Chapter 2

Riker POV

I immediately turned when I heard Megan scream.

"Gotcha!"

Ellington had his arms wrapped around Megan.

"Ellington, that was mean!" I shouted.

"What?" Asked Ellington.

"We thought we were being followed by a wild animal or something!" I shouted back.

"Nope!"

"Where's Ross?" I asked, still annoyed.

"Here," said Ross from a few feet away.

Ellington released Megan, and she quickly walked over to me. She looked terrified.

"Have you found anyone else yet?" I asked.

"Nope. You guys have to go home and wait at the base now," said Ross.

"Which way is home?" I asked.

Ross pointed in the right direction, as Megan and I started walking. After about 15 minutes of walking, we could see the lights from my house. We walked into the backyard, and sat in the grass next to the house.

I scooched closer to Megan, feeling a little bit cold without my sweatshirt. Megan was staring out into the woods. She still looked a bit scared.

"You ok?" I asked.

"Yeah, fine."

A few minutes later, Rocky and Toby came walking out of the woods toward us, obviously caught. They came and sat down in the grass next to us. Megan shot Toby a strange look before speaking.

"Toby, don't you think we should head home now?" Megan asked.

"Oh, yeah. We have to get up early tomorrow to go do that thing," said Toby quickly.

"I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow," said Megan as she stood up and handed me back my sweatshirt.

"Yeah. Thanks for coming over," I said.

I watched as they headed back to their house. That was a little weird. Rocky and I chatted until everyone was caught. Then we went inside and got ready for bed.

The Next Morning…

Riker POV

My eyes snapped open when I heard a loud thud. I turned over to see Rocky on the ground next to his bed.

"Rocky are you ok?" I asked, my words slurred together a little.

"Ugh, yeah."

"What happened?" I asked.

"I don't know… I guess I fell out of bed…"

I swung my legs over the side of my bed, deciding to get up. I walked downstairs to grab breakfast. Ross was already downstairs. He was sitting at the kitchen counter with a bowl of cereal in front of him. His head was resting on his hand and his eyes were closed.

"Ross." I said.

He didn't move.

"Ross!"

Ross woke up suddenly, falling off his chair and landing on the ground, just like Rocky this morning. I held my hand out to him, helping him stand up.

"Tired?" I asked.

"Little bit."

I walked over and made myself a bowl of cereal too, and sat down next to Ross.

"So what are you doing today?" Ross asked me.

"I don't know. I might see if Megan and Toby want to hang out or something."

I finished my cereal and walked back upstairs to my room. Rocky was still on the ground, but he had pulled his pillow and sheets down so he could stay where he was.

"Rocky! Get up!" I said, pushing him with my foot.

"Go away, Riker."

I grabbed my clothes and headed to the bathroom to get dressed.

Megan POV

I woke up, and immediately got dressed and combed my hair, knowing what had happened yesterday. I went to Toby's room to bug him to wake up as payback, since he woke me up yesterday.

"What?" Toby moaned as I shook him.

"Come on, get up!"

"Ugh!"

Toby and I walked downstairs to make breakfast. I made pancakes, while Toby was on my tablet looking up YouTube videos. Just then, the phone rang. I answered it.

"Hello?"

"Megan? This is Riker."

"Hey Riker."

"I was wondering if you and Toby wanted to come over and go swimming today...?"

"Hold on, let me ask him."

Toby looked up from my tablet.

"Riker wants to know if we want to come over and go swimming today."

"Sure."

"Riker?"

"Yeah?"

"We'd love to. What time?"

"Anytime you want."

"Ok, we'll see you later then."

I hung up the phone and finished making the pancakes. Toby and I watched YouTube while we ate.

"Do you want to get ready to go over there?" I asked.

"Yeah," said Toby, standing up from the kitchen counter.

We both walked upstairs, got changed, and met back downstairs. We walked over, and were greeted at the door by Riker.

"Hey, you guys made it!" Said Riker.

"Yup," I said.

Riker led us through the house to the back door. Once outside, I could see Ryland, Rocky, Ross, Rydel, and Ellington were already in the pool. There was something about the freshness of the cool morning air that made me shiver as I walked over to the pool with Riker and Toby. Toby immediately took off his shirt and jumped in the water. I put my towel down on a chair as Riker came over to me. I jumped back when I turned around, seeing Riker standing right behind me. Riker laughed.

He suddenly grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the diving board.

"You first," he said.

"Me first what? I can't do anything!" I said.

Riker laughed as he grabbed my legs, and swung me over his shoulder. He stepped up to the diving board as I started freaking out.

