And just when you think things might slow down and improve, more conflict to make this difficult are pulling up the rear! Oh well, Riley's high school career wouldn't be a fucking mess without it! Enjoy chapter 10!

"Mom has never been so mad at us before. It's been a week and she's only just starting to cool down. She's scary when she yells!" But can Fear really argue that? He's afraid of everything.

"She's been angrier before." Sadness never forgets the negative moments, "Remember when she caught us sneaking into that bar to see The Frontbottoms? Honestly I think she was angrier at that because we had a Coors Light in a paper bag that'd been half drunk."

"Oh yeah, guess I forgot about that."

But Disgust is groaning, "I still think being grounded for the rest of the summer is a total exaggeration! So we beat the crap out of each other, we didn't die. Three and a half weeks feels like house arrest!"

"It basically is." Joy adds with a sigh, "Might as well be."

"GUYS! GUYS! CARISSA-!" Fear is frantic, arms waving about in a panic, "CARISSA IS CALLING US. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. CARISSA IS CALLING US!"

"Okay, okay! Okay everyone breathe, we'll pick up the phone!"

"WE CAN'T!"

"Yes we can!"

Riley feels her stomach turn. Carissa hasn't called or texted since that night. Riley promised they'd talk to each other the next day. It's been one whole week. What if She blew it? She'll click accept with a deep breath, "...Hey."

"...Hey." She pauses, "Not trying to start anything but...thought we were gonna' talk the next day." There's a smile in her voice. Riley is sure to hear it, "Or did your parents give you the lock down too?"

She'll laugh, allowing herself to fall back onto her bed, feet hanging off the edge, "Yeah. Mom was livid, dad was too, even if he was a little impressed at what I did, aha. They grounded me until school starts again."

"Shit, that's brutal." She'll laugh, "It's okay, me too, basically. Mom even said I can't come home from my dad's until then either. In her words: she's your daughter. S'what she says any time I do something she doesn't approve of."

"Your mom is insane I'm convinced." This time, a pause from Riley. Who's finally ready to ask with a slight sound of sympathy ingrained in her voice, "...How's your face?"

A laugh, "Bruised, but not nearly as bad as it looked a week ago." Yet another pause, "...H-how 'bout you?"

"...About the same."

"I'm...I'm really sorry, Riley. I would never hurt you like that- I don't know what the fuck I was thinking."

"Hey, don't apologize. I mean, we both clocked each other good. We were kinda' drunk. I know neither of us would do that again. So let's just...put it in the past."

'She hasn't brought up dating again maybe we ruined it.'

'Shut up, Sadness! She wouldn't be calling if it was to tell us that! She wants to talk about it obviously!'

"So...since we can't talk in person, can we...can we maybe talk now?"

'I rest my damn case.'

God, her stomach is sick. She's so nervous! It's worse than waiting to go to the dentist, "Sure. Um. I-" She needs a minute.

"I still love you."

'A firework!'

She can feel it in her bones. It makes her feel so warm to hear that. She'll grin, big and confident, "...I still love you too, Carissa." However, "But I think...going right into this would be...not the best."

"No, no- I- I totally get that." The sound of creaking can be heard from Carissa's end. She must be shifting positions in her fathers arm chair, "So, how about we just kinda' take things slow? I mean, I need your trust, Riley."

Silence from Riley. She's well aware she needs to work on that- on her general over-thinking.

"If you didn't believe me initially, it makes me think you've always doubted me in some form or another. So, you should...work on your trust. I'll work on it too, lord knows I get defensive with you a lot over things that I shouldn't."

"You're right...you're right. So...slow. We take it slow?"

"Slow. Y'know, like, we don't label us just yet. We don't change our relationship status on facebook. We don't say we're dating. But we don't necessarily...see other people?"

"Yeah- yeah. Like, you know, like, we're just slowly putting the pieces back together. We just, take us slow."

Once again, a smile can be heard in Carissa's voice, "I'd really like that, Riley."

"...So would I, Carissa."

"Well, I gotta' go. My dad's gonna' be home soon and we're gonna' watch Stranger Things together."

