Ryder's POV

I stared into Jess's eyes, feeling my heart beat fast. I had to fight the urge to kiss her. We're friends. She's broken I mean she hasn't even gone a full hour without crying. There was a faint knock on the door and we both sat up, parting from each other instantly. Mom walked in with a glass of water in one hand and the other cupped, probably holding some Advil or something. "Here, sweetie, take this." Jess gave her a small smile and grabbed the pills, popping them in her mouth before grabbing the glass and swallowing some water. She held the glass close to her and Mom let her keep it. "Do you need anything else? Are your hands feeling any better? I may have some numbing cream…" "A-actually, can I just lay here with Ryder for a bit?" Jess asked nervously. I smiled to myself as Mom looked at me and smiled widely, "If that makes you happy, then yes. Do you need more blankets though? I can get some fresh…" I shook my head, cutting her off as I noticed Jess get awkward, "I think we'll be ok, Mom." She nodded and gave us both another smile before walking out, shutting the door behind her. Jess immediately pulled me into the position we were just in and smiled. "So you picked me over numbing cream? Not gonna lie, I feel honored," I joked. She giggled quietly and her head vibrated against my own. "Why are you only serious when I'm crying?" I shrugged, pulling her close, "I know when to joke and distract you and when to just shut up and help." She smiled at me, cuddling into my chest.

We stayed like that for a while and she fell asleep. I smiled down at her as she snored quietly, watching her eyes furrow slightly. I hoped that she wasn't having another nightmare, but even if she was, I knew there was nothing I couldn't help other than wake her up. She started shivering and I held her closer, but she shook violently and woke up, swinging an arm and hitting my in the rip. I groaned and moved away, holding my stomach. She looked at me worriedly and apologized over and over. I chuckled and shook my head, "Ouch. God, whoever was pissing you off in that dream really didn't know who they were messing with." She gave me a small smile and then cuddled into me again. "I kinda took self-defense last year. I figured it would help me protect myself if my dad ever came back. Actually- that was what my nightmare was about last night." I hugged her close to me again, looking at her sympathetically, "I'm so sorry, Jess. I am happy you can protect yourself no though. I don't want anyone hurting you ever again." "Thanks," she said, looking up at me, "Hey- Ryder?" I gave her a 'yes?' look and she continued, "Do you think we're weird?" I smiled and nodded, "I don't think, I know." She giggled, cuddling into me, "And does it bug you?" I shrugged, resting my head on hers, "Not really. I mean ya- I don't like how dramatic we are, but the fact that we can cuddle and things not feel weird is kind of awesome." I felt her smiled against my chest and it was contagious. Suddenly, Liz walked in, complaining that she felt lonely. We quickly split, opening a space for her to join us. She shook her head, "Mom made breakfast- I just want company down there." I looked at Jess and she nodded, getting up and going over to Liz, holding her hand. I smiled and followed after them, going down to the kitchen.

Mom had a whole breakfast feast on the table. I could tell by her pacing that she was at a loss on what to do, but I just went over to her and hugged her tight. She sniffled and then pulled away, straightening up and walking over to Jess: "I hope you're hungry now. Eat what you can and I can just pack up the leftovers for you to take home." Jess gave her a small smile and sat at the table, grabbing a scoop of scrambled eggs and putting them on her plate. I sat next to her, Liz on her other side, and filled my plate too. We tried not to stare at Jess while she ate, but I think we all failed. We were so desperate to get something in her stomach- she hadn't eaten at all yesterday. Mom was the worst- sitting across from her and looking up everytime she took a bite as if to hypnotize Jess into doing the same thing. It was kinda cute though that she cared so much. Mom loved (and worried about) everyone.