"Riker put me down!" I screamed.

Riker let me slide backwards, so I was now face to face with him. He jumped off the diving board, still holding me.

"RIKER!" I screamed, as I grabbed around his neck.

I held on to Riker as he came back up to the surface, still holding me in his arms. I started coughing, and he brought me over to the side of the pool so I could hold on and catch my breath.

"Are you ok?" Riker asked.

"I was fine until I was thrown in the pool," I said back.

"I wasn't going to let you get in like a normal person," said Riker, smirking at me.

Toby swam over to me, making sure I was ok. Rydel helped me out of the pool. We walked over and sat down in the grass.

"So do you guys want to stay for lunch?" Rydel asked.

"Yeah, do you need help making it or anything?" I asked.

"I was actually going to order pizza."

"Oh, cool."

"I'll go order now," said Rydel, standing up.

I got up, walked back over to the pool, and sat down at the edge. Riker swam over, grabbed my legs, and slowly started pulling me into the pool.

"Riker don't!" I screamed, turning over on my stomach, trying to hold onto anything I could.

Riker put his arm around my waist and dragged me into the pool anyway.

"Riker!" I shouted.

My arms were splashing around like crazy. Riker was still holding me from behind, spinning me around in circles.

"Riker! Stop! I'm dizzy!" I shouted.

Riker couldn't stop laughing. He finally stopped spinning me, and brought me back to the side of the pool.

Toby POV

I had to keep watching Megan and Riker. I knew she wasn't the best at swimming, and I wasn't sure I liked how Riker kept pulling her in. I thought it was sweet how he seemed a bit protective of her though. He always made sure she was ok, and brought her back to the side of the pool.

I watched as Rydel came back outside and jumped into the pool right next to Ellington, splashing him in the face.

A little while later, the pizza arrived, and we all went inside for lunch. We sat on the ground on towels in their living room, eating pizza.

"So what do you guys want to do after lunch?" Rocky asked.

"We could watch a movie," said Ross.

"The TV isn't set up yet," said Rydel.

"We could watch it at our house," I offered.

"Ok," said Rocky.

We finished eating lunch, and headed over to my house, still wet from the pool. Megan led them inside to the living room. Ryland, Rocky, and I picked out a movie. Much to my dismay, they picked a horror movie. I liked horror movies, but my sister didn't. Rydel went with Megan to make popcorn. I closed the blinds, and turned off the lights. It was almost completely dark, except for the glow of the TV. Megan and Rydel came back with 4 bowls of popcorn. Ryland, Rocky, Rydel, and Ellington all sat on one couch. Ross and I sat down on the smaller one, leaving Megan to sit on the floor right next to Riker.

I started the movie, glancing down every now and then at Megan and Riker. My sister was now crouched in a ball, hugging her knees to her chest, staring at the TV screen. It was killing me inside seeing her so scared. Riker noticed me looking over there, so I quickly looked away, not daring to look back.

Riker POV

I noticed Toby looking over here. I looked next to me to find Megan frozen in a ball. I gently slid my hand behind her back and around her shoulder. She flinched, quickly looking over at me. I pulled her closer to me until our shoulders were touching. I could feel her starting to relax a little bit.

I continued watching the movie from the ground, still next to Megan. She eventually rested her head against my shoulder, so I pulled her slightly closer to me.

2 Hours Later…

The movie was finally over. Megan pulled away from me, getting up and walking into the other room. I followed her into the kitchen, carrying the empty popcorn bowls.

"Oh, thanks," said Megan when I handed her the bowls.

Toby walked into the kitchen. He walked over to Megan, whispered something to her, and left.

"Riker, we were wondering if you guys wanted to stay for dinner tonight," said Megan.

"Yeah, that sounds great."

"Ok, well my mom gets home in an hour, so what do you want to do until then?" Megan asked.

"We could go swimming again."

"Ok…"

Megan went back in the living room to tell the others. I stood in the kitchen, not knowing what to do next. Rocky and Ellington came into the kitchen, talking about the movie.

"Are you guys ready to go swimming?" I asked.

"Yeah, let's go," said Rocky.

Everyone caught up with us at our house. Megan stood near the edge of the pool, watching Rocky attempting to launch Ryland in the air. I walked up next to her.

"Hey," I said.

"Oh, hey," said Megan.

"Are you going to go swimming?" I asked.

"I don't know. It's a little bit cold."

I could see through to her nerves. She obviously wasn't comfortable around the water. I didn't want to force her into the water like I had done earlier.

