I....... Haven't updated this (with an actual chapter) since July. And it's October. I am so sorry.

Also, fun fact: One of my friends asked out m ex girlfriend. But I'm cool with it 'cause they'd be adorable together.

(What I'm listening to: Fire -- Pvris)

~ JM/SS/CW

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I look up at her bedroom window and sigh. I can't believe this is actually happening.

Fixing my hair like a nervous Riley, I climb up onto the first step and basically hop up the stairs of the fire escape.

"Hey, Riles." She's standing in front of her mirror, staring into it as if it could tell her the meaning of life.

As she turns to look at me, I smile. She smiles back, nervously. "Maya, can I ask you something?"

I nod, standing up and moving to where I'm directly in front of her. "What is it?"

"Am I ready for this?"

She looks up, and a lock of her brunette hair falls in her face. Instinctively, I tuck it behind her ear. "Only if you think you are."

Riley presses her cheek into my hand, closing her eyes. "Then yeah, I'm ready for this."

"Good. Now lets get out of here, shall we?"

Dinner isn't much, mostly just Riley and I joking and laughing about everything we usually joke and laugh about. 

On the way back to her apartment, however, we pass by a park. Riley, being her usual, childish self, gasps. "Can we stop at the park, Maya, please?"

"It's getting dark --"

"Come on, just for a little bit." She gives me those adorable puppy-dog eyes, and I can't resist.

"Okay. But we're leaving if it gets too dark. You know your father will kill me if I keep you out too late."

Riley excitedly runs straight for the swings, and I trail behind her at a much slower pace.

Once we've swung for a few minutes, Riley stops. I slowly stop as well, just looking at her. She seems upset, for some reason.

"Riles? What's wrong?"

"Well... I'm not sure. I just feel like... I can't tell you."

I can't tell you. Riley and I tell each other everything, so this is strange behaviour.

"Is something --"

"I did something, Maya."

Okay then.

"W-What's this thing you did then, Riley? It can't be that bad can it?" I smile at her, but she gives me what's almost a look of horror.

"Oh, it can be that bad."

"Come on, it's not like you killed someone or something."

"How do you know?"

"Did you kill someone?"

"No."

"Told you."

Riley sighs deeply. "I hurt myself."

"What?"

She starts crying, immediately wiping the tears away with her jacket sleeve. "I hurt myself, Maya. On purpose."

Oh, dear God, no.