imagine that

Riley Andersen · 23 · Ice Hockey Instructor

If Riley wasn’t at the rink she was at the skate park, those were their safe places instead of having to deal with things back home. This was the year they were finally going to do it and move out. It was long over due but there had been complications. Every time they tried it became an ordeal with their mother, not ready to let go of the child Riley used to be. Things were good, for the most part, but it was time. After yet another fight they’d come here to clear their head and just ride for a little while. After popping up out of the bowl they spotted Vanna and popped their skateboard into their hand. “Hiya Van, where’s the bus?” They said with a small laugh before running a hand through their hair. “Sorry, that was terrible, I’ll have a better one next time. I fear I’ve lost my touch.”

This was the first time Riley had someone they actually wanted to spend the upcoming god-forsaken holiday with. Previous years they’d eaten discount candy and watched movies with their parents until her dad inevitably fell asleep on the couch. That was until Lil came along and now Riley was actually thinking about doing something special, as crazy as it sounded to them when they thought about it. The thing was that Riley had no idea what to do. They weren’t the roses and chocolates kind of couple and that wasn’t going to change to fit into people’s beliefs of what this day entailed. Riley wanted it to be special for Lil, whatever anyone else thought didn’t matter to them. First and foremost they had to make sure this was even something their girlfriend wanted to do. After rolling over on Lil’s bed and set down their game controller, having been throughly demolished. “Hey, I know it’s like super cheesy and stuff but like... Would you want to like, I don’t know, do something on Valentines Day? You know, together?”

@hctheaded

Riley knew that was most certainly the truth, a smile coming to her lips as she looked at her friend. As far as they were concerned Alex was the toughest person they knew. He could fight off anyone, they were sure of it. "And you would've totally kicked some butt too," Riley said matter-of-factly. They beamed as they talked about him, the coolest big brother anyone could ever ask for. "What got you into it this time?" She said before holding out another ice pack for him. "How's the other guy look?"

@directorpickles

Riley wasn't sure what to say in all honesty. It's not like they didn't like Lil's friend group but they weren't quite sure how to handle these sorts of things with them yet. The verdict was still out if they liked her but Riley was too afraid to ask, in case they didn't. That being said, it was nice having Tommy try to bring her into the conversation and make it an open place for her to discuss too. He'd made Riley feel welcome from the beginning. "That's probably a good thing," they said with a small smile. They knew how to pretend perhaps a little too well. "Nothing gets fixed when you pretend."

Her home away from home, though she hadn’t been visiting as much since she started to date Lil. That’s when more free time was spent going over to see her and make sure everything was alright after the fiasco with her brother. Between the two of them things were good, they were actually happy. It was so unusual for them to be able to enjoy something so simple but it was true. Lil made them happy. That being said, Riley had no idea how to even begin to tell her about what exactly happened when they felt emotions too much. They went to the only people who understood sometimes which was Alex and Sabrina. He was out but Riley made themselves at home, curling into Sabrina’s lap as they flicked through tv shows to find the one they wanted to watch. “Like why am I like this? Like why do I have to be the freak?” She felt abnormal more often than not. “I just want to be normal and have a normal relationship. But nooo.”

.

Tommy gave the other a smile, taking a moment to fill Riley’s glass with ice before bringing it back to them. He was glad to hear that Lil had told Riley all about their friend group, even if there was some bad things mixed in between the good. He was dealing with something similar, himself — wanting to talk about his friends with the girl he was currently seeing, but struggling to talk about them without mentioning recent conflicts. After handing Riley back her glass, he took a seat at the kitchen table. “I figured.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah, I’m just trying to keep us all afloat, I guess. I don’t think any of us expected things to end up the way they did.” It was a touchy subject, but Riley seemed to be trustworthy enough to discuss this with. “You think it’ll eventually blow over? I just feel bad that she can’t even stay at her own place.”

