Finding Myself

I'm so incredibly annoyed with, but feel bad for Mason. The entire time I was studying with Riley, she was so preoccupied with him. He didn't really progress on his homework and she wanted to help him. I don't know how their relationship works. She's so smart and he isn't, he's just good at football. There's nothing wrong with being good at something other than academics, but I don't think it's the best to be in a relationship where one person is obviously super intelligent. It feels like Riley is constantly putting Mason before herself in everything.

So, when Mason finally leaves, I feel so happy. I know my whole plan was to get over Riley by seeing her being all lovey dovey with Mason, but plans have changed. I want to get to know who Riley is without Mason around.

Riley comes back after walking Mason out and we resume studying, but I can tell her mind is elsewhere. We've studied enough for now so I suggest we stop and just hang out. Yes, I have other intentions when making that comment. I want to get to know Riley more.

I don't know where to start, so I just ask her a question about school since I know she'll definitely talk about that.

"So, where are you thinking on applying to for after high school ends?"

"My hope is for UCLA. That's the dream," she responds. It's a really good school and she's worked so hard, so I'm hoping she gets in. That would be an amazing opportunity for her.

"Why that school," I ask, hoping to understand her more.

"It's a great school and Mason is trying to go there as well. It would be awesome if we could both go," she replies which makes a knot in my stomach.

"Okay, I get that, anyway, what are your hobbies?" I ask trying to change the topic back to her instead of it going on Mason.

"Um. I just study a lot," she replies.

"Riley that's not a hobby," I chuckle. "What do you like doing when you're not studying?"

"Well, I just watch TV, mostly the travel channel or animal planet because I like learning more," she replies.

I smirk at her until she realizes what she just said to me. All she can think about is learning. Riley widens her eyes and then face palms and I can't help but start laughing.

"Oh god, I'm not a total boring person, I promise," she blurts out.

I stop laughing to say, "I don't think you're boring at all. You're just complex," I reply.

Riley scowls at me, "I think I prefer boring in that case."

We both start laughing for a while until Riley out of nowhere adds, "I used to love playing the piano in my free time."

"Wow, smart and musically talented, take my heart already," I tease.

Riley chuckles and says, "I'm not that great at playing piano anymore. I stopped playing a couple of years ago."

"How come?"

"I don't know. I guess I just didn't have time to do everything before, so I gave it up to do the best I could in school to make sure I could go to places like UCLA," she replies.

I can tell this is a touchy subject for her so I try and change the mood a little. I don't think she is ready for someone to tell her that she needs to calm down and start thinking about herself and what she really wants now. I'm not close enough to her to tell her that and I don't want her to push me away now.

"Think you can teach me a few things on the piano? I've always wanted to learn how to play it."

"Yeah, I can teach you the basics. Come with me," she replies. I follow her upstairs to her room. She opens the door for me and I walk in. There are posters of informational facts about animals on the walls.