I looked at my reflection in the full length mirror. I chewed on my lip nervously as I analyzed my appearance. There was a knock on the door pulling my out of my thoughts, “Come in.”

Bobbi opened the door and walked in, I turned to see her reaction and she had the biggest smile on her face. “Oh River, honey, you look so beautiful.”

I smiled and fanned out the skirt of my blue dress, it was a fit and flare, there was a built in sash that seemed to pull my waist in, the skirt wasn’t overly poofy, but you could definitely see that it flared a little. “Do you really think so Bobbi?”

“Of course I do sweetheart, you look so radiant. I wanted to give you a present,” she sat down on my bed and patted the seat next to her.

I sat down and twisted a little to look at her. She instantly grabbed my hands. “I’m so proud of you, how you handled yourself today. They never deserved your kindness, and if it’s the last thing I do, you will never go back to them while there’s a breath left in my body.
“So, in honor of you and how beautiful, amazing, and kind hearted you are, I got you this. It’s to symbol that you always belong in my heart and you are my baby girl. I know that you’re almost 18, but I hope you know that you will always have a mom if you need one. I love you little girl.” She looked at me as she handed me a square box.

I took it and wiped at my eyes, “Bobbi, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Shut up and open it,” she said playfully.

I opened the box and immediately threw my arms around her, inside was a necklace, it had a charcoal colored chain, a bright blue heart that stood out, almost glowing, from the charcoal designs that enclosed it. I felt a couple tears fall as I felt Bobbi pull me closer. I knew at that moment that she was who I would call mom, who my children would call Grandma.

“What’s going on?” Jimmy asked from the doorway, as Bobbi and I broke apart he let out a whistle, “Damn River, you’re gonna kill that dinner tonight.”

I smiled at Bobbi and wiped my eyes then went over to Jimmy and hugged him tightly, “Thanks Jimmy.”

He returned the hug and looked down at me, “Are you crying? Why are you crying?” He looked over at Bobbi, “Why is she crying?”

I started laughing and pulled away as I wiped my tears, “I’m just so happy. I have you as a brother who has the most beautiful soul ever and I have you,” I turned to Bobbi, “who is the best mom anyone could ever ask for.”

Bobbi smiled and walked over hugging both Jimmy and me at the same time, “And you two are some of the best kids I’ve ever known. I love you both dearly.”

“We love you too,” Jimmy and I said at the same time.

After a few moments I pulled away, “Bobbi will you help me with the necklace and Jimmy what shoes should I wear?”

Jimmy immediately scoured my closet as Bobbi stepped behind me as I lifted my hair, she threaded the necklace around my neck and fastened it. “There,” she smiled as I felt the necklace give a little slack and the heart rested comfortably on the collar of my dress.

“These would go wonderful with that and they’d give you some height!” Jimmy came out holding wedges that were white and black. “We should really go shopping for shoes, it was either these or flats.”

I laughed and strapped the wedges on my feet, “I agree, we should go shopping as a family outing sometime.” Bobbi nodded in approval as the doorbell rang.

“I got it!” Jimmy yelled as he bounded out the door.

Bobbi and I stood there laughing as I took a final look in the mirror, “You look gorgeous baby.”

“Thanks Mom,” I smiled at her, I honestly thought it would feel weird calling someone who wasn’t Angela that, but with Bobbi it felt so natural. I saw her smile instantly as she hugged me.

“Let’s not keep him waiting too long, the Sanders are very punctual people,” Bobbi patted my arm gently as we pulled away and we walked out to the top of the stairs where I saw Matt talking with Jimmy. He was clad in a nice dress shirt and jeans, which was dressing nice for him. He looked spiffed up, his hair gelled back, with loafers in place of his normal tennis shoes.

As we walked down the stairs, I saw Matt’s eyes travel slow from my feet up my legs to my hips, to my waist, to my chest, then finally up to my eyes. “Wow…” he breathed out almost silently. “River you look amazing.”

I couldn’t help but blush under his hungry gaze as I reached him, “Thank-you, you clean up pretty well too sir.”

Bobbi cleared her throat and looked at Matt with a mama bear look, “Matthew, it’s a school night, I expect her home no later than 11.”

Matt nodded at Bobbi, “11 sharp, will do Bobbi.”