"Well, text me and lemme' know if he likes it, okay?"

"Definitely."

The two girls are silent. Do they say it? Is it safe? Would that be moving too quickly? In unison, they both begin to speak, "I love-" They'll both cut themselves off to crack up. It's awkward. But the good kind of awkward, like when they first started hanging out years ago. Carissa calms down first, "...I love you."

"...I love you too."

They'll hang up and Riley will drop her phone down, hands covering her face. She'll scream with delight, legs kicking. Suddenly the fact that her phone screen is shattered to the point where she can't text properly (she has to do it with the phone at a weird angle to avoid cutting her fingers), or the fact that she's grounded? Well that doesn't matter anymore. Because everything is going to be okay. She'll sit up, press her voicemail button on her phone one more time before she'll decide it's time to make dinner.

'Hey, Riley. It's Carl. First of all: you're both fuckin' idiots for beating the shit out of each other. But it was also kinda' hot. So thanks for the visual for my solo sessions. Second: I've got all the proof y'need that Jensen is a fucked up, conniving little bitch if you're in need of reassurance that your girl didn't cheat on you. I know you're grounded, but if you wanna Skype later, hit me up and I'll show you what I got. Peace out, girl, see you at school in a few weeks. I got math class with you, get ready to never get shit done.'

"I'm so glad we talked to her!" For Joy it's like old times, except this time, their state of mental health is way better, "We're getting a second chance! We're only going to grow from this!"

"Unless she decides she doesn't want us anymore." Sadness is slouching in her seat.

"Hello!" Disgust is tired of that attitude, "If she didn't want us then why would she call to slowly patch things up?"

Anger, however, is thinking something different entirely, "The makeup sex is gonna' be great."

"Amen to that." Disgust will high five him.

"Can you guys think about anything else?" Fear is so tired of hearing about sex because, "We need to handle this delicately if we want it to work out!"

"Which means keeping our head held high when school starts up again!" Joy knows what he's getting at, "We can't let Jensen see any weak spots to attack! We can only protect Riley if we all work together. She needs this." As for right now? Well, now, it's time to relax, "So let's make some kraft mac and cheese since mom and dad are at the movies."

"Wait did you hear that?" Fear is extra observant, "I think the door bell just rang- what if it's a burglar!?"

"Why the hell would they knock on the door, genius?" Anger rolls his eyes, "Let's go check it out."

Just as she's pouring the uncooked noodles into the boiling water, the door bell rings. What the hell? She's certain she's not expecting anyone. She made it known on facebook that she's grounded. Slowly she approaches the door, clad in a pair of pajama pants and a black cami. If nothing else, at least the facial bruises will ward off any potential threats. She answers the door, only to find...nobody there. She looks around, and eventually, down at her feet where she finds a small box. A note atop it: Riley. She'll pick up the contents, open the note:

Sorry I couldn't stay to say hi. If dad finds out I snuck out I'm
fucked. You're right, I did it on purpose, for that I owe you. You
just have to set it up with your laptop and it'll work just like your
old one. See you in school, dork.
-Carissa

She'll shut the door behind her, lean against it to open the box. In awe, she's speechless.

'Holy shit, she straight up bought us a new phone!'

'Not even that, it's the newest model of the phone we currently have!'

Riley can't help herself. She'll grab for her old phone.

[text: Riley]: How the FUCK did you afford this?!

[text: Carissa]: Last gig we had we made 300 each and before you tell me I shouldn't have done that and that it's too expensive

[text: Carissa]: I beat you up and shattered your phone screen I should be buying you more than this so please just accept it so I can feel a little better

[text: Riley]: I don't know what to say...thank you

[text: Carissa]: It was nothing ;)

[text: Riley]: 3

[text: Carissa]: 3

Biting her lower lip, she'll shake her head. What is happening? It's like middle school all over again. Only this time? She's confident as hell and not ashamed to be in love with a girl. It's this beautiful second chance to experience first love all over again without any regret. Maybe...deep down, they both needed this second chance. She's convinced of it. After all, Shannon said it best back in March: Scorpio and Pisces work extremely well together. Because where's she's stubborn, you aren't. You won't argue with her because we're not a confrontational sign, so when she gets like that…it'll be easy for her to calm down and see the error of her ways because you don't provoke it. That's exactly what helped them after the precinct. She simply kissed her lover lightly, told her to relax until the following day. Clearly, it worked like a charm. They both deserve this. And, my god, she can't wait to see where things go this time around.

