Chapter 28

Thursday Morning…

Riker POV

I had woken up late today. I missed Alex going to school this morning. What was she keeping from me? That was all I could think about.

I walked downstairs to find everyone else already awake.

"Rough night?" Rocky asked.

"I couldn't sleep."

"That sucks. Have some pancakes."

After I had breakfast, I showered, and then headed to the beach. Rydel came down to keep me company, but also to get a tan. She ended up falling asleep, and I didn't have anyone to talk to.

Later…

Riker POV

I watched as Alex walked to her house with Katelyn. She looked like she was upset about something, but I couldn't hear them, so I wasn't sure. I helped Rydel and Rocky make dinner, and then played a card game with everyone.

"Riker, what's up with you tonight? You haven't won any rounds yet! This is your best game!" Said Rydel.

"Something's just on my mind."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Ok. Rocky, it's your deal."

Alex POV

"I need to ask you a huge favor," I said to Katelyn.

"What?"

"Are you still grounded?"

"No…?"

"I need to spend the night at your place."

"Sure. Why?"

"Well, Riker knows I'm hiding something from him. I told him that we'd talk on Friday. I know he's going to try to catch me before school tomorrow if he sees me. If I spend the night at your place, I can go to school, and he can go have an awesome interview, and then I can crush him to pieces."

"Great plan. Not! Can't you do anything?"

"I don't know. I've been thinking about it, but I'm just not sure…"

"Well, you should think fast. You have less than a day before he hunts you down for answers."

Friday Morning…

Riker POV

I set my alarm last night so I wouldn't oversleep today. I needed to talk to Alex before she went to school. I made sure to be out on my porch extra early today.

I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited… No Alex… How had I missed her? I decided to text her.

"Alex? Where are you?"

"In chemistry class…? I can't talk now. If my teacher catches me texting, I'll get in trouble. I'll text you in half an hour."

How was she at school? Did she leave early to avoid me? UGH!

I went back inside and flopped on the couch.

"What are you doing?" Asked Ross.

"Trying to erase everything from my head," I said.

"Why?"

"Because the world is too confusing!" I said, sitting up.

"Well go erase your brain while you get ready. Rydel wants to leave in 45 minutes."

I walked up the stairs slowly, dragging my feet. I passed by Rydel. She was in the bathroom doing her makeup.

"Hey Rydel?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I borrow that stuff you cover up acne with?"

"Concealer?"

"Uh, sure…?"

"Yeah, here."

I put the stuff all over my face. I had to look perfect for the interview. I walked back to my room and got dressed after combing my hair.

"What time will you be back from your interview?" Alex texted me.

"Probably around 3:00. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"You said you'd talk to me today, remember?"

"Yes, I promised. I have to go. English class is starting. Bye."

We all got in the car and went to the interview.

Later…

Alex POV

I got off the bus and walked to my house, Katelyn by my side.

"So when does he get back from the interview?"

"3:00."

"You're going to tell him, right?"

"Yeah… I have to. I can't keep this from him any longer. It hurts me so much inside every time I think about it. I'm scared, Katelyn!"

"He won't blame you, if that's what you're worried about."

"No. I'm just worried about his relationship with his family. This could potentially screw up a lot of things. Can we not talk about this right now?"

"Sure. Let's watch some TV."

We went to my bedroom and turned the TV on. I let Katelyn pick a show on Netflix.

"Why do you keep looking out the window?" Katelyn asked.

"Sorry, I'm just waiting to see when Riker comes home."

"More like paranoid he's going to come home."

Hours Later…

Riker POV

As soon we pulled in the driveway, I jumped out and ran straight over to Alex's and knocked on the door.

"Riker? I thought you were supposed to be home at 3:00? It's 5:30 now."

"I know, I'm sorry. Let me take you out for dinner."

"Now? Katelyn's coming to sleepover at 8:00."

"We'll have time. Please, come on. I'll drive you."

"Uh, ok. Let me change into something else first."

"Ok, can I use your bathroom?"

"Yeah…? You don't have to ask."

I drove Alex to a fancy restaurant. I pulled her chair out for her as we sat down at the table. We ordered our food, and I asked Alex about what she was going to tell me.

"So… It's Friday," I said.

"Yup…"

"Do you want to talk about-"

"Riker, I'll tell you, but after dinner. This isn't something I can talk about while eating pasta at a fancy restaurant."

"Ok..."

"Please, let's just talk about something else."

"Ok, well what did you do today?"

"School. Pick something else. It's the weekend. I don't want to think about it."

2 Hours Later…

Riker POV

After a few hours of awkward conversations, I drove Alex home. We snuck past her parents, and went to her room to talk. Alex sat down on her bed and started panicking.

"Alex, what is it? Tell me!"

"You're going to hate me after I tell you this!"

"Alex-"

"I have to tell you! I promised!"

"Alex, I could never hate you! You have to know that!"

"I shouldn't be telling you this! UGH!"

"Alex, calm down. It's going to be ok."

I sat facing Alex on her bed. She was shaking, so I took her hands in mine, trying to calm her down.

"You remember the day you all made up?"

"Yeah."

"Right when you all were leaving, Rocky whispered something to me..."

"Alex, please go on. I'm listening."

Alex got up and walked to the other side of her room, facing away from me.

"He said I made a mistake dating you, and if I ever even thought about hurting you, he'd kill me."

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

"I didn't want to ruin your interview! I had just gotten you all back together in time for your interview. I didn't want to undo everything I just fixed."

"That is not ok! I won't let him threaten you like that! I'm sure he would never hurt you though. Come here."

I got up and walked over to Alex to give her a hug.

"Riker, you should have seen the way he looked at me. It felt like he would do anything to me just to keep you safe, no matter what it was! You can't tell him I told you!" Said Alex, pulling away from me.

"Alex, come here! Let's talk about this."

I grabbed her hand and pulled her to her bed.

"Alex, we need to talk about this."

"I can't!"

"Alex, please. I'll help you."

Alex looked down, biting her lip.

"I'll talk to him. That was wrong of him to say that. I'll fix things."

I watched her get up and walk to the other side of her room again.

"Alex…"

"I don't know if I should date you anymore…"

"Alex-"

"Maybe I did make a mistake."

"What do you mean!?"

"Maybe Rocky's right. I was crazy to think this could ever work!"

"Alex, please don't say that!"

"Maybe we need to take a break. From us."

"No Alex, please-"

"I need to think. Please, just go home."

"Wait! Are you breaking up with me!?"

Alex looked at the ground.

"I'm sorry. I just can't do this right now," said Alex, as she walked out of her room, and out the front door.

"Alex!"

As Alex started running down the road, she passed Ross, who stopped her in her tracks.

"Alex, what's going on?" Ross asked.

"I just can't talk to him right now!" Alex cried, as she wrapped her arms around Ross's neck.

Ross hugged her back and turned to me. His mouth was open like he wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what.

"What do you want me to do?" Ross asked Alex.

"Take me home. Please."

Ross put his arm around her shoulder and walked her back to her house. I felt jealous of Ross. I wanted so badly to be the one walking her home, comforting her. I walked back to my house, and went to my room. Just when I thought things were getting back to normal, they started falling apart again.