The night that Riley broke down and almost ran away, everything was quiet. The emotions stared at the new island, sporting the general accommodations from Family Island, while rocking the general landmarks of San Francisco.
The emotions decided to dub it... well... Family Island. It was still revolved around family, nothing was changed. The only difference was it had a bit of the crisis prior to the breakdown involved. Adding chocolate to a cookie still makes it a cookie. While it's not the best analogy of the situation, this is an important time in Riley's life, and even if it is sad, she should still embrace the very fact that she came through it all and focus on how great everything will be again.
Sadness and Joy were back at the console, now watching what limited view Riley had, as her face was still burrowed in her mother's shoulder.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Joy's thoughts:
Staring at the screen, I begin to realize how important, well, EVERYTHING is. Sure, I'm aware that Sadness is actually very important, but now I realize that I've been cutting off everyone in any way I could. Sure, Riley could do with trying to keep her head high at some points, but she had the right to express her anger or disgust as well.
So, now I realize, balance is everything, and from any viewpoint, trying to be happy right now will not be right for Riley. Then again, it doesn't feel right to be sad, either. If Riley is sad all the time, her parents will get worried. Then again, this could be a prejudice against Sadness. I guess we'll just have to go with the flow.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Riley's thoughts:
Over the past half hour, I have pondered one thing in my mind: Why? What force drove me to run away? Going back to Minnesota wasn't going to fix anything, especially since my parents were such a big part in my life to begin with. I feel awful now, and only now do I realize I never apologized.
My face met my father's, and I noted the baggy eyes and ruffled hair. It's interesting how only now do I understand how the move was taking it's toll on my parents just as much as it was on me. "I..." I tried, but my throat got caught halfway.
"Shh," my father said, and preceded to hug harder and snugger than ever before. I continued to cry for the sake of the relief that followed it. It seems like ages since I last cried, but I suppose that's only because of the events that have followed the actual last time I cried. I have, on a whim, decided that I hate that school; I hate San Fran, and I miss Minnesota... I guess that's life.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Sadness' thoughts:
It feels weird, touching these buttons. It almost feels like this is my first time at the console, but I know this isn't true. I touched these buttons long before Anger thrust forward his signature handlebars or Disgust vomited over a stray cat. Yet, there's this new feeling to them, almost like the console has changed since I last used it.
I feel much more satisfaction in fulfilling what Riley really wants, what she really needs in her life every now and again. Maybe this is why Joy is always so happy, considering her purpose is to make Riley happy. I guess Joy is, in some way, selfish about all of this. I suppose that's not what she thinks about it, though, and considers herself to be doing what's best for Riley.
It almost reminds me of this movie Riley watched once when she was younger; I think it was called Toy Story or something. There's this huge misunderstanding, the two most important things in a kid's life get thrown into a new strange world, and have to make a treacherous journey back... hmm... Never mind that; it's probably just a coincidence.
I need to focus on the console.
"Okay, I think Riley needs to at least be happy enough to say sorry," Joy cut in, trying her best to delicately manage the situation. I then understand that Riley is attempting to apologize, but I guess I've been making her cry too much, maybe. After all, it's been about five to ten minutes, so I think Riley's been cried out. I sub-consciously side-stepped to the right and let Joy push a button or two.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Riley's thoughts:
You know what, I have to stop crying and at least apologize to my parents; maybe then I can cry a little more.
I pull my head up to face both my parents. "I... I'm sorry," I say, still partially choking. My parents bring me back into the embrace.
"Honey," my mother started, "the move here has been difficult on all of us. We understand what was going on when you wanted to go back, and we're sorry that we weren't there for you when you were down. I guess we need to realize our baby girl is growing up and that we need to be serious sometimes. How about you lay down and we'll call off school tomorrow?"
"But mom-"
"It's okay. We'll help you with the late homework. We're just so sorry that it came to this." I stood there and, sniffling, I slowly climbed the steps to my room and lay down, settling myself in my bag. I wait, and I wait, and finally, I see the door open.
My parents walk in and sit gently by my side. "Remember, monkey, we love you," my father said, leaning in for a kiss on the forehead.
"Goodnight, baby," my mother said, and as both my parents stood up and walked out, I already felt drowsy... maybe... tomorrow will be better...
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
A/N: Hi. You probably don't remember me, but I had a story called 'The Rest, Inside Out' on the fan fiction site a really long time ago. Well, I took it down because I was having trouble writing, but now I ready to come back to it. I merged the Prologue and Chapter 1 together, since the two were very short. After that, I'll just be doing some spell checks in the future chapters. As I'm going through an important time in my life, I love to value my vast skill set, and it's only right that I refine each skill equally. One of those skills is writing, so here I am, back in action. Chapters will come out when they can, so be patient. I suggest reading stuff by Steveles. He's a very good writer, and I like to brainstorm with his ideas as a base, so please read his works while I'm out. I think that's all, so... uh... Ciao, I guess. (God, that sounds forced.)
