A Lazy Day (hunky Riley)

[Riley Coleson]

''Do you really want to talk about that?'' he asked with a smile. He couldn't think of one girl who actually wanted to hear about his love life, and quite frankly he wasn't even sure if it was something he enjoyed discussing. He was a private guy and didn't like to share what happened behind closed doors even if everyone already knew. He didn't feel like adding fuel to a bonfire, it was quite large on its own.

As soon as Hadley sat down, as did he, his attention pulled into the direction of the girls where he gave them all a flashing grin and a nod, ''Morning ladies,'' he said with his usual charming tone before turning towards the guy sitting next to him. He was well aware of the signs, the way Hadley bent over, teasing and pushing buttons, he had been the receiver of all that only a short while ago, but hey, he had already decided that no girl was ever worth it, and it was too late to take it back now. So if she wanted to flaunt herself to the other guys, he wasn't going to stand in her way, even if it annoyed him. Wait, no. It didn't. He never got annoyed by things like that. Nope, nope and nope.

He leaned to the side and gave Hadley's shoulder a bump, ''What'cha want?'' he asked as he dug out his wallet from the back of his pocket, once again turning his attention towards the girl on the other side of the table. Now that, that was his kind of girls. Easy, obvious and ready to jump the gun. Those girls wouldn't leaving him hanging like certain somebody else. Scorned, much? Pffft. Him? Never!

Riley pushed his chair from the table and stood up, giving his friend, Mike's shoulder a bump before turning his attention towards the food stalls, ''I'll be right ba-'' and before he managed to finish, one of the girls stood up with a squeak and flailed her arms, ''I'll help you carry!'' she offered enthusiastically, her massive cleavage showing off a pair of melons eager to jump both up and down as she rose to her feet, ''It'll be my pleasure, love,'' he said, adding a little more pressure on the nickname. He didn't know why he did it, but at the same time, he looked down at the blonde with a mischievous smirk. Was he purposely trying to get her panties in a twist? Naaah, why would he? It wasn't like he liked Hadley or anything. Pfft.

[Hadley Roarke]

She. Got. Up. And. Followed. Him.

Everything he just said was tossed out the window. Gone. Anger surged through her. She felt the fire she felt when James was being kicked around. Her body was heating up to a temperature that was not safe. Hadley closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She held it for a few seconds before letting it out slowly. Yoga. Yeah. Deep breathing. In... Out...

''It'll be my pleasure, love.'' Love. Hadley locked her jaw and looked up at him. He was smirking. That asshole was smirking. He knew it pissed her off. He was pushing her buttons. And he enjoyed it. Oh. My. God. She wasn't sure if she wanted to kill him, or drag him off for sex. Then she looked at the.. girl.. that was vying (albeit probably unknowingly) for his attention. Little whore.

Hadley stood up and slammed her now flame engulfed palm on the table. "What the hell kind of game are you playing at, Riley? Are you mad because I didn't want to sleep with you?" The fire on the table was spreading, and for a fraction of a second she felt bad for ruining their lunch. Then she looked at Riley and glared.

"Whatever. Have fun with her." Hadley shoved her chair back, and every chair that was in her way. For dramatic effect she set the last chair on fire. She ran a hand through her hair and walked out. If she wanted attention, she sure got it. Everyone was looking at her. She still didn't care. She did not care what anyone thought. Especially Riley.

Hadley stopped a little down the hall and leaned against a wall. She looked down at her feet and closed her eyes. 'Calm down.' Deep breaths. It was over. No taking it back now. She sighed and clenched her fist. Stupid hot Riley. Why did he have to make her like him? She buried her face in her hands. It may have burnt anyone else, seeing as how they were still piping hot from the fire. But they weren't even warm to her. They were cold. And she was cold. Did she just ruin things with him? That sounds like something Hadley Elizabeth Roarke would do.

