Adrielle Claiborne's

I would have called it love at that time. But looking back, it sure was not love. It was more of a four-year crush. ;)

His name is Michael Richards. He was a jerk. But a cute one. Who would have thought that at 7 years old, I've been dreaming of forever with him.

But sadly, he's busy dreaming of forever with some other girl I’d rather not name.

After four years, I was eleven and have moved on from Michael. I met this guy named Riley Maine. Riley's someone different. He's not a jerk, for one. He's this typical boy-next-door who always has this smile plastered on his face. He's approachable and really really nice. And yes, I fell in love with him eventually. I found out he was crushing on me, too. :’)

Flash forward to freshman year. We dated. We were inseparable and madly in love. <3

Correction. We are inseparable and madly in love. Yes, after two years, Riley and I are still together. <3

The thing is, girls praise and glorify him. Like really follow him around and give him stuff on Valentine's day. And because of that, he can't tell everyone he's in a relationship with me. According to Riley, girls will make stories about me. He doesn't want that to happen. And I understand him. :) That's how much Riley means to me.

But of course, one's happiness doesn't always last long.

Junior year, I was in the same class with my boyfriend, Riley and unfortunately, Michael Richards. :|

*********

Junior year is fast-paced. Soon enough, I found myself being close with Michael. It wasn't that I planned it. It just happened. We began talking and we just hit it off like good old friends. Which we are actually. Kinda.

Apparently, my boyfriend Riley noticed this and asked.

“What's going on between you and Michael?" He asked me in a speculating manner.

"What do you mean?" I asked him, voice full of confusion.

"Don't play dumb with me, please. You know exactly what I mean."

"Is this about Michael and I getting close?"

He didn't answer. Is he jealous? :|

"Riley..." I took his hand but he pulled it away.

"Stop. Don't be like this, Ry. It's not what you think. Michael and I are just good friends. You of all people should know that," I explained.

"Are you jealous?" I suddenly blurted out.

"You're being ridiculous!"

"And so are you, Ry! So are you!"

"Adi, you know I love you..."

"And you know I love you yet you can't trust me even with my friends!"

"You don't get it, Adi. You with Michael, it's a different thing when you're with Isabella and Clarisse and your other friends. It's not only me who sees it."

What's he saying? Men! Why do you have to be so difficult to decipher?

"And your point is ...?"

"My point is that it's hard for me seeing you act like that with Michael! It's like the two of you are in your own secret world."

"Ry, you know who I love. Sure I loved Michael but that's all in the past. I loved him then but I love you now and that's what matters, right?"

"I don't know, Adi... It seems like I don't matter to you anymore."

"Look, if Michael's the problem, then fine, I'll avoid him. If that's what makes you happy, I would. So please, Ry..." I took his hand and pulled him closer to me.

He smiled at me and hugged me. I beamed and hugged him back. I don't know what to feel. Should I be happy that Riley and I are okay now or should I be sad that I would be distancing myself from Michael? :|

I felt Riley kiss my forehead and I can't help but smile.

I pulled away. "Don't you ever get jealous again, you worrywart. You know I love you," I said and pinched his cheeks.

"And you know I love you."

He leaned forward and kissed my lips lightly.

"Cmon, let's get you home."

Hand in hand, we walked through the school gates (the ones where people rarely pass) and drove home.

********

Days passed. And as I promised Riley, I ignored Michael as much as possible. Only talking to him when I needed to.

But the dude doesn't understand.

"Hey, Adi.  What's going on?" He cornered me one day after class.

"Michael, not here. Riley might see you," I said in a hushed voice, looking around for any sign of Riley.

"Adi, look. I know you've been ignoring me lately. Could you at least tell me why? And what's Riley got to do with it?" He asked me, looking at me straight in the eye.

"Riley, he uh, he wants me to stay away from you. He's jealous and he thinks there's something going on between us," I admitted, knowing I owed him the truth.

"He wants you to do that and that's why you've been ignoring me lately?"

I nodded and sighed.

Michael began mumbling words that I can't quite understand, only picking up fragments.

"That asshole... Doesn't know what he's doing... Keeping secrets... Asking me to keep it from Adi-"

"Keeping secrets? Asking you to keep them from me? Why? Is there something I should know, Michael Richards?"

"Look, I know you're together. It's not that hard to find out. I saw him kiss you on your way out two weeks ago."

My eyes bulged. Who else could have seen Riley and I? Dang. I'm in some deep shit. :|||

"But my point is you should break up with him."

"Why would I do such thing? That's totally absurd!"

Michael Richards is insane. Why on earth would I break up with Riley?

"Because you deserve someone better. You deserve someone who makes you happy. You need to be with someone who accepts who you are and your friends. Someone who loves you just the way you are and wouldn't want you to change. Someone like-"

"Someone like who? Someone like you?!" I cut him off. Who did he think he was to tell what to do and who o date?!

"Yes! Someone like me!"

