AN: Thanks to Paige for the awesome cover poster for this story! I love it And also just to let you guys know who are fans of my other stories, I am going to focus on this story as I have more inspiration for it right now, I will still update my others stories but this one will be priority so I can try and get some stories finished

Chapter 4

Riker was still sitting on the log where he has been for the past forty five minutes since Laura stormed into the Winnebago. There were so many thoughts that were going through in his head right now. Laura had admitted that she was in love with him. The same Laura that he watched grow up and was best friends with. This all blew Riker's mind. Just less than 24 hours ago he wasn't even thinking about Laura in a romantic way, and now it was all that he could think about.

Riker sighed.

He shouldn't even thinking about this. He should just go find Laura explain to her that they couldn't be together, they were just way too different. Not to mention he was 21 for crying out loud. He sure didn't want to go to jail. He should just go explain to her that they are just friends and that is all that is what could be between them.

But why was the thought of having Laura be his girlfriend appealing to him. He knew that she was gorgeous you would have to be blind in not to see that. And for a while there Riker did have a crush on her, but he thought that was a phase you know?

It was, it was a phase that can't be repeated. As much as he wanted too, Laura and him couldn't happen. There was just too much at risk if anything could go wrong. He had already went over the jail thing but what about to their friendship? Look at what Laura's jealousy almost did to them. Laura was too important to him to have her become nothing but a painful broken heart.

His mind was made up; he needed to tell Laura that they can't be anything more than just best friends. Finally coming to that decision after going back and forth he finally came to one. Riker walked to the winniebageo and as he was about to knock, the door opened and out came Laura.

"Hey Riker.." Laura said with a blush.

" Hey Laur" Riker said.

" Look we need to talk." They both said. Laura and Riker just laughed.

"You go first." Riker said.

" Okay, look I know I told you I was in love with you, please let me finish okay? Look I am not going to lie and say that what I feel for you isn't love, because it is. But I also know that we can't be together. It just wouldn't work out. And I love you way too much to lose you as a friend. Our friendship is way too important to me to lose you know. Look I am so so sorry that I let petty jealousy get in the way and almost ruin our friendship I really do hope you can forgive me." Laura said meaning every word. She rather have Riker as a friend then not have him in her life at all.

" There is nothing to apologize for. I am just glad that I have my friend back." Riker said as he pulled her into a hug. Laura just leaned in and he wrapped his arms around her. As much as she would love to have Riker as a boyfriend, she would take him as a friend rather than nothing at all.

Laura broke the hug. " What did you want to say Riker?"

" Um basically the same thing that I think it is best that we stay as friends." Riker said.

Laura nodded. She felt her heart break a little. She knew that was the case and honestly she is okay with that. It is time to move on from Riker Lynch.

" Well I better go; I have to sleep with Rocky." Laura said. Riker's eyes widen

" WHAT?"

Laura chuckled. " I meant I am sharing a tent with Rocky. Good night Riker." She whispered as she walked towards her tent.

" Goodnight Laura." Riker whispered. He couldn't help but think that maybe he made a mistake. Maybe he should have taken a chance with Laura. Riker just sighed. And he walked back into the tent that he was sharing with Ross and hoped for a good night sleep.

It was the next the morning and Riker was the last one to get up. He climbed out of the tent and noticed that everyone was gone. Riker was looking around trying to find anyone.

" Laura?" No answer.

" Rydel?" No answer.

" Raini?" No answer.

Riker was starting to get pissed. Where did everyone go? As Riker was about to go get his shoes that was when he heard the laughter.

" That was awesome!" Laura squealed.

Rocky just chuckled. " See I told you it would be." Rocky and Laura were walking back from having breakfast. Laura had never laughed as much as she did over breakfast. It was funny that all these years and she and Rocky really didn't know that much about each other. They were friends after all but Laura really couldn't classify them as really strong friends. That is probably because she was so focused on Riker.

" What did I tell you Laur? See and here you didn't trust in my skills?" Rocky acted offended by that. Laura just laughed. Rocky and Laura continued to walk and then they noticed that Riker was glaring at them.

" What's the face for Riker? Did someone pee his bed last night?" Rocky asked. Laura couldn't help but chuckle.

Riker just rolled his eyes. " No I was wondering where everyone went."

" Oh we all went to the Denny's that is up the hill and had breakfast." Laura said happily.