[Riley Coleson]

Everything that happened next seemed to happen too fast for Riley to even comprehend what was happening. He didn't get the chance or the time to react before Hadley suddenly slammed her fist into the table and rose up onto her feet. Her words caused a group of the boys to let out a 'oooohhh', kind of sound, as if they had seen it impossible for even Riley not to get laid. Well, granted so had he thought up until now. With the flames covering her hands and the death glare he was receiving, the blonde made herself look pretty badass and not something anyone wanted to mess with.

And obviously, Riley had done just that.

Riley remained silent, standing there with his lips pressed into a tight line, his eyes widen, unable to speak. He didn't even know what to say. Why on earth was she getting so pissed off for? She had turned him down, and not the other way around. She was in no position to get mad, he had offered and she had declined it. It was her own god damn fault for being such a priss.

There was no fucking reason for her to throw a childish tantrum and pin this on him. Nope, this was all on her and her overdramatic, sensitive ass. God, why couldn't she just get over herself? It wasn't like she had put a label on him or anything and she already knew about his reputation, besides, he hadn't exactly tried to sleep with the other girl in front of her.

Sheesh, women. Riley would never completely understand them. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to.

When the cafeteria finally went silent, that kind of dead silence that feels like it's banging on your brain, making it unbearable? Yep, that was the kind of silence he was experiencing right now. And now that the blonde was out of sight, all eyes fell on him, ''Sheesh, Riley. What did you do know?'' one of his friends said and laughed, ''Gotta learn to leash your bitches, man,'' another one said. With a groan, Riley rubbed the back of his neck and stumbled after the Ball of Raging Fire, praying that he'd get out of it alive.

He found her standing leaned against the wall further down the hall, but stopping a few steps away, he made sure to keep his distance. He rather preferred to keep his face burn free and with an explosive power like that, it was far better to have room to run, ''What the fuck is your problem, Hadley?'' he asked with a sigh, ''What the hell was that all about?'' he stepped closer, his voice growing more and more agitated by the second, ''You're the one who turned me down, remember? You don't get to start shit like that just because you can't make up your goddamn mind!'' God, he really hated this kind of drama. Why did he even bother? Oh right, he preferred not having any psycho pyromancers out to kill him, that's why.

[Hadley Roarke]

Let's be honest, a good scene involves a lot of dramatic words, actions, and hair flipping. Hadley provided it all. But at what expense. She knew he was going to be pissed. Who wouldn't be? It was an explosion right in front of his friends. She probably really embarrassed him. Good. Her theory was proven when he came down the hall, wisely keeping his distance, and started yelling at her. At least he came after her. Just like she wanted him to.

She flinched a little as he yelled. He had an attitude that she didn't appreciate. But she realized that this was why she liked him so much, he had balls. He wasn't afraid to come and give her what's what. She loved it.

"Little whore was throwing herself at you. Maybe I'm just tired watching you fuck around all the time, Riley." She wasn't loud, but exasperated. Like she wanted him to just realize how bad she wanted him and to be with him. "Believe me, I know what I did," She muttered this last statement, and looked away from him. Confident Hadley was cracking a little. Holy shit. This guy made her crazy, and he didn't even know.

"I'm not sorry. So if you're looking for an apology, you won't get it." At this, she looked up at him, as if she dared him to say something. And.... She's back.

"You want to know something, Riley? I rejected you, because it was a joke. I was joking. Then it started getting- I stopped being-" Damn. Hadley huffed and walked up to him. "I crossed the line between joking and actually wanting you. As indifferent as I may seem, I don't go around throwing my cat at everybody. I don't sleep with everything that breathes, like you do." She was on a roll. For good measure she put her hands on her hips. "So yeah. I pushed you away. Cause I wasn't sure. And that stunt you pulled in there? It didn't help. And now I'm definitely sure, that if that kind of trash is what you want, then have it."