The remainder of summer ends up being a complete bore. Riley had been so stir crazy in her house that she's actually looking forward to her return to school. It's a hot September morning and it's the reason she's opting to keep it very casual with a pair of light wash skinny jeans and the same black tank top she wore to bed. Right along with that signature black, slouched beanie, a pair of vans and just a little bit of eye makeup. Casual. She's feeling good today. After all, she's finally getting out of the house.

It's a quick trip today, because she actually drives to school. She's driving to her first day of senior year. It feels so weird. She's going to be a senior! And soon? She'll be graduating and onto the next chapter of her life. How scary and exciting! She arrives, opens her locker to drop her gym clothes inside. She'll carry only two things around for the year. Her faux leather long-strapped purse and her binder. Odds are, this locker will hardly be used. Just as she's preparing to close it, she'll see in the corner of her eye, Carissa coming towards her. She'll simply walk past her with a wink. Good god, that sends a chill through her. Why is she so perfect? It's enough for Riley to follow the figure with her eyes, she'll awkwardly smile in return. What is happening? She finds herself thinking that yet again because you'd think they never dated before by the way they act! It all feels so...new and fresh!

"Baaaaabe!" Oh, that perky voice. Amanda comes behind her friend, wraps her arms around Riley tight, "So your mom let you take the car?!"

She'll allow the hug, laughing as she finally closes her locker, "We have a compromise. I get it two days a week so that she doesn't have to drive me to hockey practice which doesn't start up for a few weeks, but she got all emotional about me growing up so she's letting me take it those two days a week starting today." She'll shake out of Amanda's grip merely to face her, "So, we got first period togeth- in your cheer uniform already?"

She'll giggle, "Yeah, we actually have our first dress rehearsal practice today because the first starter game for the football team is this Friday, so." But she'll wink, "Besides, you love me in my uniform!"

"Oh you know me, I love a woman in uniform." She's laughing at the joke, "You definitely made more of an effort appearance wise than I did today, so good for you."

Amanda takes a sip from the Starbucks cup she's nursing for dear life, "Mh- now what was that about first period?"

"We're in the same class together, so wanna' walk together and sit next to each other?"

"I wouldn't dream of sitting next to anybody else, hun. I think Jordan's in that class with us too."

"Well come on, let's get walking- at least we're getting science out of the way early. I normally love earth science but Mr. Rogan is so fucking boring."

"I hear you- oh! Before I forget, I need a solid from my bestie."

"Oh boy, you're batting your lashes at me, that's not a good sign." She'll tease her shorter best friend by patting her head, "If it's can I use your locker, the answer is yes, just don't make it messy."

"No, no! It's not that!" She'll be the first to step into the half empty classroom where the two girls will wave to a few of the other students they're acquainted with just from having gone to school together since middle school, "So the first football game of the season it's, like, tradition that everyone on the cheer team has someone come and watch them and support them." She'll look away, twiddling her fingers, "You'd get to sit in the front row- it's called the Cheer Girl's VIP seating. It'll have a sign. But i-it would totally mean the absolute world to me if...if you'd come and support me!"

'Why does Amanda look so nervous asking us this? She's our best friend of course we're going to support her. We'd be awful not to.'

"Why so nervous, Amanda? I'm your best friend, if you want me to be there for you, then I'll be there for you." She'll put her binder down on her desk so that her hands are free to adjust Amanda's over-sized head bow, "Tell me the time I gotta' be there and I'll be there, okay?"

Amanda's face will absolutely light up, hands coming to cover it with a squeak, "Thank you so much! I was worried I would be the only girl on the team with nobody to support her. You're the best!"

