Drowning

Chapter 48:

Brynn nodded her head and turned on the highway to take me home. About fifteen minutes later, she pulled up to my house. She put the car in park and turned to me.

"Do you want me to stay?" She asked.

"Go enjoy yourself. Aiden will be waiting for you anyway." I wiped at my cheeks to remove the tears that clung to my face. I felt so numb that I didn't even realize I was crying.

"Riley, why does Ezra think you and Aiden are messing around?" She asked, looking at her hands on the steering wheel. She looked a bit shaken too. I was too wrapped up in myself that I didn't even notice she looked hurt too. Ezra's jealousy even affected my relationship with my best friend.

"I'm not sure. He has this thing about Aiden and me that he won't let go of. Maybe it's because we are so comfortable together?" I suggested.

"You would tell me if anything had happened between you two, right?" She asked.

"Brynn, Aiden and I have never been together. We have been friends for a long time." I tried to reassure my best friend.

"Yeah, I guess I know that." She smiled back. "I'm sorry, I see how you two are together and I get a little jealous too. He really cares about you."

"I would never hurt you, Brynn. We don't think of each other that way. Now go enjoy your man. I'm sorry my drama ruined your night. Thanks for taking me home." I tried to send her a smile, but it didn't extend to my eyes. I got out of the car and walked towards my house. I pushed the door open and ran up the stairs without stopping to talk to my parents.

"Riley, peanut." My Mom yelled as I walked past her.

I didn't respond.

I slammed the door to my room shut and slid down the back of the door. Tears were pooling in the corners of my eyes. These would be the last tears I give to Ezra Miller. I promised myself even though I knew inside. I would never stop crying over him. I grabbed my phone and looked down at the screen that had constantly been buzzing since I left Bannon's. I had 10 voicemails from Ezra and about 30 text messages. I deleted them all without listening or reading them. I turned my phone off. I was done talking to anyone else tonight.

"Honey, is there something wrong?" Mom asked, knocking softly on my door.

"I'm fine, Mom. Just a horrible headache. I'm going to bed." I pulled myself up from the door and went to my dresser. I pulled out some leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. My skin felt dirty and I wanted to cover myself up as much as possible to hide away the shame.

"Ok, sweetie, if you need anything, please let me know." She didn't sound convinced, but she knew not to push when I was like this. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but I just wanted to be alone with myself.

I changed out of the uncomfortable catsuit and threw it in the garbage, I wanted to burn it and every other piece of clothing I wore around Ezra.

I climbed into my bed, covering myself with my big comforter. Maybe I would suffocate underneath it. No one would notice I was missing if I decided to close my eyes and never come out of my room again.

Ezra had played me perfectly like I was just another string on his guitar. I bent to his will, giving him anything he wanted with one brush of his fingertips.

I was so stupid.

My first instincts about him were spot on. I wished I would have listened to myself that first night. Instead, I chased after him willingly. He was a master manipulator. He even had me convinced I was throwing myself at him when he was the one always in control.

My thoughts were becoming too dark. I needed to sleep the feelings away.

"Snap out of it." I told myself as I laid in my bed with my eyes staring up at the ceiling. "Be a big girl and pull yourself together."