Ellington came running up behind me, and shoved me towards the water. I grabbed his arm, sending us both flying into the water in crazy poses.

When I came back up to the surface, I saw Ross running towards the pool, being chased by Rocky. Ross jumped far into the center of the pool. Rocky slipped, knocking Megan off balance. She screamed as she fell into the water.

I immediately swam over to her. She came back up coughing, and grabbed my arm. I pulled her to the edge of the pool as she regained her breath. Toby quickly swam over to us.

"Megan, are you ok?" Toby asked.

"Yeah," Megan replied, still coughing.

Megan got out of the pool and stood a few feet from the edge.

"Hey Toby, I think I'm going to head home and get changed. Mom's going to be home soon, so I'll help her make dinner for all of us," said Megan.

Megan started walking home.

"I should really go help her," said Toby, as he got out of the water.

"Aw, do you have to?" Asked Ryland.

"I really should. You guys can come over at 6:00. Dinner will be ready by then. Maybe we can do something else afterwards," said Toby.

"Alright, we'll see you later," said Ellington.

Toby POV

As soon as I was at the front of the Lynch's house, I sprinted home.

"Megan?" I called.

I knew she had to be in her room. I ran upstairs.

"Megan? Are you ok?" I asked, walking into her room.

Megan turned to me, tears falling down her face. I ran over to her, giving her a hug.

"Hey, calm down. You're ok," I said.

"That was really scary," said Megan.

"You're ok."

"Why are you here?"

"Because I knew you were freaked out by what just happened. I could see it in your eyes."

"I can't go back over there. I can't see them tonight for dinner! I can't face them!"

Megan wrapped her arms even tighter around my shoulders.

"Why not? They don't know what happened. If I didn't know you were scared of the water, I wouldn't have noticed anything. They think you went home to help with dinner."

"I just can't. Not tonight."

"Do you want me to cancel the dinner then?"

"No. That would just make it even more embarrassing. Just tell them I don't feel well."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Megan grabbed her clothes and went to the bathroom. I walked downstairs just as my mom got home.

"Hey mom?"

"Yeah?"

"Megan and I invited the Lynch kids over for dinner tonight. And Ellington. Can you make a larger dinner tonight?"

"Yeah, that's great you guys are hanging out."

"Yeah…"

6:00…

Toby POV

I heard knocking on the door, and ran downstairs to answer it. I led the Lynch kids and Ellington to the kitchen table where my dad was seated already. My mom still was bringing the food to the table. I ran upstairs to talk to Megan one last time, making sure she was ok with this.

"Hey, are you sure you don't want to come down?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'm still a little shaken. I just… can't right now. I'm sorry. I just… can't. I feel so nervous around them," said Megan.

"You didn't look nervous when Riker put his arm around you during the movie."

Megan shot me an annoyed look.

"If any of them ever do anything, you tell me, and I'll take care of it. Ok?"

"Yeah."

I quickly walked back downstairs to the kitchen table where everyone was waiting for me and Megan.

"Where's Megan?" Asked Riker.

"She's in bed. She isn't feeling very well," I said.

"Here Toby, bring her some dinner," my mom said, holding out a plate of food.

I took the plate and walked upstairs again.

"Guess who asked where you were," I said.

"Who?"

"Riker. You should have seen his face when I said you were in bed because you weren't feeling well. He was obviously hoping you would be there."

"Really?"

"Yup. Here, mom wanted me to bring you dinner."

"Thanks."

"I'll see you later."

"Toby, wait."

"What?"

"Do you have something against Riker?"

"No… I just think you need to be careful around him."

Megan POV

I watched as Toby gave me a weird look as he left. What was it about Riker that he was skeptical about?

I ate my dinner, happy I didn't have to eat downstairs. I didn't want anyone to bring anything up about the pool. They didn't need to know I couldn't swim.

A little while late, I could hear plates banging. I knew everyone had to be cleaning up from dinner.

Riker POV

"Hey Toby, can I use your bathroom?" I asked, as we cleaned up from dinner.

"Yeah."

Toby led me into the hall.

"Oh, someone's in there. There's another bathroom upstairs to the left," said Toby.

"Thanks."

I quickly jogged up the stairs. The hallway was dark. Where had he said the bathroom was? I forgot… I opened the first door I came to. Wrong choice…

"Megan?"

"Riker!"

I was standing in Megan's doorway. Megan was laying on top of her bed with her dinner on her lap, watching TV.

"What are you doing here?" Megan asked.

"Sorry, are you ok? Toby said you weren't feeling too well."

"Uh, yeah. I'm feeling better now."

