Hello everyone sorry for the long wait but writers block and work aren't letting up. Hopefully this chapter makes up for it.

Beta read by Sabrina06

I only own Ryan

Normal POV

Phineas, Ferb, Isabella, and Katie came in. Ryan got up to greet them though he was unsure of what to say. There was an uneasy silence in the room. Isabella was the first to break the silence. "How are you doing?"

Ryan rubbed the back of his neck and said, "Um fine I guess… that is if you count everything that happened in the park, being sedated, put on anti-depressants and diagnosed with PTSD, fine."

"The antidepressants I can understand but why did they diagnosed you with PTSD?" Phineas questioned.

Ryan sat down on the bed and invited the group to sit. Katie sat down on the bed next to him, Ferb sat in the chair, Phineas and Isabella sat on the couch.

Ryan continued, "As you may have guessed, my life hasn't been the best. I've struggled with people bullying me, being alone with no friends, struggling with autism, and my family being torn apart. My mother has been the only one there for me."

"Speaking of family," Katie began as she reached into her pocket. "I think you will like this back." She continued as she pulled out his locket and held it in front of him.

"My locket," Ryan said as he took hold of it and examined it. He put it on, opened it, and smiled. He then looked towards Katie and said, "Thank you for giving it back; it's very sentimental to me."

Katie took a deep breath and asked, "What was your sister like?"

Ryan looked back at his locket and said, "She could always make you smile no matter the mood you were in. She would always try to help others in need. She loved to sing and be outdoors, she also couldn't stand being inside for long periods of time. Her favorite hangout was the nearby park. I can still remember the time when she fractured her leg by falling out of a tree and the doctor put her on bed rest for a couple of weeks until it healed; boy did she go stir crazy."

He then turned to everyone else and continued, "When she died I felt like I had failed. I had failed her."

"Ryan you didn't fail her." Isabella stated.

"Yes I did," he snapped at her. "I could have stopped her and she would still be here today if I had just been there." He then got up and looked out the window and said, "I think its best you all leave now. Thank you for checking up on me, but I want to be alone."

Everyone got up and began walking out the door Katie was the last to leave. She turned around and looked at Ryan, who was still staring outside; she then turned again and walked out closing the door behind her.

The group of friends gathered in the hallway.

"I wish he would just open up to us. It's so frustrating that he won't talk no matter how much we try to help him." Katie complained.

"He's been through several traumatic experiences and hasn't exactly had the time to cope with them. He's been through a lot this past week; he still needs time before he'll open up to us. We're still strangers to him, and he doesn't trust easily." Ferb stated.

"Katie, just be patient he'll come around eventually." Isabella said.

"No, last time I was patient he nearly killed himself I'm going back in to talk to him." Katie stated as she reentered the room.

"Katie-," Isabella began

"Let her go." Phineas interrupted her, "She was the first one he actually befriended let's see if she can break through when they're alone. I also get the sense that he see's something in her, though I'm not sure what." He then started to walk towards the exit.

Ferb and Isabella looked towards him confused, then looking at each other and shrugged before catching up with him.

Ryan's POV

While I am grateful that I got my locket back and see that people care about me. I'm still not sure about telling them my story. I just need some time to think. I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes.

I heard the door open and I opened my eyes to see who entered. It was Katie.

"I thought I asked you to leave." I stated as I sat up

"Last time you asked me to leave and I did, you tried to kill yourself." She stated back as she crossed her arms.

"Why are you so persistent on talking to me when I want to be alone?" I asked her, annoyed.

"Because, you don't need to face your fears and problems alone, that's what I'm trying to show you, you can trust me." She answered.

"Really Katie, don't you think I have tried to talk to other people about my problems. Let me tell you a little thing about my life. The first people, who I trusted with my secrets betrayed and used them against me to make my life hell. What's to say you won't do the same?" I harshly stated.

"Nothing, but please give me a chance."

I laughed and said, "You're just like my sister, stubborn and persistent. She could always tell when something was bothering me, even though I tried my best to hide it. She wouldn't stop bothering me until I told her."

"Sounds like you two were close." Katie said as she sat down next to me.

"We were each other's only friend sometimes, the other being the shoulder to cry on or listen to the troubles that we went through. At time I felt like a parent and she was my child trying my best to comfort her when she was sad. There were times were she told me that she didn't want to live anymore. I told her that I knew what she was going through because I felt the same way." I stated as my eyes began to water.

"What happened to her, Ryan?" Katie asked.

"I can't tell you. I'm sorry, but I can't go back there. All I can tell you is that I failed her." I said through the tears. As I began to cry I felt Katie arms wrap around me. My body tensed up ready to react, but I managed to control it. Could this be the beginning of me trusting, I thought to myself.

As she let go she asked, "Why didn't you try to grab me?"

"I think it's because I'm finally learning to trust. Only a real friend would try this hard to get to know me. Thank you Katie" I replied.

"Anytime, maybe we can talk again tomorrow?" She asked.

"I would like that very much." I replied.

We gave each other another hug and said our goodbyes. As she closed the door behind her I hugged my legs to my chest and couldn't help but think about what my mother said.

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