Jess's POV

Everyone stared at me during breakfast so I ate more than I would have liked. My stomach churned and I sat back in my chair. I'm not going to lie though- that was probably the best breakfast I have ever had. Mom always worked the night shift at the hospital and Dad- well he liked to get his punches in early so she couldn't stop him. Hell, most of the time she didn't even know. I was quite good with makeup. Patricia looked over at me and gave me a small smile, getting up and starting to pack up the remaining food from the table. I looked over at Liz, giving her a small nudge, "You have your date today." She shook her head, "I think i'm going to reschedule- You need me. I'll just tell Gina…" I quickly cut her off, giving her a serious look, "You're going tonight and you're going to have an amazing time not worrying about me, got it?" She smiled and gave me a hug before going up to her room, probably to text Gina without Ryder bugging her. Speaking of Ryder, I looked over at him and giggled as he at his 100th piece of bacon. "What?" I smirked, "Oh nothing, just watching you take down 'Babe' in one bite." He stuck his tongue out at me and took a big bite of another piece. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I didn't understand how I could be so happy after having a nightmare. I mean, yes, the PTSD comes with insane mood swings, but I am never... this happy. Especially not after one of my nightmare. They're so vivid in the moment and when asleep, it's hard to tell what's real or fake. Like last night- it was all a dream, but I… felt it.

Once all the food was packed up, I felt awkward about staying so I went up to the guest room and changed back into my clothes from yesterday- and the day before. I folded Ryder's sweater and put it in my bag, noticing blood stains near the bottom. I'll clean it before I give it back. I walked downstairs and thanked them all for everything. Patricia hugged me close, "Please come back whenever you need us." "I will," I said hugging her back. We pulled away and she handed me tupperware filled with the breakfast leftovers. I thanked her again and looked over at Ryder: "Can you drive me home?" He came over looking worried, "Are you sure you'll be ok?" I nodded and he grabbed his keys reluctantly and led me to the front door. I thanked Patricia one more time and told her to tell Liz 'good luck' on her date tonight. She nodded that she would, hugging me one more time and then shooing me over to Ryder. I giggled, following him out of the house and to his jeep. He kept giving me a worried look, but I tried to ignore it. I'd be ok. Right? I got in on the passenger side and buckled in. He looked over at me: "What if you get sad and I'm not there?" I sighed, "Then it will be like the other 5,000 times I was sad before I met you. I will be alright, I promise." He nodded slowly, starting the car. "Can't I stay over for the night? Like- to help you get acclimated to not having us around to cuddle anymore?" I chuckled, "I'm pretty sure having you there to cuddle won't help with that." He looked at me and then shook his head, turning out of the driveway: "Then hangout with me today? We can work on your song." I groaned, looking over at him, "Lynn, you're just trying to keep an eye on me." "Is that so bad?" I sighed, "I told you not to treat me like this." He shook his head and took a deep breath as we stopped at an intersection. Why won't he just let it go?

Ryder's POV

Ok, I can't be friends with Jess. I kept taking looks at her as I drove and shook my head. She is so stubborn- why doesn't she get that I am just trying to help? How is this annoying her? She finally has the support she never had. We stopped in front of her house and I looked at her, grabbing one of her hands. "Please, just let me do this. I care about you and right now you can't take care of yourself." She winced, pulling her hand away and I quickly mumbled a 'sorry.' "Ryder, you have to let me take care of myself. When I want help, I'll ask for it. We have school tomorrow- you can check on me in the morning." I huffed and rolled my eyes: "It's not asking too much to just work on our song." She started to argue, but I just drowned it out. I was so angry. Just let me help you, dammit. She gave me a sympathetic look and went to open her door but I reached over and pulled it closed. She gave me a weird look, but I barely noticed. I was laying over her and our faces were only a few inches apart. I breathed heavy, both out of anger and desperation. "Don't go if you're not letting me come in there with you." She was staring down at my lips and I gulped. "Ryder, you're being dramatic." I smiled slightly, "Hey," she looked up at me, "don't act like that's unusual for us." She smiled back at me and rolled her eyes. I chuckled quietly, looking down at her lips and then back to her eyes. She let out a quiet laugh, but once she saw realized what I was thinking, she gulped. My heart started beating rapidly and I couldn't believe I was thinking of kissing her. I literally just thought about letting her go because of her stubbornness- Ok, let's face it, that was never going to happen. But still… I shook my head, pulling away and sitting back in my seat, taking a deep breath and laying my head on the headrest. She looked at me and cleared her throat, "What was that?" I looked at her and let out a breath, "I have no idea."