And thus the green monster had run its course. So one heated moment, a broken table, and several shocked people later, here she was. Almost bearing her soul. This was about as close as she had gotten to talking to anyone about her feelings. That wasn't the kind of person she was.

[Riley Coleson]

God, what was he even doing here, chasing after her like this? She had made her bed and he should have let her sleep in it. He shouldn't have gone after her and fueled the already burning flame. He knew he was going to regret this. He should never let it bother him or even pretended to care. He was so over this stupid high school drama and who the fuck was she to tell who and who not to sleep with?

''How the fuck does that have anything to do with you? I never asked you to watch, so if it bothers you so much, then don't. Simple as that,'' he pointed out, his voice still filled with aggression. That was Riley for you, he was as aggressive as a man high on bath salts. He wasn't gentle. He wasn't kind. He was a dick, a womanizer and a slut and he preferred that sort of life style. But here she was, throwing shit around for no reason at all. This was bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit, ''So stop acting like I fucking owe you something, 'cause I don't, kay? I'm not someone you can twist around your finger and I sure as hell ain't your boyfriend, so stop acting like I should bow before you and treat you like some fuckin' princess,'' he growled at her, feeling his entire body tense up with frustration and rage.

''I'm not sorry,'', he repeated with a childish voice, tuning it up a few pitches. He knew he only made her more mad by mocking her, but dear lord, this was idiotic! What the fuck was that bimbo thinking?

He remained silent as she spoke, not uttering a single word. He crossed his arms over his chest, rolled his eyes and laughed mockingly as he looked away. He then continued to shake his head and step away from her, ''You already knew this shit about me, Hadley. What, you thought you could bash your eyelashes and whip out your magic fingers and think that would change me? Get over yourself! I never once claimed to be anything else, so whatever you saw, whatever you thought, was all in your head,'' he spat at her. Why did he even care? Why was he getting so pissed over this? Fuck. He didn't know, he didn't want to care and he surely didn't want to deal with this...whatever it was. He was so over it.

''This isn't some stupid test where you get to pull that kind of shit to see if I'm the kind of guy you think I am deep down inside. Let me tell you right away; I'm not. I never was and I sure as hell never will be. You can't change me, so stop wasting your time fucking trying. I don't want to be changed by some tease who thinks it's okay to strut around and do whatever the hell she feels like just without standing up for her actions - it's lame, Hadley. It's pathetic, and it might have been quite when you were sixteen years old, but it sure as hell ain't now. Actually, it's kind of trashy - and if you think you're any better than those other girls, you're gonna be sadly mistaken,'' he exhaled and shook his head again, sighing and waving her off, ''Whatever Had, I'm over this shit,''

He turned his back on her and pinched the bridge of his nose. Man, why couldn't he just stick to the normal girls instead of getting involved with the psycho, overly-possessive ones? Damn it all to Hell, ''I don't get you,'' he whispered, almost gently, ''What do you want from me, huh? What do you expect me to do?''

[Hadley Roarke]

He was right on many levels. No, she didn't expect him to change. Much like he wouldn't expect her to. She was Hadley, and she always would be. Just like he was a jackass and he probably always would be. But there was one thing he was wrong about, there was another guy in there. And Hadley preferred him. The sweet tease that actually gave a shit about something. Where was that guy? The guy that kissed her forehead when she pulled away, not put her down. The blonde put her hands on her face and sighed. But what he said next.. Oh what he said next.

He started walking away and she walked faster to meet in front of him. She stood there with a shocked expression. "Lame?" She shoved him. Her palms were getting hotter. "Pathetic?" She laughed a little and shoved him harder, burning his shirt a little. "Fucking trashy?" She yelled this one and shoved him as hard as she could. "Who do you think you are? No one talks to me like that. Especially not an asshole like you." Had poked his chest with the last two words. She clenched her fists and took a breath.

