The City (Joe Sugg/ ThatcherJoe Fanfiction)

Chapter 21

Riley's POV

"Do you really have to go?" I whine as I pack my schoolbag.

Joe is sitting on my bed, watching as I rush around the room collecting my books and stationary.

"I have to go back to work. My apprenticeship is almost finished though, I only have two and a half months left." he says proudly.

I pout as I zip up my bag, "I don't want you to go." I groan and he laughs in response.

"I'll be back on Friday night. It's not that long really. And then you guys will come to our place next Tuesday."

"Ugh, I have to wrap presents." I complain. I am bad at wrapping anything so everyone can prepare to have horribly wrapped Christmas gifts.

Joe and I spent the day together yesterday. Christmas shopping and just hanging out together.

I have never bought Christmas presents before aside from the occasional gift but since the Suggs were welcoming me into their home for Christmas I thought it appropriate to buy gifts.

"Get Zoe to do it. That's what I do."

I laugh, "As much as you like to take advantage of your lovely sister I am a bit nicer than you." I joke.

Joe puts on his puppy dog eyes, "Are you trying to say I'm not nice?"

I giggle in response, "Of course not! I would never do that," I reply sarcastically.

Joe shakes his head as a grin spreads across his face. He gets up from the bed and starts walking towards me.

"What are you doing?" I ask, stopping and placing my hands on my hips.

He creeps closer and just as I open my mouth to make a smart ass comment he begins to tickle my sides.

"Joe! Stop it!" I squeal, attempting to swat his hands away. Laughter falling from my lips, betraying my attempt to sound grumpy.

"Say you're sorry." He growls playfully, continuing to tickle me as I collapse into his arms.

"Never!" I shriek. Why the hell did he have to pick my ultimate weakness? My stomach is beginning to hurt from all the laughing as he relentlessly prods my waist. "Please Joe! Stop." I demand, trying again to act stern.

"But I'm so mean that I don't know how to," he teases, "Unless you say sorry.."

I screw up my face, I don't want to give in but my stomach muscles feel like they are going to collapse in. "S-sorry." I manage to stutter.

He immediately stops and I get up, hitting his arm as I go.

"Prick." I mutter but I can't help the smile than sneaks onto my face. "Look! You've ruined my hair." I complain as I glance in the mirror. It's sticking out in all sorts of directions making it look like I've only just got out of bed.

"I can braid it for you?" He suggests and I laugh.

"You? Braid my hair? I don't think so."

"Seriously. I've lived with Zoe my whole life and watched her plait her hair plenty of times. Can't be that hard."

I shrug my shoulders, "Okay then hotshot, give it a go." I say, grabbing a hair tie from my dresser and sit down in front of Joe, passing him the small elastic band.

He begins pulling my hair into a haphazard plait which, I have to admit, looks better than any braid I can do. I am horrible at doing my hair. Ponytail, bun or out were my only real options.

When he is finished I cross over to the mirror to assess his handy work.

"Not bad Sugg."

Joe laughs, "Not bad! It's brilliant. I should be a hairdresser instead of a thatcher." he jokes.

"I'd keep your day job." I shoot back with a cheeky grin.

"And you say I'm the one who's not nice."

Joe's POV

As we pull up at the station it suddenly hits me that I have to leave. Joking around with Riley this morning had been my way of distracting myself but now here I am. Leaving the city.

Riley spent the entire car ride sitting across from me with a frown etched into her sweet face. Her forehead creasing in the adorable way that it does when she is thinking. 

I wonder what goes on in that head of hers. It'd be interesting I'm sure but maybe I really don't want to know. 

From that brief look at her letter to her dead ex-boyfriend I know that there is a lot going on in there and I couldn't even begin to imagine it.

"We still have time to walk you into the station!" Zoe announces happily as Alfie pulls into a vacant parking space.

We had left extra early this morning at Zoe's request. She was worried about me missing the train but there's not much chance of that happening.

The mood between myself and Riley is rather somber as I drag my suitcase into the station. Her by my side and Alfie and Zoe trailing a couple of steps behind us.

Even though we've known each other for only a few weeks, two of which I spent avoiding her, I feel like I've known Riley forever. We have grown so close, especially over the last few days.

I know I will see her in just a matter of days but part of me feels a bit of doubt about that. This girl is so insecure and I am abandoning her.

No. It's not abandoning. I will be back in the weekend.

I keep assuring myself of this as my sister bids me a brief farewell and gives me a hug. Alfie also gives me a hug and that just leaves Riley.

She stands there in her school uniform which is a tad baggy on her tiny frame. A frown still sitting upon her face. Hands stuffed in the pockets of her blazer. Her hair still in the ridiculously bad plait I had done earlier.

She wraps her arms around me and I pull her close.

"I'll miss you." she murmurs into my coat, her face is smooshed against it as I hold her tightly.

"I'll miss you too." I say, "But I'll be back before you know it." I promise as I let her go.

Fuck. This is ridiculous. I'm gonna be back less than five days.

"See you guys soon." I say, grabbing my suitcase.

We bid last farewells and I finally board the train. Finding a seat on the side closest to the platform so I can see them out the window.

I watch as they stand there for a moment. Awkwardly waiting. Zoe glances at her phone before saying something to the two of them. They begin to walk away. Riley sparing one final glance in my direction before they disappear into the crowd.

A/N

I reached 2k reads!! I love you all so much <3 I am constantly surprised when people actually read my fan fiction. You are all amazing!

Joe's gone back home :( Jiley shall soon be reunited though!!

I just love Jiley banter. I know I write it so I shouldn't but I would just like to say it is my favourite part to write. I don't even know why :P

Let me know what you think so far and maybe what you think might happen next <3

Love you!! xx