After You've Gone Away (Tagged)

[Riley Forrester]

Please pick up. Please, please pick up. Riley begged, sitting on her bed and rubbing her face with one hand, holding the phone up to her ear in another. She ignored the wet trailed going down her cheeks, her eyes locked instead on a small open box on her dresser, where a little ring sat with a cut sapphire catching the light in the room. She could look away even though the sight along was enough to further twist the knife that seemed to have been shoved deep into her heart.

Finally the ringing stopped after what felt like an eternity.

"Se-" Riley stopped and tried again, gathering her voice better this time so she didn't choke. "Selina? Hey it's.....its Riley. I...I um just...." She rubbed her face again, harshly wiping her eyes with her hand. She had no doubt she looked like a mess. "I-I wanted to know if you... If you were free to talk right now." She asked, her voice, normally upbeat and usually much more confident instead sounding shaky and just plain....weak.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina had just gotten out of the shower when she heard the phone ringing, and she paused when she saw Riley's name on the display, a small smile forming as she answered her phone, "Hey, Riley!" she started happily before stopping as she heard the tone and Riley's stuttered answer, "What's wrong? Are you alright? Where are you?" she asked as she hurriedly got dressed in loose workout pants and an overly large t-shirt, not giving a damn about appearance.

    As Riley asked if she was free to talk, Selina nodded, regardless of the fact that Riley couldn't see her, "Of course. I'll come over right away," Selina responded quickly, concern for her friend clear in her voice. Shit, why did she get the feeling this had to do with Zoe? Probably because Selina couldn't think of much else that could affect her friend this deeply. Damnit. Selina took a breath and picked up her keys and her jacket, "Will you be ok until I get there?" Selina asked as she opened the door to her car and slid into the driver's seat. 

[Riley Forrester]

Riley had to smile a little at the concern evident in Selina's voice. She was glad to have the badass brunette as a friend, even more so as a best friend. Sure their initial meeting had been.... Interesting. That and Selina never quit flirting with her. However, Riley was absolutely fine with it. But right then and there, she wasn't fine. And no way was she even going to try and convince herself of that. "I'm.... I'm not hurt. Physically anyways." She muttered, roughly wiping her eyes again. Damn these fucking tears. She cursed inwardly. "B-but um...I'm at my apartment." She added.

Another smile managed to fight its way onto Riley's face. To hell with what bad things people could say about Selina, she was a damn good friend. "Thanks. I um..... I really don't want to be alone right now." She admitted freely, exhaling a little shakily. In the state she was in, it was definitely unwise for her to be by herself and let her feelings stew and fester. "I'll manage." She promised. "Just be safe coming over, ok? I don't wanna make you rush and get into an accident or something." Riley said, a little concerned herself. Knowing her luck, that would be the icing on the cake to complete her spectacular (Sarcasm intended) day.

Waiting for Selina felt like an eternity, but eventually Riley heard her arrive and she got up, tearing her eyes away long enough to head out of the bedroom and go answer the door. She managed a weak smile at her friend. "Hey Selina. Uh... Here come in." She said, letting her friend in.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina felt a bit of relief at the fact that Riley was safe, but she knew that tonight was going to be a long one for the musician. Selina had liked everything she'd heard about Zoe, but right now she felt anger at the girl for causing Riley this much anguish. There was little doubt in Selina's mind as to what had caused this, especially since Zoe had been absent lately, "Good. At least you're home," Selina replied, happy her friend wasn't trying to drive while crying or anything else. 

    As Riley mentioned not wanting to be alone, Selina's expression softened, "I can understand that... you want to tell me what's up or wait until I get there?" Selina asked gently as she started up her car and started making her way over. Riley's apartment wasn't too far from her own, as they both lived in downtown Kalispell so it wasn't a long wait. "And no worries, I can always freeze the other car or something," she teased lightly. 

    Selina got out of her car and slammed the door shut a little too hard, but she didn't notice as she made her way up the familiar route to Riley's apartment. As Riley opened the door, Selina immediately pulled her into a hug, "Good to see you," she replied honestly, before pulling back and making her way further into Riley's apartment. 

[Riley Forrester]

Riley nodded a little at Selina's comment. Although being home could be just as painful to the girl. There were far too many memories in the room. Yet she said nothing of hat, listening to Selina instead. Tell her now or wait? Riley paused for a while, contemplating that while she bit her bottom lip. "Um... M-maybe when you're hear. I don't want to distract you while you're driving." Riley said. Yeah breaking down while her best friend was driving seemed like a pretty dangerous and stupid move. Riley could wait, even if it ate at her.

