Carlos didn't really want to be there, not in the slightest but Mal made him. The guy hosting the party was apparently Bens cousin, so of course Carlos went along even if he didn't want to. He had expected to stay close to Mal, but the girl had run off with Ben and Carlos was on his own, so with a sigh he grabbed his beer bottle and walked outside, maybe some fresh air would help.

When he got outside he saw a girl, a beautiful girl standing on the patio. He sighed, maybe he should go, he didn't want to be an annoyance.
"It's okay, you can stay" she said, he walked forward slowly. She didn't even glance at him, for the first time Carlos didn't know what to say.
"So, what you are doing here?" he asked. She finally turned to look at him, her eyes shone in the moonlight and Carlos found himself gasping.
"Just… I don't really know" she replied
"If it helps I'm out here to avoid the crowd, my best friend left me"
"I get it" she replied ominously. Carlos looked at her, really looked at her. She seemed to be a year or two younger than him but her eyes looked so much older. He smiled at her
"What do you say we get out of here?"
"I don't even know you" she protested. He laughed, leaning forward he grabbed her hand
"That's what makes it fun" he then pulled her away from the party. She didn't protest.

It was half an hour later when they got to the park, they sat on the swings, sipping on their beers.
"My names Carlos by the way, Carlos de vil"
"Riley, Riley Matthews at your service" he laughed.
"So Matthews, care to tell me why you were alone at a party?" he asked. At this Riley's eyes turned sad
"I dunno, it was my Ex's party, so I really had no reason to be there but…. I guess I was running?"
"From what?"
"Life"
"That sounds like a heavy burden to bear" Carlos commented. Riley shrugged
"I'm used to it, what about you? Any reason you look so down?" she asked. Carlos laughed lightly. There were so many things that came to mind like how he was still suffering PTSD from his mother even though he hadn't seen her in 4 years. How Jane had broken up with him a year previous, the same day that Duke had died. The fact that his friends were all living their own lives and were moving on from their past, but Carlos didn't know how to. He didn't say any of that though instead he choose to say
"Claustrophobia is a bitch" Riley laughed at him. She stood up and Carlos stared at her, he didn't want her to go. She took a couple of steps forward before realising he wasn't following her, she turned to face him, her eyebrows raised.
"You coming or what?" Carlos scrambled to his feet and ran after her.

She took them to an empty field just north of the park before turning to him
"Do you wanna dance?" Carlos stared at her confused
"There's no music" he reminded her.
"Dance is a kind of music but if you wish" she then grabbed her phone and began playing Shawn Mendes. As they began to dance Carlos realised that it was the first night he wasn't feeling afraid. As they danced Riley realised it was the first night she didn't feel like runny. As they danced under the stars they realised that for once they felt at peace. So, they danced and danced until eventually they lay down on the grass a stared at the stars. The moment felt so intimate that Carlos was sacred to close his eyes. When he did however she wasn't there, instead he was rapped up in the hoody she was wearing with a note attached.

Thank you for the wonderful night. It's time for me to do what I do best – run.

Love

Riley xx

Carlos laughed, looked like he would just have to chase her.