Chapter 2
Emma POV
I followed Rydel downstairs to the dining room.
"Emma, you can sit next to me," said Rydel.
"Ok, thanks."
Rydel was making me feel so comfortable here. She was so welcoming, and I knew we were going to be really close friends.
All of Rydel's other siblings gathered around the table and sat down. The oldest, I think his name was Riker, was the last one to come down. The only open seat was next to me. I was secretly kind of scared of him.
"Riker, take off your sunglasses. You know you're not supposed to wear those at the table," said .
Riker took off his sunglasses, and gave his mom a bad look. I tried to ignore him through dinner, but I had to keep glancing over at him. He wasn't anything like Rydel. She had been so sweet and nice. And Riker was... the opposite...
Throughout dinner, I learned the names of Rydel's other brothers. There was Ross, Rocky, and Ryland. They were all super sweet, especially Ross. I might... like him... He was super cute, funny, sweet, and... I just couldn't really take my mind off of him.
Riker on the other hand... He was kind of rude to me. He was asking questions like "why does she have to stay with us" and "I'm glad she's sleeping in Rydel's room." Even though I barely even knew him, it still hurt to know that he didn't like me.
After dinner was over, Rydel gave me a tour of their house. The coolest part of her house was the basement. It was this awesome room full of instruments and sound equipment. I thought it was awesome! Rydel told me that she played the keyboard and her brothers were learning guitar and bass.
After that, it was kind of dark outside, but she still wanted to show me around out there anyways. She had a pool, a trampoline, and a lot of woods.
We went back inside up to her room.
"So what do you want to do now?" Rydel asked.
"Could I take a shower?"
"Sure! I'll get you a towel."
I followed Rydel out into the hall. She got me a towel from the closet. She showed me everything I needed to know about the shower, and then left.
Rydel POV
As soon as I went back into my bedroom, Ross and Riker came bursting through my door.
"Tell him to stop saying mean things about Emma!" Ross shouted.
"Tell him, I can say whatever I want!" Riker shouted.
"Ross, can I talk to your brother alone for a few minutes?" I asked.
"Gladly!"
I pulled Riker over to sit on my bed.
"Riker, I don't know why you're acting so mean towards Emma."
"I don't like her."
"She's been nothing but sweet! What can't you like about her!?"
"She's living in my house."
"Riker, seriously. Can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Well... I know after you and... Lauren-"
"Don't say her name!"
"Ok! Sorry! Well... After you and her broke up, um... you've been dressing and acting completely different. You used to be so sweet and nice, and now you're just... mean..."
Riker got up and started heading for the door.
"Riker, wait!"
"Why? Why should I stay here if you're just going to insult me?" Riker said angrily as he left.
I collapsed on my bed feeling defeated. I just couldn't understand him! I covered my eyes with my hands as I thought. I heard someone come in my room, and I felt my bed sink underneath me.
"Are you ok, sis?"
I knew by the voice, it was Rocky.
I sat up and turned to him.
"Rocky, I don't know how you can share a room with him! He's just unbelievable!"
"Well it's not so easy. He brings girls home all the time, makes out with them, and then breaks their hearts. I hate seeing that!"
"I know... I wish we had the old Riker back. The old Riker used to be so sweet and nice. Like us..."
"I don't know what happened..."
"It's because Lauren broke up with him. He's been acting like this since then. You know what I found under his bed the other day?"
"Why were you going under his bed?"
"Oh forget about why, I found beer bottles!"
"Really!?"
"Yes! He's only 17!"
"I know... Should we tell mom?"
"No... I thought about doing that, but I don't think it'll help. He'll just keep doing it, and if we ever want our sweet older brother back, I don't think telling on him will help."
"Yeah..."
"I just wish he'd treat Emma with more respect. I was talking with her, and she told me she was really nervous about staying here for the whole summer because she's never been away from home before. I'm worried that Riker's going to scare her, or hurt her! He said all those nasty things during dinner! He made me so mad!"
"I'll try to talk to him."
"Thanks."
Rocky left, and Emma came in.
"Hey Emma."
"Hey..."
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah..."
"What's wrong?"
"Uh... Well I saw Riker in the hall..."
"Ugh, what did he say?"
"He... He said he can't believe I have to stay here for the whole summer..."
"Aw... Emma, I'm so sorry about him. Don't take anything he says personally."
"Ok..."
"So what do you want to do?"
"Um... I'm actually really tired."
"Ok."
"Where am I sleeping?"
"Well I could go get you an air mattress and you could sleep on the floor. Or since my bed is a full size, you could sleep in my bed with me. When I have sleepovers with my friends, we can usually fit 4 people in my bed."
"That's insane."
"Yeah..."
"I'll sleep in your bed. It's probably way more comfortable than an air mattress."
"Ok."
I gave Emma 2 pillows, and we got in bed after I shut off the lights. Emma fell asleep immediately, but I stayed on my phone for another hour before I finally fell asleep.
Morning...
Rydel POV
When I woke up, Emma was still sleeping. I snuck out of the room and went downstairs to grab a bowl of cereal. When I came back to my room, Emma was awake, texting someone.
"Hey, Emma."
"Oh. Hey. Good morning."
"Good morning. How'd you sleep?"
"Pretty good..."
"That's good. Did you want some breakfast?"
"Nah... I'm not really a breakfast eater."
"Alright."
I sat down next to Emma on my bed.
"What are we doing today?" Emma asked.
"I don't know. We could do anything. I think it's supposed to be kind of hot out, so we could go swimming if you want."
"Ok, sounds cool!"
Later...
Rydel POV
While Emma and I were swimming, Riker brought some girl over. They got in the pool, and were totally making out right in front of us. I could tell it was making Emma uncomfortable, so I suggested we go inside and get some ice cream.
Emma was acting all weird though. I think Riker made her feel uncomfortable. She went up to my room to use her laptop for a little while. I felt like I had to keep checking on her.
Later, just as I thought, Riker sent that girl home crying because he broke up with her. I don't understand how he doesn't care about anyone's feelings anymore.
Later that night...
Emma POV
"Emma, I have to babysit this one kid down the road. I'll be back around 10:30," said Rydel, putting on a sweatshirt.
"What am I going to do while you're gone?" I asked.
"I don't know. You can either stay in my room and use your laptop, or you can go hang out with my brothers. I'm sure they'd be happy to include you in whatever they're doing."
"Ok."
"Alright. I have to go. I'll see you later!"
I had a few hours before Rydel would get back. Even though it had barely been 24 hours, she was my best friend, and I felt really close to her.
I had been on my laptop almost all day. I didn't really want to be on my laptop, so I decided I would try to go talk to her brothers. Maybe Ross...!
I opened her door, and crashed straight into Riker. And he looked furious! Oh boy!
