Fun times (Riley)

[Angela Chambers]

Even though she had little money to spend, Angie was enjoying her day of ‘shopping’. She hadn’t actually bought anything as of yet. Mostly, she was window-shopping and promising to buy herself something really nice when she managed to save up enough money. And based on the things she thought were pretty, it might be a long time before she did. Perhaps she should consider getting a job?

But would anybody hire a fourteen-year-old girl to do anything, she wondered to herself as she stopped in front of a window to admire a pair of brown leather ankle boots with almost a two-inch heel. It’s what Angie imagined a girl who dressed punk rock might wear since they had straps criss-crossing on the front and the back with a round buckle hold the straps together. She’d never been one to long for material things, but that was probably because she’d never had the opportunity.

After practically pawing at the window, she decided it was best to probably stop making a scene and leave.

With the little amount of money that Officer Ryans was more than kind enough to send her on occasion, she figured she could splurge a bit. Maybe get herself some hair clips or headbands and at least a few hair ties. So when she passed a little boutique that displayed wigs and a few hair things in the window, she figured it was the perfect place.

Honestly, she’d only meant to spend ten minutes in there. She wanted to at least start heading back to school at dusk. It was her first time downtown and was a little afraid she’d get lost. And everything always looked different at night; she figured it’d be easier to find her way back in the light.

Inside the store though, she couldn’t make up her mind. Different colors and designs. Some had feathers, some had glitter, some rhinestones. And then the clips! There were the kinds that snap into place and the kinds that have the teeth like things that hold it into place. And scrunchies, then thinner hair ties, then hair ties that were basically differently colored rubber bands! She felt as if she’d died and gone to heaven!

After settling on a rainbow pack of thin hair ties, a clips with teeth, and one accessory that she could clip into her hair that had beads AND a blue feather!, she made her way back outside. Only to be surprised that dusk had already come and gone.

She hadn’t thought she’d been that long. The sun hadn’t even begun to set when she first went in at 4:30. And it was a lot colder now too. But thankfully she was wearing a pull over hoodie. So she pulled the strings tight and encased her face with it, tying a small knot.

Heading away from the store, she began her trek home. But almost immediately she realized she had gone the wrong way, so she turned around. Then she was sure she’d gone too far, so she turned back. After about ten minutes of wondering aimlessly around, she eventually found her back to the store where she’d gotten her hair things.

With a sigh, she pulled out her cell, and dialed the one person she thought might be able to help her. And when she heard Bell’s chipper voice, she at first thought he answered. But no. Voicemail. Gritting her teeth, she closed her phone. This meant only one thing.

She’d have to ask somebody for help. A complete stranger. She’d have to talk to them. And the thought was making her queasy and she began chewing her nails, staring worriedly at faces that passed her by.

[Riley Adams]

Christmas had been amazing. He had been surrounded by the people he treasured and adored, he ate good food and he was just all around mightily happy. After dropping Danny off at his apartment, Riley went downtown to get some hot cocoa and a bagel from an eatery.

Sipping his hot cocoa and occasionally biting into his bagel, Riley smiled at the blinking lights still strung up on lamp posts and hanging down trees. It had been up the whole month but Riley was still amazed by them.

He didn't notice the lost girl right until he was in front of her and when he looked down, he gave her a kind smile. "Are you lost? Do you need help?" He asked, his low voice gentle and reassuring.

[Angela Chambers]

Standing there alone made Angie feel self-conscious. There was more than just a few people walking around, mostly with friends or family or loved ones. Doing shopping, laughing talking. It kind of made her sick… In a totally jealous kind of way. Dad’s who didn’t hit their daughters. Mom’s who didn’t completely ignore their children. Families loving each other no matter what, even if one of them turned out to be a Meta.

Maybe it was the fact that she’d been thinking about her father that the man who stopped to offer her help reminded her so much of him. But his tall frame, his green eyes, brown hair… Though her father would never let his hair grow to his ears like that. Trimmed, nice and neat, that’s how her father liked it. A ruler was jealous of the perfect lines to his hair.

But everything else about this man was so like her father. For a moment, just a moment, she was sure it was him. That he’d found her. Immediately, she took a step back from him, her eyes wide. It wasn’t fear though. She was confused. He looked so intimidating, so much like her father.