"And let me tell you something. I don't want a damn thing from you. Not a damn, fucking thing. I thought I liked you, Riley. Was that what you wanted me to say? To confirm what you already probably knew? I liked you." She felt like a five year old confessing her feelings. But she couldn't say love.. That just.. Sounded weird to her. Had shoved him again, this time with less force, but more heat. "I wanted you. But I didn't know what to do. I had a fucked up childhood, okay? I don't know how to do this shit."

Hadley started shaking. She clenched her fists and tried to even out her breathing. It probably looked like she was going insane. "I'm not sure what you want me to say, Riley. Do you want me to be like yours little sluts, and say take me to bed right now?" She laughed a little and ran a shaky hand through her hair. "I liked you, but I was wrong, because your right; I can't change you. I shouldn't have to. But I prefer you when you aren't being a dick. When you actually give a shit about something. You can quit being a hard ass, because all your little friends are back in the cafeteria with a fire extinguisher."

A sigh fell from her lips and she looked away from him for a few minutes, before biting her lip and returning to his lovely brown eyes. "I'm sorry if I bruised your ego. I wanted you. Believe me, there was nothing I wanted more. But I just.. wasn't sure. And I was right to doubt. Because obviously it's not going to work out. I want to be with you, Riley, but not if your going to be a douche all the time. I will not be yelled at like that," She yelled the last part and shoved him one last time. Her gaze was cold, but her expression was a mix between pissed off and hurt. She wanted to set him on fire, but she wanted to cry.

[Riley Coleson]

Granted, with an ability like his, her shoving him and the heat radiating from her fingers didn't do much, sure it ruined a perfectly good shirt, but he could take that level of beating without a problem. In fact, he probably could have taken a lot worse too. But damn, this was getting annoying. Like, really, really annoying and she only infuriated him more as she kept on showing him, ''Hey, quit it out,'' he growled at her and smacked her hand away. Unless she wanted him to toss her half-way across the room, she had to stop fucking showing him.

Though, when the fiery blonde spoke again and mention words such as 'I liked you' and 'I wanted you' made the usual boy with always something to say fall silent. The sudden realization hit him like a blow to the head and he was unable to press forth a single word. He simply stood there, blinking confused as if all the rage had vanished and been replaced by confusion, uncertainty and a whole lot of doubt. He didn't know what to say and when he opened his mouth to speak, no words came out. He stood there as if he was petrified, made into stone at the blink of an eye. Wait, what? What just happened?

As the situation moved forward, Riley's confused expression hardened as she kept on talking, rambling on about anything and everything, but he didn't pay any attention to what she said. He couldn't. He didn't hear her. All he heard was his own blood rushing in his voice and the echo of her laughter, the fierce tone in her voice, the way her hair moved as she spoke and the look in her eyes... He hated confrontation and it scared him even more than showing his feelings. He wasn't good with this sort of thing. He wanted to run away. He wanted to bail and never look back. He was a coward, he knew that. And for the first time in his life, he felt ashamed of it, ''Hadley...,'' he whispered silently, the voice barely escaping his lips.

Like a smack to the nuts he returned back to the current situation, his brown eyes darkening at her words and his lips pressed into a thin line, Riley grabbed her arm as she shoved him one last time, turning the blonde around to pin both of her arms above her and with his own body, he pressed hers against the wall, ''Oh for crying out loud, just shut up already,'', he said. Not angrily nor did his voice show any sign of expressions. It was flat and it was cold. He was past being angry. He was past feeling bad for her. He was past this entire thing and he wanted it over with. It was better to rip the bandage off quickly and let the girl carry on with her life. But as he opened his mouth to speak again, the right words didn't seem to find their way.

