positive that I was the only hot person at this party, but thanks for proving me wrong, baby,” Brooks chuckled, and took a sip from his red solo cup. “Anyways, are you having fun? Or would you like some help with that?”

[ofriley-blog1]

“I was prepared to ignore you but that would have been rude as hell considering you came all this way to bring me a drink.” Riley managed to keep a straight face as he grabbed the drink from Brooks hand and took a sizable sip. “Taking it slow?” He gave a slight grimace as he replaced the cup back into Brooks hand. "Not much a fan of mixed drinks.”

[ofriley-blog1]

teachermadelineharris

Madeline gave a small smile but didn’t answer his comment, at least about being favourites. But she was still concerned about the sickness. “How long have you been feeling ill?”

“I don’t know. I forgot to check the clock.” Riley felt the more time he’d spent in front of his mother was more time for her to get suspicious. He didn’t trust himself to not overshare when half his focus was on keeping down his lunch. “I”ll just pop an ibuprofen.” He stated, finally managing to get to his feet and staying there. “Look. He’s a big boy.” He flared his hands grandly before making a series of slow, calculated steps to the door. “I can feel you staring. I promise, I’m headed straight to my bed. You can find me there the rest of the night.”

[ofriley-blog1]

Rendered

[ofriley-blog1]

elliotxharris She felt nervous just being in her brother’s presence. Things had gotten so bad the last time they’d talked, and she didn’t know how to fix it. She took the seat beside him, deciding not to comment on the wine for now, but she did eye it suspiciously, and was sure he caught it. Carefully, so as not to disassemble to sandwich that smelled delicious, she used both hands to pick it up. She quirked a smile at his comment. “I was surprised you didn’t take it the day I moved out.” Elliot had never felt awkward around either of her siblings, until now. She felt that it must’ve been her fault, that now that they knew she had faults, that they knew she’d fucked up by starving herself, they’d never see her the same again. And given the way Riley looked at her now, she was right.

“Too much work.” Riley stated blankly as he traced the rim of his glass with his finger. “I figured it was better to keep that as my vacation room -- for when I need to hide from the parentals or escape the mountains of laundry that mom seems to be avoiding doing.”He gave a small smile though his eyes still darted around the room. The conversation was not one he was not prepared to have but he could the wine was settling into his system. “Look dude, I was an ass. It’s weird having you back, you know? I-It’s nice seeing you around but I just feel like everything changed even though we’re in the exact same place we’ve been in all our lives. But now, it feels a little more permanent.” His tone trailed off as he sank lower into his seat.

[ofriley-blog1]

teachermadelineharris

In typical motherly fashion Madeline leant over to place her hand on his forehead. “You don’t have a fever, and Dickens died of stroke not consumption.” She murmured gently. “I don’t have favourites.”

“It’s probably just morning sickness.” Riley attempted to sit up again, this time taking a pause as he allowed the world to stabilize around him. His glanced over at his mom and he gave a curt nod, “Right. I’ll read between the lines. Words unspoken, right. Your secret is safe with me.” He managed a smile as he patted his mother’s leg.

[ofriley-blog1]

“So you are saying that if I were to copy-paste from Wikipedia in your mother’s class, she wouldn’t notice?” Charlotte asked with her brow raised, not really believing what he was telling her. Not that she was going to check, anyways.

“Speaking from experience, you will still get to go on the family vacation. You will probably fail the paper but what’s really important in life?”

[ofriley-blog1]

Rendered

[ofriley-blog1]

elliotxharris

“Eat, Elliot, just fucking eat.” She told herself, hanging her jean jacket on the hook by the door and kicking off her shoes. Elliot decided she would go to the kitchen and make herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Unlike her brother, she couldn’t cook to save her life. At the thought of the middle Harris child, her heart felt a pang. Their fight had been one of the worst they ever had. She wanted to talk to him about it, but she doubted he would listen to anything she had to say. Making her way through the house, she smelled something delicious wafting from the kitchen. Stepping into the room, she saw Riley, a large glass of wine next to him. Her mouth opened and then closed again, she didn’t know how to begin. “Can we…Can we talk?”