☁

Riley didn’t want to intrude into their friend group’s business but she figured at this point they knew she probably had already heard what happened. They liked feeling like Lil’s friends could possibly be people that they actually got along with. Of course that was jumping the gun but they couldn’t help but get at least a little relief from all Lil had told them. They took their cup, raising it in a silent thank you as he spoke before able to give her verbal one. “Thanks,” they said with a sigh. “It’s just like so hard when it’s in a friend group that gets messy enough but in one apartment, brutal.” Riley hated seeing it happen to their girlfriend. “I feel like real friends always figure it out in the end, right?” Or so they liked to hope so.

closed starter for @emctionalwhirlwind​

After doing a trial run of introducing her girlfriend to Tommy and Chuckie, Lil figured that Susie’s New Year’s party would be the perfect opportunity for Riley to meet the rest of her friends. She wasn’t nervous about introducing them to her friends at all, but she was more anxious about Phil acting like an idiot around them. As long as she could keep Riley as far as possible away from her brother as she could for now, she was in good shape. It wasn’t like she was particularly looking forward to seeing him, either. “Do you need a refresher on who anyone is once they come in? You know all their names, right?” she asked, despite already training her girlfriend on who was who in their gang. “It’s gonna be good, it’s gonna be great. I’m not going to yell at anyone, no fighting, not tonight, in the name of Susie. Did you say hi to her yet? She’s the one who’s hosting.”

☁

Riley had no idea what they were doing at a party but for Lil it made sense. They weren’t good at being social but meeting Tommy wasn’t that bad so she had faith she’d be able to talk to a few of them comfortably. She was worried most about saying the wrong thing or projecting on anyone, her emotions sometimes getting away from her. Riley hated that most about her, so much so that she hadn’t been able to even tell her own girlfriend yet. It was coming though. “Yeah, yeah, I think so,” they said nodding their head. Riley hadn’t started to doubt it until right at that moment as they started to go through everyone’s name mentally. “I said hi when we got here and I was putting the soda on the counter, I need to go like say thanks for letting me come and stuff.” Even though they were talking to Lil it was also a note to themselves. “Fun, all great, no fighting, you got this,” they said giving her a smile.

.

Tommy smiled, not bothered by their initial meeting being slightly awkward. He expected the other to be here eventually, so he was already sort of prepared to meet them here. He thought Lil would be awake for it, but that was okay. “Nice to finally meet you. Lil said she’d be inviting you over soon,” he replied, nodding and walking over to take her glass and fill it with ice. “Go ahead, I can hang around if you want some company,” he offered, getting ice from the freezer to put in her glass, making sure not to be too loud for Lil. “How’s she holding up? I know it’s been a rough couple of days for her.”

☁

There was a sigh of relief when he seemed unbothered by their initial awkward ramblings. Riley wanted to make a good impression, knowing how important this group of friends was to her girlfriend. This wasn’t ideal circumstances but she’d make the best of it and tried to find a less stupid looking smile to give him. “Nice to meet you too, I’ve heard lots about you. Well, everyone, really.” Riley was quick to confirm that it wasn’t anything negative, fearing he might take it the wrong way. “Good stuff, ya know, until this happened then there’s been some bad stuff too but all good about you though.” They had the tendency to ramble as they got nervous but was doing their best to compress the emotions inside of them. Riley didn’t want to start projecting on to the person she wanted to like her. “Thanks,” they said finally exhaling the breath they’d been holding. He was making her feel better, though she knew she wasn’t showing it well. “I think she’s doing as good as she can, you know? Dude like how do you guys feel about it? You must think it’s super whack too right?” 

Lil was especially grateful. to have the support of the rest of her friends during a time like this. If Tommy or Chuckie had actually been happy for Kimi and Phil, she wouldn’t have known how to feel. “Oh, yeah. Everyone thinks it’s gross, too, thankfully. If they thought any of us were going to support this, they’d be crazy.” With a laugh, Lil leaned forward, placing a kiss on their forehead. “Like you could ever scare anyone.” She did know that the thought of making a bad impression with Riley was something that would scare both Kimi and Phil, though. “Honestly? I know they both want you to like them, so maybe you coming with me would be a good idea. Like, you don’t even need to try and be scary–they’ll be on their best behavior no matter what. We’re kind of geniuses.”