She managed a light chuckle and even gave a little tsk. "Now Selina, don't you go turning into some supervillain on me." She returned, although her mirth was short lived as she had gazed on the ring, as if it were taunting her and draining her slowly. But then she was up and moving and opening the door. Selina got her with a surprise hug the moment the door was open. Riley was surprised, but wrapped her arms around the girl and just... Held on for a few seconds, feeling a little better and a little less shaky. "Good to see you too." Riley replied honestly herself. "Thanks for coming over." She said before letting go and shutting the door behind them. Riley walked over to living area of the apartment, taking a place on the couch and staring at the floor. "Um...." She had no idea how to start. But she knew where to begin.

"Z-Zoe um.... She...." Dammit Riley, speak! Her brain chided. "She..... Broke up with me."

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina smiled a bit at Riley's response, glad to hear that her sense of humor hadn't faded completely, "I mean, I won't go super villain... maybe just villain," she returned easily, making it to Riley's in record time.

    Selina nodded at Riley's thanks after the woman pulled away, "Of course," she offered in return. There wasn't really anything that could have kept her away. She followed Riley inside and sat next to her on the couch, still giving her friend some space. As Riley spoke, Selina felt like the wind had been knocked from her. She'd suspected... but actually hearing the words, "Oh god, Riley, I'm so sorry," Selina replied sincerely. 

    She'd hoped it was just an argument that could be talked through, but this sounded permanent, and her heart ached for her friend, "What happened?" she asked softly as she scooted a bit closer and placed her hand on Riley's, the touch purely platonic. Selina wasn't entirely sure if she was doing the right thing, but she was following instinct at this point. 

    Selina had thought they were so perfect for each other, and she had seen first hand just how happy Zoe had made Riley. She didn't quite believe in true love, but if anybody had come close to finding it, she could've sworn it would've been those two.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley rolled her eyes and scoffed lightly. "Yeah. Right. Selina you'll turn into Cataoman or something." Riley guessed. Honestly she could see it. But then it was grim and serious again and Riley was leading Selina further inside. She kept some space between the two from the musician, and Riley was a tad grateful for that. Didn't make her next words any easier though. She she said them it felt like she was gripping that damn knife in her heart and ripping it out. Only you were supposed to leave those sorts of things in so it didn't bleed too terribly.

And Riley's heart was definitely bleeding.

Riley flashed Selina a tiny, sad smile at her apology. "You don't need to apologize." She said, although her voice was a bit choked up. But then came the big question. The question Riley had been endlessly asking herself after Zoe had called. The biggest mystery yet unsolved for the punky girl.

What happened?

"I...I have no idea." Riley admitted, shaking her head and chuckling. There was no humor in the sound. Instead it sounded broken and just....sad. "I thought things were going so well. I mean we had been dating for years now and Zoe seemed so happy and I was-- it was great Selina." Her tears started pouring out along with her feelings, although Riley didn't attempt to stop either. "It was great. I really don't mean to brag but it was just so.... I was so happy. I thought I had finally f-found someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and all. It took me s-so long-- God it took me way too long to decide it." Riley rubbed her face again, furiously trying to wipe away the tears as she ran fingers through her hair.

"I was gonna marry that girl, Sel. I had the ring and everything. Zoe's been giving me hints on wanting it so I was gonna ask. God dammit why did I wait so fucking long?" She wondering allowed, hitting her bottom lip and shut I g her eyes tightly, slapping the sides of her face. "How could I have been so stupid? I loved her so much but I wanted to wait because it just....it seemed too soon even though I w-wanted it." She choked out, shaking her head. "B-but I was going to ask and then Zoe went away on a trip. She was doing another show. It sucked cause I wanted to ask her, but then I just figured I'd ask when she got back." She said, opening her eyes again and staring at the floor.

"I figured 'hey, things have been going great so it'll just be easy. We've waited this long, so surely we could wait just a little longer.'" Riley said before letting out a bark of humorless laughter and burying her face in her hands, shaking her head. "Ugh...." She paused for a little, sniffling, before whiling her face and staring at the floor again. "B-but....but then I didn't....communications with Zoe got really low. For a long time I didn't... I-I never heard a word from the girl. Not a call, not even a text, or even an email! Nothing! I had no idea what was going on but.... B-but..." Riley paused again, her tears increasing once more as she tried wiping her eyes in vain. "But then I finally got a call from her today a-and....she wanted to break up. Apparently she's staying...wherever it is s-she is. She apologized for the abruptness and all but...." Riley shook her head, lapsing into silence for a while before shaking her head and laughing. It was full of sorrow and inwardly biting.