I smiled as Matt took my hand, “You guys should get going, I know how your folks get.” Matt nodded and we said our goodbyes before heading to his house.

We rode in a comfortable silence to Matt’s house, he had opened the door like a gentleman and as soon as we started driving, he grabbed my hand in his and kissed the back of my hand. “You look truly radiant River,” he smiled as he drove. He spared a glance my way and in that moment I could see how happy he was.

“Thank-you, I wanted to look nice for you,” I replied while I returned the gaze at him as my thumb brushed his knuckles.

“You always look nice River,” he flashed me his dimples which made my heart melt. “That’s a beautiful necklace.”

“Thanks, Bobbi gave it to me. It’s her way of telling me that I’ll always have a home with her. That she’s my mom for as long as I need or want her to be,” I smiled absent mindedly touching the heart with my free hand.

We pulled into the driveway and Matt came around to let me out after he shut off the motor. As he helped me out of his car, he pulled me close and placed a small kiss on my lips. I giggled and kissed him back chastely. His hands rested on my lower back, “Let’s go in before they come out to find us,” he chuckled, our foreheads pressed together.

I took a breath and bit my lip looking in his beautiful hazel eyes before nodding. His hand found mine as he escorted me into the Sanders house. We walked into the living room to find his mom and dad sitting on the couch, his dad watching TV while his mom was playing a game on her laptop.

“Hey Mom, Dad,” Matt greeted them and they looked up expectantly. “I want you both to meet my girlfriend River. River this is my mom, Kim,” he motioned to his mom, “and my dad Gary.” He motioned to his father as both his parents stood to greet me. They both shook my hand and I smiled obviously shy.

“It’s great to meet you,” I said politely.

“Oh honey, the pleasure is all ours, Matthew has told us a lot about you,” Kim smiled warmly at me. Gary eyed me suspiciously, keeping a warm front on his face. His eyes the only thing to give away how he truly felt towards me.

I blushed and looked at Matt accusingly, “What? It’s been all good things,” he smiled innocently. I giggled and shook my head at him before being guided to the love seat with Matt. “So what’s for dinner mom?”

“We are waiting for two more guests to arrive, then we will discuss the menu. While we’re waiting, River, why don’t you tell us more about yourself?” Kim requested.

I forced myself not to fidget, “Uhm, well I’m 17, I’ll be 18 in about a month and a half. I moved out here about a month ago. Originally from New York.”

“What do your parents do?” Gary asked me still eyeing me carefully.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, “Well, actually Bobbi, who run’s Johnny’s bar is basically my adopted mother.”

“Wait, I’m confused,” Kim said looking at Matt expectantly.

I bit my lip and Matt immediately grabbed my hand in his encouragingly, “her real parents were abusive. She ran away from them, was living with Jimmy in the laundry mat until Bobbi took them in.”

“So, you are a runaway? Why didn’t your parents take you back with them today when they found you? Matt told us there was a situation,” Gary asked me and I felt shocked and alarmed as the doorbell rang.

“Oh, that’ll be them,” Kim said excitedly as she went over to the door.

“Dad, cool it,” Matt warned Gary noticing my anxiety. Gary shrugged and got up to greet his guests.

I silently thanked Matt and caught a glimpse of who was at the door. “Who’s that?” I whispered to Matt as Gary joined his wife by the door.

Matt’s breath caught, “Are you fucking kidding me?” He mumbled.

“What? Who is it?” I asked curiously as I observed the two young girls standing in the doorway, they had to be our age, I had seen them around school but hadn’t known their names. One wore a simple black cocktail dress and gladiator sandals, but the other wore a vintage 50’s dress. The bust was white, the dress was a floral pattern with the main color of red. To accompany her dress, she had a black choker that looked oddly cute with the dress, and her feet were clad in strappy black sandals that had a tall heel attached.

“The Dibenedetto sisters,” Matt started and I saw his jaw tense. I knew he was irritated. “Valary, in the floral dress, Michelle in the black.” He told me, while I could tell he was upset, I hated the way he was watching the mystery girl named Valary.

“Girls please come in,” Kim welcomed them warmly and I felt a tinge of jealousy. “Matt you remember Val and Michelle?”

