❛     i know.    ❜    the reply is INSTANT & it most likely isn’t convincing, but it’s the best she’s got. between her parents & her friends, she’s heard that more than enough. that’s not to say she believes it, just that she’s used to hearing it. ( SELF REPROACH : the act of blaming yourself !) it has plagued riley for DAYS ON END & she knows it will continue to do so until she can either accept the fact that that may not be the truth OR until she finally dissociates ( because it’s inevitable as far as RILEY is concerned ) to the point where’s she’s not even aware of herself. neither option seems feasible, however, so hearing from other people with have to suffice for the time being. doe eyes flicker elsewhere, anywhere that isn’t noah’s face, because she doesn’t want to admit that she lied and if she looks at him, she TOTALLY will. she fixes her gaze on him and sighs.     ❛    you really don’t have to keep telling me. i know it’s not my fault. & whoever actually did this is going to pay eventually. they’ll get what’s coming to them.      ❜    hopefully it’s more convincing than her initial response.