"We all know if I couldn't make it, Carl would go for you in a heartbeat." She's taking her seat now, dropping her bag down next to her desk.

There's a strange pause before Amanda casually takes her seat with a, "...Yeah." The bell rings. Class is in session.

The day is going by relatively fast. She's relieved to know that every class this semester, she has someone from her close-knit group of friends in it. The best part? Three of those nine classes, are shared with Carissa. Global history, creative writing and gym class. Technically four, if you count lunch period. But then again, the entire senior class shares the same lunch period together.

When ninth period finally rears around the corner, Riley isn't shocked to hear that familiar and very elongated ayyyyyyyy! From her best guy friend. She'll roll her eyes with a grin from her seat, "Bare in mind, I also hate math as much you do, but I still want to pass it."

Truthful in his words and with a tip of his baseball cap he'll chuckle as he speaks, "Well, that's not gonna' happen." He'll lean over to shove her playfully, "You look good, haven't seen you since your face looked like an expired meatball."

"I'm feeling good- oh hang on one second." She reaches for her phone, a text from Amanda, "Hey, I know you wanted to see Don't Breathe, Friday, can we possibly catch a later showing than eight?"

"Sure, is something wrong?"

"No, well, nothing bad, at least- Amanda wants me to come watch her cheer at the first game of the season in their little VIP section thing and she said it starts at 6:30, so just in case I'd rather catch something after eight just to be safe."

'Wait what's with Carl's face- why is he laughing?'

Oh yes, he's laughing, hands covering his mouth and nose. His voice is muffled behind his appendages, "Ohhhh my god. No fuckin' way."

"Dude, what the hell are you laughing about?" She's replying to Amanda's text as he continues with what she considers to be an over-dramatic display, "I'm going to her game, what's the big deal? You guys come to mine all the time."

"I guess Amanda's got the hots for you. You must be good in bed."

"Carl!" She'll hit him in the arm. A little forceful this time, "We all agreed we weren't gonna' bring that up anymore!"

"...Okay-" He begins, turning in his desk chair so that he's facing her, "You do realize that it's tradition for the cheerleaders to bring someone to their first game of the season for good luck, right?"

"Yeah, she asked me earlier today and told me that. It's why I'm going, she didn't want to be the only one without someone cheering her on."

'Big deal. I don't get why that automatically equals she wants us romantically. Why are guys so quick to assume?'

"Did she happen to tell you that it's tradition for the girls to invite their boyfriends or someone they're interested in potentially dating as an indication they're interested in them?"

'...Fuck.'

She's left unable to say anything. No. There's no way that's Amanda's intention. The girl said it herself over the summer: I'm not gay, she said it right to her face, "...But I'm sure she's invited you before- like in tenth and eleventh grade, right? To go to her first game and you two aren't interested in dating each other anymore."

"Nope. She's never invited anybody."

'...FUCK.'

"Come on that can't be true. You're messing with me."

"Dude, ask the other girls on the team. She's never invited anybody before. It's not required for everyone to invite someone, but usually by senior year, every girl has someone to invite."

'No- there's no way that's why she invited us!'

"...Then she probably just invited me so she wouldn't be the only one without someone supporting her." She'll come up with something- anything to justify this as platonic. This is the last thing she needs when she's working her ass off to patch things up with Carissa.

"Then don't you think she would have invited me so the girls wouldn't start asking her if she's gay?"

"Maybe she doesn't care if they think that. Especially considering me and her have been best friends since the sixth grade and everybody knows it, so she probably thought nobody would think twice."

"They've been asking her all morning since she told them you're going to support her. A couple of the cheerleaders even texted me asking if you two are a couple. I told them no, by the way, in case Carissa got wind. Mentioned you two are in the process of workin' things out."

"...Dude, there's no way."

But oh god, the suspicion is about to be made much worse. Entering the classroom clad in her cheer uniform is Kacie McCarthy, "Hey, Riley! Am I going to see you in the VIP section Friday?"

'Why is she sitting next to us? This girl literally has never said two words to us.'

