Chapter 29
Ross POV
"Wait. What are you talking about?"
"When we found Riker."
"What do you mean?"
I sighed and looked at Kat.
"I can't even begin to describe it Kat."
"Why!? Is Riker ok?"
"Barely."
"What happened?"
"After I hung up with you, Riker came home. He ran up and locked himself in his room. Rocky and I were really scared, so we got our dad. He unlocked Riker's door, and we went inside."
"Go on!"
"He was sitting in the corner of the room. He was so pale and shaky. He could barely breathe, he was crying so hard. My dad was really mad he didn't open the door, but when he saw Riker, he didn't care anymore. My dad and I helped him stand up and walk downstairs. He was so sweaty. Rocky pulled Riker's shirt off so he could cool down a little. You should've seen how thin he was! He said he was eating, but he was lying! He could've died, Kat! My brother could've died! I just don't understand anything anymore!"
"Well why are you at my house then?"
"I couldn't be around Riker. I couldn't let him see me cry. It would only make him feel worse."
"So leaving him would make him feel better!?"
"Well… I guess not…"
"I can't believe he did that! He told me he was getting better!"
"We apparently he wasn't…"
"Do you think your dad would let me talk to him?"
"I honestly don't think so. I don't think he blames you for what happened, but I don't think he wants you making it worse either."
"Ok. Well when are you going back home?"
"I think I should actually go home now."
"Please tell him I'm sorry. I never meant for anything like this to happen."
"I know you didn't. You were his first girlfriend though. He doesn't know how to handle stuff like this. He'll be ok."
I watched the tears roll down Kat's cheeks. I gave her a hug, and then went home.
Rocky POV
I woke up immediately when I heard the front door open and close. I looked across the room and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Riker was still asleep on the couch. For a moment I thought he tried to sneak out. Wait! Who was in my house!?
"Hello?" I whispered, realizing I probably shouldn't have.
"Rocky?"
"Shhh! Over here," I whispered back, realizing it was Ross.
I grabbed Ross's arm, and quietly walked down to the basement with him.
"I thought you were staying at Kat's tonight."
"I was, but she and I both agreed that I should probably be here. For Riker."
"Did something happen?"
"No not really."
"Ross."
"Ok, I had a nightmare. It was Riker. It was everything that happened tonight just playing over and over. I was so scared Rocky! What if something had happened to him!?"
"I know… I was pretty scared too. But nothing did happen, and Riker's fine."
"Speaking of Riker, why are you guys sleeping in the living room?"
"After you left, he refused to go back upstairs. He… also refused to speak… So dad just let him stay on the couch. Rydel brought down his pillows and a few blankets. He just sat on the couch for a while, but he eventually got too tired, and laid down and went to sleep."
"Then why are you down here with him?"
"Dad didn't want him down here alone. He was afraid he would try to leave or hurt himself or something. He asked me to stay down here and just keep an eye on him."
"Ok. Well can I stay down here with you guys?"
"Uh yeah I guess, but you'll have to sleep on the ground."
"I don't care. I'm just glad Riker's ok. I can't imagine if anything ever happened to him."
"Me either. Let's go back upstairs. I'm exhausted."
"Me too. Let's go."
Ross and I walked back upstairs to the living room as quietly as we could.
"Rocky?"
"Yeah?"
"Where's Riker?"