Chapter 14: Three to Tango
Riley watched in horror as his father approached him. But father Stavros leaned down and hugged his son.
"Do you know how worried we were?" Mr. Stavros said. Riley then began to relax.
"I'm sorry. I just wasn't in my right mind. That thing with Athena really messed up my head." Riley said. Athena had filled him in on the cover story she told his parents and boy was he grateful.
"Well next time talk to her about it. Don't go running away from your problems. That isn't a good way to have a relationship." Mrs. Stavros said. Riley nodded his head in understanding.
"Now you know you're in pretty big trouble right?" Mr. Stavros asked. No dad, I thought I was gonna get away with it completely, Riley thought to himself.
"Okay let it out." Riley said.
"Well for starters you're gonna be here for a few weeks and second when you get home, you'll have to go under therapy for this drinking problem. We're not gonna ground you because, hey, you're almost an adult." Mr. Stavros said.
"Wow, thanks dad. Mom I know you've been quiet for a while. Go ahead and talk to me." Riley said. Mrs. Stavros came over to him and sat down beside him.
"I missed you my son. I believe I nearly lost my mind thinking of what could've happened to you. Please don't every do that again." She begged.
"I won't. I promise." Riley hugged his mom. He had a feeling that everything was gonna be okay with them. Until that is, he tells them the complete truth.
After a few weeks in rehab and therapy, Riley started to feel better. Not mention he had his loyal friends by his side, even Sam. It was Riley's first day back at school in weeks. He was extremely nervous.
"Don't worry you'll do fine." His parents would always remind him. But he wasn't sure how everybody would take it. So when he walked in he was completely surprised.
"Welcome back, Riley!" Everyone said. Riley walked through the halls with just about everyone welcoming him back. This is definitely not what he was expecting. When lunch time came around he went to his table with his friends.
"It seems to me like the hole in our hearts has been refilled." Fiona said hugging Riley.
"Yeah it hasn't been the same since you've been gone. But we're really glad you're back." Holly J smiled at him. Adam was no where in sight.
"Please tell me that Adam isn't trying to pull the same stunt I did." Riley said. Drew shook his head, "Apparently he and Fiona had a fight." Riley looked at Fiona and she bowed her head.
"I'll tell you about it one day." She said. Athena then came and sat down next to Riley.
"Ooh, I've missed you, you big teddy bear!" she said while hugging him.
"Athena- can't- BREATHE!" Riley said. Athena let go of him.
"So how's your first day back?" Bianca asked. Riley just shrugged his shoulders.
"Same old, same old; I thought it was gonna be majorly different. But everyone just seems happy to see me back and I'll take that compared to what I had originally thought." Riley said.
"What about home life?" Athena asked. Riley scooted closer to her.
"Well, my parents have gotten over it. But they still watch me from time to time. I'm going to therapy and still checking in with rehab."
"Good then that means you'll be able to go to the dance in a few months." Athena said.
"It would seem so." Riley smiled at her. Athena turned her head so he wouldn't see her blush.
Throughout the day Riley would see Zane and Owen together. It still pained him to see them, but with help of his coping techniques that they had thought him in rehab, he would brush it off and do something constructive.
Days past and it seemed that Riley and Sam had gotten closer. Sam didn't seem to mind Riley using Athena as his 'beard'. Sam actually thought it was kind of cute. They would all hang out from time to time and they would have a blast. It was Saturday night and Riley was going with Sam and Athena to the movies.
He picked out some of his best clothes and ran downstairs. He had really thought that Sam was the one. Sam was completely different than Zane. Sam was more like Riley. Sweet, innocent, funny, could take Riley's crap better than Zane could. Sam wasn't as perfect as Zane either. Sam made mistakes, but who doesn't right?
"Hey son, where are you going tonight? Got a big date with Athena?" Mr. Stavros asked excitedly. Riley would always dread when his parents would ask about his love life. He wanted so badly to tell them the truth, but in fear of being rejected and kicked out he just kept quiet.