" And so no one thought to even invite me? That maybe I wouldn't like to eat too?" Riker asked pissed.

Rocky and Laura were taken back by his tone. "Hey bro we tried to wake you but you wouldn't budge." Riker just threw them a dirty look and just stormed past them and started to head to the Winnebago to see about getting something to eat. Laura just looked at Rocky and he just shrugged. Laura went to follow Riker to go see what was wrong and to apologize for not waiting for him for breakfast. But to be fair they did try and get him up but he just didn't budge.

" Riker everything alright? I am sorry that we didn't wait for you but we did really try and wake you."

" Obviously not hard enough." Riker sneered. He didn't know what was wrong all he knew was that he was upset and It looked like he was going to take it out on Laura.

" I said I was sorry! How many times do I have to apologize?" Laura asked.

" Well looked how long you made me pay for daring to talk with tawny?" Riker asked.

Laura rolled her eyes.

" You know Riker if you are going to be an ass, please go back to sleep and wake up with a better mood."

Riker just rolled his eyes. Laur just huffed and walked away. What the hell was his problem? She tried to apologize but he just has a stick up his ass.

" Hey Laura how about we start getting ready to go tour the Grand Canyon this is going to be amazing!" Rydel squealed. Laura just laughed.

" Sure I think so too, is everyone ready?" Laura asked.

" Yeah I am lets get this show on the road." Ross yelled excitedly. Everyone else just chuckled. Laura went to go grab her things when Riker came back out of the Winnebago.

" Hey Riker hurry up and get ready we are going to go see the Grand Canyon." Ross said to his older brother. Riker just rolled his eyes.

" I am not going." Riker answered as he was about to walk back to his tent.

" What do you mean you aren't coming? You have too?" Laura said. She really did want Riker to come.

" No I don't have to come. I mean it is not like it would be the first time you guys went somewhere without me wouldn't it?" Riker asked.

Laura rolled her eyes. " You are not going to go see the Grand Canyon with all your friends just because we went to breakfast without you? The same breakfast that we tried to get you to wake up for and still wouldn't budge? You are going to be a baby about this?" Laura asked. She couldn't believe how low Riker was being right now.

" Whatever Laura." Riker said as he was trying to go back to the tent but Laura just grabbed his arm.

" I am sorry we went to breakfast without you but come on you are really going to bag on the grand canyon because your pissed? This trip is supposed to be fun come on."

" I SAID I WASN'T FUCKING GOING LAURA GOD YOUR FUCKING ANNOYING." Riker yelled. And everyone was silent.

" You know what Riker? Screw you! Come guys let's go." Laura said as she was trying not to cry in front of Riker. She didn't know what Riker's problem but she was tired of being on the brunt of it.

Raini and Rydel just threw Riker a dirty look before walking off.

" Dude what is your problem? Did you really have to go off on Laura like that? All she wants is for all of us to have a good time on this trip. So are you going to be a little bitch for the next three months? If you wanted to come to breakfast then you should woke your ass up and went. So you better quit acting so butt hurt you only have yourself to blame. Now I think you need to go apologize to Laura." Rocky said to his older brother.

" What is it to you if I don't apologize? How close are you and Laura?" Riker growled.

Rocky just rolled his eyes. " Dude you really are an ass. You do realize that after this trip Laura is going to be moving to London right? So do you really want your friendship with Laura to go down like this? Just ask yourself." Rocky said as he walked away. The others just threw Riker a disappointing look and Riker just felt awful. He knew he was being an ass but he didn't know why he was. He saw the others as they were about to leave, he really didn't want to be the one to ruin the trip just because he is confused about his feelings. He really didn't want the next three months to be ruined because he was confused.

" Hey guys wait up! I want to come." Riker said as he called out and raced to get dressed. Laura just rolled her eyes.

After a few minutes Riker made his way over to them. " Thanks guys, hey do you think I could talk to Laura alone?" The others just walked away leaving Laura and Riker alone. Laura wasn't even looking at him and Riker just sighed.

" Look Laura I know I was acting like an ass and I am sorry."

" You have said that to me more times in the last twenty four hours then our entire friendship. I am tired of this drama, I mean I only have three more months with you guys and I don't want to spend the rest of the time we have fighting." Laura answered.

