Outcasts

by B. D. Fresquez

  I grab her small bag from the table and reach inside.

  “Riley!” she exclaims.

  I pull out the keys and look at her. “I’m doing what I think is right mom.” I snap at her. I turn around and don’t see Aiden anywhere. I jog to the entrance of the building.

  I find Aiden leaning against the wall outside, rubbing his face. I slowly approach him, hesitant on how he’ll react. “Aiden?” I ask quietly.

  He looks up, and his eyes are red-rimmed. “Riley…I…”

  “Let’s go,” I tell him.

  He pushes himself off the wall and walks towards me, stumbling a bit. I walk him to my mom’s car and help him get in on the passenger side. I get in on the driver’s side and yank my heels off. I throw them in the backseat.

  “So, where to?” I ask Aiden hesitantly.

  “Alex’s house,” he mumbles.

  “Mind telling me where his house is?” I ask.

  He gives me an address, and I instantly know where the street is. I always see it when my mom and I go to Wal-Mart.

  We drive in silence. Aiden has his arms crossed as he stares out the window. He doesn’t speak until I drive down Alex’s street and ask him which house it is.

  He looks up. “It’s that one with the chain-link fence.” He points to it. I pull into the house’s driveway and park. “Wanna come inside?” Aiden asks me.

  I raise my eyebrows but shake my head. “No thanks. I have to get back…”

  “Right,” he mutters. “Thanks for the ride, Riley.” He opens the passenger door and steps out of the car. I wait until he’s inside to leave.

  ***

  Saturday morning, I don’t wake up until about ten. My mom and I got home kind of late. Then she scolded me for taking her keys. Which was totally unnecessary because I made it back safe without a scratch on her car.

  I go downstairs and greet my mom. She makes us some pancakes, so we sit down at the kitchen table and eat in silence. After finishing what’s on my plate, I stand up awkwardly and put it in the sink.

  I run back upstairs to my room and shut my door. I throw myself on my bed and sigh. I’m incredibly bored right now. I reach over to the small table by my bed and grab my phone. I have two messages. I open the first one and find that it’s from Aiden.

  Wanna hang out today?

  I read the next one, which is also from him.

  Unless I made myself look like an ass last night and you never want to speak to me again.

  I smile slightly and text him back:

  I wouldn’t say that. What did you have planned today?

  He doesn’t waste any time texting me back.

  You wanna meet at the park?

  I agree to meet him there and start getting ready. I put on some jeans and my old Pink Floyd shirt. I throw on my shoes and run a brush through my hair. Luckily for me, I showered last night and my hair dried pretty straight.

  I go back downstairs and walk into the kitchen again where I find my mom. “I’m going to the park,” I inform her.

  “Are you taking Sassy?” she asks.

  “No. I was just going to meet someone there,” I say.

  She eyes me suspiciously but sighs. “Okay. Keep your phone on and let me know when you’re on your way back.”

  I nod. “Will do.”

  ***

  When I arrive at the park, Aiden is already waiting. He is leaning against a tree and has his phone in his hand. His dark brown hair is up in his usual messy fashion. He has on his black leather jacket. He also has a pair of Ray Bans covering his eyes.

  He hears me approaching him and looks up. “You made it,” he comments.

  “Yup. I didn’t get kidnapped or anything.” I joke.

  He smirks. “What’s with you and thinking you’re going to get kidnapped?”

  “You never know.” I shrug. “It could happen at any time.”

  He shakes his head. “You are too much.”

  We walk to a bench and sit down. I lean back and sigh. “So what’s up?” I finally ask him.

  He leans forward and rubs his temples. “Well, I have a killer headache right now. But I’m pretty sure you know why.”

  He’s hung over.

  I nod. “Yes. I do.”

  “I’m just…” He looks up and stares at the grass. I guess he’s trying to find the right words. “Disappointed.”

  “Disappointed?” I question.

  “Disappointed in myself, to be more specific,” he tells me. “I embarrassed myself last night in front of everyone in that damn room.”

