Happiness is not an option or is it? ((Characters))

“Three days David. Three days of alone time for like eight hours does things to a girl,” I sighed as I sat in the car. Today was different than any other day for us. David turned off that bubblegum pop station, and my iPod was placed in my messenger bag. Today I looked more like a jock than normal and David, well let's just say you can't get the jock out of him. He wore a random varsity tee shirt and a pair of jeans and running shoes. I wore a random wife beater, a pair of ripped jeans and a jacket with golden wings painted on the back.

“Riley, I know it makes you antisocial and all that, but why on Earth do you look normal?” He was so worried I was having a relapse of some kind of mental problem that he's thought I had for years. I'd pretty much worn the whole goth chains and emo necklaces and things since I met Tristan. After the first day of being cooped up in that library something just clicked and I stopped wearing all my thick eyeliner and eye shadow. I mean don't get me wrong I still wear eyeliner just not on both lids and out to the corners of my eyes anymore. I'd been wearing jeans and random shirts. I guess to David I was beginning to look normal. Maybe it was the lack of Emma and Tristan's influences.

“I don't look normal there is no way I could ever look normal I just don't feel like doing the short skirt, tank top, fish net, thing any more. I just want to relax in my jeans, tees and flip flops which by the way the doctor said I needed to relax.” I took a deep breath like the doctors showed me. I had taught David a few of my techniques that the doctors had me using. He liked them, he thought they were overly calming and they put him to sleep. It was so funny trying to teach him to breath in through the nose as deep as he could and out through the mouth. He was so use to breathing with only his noes. At first he kind of looked like a fish.

“You're right. That hair of yours is creepy now. When are you going to go fix it since you're looking more normal.” I laughed. He was referring to my bleached blond hair with blood red highlights. It wasn't my fault that Emma was dying to try to dye someone's hair. The sad part is. My hair was supposed to turn out black, and she put the dye in and some how turned it pure white, I mean, like snow white. Tristan came over and told her to put highlights in it. I forced him to stay while she chose a color and started to work. Luckily the red turned out okay.

“I love my miss matched hair, but I was thinking of redoing it. I don't know what normal color to get though, I am so tired of blond, and red just isn't my color,” I joked. David chuckled.

“Yeah, keep it the way it is so I won't be freaked out too much.” I sighed. Maybe this normal thing could work out for us. I don't know though, I mean, I don't think I can be normal. I'm to random and nice to be normal.

“David, I'm scared. What if I get bombarded with questions about what happened, what if they ask about mom and dad's opinions? What if I get sick?”

“Ry, you will be fine today. No one will ask questions because I told the school if they messed with my little sister I'd kill them. Even Mr. Green heard about it, he laughed though. I think he called our parents when you didn't show up though.” David looked at me worriedly. He must be afraid of what I'd say.

“Well if he did, then that means he knows all about our parents and how much they care. He won't tell anyone though because he knows if a counselor comes they'll take you away from me, and I'm sure he heard how you took care of me Monday. He can't take a brother who saved his sister's life away now can he.” I gave him a reassuring smile.

“Yeah I guess you're right.”

We pulled into the parking lot and David parked in his usual place. I waited until the car was parked and grabbed my bag out of the back. I didn't care what his friends thought, right then, I didn't even care what mine thought. I was with my big brother, my savior and who ever had anything against it could kiss my.., “Ew! David what is she doing in your car.” an all to familiar voice said in disgust.

“See ya later Davy, I gotta go find my friends and my new victim,” I gave him a smile that would probably would thing only Charlie Manson would have in him. Brittany grimaced.

“Oh, Ry, meet me at lunch okay,” David called over Brittany's shoulder.

“Yeah, sure whatever. Thanks again David.” Four of David's friends that normally gave me disgusted looks were checking me out.

“Guys, that's my sister. Could you not do that in front of me,” David hissed. I laughed as I walked past them, but I was curious about the fifth one in the row. He didn't look up from his book, he didn't act like he cared if anyone noticed him or not, but how could you not. His shaggy sandy blond hair blew in the light breeze and his skin glowed with a light tan. He leaned against some random car that I didn't care to notice, but the thing is he was so tall. You wouldn't think he could lean against a car and look comfortable, but he pulled it off. I waved over my shoulder as David shouted my name and kept walking towards the door.

“RILEY,” a voiced screamed from the door. I laughed as Emma ran out half dragging Tristan with her.

“My people, I missed you,” I laughed as I held out my arms for a hug. She hugged me quickly then stepped back staring at me. “Please don't start checking me out like Davy's friends.”
“Why don't you dress like this more often. You look totally hot in a jock kind of way but still very cute,” Emma complimented.