He sighed as he let go of her arms, his arms raised to hit the wall next to her head, leaving a small dent in the white painted wood and he gripped his head, shaking it as he stepped backwards until he hit the wall on the other side. He didn't look at her this time. He didn't dare to, ''You're right,'' he said solemnly, ''It's not going to work out,'' he admitted with a cold expression, his eyes seeking anywhere but hers, ''I am a douche. So let me ask you one thing, knowing all this, why are you still trying, huh? Why not do yourself a favor and skidaddle out of here and find something better to do with your time?'' There was no point in lying and there surely was no point in her stating the obvious. He knew what he was without her telling him and up until now, that was the way he had preferred it. He wanted to be that guy. It was better that way. Easier, even.

''If I ever made you feel otherwise, I'm sorry. But if you're wishing for some kind of happy ending, you should go find someone else to crush on,'' He pushed himself away from the wall and started walking away again. What more was there to say? It was better for both of them if they left it like this. He couldn't give her what she wanted. He'd probably never be able to. There was a reason he treated women the way he did, and if she wasn't content with that then... Oh screw it all to hell. He stopped and turned around, and in a few steps he was back in front of her, cupping her jaw in his hands, ''Why do you do this to yourself, huh?'' he whispered and closed his eyes, embracing the blonde and pulling her close.

[Hadley Roarke]

He pressed her against the wall and she stopped breathing. Even now when he was being the biggest fucking prick, she loved having him so close. He was right. God, she was pathetic. She was starting to wonder why exactly she felt this way towards him. What in the hell drew her to this kind of guy?

The next thing she knew, he was punching the wall. Hadley gasped and moved away, until she realized he was getting away from her. When he didn't meet her gaze, she wanted to punch him. She wanted to punch him so hard she might break her arm in the process. And he had the nerve to say she didn't own up to her actions? Asshole.

His next words punched her in the gut. Hadley was silent for once. She wasn't sure what to say. Not without catching the corridor on fire. It was an odd sort of calm; like she was numb. All she wanted to do was go back to her room, but why? He would be there soon and-

Hugging her? 'I don't know why I do it. I have no idea.' Hadley wrapped her arms around him and sighed. It took all the power she could not to cry. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her look even more pitiful. She already felt like she was throwing herself at someone who didn't want her in the first place. Now he just felt sorry for being a jerk.

"What do you want, Riley?" Her voice was just a shaky whisper. What did he want? Did he feel bad? Or did he have other motives? Would he really be that low? "I just- I want to see you happy." Great job, Hads. He looked so fuckin' happy. Ecstatic. She just wanted the day to be over with. The class she was supposed to be at an hour ago was completely obsolete. Her reality had slipped away, spending time with him, or should she say, fighting with him.

Had looked up at him, feeling really idiotic. She pushed away and sighed. "Tell me what you want me to do, Riley. I'll leave you alone, if that's what you want. If that's what makes you happy. The last thing I want is to be with someone who doesn't want me." She had already been through that. And she was not going to feel like that again. "Please, just be happy." With her last words she whispered and looked away from him. She crossed her arms and closed her eyes, waiting for his response. If he didn't want her? Fine. She would get over it. It would be hard, but hell, she was Hadley Roarke. Building a bridge and getting over it was part of her motto.

[Riley Coleson]

Standing here like this with this chick's armed wrapped around made him feel calmer. It was rather funny actually, after everything this was what it took to calm him down? God, he was just as pathetic as she was. And to make everything even better, they were roomies. He fucking had to share the dorm with her after this! How was he ever going to be able to fall asleep again, or worse how was he going to get laid without being afraid of her burning the school down? Oh yeah, he was asking the right kinds of questions now, wasn't he. After all she had said, he still worried about how he was going to get laid. Great.

''I don't know,'' was all he managed to say. He didn't know what else there was to say. He had no clue what he wanted at this point and his head was nothing but a chaotic mess of different demons trying to win over the other. She wanted him to be happy yet here she was, trying to turn his entire world upside down? She scared his friends and threw a tantrum the second he laid eyes on another girl? Oh yeah, that was real happiness right there. But he knew better than to say that out loud. After all, she was the one carrying the bombs, not him.