But when he talked to her… Well first of all, he offered her his help. Her father wouldn’t have offered to help somebody who was lost at all. But the way he spoke. Quiet, gentle. Her dad’s voice was rushed, loud, and always angry.

The two thing, stature and voice, mixed together… It was confusing. And yet, she nodded. “Yeah” she croaked out. After clearing her throat, she added quietly, “I’m trying to get back to Hammel Institute.”

[Riley Adams]

When the girl stepped back, Riley's smile dropped slightly. He supposed he should have gotten used to the fact that his height had always been a problem. So he forced another smile on to his lips, which grew wider when the girl accepted his offer of help.

"Oh! You're a student there?" Riley asked, his hot chocolate and bagel promptly forgotten. "It's not so far from here. If you don't mind, I could walk you back." He offered, not so worried about how people viewed the strange sight of a lumbering giant with a tiny young girl.

"Would you like something to eat or drink first?" Riley asked when he was aware of his bagel again.

[Angela Chambers]

Biting her lip, Angie’s head bobbed up and down as she mumbled “Yes sir”. Which is what she’d often said to her father. At home she kind of lived by the motto to just agree with her father. Usually to just agree with whatever he said was the best way to keep him from being angry.

While the thought of walking back to the school with him kind of terrified her, she was willing. She didn’t want to risk getting lost again. But she did kind of wonder, very fleetingly, if people might stare. Not because of the difference in their size, though Angie did think is almost comical. She was hardly five feet, whereas this man was well over six feet. But they did have a fairly large age difference.

She remembered once, being out with her mother, running errands and a man who looked to be in his seventies kissed a girl that was about thirty. And it wasn’t a kind of kiss you shared with a family member. Her mother ranted for no less than fifteen minutes about how disgraceful it was to have witnessed that and their affair had been an abomination.

Angie didn’t want people to think she was an abomination. But her need to get to the school was greater. “That’d be fine I suppose. Sir.” She said softly to him. And she certainly didn’t want to eat but her stomach spoke up in a grumbled voice. “Oh no. I don’t have any money on me sir. There’ll still be food at the school. I can wait.”

[Riley Adams]

He thought nothing further than her being polite when she called him sir but he did want her to stop. They didn't need to be too formal, anyway. But the girl still continued to call him sir, refusing his offer for food. He didn't want to push it since she looked terrified already.

But he had heard her stomach growling. She had to be hungry. He looked down at his barely bitten into bagel and smiled before handing it down to her. "I hope you don't mind that I've taken a bite out of it." He offered a smile, urging her to take it from his hand while it was still warm.

"And please, call me Riley." The tall man nodded and patted her shoulder gently before walking in the direction of the institute. "Are you a new recruit?" He asked, careful not to be too loud.

[Angela Chambers]

The fact that he was offering her his bagel was… Well she didn’t understand somebody being THIS nice. She stared at it for a second. He was offering it her after all, so it wasn’t really rude if she accepted, right? Timidly, she reached her hand up for the bagel and accepted it. And she wasn’t one of those people who were much bothered by germs, so the fact that he’d had a bite didn’t bother her in the least. “Thank you. That’s… really nice of you.”

She nibbled at the bagel, feeling silly with her self. Being terrified by a man simply because of his resemblance to her father was utterly ridiculous. He was being perfectly nice. Considerate and friendly even. But when he patted her shoulder and she stiffened, she realized being afraid wasn’t just something you could tell yourself to stop being and you would. “Riley…” She said a tad bit louder than she had been speaking, trying not to be so meek. “Angela. Or Angie. Thank you for helping me Si-Riley.”

When he began to walk, Angie turned to follow him. Though she had to walk quickly. Her little legs took much smaller steps than Riley’s. Nibbling at the bagel again because it was warm tasty, she nearly choked when he asked if she was a new recruit. She’s been wondering most of the day if people in town knew. And if they did, was there some sort of secret… signal that could easily go undetected as a way for people to let them know that they knew?

Then again, if that were the case, this would be a spy movie and Angie was most certainly positive it was not. Quietly, the young Meta asked, “Y… You know?” She couldn’t look at the large man. It wasn’t something that she was proud of. It’s not like she asked for this to happen to her. It wasn’t something she wanted.

[Riley Adams]

Her hesitation was met with a small encouraging smile which widened when she finally took it. "You're absolutely welcome. I spread a little butter in it. Hope you like it that way." Riley resisted patting her on her head.

