love is a ghost you can't control.

It felt strange. Being back in Central City. What was even stranger was just how much time had passed by since Riley Emerson had last been there. Ten years. An entire decade. It didn't feel like it had been that long, but she knew that it was. Time seemed to only make being back feel stranger though. The fact that it felt strange wasn't something that Riley liked either. This had been her home for fifteen years. She'd been gone less time than she'd lived there, surely it shouldn't feel this strange? But it did, and Riley really wasn't sure what would change that.

The blonde let out a soft sigh as she walked down the street towards her apartment. She didn't like being out this late by herself, but she was the newbie at the diner, so she didn't really have her pick of shifts, and she couldn't complain about that either. She knew better than to do that anyway. She was never one to complain. She hadn't even really complained when her parents told her that they were leaving Central City. Her dad had gotten a promotion, she couldn't ask him not to take it just for the sake of her and the friends that she would be leaving behind. Not that there had been many. It was really only two: Iris West and Barry Allen.

Barry had woken from his come three or so months ago and it felt surreal that he'd been in a coma for nine months. He couldn't recall much of his dreams, except some of his childhood memories, ones with Iris and his mom and Riley Emerson. Ten years since she's left and about the same time his mother had been killed he didn't like thinking about that much it was hard growing up without his real father. Barry knew the truth though, he knew his father wasn't capable of doing that.

He ran a hand through his hair and looked at his friends Cisco and Kaitlyn "I'm going to head home, I promiaed Iris ii would help her with some birthday planning for Eddie, I'll see you around," he told them and in a flash he was gone. Barry had gotten used to his superpowers he enjoyed being able to run fastt, sometimes it felt surreal. He liked knowing he could help his city stay a safe place, from criminals. d Dr. Wells had advised Barry to use restriction when it came to using his speed force. So he slowed down, actually walking home for once taking in all the scenery.

Riley frowned, pulling her jacket closed as she walked. She could hear laughter and people talking behind her. It sort of made her feel a bit uneasy, she was sort of regretting getting an apartment on this side of the city, there weren't very many people out on this street, and a couple of the buildings were abandoned. She figured that she was overreacting though, it was probably just a group of teenagers messing around. It wasn't until the laughter got louder, almost like whoever it was had gotten closer, that she glanced over her shoulder. Now, she wasn't one to judge people based on their appearance, but these guys seemed pretty shady and like bad news in general. Maybe she should have gotten a taxi or something. As soon as she had the chance to, she crossed to the other side of the street and kept walking, picking up her pace a little bit. She was almost home, they probably weren't even following her.

Barry pulled his jacket close it was getting a little cold, he put his hands in his pockets. As he walked down the street he had noticed a group of guys walking and laughing and at first he didn't think much of it. Just another night of guys being stupid and drinking one too many beers. Barry sighed and kept walking just wondering why they were being so obnoxious it was getting ridiculous. That's when he noticeda young woman with blonde hair cross the street, he didn't think much of that either, maybe she was just walking home. That was until he noticed the group cross the street as well, they were following her. He frowned, Barry knew he had to do something quick, he quickly ran back to S.T.A.R Labs to get his suit. As quick as he came back he noticed the blonde struggling, he ran behind them."hey, what makes you think you can take advantage of a girl like that?" He said angrily before picking the girl up and running out of sight.

Riley had picked up her pace significantly, focusing solely on getting back to her apartment as quickly as she could. She didn't run though, she didn't want to be too obvious about it. She should have been paying closer attention though. If she had, she would have realized that while some of the guys crossed the street when she had, the others waited to cross the street so that they would be in front of her. "What's a pretty girl like you doing walking by yourself at night?" She paused, taking a few steps back. "I-I have to go..." She said quietly. That's when she noticed the two coming up behind her. Before anything could actually happen, there was another voice behind them. Looking over, she saw a man in a red suit, a lightning bolt on the front of it, and a mask on. She didn't know where he came from, but before anyone could say or do anything, he was whisking her away.

Barry hated bullies he always had and he hated knowing that guys took advantage of girls. He set her down for a moment and zoomed back to tie up the punks, "think about that next time you decide to prey on an innocent woman," he ran back to the girl. He looked at her and he could tell she was confused, "Are you all right? I can take you to your home if you'd like" he told her trying not to spook her. Barry looked at the girl, she looked so familiar but he wasn't sure from where.

Just like that, Riley was being set down by the man in the suit. She opened her mouth to say something, but he was gone before she could even fully wrap her head around what had just happened. And then, in a matter of seconds, he was back. To say that she was caught off guard, and confused, extremely confused, was an understatement. "You saved me..." She breathed. "Thank you..." She was processing what had happened slowly. That's when she realized who he was. "You're him...you're The Flash...one of my friends, well, we used to be friends, then I moved away and we lost touch, but she has a blog about you..." She cut herself off, realizing that she was rambling and that she'd kind of just ignored his question and his offer. "Sorry, I'm rambling..."