Without trying to resist, he let her push herself away and rubbed the back of his neck, restlessly sticking his arms in his pockets and tapping the tip of his foot against the floor, ''I've already told you, Hadley. I'm not the kind of guy you get into a relationship with,'' Well, if anything, at least he was honest. He couldn't give her what she wanted, and even if he did, somewhere along the road he'd fuck up and return to his old habits, ''I can't be who you want me to be,'' But that didn't mean he didn't want her, but he knew better than to say that. After all, it was better if she simply thought otherwise and got over it. It would only hurt her more if he dragged this on, right?

It was time for him to prove to both himself and her just how cold-hearted he was, ''There's nothing for you here,'' he said with a sigh as he turned on his heel. But why did it hurt so much to utter those words? He had expected it to be easy. He had expected that he wouldn't care, yet he did. It was confusing. It was giving him a headache. It made him want to return to his usual mindless way of living. He didn't want to think and he didn't want to feel, ''I want you to move on,'' he said, barely able to keep his voice steady. It shook. He shook. It felt like his entire body was about to collapse. He needed to finish this and get away before he did something stupid, like acting out on this strange emotion at the bottom of his stomach.

If he did, he was screwed.

[Hadley Roarke]

The words she was dreading to hear fell from his lips. On the inside, she was crashing and burning. However, her outside remained calm and thoughtful. Had nodded, but he wasn't facing her so that was a pointless gesture. "That's fine." Her voice cracked. "I apologize for putting you though hell to get here. Just.. let me know if you need me." Her voice was soft, like she was talking to James. I want you to move on. Those words echoed in her head. And all she could do was sigh and sooth out her dress.

"I- um-" She stood there for a minute before turning around and walking in the opposite direction. "I'm going back to the dorm." What more was there to say? He might as well think he needs to prepare himself, when in actuality, she was going to treat him as though it never happened. That was the best thing, right? Cut it off. Pretend like you never had it in the first place.

Her heels clacked against the tile. It was a comforting sound, at this point. It was something familiar. What she needed was a nice letter to send to James to calm her mind. Maybe a nice workout at the gym. Yeah. This day was going to get better. It had to. Or she might lose it. Like she had already lost one of the few friends she had.

Part of her hoped he would run back to her, she yearned for it. Yet, she didn't want to go through something like this again. This was soul crushing. It felt like a break up, but they hadn't even dated. She was just.. denied. That was the pathetic part. And she had lost all her spark; the balls she once had were ripped from her. Sounds painful? Well that was the blow he dealt. And she hoped he was happy. That was what she wanted, right?

[Riley Coleson]

He watched her leave without another word. He simply stood there, rubbing his head and watched her walk away. That was what he had wanted right? That this girl who had poured her heart out to him, just left. Got over him. Stopped liking him. That's what he had told her. That's what he had told himself. Yet, he couldn't keep the pained expression off of his face. He couldn't keep his heart from dropping in his chest as he watched her walk further and further way. But that was what he said he had wanted. He should have felt happy, no? Well, clearly, he fucking didn't. If anything, he just felt worse.

Riley curled his hand into a fist and slammed it once again against the wall, hissing to himself as he closed his eyes. This was pathetic. He should have felt relieved. He should have felt anything but this. This wasn't him. This wasn't okay. This wasn't... He sighed and opened his eyes, ''Dammit,'' he muttered. He wanted to run after her, he really did. But what good would it do? He couldn't change. He could try, but he wouldn't make it. She'd only end up even more disappointed than what she really was. So he did this for her right? He did this to protect her. To make sure she didn't get more hurt than what was needed.

Wrong.

He did this because he was a coward. There was no excuse. There was no way he could pin this on her. He did like her. In fact, he was quite fond of her and her fiery attitude. She could handle him. He was a scared little boy hiding in a eighteen year old's body.

He was a pathetic excuse for a boy.

How was he supposed to face her after this?