Riley felt his muscles tense as he sister appeared in the room. A feeling almost like an emotional hangover took root in his mind as he knew he had said things to Elliot the other day that he would have never imagined coming out of his mouth a year ago. As she asked her question, Riley allowed his eyes to glance to the seat across from him as he took up his wine glass with his other hand and swallowed a few large gulps. He made quick business of ripping his near-perfectly assembled sandwich in half and pushed it across the table so that at least Elliot would have something to nimble on in case the conversation proved more uncomfortable rather than therapeutic. “If you are planning on moving out again, know that I won’t feel guilty about taking your room.” 

[ofriley-blog1]

“ Alright, I’ll make sure to get that awfully sugared coffee tomorrow. “ She said with a disgusted look on her face, giggling afterwards. When he motioned towards what seemed to be a flask, Ivy panicked. She couldn’t drink, but of course she couldn’t say why. “ Yeah, no thank you. But go ahead, suit yourself. “ The redhead replied, handing him the coffee.

“Small town girl takes on sobriety after breakup. That has to be the most boring theme for a memoir chapter if I’ve ever heard one.” Riley stated doing his best attempt at a comforting smile as he was unsure of the rest of conversation was serving as the distraction that it was intended to. “For what it’s worth, you’re a total babe. Totally Carrie Bradshaw that was settling for Ronnie from the Jersey Shore.”

[ofriley-blog1]

Rendered

When Riley was cooking he could control every aspect of the dish -- the composition being a project that engaged the senses rather than numbing them like his other pastime of drinking. He wished he could hone the same level of control he had when he was cooking into his personal life but that task always proved far more daunting than feasible. Deciding your future was not as easy as following a recipe. He shrugged off the idea of the future as he so often seemed to do lately and chose to focus on the here-and-now, toasting the outside of grilled mozzarella sandwich stuffed with spinach and tomatoes he’d plucked from the community garden. 

He rarely found time to be in the kitchen. In a family of five, it was hard to get the space to himself but he needed this moment while the house was empty to clear his mind for just a second and forget about the stress of school, small town life, and family. Having his sister back had his heart split -- he’d struggled with the idea of her leaving because she had no longer been there at a moment’s notice but having her back was a harder reality of the chance of leaving a small town. Though cooking was currently distracting him, it was not absolute in its powerful to make his mind at peace. He downed a glass of wine, a dusty bottle the family had probably been avoiding, as he plated up his finished sandwich and worked to pour his glass to the brim again. 

@elliotxharris

[ofriley-blog1]

charlottemich

“All I’m saying is that it wasn’t a smart move from their part. Like, teachers aren’t that dumb, and they have google now. If they smell something fishy, they’ll obviously look it up, and will obviously find the source where a student copied the essay. If someone’s gonna do that, the least you can do and the basic precaution is to take it from a page in a diferent lenguage and translate it.”

“You’re definitely overthinking it. Take it from the son of a teacher, they’re over the whole school thing the second the last bell rings. The only ones putting in the extra time are single as hell or distracting themselves from a failing marriage.”

[ofriley-blog1]

ivyxcallahan

“ You should really just get yourself your own coffee, Riley. “ She said, chuckling lightly. “ If it’s such a big deal to you I’ll get you one tomorrow, but don’t get used to it. “ Ivy joked, although she was serious about the last part.

“Now you’re talking, Callahan.” Riley gave an approving nod before leaning back into his desk. "I’m a simple guy: three ice cubes, four sugars and leave a little room for cream – or something more worthwhile.”  His eyes flickered down to his pants pocket where the imprint of a flask could be made out when his jacket wasn’t covering it. “We’d be the liveliest pair in any class discussion, yeah?”

[ofriley-blog1]

ivyxcallahan

For a second she loved his idea of a dramatic entrance, but was instantly taken back by Riley spoiling her coffee. “ I like my coffee hot, Riley. If I wanted it cold, I’d get an iced coffee. “ Ivy explained, rolling her eyes at him.

“Relationships are about compromise, Ivy.” He stated blankly though he gave into a soft smile after a second. “You like your coffee scolding. I like mine cold. We settle for lukewarm. It’s really quite simple." 

[ofriley-blog1]

matlopez

“i can make a pretty mean ham and cheese omelette if you’re into that sort of thing.”

I was honestly looking for a morning buzz -- not food poisoning. I’m pretty sure there’s a health advisory out for anything that you’re cooking. 