"Uh yeah, I guess you could say that." Riley said. His father smiled with glee. Riley ran out the door to Sam's Ford Mustang waiting for him.
"So this is what going on a date with Sam Benson is like? Cool." Riley said and got in. Athena was in the back just watching them most beautiful boys in the world share a kiss. She leaned forward so she could get a better view.
"Ugh! Its times like these that make me wish I had a boyfriend." Athena huffed. Sam and Riley pulled away.
"Well you could always be our girlfriend." Sam joked.
"You're really funny Sam." Athena said sarcastically. They then drove off to the movies. When they arrived Riley saw Zane and Owen. His heart began to flutter at Zane's perfectness but he realized he was with Sam now.
"Hey look its Zane and Owen." Sam said. Zane spotted them and walked over to them.
"Hey guys, what's up?" he asked.
"Nothing; we're just trying to decide on what movie to watch." Athena said. Owen then came up with an idea. "Hey why don't you guys come see Drive Angry with us? I heard it was suppose to be good. Plus it's in 3-D."
Riley and Zane shot him a look. They may have seemed like friends now, but they still didn't want to be around each other for fear of falling for each other again. Besides they both had great boyfriends now why ruin that?
"Uh, I don't think that's such a good idea." Riley and Zane said at the same time. Owen looked confused.
"I mean, you guys are on a date anyway and we're just here for fun. We wouldn't want to intrude." Riley said. Athena then jumped in, "Oh come on! It'll be like a double date." She said excitedly.
While sitting in the dark theater with Zane and Owen behind them, Riley felt uncomfortable. He is ex was like sitting behind them. It was so weird. Sam felt that Riley was nervous and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Zane saw this and kissed Owen too.
It was a severe game of 'Anything you can do, I can do better' between Riley and Zane. I gotta admit those boys were determined to forget about each other. Throughout the whole movie it was nothing about make out sessions. Athena paid no attention because she was so into the movie.
When it was over Riley, Sam, Zane, and Owen were all hot and sweaty. Athena laughed at how sweaty they all looked.
"Wow, did you guys even watch the movie?" She asked. The boys all adjusted their clothes.
"Uh yeah; we watched the movie. Nicholas Cage is awesome." Owen said. While the boys talked about how cool the movie was, Athena saw right through them. They were making-out for the entire film. She couldn't help but laugh. Wait until I tell Anya, Athena thought to herself.
"Alright boys, I think I'm ready to go. I'm getting tired." Athena said. Everyone said their goodbyes and left, but not before Riley and Zane shook hands again. It was as if electricity had flown through them. Athena saw this and came up with a plan.
They're not fooling anyone. I know they still like each other. And I plan on getting them together one way or another. Athena said to herself. She watched as Riley and Zane pulled their hands back nervously.
"So we'll see you guys at school okay?" Riley said. Zane and Owen nodded their heads and left. When Riley got home, he went straight to his room. He just knew he and Zane belonged together. He felt that he and Sam were just together because Riley wanted to forget about Zane. Well that obviously wasn't working out. He knew deep down in his heart the he felt feelings stronger than the ones he felt before. Zane was the one.
Athena was in her room pacing back and forth. What was she gonna do? She knew she felt more than just friendship with Riley. She actually liked him a lot. It kills her to know that he's gay and she could never be with him. So the next best thing to do was to get Riley and Zane back together again. She picked up her cellphone and called Anya.
"Hey Athena. How did the movies go?" Anya asked. Athena told Anya about what had happened at the theater.
"Wow, they actually touched each other? I really do think that they are the ones for each other." Anya said.
"I know; which is why we're gonna get them back together." Athena said. Anya was silent for a moment.
"How do you expect to do that?" She asked.
"Anya, I have a plan that I think will work." Athena said.
I know this chapter may seem a little boring but it'll get better soon. And Ziley will be together, they'll just go through some twists and turns first.