"If you don't know where to go, I can give you my boyfriend's number. Robbie Shapiro? He's in the same English class as you. He said he'd be happy to show you where to go. Ugh, your hair is so cute! Amanda gushes about it all the time...and just about you in general, she's right. You're gorgeous, I mean, like, I'm not gay, but I'd totally date you if I was!"

'Oh god, no, there's no way! She can't possibly have the hots for us, what the hell?!'

'I said it months ago, I'll say it again. We shouldn't have kissed her.'

And from the other side of Riley, Carl is left cackling in his seat. She'll abruptly turn around with a stern glare, "I will end you."

"Go ahead, I'm dyin' happy."

She'll place her hands over her face. What a fucking mess. And as if it needs to get worse. When she finally allows her hands to retreat to her desk, coming into the classroom? Jensen. Now it's officially impossible to get anymore uncomfortable. Jensen looks right at Riley, it's a terrifying way she looks at her. Walking right down the aisle between Carl and Riley's desks. She'll take her seat, loudly dropping her books down. Not taking her eyes away from Riley for a second. Riley will turn to Carl, who eyes her right back with a wide stare. Giving her a play it cool sort of gaze. He won't let anything happen to Riley on his watch, though he's fairly certain she can damn well hold her own.

"Good afternoon, class!" Mrs. Green begins. If nothing else, Riley can try to forget everything for now.

"You guys never listen to me." Sadness is a little tired of it too, "I told you guys more than once that night that we shouldn't kiss her, that we shouldn't mess around with her because she's our best friend and we don't know what will happen. Now look what's happening."

"This is fucking stupid!" Anger is slamming his fists on the controls, "There's no way that she's into Riley like that! It doesn't make sense. The night after...it happened, she made a point to tell us right away that she didn't like girls."

"Yeah, but she did say she was a little bi curious."

"Big deal! A lot of girls are bi curious in high school- Jensen herself is bisexual, it's not some big mystery! She just needed to know."

"And she also said she could only do this with Riley. It can easily mean that she could only do it with her because she has feelings for her."

"No, no!" Anger won't face the possibility. Not with how badly he wants Carissa back in Riley's life, "You're just overthinking it! She doesn't have a crush on Riley!"

Joy will bring to room to a halt, "Okay, Anger's right, we could be overthinking, so how about we just playback some memories with Amanda and Riley together and see if we can find any clues. But no one playback to the drunken night they messed around. We can do the day after, we can even...do the moments before the initial kiss. But everything in between those two moments are off limits okay?"

Disgust is already searching the archives. She has such a bad feeling, but just like Anger, she so badly wants it to be coincidence. She, too, desperately wants to be official with Carissa again. It would kill her if that got potentially destroyed by her own best friend. Even if it wouldn't be intentional, "Okay- one on one beach and pier sessions are a go. Playback."

They're both laughing and gossiping, it's strictly platonic. Obviously so. Amanda's barely even shutting up for a minute. That doesn't scream I like you.

"Wait a second." Fear is fast forwarding the clip.

Sunset Amanda covering her face, 'No! I-I can't skateboard, no, no, no, Riley!' A yelp as Riley wraps her arms around Amanda from behind, lifting her off of her feet, spinning her around as the petite figure in her arms laughs loudly. 'Come on, you got this.' She's dropped Amanda atop her skateboard, and she'll hold both of Amanda's hands, fingers laced, walking sideways, moving the skateboard for her, 'See? You're doing it!'

"Guys, oh god. The way she's looking at Riley." Disgust is going to be sick at this rate.

"She always looks at her that w- oh boy, I see your point." Fear is ready to have a heart attack.

"No, that's just Amanda! I mean she looks at her cats that way when they do something cute. I still think you guys are over analyzing!" Anger is steaming, "She doesn't like her that way! Their friendship has always been this way, Amanda always looks like that, Riley always teases her! She doesn't like Riley like that!"

"Well, we should still be prepared in case she does like Riley like that!" Joy's thinking just a little deeper than everyone else, "The last time we rejected a friend, he stopped talking to us for almost two years. We can't risk that with our best friend, especially in senior year."