[ofriley-blog1]

teachermadelineharris

“In that case we need to get you better curtains.” She murmured but her face softened when she struggled to get up. Now worried she forgot all about her annoyance with him, and her tea, quickly placing it on the bedside table Madeline moved to his side. “Darling you’re old enough to swear.  What’s wrong?”

“I have no clue.” Riley kept his eyes closed as he concentrated on everything except his turning stomach. “I think I’m dying of consumption. Like that thing that killed Dickens.” He rambled out the words as World War III raged in his head. Riley knew his mom allowed him to drink but he rarely cared to in front of her. Your parent silently counting the amount of drinks you were having was incredibly sobering. “Madeline if I die today, make sure that Blake and Elliot know that I was your favorite.” 

[ofriley-blog1]

“Riding a high horse? Seriously? Don’t you think I’ve been knocked off it after everything? I mean, I was going places, and now I’m nowhere.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I can’t believe you’d say something like that to me, like you even know what I’m going through.” She tried to steady her breath.

“I have rules because you’re my little brother, my responsibility. It have rules because I care about you.” She shook her head, “If you want to be an adult, then you should act like one for once.” She knew she’d gone too far, but he’d hurt her badly. He didn’t know how difficult it was just to get up and exist and be in her body each day. How much she struggled to maintain her recovery, and how easily it would be to destroy it all. “All of this over a damn drink. I can’t believe all of this is over you wanting a drink.” She muttered.

“Whatever dude. If you were knocked off, apparently you didn’t hit the ground hard enough if you think that I still need you to take responsibility of me.” The words hit him harder than he wanted to show because they were coming from her mouth. And they had truth to them.

“Seriously, Elle. If you’re not happy with where you are than don’t take that shit out on me. I’ve got enough going on in my life.” He never questioned his future in the past - before she’d left for college. It was always a sure thing that he’d trail behind her wherever she went -- even if that was something he told himself but never expressed to her and his family. “I’m going to leave before you start with the tears.” He gathered himself, glancing his sister once over before shaking his head and walking off. “Screw needing a damn drink. Give me the whole damn bottle.” 

[ofriley-blog1]

teachermadelineharris

Madeline gave a small sigh at her son’s answer and tried desperately to keep the irritation out of her body posture. With everything going on she couldn’t understand his new attitude and insistence of calling her Madeline.

“Well in that case Riley I’d suggest sleeping in your own room. This is your father’s and my space not for a nap. If you don’t want to talk don’t come in here.”

“The sunlight literally is like a spotlight in my room. I can’t even pretend to sleep.” Riley worked to gather up the energy to lift himself out of bed, but a bad spell of the spins kept him planted. His bender the night before was still making waves today. “Shit, sorry. Got up too fast.” Riley said massaging his temples. “I mean shoot. I-Is it all right, if I like chill here for a second? I won’t get in the way of your tea time. Promise.” He said throwing himself back on his back and let out a loud sigh as the world became a little more stationary. 

[ofriley-blog1]

“I was looking to spend time with my brother, but I guess that was too much to ask.” She said, ignoring his original statement. She didn’t need her brother judging her for things he clearly didn’t understand. While she thought her family supported her in her recovery, sometimes she felt like none of them truly understood it, especially Riley. She didn’t blame them though, sometimes she didn’t understand it herself.

“You wanted a drink and I offered to treat to you, as a fun part of hanging out together, which we’ve hardly done since I came home. It seems to me that you think you’re too good to hang out with me now that I’m a loser college dropout. Am I right?”

“Look, Ellie. I am not looking to throw you a pity party. I’m not looking to have one for myself either. We’re all going through shit. And I want to be there for you but like how the hell am I supposed to have a conversation with you when you’re still riding your high horse?” Riley understood she was being the protective sister that he’d grown up with but they were both in the same place now. He was aware of her struggle; though, he’d never made to the time to talk about it with Elliot. Maybe that made it seem too real. 

“You’re right, I don’t want to hang out if you’re going to be all rigid and have rules and whatever. We’re adults, dude.” He exhaled as if that last statement was obvious. “If you’re looking for a drinking mate, I’m your guy; but, if you’re trying to build a fort or have a picnic, you’re better off hitting up Blake.”