"That's good. Uh, where's the bathroom?"

"Across the hall."

"Thanks."

Megan POV

Toby came into my room 30 seconds after Riker left. He ran in and closed my door.

"What was Riker doing in here!?" Toby was almost shouting.

"Calm down! He was just looking for the bathroom. What are you so concerned about?"

"I don't want you to be alone with him."

"Why?"

"He's bad news, Megan."

"What do you mean? He hasn't done anything wrong."

"I just don't want you alone with him, ok?"

"Toby, he's 19, same age as you. And I'm 17. I think we're old enough to be in a room alone without your supervision."

"Megan, please. Humor me, at least for this situation. Please?"

"I really don't know why I should."

"Hey, I lied for you tonight! This is the least you can do for me. Besides, you said you felt nervous around them!"

"I do, but-"

"Megan, let me get to know them better, and then we'll talk about this."

"But why Riker? Why not anyone else?"

"Mainly because he's older than you. But…This goes for any of the guys, not just Riker."

"No, Toby wait! Earlier, you said I should be careful around him. Why?"

"No, I said all of them."

"No, you said Riker. What do you have against him?"

"Megan, you're my little sister. I just don't want to see you get hurt. I think it would be a smart idea if you stayed away from him."

"Ugh, Toby wait!"

"We'll talk about this later. Not right now."

Toby walked out my door, leaving it open. I knew he left it open on purpose, just to annoy me.

10 minutes later, I went downstairs, bringing my dinner plate with me. As I walked into the kitchen, I saw Ellington go through the living room door. The lights were off in there, and I suspected they were watching a movie. It was just my luck that Riker came into the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Hey, Megan!" Said Riker.

"Hey. Do you need something?" I asked.

"Uh, yeah. Could I have a glass of water?"

"Yeah, sure," I said, taking out a glass from the cabinet.

"So, you're feeling better right?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to watch a movie with us? Your brother made popcorn."

"Uh…"

I wanted to watch a movie with them. I was worried it would be scary though. And I knew Toby would only want me to sit next to him, and nobody else. Hmmm…

"Come on," said Riker, pulling my hand.

"Hold on. I have to shut the light off in my room. I'll be right back."

I ran up the stairs, flicked the light off in my room, and grabbed a blanket off my bed. When I came back downstairs, Riker was still standing in the kitchen, waiting for me. He put his arm around me as we walked into the dark living room. We sat next to each other on the floor like earlier today. I looked over at my brother. He was giving me a "what do you think you're doing" look. I turned away from him and unfolded my blanket. Riker grabbed the side of it, and helped spread it out over both of us. I smiled at him before returning my attention to the movie.

2 Hours Later…

Riker POV

When the movie was over, Toby quickly got up and flicked the lights on, making us all groan from the bright light. He walked over to me and Megan.

"Megan, can I talk to you for a second?" Toby asked.

"Now? WHA!"

Megan had suddenly been pulled forcefully into a standing position by Toby. He practically dragged her out of the room. Everyone else was chatting about the movie and didn't seem to notice what had just happened. I remained on the ground under the dark blue blanket Megan had brought down. I enjoyed the warmth of it, dreading the moment I would have to get up and walk home in the cool night air.

Megan came back into the living room, Toby at her side. I reluctantly stood up, folded her blanket, and handed it to her. Everyone started filing out into the kitchen to say goodbyes. Toby headed upstairs as Megan walked out the front door and stood on her porch, watching us walk home. I was the last one to leave, on purpose.

"Megan?" I asked.

"Yeah?"

"Can I have your number? It would be a lot easier to text you instead of walking over here to invite you and Toby to come over."

Ok, so maybe that's not why I wanted her number, but she didn't need to know that…

"Yeah."

I handed her my phone and watched as she added herself as a contact.

"Here," said Megan, handing my phone back.

"Thanks. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."

I smiled at her before turning and walking back to my house.

Megan POV

I walked up to my room, still holding the blanket Riker had folded. Once Toby saw me come upstairs, he followed me into my room.

"What did I literally just say before the movie?" Toby said, trying to be quiet as to not wake our parents.

"I wasn't alone with him! I was in a room full of people, including you!"

"Megan, I feel like he's trying to get closer to you. I don't think you should be dating him."

"We're not dating! Toby, we're barely even friends! We just met the other day. Can you lay off a little?"

"I'm sorry. I just don't want to see you get hurt. I'll give you some space."

"Thank you," I said, hugging him.

My phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the text.

"Just confirming this is your number. ~ Riker"

"Who is it? Kayla?" Toby asked.

"Uhhh…"