Barry looked at the look on the girl's face, he took a good look at the girl. Trying to remember who she was and it was slowly coming to him, "saving people it's kind of my job" he smiled. "It's all right, I can't stand when guys try to jump innocent girls.." Barry nodded, "the one and only, Iris West? I help her out every once in awhile good person." Barry chuckled watching the blonde ramble, "it's all right, so about that offer? Want me to take you home then?"

Riley smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess it is...or so I've heard...or read rather." She really needed to stop talking. Or at least stop rambling, but with what had just happened, it was kind of hard for her not to do that. "Yeah, Iris West. I was really good friends with her about ten years ago...then I moved away." She frowned slightly at the thought. Just because she'd lost touch with her two friends didn't mean that she didn't miss Barry and Iris. They'd been her best friends for a while before she moved away. She felt her cheeks heat up slightly when he laughed. "That would be great actually." She smiled.

Barry stood there for a moment and watch the blonde ramble on and he thought it was kind of cute. "Oh yeah? What's your name? Maybe I could tell her you're in town I'm sure she'll want to see you." He was thinking back and realized who she was, Riley Emerson. Yes, of course how could he forget such an amazing girl? He smiled, "all right, let's take you home, I'll just need your address."

"Riley Emerson. I don't know if she'll remember me or not, it was like ten years ago, but would you really do that? That would great." Riley said, smiling. She didn't really know if her old friends would remember her, but she hoped that they would, and if he could get the message to Iris for her, that would be great. She really didn't know where to find her friends, so it would really help. She rattled off her address. It really hadn't been very far from where she'd been, though she didn't really know how far away he'd taken her, so it was nice that he was offering to take her home.

Barry knew she looked familiar and after the information she provided him it was all clear. She certainly hadn't changed much she was just as pretty as she was back then. Barry picked her up again after she gave him her address. "Let's go," he grinned and sped off.it probably only took him one or two minutes. He set her down gently, "here we are, I'll be sure to let Iris know about you," he nodded.

Riley wasn't as caught off guard this time around as she was sort of expecting it, though she definitely wasn't used to the speed. She wondered if anyone was. "I wish I could get home that fast every night." She said, laughing quietly. She smiled when he told her that he'd let Iris know that she was back in the city. "Thank you." She said. "For that, and for saving me earlier..."

Barry smiled, he still couldn't believe he could in at the speed of light, he definitely could get used to this and he has. He chuckled "yeah, it's rather nice, of course it also means I can't be late to anything." He was getting ready to leave, "your welcome, no need to thank me though, I'll see you around in sure," with that he was off.

Riley laughed quietly. "That probably comes in handy." She said. She was almost always chronically early for things, so she wouldn't know about being late all the time or anything like that, but if she was, it would be nice knowing that she could never actually be late to anything. "Yeah, see you around..." She breathed, a small smile gracing her lips.

As soon as Barry hit the cafe place where Iris worked he knew she was closing for the night and smiled when she appeared. "I ran into your old friend, Riley Emerson just thought I'd let you know.. She just came into town so she'll be around.. Now I gotta run." Before she could even say anything Barry was out the door. He had to be at home before Iris got home from work.

[Gonna skip ]

A few days after that, Iris contacted Riley. She was glad that her friend still remembered her. Iris had told her to meet at the coffee shop, Jitters, where she worked the next day. Of course, Riley had agreed. She wanted to see her friend again, and catch up, something that would be much more meaningful if done in person. So, the following afternoon, Riley found herself heading into the coffee shop. Thankfully she didn't have to work at all that day, so there wouldn't be any actual limit placed on the time she had with her friend. As she walked, she wondered if Iris had told Barry that she was back in the city. She wouldn't mind seeing him again either.

[thats fine ]

Barry had received a call from Iris who was extremely excited about something and once he started talking about certain things and then the name Riley came up, he had agreed to meet up with them. Iris told him she would surprise Riley with him. Barry walked in waiting for Iris "I'm here early aren't i? Well, I guess she'll be surprised to see both of is wont she ?"

Riley didn't know why, but she almost felt a little nervous. She really didn't know why that was the case, it was just Iris, and maybe Barry. Sure, they hadn't actually seen each other in ten years, but that didn't have to mean anything right? Maybe being back in Central City would feel less strange if she got reacquainted with some old friends. A few minutes later, she found herself nearing Jitters. Well, it's now or never. She thought to herself before walking inside.