I Thought I Was Your Average Tomboy That Was Before I Met Him Chapter 23

Riley’s POV1

I drive all through the night and all the next day. I don’t stop, nor even think about stopping. Every minute wasted is another minute that Edward could be gone. As I get less than an hour away from my town and repeat the same thing over and over in my head. 2

Edward don’t leave. It’s Riley, please don’t leave me!3

Over and over I repeat, trying to spread the mental message as far as I can reach- hoping that it will reach Edward and keep him from leaving. Or maybe it will just make him leave. I made him leave in the first place, who’s to say he won’t leave me again. 4

Less than ten miles to go. 5

Edward don’t leave.6

What will my parents say when they find out. They probably already know. I’ve kept my phone off and don’t think about looking at it. I know they are endlessly calling me, only to be sent directly to my voicemail. I can’t have them yelling at me. I can have NO distractions. 7

Please don’t leave me!8

I pull down the long two mile dirty lane to Sarah’s house. Saturday afternoon, they’re probably home. Hopefully. I near the end of the long gravel driveway, towards the white house I spent nearly more time at then my own. I see her three dogs running around, and a cat or two on the porch. As a near the house the front door opens with Sarah flying out of it, a shocked expression on her face. I know she could see me pull in long before anyone else, because her bedroom window faces the lane. 9

“Riley?!” she screams. 10

“Hey Sarah.” I say as I step out of my truck. She is my best friend, but showing up randomly from another state, across the country, without calling and asking for a place to crash isn’t the best etiquette. “Listen, I need help.” I ask her. Her dogs jumping around my feet, wagging their tails. 11

“What’s wrong?” she asks, her best friend instincts kicking in. 12

“You know that new guy in town?” I tell her.13

“Yeah.” she replies, obviously lost. 14

“Well, he’s my boyfriend. I need to find him. And I need a place to stay. I know it’s short notice and I should’ve called, but my mind was somewhere else.” Edward don’t leave,15

Sarah is silent for a moment, taking all that I said in. After a few more moments she replies, “Don’t worry. You’re my bestie, I love ya girl. I’ll help you. Always.” she looks at me smiling and hugs me. “You parent’s don’t know do they? About the boyfriend, or you being here?“ she asks pulling back.16

“Nope.” I say giving a shy smile. 17

“Well, looks like we have more secrets. Don’t we?” 18

“Yeah, we do.” 19

Edward’s POV20

Edward don’t leave. It’s Riley, please don’t leave me!21

Riley. I would’ve known it was her even if she hadn’t said so in her mental plea. Why is she here? Or am I imagining her voice… again. Could she really be here? Could someone as astounding as her care so much about me? 22

Edward don’t leave.23

Again, over and over again she repeats. Yes, she really must be here. But how could she know I am here? Should I leave? Her life could be so much easier without me, my life, and everything that endangers hers. 24

Should I at least give her an explanation? She deserves more than that note I left her. 25

Part of me, my mind says I should leave. And, it’s always been right in the past. I’ve always followed my mind. 26

But now, another part of me is defying my mind. My heart. That non-beating organ is going against all that I would have once done. 27

Riley’s POV28

I finally know what that dream was about. The one where I felt like I was alone, and lost someone. It’s now, and that someone I lost is Edward. My heart always is aching, like it’s never together, never full and healed. Now I know what loneliness is. Now I’m living in a never ending nightmare. 29

Sarah, being the amazing best friend that she is convinced her mom that I have had planned to visit for a few weeks now- but she forgot to tell her. It took much convincing, but I think her mom finally accepted it. 30

“We’ll go out tonight and look for him.” she says as we go into her room. “We’re lucky, I recently got off grounding probation.” 31

“Why were you grounded?” I ask, the mantra still repeating in my head.32

“Went WAY over my minutes on my cell.” 33

“Why does that not surprise me?” 34

“Hey, it’s not my fault I like to talk!” she retaliates. 35

“I know.” I say distantly. 36

Sarah glances at the clock, then back at me. 37

“We’ll go now.” she says resulting in me staring at her. “Listen, I’m always going to be there for you girl. You’re my bestie. You love him, obviously.” she smiles at me, “Apparently more than me because you never drive all day and night just to come see me!” she jokes. 38

I look at her, smiling, thankful that I have such an amazing friend. “Thanks Sar-bear.” I say hugging her. 39

Less than half an hour later, we’re both in the town. 40

“How are we supposed to start this search for Romeo?” Sarah asks me.41

“Well, I think I have an idea. If I’m not right, then I don’t know.” I verbally reply, while screaming in my mind, Edward, meet me at the church PLEASE!, attempting to project an image of my old church, which is just about the only one in the entire town. 42

“Where to?” she asks.43

“The church. Just trust me.” 44

“Okay, but I don’t see who’s going to be there in the middle of a Saturday.” she replies, turning down the street towards the big white building, where I only hope where Edward is.45

We pull down the gravel lane towards the church. Most of the town is based on gravel lanes, and chip-n-seal back roads. My heart pounds with the hope that maybe, just maybe Edward is there. I scan the empty fields surrounding the church, seeing no one. As we get closer, I see a figure standing outside the large white building. 46

Sarah pulls closer to the church and I see that the figure is not Edward, but the pastor. 47

“Hello pastor James.” I greet him, trying to hide my disappointment and heartbreak. 48

“Riley! My my, aren’t you a site for sore eyes. I haven’t seen you or your family for a few months.” 49

“Yeah, we’ve moved up to Washington. Dad got a good job up there.”50

“Well, that’s nice. Hello Sarah.” he greets my friend, then turns to the plant he was obviously watering. 51

“Um, pastor James. Has there been anyone here today?” I ask, but already knowing my answer. 52

“Nope, no one has been here all day. Except you. What are you doing out here on a Saturday anyway? And where are your parents I’d like to catch up with them.” 53

“I’m just visiting. My parents aren’t in town. I’m just here for a quick visit.” I look around at the semi-new church. I remember helping build it. The church started out in a little building, people would stand outside just to hear the service. Nearly the entire town helped build the new building. And nearly the entire town went to it’s service.54

“Really now?” Well, it’s a shame they couldn’t come out. We all really miss you guys.” I know “we” means the whole town. 55

“Yeah, um… we really miss everyone too. Hopefully I’ll be able to get them out sometime soon.” I reply, knowing full well neither my parents nor brother feel the love for the small town that I do. 56

“Yes.” he says, turning back towards me. “It would be nice to see you all.” he sets down the watering can and puts his hands on my shoulders. “Now, you can stay here and wait for that person for as long as you need to.” I slightly smile. Pastor James always had that fatherly feel, and always knew what was really going on. 57

“Thank you.” I whisper to him. He nods, knowingly and steps back, turning towards Sarah. 58

“Well, if either of you girls need me. You know where to find me.” he says smiling. We nod, knowing that he lives just a short walk away, in the only house near the church. With that he starts walking towards his house, where he and his family live. 59

When Pastor James is out of earshot, I look at Sarah. 60

“He’s not here.” she states. I nod. “Why did you except him to be here?” she asks.61

“Just a hunch.” I reply softly. She nods, knowing more than enough without me saying anything. She just knows me that well. 62

“You want a minute?” she asks, already knowing my answer. I nod, though it is not needed.63

She walks back to her truck, leaving me at the front of the church. I sit down on the hard concrete pad that is in front of the double doors.64

I sit there, repeating my mental plea, but knowing it’s almost useless. 65

Knowing I’ve given up hope. 66

He’s gone. Edward is gone. 67

Forever.