quick, sharp breath and held it.
It was an innocent comment, which probably meant nothing more than teasing to Riley, but it had meant the world to Virginia. The possibility of there being more between them was kick-started in her mind. And there was no taking it back. It had caused new feelings to ignite inside her.
She had wanted him to say more.
Do more.
From that moment on, she found herself constantly watching Riley. She would lie in her bed late at night listening hard for the sound of his footsteps or movement in the room next to hers. She would lay awake, breathing heavy, imaging what it would be like to be his , completely and totally his. It became all she really wanted—an obsession.
Virginia’s father must have picked up on the strange vibe emanating from his daughter for their houseguest, because shortly after her sixteenth birthday, Riley was conveniently relocated out to the unfinished room over the garage. Her father had put a sudden end to the budding romance Virginia imagined was taking place.
“You ready to take your stuff to your room?” Brandon asked elbowing her side starling her out of her trance. “Forget him. He’s in one of his moods. ”
She followed Brandon to her old bedroom; always glancing back.
Just like the rest of the house, nothing had changed in her room. Her ratty stuffed animals were neatly placed on her perfectly made bed. Her softball and soccer ribbons hung from a pin board by the desk. It was a room for a much younger girl: fuchsia pink and white—candy land and Chutes and ladders. There were white lace curtains with ruffles and shag carpet. Virginia sank down on a corner of the mattress with a sigh, her knees pressed together. Her hands settled on top her lap. She was soaked, cold and nauseated. “So…what happened between you and Riley?”
Brandon settled a hip on her dresser. “Nothing I care to talk about.”
“Hey honey,” her father’s voice startled both of them, their heads turned to the doorway. He was ready for bed wearing navy sweat pants and a white T-shirt. His dark hair was damp, sprinkled with gray, and he appeared on edge almost as if he was tip-toeing in to a conversation with her.
“I’m out,” Brandon announced leaving the room.
Virginia picked up her favorite stuffed bear and hugged it close to her chest. Her father was quiet, awkwardly so. It had been forever since she’d been alone with him. He watched her with an intense gaze that rivaled Riley’s earlier one.
“Are you okay?” he finally asked. “Riley said you were soaked coming in. Maybe you should get out of those wet clothes and take a nice hot bath. ”
“I’ll live.”
He took a step closer, then another until he was standing in touching range. He tilted her face up with the tip of his finger. His blue eyes fixed on hers.
“Virginia…”
She glanced away, “I’m tired. Would it be okay if I get some sleep? I’ll see mom in the morning.”
His hand dropped back to his side, “Of course.” He stopped at the door and glanced back. “I’m happy you’re here...with me.”
Later in the darkness, Virginia watched shadows that seemed to scratch along her walls: snarled limbs making jerky movements outside her window catching the wind and moonlight. She could feel the soft down comforter between her fingertips, and drew the cover up to her chin clasping it snug there. Her old twin bed was comfortable enough, but she wasn’t. Inside she was trembling. It was like watching a horror film and expecting the unexpected at any moment, which made absolutely no sense at all. She exhaled a breath, and her rigid form relaxed.
You’re being silly.
Close your eyes and go to sleep.
Red n umbers on the clock by the bed flipped over: 12:30...12:45…1 am. Virginia’s eyes became so heavy she could no longer fight sleep, and she began to doze off nestling
It was an innocent comment, which probably meant nothing more than teasing to Riley, but it had meant the world to Virginia. The possibility of there being more between them was kick-started in her mind. And there was no taking it back. It had caused new feelings to ignite inside her.
She had wanted him to say more.
Do more.
From that moment on, she found herself constantly watching Riley. She would lie in her bed late at night listening hard for the sound of his footsteps or movement in the room next to hers. She would lay awake, breathing heavy, imaging what it would be like to be his , completely and totally his. It became all she really wanted—an obsession.
Virginia’s father must have picked up on the strange vibe emanating from his daughter for their houseguest, because shortly after her sixteenth birthday, Riley was conveniently relocated out to the unfinished room over the garage. Her father had put a sudden end to the budding romance Virginia imagined was taking place.
“You ready to take your stuff to your room?” Brandon asked elbowing her side starling her out of her trance. “Forget him. He’s in one of his moods. ”
She followed Brandon to her old bedroom; always glancing back.
Just like the rest of the house, nothing had changed in her room. Her ratty stuffed animals were neatly placed on her perfectly made bed. Her softball and soccer ribbons hung from a pin board by the desk. It was a room for a much younger girl: fuchsia pink and white—candy land and Chutes and ladders. There were white lace curtains with ruffles and shag carpet. Virginia sank down on a corner of the mattress with a sigh, her knees pressed together. Her hands settled on top her lap. She was soaked, cold and nauseated. “So…what happened between you and Riley?”
Brandon settled a hip on her dresser. “Nothing I care to talk about.”
“Hey honey,” her father’s voice startled both of them, their heads turned to the doorway. He was ready for bed wearing navy sweat pants and a white T-shirt. His dark hair was damp, sprinkled with gray, and he appeared on edge almost as if he was tip-toeing in to a conversation with her.
“I’m out,” Brandon announced leaving the room.
Virginia picked up her favorite stuffed bear and hugged it close to her chest. Her father was quiet, awkwardly so. It had been forever since she’d been alone with him. He watched her with an intense gaze that rivaled Riley’s earlier one.
“Are you okay?” he finally asked. “Riley said you were soaked coming in. Maybe you should get out of those wet clothes and take a nice hot bath. ”
“I’ll live.”
He took a step closer, then another until he was standing in touching range. He tilted her face up with the tip of his finger. His blue eyes fixed on hers.
“Virginia…”
She glanced away, “I’m tired. Would it be okay if I get some sleep? I’ll see mom in the morning.”
His hand dropped back to his side, “Of course.” He stopped at the door and glanced back. “I’m happy you’re here...with me.”
Later in the darkness, Virginia watched shadows that seemed to scratch along her walls: snarled limbs making jerky movements outside her window catching the wind and moonlight. She could feel the soft down comforter between her fingertips, and drew the cover up to her chin clasping it snug there. Her old twin bed was comfortable enough, but she wasn’t. Inside she was trembling. It was like watching a horror film and expecting the unexpected at any moment, which made absolutely no sense at all. She exhaled a breath, and her rigid form relaxed.
You’re being silly.
Close your eyes and go to sleep.
Red n umbers on the clock by the bed flipped over: 12:30...12:45…1 am. Virginia’s eyes became so heavy she could no longer fight sleep, and she began to doze off nestling
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