Chapter 11

                                    

                                          
Time skip to when we arrive home again:
Vinnie and I find ourselves cozily nestled on the couch, engrossed in a movie. My head rests comfortably on his shoulder.
"So, Riley, would you be ready to make it official with me if you want to be in a relationship or not?" Vinnie inquires, his voice laced with a hint of anticipation.
"Tomorrow, I might be ready," I reply, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek before getting up and heading to my room to create a TikTok.
My phone buzzes, indicating a new message. It's from Jaden.
Jaden: Riley
Riley: Hey, Jaden, what's up?
Jaden: Can you please help me next weekend?
Riley: With what?
Jaden: My older sister has asked me to take care of her children on Saturday and Sunday.
Riley: Yeah, how old are her kids?
Jaden: Lilli and her twin Liam are both 3 years old, and Louis is 9.
Riley: OMG, that's cute! When do you want me to come?
Jaden: She's dropping them off (at a random time), so be here like 30 minutes earlier.
Riley: Okay.
Jaden: Thanks, you saved me.
Call ended.
"What happened?" Vinnie asks as he lays down beside me in my bed.
"I need to stay at Sway next weekend to help Jaden with his sister's kids," I explain. Vinnie wraps his arms around my waist.
"I can't wait for tomorrow," he says.
"Don't get your hopes too high, loverboy," I tease, breaking into a giggle.
Time skip to the next morning:
I wake up alone in my bed and decide to treat myself to a relaxing bath. Afterward, I change into a cute outfit.
I feel relieved that the recent rough patch with Vinnie is behind us, making the decision about our relationship status much easier. However, before anything can happen, I need to endure another boring day at school, complete with all those envious girls eyeing Vinnie.
"How much longer do I have to wait?" Vinnie asks impatiently as he glances at my phone.
"Until I'm ready," I quip.
Time flies, and suddenly, we're at school. Vinnie and I walk in together, hand in hand, with Mac and Nick accompanying us.
We part ways and head in different directions.
Time skip to after the first period in school:
"Riley Storms, Kio Cyr, Nick Austin, Vincent Hacker, and Mackenzie Cooper, please come to my office," the principal's voice echoes through the school's intercom.
Perplexed, I ask, "What's happening?"
"We need to go home," Ryland informs us. We all make our way to the car.
As we drive, I notice we're heading in the opposite direction of home. "This isn't the way home?" I remark, my confusion mounting.
"No, silly. We're going to a place where it snows," Ryland explains.