They Said That I Had Changed - Book 2

Chapter 1 - Rayna

A knock forces me to to wake from my dozing position on the sofa.

It takes me a moment to come to and, once I do, I force myself up to answer the door. After all, it seems like whoever has been trying to get my attention has been there for a while. The knocking has become much more forceful.

I call out for patience though they don't listen. By now, I have a fair idea of who it is and I laugh as I grab the keys from the side and go to unlock the door.

I peek through the window to see a pair of kind, bright eyes and I duck my head, pretending I never saw them. There's another bang on the door.

'Rayna! You think I'm stupid, I can see you,' The muffled voice cries. The letterbox snaps open and closed over and over until I finally give up and unlock the door.

It flings open almost immediately and Alice charges through, waving at me as she goes past.

'I'm surprised my neighbours didn't have anything to say about the noise you were making,'

I shut the door and follow her into the small living room where I find her sprawled on my sofa. She's already helping herself to the Doritos I had bought earlier and I cross my arms at this, though she doesn't seem to care . She sends me a wink but then stands up, throwing her arms around my shoulders.

'You're getting Doritos dust in my hair,' I complain and she runs her fingers over my back, wiping her hands on my shirt.

'There we go my dear,' She grins.

'Lovely,' I grimace, making her laugh.

'I have missed you, Ray,'

'I've missed you too,'

It's been a little while since I've seen Alice who occasionally comes to visit me, such as today. She joins me on her breaks since she hasn't anywhere else to go. Soon after Kevin and his family had moved, Anna had reconsidered her decision to stay at home and went to join them whilst Alice was in University. She'd also been offered to travel alongside her mother and yet she'd refused. She's happy where she's currently studying and finds it difficult to fly for long periods of time so they see each other when they can which, unfortunately, isn't often.

'So how've you been?' She asks and I shrug.

'Not bad, a little stressed but otherwise okay,'

'Same here,' She sits herself down again, almost glowing with excitement.

'I actually have something to tell you,' She says and I nod my head.

'Okay, just help me move these bags to your room,'

'Look at you with a fancy apartment,'

'Hardly fancy, but thank my mother for the extra funds. She transferred a load of money into my account for my last birthday when she'd heard I was looking for an apartment. I think it's her way of apologising,' I roll my eyes.

'Apologising? What changed since the last time I saw you?'

I open the guest room door and take her bag inside, lying it down on the floor in front of her bed. I stand up straight and run a hand through my hair.

'A month or so ago she gave me a call in tears saying that nothing was going right for her and she wanted me back,'

'No!' Alice gasps, her eyes wide.

'Yeah I know, I was a little shocked too,'

'And what did she say?'

'She said she shouldn't have sent me away and that's she's sorry for it. I'm going down at the end of the month to talk to her,'