"We don't need to be prepared!"

"Yes we do, Anger. Better over prepared than under prepared. Just...in case."

Friday fast approaches, and she's only half focused for most of the day. Because of Carl acting like an idiot, there's an internal worry. She unzips her jacket, drops it in her locker, quickly takes off her slouched beanie to run her fingers through her hair. Her best friend, is fast approaching, "Hey, girl! You still coming tonight?"

She'll jolt, "Huh? Oh- oh, yeah, I'll be there."

'Guys, let's just fucking ask her.'

'Anger, no!'

"So can I ask you something?"

'Anger! What are you doing?!'

'Shutting you all the fuck up!'

"What's up, Riley?" She tilts her head.

"Carl was being, you know, his usual idiot self and told me that when the girls on your team invite someone to the first game like this, it's because they're romantically interested in them. But you told me you weren't into me, so I just wanted to clarify this all because, y'know he's an idiot."

She pauses, her face is a weird expression, unreadable. But finally she'll laugh a little, "He thinks me and you...doing the thing we swore never to mention again is, like, the hottest thing ever. He would think that. You're my best friend Riley." Slowly she'll begin to grin.

'She didn't say she's NOT interested.'

'Okay, now you're really fucking reaching. You guys are being ridiculous.'

"Well, that's good." Riley is smiling this time, "I'm glad to hear it."

"Then you're still coming, right?"

"Yeah, of course. I'll see you tonight! But I gotta' get to global, so text me."

"Tonight, girl!"

And maybe she's a little too anxious to get to global history because that's one of the three classes she shares with Carissa. On the first day, Riley nervously asked if it would be okay to sit in the desk next to her. The punk simply smiled at her with an I didn't just tell those other two kids who tried to take that desk to screw off for nothing. But it wasn't as rude as it sounds. They're both friends with Carissa. They knew what her intentions were. Still, it made Riley feel special...wanted. Though it's being taken slow, it's going well. She enters, takes that same seat with a grin, "What's good, asshole?"

"I didn't do the homework."

"Let me put on my big surprise face." She'll laugh, "And why didn't you?"

"I went to a show instead, Claire had an extra ticket because Shannon's sick. I couldn't say no to an underground punk show." But she'll digress as her phone is shoved into her pocket, "Y'know I been hearin' some rumors that you and Amanda are a couple."

'See?! This is why we need to be careful, guys! We should have told Amanda no!'

'If we're honest and talk it out, it's going to be fine! Or did you forget that part of the reason we're going slow is for times like this?'

"Not surprised. She had no one to invite to her first game to watch her cheer because she doesn't have a boyfriend so she asked me and I said yes. She didn't want to be the only one with nobody to bring. So it's just a rumor."

"Let's hope she doesn't have a thing for you because of when you guys-" She'll cover her mouth. Fuck, she didn't want Riley knowing she knew that!

She'll turn abruptly, "...What did you just say?"

The look of panic is evident, "...Nothing?"

"Carissa."

"Okay, Jensen showed me you two...makin' out to try and get me mad. But I didn't tell anyone." And forgive that grin, "I was more pissed we didn't get to take her on together."

"Ugh, Jesus Christ, Carissa." She's covering her face in embarrassment now, "It was a one time thing that meant nothing- I was so fucking gone. So I guess...I had a rebound. Hope you're not mad."

"...I mean it sucked to see, but I'm not mad. I wouldn't have a right to be mad anyway since we weren't dating and...I kinda' had one."

"Was it Claire?"

"No! She's seeing someone anyway, but no." She's looking at her lap in shame, "...It was Carl."

Yeah, Riley isn't holding back that loud cackle.

"Shut the hell up! It just further reassured me just how fucking gay I am. I leaned in, so did he, we kissed and both immediately pulled back like ew, no, fuck no."

And she is still laughing.

"You're literally the worst! At least your rebound was a hot piece, mine was a stoner with no sense of direction!" It's true, there's a Taco Bell down the block from his house, and the many times Riley's been in his car when they decided to drive on to some late night Mexican adventure (as they would call it), he would always end up getting lost.