“Yeah, of course,” Matt stated as he nodded at each of the girls, “I wasn’t aware that they were coming tonight.”

“Matthew, don’t be rude, this is my house. I will invite whomever I want to have dinner with us,” Gary snapped at his son. “Ladies please forgive my son. Reba,” he turned to me, “this is Valary and Michelle Dibenedetto. They’ve been friends of the family for years, Valary and Matt used to be quite the couple when they were younger.”

“It’s River, actually,” I politely corrected him and looked at each of the girls slowly becoming intimidated and insecure. “It’s nice to meet you both.”

“You too,” Valary stated as she sat on the couch, crossing her legs as a proper lady would do. I couldn’t help but notice the bust was about a cup size too small for her as her tits were all but spilling out of the top of it.

“So, mom, what’s for dinner?” Matt asked trying his best to ignore the girls, but ultimately failing. I felt so plain next to these girls, and decided not to play the comparison game.

“Pot Roast, Mashed potatoes, and cheesy broccoli,” Kim stated shaking her head at him. “You can socialize without food being present Matthew.” She chastised him.

“So girls, what are your plans for when you graduate?” Gary asked and I felt oddly comfortable with the spotlight off of me, but apparently Matt was not comfortable at all.

“Well, I’m probably just gonna stay around here, might look into modeling or acting or something with music,” Val smiled politely her eyes landing on Matt…and let’s just say I didn’t appreciate the way she was eyeing him.

“And I’ll probably stay around but I wanna go into fashion. I haven’t decided with what, but that’s currently my plan,” Michelle answered as well both of them blatantly ignoring me.

“That sounds amazing girls, Riley, what are you going to do?” Gary asked me.

“Dad, it’s River. She’s told you this twice now and I’ve introduced her once, knock it off,” Matt snapped at his dad.

“Matthew, don’t speak that way to your father,” Kim insisted.

“Tell him to quit being an asshole then,” Matt smarted off to his mom who looked taken aback.

“Matt, come on, it was an honest mistake. She’s new around here,” Val defended his parents and looked at me, “aren’t you? Isn’t this the first time you’re meeting them?”

I nodded, “Yes it is, but I didn’t feel that it was a hard name to remember as it isn’t that common.” I replied as politely as I could.

Val tsked me in disapproval, “You’re definitely from New York. No doubt from the lower spectrum with the manners you’ve got.”

I fought back a rude remark, as I was cut off. “Actually from what I’ve heard, her family was actually really wealthy. She ran away from home and came out here,” Michelle corrected her sister.

“I’m sure the rumors are just that, rumors then,” Val insisted rolling her eyes.

I’d about had it with this bitch and we hadn’t even had dinner yet. “Val, you don’t know River, back off.” Matt defended me.

“Aww, look at you defending her, you always did defend the ones that ended up in your bed.” Val landed a low blow to both of us.

“We aren’t going to stand for this, if this is how dinner’s gonna be, I’m taking River home,” Matt stood up.

Gary stood up to challenge his son, “Matthew, it wasn’t meant to be disrespectful,” he defended Valary. “Now, we’re going to sit down and have a wonderful dinner if you two would quit being so damned defensive and ruining the evening. This behavior really isn’t like you son. I assume you’re the reason for his attitude,” he looked at me with a challenging look.

I felt as though I was about 6 inches tall, “If we’re going to eat, let’s get on with it.” Matt growled at his parents. “Tonight was to get to know my girlfriend, not an excuse for you two to parade in here and create a competitive atmosphere,” he glared at Valary and Michelle.

“Mattie, you’re really over reacting. I wasn’t meaning anything by the statement, please calm down,” Val walked over to him and touched his arm. “Please? Let’s just have dinner like old times.”

I couldn’t hide the disgust on my face as Matt calmed under her touch, that was supposed to be specifically reserved for me. River, just stop, you’re acting petty and jealous. She’s just familiar to him, that’s all. He’s with you not her. I told myself as we all moved into the dining room.

Matt pulled out my chair for me, as Michelle sat next to me. Val sat across from Michelle as his parents sat down at the ends of the table…which left Matt’s place by Valary. I felt a twinge of jealousy in my gut, but it lessened as I noticed how annoyed Matt was by the situation. Then I felt bad, he wasn’t having anymore fun than what I was.