“Thank you, now off to my locker because we need our books.”

We laughed and just talked about random things for a while. Turns out we were all extremely early because David had made me get ready an extra half hour early, and then when I was finished he called Emma and Tristan. Then since we were so early he stopped and got me coffee, which was a sweet jester but I don't drink coffee so it was a lost cause. Emma was carrying our Biology books, and Tristan had my photos developed for me. “You guys are too sweet. Wow that one of me and David turned out better than I thought,” I said. I was trying so hard not to take my friends for granted, they are the best no matter what the rest say.

“I'll admit it will look perfect in that portfolio,” Tristan complimented.

“It'll be the only shot that doesn't have you in it,” Emma joked.

“Oh, that hurts, Em, I like to think I am beautiful and picture worthy where ever I go.”
“Whatever Trist.” I couldn't stop laughing. Emma turned around and did that weird 'look over my shoulder' thing and she never tells me what's going on. “Emma, are you okay?”

“Uh huh.”

“What's wrong? You're upsetting me by doing that seriously stop it.”

“Joey is behind you,” Tristan laughed.

“Thanks Tristan,” a velvety voice spoke.

“How may I help you,” I asked not turning around.

“Where's Riley? Scottie has been looking all over for her. He said something about her not being able to come to school for three,” he trailed off as I turned around.

“Hi, I wasn't here for three days, long story short I had a massive panic attack, no one knows what caused it. I have to breath like a pregnant woman to stay calm and my brother is bing over protective and everyone is freaking me out by acting like they've never seen me in a tee shirt and jeans,” I ranted. I don't know what made me do it, but I ranted and then I started to babble. His eyes widened when he realized I wasn't lying.

“Okay, well I'll tell Scottie.”

“Why was he looking for me?” I forgot to ask that in all my rambling.

“Oh, I guess he took that 'we'll show you around tomorrow' thing seriously. Or maybe he's gotten attached to the girl that scares the hell out of him.”

“What ever,” the bell rang before I could say anything else and I was gone. I mean literally it was like Monday all over again except I was running for the dead animal class instead of the exit. I don't know what's with me but when I get near him I just want to run.

“See, it's totally true. You so like him,” Emma cooed as we did out lab. Today she was assigned to be my partner because my normal one was out. Go figure.

“Look, I don't like him, Em. He freaks me out and every time he is near me I wanna run.”
“You so have a crush. Look at you you are having to use your breathing thing to calm down because he gets to you so much.”
“Em, you're the one getting to me.”
“Sorry, Ry, I don't swing that way.” I burst out laughing and our teacher gave me a death glare.

“I didn't mean like that Em.”
“I know, but you needed a laugh.” She smiled. I nodded and we finished our lab.

“So, his brother has been looking for little old me huh,” I asked as we took a seat at our desks. We had another 10 minutes before class was over.

“Yep, every day he finds me and asks. Tristan said he even asked him when he got your camera from the art class.” She looked a little worried about that, but I looked past it.

“We'll he'll find me when I go to class next block right?”

“Yep, I guess so.” We sat in silence for a few minutes. It wasn't an awkward silence it was just a thinking silence you know. I noticed Emma staring at Tristan as he worked with some guy in our class. He looked like any other random geek. Then the bell rang.

“This brings back memories,” I laughed and Emma nodded.

“Ry. Photography class awaits us,” Tristan said with a weird English accent causing both Emma and I to smile. I guess she's not mad about Brittany any more.

“Riley,” I heard David call. I turned around as I put my biology book away. Tristan looked up with curiosity.

“Yeah?”

“You doing okay so far?” He seemed worried.

“Yeah, I'm fine. Emma and Tristan have been taking good care of me.”

“No, Ry, I mean, I have good news for you. I dumped Brittany West.”
“That's great Davy.” He cut me off.

“No it's not because she thinks it's because of you. Well it kind of is, but she's on the war path.”
“Don't worry. I can take her without having an attack I promise.”

“See ya at lunch then.”

“Bye.” Tristan waved good bye at him with out really looking. I was worried that I had been wrong about the girl he really like and that it actually might be Brittany.

“Tristan, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Fine. Did you hear about Shy?”

“Yeah, well some what. What about him.”

“I don't know. All the jocks love him, but he's so quiet. I'm serious Scottie bet me ten dollars he could get the guy to talk about anything and all he did was stare at Scottie. I was just thinking about that.”

“What you think he's a serial school bomber or something.” I couldn't help but laugh at that, and neither could he.

“Yeah, it does sound crazy.”

We walked into Mrs. Pace's class room just as the bell rang. We weren't late, but I wished we'd been earlier. Everyone stared at us and it freaked me out a bit. “Riley, how are you dear. I heard about your accident,” Mrs. Pace asked.