"Okay-okay, okay." Finally calming down, "How high were you?"

"Three joints in, and we took some shrooms because Jordan left them behind."

"He probably looked girlier to you then."

"Riley, I'm so gay. It's disgusting. It was like kissing a dog. And he smelled like stale McDonald's french fries."

"Thank you so much, I needed a good laugh today."

It's only then, when the bell rings and the classroom door is shut, that the two girls find themselves staring at one another with so much love and desire. It's so good to be talking again- to be interacting again.

But, oh, Riley is about to be tested, it seems. How well can she handle an awkward situation? The time is 6:15 PM. It's a little bit chilly. So she's wearing her leather jacket with the fabric sleeves and hood. The same beanie as always. She'd run home to touch up her makeup and change into her black skinny jeans and green docs. But the dark gray tank top is the same one she's been wearing for two days now. It's not hard to find the VIP seating. Most of these boy's who (surprisingly) greet her politely by name, are people she's honestly never spoken to in her entire career in this particular school district. She takes a seat, whips out her phone to check her messages. Already she's got an awful sense of discomfort as she listens to broken conversation between these boys.

"Bro, how fuckin' psyched are you that Michelle finally invited you to watch her play?"

"Dude, I've been into her since tenth grade, I'm losing it. I'm gonna' ask her to go to a movie after the game."

"Good for you, I've been with Kacie since last year. But my boy over here, Will just sealed the knot with Tara. He's nuts in the head for her."

"She's so cute you would be too."

'Literally every guy here has a romantic connection to one of the cheerleaders. I have such a bad feeling. I mean, why would she pick us over Carl, who is a guy she once dated?'

'...You guys might be right.'

'She told us earlier that she wasn't interested!'

'...Technically she never denied being interested, she just said you're my best friend. She never said she wasn't into us.'

She'll be brought out of her thoughts when one of the guys grabs her attention, "Riley, right? I'm Mike- I'm here with Molly."

"Oh, I think she's in my art class, you two are a cute couple."

"Yeah, aha. But you and Amanda are too- it's funny I never thought I'd see you with someone other than that punk girl...Clarissa?"

"Carissa." Uttered without hesitation, "And, uh, I'm not here because I'm dating Amanda. She had no one to invite so I'm kinda' her little best friend filler."

"...Does she know that?"

What a weird question, "...Yeah, why wouldn't she?"

"Molly said she talks about you like...you know, romantical and whatever."

'I'm going brain dead. Did this kid just use the word romantical? Ugh, that's not even a word!'

"I think that's just Amanda being Amanda. She loves to compliment the shit out of her friends and stuff."

"Right." he nods, "Well, nice of you to come and be one of the guys."

The minute the game starts, the team is out on the field. She watches as Amanda searches for her in the crowd. She'll jump up and down with the biggest smile and wave. Riley returns the gesture, waving with a grin and shouting, "GIVE EM', HELL, BESTIE!" She may have added the word bestie just in case things need to be further clarified. Though she doubts it needs to be. Even so, all through the game she finds it difficult to focus. As much as she hates to admit it, something is definitely off. And when everything finally comes to an end- it's 7:48 approximately when the game ends, the girls all come running to their designated boy toys for hugs and tons of compliments. They're having their little high school flings, and she stands with her hands in her jacket pockets.

'I guess we just...go?'

"Riley!" Here comes Amanda, running full force. And she'll leap right up, jump into her best friends arms.

With a yelp and a little laugh, Riley will catch her, hands on her thighs (strictly so she won't fall and get hurt), "Jesus, girl, you almost knocked me down!" Still, she's smiling, "You guys kicked ass. Excellent form...though I can't say I know what it all was meant to look like. So if you guys messed up, I didn't notice, aha."

"Good to know." There's that...different smile than normal again, "Thanks so much for coming, I'm really flattered! And hey, our team won! So, um, wanna' go do something? I'm pretty hungry."

"I would but-" Oh god, she's forgetting herself because there's so much happening at once. Riley will immediately put Amanda down, take a little step back, "I made plans with Carl a few days ago. We're going to the movies."