☁

Something about knowing the rest of the group thought that it was weird made her feel better. Lil would need her friends right now and that meant they all understood the situation as Riley did. This wasn’t what they wanted for their girlfriend but they knew she was in good hands. Not that they wouldn’t do anything and everything to help her right now. “What? Me? I can be intimidating, you know. Some girls on the hockey league think I’m an animal,” they said through a gentle laugh. It wasn’t often that side of her came out but it was there. Riley was glad Lil had never seen that part of themselves. In fact, that was the reason they were so glad they had hockey as a place to get out that anger. “I will happily just go as your girlfriend Riley too,” they said with a wide smile. “Do you really think they could seriously still be there... together?” Riley’s face scrunched as if the thought itself was weird enough. 

-

Sabrina looked at them with tears still falling down her face. She didn’t understand why Riley was just such a perfect little thing. Just always knew the right thing to say and the best way to make her feel better. She didn’t deserve them. She really didn’t. “You’re so sweet, but you’re gonna….you’re gonna hate me when I tell you. I don’t know what the heck to do…I don’t know anything anymore….every time things start to feel good….it all goes so bad again….so, so, bad….but sometimes the bad stuff….feels good? I don’t know. Are you okay? I saw that Lil was involved and I know she’s special to you….”

☁

Riley didn’t always understand why people felt certain ways but sadness was one that made sense to her. It was strange to think she connected with it so much and to Riley it was her normal. Maybe that was what drew her so close to Sabrina in the first place, something felt like a piece she missed, a stronger understanding of themselves. “Sab...” Riley shook their head while their friend talked, knowing then and there that nothing she said would make them hate her. Once she had finished, they looked at her with soft but sincere eyes. “I’m never, ever going to hate you. You can’t hate family.” Growing up that’s also what Riley’s mom had said to them. Even when family mess up, even when they do something wrong, they’re family. “Yeah, yeah, we’re fine. It actually helped bring us together more, as shitty and awful as it all is.”

.

Tommy didn’t mind that Lil was staying over and inviting her new girlfriend to spend time with her. Between her and Chuckie, they were all going through a lot right now, and Tommy just wanted to be supportive. Besides that, he’d been excited to meet Riley, hearing so much about them already from Lil. He wasn’t sure when he’d meet the other, figuring he’d bump into her at some point at his and Chuckie’s apartment. 

He’d noticed Lil was asleep on the couch, but heard the sink on in the kitchen. He knew Chuckie wasn’t home, so he made his way to the quiet noise to investigate. He immediately noticed that he’d startled the blonde and he quickly apologized. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you. Riley, right?” He could only assume, otherwise it would be weird to have a random person in the apartment. “Yeah, make yourself at home. You want some ice or anything?”

☁

Riley tried to act normal, not wanting to come off as a weirdo immediately. If there was something that was certain it was she could overthink anything and everything. This shouldn’t be a scary scenario but they wanted Lil’s friends to like them, especially when they were in his kitchen. “No, I mean yes, I’m Riley but no you didn’t sneak up on me,” she said with an awkward laugh. “All good, I mean.” They took a quick breath to keep themselves from rambling more. After a second she nodded, figuring it was easier to just go with the flow than worry. “Ice would be great, if you don’t mind. Thanks.” They exhaled. “Mind if I hangout in here for a bit? I just want to let her sleep, I think she needs it.” 

Riley was exactly the person Lil needed right now for support. Though they were asking a ton of questions, she didn’t really care: just having them there already lifted some weight off Lil’s shoulders after going at this alone before. “No, you’re good, I’ve already gotten all of these from Tommy.” Lil sunk into the couch, leaning against Riley’s shoulder as she took a breath before beginning her explanation. “I said absolutely not. I kind of just yelled at them for a minute, took my shit, and left. Phil’s such an idiot, too. He tried to fucking lie to me about sleeping on the couch, then my bed, and then I saw his shit on Kimi’s floor. Like, he definitely wasn’t going to be the one to tell me. I haven’t heard from either of them, but I left one of my textbooks back at my place, so I’m fucked.” Maybe she could take Riley with her to ease the discomfort, but that kind of felt like cheating. “I don’t think they’re dating. I don’t know, I didn’t ask. Honestly, don’t think I want to know.”

