A/N – Alright! Another Chapter! I was thinking about splitting this into two chapters, for suspense reasons, but decided against it.
Hey! How about the first person to guess correctly where, I'll let them give me a monster, and I'll add it to the story!
Just give me the line you think the chapter would have ended on, ok?
Read and Review as always!
Enjoy!
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Chapter 18Rocky braked just inside of Billy's driveway. They had made a stop to Kimberly's first to de-tag all of the clothes, and so that Ryla could borrow a suitcase, or three. Billy and Ryla jumped out the back and Billy popped open the trunk. He pulled out the suitcases, and set them on the ground. As Ryla moved closer, she could see him trying to calculate how he would manage carrying three large suitcases. She grinned and grabbed one herself, "You don't have to carry my things Billy."
He looked over at her, "I know. I chose to," he bent over and picked up the two remaining pieces of luggage, "Will you guys be coming inside?"
Kim hopped out with Aisha, "We will. I wanna see your room. Then we can figure out how to decorate it!"
Aisha laughed at Kim's eagerness. Tommy jumped over the side, "Well, since they're going in, we might as well too."
Rocky and Adam nodded, joining the others. Billy led the way up the steps and he only set the suitcases down to unlock his door. He lifted them back up and moved inside. He kicked off his shoes and then turned to face Ryla, "Come on. You're room's upstairs."
Ryla nodded and jogged up the stairs after Billy. She wasn't really paying attention, and when he stopped at the top of the landing, Ryla ended up running into him. Billy stumbled a few steps forward, and Ryla would have fallen back down the stair if Tommy hadn't been standing behind her. He grabbed her arms and pushed her back onto her feet. After Ryla got her footing she turned, "Thanks Tommy, that last step's a doozy."
Tommy laughed, "So I can see."
Ryla nodded and continued down the hall, seeing as Billy had already stopped in front of a doorway. She stood next to him, "This my room?"
"Affirmative." He nodded and walked inside, setting the luggage next to the bed.
Ryla peered inside and pursed her lips. It was a very basic room; the walls were a faded white, with two white dressers with tarnished handles. The four-poster bed wasn't made, the sheets, pillows, and the comforter folded at the end of the bed. Ryla turned and sat down on the bare mattress, "Well . . . it's . . ."
"Gonna need a lot of work," Kim nodded and walked into the center of the room, "I'm seeing . . . oh, the walls a deep purple. Paint the dressers gold, and . . . put a big mirror on this wall!"
Ryla giggled as she watched Kim play interior designer. She slid her legs under herself, "It'll be just fine."
Rocky dove and landed on the bed behind her, "Ya, at least it's not some gross brown or green."
"True Rocky, very true." She leaned back and sighed, "The mattress is comfy enough."
Rocky nodded, "Gotta agree with you there."
Adam moved over to where Billy was standing. He seemed to be boring a hole into Rocky's chest. Adam nudged him, "Hey. What's with the glare Billy?"
Billy turned to face Adam, "Huh? Oh, nothing."
Ryla looked up at Billy, and quirked an eyebrow. He stared at her a moment before turning, "It's getting a bit crowded in here, I think I'm going to go down to the lab."
Tommy turned, and shook his head, "Actually. I think it's about time for us to get going. It's getting late. Rocky, toss me your keys."
"Ya, I'm that crazy," Rocky sat up and grinned, just as Ryla leaned up, "See ya Ryla, enjoy your new home."
He reached over and squeezed her shoulder before leaping over the edge of the bed and grinning at Billy, "See ya Billy."
Kim nodded to both of them, "We'll get started soon. Bye guys!"
Tommy wrapped an arm around Kimberly and patted Billy on the back, "I'll call you later."
Billy nodded and watched as the others left the room. He could hear them going down the stairs, this caused him to look back at Ryla. She smiled and patted the mattress, "Sit."
Billy moved a bit hesitantly, but moved down against the mattress, sitting at the opposite end from Ryla. She shook her head and slid next to him, "So, Billy . . ."
"Ya?" he looked over at her, and cocked an eyebrow.
She looked down and smiled, "Thanks for letting me stay here. You're a life saver."
He shook his head, "Oh, it's no problem."
She smiled, "That's your one flaw Billy."
"Huh?" he looked over at her quizzically.
She smiled, and leaned in closer, "You're far too modest," she slowly wrapped her arms around him and smiled once again, "Thank you."
He was about to say something else, but Ryla chose to lean in and touch his cheek with her lips. She moved back slowly and grinned a bit nervously. Billy's eyes widened slightly as he let a smile slip on his face as well. When she saw him smile, she leaned in a bit closer to him, as did Billy. Ryla tilted her head to the left slightly and let her eyes close as she felt his breath touch her skin . . .
"Billy! I'm home! . . . Have you started dinner yet?"
Ryla opened her eyes to see Billy jump up from the bed and jog out of the room. She sighed softly and rose from the mattress as well,
I'm gonna meet Billy's dad . . .
She smoothed down her shirt and slowly made her way out of her room. She descended down the stairs, and heard Billy and his father talking in the kitchen, "So, she here now, is she?"
"Yes dad, and her name is Ryla." Ryla could hear the sounds of pots and boiling water.
I didn't know Billy could cook . . .
"Well, this couldn't have come at a worse time. They're cutting back my hours, and I think lay-offs could be next." At hearing this, Ryla frowned.
She heard Billy trying to shush his father, "Dad, I told you, we'll manage. I'm taking on more tutoring students. We'll be fine."
Ryla peered into the kitchen and saw Billy's father sitting with his back facing her, and Billy over the stove, stirring, what looked like spaghetti sauce. She took a few steps back as she saw Billy turn to face his father. She wasn't quick enough as she saw Billy lock eyes with her. She pivoted on her heel and silently made her way up the stairs. Billy shook his head, "Just leave this, I know how you are with the stove."
He quickly jogged out of the kitchen and made his way up the stairs. He made to her doorway to see her sitting on the edge of the bed, her head down. He knocked against the doorframe, "Can I come in?"
Ryla lifted her head and Billy slumped a bit against the frame, seeing the glistening of tears against her cheeks. He came into the room and sat next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "Ryla . . . please. There is no need for such an outward display of emotion."
Ryla lifted her hand up to wipe away her tears, "Your dad doesn't really like the idea of me staying here, huh?"
Billy shook his head, "It's not you Ryla, really. He's just having trouble at work, and all of the stress is surfacing as-"
"Alright Billy. I think I get it . . . I don't want to be a burden." She sighed softly before looking up at him.
Billy looked at her astonished, "you never could be. Ryla, you're a ranger now. We take care of each other. Not because we have to . . . because we want to."
Ryla smiled, "Thanks Billy. I didn't mean to get all emotional," she grinned, "It's just been such a couple of strange days for me. I still need to adjust I guess."
Billy nodded and squeezed her shoulder, "If you ever need to talk. We're all here for you, and I just across the hall," Billy released Ryla and stood, "Well, I have to finish dinner. It's spaghetti."
"You can cook? Well?" Ryla quirked an eyebrow and then grinned.
Billy shook his head, "Well, I suppose you will have to be the judge of that."
He grinned and turned around the doorway and back down the stairs. Ryla fell back against the mattress and brought her hands under her head.
I just may have to take you up on your offer Billy . . .