  I remember all the horrified faces when people took a look at Aiden, especially Anna’s side of the family. I’m curious about what was going through their mind at that time.

  I stare at Aiden as he speaks. I can tell the change in mood in him. Before the wedding, he was very negative towards everything and was totally resentful. Now, he seems drained and not as full of life as he used to be. And I’m not going to blame that on the hangover.

  “Have you talked to your dad or Ryan this morning?” I ask curiously.

  He shakes his head. “No. You’re the only person I’ve talked to besides Alex.”

  I feel something warm inside of me. At this moment, I can’t help but feel good about myself. I’m actually helping someone that I never thought I would be talking to in the first place.

  He groans. “I’m such a screw-up, Riley. I don’t even know what to do with myself.”

  I genuinely feel bad for him. “Aiden, you’re not a screw-up. You’re just a bit…misguided is all,” I speak softly. “How about we talk about this later? It’s not good to start off a day all depressed.”

  Aiden smirks. “Are we going to have your idea of fun now?”

  I think about it. I smile, knowing what we can do. “Yes, we are.”

  Chapter 19

  Aiden

  “What the fuck, Riley. This isn’t fun.” I groan. I rub my face and sigh. Why did I agree to this? I should have known better.

  “Don’t be so loud! And it is fun!” she exclaims quietly. “I told you we were going to have my idea of fun. And my idea of fun is coming to the library and finding a good book.”

  I’ve never actually been inside the library. I’ve only spray painted the wall behind it.

  “I don’t even read, Riley,” I say in my normal voice. A guy sitting at a table nearby looks up and shushes me. I glare at the guy before turning back to Riley. She’s looking at the shelf in front of her. She stares intently at the books until she finally grabs one. She looks up at me.

  “You don’t have to stand here with me. You can look around for something interesting,” she says, glancing back down at the book.

  I watch her for a moment. Her eyes scan the paragraph in the book. She chews on her lip before putting the book back on the shelf.

  “I don’t even know where anything is,” I say to her. “What section are we in anyway?”

  She smiles. “Teen fiction.”

  “How many books do you usually get when you come here?” I ask curiously as I stare at the shelf next to me.

  “About two or three,” she says. “You better lower your voice or the librarian is going to kick us out.”

  I scoff. “It’s not the first place I’ve been kicked out of.”

  I notice a small couch near us so I walk over to it and plop myself down. I don’t know how long Riley is going to take, so might as well make myself comfortable.

  About five minutes later, Riley approaches me with three books in her hands. “I’m going to check these out then we can leave.”

  “Cool,” I say as I yawn. I stand up and follow her. She weaves around different tables and shelves.

  A lady sitting at a tall desk with a computer on it glances in our direction. She smiles. “Riley, it’s been a while since you’ve come here,” she tells Riley.

  Riley sets the books on the desk. “I’ve been busy, I guess.” She looks at me then. “Are you sure you don’t want to get a book?”

  �
��I’m sure,” I smirk. I’m not the type of person to read for fun.

  “This book again, Riley?” the lady asks her as she holds up the book. The book is called The Fault in Our Stars.

  Riley smiles at the lady. “It’s my weakness.”

  After Riley and the librarian finish talking, we leave the library. I sigh once we’re outside.

  “Wow, Riley. You sure know how to have fun,” I say sarcastically. “It was almost too crazy for me.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Shut up, Aiden.”

  I grab the books from her hands and glance down at one of them. “The Fault in Our Stars,” I read out loud. “How many times have you read it?”

  She shrugs. “I have no idea. But I reread it all the time.”

  “It must be a good book then.” I read the summary. I look at Riley. “It sounds like it would be a sad book.”

  She nods. “It is.”

  “So what else do you have planned for us?” I ask her as I take the other two books from her. We approach my car, and we both get inside.

  Riley takes back her books once we’re seated. “Nothing. What do you want to do?”

  I think about it. “We can make out in the backseat,” I suggest, smiling.