Dinner went slowly, everyone chewing their food trying to avoid another eruption. I tried not to make eye contact, I was already nervous to meet Matt’s family, but with the extra competition there I just felt completely out of sorts.

As soon as dinner was done (which happened to be at approximately 9:30pm) Matt stood up, “I’m going to take River home.”

“Matthew, why do you insist on being rude to our guests,” Kim scolded him.

“She has to be home by a certain time,” Matt insisted.

“I’m sure Bobbi won’t care if she’s late, she’s with you and you’re here with us. It’ll be fine,” Gary insisted.

“No, actually Bobbi is strict with her curfews,” Matt sighed exasperated.

“Well you’re not permitted to leave, so if she needs to go home, then she needs to call Bobbi to come get her,” Kim stated matter-of-factly.

“Mom I’m not making my girlfriend walk home at 9:30 at night, and I have a perfectly good car, I can take her home,” Matt glared at his mother obviously thinking her to be unreasonable.

“Actually you’re blocked in and I may have accidentally locked my keys in the car,” Val blushed which made Matt groan.

“Matt it’s okay, I can call Bobbi,” I stated and stood up deciding I wasn’t going to be a rude asshole snob like they were being. I don’t know how Matt escaped their snobbish ways, but I was so very glad he did.

“You’re not—” Matt started.

“Matt, quit, she even said that she could find a way home. She’ll be fine,” Gary snapped at his son.

“I’ll be fine, I’ll let you know when I get home,” I told him as I stood. “Thank-you for dinner, it was a pleasure meeting all of you.”

“Take care Reva,” Gary stated as I tensed but continued walking. I’d never been treated this way by anyone other than my parents. Maybe I was the fucked up one.

Matt walked me to the door and we stood awkwardly in the foyer, “I’m so, so, so sorry for their behavior Riv…” Matt told me as he blushed.

I shook my head, hiding my tears, “It’s fine. I’m sorry to eat and run, I just…”

He nodded, “I was hoping to take you home so that way we could atleast salvage some of tonight. I didn’t know they were coming.”

I returned his nod, “I know. It’s fine, honestly. I’ll text you when I get home.”

He gently leaned down to kiss me, “Matthew, come back to the table,” Kim hollered at him.

“I fucking hate them at this moment,” Matt stated as he kissed me.

I smiled slightly and kissed him back, “Better go before they chase me with pitch forks.” I joked and he sighed then kissed my forehead. “I love you Matt.”

“I love you too River, text me when you’re safe please. I’m really worried about you,” he stressed at me.

“I’ll be fine, I’ll call Bobbi. She’ll come get me,” I stated trying to be positive. I knew Bobbi was at Johnny’s and I knew Jimmy was with Kaylee, Brian, and Dilynn.

I sighed as the Sander’s door shut behind me. Tonight had been a disaster in the worst sense of the word. I started walking down the street and dug out my phone and scrolled through before finding his name and dialing.

“Yellow?” Zacky answered and I immediately had to hide my tears that had sprung to my eyes.

“Zacky, can you come get me?” I whispered into the phone trying to keep my voice even.

“River? What’s wrong? Are you okay? Where are you?” I heard him get his keys ignoring questions being asked of him.

“Just come get me, please? I’m at Matt’s, well down the street. I’m gonna sit on the curb until you get here,” I said wiping a tear away from my eyes.

“Okay, sit tight. I’ll be there in 5 minutes,” Zacky stated and I nodded before hanging up. I sat down on the curb, my wall finally bursting as I felt tears fall freely from my face.

A few minutes later a car rolled to a stop. I assumed it was Zacky and didn’t look up til it was too late. A bag went over my head, my phone fell from my hands as I was grabbed around the waist from behind, my captor obviously skilled in restraining. My arms were pinned to my sides and pressure placed over my mouth as I tried to scream out. That’s when I smelled a weird smell…that’s all I remember before passing out.

Notes

River's Dress
River's Necklace
River's Shoes
Val's Dress
Val's Shoes

Sorry for the long wait guys, but I hope this chapter is long enough to make up for it. Let me know what you think. I mean no offense to Matt's parents or Michelle and Val, just how the story is playing out. It'll be alright, promise. Well..kinda. Anyways, enjoy!