" I know and I don't want to do that either Laura. I am tired of the fighting and I don't know what made me so pissy this morning. I really am sorry again. How about we just go enjoy the Grand Canyon. I just want to enjoy the summer with my best friend."

Laura just smiled. " Let's go." She smiled and grabbed Riker's hand. And the two of them ran to catch up with the others.

Hours later the group made back their way to the camp ground and it was a lot different than when they left this morning. Instead of angst there was actual laughter and a bunch of happy teenagers.

" I swear no matter how many times I have seen it, it is just so awesome!" Ratliff said. Rydel just nodded as she snuggled into her boyfriend's side.

" It really is." Rydel said. Ratliff just smiled and kissed Rydel. Ross just gagged.

" Can you two stop eating each others faces?" Ross asked.

" Shut up Ross you're just jealous the only other person you have to make out with is either Rocky or Riker." Rydel said.

" Ry I don't need the image of those three making out." Laura said trying to act like if she was sick.

Rydel just laughed.

" So what do you guys want to do? I say we cook out tonight over the camp fire? What do you say?" Riker said.

" Sounds good." Laura said. The others agreed. Riker just went to go get wood for the fire and Laura decided to go leaving the others behind. Raini and Calum went into the Winnie to watch TV. Rocky went to crash in the tent for a bit leaving Rydel, Ratliff and Ross alone. Ross couldn't help but roll his eyes over at the two lovebirds.

Ross sighed. He really didn't know what was wrong with him. Every time that Ratliff was affectionate with Rydel it felt like something inside of him was dying. Which was crazy because Ratliff was his best friend. They have known one another for almost their entire lives. So why would he be upset about Ratliff dating his sister?

And why did he want to die a little with every little kiss? Ross just sighed.

It couldn't be that maybe that he was jealous of Rydel? But why would he be jealous of all they do is make out?

Wait.

Shit.

There was no way in hell that he was in love with his best friend was there?

Shit. No that couldn't be it. Ross was not gay. He had always been into girls and not guys. Whatever this was that he was feeling for Ratliff didn't make him gay. He can hear moans now. Ross turned and saw that they were making out again and Ratliff was trying to get his sister's shirt off.

" Can you two knock this shit off? I swear I think you guys think you're in a porn movie the way you guys are always going at it." Ross said as he made his way inside the tent that he shared with Riker. Ross was hurt and confused he didn't know what the hell these feelings meant but he did know that if it continued then things were about to get ugly.

Laura just laughed as Riker was trying to act all man ish and carry the wood back. It was nice that the two of them were getting back to being them. Without the angst and the jealousy. Laura realized how much she missed this. For the first time in over a day she felt that she had her friend back and that was a nice feeling.

" Are you laughing at me Miss Marano?" Riker asked acting all hurt. Placing a hand on his heart.

Laura just rolled her eyes. " Yes, Yes I am Mr. Lynch because you make it so easy." She chuckled.

" Oh Really?" Riker asked.

Laura rolled her eyes. " Yeah I mean you make it so easy."

" Oh that is it. You better run for it " Riker said as he put the wood down for a second before starting to chase Laura. The two of them were running in and out of the trees laughing and just being carefree. Riker couldn't believe that he almost risked this all due to him being a selfish ass. Laura meant the world to him as a friend and the thought of losing her he didn't want to think about it.

" You will never catch me." Laura screamed as she was running from Riker. Laura was running and trying to duck from Riker, she was having a little luck but he was catching up to her.

" Oh yeah? Watch this!." Riker said as he just hightailed it and was catching up, he grabbed her from the back of the shirt and pulled her back to him.

" Awww…" Laura yelled as she fell back into his chest and the two of them fell down to the ground. Both of them laughing. Laura turned around and faced Riker. She was now leaning against his body and her breath caught at looking Riker's face. The smile of his face started to fade and there was something in his eyes that she didn't recognize.

" Riker.." she said softly. She really didn't want to ruin the truce they had just started. Laura was about to get off of him, when Riker pulled her back to him.

" Don't." Riker whispered.

Riker didn't say anything else, he only did the only thing that he felt was natural. He put his hand on the back of her neck and brought her head down to his and captured her lips in a kiss. Laura was taken a back by it at first but then soon melted into the kiss. Laura broke the kiss for a second and looked at Riker.

" Riker…"

Riker just smiled and said "Don't over think Laura come here." He whispered as he took her lips into a kiss once more.