  “Aiden!” she exclaims. I notice her cheeks turn pink, which makes me laugh. It’s fun messing with her like that. She’s too innocent, and she blushes easily.

  “I’m just kidding,” I say as I pull out of the parking lot. “But I’m pretty hungry. Do you want to stop and get something to eat?”

  Riley nods. “Sure.”

  I know of a small diner outside of town that has great food. I like to go there sometimes by myself.

  “So, did you trip or anything walking down the aisle?” I ask Riley, teasing her. It’s too quiet, so I decide to make conversation.

  “No,” she mumbles. “I’m glad I didn’t. I was so nervous I thought I was going to mess something up.”

  “But you didn’t?”

  She shakes her head. “No, thank God. Lucas gave me a pep talk before we started walking, so that helped a bit.”

  I don’t know why but hearing her talk about that guy doesn’t settle with me. It’s probably because we fought at that party. “You and Lucas, huh?” I ask, trying to get more information.

  She glances at me, clearly confused. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean,” I start. “Do you like each other?”

  “Of course I like him. That’s why I talk to him,” she says.

  I smack my forehead. “I mean, do you like him more than a friend?”

  “Oh.” She looks out the window. “No. I don’t like him like that.”

  I feel a slight wave of relief in me, but I ignore it. “He’s into you, you know,” I tell her.

  “Well, that’s too bad for him because I don’t need a boyfriend.” She continues to stare out the window.

  I smirk. “You’re right. You only need me.” I nudge her arm teasingly.

  She rolls her eyes. “Please. I don’t need you. I can stop talking to you anytime I wanted.”

  “This is a side of you I’ve never seen,” I say, sounding amused. “Cocky Riley. I like it.” I wink at her.

  Her cheeks tint pink, and I laugh at her. “I’m not as cocky as you are, Aiden Callaway. You think every girl likes you? Well, you’re wrong. There’s one girl who doesn’t think you walk on water.”

  “That girl can’t be you.” I scoff. “You’re always flirting with me.”

  She laughs at me. “Me flirting with you? In your dreams, Callaway.”

  “Hey, only I can call you by your last name.”

  “Things are changing around here.” She shrugs.

  I pull into the parking lot of the diner and we both get out. I can’t help but think that Riley is finally opening up to me. I’m seeing the real Riley instead of the quiet one.

  “I’ve never been here,” Riley says, looking at the building.

  “You’ll like it. Trust me,” I tell her.

  We both walk in and sit in a booth. I sit directly across from her. I grab two menus and hand one to her. A waitress comes by and greets us then asks what we want to drink. Riley asks for lemonade. I can barely hear her when she speaks. I ask for water, then the waitress leaves us.

  “You remind me of a little mouse,” I say, laughing. “You’re too shy and innocent.”

  She crosses her arms. “Leave me alone. I’m not as shy and innocent as I used to be.”

  “Really?” I ask, not believing her. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Well, it’s true,” she says as she glances out the window near us. I notice she doesn’t like to keep eye contact. I don’t know if she does that with me only, or with everybody she talks to.

  “You blush at everything I say to you. And you don’t keep eye contact,” I tell her.

  “That doesn’t make me shy and innocent.” She snaps at me.

  I’m a little taken aback. She’s obviously upset about something now. “What’s up with you all of a sudden? Was it something I said?” I ask cautiously. There is nothing more dangerous than an angry woman.

  I remember when my mom would come home in a bad mood and didn’t really talk to anybody; my dad would make her sit down while he cooked and cleaned for her. He would also tell her repeatedly that she was the love of his life until she laughed at him for being so cheesy.

  I almost smile until I remember that he’s already married to Anna. Will he do the same thing to her?

  “I’m just feeling tired.” Riley shrugs. She looks up at me and frowns. “Are you okay? You look like you’re going to punch someone.”

  Shaking my head, I sigh. “Just remembering times when my mom was alive and healthy,” I say nonchalantly.

  Riley tilts her head to the side. “Can I ask what your mom was like?”

