'This is crazy.' I thought. The floor was black-and-red squares, and a small demon-thing looking at me. What drew my attention, though, was a Gibson Flying V with a custom color scheme on it (think Zakk Wylde's red-and-black guitar) and a giant Marshal amp right in front of me.
"What are you?" I asked.
"The Little Ogre." The demon-thing said. "I met your friend Soul."
"Where am I?" I asked.
"Inside of your head." The demon-thing said. "Whenever you need an extra boost, Riley, just play the guitar. Reggae, Metal, Rock 'n Roll...Whatever you want to play."
"There's a catch, isn't there?" I asked.
"Just one." Demon-thing admitted. "You become more insane."
"Guess I won't be playing this, then." I said. "How do I get out of here?"
"Wake up." Demon-thing said.
I shot up in bed. "What the hell was that about?" I asked, and looked at the clock. It was the afternoon on a Saturday, in July. The special thing about the day was that it was my birthday, and my friends were out and about in Death City, buying presents. But someone had 'locked' my door so I couldn't see them get ready for my birthday.
By 'locked' I mean 'Black Star and Tsubaki are holding me hostage, waiting for me to try and leave my room.'
"Are you okay?" Tsubaki asked from behind the door. "You shouted in your sleep."
"I'm fine." I said. I'd fallen asleep waiting to be led out of my bedroom in my clothes. "Can I leave now?"
"No!" Black Star shouted.
"Jerk." I said, picking up my guitar. I began tuning it and one of the strings snapped. "I am going to go freakin' insane in here!" I shouted.
Kylie
"How's Riley?" Maka asked Tsubaki, who walked down the stairs.
"Going insane. He picked up his guitar for the first time since his hand was broken and one of the strings snapped." Tsubaki said.
"Do you guys have any more?" Maka asked.
"Yep." I said, walking over and getting a pack. I handed it to Tsubaki, who thanked me.
"When are you guys going to be done?" Tsubaki asked.
"It won't be long." I assured her.
"Do you guys always do this for your birthdays?" Crona asked.
"No. This is special." I said, helping Kid put up a 'Happy Birthday' sign symmetrically.
"Why?" Soul asked.
"Rye's gotten hurt a lot this past year." I said. "He deserves a big sixteenth birthday party."
"Even if he doesn't want one?" Liz asked.
"Yep." I smiled. "Are we all ready?"
"Sure." Soul said, walking over to me.
"Yeah." Ms. Marie said, walking over to me with Stein.
One-by-one, everyone called out that they were ready.
"Maka, would you go get Rye?" I asked.
"Sure." Maka said, turning to go up the stairs.
Maka
I walked up the stairs, and saw Black Star and Tsubaki sitting in front of Riley's door. Tsubaki hadn't given Riley his guitar strings. I asked her why she had them.
"Riley's asleep." Tsubaki said.
I nodded. "Everyone's getting in the living room. I'll be there in a second."
"Yahoo." Black Star whispered, not to wake up Riley. I opened Riley's door slowly, and saw him curled up on his bed, asleep. His guitar was on the floor beside his bed, so I closed it and scooted it under his bed.
I sat beside him, looking at his face. Riley had such a peaceful expression on his face I couldn't help but smile.
"Remember when I woke up in the hospital after you hit me on the head that one time?" I asked. "It's weird that I cut your head open." I ran my finger over his scar. "I fell in love with you when I saw you playing guitar."
It was true. I didn't mean 'high-school' love. I meant 'getting-married' love. But I was always too nervous of how Riley would act if I told him.
"I promise, next time you wake up in a hospital I'll be there, okay?" I said, and kissed Riley on the lips. As soon as he did his eyes opened and he took my hand.
"Either I'm free to leave," Riley smiled after we kissed. "Or their letting me have visitors. Either way I'm happy."
"C'mon Riley." I said, standing up. "You're free to leave."
"I told 'em I was the wrong man." Riley said in a James Cagney voice. "Told 'em they couldn't hold me. Nobody can."
I raised my eyebrow.
Riley stood and hugged me. "Nobody but my gal, Maka."
I hugged him around the waist, and he kissed me on the head.
"Let's get this party over with." Riley said, holding my hand and walking down to the living room.
