Littleton Colorado, May 31st 2005

Sunday, 9:45 p.m.

Iris's P.O.V

"Ryland," I said scared. He jumped up from where he was looking at the flowers and ran over to me.

"What is it Rissy?" He asked sensing my fear.

"That boy is coming out here. Run inside and get Riker now!" He nodded and bolted inside just as Gerald was coming out.

He smiled coyly and said, "Wanted us to be alone, I see. Well, it's about time you started reciprocating my feelings." He said backing me up against the railing.

"Get over yourself White and leave me alone." I spat.

Come on Riker, where are you?

Gerald leaned in close to my face and had his arms on each side of me, blocking me from escaping. "Playing hard to get. I like that." He went to kiss me but I punched him in the gut. He doubled over in pain and I ran to the door, but he grabbed me around the waist and slung me back. "That really hurt. Not very lady-like of you Iris. Your little date won't be here."

I gulped and got ready to fight.

Riker's P.O.V

Rocky and I got back to the table and saw that no one was there.

"Where is everybody?" Rocky asked as he set the glasses of water down.

"I don't know."

Just then Rydel walked back over to the table and said, "Where's Ross, Ryland, and Iris?"

We just shook our heads and Ross came back to the table. "Where were you?" I asked him.

"I had to go to the bathroom. I left Iris and Ryland here though."

My eyes widened and I scanned the crowd looking for Iris or Ryland. I didn't see either. I didn't see Gerald either, but his parents were still here. I gulped and looked back to our group. "Gerald's not here either."

Everyone's eyes widened with panic. I looked around one more time and saw Ryland push through some people and run over to us. His cheeks were red from running. "Riker! Iris is in trouble out on the patio! It's that boy!"

I looked up to everyone and we all burst into a run, "Ryland! Get mom and dad!" I called back to him.

God, please let her be okay.

We reached the patio and my heart dropped into my stomach at what I saw. Gerald, punching Iris in the face, Iris falling to the ground clutching her eye. I burst through the patio door and Gerald whipped around surprised. I grabbed him by the shoulders and punched him square in the jaw. He stumbled backwards, and then lunged at me. Rocky came up behind him and kicked him in the legs, hard. He fell to the ground, and then lunged at Rocky. I jumped on him and picked him up by the shirt collar. I punched him in the gut until I heard the door swing open. I made the mistake of looking back and he punched me right in the eye. My vision went blurry for a second. I heard my dad yelling at Rocky or Ross to get the cops. I regained my control and noticed my dad holding Gerald back while my mom looked at me. The doors flung open again and April and Martin came out with the cops and Ross. They handcuffed Gerald and took him inside. I looked over at Iris and wanted to cry. She was lying unconscious on the floor. Her ankle looked broken and she had a nasty black eye and bruises on her arms and jaw line. Rydel sat huddled in the corner crying and mom and April were trying to wake her up. April had tears rolling down her cheeks but didn't make any sobbing noises.

Martin came over to me and checked out my eye real quick and said, "We need to get them both to the hospital now."

My dad nodded and pulled out his cell phone to call an ambulance. I walked over to Iris's unconscious body and kneeled beside her head. I started stroking her hair and rubbing her cheekbones. I felt tears slowly prick at my eyes until they rolled down my cheeks. Rydel was sobbing in the corner so I crawled over and set her on my lap. She clutched onto my shirt and began crying even harder. I heard sirens and saw flashing lights when two men with a gurney burst through the patio doors and lifted Iris onto it. One strapped her up while the other one looked at me.

"You look pretty bad too. Come with us."

I nodded and followed them back through the ballroom. Everyone stared and was dead silent. I heard one elderly woman whisper, "Shame. Hope she's all right. So pretty to be beaten like that."

I held in my tears and ran through the doors and climbed onto the back of the ambulance. I held onto Iris's hands as one man gave me some painkillers and water. I swallowed them and he started rubbing cream on my eye. Then a lady with a clipboard came over and sat beside me.