☁

Riley didn’t always know what to say but they thought of themselves as a pretty good listener. All the questions wasn’t their normal, not that anything about how they felt about Lil was expected. They wanted to know every detail if they could somehow help her feel better. “Dude, the rest of the friend group thinks it’s weird too, right? Like you guys grew up together and stuff.” It was weird to imagine being able to kiss someone they’d known since they were a kid. This whole thing didn’t make a ton of sense to them but they knew it wasn’t good. “Now, the lying just makes it worse too. Like has that ever gone well for anyone? No, never.” Riley exhaled heavily, leaning into their palm as they looked to Lil. “If you need to go back and get anything I’ll go with you so you’re not alone. Just consider me your scary guard dog girlfriend,” Riley said with a laugh. It wasn’t like them but in this circumstance they thought they could do it. “I’m sorry... Is there anything I can do to help?”

Lil had fallen asleep on the couch watching a movie, probably in need of a good sleep and Riley wasn’t about to disturb her because they needed to refill their glass of water. That seemed like a job they could handle on their own without waking her up. After the last few days that Lil had sleeping was going to be the best thing to clear her mind a little. Sure she’d have to wake up to the reality but for right now in dreamland anything was possible. Riley had put a blanket over her after slowly maneuvering to get out from beneath their girlfriend, making sure not to wake her. Once in the kitchen tap water seemed like the easiest and she didn’t want to snoop through anything for ice so lukewarm it was. The other person entering made her almost jump out of her skin. “Uh, sorry I just needed water, Lil fell asleep and I didn’t want to, you know, yeah. I hope that’s okay?” 

closed starter for @emctionalwhirlwind​

Lil would’ve stayed over with Riley after Kimi and Pihl had gotten together had she known what exactly they were. It was clear from the kiss they’d shared at the Halloween party that they were more than friends, but things hadn’t become entirely official just yet. To keep things simple, she had invited them over to Chuckie and Tommy’s place, where she was staying. It was a big step, meeting her friends, but the boys weren’t home yet, so at least she could either prepare Riley with what she needed to know or get out of there before they came back in case they were too nervous.

“I have so much to tell you,” she greeted with a huff, taking Riley by the hand and pulling them inside the apartment. “Welcome to Tommy and Chuckie’s humble abode, my home for the next few business days. You want to know why? I came home from your place the other morning and they had slept together. In my apartment. I mean, can you believe that? They thought I wouldn’t find out? God, I can’t stand them,” she huffed, flopping on the couch.

☁

Riley was still getting used to what it meant to be with someone, relationships not have ever been something they were all that used to. All that mattered right now was making sure Lil was okay which meant pushing down their own anxieties to focus on her right now. After giving themselves a pep talk to make sure no more unwanted emotions were put onto their girlfriend they went to the front door of the place she’d been staying at. Riley wasn’t exactly sure what happened besides the text from Lil saying to meet here somewhere different than her bedroom window. By now Riley had made a few trips in and out of there without being caught. 

From the looks of it Phil was probably the culprit if history repeated itself. Riley showed up with a smile as Lil brought them inside, their skateboard being held against their chest in case it was to dirty up the floor. Her mom would throw a fit if she ever left it on the carpet. “Looks like a nice place to hide for a bit, wait what?” Before the thought could even be finished her next sentence caused Riley’s jaw to drop slightly. “You’re shitting my dick bro.” Their anxiety had turned to pure curiosity at this point, wanting to hear what had gone down. Riley went to sit on the couch beside her and try to offer their support. “First off, ew. Second, what the fuck? They were like sneaking around and stuff? What did you say? What did they say? Did they apologize? Are they like dating?” Riley paused, realizing they were asking too much all at once. “Sorry, too many questions. Are you okay?”