“What accident?”
“Didn't you fall or something?”

“Do ma'am. I, um, had a little panic attack and almost died.” She looked a little startled at my bluntness and Tristan laughed. I looked at my empty desk and out of the corner of my eye I saw Scottie sitting there with wide eyes.

“I'm sorry to hear that. Tristan it's not funny. We're still working on portfolios. It'll be class outside again.” I nodded and Tristan was smiling like a madman. I couldn't help but laugh. “Come on class. To the court yard.”

“You heard Ry, to the court yard.” Tristan made a superhero pose and everyone laughed as he ran out of the door. I shook my head and walked after him.

“Riley, dear, don't forget you're other partner,” Mrs pace called after me.

“He'll catch up,” I yelled over my shoulder as I ran after Tristan. He ran to his hill and then sat on it breathlessly. I stopped at the bottom barely breathing hard at all.

“See, how do you do that. You can run, but you panic just a little and you stop breathing,” Tristan joked. I laughed and then I heard a gasp.

“You stopped breathing,” Scottie asked with a worried expression.

“Yeah, your brother tried to kill her,” Tristan answered.

“Shut up Tristan,” I yelled at him. He looked at me like I had shot him, “You're brother didn't try to kill me. He just kind of freaked me out so bad I almost died,” I joked. He seemed really upset.

“Joey, my brother, almost killed you.”

“No, my lungs almost killed me.” He looked really confused.

“Scottie, unless Joey is God and can squeeze the air from my lungs, then no he had no part in it. I just kind of freaked myself out and had a massive panic attack. I saw people with blood stained clothes trying to kill me and everything so no. Your brother didn't almost kill me,” I said a little more seriously. He took a deep breath. I laughed at the sight of him doing the exercise the doctors gave me.

“What's funny?”

“They told me to do that at the hospital when I felt like the walls were coming down.”

“Oh.”

He watched for a little while as I did the take random photos of my best friend thing. It was really kind of boring. “Hey Tristan, do you have that photo of me and Davy on you,” I asked seriously. I wanted that picture for a very funny reason.

“Well its in the folder thats laying at your foot,” he answered in a 'duh!' voice.

“Thanks, hey Scottie, I want you to look at this photo, and if it inspires you get up there with Tristan and pose your heart out.” He looked at me as if I was insane as I got out the photo.

“You can't be serious?”

“Unless you can take great pictures, I am absolutely serious.”

“Okay, give me the camera. I'll take a few of you two, then we'll trade you can take some of us.”
“I refuse to pose with a boy,” Tristan piped up.

“Why Trist? Come on. He's hot. You're hot. It would make for a killer shoot at least. So what. I could hang some photos of you guys on my walls instead of in my portfolio.” I laughed.

“You mean our portfolio,” Scottie interrupted.

“Yes, of course Mr. Hottie.” I laughed as he blushed.

“Come on Ry, lets get your close up over with,” Tristan laughed as he held his arms out like he was waiting for a hug.

“Oh, this would be perfect. Scottie, get this shot.” I stepped to the side at the bottom of the hill so the camera could see my face. Tristan came half way down like I instructed and kept his arms out. I held out an arm as If I was reaching for him. It looked great, but again kind of weird considering he had his usual band tee and skinny jeans, with eyeliner, and me wearing a wife beater and baggy jeans, with very little make up at all.

“This is so weird. It's like I want to be with you, but I can't,” Scottie said as he looked into the screen of the digital camera.

“Really, let me see,” I took the camera from him. The picture was perfect. I looked like Tristan was desperately in love with me, and I wanted to be with him, but I couldn't. Well I knew it was me, but if I didn't know I couldn't have told you that was me.

“Tristan this is the best photo yet. Look.” I handed him the camera. His eyes went wide.

“Wow, it's by far the best isn't it. It looks so emotional.”

“Great shot Scottie.” He smiled and nodded. We took a few more random shots of Tristan and me. None of them could compete with the first shot Scottie had gotten. That photo would definitely turn into a poster for my wall.

“Class, time to go in. It's almost time for class to be over,” Mrs. Pace called. She had checked on us twice and she loved the shot of me and Tristan. I had to admit it was turning out to be my favorite even when it was put up to the one of David and me.

“Hey, Scottie, what are you doing after school,” I asked. Tristan and him looked at me funny. “What, guys I was going to say we are going to work on this project. Remember Tristan we had plans?” He nodded.

“Yeah, I'll have to tell Joey. He's my ride.”

“Oh, tell him if he wants my brother can probably give you a ride unless he has practice.”

“Great.”