"What's your name, son?"

I swallowed and said, "Riker Anthony Lynch."

"Birthday?" she asked.

"November 8, 1991." I replied.

"Phone number?"

"625-7309."

She nodded and wrote down on her clipboard, "Address?"

"3609 South Gordon St."

She wrote that down on her clipboard and said, "Do you know her information as well?" She pointed over to Iris and I nodded.

"Iris Marie Acker, May 8, 1991, 652-9603, 3612 South Gordon St." I finished and she wrote that down on her clipboard before scooting over to Iris and taking her pulse. We arrived at the hospital and had to wait in the waiting area while they worked on her. A nurse came out and bandaged my hand since I broke my knuckles.

"Is she going to be okay?" I asked him, as he was finishing up.

"She should be alright. They just took her in for a scan. She should be out any minute now."

I nodded and he walked off. Five minutes later, everyone else burst through the door and ran over to me. Before they could ask any questions I said, "The nurse said she'd be alright. They took her in for a CAT scan and should be out any minute."

A nurse cam out and said, "Iris Acker?"

We all stood up and Martin and April went over and said, "Yes. We are her parents."

She nodded and handed her Iris's dress, jewelry, and bobby pins. "She'll be out in just a minute but she can't have those on in the scanner."

April nodded and walked out to put it in the car. She came back in and fifteen minutes later, a doctor came out. "Iris is awake. She has a broken ankle, a black eye, and some bruises, but she'll be fine."

We all sighed in relief and he continued saying, "Visitors are welcome, but only one or two at a time." He walked back but turned around and said, "She's a brave girl. Told us the whole story. You'll find it quite riveting the way she describes it." He chuckled and walked off.

April and Martin went first and they stayed for fifteen minutes. Then Mom and Dad went and stayed for the same amount of time. Rydel and Rocky were next and they stayed for fifteen

. Rocky came back out and said, "She is the coolest person ever!"

I smiled slightly. Ross and Ryland went next and stayed in there for twenty minutes. It was finally my turn. I slowly got up and made my way to room 316.

I opened the door and heard a faint, "It's about time you showed up."

I smiled a little and walked over to her side of the bed. I pulled the chair up and grabbed her hand in both of mine. Her hair was splayed across her shoulders in waves and braids. The gold in it was twinkling from the harsh light above her head. Her face was paler than usual and there was light bruising up and down her jaw line. "My god, Rissy. What did that monster do to you?"

Her pale pink lips trembled a little and I reached out to rub her cheek lightly. She nuzzled her cheek into my palm and a tear rolled down her pale cheek. I got up and kissed it away before she started to tell me the most horrifying story I ever heard.

Iris's P.O.V

I took in a deep breath and started telling the story for what seemed like the fifth time that night. "I went out onto the patio with Ryland to get some fresh air. I was going to go alone but Ryland told me not to. I was just leaning up against the railing while Ryland was playing with the flowers when I saw Gerald coming to me through the glass doors. I told Ryland to go and get you. Gerald walked out and said how it was smart that I wanted us to be alone and how it was about time I reciprocated his feelings." I felt Riker's hand tense up and looked at him. He was mad. I rubbed his knuckles and picked up where I left off. "He backed me up against the railing and put his arms on both sides of me so I couldn't get away. I told him to get over himself and leave me alone. He smirked and said I was playing hard to get and how he liked it. He tried to kiss me but I punched him in the gut and ran to leave." Tears started to roll down my cheeks by then. I didn't cry when I told the others but this time I wasn't just telling a story. I was re-living it to Riker. He got closer to the bed and started wiping my tears away. I could tell he wanted to cry too.

"Then what happened?" He whispered in a scared voice.

"He grabbed me around the waist and slung me back. I hit the railing and twisted my ankle in those stupid heels. He grabbed my arms tightly and I started struggling. That's how I got the bruises on my arms. He looked at me and said how that wasn't lady like and really hurt. He also said, 'Your little date won't be here to save you.'"