"Angela, that's a nice name. And you don't have to thank me." He shook his head. He heard the correction but didn't point it out, choosing to just smile.

Pilot Ridge was a safe town as far as Riley was concerned but she was still a little young to be out at night. Any number of Pilot Ridge occupants would have stopped and helped her. Tonight, she just happened to get Riley.

Surprised at the sudden coughing fit, Riley stopped and looked at her in concern. "Honey, are you okay?" He asked, having not realised the reaction was to his questioning.

Her little voice made him realise that she probably didn't realise that Pilot Ridge had more tolerant people than most other towns when it came to metas. And also the fact that Riley was also a meta himself. "I'm sorry if I startled you," he began. "I graduated from there." He grinned sheepishly before starting to walk again.

"I hope you don't mind my asking. You can tell me to stop whenever you like." He chuckled before turning sideways. "How are you liking it there?" He asked, still unaware of Angela's inner turmoil and his uncanny resemblance with her father.

[Angela Chambers]

While chewing a bigger bite, Angie bobbed her head up and down indicating she did prefer butter. Much more than cream cheese in fact, it made it too heavy. But a little butter on a way bagel… There were few things she liked more. She quickly swallowed. “I like it. But nobody calls me that.” She was slowly beginning to become more comfortable with Riley, despite his likeness to her father.

But still… Comfortable wasn’t something she did easily. Not with her past. But perhaps Bell was rubbing off on her. In a good way. Bringing her more out of her shell.

After righting herself once she’d finally managed to swallow the piece of bagel, she nodded, blushing slightly at being called ‘honey’. Were all people here so… Well so… Nice wasn’t the right word. Perhaps affectionate? Affection could be used when talking to somebody too right? The only other person to do that before was again Bell. And she wished she could stop thinking about him for a bit. She wasn’t sure how, but he was managing to find his way into her thoughts more and more often.

“I’m fine…” She spoke, still somewhat hushed, and glanced around at any nearby eavesdroppers. “I just didn’t realize that some people talk so freely about it. We didn’t do that at home.” And then he caught her by surprise and she was finally able to look at him again. “You went there too? So you’re a-a meta too?” The question in it’s entirety wasn’t whispered, just the word ‘meta’.

Raising her small shoulders, Angie shrugged. “It’s fine. I suppose. The people are nice. But I came right before break. So… I haven’t met many yet. Most people still haven’t come back from the holidays.”

As she walked and talked with Riley, she was also having an inner monologue with herself. ‘See? Everything’s fine. He’s a meta. He’s nothing like father. He’s kind. He’s not going to hurt you. Just… relax.’ “How did you like when you were there?”

[Riley Adams]

"Oh? Should I call you Angie?" Riley asked. He didn't want to offend the young girl by calling her a name she probably didn't like. He had to offer the same courtesy since he did ask her to call him by his name.

He offered her a smile before it dropped just a tad when she revealed that little tidbit. "That's too bad." After he reunited with his mother and sister, Riley never really had that problem. It also reminded him of his father and how he had tried to beat his abilities out of him.

Shaking his head, he realised the girl was still talking. "I did. I am." He forced a smile and nodded. "I'm a healer." He answered, not bothered to look around for eavesdroppers. He understood the need for secrecy but he didn't want ignorance to reign supreme, not when the meta population in Pilot Ridge is beyond ridiculous. Sooner or later, people were going to have to accept the fact that they just need to live in peace together.

"It was home." Riley gave a small smile, sipping his hot chocolate to hide the fact that he was forcing the smile. "If you just let it help you, it'll feel like home too. I met some really good friends while I was in there. I still keep in touch with them now." He nodded, the smile more genuine now than before. "Do you have a permanent trainer yet?"

[Angela Chambers]

The young girl shook her head, not having realized what she said could’ve been taken a different way than she had intended. “Oh no. I like Angela. I meant that I wish more people called me that.” Shrugging again. It was like shrugging was her default answer to everything. “I suppose most people think Angie is a better fit. It sounds younger compared to Angela. Angela is a grown up name and you have to be a grown up to have it.”

