Riley's POV
I sit alone in my room and read one of my favorite books. I'm probably the only sophomore who isn't going to the football game tonight. I haven't spoken with Sam since my mom's blow up, and running into him at the game would be beyond awkward. I slam my book shut when I hear a knock on my bedroom door.
"You can come in." I shout.
"Hey Rye." My mom says as she enters my bedroom.
"Hey." I say as I avoid eye contact.
I haven't had a real conversation with my mother since our fight on Monday night. I wonder what she wants.
"Are you going to the football game tonight?" My mom asks me as she sits on my bed.
"No, I wouldn't want to have a run-in with Sam." I say cooly.
"Riley I'm going to ask you something, and I want to hear the truth." My mom tells me seriously.
"Go ahead." I tell her.
"Have you spoken with Sam Kahn?" She asks me.
"No, not since you told me not to." I say honestly.
"Then what's going on with you?" My mom asks me curiously.
"What are you talking about?" I ask confused.
"I know you're hiding something from me." My mom tells me softly.
"I'm not hiding anything!" I say slightly angered.
"Really Riley? Why do you have to leave the room every time your phone buzzes, and why are you being so distant?" My mom asks me.
"Why do you think Mom? You're keeping all these secrets from me, and I feel like you're a complete stranger!" I say as I begin to sob.
"Riley!" My mom says as she wraps her arms around me and cradles me like I'm a baby.
"What's going on in here?" My dad asks as he opens the door to my room.
"Ezra, can I have some time alone with Riley?" My mom asks my dad.
"Sure." My dad says as he leaves the room.
"I'm not a stranger Riley, I'm your mother. I only keep secrets from you because I want what's best for you, James, and Mackenzie." My mom says with a sigh.
"If I were you I'd tell me before someone else does." I say seriously.
"You told me you that weren't speaking with Sam." My mom says confused.
"I'm not taking about Sam!" I say frustrated.
"Who would tell you anything about me?" My mom asks as look of panic washes over her face.
"No one specifically, but Rosewood is a small town, gossip spreads quickly." I tell her.
"Do you remember when we had that discussion about when I met your father and our age differences?" My mom asks me.
"Yes." I say with a nod.
"We kept our relationship hidden for the first few months so that people wouldn't judge us." My mom starts to say.
"So what's the big deal?" I ask confused.
"When we finally went public with our relationship a lot of people assumed that your father was taking advantage of me, including Sam's father. I don't want you thinking that my relationship with your father is anything other than what it is." My mom explains.
"You think that Sam is trying to tell me bad things about your relationship with Dad?" I ask as realization finally hits me.
"Exactly." My mom says as she nods her head.
"I wouldn't let some stupid boy change the way that I feel about you and Dad." I assure her.
"I did." My mom says with a small laugh.
"What do you mean?" I ask confused.
"My parents hated your dad when they found out about our relationship. I went against them to keep him." My mom says with a sad smile.
"Your relationship with Grandma and Grandpa seems okay now." I say thoughtfully.
"We reconciled after they realized how much he loves me." My mom explains.
"How did they realize that?" I ask curiously.
"My senior year of high school someone tried to hurt me, and your father was there when I needed him." My mom says nervously.
"Someone tried to hurt you? Who?" I ask concerned.
"That person is gone now, she did things to hurt Hanna, Spencer, and Emily too." My mom says as her body tenses up.
"Mom what's wrong? You're shaking!" I say as I try to figure out what's going on.
"I'm fine." My mom says as tears begin to stream down her face.
"You're not fine! Should I get Dad?" I ask as I start to get off my bed.
"No, I'm really fine. I just get upset about what happened sometimes." My mom says as she wipes away her tears.
"If you say so." I tell her gently.
"I love you so much Riley." My mom says in a shaky voice.
"I love you too." I say as I kiss my mom's cheek.
"Do you want me to give you a ride to the football game?" My mom asks me.
"I don't really feel like going." I say with a sigh.
"I never really enjoyed those either." My mom says with a chuckle.
"And I thought I was the only one who didn't see the point." I say as we both start to laugh.
"It's Friday night, is there anything special you want to do?" My mom asks me curiously.
"Can we have a family movie night?" I ask hopefully.
"James is at the football game and Mackenzie is hanging out with friends." My mom tells me.
"Oh." I say disappointed.
"How about the two of us watch a movie together?" My mom suggests.
"That sounds fun." I say with a smile.
"Come on." My mom says as she leads me downstairs.
When we arrive my dad is in the living room waiting for us.
"Is everything okay Riley?" He asks me.
"Yeah." I tell him.
"I'm going to make popcorn." My mom says as she leaves the room and goes into the kitchen.
"Dad, who tried to hurt Mom when she was in high school?" I ask him quietly.
"How did you find out about that?" He asks me panicked.
"Mom told me the vague details, but she won't tell me anything specific." I say with a sigh.
"There is a reason Riley, you should really start minding your own business." My dad says harshly.
"Dad..." I start to say.
"Drop it Riley, unless you want to upset your mother." My dad says in a warning voice.
"What movie do you want to watch?" My mom asks me as she enters the living room.
"I'm fine with whatever." I say with a nervous smile.
Line Break
My mom and I rented some stupid chick flick, and we are about halfway through the movie. I flinch when I hear my phone buzz.
"Homey, is everything okay?" My mom asks me concerned.
"Yeah." I say as I force a smile.
I gasp in relief when I realize that the text isn't from A, but a group text sent to my entire grade. My jaw drops when I see a picture of Haley's boyfriend Kyle kissing a slutty senior. Below the picture is a caption.
Ouch, Kyle has girls on the side. I can't imagine what poor Haley is feeling, she has known about this for almost a week!
"Was that James?" My mom asks with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"No, it was a group message." I say truthfully.
The answer is good enough for my mom, and she refocuses on the movie.
Moments later I receive another text. To my dismay, this one is from A.
Haley isn't the only one with secrets. Keep digging and you'll find out some scandalous information about Mommy.
Kisses
-A
"M-mom?" I start to say.
"Yeah Riley." She responds.
I consider asking her about what the text message means, but then I remember what my dad told me. I don't want to upset my Mom more than I already have.
"I love you." I tell her.
"I love you too." My mom says as she kisses my forehead.
What did you think? How long will it take for the girls to find put what happened to their moms when they were in high school? I'll update tomorrow if I get 15 reviews. Thanks for reading!