It was beginning to turn into a pattern, not that he was complaining, of Riley staying over. His mom had been a bit odd to begin with the first night but then they had bonded over cooking together and embarrassing Noah and at the end of the night, Dorothy had whispered to him how much she liked her and it was nice to see him happy. Riley’s parents had been of similar mind, but Dorothy had explained how the door was kept open and she trusted them both to know they wouldn’t do things, not that Noah really could with his injury at the moment. And so the next morning, Noah awoke for the first time since his attack refreshed and with the girl of his dreams curled up beside him. It was safe to say, he couldn’t of been any happier.
That was until he had picked up his phone, seeing a dozen missed calls and messages from numerous students at school. At first he thought it was a prank, but then realisation sunk in and he realised the happiness would be shortlived. Tyler was dead. It had been heartbreaking to see, to tell Riley what had happened. It had put a dark mark onto the rest of their day but Noah had been cautious and considerate around her- trying to keep her comforted, they didn’t know much, but the police were starting their interviews the next day and Noah had tentatively asked if she’d stay one more night, because he didn’t want her to be alone. And that is what led him to now. Noah had held Riley through most of the night and he supposed somewhen she must of drifted off to sleep, but as Noah looked down at her sleeping form, he could see the tension in her face, the sadness in her lips. He would be there for her for as much as she needed, that was how they worked. They were there for each other.
As he felt her stir, he knew she was waking up and Noah gently sat up, extracting himself from her and carefully sliding out of bed. He pulled the covers up over her and quietly snuck out downstairs. He made coffee, extra strong for Riley and milky for him, bringing it up on a tray he was now getting better at balancing in his left hand. He placed the mugs on the side and leaned over, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Morning, beautiful.” he murmured. Today was going to be difficult, he knew but he would do or be whatever she wanted for the day.
Riley’s parents have been oddly supportive of the relationship from the start- ever since she had told them her and Noah were dating, they couldn’t be happier and now when she told them he had been attacked, of course they’ve been nothing but supportive and let her sleep at his place to make sure he was alright. And she had done it- being ligth and happy all day until he had told the news to her. Her heart sank in that second and she thought he was joking at first- knowing how things turned for him and Tyler and how delicate it was talking about it. But, even with the last events- Tyler had been her friend a long time and she cared for him more than she’d like to admit. She had been out that day, leaving home to get some clothes from her house. Truth to be told, it would have taken Riley less time to get back if she wouldn’t have just stood onto her bad staring at the wall. She felt numb, but she couldn’t let Noah see her in this bad situation- she couldn’t let him see how hurt she was for someone that hurt him in place. Maybe if she didn’t fight with him that day- he’ll be here...and more people would have gotten hurt in change.
She had come back at his house and the rest of the day was just as weird- the sleep was one of the worst parts though. Although in Noah’s warm embrance, she felt odd and she might have had a small nigthmare that made her face frown even in the sleep. For a second, when she woke up- she forgot everything about the killers, tyler and the intergation they’ll be having today. She smiled ligthly at him. “ Good morning-oh.” she spoke, realizing what day it is as she stood in a seating position on the bed.” Today’s the day isn’t it?” she spoke again as she rubbed her eyes, before looking at the trail as another smile came onto her lips. “ You know me better than I know myself...I swear.”
