Three Steps Back

18

Riley

"You've smashed it Kiddo!" Liam sung as we sat at lunch. It was our monthly lunch that we have kept to every since month since I joined the academy 
"Thanks Liam, I can't believe it's almost over though" I said sighing and he nodded
"Have you thought about what you plan to do over the summer?" He asked and I shrugged
Now that I think about it, neither James or I have really established yet
"I know Dad is bouncing between the idea of staying home or we might all go away again, I have no idea" He said and I shrugged

"How is the move going?" I teased making Liam roll his eyes
"Lynsey likes the place, but I don't know how long it'll be before she realises how much of a shit hole it is" He laughed
"I thought you liked the place? You've been living there for almost 6 years Liam" I laughed 
"Yeah I do but doesn't mean it isn't shit Riley, you'll understand when you get your own place" He teased and I smirked
"Yeah about that" I said making him furrow his brows at me
"James and I are moving in together for the fourth year" I said making Liam look at me with a smile

"Really?" He asked and I nodded taking another bite of my food
"You really somehow managed to find the one first try didn't you Riley" He teased making me roll my eyes
"Hey! You're doing great with Lynsey" I said and he nodded
"Yeah but I had to go through all those failed relationships first. You just jumped with James and have stuck" He said and I chuckled

"What can I say?" I said making him smirk
"you little overachiever" He said making me laugh
"well, someone's got to make up for your shitty grades growing up" I said laughing 
Before either of us could continue our conversation, Liam's phone began to go off and with one look his hung up making me look at him a little concerned

"who's that?" I asked and he shrugged
"I don't recognise the number so I'm sure it can wait" He said before it went off again
"Same number?" I asked as he declined once again and he nodded, we both sat there for a moment watching as his phone lit up again and again with this same number

"Liam, go answer it, it's okay" I said making him sigh and nod before excusing himself from the table
It's these kind of times that I really love. No matter how hectic or tense things got, Liam and I made sure we made the time for each other. Part of my just wishes everyone else had done the same
Like it wouldn't have taken much to push some things aside to make time for each other you know?

"I'm so sorry Ril, it's Lost and Found. Some student got their head stuck" he said making me look at him confused
"Excuse me" I laughed making him chuckle
"Tell me about it, I love you and I'll see you later?" He asked and I nodded
"I love you too" I replied watching as he left the café

--

It wasn't until he was gone that I realised I could have just got a ride back with him considering it is across the road from me
But oh well, a thoughtful walk it is

Year 3, tested us all. It put Michelle and I's friendship to the test, it put James and I's level of trust to the test. Over all, it was an unpredictable kind of year that seemed to have come and gone in the blink of an eye
But hey, it was nicer then Year 1 and 2, we have had little to know drama

"Well lookie here" A voice said making chills shoot down my spine
I slowly turned before coming face to face with the last person I would want to see
"Miss me?" He winked

"What do you want Nigel..." I growled while attempting to call James without his knowledge