Okay, because I have the luck to have such a great and fast beta reader, LoremIpsum (special thanks to you!), I am able to post the next chapter… (I have written the entire story and it's 17 chapters long)
I'm always soo happy to get reviews! So, I would enjoy to get some more :)
BananaPieThiefX, I'm glad that you like the story! (and Butterfingers :D LOL) keep on reading ;-)
Miss Fenway, thanks! You are so cool, you reviewed all chapters!
Indiana 1
Riley's Perspective
The Park was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, and that's saying something because I've seen a city of gold.
"This was so cool, Ben, we have to go there again sometime." I pleaded and stuck my head between the front seats in the car.
"Perhaps, if you're good. Sit down and strap in." He laughed when I sat down again and took the belt. Yeah, of course Ben had to act like my father once again. At least, I assumed a father would behave like that.
ROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIP
After we had lunch in a very nice restaurant, we went to bed early, exhausted from that day. I couldn't remember falling asleep; I assumed that I was out before I hit the pillow.
"Riley wake up." I knew it. I really should get used to it. Again, Ben's weight shook the bed and a hand touched my shoulder. "Please don't make me drag you out of bed today. My muscles ache."
"I can promise you Ben, I don't want to be dragged again either," I answered and blinked when I saw the bright morning light, but I sat up.
"Where's Abi?" I asked and looked around.
"She's in the bathroom, like every morning. Do you really think she wants to be in the same room with you when you're waking up?" He laughed when I pretended to be morose.
"Get up." He ordered and stood up.
I did and after Abi left the bathroom, I used it before we found ourselves in the car again on the road to Indiana.
ROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIP
"Over there are the canoes. Enjoy." An old man said. I really didn't want to go canoeing and I hated the thought. But I didn't want Abi and Ben to know it. So I was waiting, half listening to the instructions the boat hirer was giving.
We dragged the boat to the river and Abi got in. Ugh, I really didn't want to canoe.
Ben's Perspective:
"Ben! Are you entirely sure that we're going to do this? It's kind of dangerous! It's so windy today! Isn't that risky?" Riley whined, but entered the canoe. Abi and I were on board already.
"Riley! Don't worry! It's not risky; it's fun when the water is not too calm!" I promised him, took him by his wrist and helped him sit down in the front. After I gave him a life jacket, I gave one to Abi, put one on myself and sat down between them.
Riley only nodded.
When I saw that Riles was trembling, I couldn't help but smile. He might be the greatest pain in the butt, but he was still the kid that I rescued from the windowless little cubical that I found several years ago.
"What's up?" Abi whispered, her head on my shoulder.
"Nothing, honey." I kissed her cheek. I leaned forward so my mouth was next to Riley's left ear, and my right hand was on his right shoulder.
"You don't have to do this! You can wait by the van!" I whispered gently.
"No! It's just..." but his voice broke and he bite his lower lip.
"What is it? Talk to me, buddy!" something in his voice bewildered me.
"No, it's okay!" he said with a sad smile, that didn't reach his eyes.
"Guys, can we start?" Abi interrupted.
"Alright, let's go." I said. I sat up straight and pushed the canoe away from the coast with my paddle.
When I saw that Riley had tensed up, I really began to worry about him. He was never really fond of boats to begin with, but he was never afraid. What's going on?
ROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIP
After half an hour on the water I had to smile when Riley finally relaxed.
Unfortunately, he began to trust me that there was no danger.
"So let's see, where we can picnic!" I said and stood up to get a better view.
"Ben! Sit down!" Riley pleaded with panic in his voice when he looked up to me.
"It's okay, the canoe won't loose balance." I assured him.
"Oh god, Ben, please, we're swaying!" Oh! I didn't want to frighten him.
The canoe was swaying violently, but before I was able to sit down again, the canoe tipped over and we all fell into the river.
After I broke the surface, I looked around to see Abi and Riley reemerging too. Both of them were looking around anxious. When they faced me, Abs had a relieved smile on her face, but Riley was obviously upset. What was up with him?
"To the shore!" I ordered with a nod to the riverbank.
On land we all had to take a deep breath. I was the first, who looked up. Abi leaned against a stone, and laughed; it surprised the crap out of me, but she actually laughed!
"Abi?" I asked taken aback, while I was crawled to Riley. He was sitting by a tree, curled up and with his face in his hands.
"This was hilarious. Total lustig!" I didn't understand the second part, because it was in German. But it didn't matter, the only thing that mattered at the moment, was my trembling, best friend at my side.
"Is everything okay?" I asked, but he shrugged my hand off that I had placed on his shoulder.
The kid murmured something into his hands that I didn't understand.
"Beg pardon?" I asked gently, totally stunned at his harsh movement.
He jumped to his feet and I couldn't believe it when I saw the tears in his eyes. And I wasn't sure whether the dampness on his cheeks was only from the river.
"Ju- Just...leave me alone, Ben!" his voice was calm but trembled. He swallowed hard, turned around and left for the van.
Abi and I stared after him with open mouths.
"Riley!" Abi shouted, surprised like me. But he didn't slow down.
"What was that?" Abi asked, now by my side.
"Don't know." I shook my head sadly. "I didn't know he had any phobias. And canoes are definitely not one of them. We've done this before and had fun. And now he's suddenly so mad at me! Do you have any idea why?"
"Well, it was your fault. You ought to have sat down when he told you to!" she scolded.
"Maybe, but I really...He..." I began, but didn't know what to say. The kid seemed to be really irate.
"Let's go to the van and change clothes! Riley has no key." she took my hand in hers and together we walked to the van, silently.
ROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIPROADTRIP
A little bit of Riley- angst... He has something, that make everybody wants to 'torture ' him,...poor boy,...
What do you think about the chapter