We walked towards the commons area to find Emma. She wasn't that hard to find especially after her psychology class. She always went to the same place to get a water. I swear sometimes I think she has major OCD. “Em,” Tristan called. She was standing with, I looked at Scottie and tried to think of something to say. Nothing was coming and Emma was bringing Joey this way.

“So, I heard you were looking for me all week,” I said quietly.

“Yeah, I wanted to know why you were being so nice after you threatened to kill me?” I laughed at that.

“I wouldn't have actually killed you. You can ask Tristan I've never been in a fight. Except that one time with they called the police on me and David, but he wasn't there that day so he didn't know.” Scottie laughed.

“Good, I didn't want to die.” We laughed together for like a minute before it was ruined.

“Look, Scottie and the girl that tried to murder him are getting along.”

“Riley wouldn't have murdered him,” Emma defended.

“Oh, Joey. I'm staying after school with Tristan and Riley,” Scottie said nonchalantly.

“Really, you are? How are you getting home?”

“Riley said her brother wouldn't mind as long as he didn't have practice.”
“It's Friday so he more than likely doesn't.”
“Fine, be home before dinner. You know how mom is.” With that Joey left. He turned away and didn't look back.

“God, he thinks he's the king of the world or something,” Scottie sighed. I burst out laughing.

“Come on.”

“Riley,” David yelled as I started walking towards the cafeteria.

“Yes, Davy. I am fine. No breathing spells no coughing, no dying. I'm,” I trailed off as I turned around. That guy from this morning was walking by David's side. His hair flowed with each step they took. His eyes, which I could see now, were pale green. They looked so full of sadness, but his face looked peaceful. His eyes gave him away, no matter how tall or lean he may be, those beautiful eyes show through to his soul.

“Well, that's good to know, but I didn't really want to ask how you were,” David smiled at me as I stared the guy down. I mean, he was gorgeous. What do you expect I'm only a woman.

“Well I'll try to work on my spontaneous answers to your questions, now, enough about me who is this?”

“This, is Shy Parker. Shy this is my sister, whom I would give my right arm for, Riley.” I smiled. David needed his right arm it was his throwing arm.

“I think I'll let you keep that arm for a while bro, nice to meet you. Shy?” he nodded and held out a hand.

“I've been called that ever since I can remember,” he said as he looked at me. His eyes were scary beautiful. I didn't know what to say.

“I told you he wasn't mute,” Tristan shouted. I blushed as I looked at him.

“ Way to be nice Trist, God, what do I have to do to get some decent friends around here,” I said in mock anger.

“I take offense to that,” Emma said jokingly.

“I'm sorry, Tristan has that disease where you shout out random things, what's it called?”

“I know what you're talking about. Just can't think of the name of it.”

“Riley, are you like magic or something,” David laughed.

“Um, if I am you are too?”

“No, it's just those idiots,” he pointed to Tristan and Scottie, “ and Brittany did their best to get Shy to talk.”

“So, Shy, who all do you talk to at this school then?”

“You and your brother,” he answered awkwardly.

“Okay, so some say I'm good at reading people,” Emma cut me off before I could make my point.

“You are extremely good at it.”

“So, can I tell you what I think and you tell me if I'm right?”

“Um, what if I say yes,” he asked a little unsure.

“You just have to answer honestly. You don't even have to answer right away, you just have to answer.”

“Okay, try it.”

“You, Shy Parker, seem to be the type that has traveled a lot in your time,” I paused, he nodded, and I continued, “ You, have seen many things. Each school you like to play a different role, but each of them you play as shy because you don't want to get attached emotionally.” I paused. He didn't move. He just kind of stared at me with those intense eyes. “You, have obviously seen something in your time to make you want to not speak, or some thing had happened to you. Don't worry. I won't ask. In case you haven't heard from my brother, we have our own little family skeletons. You, however, seem to perfect to be flawed. So, congratulations, I can't tell if I'm right or wrong, or if I'm just babbling because you have beautiful eyes.” Tristan chuckled, David's eyes got big, Emma looked shocked, and Scottie was confused.

“I have to admit,” Shy said after a moment of silence, “you do have a way with people, but I am afraid you are wrong about one thing. Nothing particular happened to me, and I've always been the jock type.”

“I told you Emma, see that little thing doesn't always work,” I said as I looked at her. She seemed amazed.

“What was that,” Scottie asked.

“Oh, can I size you up now. Please,” I asked.

“Um.”

“Okay, so you, Scottie Dark, are a mama's boy,” everyone laughed as his eyes got big, “you hide behind your brother because you think he can protect you from the world, but I am here to tell you he can't. Besides, he just thinks he's all big and bad and tough and,” I trailed off as I turned around to face those electric blue eyes. “Um, Davy?”