"Who do you think you are? You think you can go around telling me what to do and who to go out with? Maybe Riley was right. Maybe I should avoid you."

"Adi- you don't know what he's been doing behind your back!" he was almost pleading and I almost believed him.

"Oh, cause you do?" I asked him incredulously.

"He's cheating on you, Adi! He's. Cheating. On. You," he said, emphasizing each word, gripping my shoulders tight enough.

Cheating on me? Riley? That just doesn't make sense.

"What? That's absurd! Riley would never do that to me. You're insane!" I started walking away but he held my arm.

"Wait. Adi, don't do this. Why do you think he's keeping you in the dark? Why do you think he doesn't want people to know about the two of you?"

"Because he wants to protect me from all the malicious sluts who would ruin me if they found out I was with Riley! That's why. Now, get out of my way. I have so much more to do and this surely ain't worth my time." I started going around him but he blocked my path.

"Don't you get it? He doesn't want anyone to know he's with you because he is secretly having an affair with another girl!"

Very convincing but no. I choose not to believe him. It's so not like Riley. No. This is definitely some made-up crap by people who don't have anything else to do with their lives.

"Oh for goodness' sake! Would you please drop whatever nonsense you're saying cause I sure know none of it was true."

"Adi, please-" he took my hand but I pulled it away.

"Why won't you believe me?" He asked softly.

"Because I know what you're saying's not true."

"Adi. Why the hell would I lie to you about this?!" he asked me incredulously.

"How about you prove it then?" I shot back at him.

He was silent for while.  I was right. He couldn't prove it. Liar.

"That's what I thought." I said and walked out, leaving him dumbfounded.

__________________________

The following days were even harder. Michael and I had almost all of our classes together and it was nearly impossible that we don't get to communicate. But it ended there. Michael and I  only talked when needed. Period.

After class, I planned this little surprise for Riley since it was our third anniversary  :) <3

I went to my locker and got my little something for him and immediately went to the gym area for the athletes.

I tiptoed up the stairs and opened the door as noiseless as possible. When I found no one there, I went to the locker room slowly.

I was about to burst in when I heard people talking and giggling inside.

“Riley. Won’t she find out about this?”

“Who?”

“Adrielle. You’re girlfriend.”

“What? I have no girlfriend. Except you if you’d want to be.”

“I saw you kiss her.”

“It’s just to get her off my back…”

And when I couldn’t take it anymore, I burst open the door only to find a cheerleader slut sitting on his lap. They immediately broke apart, scrambling to straighten their clothes.

I looked at them both with pure loathing.

“Is that so? Well if that’s what you want then fine. It’s done,” I said with much hostility and hatred, trying to hide and stop the tears.

I stalked out of the room leaving Riley and his apologies with him.

I felt betrayed. Abused. Cheated. Lied to. Lead on. And the worst, heartbroken. Riley was the least person I expected to do this to me. But that was always the case, wasn’t it? You never expected the person you love the most to hurt you. Because you trust them not to hurt you. Because you love them. And that’s what love does; sometimes it blinds you from the possibilities.

:(

*********

It’s been a year after the break-up and I no longer feel the pain. The pain of having to accept that some things aren’t meant to be. And the pain of having to accept that of all the people in the world, it was Riley who had to break my heart. And I’ve moved on. Of course I still love him, and time will probably have not changed that. But there’s someone special now who makes me feel loved again. And I think I’m ready to fall. J

*********

*knock knock*

I scramble for my bag, steal one last look from the mirror and run for the door.

“Coming!” I scream as I try to calm and steady my nerves.

Breathe, Adrielle. Breathe. It’s just him. J

I opened the door and instantly smiled.

“Hey, Michael.” Yes. Michael Richards = Him. :’)

“Hey, Adi. You look beautiful. You ready to go?”

“Ready when you are,” I said.

He led me to the car and helped me in. We drove to this little park nearby with colourful flowers growing all over the place. He retrieved a small picnic basket from the trunk and began to set the blanket.

We talked and talked. It surprised me how easily we could go on and on talking and joking around each other when he suddenly looked so serious and held my hand.

“Adi, I’ve been thinking lately. I know Riley hurt you. And maybe you still love him after all. But I will wait for you until you’re ready for courtship.”

“Am I making it up or did the great Michael Richards just say courtship?” I joked to ease the tension.

“I want to do this right. I want to go to your parents and ask them personally if I could court you. I will court your mom first, then your dad, then your siblings, then you. Then I will be there for you, whenever you need me. I will not be ashamed to tell the world that I love you and that I’ll always be there. I will wait for you until you’re ready for us.”

“You would do that for me?”

“I would. And you know I couldn’t swim. But if you were drowning, I’d dive in just to save you.” :')

“I love you, Adi. You know that right?”

I love you, too. I love you, too.

I squeezed his hand lightly hoping he knew what I meant. 

Looking back on the days when we were younger, I thought, maybe there's a hope for a second chance for us after all. <3