"So n-now I've got...I've got a ring and no one t-to give it to. And I d-don't even know what...what I did wrong." She said before finally just dissolving into sobs that wracked her body and made her shake. "M-maybe if...w-was it h-how long I took? Did--Did I h-hurt her??" Riley asked between sobs, feeling like an absolute mess and probably looking like it too. She felt doubly horrible for pouring all this onto Selina, but she had to get it out.

[Selina Taylor]

Selina merely nodded at Riley’s response regarding her apology, unsure of what was or wasn’t expected of her at a time like this. She’d had people confide in her and breakdown around her before, but never quite like this… and never with a friend this close.

Selina gently squeezed Riley’s hand as she started to cry, a rare show of genuine affection from a woman who usually avoided platonic touching completely… in fact, most of this was completely new to Selina, but she was more than willing to be here for Riley in whatever way she could. Selina may not have had the most experience in comforting a friend, but she was going to stay until Riley ordered her leave.

Selina listened intently to Riley, more and more baffled as her friend continued. Zoey had never seemed to be cruel or the type to leave without giving a reason. Selina was just as clueless as her friend as to why Zoey would leave like that… or leave at all. Not only that, Riley was talking like the two had been about to be… understanding dawned as Riley mentioned marriage. Selina felt a sharp pang in her chest out of sheer sympathy for Riley, “There was no way you could have known, Riley,” Selina offered softly, answering Riley’s likely rhetorical question about waiting, not wanting the woman to hurt anymore than she already was. Frankly, Selina was grateful Riley hadn’t pressed forward with the engagement. Selina wasn’t naive enough to think that it would make the emotional trauma any less severe, but at the same time… at least it wasn’t worse. Not that she’d speak such words aloud, Riley probably didn’t need any help in imagining awful scenarios.

Selina almost wanted to hug Riley again, but she wasn’t entirely sure if she should. Physicality wasn’t something she’d ever struggled with in terms of sexual relationships, but anything outside of that had Selina lost and fumbling… so she merely waited, taking in every word Riley spoke and letting her vent.

Selina blinked at the fact that Riley had had zero contact until today… just what the hell was Zoey thinking? Selina gently handed Riley a box of tissues, as she had a feeling they would be sorely needed and gently wiped away a few of Riley’s tears with her hand, tenderness in the caress that Selina didn’t know she was capable of, remaining silent for the moment as Riley went on. Goddamn, Zoey. Damn the girl to the depths of hell, Selina raged quietly. She would never speak the words aloud, especially not in earshot of Riley, but white hot anger flared to life at the sound of Riley’s broken laugh.

Selina shook her head at Riley’s final question, “Even if you somehow did, there’s no reason for her to have treated you like this,” Selina responded firmly. Riley deserved so much more than a half-assed phone call with an even shittier apology. “Riley, you are one of the kindest women I know, there’s no way in hell you would have ever intentionally hurt Zoey, and she knows it.” Selina pulled her friend to her and held her in her arms, her hand soothingly running up and down Riley’s back, “Whatever this is, whatever happened, this isn’t your fault,” Selina told her gently. She had no idea what Zoey was doing or what she may have been going through, but unless the girl was being threatened at knife point to do this, Selina held very little sympathy for her.

[Riley Forrester]

Part of Riley felt like she was being unfair. That she was pouring too much of her burden on someone else in an effort to escape the pain. Yet that's exactly how she justified it. Everything hurt so much and she just wanted to let it out to someone she could trust. That just so happened to be Selina, and while part of Riley felt bad for doing it the other part was so for used on releasing the pent up sadness inside. She was grateful that Selina was putting up with her waterworks, even squeezing the sobbing girl's hand in comfort as Riley spilled the contents of her wounded heart.

"M-maybe not but I just..." Riley trailed off, not even sure where she was going with the statement. She couldn't have seen it coming, Selina was right. But that didn't mean she didn't wish she could've. Maybe things could've been different? Or at least maybe she could've prepared herself more for this. Maybe seen the signs, as little of them as there were. But that was over now and she hadn't seen it coming, which was in part why it hurt so badly.

