taste of freedom // riley & kristen

Kristen was expecting her bestfriend to grace her presence in roughly four hours, and the slowly ticking minutes were almost agony. It had been at least a week since she had seen Riley, and it was probably the longest week the two ever had apart. It was just like yesterday the meeting between the two, a little boy and a girl fighting at their parents work party with words that should’ve been completely unknown to four year olds. “Don’t be such a git!” Riley yelled at the girl almost giving her a glare, Kristen picked up an ice cube from her cup and threw it at him almost instantly, “Don’t be such a big jerk then!” She roared at him with a sly grin. “I like your shoes…” Kristen then admitted sheepishly, “I like your bow!” The boy practically sung his words back to her - and just like that their friendship begun. From that day forward there was never a moment of dull nature between them, especially when it came to their blunders. Their fights were almost pure agony between the two but after them things were suddenly better than ever.

Nodding off at her thoughts, a smile spread onto the blonde girls pale face. With now less than three hours she decided she better get ready. Slipping out of her pajama pants and into a pair of grey skinny jeans, she nodded at reflection. It was never that she had to impress Riley - because he’d seen her at her worst times. But it was that she felt she had to look put together to see him, maybe it was something hidden, but then again there was no way she’d ever admit the chemistry between them. Slipping her slender figure into a tight tank top she threw on a leather jacket and slid a bow Riley had gotten her into her bangs. The two of them were always giving eachother tokens that reminded them of eachother - their parents always complained they were acting too much like a married couple. But in all Kristen approved of all his little presents, she found they meant a great deal to her.

Once the signature knock was echoing throughout the halls of her home, she cursed something wicked under her breath. Why was it Riley was always so early? Was he just as eager as she was? Kristen practically bounced down the stairs and towards the front door, reaching out her hand she turned the knob and opened the door to reveal the boy standing in front of her. “No, i don’t think movie nights still on the agenda, Riles.” She grinned up at the boy, her eyes locking onto his before she glanced away. “But… you could take me for ice cream before one of our infamous adventures start.” Nodding up at him, Kristen shifted in her spot. It was unlike her to start of with something cute around Riley, typically she just pushed him around like a woman should. But instead she was feeling sentimental, it was times like these where she would take her time with him seriously.

“I’ve really missed hanging out with you, Kris. I know it hasn’t even really been that long, maybe just a couple of days? But it’s felt like forever.” He bit his lip nervously, sort of shy about admitting how much he had missed his best friend’s company over such a short period of time. When they were together, it was like nothing could beat them. Riley would do anything to protect Kristen from any harm no matter how many time they fight, and he was sure that the blonde would do the same for him in return. They were used to looking out for each other. He is just relieved that he’s had his best friends by his side for support and to give him the courage.

But there was still one key area where he was lacking courage, and that was telling Kristen the truth. That he wanted her as more than just his best friend. How he wanted to be able to kiss her (on the lips, as they did playfully and fondly kiss each other on the cheek from time to time), and how he wished they would snuggle and hold hands as more than just platonic friends. He counted on her for so much, if she suddenly pulled away because she didn’t feel the same and things got awkward, Riley didn’t know what he would do. So no…for now he would be content with what he had; a best friend with an immensely caring family that were willing to take him in. Maybe someday he would gather his pitiful courage and take that step, but for now this was enough. “Are we seriously going to eat ice cream? In this cold weather?” he laughed.

“Fine, I don’t care where we go or what we do, as long as we’re together.” Riley sighed, eyes closed and drawing in near to Kristen, leaning their shoulders together. The McKnight household really did feel like a home to him, much more than his own. There was no fear of making a minor error and being chastised harshly over it, if he made a mistake the others in this house were quick to brush it away and say that it was nothing. Although he did often say that Kristen’s house felt like a home to him, he would never take what they had given him for granted, still being polite as ever and asking for everything instead of assuming it would be okay. They had given him a wonderful gift, and damn it all if he messed it up. He was quiet as he made the short distance down her driveway, turned around and waited for her. “Just hurry up, will you?” he yelled as she was taking her own sweet time locking the front door.

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