'Maybe we should invite her?'

"You can come if you want, I'm meeting him at the theater. We're seeing the 8:45."

There's that other weird face from earlier again, "No thanks- you know I hate horror and I bet that's what you two are seeing."

"Yup." An uncomfortable laugh, "So rain check? Maybe we can do something tomorrow. I wanted to get my septum pierced."

So suddenly, she's lighting up again, "Oh that'll look cute! I'm pretty sure I'm free! I'll text you tomorrow?"

"Yeah sounds good-" So quickly she's being embraced and what is normally returned with no problem, is cautiously returned. A loose sort of hug, "I'll text you tomorrow, 'Manda."

Things aren't going to be so simple for Riley. The next few weeks, texting Carissa is becoming a more frequent thing. She couldn't be happier. Another Friday night hanging out at the mall with a few people when Carl will playfully smack her head, "Why you smiling at your phone? Lookin' at porn?"

She rolls her eyes, "Carissa's gonna' meet up with us, she just finished a gig. Should be here in an hour."

"Sounds like my two favorite gays are patching things up, huh?"

Hand pressed to her cheek, she's prepared to answer the question.

But Amanda strangely starts...an argument of all things, "She cheated on you. Why are you texting her?"

"No, um. It was a misunderstanding."

Carl interrupts, eyeing her curiously, "Don't you remember? I told you what she said to me, showed you that recording."

"I'm just really protective. I don't want you getting hurt, Riley. You should...be careful. Especially when Jensen is the way she is."

"Oh, please, I'm not afraid of Jensen."

"You should be, she nuts!"

There's a long, discomforting silence before the small group of teens decide to walk around again rather than loiter in the food court. Still, Riley finds herself drawn to an alternative clothing store where she's looking at the many different slouched beanies, "Probably time I get a new one, right?"

Amanda is smiling as she picks up a black one, "This one will look cute." And proceeds to pull Riley's current beanie off of her head, replacing it with the one she's holding, "...It's perfect! look in the mirror!"

'...Guys this is exactly how she used to act with Carl.'

The two girls standing in the reflection together. The taller girl looking torn. The short one, well, she looks rather bubbly, "Very cute." With her hands rubbing Riley's arms, "You go pay, I'm gonna' go get a frappe from Starbucks! I'll meet you guys in a sec."

But Riley is glued to that spot in front of the mirror. And when Carl comes to her side. She'll say it straight up, "...She's treating me like her boyfriend."

"Yeah, uh." He'll sigh, "I guess I was right. Amanda has the hots for you, Riley."

"I mean...what was with her trying to police me talking to Carissa?"

"She's got the hots for you, straight up."

She whimpers, pulling the beanie off of her head, "What am I supposed to do? I even asked her a few weeks ago if she was into me and she...well I mean she never said she wasn't, but she just said I'm your best friend, Riley. So to me, I take that as she's not into me."

"She's probably not ready to say it."

"Well if she is, she needs to say something because I'm not interested." And in all truth, "...I just want my best friend back." God, "Why did I fuck her? I screwed everything up."

"Uh, because you had four beers and six shots. She's what we would call your rebound. Everyone always has one after a breakup. So that's why you did it."

"Yeah, well this is a mess and I really don't wanna' deal with it. Not when there's a chance I'll get to be with Carissa again." At least Amanda picked a good beanie, she's walking to the register fully prepared to buy it, "Can't you, like, woo her again like y'did in middle school and get her to forget me?"

"No can do, Riley." He'll fold his arms, leaning against the check out counter, "She's too demanding. I won't go through that again." With his shoulders shrugged, "Besides, I'm thinking about asking Kelly out. She's probably gonna' say no though."

They exit the store together, "I'll play it by ear then. Maybe it'll all pass and I won't have to do anything."

Speak of the devil, Amanda comes running to their side, where she'll reach for Riley's hand to lace their fingers, "Photobooth! Let's take pictures, come on, Carl! Let's go!"

The lines are being blurred and Riley will stand in disbelief. This can't be fucking happening.