And she realized she was kind of rambling. To keep herself from rambling, she took another bite of the bagel, chewing it slowly. With the bagel being half gone, she realized she’d been somewhat rude. She should’ve split the bagel in two. Shared with him. It would been much nicer than shoveling into her mouth like this. Swallowing again, she raised the bagel up to Riley. “Would you like some more?”

A healer. Now that was something to be proud of. Something you could actually use. Something worth being a Meta with. She couldn’t help but feel a little bit jealous. What use was being able to make your body parts fall off? Except maybe a cruel joke. Which she’d keep in mind for Bell one of these days. “Lucky… I can only make my body parts fall off. But not to well yet.”

When he talked about home and what it was like for him at Hammel, it was foreign concept. Even growing up, her house wasn’t a home. It was simply where she lived. And her parents weren’t her family. They were simply the people who bore her. But she wanted something like Riley was describing. But… She didn’t think Hammel was the place where it’d happen.

Snapping back to attention when she realized he asked a question, she cleared her throat which had become thick. “Uh… No, not yet.” As they walked along, she stared at her feet. She wanted to ask him something, but it was kind of difficult. “Did you have trouble with it? When you first went to Hammel?” She made it sound as nonchalant as she could manage and even distracted herself some by zipping up her jacket as she asked.

She realized in asking that question that she was becoming more comfortable with him, despite his likeness to her father. It was still unnerving of course and made her a tad uncomfortable. But he was a meta too and nice and helpful. And she found herself wishing her father had been more like Riley.

[Riley Adams]

Smiling, Riley nodded at Angela's response. "Angela it is then. It's a wonderful name." He said gently. And if he realised she was babbling, he didn't show it. It was certainly a step up from the stepping back she had done just a few minutes ago. He liked this step better.

Her offer for the bagel was turned down gently. "No, it's all yours hon." He added a smile. "I'm good with my hot chocolate." He raised his paper cup to her and took a sip for good measure.

Huffing a small laughter, not intended to insult of course, Riley shook his head. "Lucky might not be the word you could describe my abilities." He shrugged before shaking his head again. "Wow, no. I shouldn't be talking about myself this much." He forced a laugh as he tried to think of happier thoughts.

It was because of his ability to heal himself instantaneously that had driven his father to abuse him so easily when he was a child. Hammel had been his solace.

He pondered over Angela's question for awhile before shaking his head. "Not entirely. I sought help. And found it. I'm sure you will too, Angela." Riley reassured the young girl, hoping she would get a little hope from that.

They weren't too far away from the compound now and Riley's hot chocolate was finishing. "I know a few trainers around town that could help you if you can't find any help on the site. I would of course ask you to find it in school first. But if you need extra help, I'd be more than happy to ask around for you."

[Angela Chambers]

Watching her step as she walked beside Riley, she smiled. She wanted it to become a trend, people calling her Angela. But she really doubted. Even most of the teachers called her Angie. But it didn’t bother her too much. At this point she was used to it. But it just proved Riley was different than most people she’d known.

Angela smiled back at Riley when he said she could keep the bagel for herself. It didn’t escape her that it was the first time she’d smiled at him since offering to help her… It also didn’t escape her attention that it most definitely probably looked awkward and slightly forced. Which was why her eyes fell to the bagel as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. “Well… If you decide you want more.” She said to let him know the offer still stood.

Though, she did look up at him when he laughed. She wasn’t offended. She doubted somebody like Riley would laugh at somebody in front of him or her. She doubted he’d laugh behind their back either. As much as she liked hearing about him, she didn’t want to push. Angela, more than anybody, understood not wanting to talk about yourself, especially to somebody you’d only just met.

She wished that she were older. Riley was the kind of person she’d love to be friends with. But… Their age difference kind of made that impossible, right? It’s not like it’s really seen as acceptable for a roughly middle aged (she guessed) man to be friends with a young girl. There were certain things that would always be considered ‘weird’. No matter how accepting people in the world were.

Listening intently to him as he reassured her, she didn’t think he entirely understood the question. But she’d intently left it vague. Very vague. If she wasn’t, she would’ve flat out asked, ‘Did you wish more than anything to not be a freak?’ Though she hated thinking that way. And she didn’t think of others metas that way… She just didn’t want to be one. But she smiled against at Riley, a little less awkward but still stiff. “Thanks. That makes me feel a bit better actually.” With that, she knew she hated lying to Riley.

