Complicated

Chapter 21: Wrecked

*Trigger Warning*

The following contains some sensitive content and may be triggering for some readers, please read at your own risk. This was hard for me to write but it's key to the whole plot and shaped the characters.

You can also feel free to skip this chapter if you need it. Also, go ahead and message me if you ever have something you need to talk about or feel uncomfortable, I'm here to listen.

NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE: 1-800-656-4673

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also: PLEASE don't hate me for this. it all develops, just trust me

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Ric's POV

I felt someone near me and grew increasingly alarmed. When I awoke, I saw it was just Al, laying down next to me in a fetal position on my bed. What the hell? When did this happen? I shrugged my confusion away and simply closed my eyes again, and grinned when he draped his leg over mine. Comfortable fucking bastard.

Honestly, I'm thankful we talked and worked things out. We're still best friends. And we still love each other, even if he's better at showing it than I am.

"I know you two are in love and everything, but wake the hell up! It's your birthday!" Damon yelled as he jumped on my bed and smacked both of us on the head. Asshole.

I groaned and smacked him back, pulling the covers over my eyes again, just for him to pull them back down.

"You're just jealous you don't have a best friend." I mocked him and I felt Al's shoulders shake beside me as he laughed.

"I do too! It's Kathy." Damon replied and I gagged.

"Yeah, but your best friend has barely spoken to you in a week." I retorted and Damon fell silent.

It's true. Kathy hasn't spoken to him this whole week. We initially thought that it was because he spent that Sunday with us the boys instead of with her, but not even she is that petty. So, I'm not sure what it is.

"Come on. Fine. Whatever." Damon muttered at me. "Be late on your birthday, for all I care. I am going to catch up with my birthday girl." He said excitedly as he got up off my bed and started changing.

Wow. He still has his hopes up.

He needs to get ready for disappointment. One time, when I was 5 I chewed one of her teddy bear's face off... she tried to do the same to ALL my toys. I was honestly surprised she didn't try and do it to me. Then she didn't speak to me for two weeks.

So yeah, Damon, get ready for disappointment.

I rolled my eyes and started to get up but Al pulled me back down next to him and we both laughed.

"We have to get breakfast. Come on, let's go." I encouraged and tickled him to make him get up.

"Fine." He groaned. "But only because it's your birthday."

"You know what that means?" Damon smiled as he buttoned up his uniform shirt and I shook my head and backed away from him. "BIRTHDAY PUNCHES!" He leaped across the bed to pin me down and started punching my bare arm. "1..." He hit me with as much force as he could and I groaned.

"Fuck off! Stop!" I tried to push him off to no avail.

"2..." He gave me another one. "You don't want to try Al?"

"Somehow, being barbaric and violent just because it's someone's birthday doesn't sound like the ideal birthday present to me." Al replied as he started to put his uniform on. I watched him carefully.