River's pov
"Watch me…"
I turned around back to the server, "please bag this up." I said to the server.
"Yes, miss.."
Zoey scoffed with disdain, "I am glad to be here to witness you embarrassing yourself."
I ignored her, "Blue, please give the attendant your bag." Blue gave me a look. I smiled to reassure her that it was fine. She passed the bag to the server who wrapped the bag up in a different bag.
"Ma'ma, your total comes up to $20,000" the server announced.
"Woah, that's much…." Blue said and Zoey chuckled but ignored them. I wanted to rub this little victory in Zoey's face so bad.
The server held up the machine for me to pay, "hold your phone over the machine and it will be all good." I did as instructed and the machine beeped at the same time as my phone.
"Payment recceived…." the server announced as she handed me the bag, "thanks for shopping here. Come again next time."
I smiled as I took the bag. I turned around to see Zoey glaring at me. She looked like she would turn red any moment. I smirked at her expression.
"I guess the only broke person here is you." I walked past her as I shoved her out of the way. I held Blue's hand as we walked out of the store.
***************************************
We were at the back of the uber as we drove back home. I haven't told Blue about the fact that I was moving.
I cleared my throat, "hey…." She turned to me, waiting for me to say something. "I have to tell you something."
"Like how you spent $60,000 on a shopping spree?" she asked. I shook my head to the answer, "where did you get that money?" she asked me but I couldn't respond to her.
I just shrugged, "I have a huge savings."
She said nothing and it was obvious she did not believe the lie but she wasn't going to push it, "At least I was glad to see that Zoey got a smack of a lifetime. Did you see her face when that payment went through?"
I chuckled as I remembered the scene, "that was gold but I wanted to tell you something."
"Oh, sure"
"I am glad you took me when Ryker broke up with me." I began but she interrupted me.
"That's okay…. I am your friend and I would do it without thinking twice." she said, waving it off like it was nothing.
"yes but I also know you and Lucas have been accommodating, which I really appreciate but I also know when it is time to leave." I announced and Blue's head snapped towards me.
"Wait what? Leave?"
"Yeah…. I rented out an apartment already. It is well furnished and ready for me to pack in." I announced while she looked at me with her mouth wide open.
"What the hell is going on today?" She asked and I laughed.
"I…hmm…nothing. I just want to give you guys the personal space you are meant to have." I told her and she blushed.
"yeah ... .space.."
The car echoed loudly with laughter which died down after a while.
Blue and I didn't say much after that. The car ride felt warm but tinged with something bittersweet. I stared out the window, watching the streets roll by with tall glass buildings giving way to quieter corners, little cafés tucked into brick facades, the hum of the city fading with each turn.
When we finally pulled up in front of her place, Blue reached for my hand before I could open the door.
"You're sure about this?" she asked, eyes searching mine like she was hoping I'd change my mind.
I smiled softly. "I am. I think it's time."
She nodded, but the way her jaw tightened told me she didn't like it. I stepped out of the car, feeling the weight of the shopping bags digging into my palms, but I didn't complain. It gave me something to focus on besides the look she'd just given me.
Upstairs, Lucas was sprawled on the couch, controller in hand, halfway through some game. He glanced at the bags, then at me.
"You rob a bank?" he joked.
I smirked. "Nope. I just decided to treat myself."
"Treat yourself or humiliate Zoey in public?" Blue chimed in from behind me.
Lucas perked up instantly. "Oh, please tell me you did something good."
Blue filled him in before I could even sit down. The way his face lit up at the part where Zoey's jaw dropped made me feel almost proud, almost.
"Well," Lucas said with a grin, "sounds like you're finally learning to bite back."
I rolled my eyes, but there was a flicker of truth in his words. "Maybe."
We ended up in the kitchen, Blue making tea while I leaned against the counter. The familiar rhythm of being here, the clink of mugs, the faint scent of cinnamon from whatever candle Blue had lit earlier. It made my chest feel tight. I'd miss this.
"So," Blue said slowly, "when do you move?"
"Tomorrow."
She froze mid-pour. "Tomorrow?"
I shrugged, forcing a casual tone. "The place is already set. Just need to grab my stuff and go."
Lucas whistled. "Guess you really were serious."
I nodded, avoiding Blue's gaze because if I looked too long, I might start rethinking everything.
After tea, I excused myself to start packing. My suitcase lay open on the bed in the guest room, the one Blue and Lucas had offered without hesitation when I had nowhere else to go. As I folded clothes and stacked them neatly, I realized how much of myself I'd left scattered around this place — a sweater draped over the arm of a chair, my favorite mug in their cupboard, a blanket on the couch. It almost felt like I was erasing myself piece by piece.
I was zipping up the last bag when Blue appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame.
"You're not telling me something," she said quietly.
I froze, then turned to her with what I hoped was a convincing smile. "I told you — I just think it's time."
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push either. "Fine but just know… if you ever need to come back, you can. No questions asked."
The sincerity in her voice hit me harder than I expected. "I know," I whispered.
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, I sat in the living room with the lights off, staring out at the city. My phone buzzed in my hand and a message from an unknown number.
Unknown: So you think money makes you untouchable?
I stared at it, my stomach knotting. Another buzz.
I tightened my grip on the phone, my earlier victory over Zoey suddenly feeling small and fragile. Whoever this was… They were waiting.
And I had the sinking feeling they wouldn't wait for long.