The Project

12

Riley

Friday morning, we were due to go home this afternoon so of course I took it upon myself to do some exploring before we left
I got up at the crack of dawn, leaving Michelle and Thalia asleep in their beds 
Getting to know these girls has been amazing honestly, we all hit it off like no tomorrow. I reckon a lot of people aren't going to be too concerned about the feud when we get back
Accept one, I know he'll be set in his way

I started walking through the woods making sure to keep looking around, this place was so beautiful, I think this should be a yearly thing in all honestly. Eventually everyone will get used to each other and it'll all be nothing but a bad memory

I never really understood the feud if I'm honest, it was something about land. Back before the town was nothing but a small pile of trees
The two families that founded this place fought constantly and that's how the town grew, they grew along side each other instead of together 
Imagine what people could have accomplished if it we were working together instant of against each other

"hey" A voice said making me jump out of my skin while I clutched my chest
"fuck, did you really need to sneak up on me like that" I asked as James finally caught up
"Well you're fast so I figured I'd make myself known to catch up" He chuckled making me roll my eyes

"What are you doing anyway?" I asked
"I like hikes, I'm guessing you're the same?" He asked and I nodded smiling
"How about we go together?" James offered and I smiled even more
"i'd like that" I replied as we continued to walk 
It's been strange getting to know James in person opposed to the letters but it's even stranger seeing Hayden getting cosy with Michelle. That alone is enough to ruffle some feathers

"How was last night when you and Hayden got back?" I asked as we continued to walk through the trees
"Well West and Eldon were at their wits end and Freddie was still complaining" James answered making me sigh
"Will you tell Eldon and West I apologise" I asked and James looked at me like I was crazy
"Why are you apologising?" He asked
"Because of Freddie?" I offered and James shook his head

"Riley, you aren't responsible for his actions. You don't need to apologise" He said with a comforting smile
"Eh, still" I replied and James chuckled nudging me slightly
"How was Michelle and Thal?" James asked making me smile
"they are the sweetest, you made a good choice in people you surround yourself with" I said making James smile
"Hey, Hayden isn't that bad" He winked making me roll my eyes
"Neither are Aspen or Laura, I reckon you'd get along with them. Truth be told, Laura thinks your hot" I said laughing remembering when the girls saw his instagram

"Do I even want to know?" he asked and I shrugged
"When you followed me on Instagram, they were with me in Chem" I said and James chuckled scratching the back of his neck 
"Well I don't really know what to say" He chuckled and I chuckled too 

--

James and I continued to walk until we got to the top of the woods, it was a clear opening looking out onto more hills and mountains. It was now broad daylight
"It's beautiful" I smile taking a quick picture while James took a seat on the cliff edge before finally joining me on my seat
"What do you think?" James chuckled showing me a photo he had just taken of me sitting one the edge
"I like it" I smiled making James nod before we both continued to look out 

"So what am I to expect in the next 2 letters?" James asked breaking the comfortable silence
"What do you mean?" I asked 
"You said that I need to finish reading the letters first" He reminded me
"Is there something in there that would change anything?" He asked and I shrugged
"I guess it depends on how you look at it" I offered and he looked at me confused

"I don't want to give too much away, like I want you to read the letters to find it out but let's just say, there is more things going on behind the scenes not many people know" I explained and he looked at me a little concerned
"Is it why Freddie is so protective?" James asked and I laughed
"Freddie doesn't even know, the only people in the friend group that knows is Hayden" I said 
And even then.. I wish Hayden didn't know
"So Hayden knows and is chill? Freddie doesn't know and is a overprotective dick?" James asked making both of us laugh as I nodded

"What can I say, they are both so similar but so different. They both handle things so differently. it's one of the few things I love about Fredd and one of the many things I love about Hayden" I chuckled making James smile

"Well, whatever is in those letters, I don't think it'll change much about you Riley from what i've heard, read and spoken to you about. You seem like a really sweet girl" He smiled 
"Your not so bad yourself" I winked making him chuckle 
If you had told me I would be here this time last year, I would have called you crazy that is for sure..