Riley gladly took the box of tissues and blew her nose, trying her best to keep her blubbering to herself while Selina wiped her tears away. Riley looked pathetic at that moment and she knew it. She was more so glad that Selina was tolerating this and trying to comfort her, broken and useless as she felt in that moment. Although she felt just a little better at Selina's words, and hugged the other girl back fiercely when Selina held her. Riley just listened and stayed like that for a while, trying to calm herself down and not get tears all over Selina. Eventually her sobs went down to hiccups and she used more tissues to clean herself up before giving Selina a weak but genuine smile.

"T-thanks Selina. I'm so sorry for dumping this all on you." Riley apologized again. She paused for a bit, biting her bottom lip while wiping her face once more. "Could you um.....could you stay over and watch Netflix with me until I kinda pass out? I-I know it's weird to ask!" She said quickly, her voice still shaky from her crying episode. "B-but I just.....I need a friend right now and you're my best, so..." She trailed off and glanced at Selina. "Please? Y-you don't have to if you don't want. You've already done a hell of a lot to help me." She said with a faint chuckle.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina patiently held Riley until she seemed to calm down a bit. As Riley apologized, Selina shook her head, “Nothing to apologize for,” she assured Riley, her tone still gentle but firm. “And of course! I’d love to. You have anything in mind you want to watch?” she asked as she hugged Riley again, the embrace brief but genuine. “Besides, what are friends for?” she teased lightly as she kissed Riley’s forehead.

    “By the way, You want me to order some food? I brought some fine wine in my car,” she offered with a playful grin. Emotions could take a hell of a lot out of you, and they often made Selina hungry. Besides, food was as good a distraction as Netflix in some ways. She absently wondered if Riley had ice cream, as sometimes it was the simplest pleasures that could help you feel better after something like that, even if it was only temporary.

    Though if Riley wanted to merely pass out, Selina was fine with that as well. Selina just knew that for herself, sometimes she could get intensely hungry after crying… which, now that she thought about it, could merely be a personal thing. Ah well, the offer had been made. Riley had the option if she wanted it, and if not Selina would just cuddle with her on the couch until she fell asleep. Wait, cuddle… since when did she cuddle? Comfort? That was a better word. Yes. Comfort. That’s what she was here for.

[Riley Forrester]

As Selina accepted to stay, Riley found a genuine smile growing on her face. She hugged her friend again, knowing the whole thing was pretty rare for Selina to do. She shook her head at the question. "Not really. Just anything." Riley said. She really didn't crd what they watched. Be it sappy love, hardcore action, or chilling horror; long as Selina was there Riley would be content. Riley had to chuckle at the tees and the sweet kiss to her forehead. "Thanks Sel. You're an awesome friend. The best, to be exact." Riley said sincerely. Because when it really came down to it, she was.

"Food would be fine. I'll pay, you can choose what we eat. I've also got some things in the fridge so there's that too. Ice cream too, if we want to fulfill the stereotype and eat a whole tub." Riley said with a grin, some of her humor returning as she calmed down. She was sure her face was a mess, so she used the tissues to clean up as well as she could. "As for the wine, sure. Although I can't guarantee what'll happy if I drink too much. I may start trying to talk to the people in the tv." Riley joked, snickering just a little. It felt good to laugh again, even if she still felt raw.

"Thanks again Selina." Jeez how many times had she said it? She still felt like it wasn't enough. "Thanks for being here for me through all this."

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina flipped on Lilo and Stitch without putting too much thought into it. It was Disney, so surely it was lighthearted and would be able to cheer her friend up a bit. Selina laughed, blushing slightly at Riley’s compliment, “Well, if you say so,” she teased lightly. This was happening far too much lately. When had she allowed her friends to have so much influence? She was supposed to be distant and cold to everybody equally, so what the hell was going on? Selina still wasn’t entirely sure how to react to Riley’s comment, so she focused on getting some food for the both of them.

    She pulled out the ice cream with a grin and tossed Riley a spoon, not even bothering with bowels for the both of them. “Sounds like a plan,” she agreed as she fished out a spoon for herself before plopping down on the couch next to her friend once more. Selina then pulled out her phone and dialed the closest Pizza Hut for delivery. She ordered an extra large pepperoni pizza for Riley with cheesy stuffed crust and a large jalapeno and sausage pizza for herself. She was paying when the delivery guy got there, but she wasn’t going to tell Riley that just yet.

    “Then we’ll need to record that and put it on youtube,” Selina teased playfully as she dug her spoon into the ice cream to take a bite… goddamn it was good. As Riley thanked her again, Selina grinned and booped Riley's nose lightly with a finger, “Yeah, yeah, I’m the best, now dig in before it melts,” she returned with an impish smirk.