.:CHAPTER SEVENTEEN – The Morning After:.

Kendall shook slightly, opening his eyes when he heard a beeping sound. As he looked around, he noticed that he wasn't in his room. Disoriented, he sat up and turned his wrist to his face, looking at his watch. He pressed the button on the side and yawned again when it saw that it was only 5:00 in the morning.

At the sound of a sigh beside him, Kendal nearly jumped out of his skin, but then relaxed when he saw that Riley was beside him, her bare back was facing him and she was breathing deeply, obviously asleep. In the light of his watch he spotted the tattoo that was on her back as well as a few of the scars that she had. Frowning, he reached out and lightly touched one.

With a start, Riley's eyes flew open and she quickly flipped around, pulling the sheet up her chest. "Don't do that, you dill!" she whispered when she realized that it was him. "You scared me half to death!"

"Sorry," Kendall apologized. "Sorry, I was just looking at some of the scars…on your back." He rubbed his neck. "They must have hurt." He made a face; one that mirrored Riley's when he realized how lame it sounded. "Yeah, I know." He stated, knowing that that was what she was thinking too.

"Um," Riley pulled the sheet up to her neck. She tilted her head down, her black hair falling over her face, and held out her right hand shyly looking up at Kendall through her hair. "Could you hand me my clothes?"

Kendall, suddenly aware of his own nakedness, slid out of the bed and onto the floor. He grabbed his underwear and his pants and slid them on, before standing up and collecting his shirt, shoes and socks, and well as Riley's clothes. He looked away as he handed her clothes out to her. He turned his back to her, his thoughts racing a mile a minute as he waited for her to get dressed.

I can't believe that we slept together! Kendall thought with a frown as he pulled his shirt on over his head, before bending down to put on his shoes and socks. Ugh, she probably hates me now, I mean, I just broke up with Jo, Riley and I hadn't even started dating and I like, jumped her. Well, she did say that it was ok, and we did use protection, so I have no worries there. But what if-

"You can turn back around now," Riley's voice stated, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Kendall hesitantly looked over his shoulder, and then turned around completely when he was sure that she was completely dressed. The two didn't say anything for a while; they just kept looking at each other, each waiting for the other to say something first.

Riley started to say something, but Kendall didn't hear her because she was speaking so quietly.

"I'm sorry," Kendall took a hesitant step towards her, but kept his distance all the same. "What did you say?"

"Did it…feel awkward to you at all…?" Riley asked, wringing her hands together, acting very much unlike herself. But it was like Logan had told Kendall before, Riley used her tough exterior and acted like nothing bothered her as a façade, as she was actually a very sensitive person and cared about others to the point where she wanted to please them before herself. "I mean…what we did…?"

"No, not at all," Kendall replied honestly. "To be perfectly honest, I've had sex once before, with my girlfriend at the time, and we both knew that it felt awkward. But with you…at the risk of sounding corny…it felt right." He studied her face. "Was it your first time?"

"Well, considering the fact that I don't really trust guys, yeah I'd think it would be," Riley replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Kendall knew that that was her way of showing him that she was relaxing again. Her face softened. "Yes, it was."

"Um," Kendall licked his lips. "Did it… did I…hurt you in some way? Is that why you were crying?" At her blank look, he clarified. "Yesterday, when I found you."

"No," Riley shook her head, starting to rub her left arm. "That's not why I…" she let out a breath. "Look, can we just, talk about this later? I have to get home…so my sister and the boys…and Ronan know I'm ok and everything…"

Great, now I've scared her away. Kendall nodded slowly.

Riley gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek and then walked over to the door to the empty apartment and looked back at Kendall as she opened the door. "I'll see you later, Hockey-Head." She gave a soft smile.

Kendall smiled back.

A/N: Yeah, I know, one of the shortest chapters of the story, I wasn't really sure what to do before this chapter and the next one, so it's a filler. I might update again later today to make up for it, but if not, I'll just update tomorrow. Only two chapters left.

Oh and Rhuben and I were talking last night and we realized that many of the things that we have put into our stories have also coincidentally been put into an episode of BTR. It's a weird 'coincedence'. I might upload the next chapter later today, so keep your eyes peeled.

Cheers,

-Riles