I stopped and this time I really did see tears roll down his cheeks. I scooted over and pat the space next to me. He carefully climbed on and wrapped his arms around me pulling my upper body onto his chest. I looked up at him and he looked down at me. I wiped the tears off his face and kissed his cheek. I nuzzled my head into the crook of his neck with one hand resting on his chest. I took another deep breath and breathed in his scent. It instantly relaxed me and I finished my story. "I looked at him and said that I didn't like him, even a little. I told him he was a jerk and a cocky little rich boy. He punched me in the jaw and I punched him back in the nose. He started bleeding and got it all over his white suit. He got really mad and punched me in the eye and blacked out I guess." I sighed as I finished.

That wasn't the complete story. Gerald and I said some other stuff, but I wasn't going to let Riker know what it was. I looked up at him and said, "What happened after that?"

He grabbed my hand and said, "Rocky and I got back to the table around the same time Rydel and Ross did. Ross said he left you and Ryland there, and I looked around the room but couldn't find you. I couldn't see Gerald either. That's when Ryland came running up to me and said that you were in trouble with Gerald. We all sprinted to the patio and I shouted for Ryland to get mom and dad. We reached the door just as he punched you. I swear I've never been angrier in my life and I never will be. I slung the door open and he turned around and I punched him in the face. He went to punch me back but Rocky kicked him in the legs and he fell down. He went to get Rocky, but I climbed onto him and pulled him up. I punched him in the gut until I couldn't feel my hand anymore. Dad came out and I turned around when Gerald hit me in the eye. Dad held him back and Ross went inside to get your parents and the cops. They came out and arrested him. I looked over and you were unconscious. Rydel was crying in the corner and I went over and held her until the paramedics came and took us here." He finished the story and looked over at me.

I was shocked. I didn't know he could be so violent. I wish I could have seen him beat the crap out of Gerald. "I didn't know you could be so violent. I really do miss all the fun..."

He looked me dead in the eyes with a serious look on his face. He grasped my hand harder and said, "I felt my heart drop to my feet when I saw him hit you. I could have killed him."

The look on his face scared me. I hugged onto him even tighter and he said, "Its all my fault your in here. I should have been with you. I could have stopped him before anything happened to you." He started crying while saying that and I scooted up so our heads were the same height with each other. I wiped away at his tears while they pricked in my eyes. He refused to look me in the eyes so I grabbed his face and forced him too.

"Hey." I whispered. "What happened happened. If you were there you would have gotten hurt worse. You think I couldn't handle myself? I broke his nose and punched him in the gut for Petes sake!" I joked trying to make him smile.

He looked angrier and said, "But look what he did to you Iris! You have a black eye and bruises all over you! I couldn't protect you in your other schools even though I really wanted too! I could've protected you this time and I didn't! If Ryland didn't come to get me he could've done worse! I'd rather him kill me then you get hurt even a little!" He was breathing heavily now but his face turned back to a normal color.

Tears started rolling down my cheeks but I didn't make a sound. I wanted to smile. I really did. But he just said he'd die for me! I looked him straight in the eyes with a serious look on my face. He looked slightly scared and I started hitting his chest screaming, "Why would you say that? How could you die for me? Do you know what would happen if you died? I'd die! Don't ever say that to me again!" I finished in a huff with tears pouring down my cheeks.

He looked at me and said, "You want to know why I'd die for you? Because I love you! That's why! You're my best friend! No, actually you mean more to me than my best friend! There would be no me without you! That's why I'd die for you! So just shut up and out your pride away for two minutes and hug me until I'm freaking blue for all I care!"