And he was offering her help again. She couldn’t help but shake her head. “Are you this nice everybody?” It was intended to remain a thought and not to be spoken. Her eyes grew wide and her hand clamped over her mouth. “I mean… It’s just you’re so helpful. I-I didn’t mean anything by that.” She tore the last piece of the bagel in half. “But yes. Please. If I’m not able to find a trainer, I’d really like your help.” He was helping her too much. Or rather, she was asking for too much help of him.

[Riley Adams]

At her smile, Riley felt all the warm fuzzies at realising he had made her do so. He was glad she finally did. It was definitely a turnabout from her wary and cautious self before. It was sort of like how Janice was, wasn't it? He remembered feeling so much better seeing Janice smile after so long.

"I'll take you up on that offer, thank you Angela." He nodded with a smile. He wasn't going to take it back of course; she looked like she needed it. And he had had his fair share of food for the day anyway. Or rather for the whole month. He was starting to realise that he had been stuffing Danny's and his own stomachs with way too much food than either can probably handle. What could Danny possibly think he was trying to do.

Maybe they should have dance sessions every now and again, just to get rid of the gut they were both starting to sport. Old age didn't really help at all with their metabolism.

Riley should have realised that him walking with a young girl at this hour of the day would probably look a little weird but he wasn't all too concerned about it. He was just concerned with the fact that she was a young girl lost and walking around all alone and should have company.

He also should have realised that Angela was pulling away again, and that he should have said something so she didn't feel that she needed to suppress anything around him. But he didn't realise and so he didn't get to reassure her as well as he would like to.

Angela's question came as a little shock to Riley and he laughed when Angela looked as surprised as he felt. "No, it's okay...I'm not offended." He reassured her gently, patting her shoulder. "I...I guess I am. I don't know. My sister seems to think that I am but I don't think it's a bad thing, do you?" He asked, playing with the lip of his paper cup, wondering if that was actually a bad thing.

"I'd be happy to help. Really. My workplace is right around the corner if you ever need any help or just to talk." He pointed to the direction of his workplace before turning the bend to head to the institute. "I don't...actually have my card with me so if you can remember my number, that would be swell. It's," he stated his number carefully and repeated it in case Angela didn't get it the first time.

[Angela Chambers]

As bad as she felt about it, she was glad when he said he wouldn’t take any. It was really yummy! Though, she’d be sure to at least leave a bite or two until their venture back to school was over. Just in case. He’d been so nice and so helpful. It was the least she could do to be courteous.

She didn’t blame him for not realizing just how conflicted she was. For one, she was a complicated girl with a dark past, that while she didn’t want to think about it, insisted on nagging at her in the back her mind at all times. Two, she was private. If anybody knew about… things, she’d be horrified. And mortified. And probably any other kind of –fied there was. Three, more than anything, she didn’t want Riley to know. He was such a nice man. And he seemed like the Mr. Fix-It type. Which would be great and nice and she knew she needed. But she didn’t want Riley to see her that way, as somebody who needed fixing.

But she was proud. Really proud of herself actually. He patted her on the shoulder. She didn’t let herself stiffen. She saw his hand lift up and had taken a deep breath just before for the purpose of staying relaxed. Perhaps she would’ve stiffen otherwise. Perhaps not. Either way, she was allowing herself to be proud. Looking up at the man when he asked her opinion, she shook her head. “No. Not at all. You-you’re very nice. And helpful.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say without being redundant and telling him he was nice and helpful again and again.

Immediately, her eyes followed to where he was pointing. She’d make sure to remember it. After tonight, she’d really enjoy seeing Riley again and talking with him more. “Oh you’re close by.” That was a comforting fact to her. When he began rattling off his number, Angie popped the edge of the bagel into her mouth holding it with her teeth, and dug a pen from her jacket pocket. It was a habit of hers. Her mother had always taught her not to get caught without a pen and it’d always stuck. In blue ink across the palm of her was Riley’s work number. Something else she found comforting.

With the school in sight, Angie looked up at Riley after taking the bagel from her mouth. “Well, I think I can make it from here. Thanks for helping me Riley. I-I really appreciate it.” She wanted to give him a hug, but she couldn’t. “Um… I’ll stop in sometime to see you.” A smile on her lips, a genuine one. Not forced at all. Because she really did want to see him again. “See ya’ around.” And she turned trekked back to the school, munching on the bagel along the way.