When Your Head Gets Stuck In The Clouds

Sunday was my day off, but only from working at Mo Joe's. Gwen volunteered most of the time, paying her parents back by working, but today she claimed she wanted some time to herself. My happy little self believed I was going to sleep in when I went to bed, and was sorely disappointed when a large human being literally bounced me out of bed.

"Elijah, you asshole! I gave you that key for emergencies and emergencies only!" I shrieked from the floor. "Give it back!"

"No way," he managed to get out through his laughter. "What if next time [i]is[/i] an emergency? Like, you're in the hospital and you need clean underwear."

"That won't happen," I said, throwing my blankets back onto my bed.

"Um, so what are you doing today?" he asked as he followed me to the kitchen, and leaned against the counter.

"Finding you a new girlfriend," I snapped, itching the back of my leg. "So that our relationship can be professional again."

"Aw, come on, Riley," he said with his bottom lip sticking out. "Jake and Kyle have been tight friends for years, I'm like a third wheel. Besides, you keep the girls [i]away[/i]."

"So I'm like your bug spray."

"Something like that," he said, helping himself to a cup of coffee. "You're prettier than they are and you play guitar. It's the perfect combination."

"Thanks," I said, knocked a little off guard by this statement. After a short awkward silence, he cleared his throat.

"How's Gwen?"

"She's...weird, I don't know," I said. "It isn't like her to ignore phone calls or cheat."

"Has she said anything about me?" he asked sadly.

"She asked if you've ever written a song about her," I answered carefully. I didn't want to be writing music to lyrics about my best friend. It would be way too freaky. "I didn't answer her."

"Riley, can I tell you something?" he asked, and I nodded. "I don't think that Gwen loves me anymore."

"What? Why do you think that?" Gwen was obsessed with him from the moment she saw him. Yeah, it was a little odd that she wasn't returning his calls, but it could have been anything. I felt a twinge of guilt when I imagined her in some sort of distress and that I wasn't there to help her. Before Conscious Calling, we were inseparable. Concerts, sleepovers, all-nighters and--now that we're twenty-one--clubbing whenever we had a free weekend.

"I'm not sure," he said. "You don't have to keep an eye out for me anymore, but if you ever find out how she feels, will you tell me?"

"Yeah, of course," I said immediately. As I walked into the living room to fetch my guitar, I had the oddest feeling: fury. Fury that all we ever talked about was Gwen, that he was only here because he couldn't be with Gwen. I quelled it as quickly as possible, shocked at myself for feeling that way. Gwen was still my best friend, and Elijah was well on his way to becoming one, too. My brain drifted to the memories of Friday night, and it was as if my entire soul were soaking in a barrel of guilt. Elijah didn't notice; he was writing lyrics to a new song. Disappointment replaced the guilt as I saw him write "Gwen" at the top of the page.

* * *

It was a busy day at Mo Joe's, and Gabby and I were working our asses off. Riley had the day off, and the thought of her made my blood boil. While I was out dancing, she was sitting at the bar being her normal, cool self. Friday was supposed to be our girls night out, but Riley didn't participate like she usually did.

Elijah had shown up, and went straight to her. First of all, he wasn't even supposed to be there. Secondly, if he was going to show up, it should have been me that he came looking for. I've been trying to put some kind of distance between him and I because I feel like I've been suffocating him. Now this. They were piss drunk, laughing and hanging all over each other and then left together. Riley was a horrible liar, and when she said they played video games all night long, not even a child would have believed her.

"You shouldn't glare at the cups like that, they didn't do anything to you," Gabby joked, bringing my spirits up a little. "Still pissed at Riley?"

"Yeah," I admitted, crossing my arms.

"You know, they are in a band together," she reasoned, holding up her hands as I turned my glare from the paper cups to her. "She's probably just like another guy to him."

"He's never even written a song about me, Gabby," I said, feeling very hurt by this fact. He always told me that I was perfect and that he'd never been more in love in his life. You'd think that would warrant at least one song, right?

"What about the one about the dancer?" she asked, raking her hand through her hair. "Who else would that be about?"

"He's dated lots of girls," I said, but I knew my argument was weak. "I guess so..."

"See, Gwen? You know he loves you, why are you ignoring his calls, texts and all the other signs that he misses you like crazy?"

"You are truly a great friend," I said, smiling for the first time today.

"So is Riley," Gabby said, holding up a finger to stop me from interrupting. "They probably played guitar all night and bonded. You know Riley; she'd find that embarrassing."

"You've got a point," I agreed, and finally conceded defeat. Riley would never betray me, especially in that way.