I smiled and latched onto him. I hugged him harder than I've ever hugged anyone before in my life. He hugged me back with the same force. I wiped away the last of my tears and looked up at him. He loved me. Obviously as a friend, but still. The only people that ever cared for me were my parents, but it's just not the same when they say, "I love you." For once in my life somebody actually cared about me. My eyes watered up again and I whispered, "Nobody's ever said they loved me before. Other than my parents."

He caressed my cheek and said; "I'll say it every day if you want me too. Because I really do."

Tears really came out now but this time, for the first time in my life, they were tears of joy. "I love you too." I whispered.

We lay like that for a long time, just hugging. He was rubbing circles on my back and kissing my head ever so often. He was still in his tuxedo so I said, "You better go home and change. They're keeping me here overnight."

He shook his head and said, "I'll tell dad to bring me some clothes for tonight and tomorrow. I don't care what you say. I'm not leaving." I giggled and he got up to go out. I lay my head back down, leaving enough room for him and fell asleep.

Riker's P.O.V

I went out into the hallway and saw everyone there. I walked over to dad and said, "Could you bring me some clothes for tonight and tomorrow? I want to stay here with Iris."

He nodded and him and mom got up with Rocky, Ross, Ryland, and Rydel and went home. I sat in the chair next to Martin because April went to use the bathroom. I put a comforting hand on his shoulder but he pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back and he said, "Thank you."

I was confused. "For what?"

He pulled back and smiled, "For being there, all the time. We've never stayed in one place long enough for Iris to make friends. She's always been so conservative and independent. You changed that. She cares again. I haven't told her yet, but we're staying here for good."

My eyes widened in shock and I smiled big. "That's great! We'll be friends forever now! You know I would do anything for her, I love her."

He nodded and said, "I know you would. It's so easy to love her, I'm happy somebody else finally realizes it. She did have one friend once..." He trailed off, not knowing if he should tell me or not.

I nodded and said, "Amanda. She told me about it. I wish I could've known her too."

He looked surprised and said; "I'm surprised she told you about her. She wouldn't even talk to April or me about it. It was so sad at their funeral. She cried her eyes out when it happened but she refused to at the funeral. Iris loves you too you know."

I nodded, not knowing what to say. He spoke up again after a few moments of silence and said, "Your good for her. She thinks she can handle anything and everything that comes her way but she can't. She can be so stubborn sometimes. I know you're not afraid to yell at her when she's like that."

April came back by then and sat down. She had tear tracks on her face but I could tell she was all right. My dad walked back in with a backpack that had my stuff in it. I walked over and took it. He gave me a quick hug and said goodnight. I returned the favor and walked back over to April and Martin. I looked at the hospital clock and saw it was midnight. I walked over and put a hand on her shoulder.

She looked up at me with tired eyes and I said, "You two should go home and get some sleep. I'm staying with her tonight, she'll be fine."

They nodded and got up. Martin nodded at me and walked over to the door. April kissed my cheek and hugged me goodnight. I kissed her cheek back and said, "Goodnight second mom."

She laughed a little and turned around and left. I sighed and walked back to her room. I opened the door and she was asleep. I smiled and went into the bathroom to change. I looked in the mirror. My eye wasn't getting worse, but it wasn't getting better either. I splashed some water on my face and dried it off. I walked back outside and Iris's eyes fluttered open. I walked over and picked her up and scooted her over on the bed.

I climbed in and she yawned. "Where are mom and dad?"

I turned her head around so I could take the braids out and said, "I told them to go home. They'll be back tomorrow."

I got the last braid out and untangled it. I put the little rubber bands on the table and turned the light off. I lay my head down on the pillow and put my arm around her. She snuggled her back into me and pretty soon I heard soft snores. I kissed her hair and fell asleep.

Hey there! How's it going peeps:)? I hope you guys had a happy Easter. My spring break just ended but I should be able to get the next chapter up soon. By the way, I went to the R5 concert in Chicago. My friend Tiani and I were waiting since eight in the morning and it was pretty crazy. But we still got front row and I had an amazing time:)

Lots of love!

-Lora & Lizzie