  I’m about to respond but the waitress comes back with our drinks and asks us what we want to eat. I don’t have to look at the menu to know what I want. But Riley quickly looks down at hers and asks for a small hamburger with fries.

  When the waitress leaves, I glance at Riley who’s looking at me expectantly. I’ve never noticed how her eyes look green in the sunlight. I blink and speak. “My mom was the sweetest person. She wasn’t one of those moms who overdid everything and wanted everything perfect. She was pretty laid back.” I smile softly. “She always told my dad she loved him and he always said it back. She was an elementary school teacher. She taught first grade.”

  “What was your favorite thing about her?” Riley asks as she leans forward.

  I smile at the fact that she’s so interested in hearing about my mom. “My favorite thing would be her baking. She loved to cook, but baking was her calling. She always made me the best birthday cakes and best cupcakes for me to bring to class. Whenever we had a bake sale at school, she volunteered.”

  “Did you pick up her talent for cooking and baking?” Riley asks.

  I shrug. “I know how to cook some things. Baking isn’t my thing though. Can you imagine me in an apron? That would totally mess up my reputation.” I joke.

  “Right.” She nods. “You’re the supposed badass.”

  “Supposed?” I raise my eyebrow. “Summers, I am a badass.”

  She laughs. “You just keep telling yourself that.”

  For some reason, I like hearing her laugh, especially when it’s me who’s making her laugh.

  Listen to yourself, you wuss. You’re turning into a girl.

  “So, I’ve noticed something,” I say, changing the subject.

  “What’s that?”

  “You haven’t worn your Led Zeppelin shirt since I ran into you that one time,” I tell her. She’s usually wearing a band t-shirt, but she has been wearing a Led Zeppelin shirt that day, and the name Led Zeppelin Girl kind of stuck with me.

  She frowns. “I haven’t even seen that shirt. I have a lot of band t-shirts, and I can’t keep track of all of them.”

  The waitress comes back and hands us our food.
I’m starving. I sneak a glance at Riley in front of me and watch her eat. In a non-creepy way of course.

  She takes a small bite of her hamburger and glances out the window. I wonder what’s going through her mind. She looks like she’s lost in thought.

  “Do you want to go back to Alex’s house with me?” I blurt out. I surprise myself with the question I ask.

  Her eyes widen. “Um…I don’t know…”

  I realize what I asked her and how it sounded. “I thought we could hang out there and you can meet Alex…” I’m suddenly nervous, and I don’t even know why.

  “Um—” she bites her lip “—sure.”

  All the nervousness leaves, and I find myself grinning.

  Chapter 20

  Riley

  I play with my hands as I sit in the car with Aiden. He’s driving us to his friend Alex’s house, and I have to say, I’m pretty nervous.

  I don’t even know why I’m so nervous. I’ve been alone with Aiden before. I know Aiden won’t try anything with me, but still.

  “You look scared,” Aiden says, sounding amused.

  “I’m not.” I lie.

  “Sure,” he says, smirking. “Just relax, Riley.”

  I take a deep breath then sigh. It’s been a long day, and I’m already tired. I rest my chin on my hand as I stare out the window.

  A few minutes later, I notice we’re entering a familiar neighborhood and I know we’re close to Alex’s house.

  “Does Alex live with anyone?” I ask curiously.

  Aiden shakes his head. “He used to have a roommate, but that guy got himself a girlfriend and they eventually moved in together. I’m just staying for the time being.”

  “How old is he?” I ask.

  Aiden taps his chin. “I believe he is going to be twenty-one next month.”

  We pull into the familiar driveway and park. We open our doors and get out of the car. Aiden walks a little ahead of me and pulls out a key. He unlocks the front door and holds it open for me.

  “After you.” He smirks.

  I slowly walk forward and into the house. I don’t know what to expect when I walk in. The outside of the house looks decent, but does the inside look the same?

  I glance around and see that the inside is actually pretty nice. There aren’t many decorations, but the place isn’t trashed.