Believable (r.a.l.)

Chapter Eighteen

Riker's POV

Justine is in my room right now with Rocky. Why the hell am I sitting here at the dining room table doing homework with Liane? I should be working things out. I should be up there and telling Justine the truth. But what the hell would I say? Especially with Liane here.

I can just say I'm sorry. Because I truly am... But then I'd have to answer all the questions that she always has. How the hell am I going to answer them? I would have to tell her I lied about homecoming and that I've been lying about Liane. Our whole relationship is based upon lies!

I shake my head to clear my mind. Maybe I can just go with the flow. I can see what happens when it happens. Yeah. I'll go up there, say sorry to Justine, and see what happens. I'll have to improvise. I'm good at that. I think. I nod my head, confirming my decision.

I look at my unfinished homework then up across the table at Liane who is already staring back at me intently. My cheeks flush and I shrink a little in my seat, trying to focus back on my work.

"Are you okay, Riker?" Rydel asks me. I look over at her across the room into her concerned eyes. I shrug. "Are you sure? You look really troubled."

"I's nothing, Delly. I'm fine," I assure my sister, putting on a small smile. But it quickly disappears.

"It doesn't look like you are fine. Does it have to do with Justine?" she pries. "Are you guys fighting?" I freeze and nervously glance at Liane who listens to our conversation curiously.

Rydel doesn't know about my situation. She confronted me after she witnessed Liane kissing me at the game and demanded I fix things with the two of them immediately. Later on I told her everything was back to normal. Now, my sister thinks I'm in a happy relationship with only Justine. She doesn't know it is still a huge problem in my life.

"Technically we aren't," I answer, being careful about what I say in front of Liane.

"Care to explain?"

I sigh. Do I really want Rydel bothering me again about my love life? I didn't like it before. I don't need her pestering me about it all the time again.

I simply shake my head and look back at my notebook. My sister nods and returns to the kitchen, thankfully not pushing for more information about it.

I give out a sigh and sink farther down in my seat. Procrastination is my specialty. I'm never gonna get my homework done with all this weight on my shoulders.

Moments later, my attention is caught by Liane's phone releasing a ding. She checks it and starts collecting her papers. Calmly and quietly she puts her things away in her book bag and stands up pulling the strap around her shoulder.

"My mom is here to bring me home," she finally says.

"Oh okay then. I'll see you tomorrow then," I reply. She gives me a small smile before walking out of the room.

Once I hear the sound of the front door closing, I place my pencil down on the table, stand up and walk out of the dining room to the stairs, leaving my homework behind. I'm going to talk to Justine now. I'm going to fix everything with her. And I'm going to make sure of it.

Justine's POV

I stand up from my seat in front of Riker's desk, picking up my bag in the process. I move back toward the bedroom door to leave. I'm about to turn the doorknob when Rocky's hand grips my shoulder.

"Hey, where are you going?" he asks, turning me around so I'm facing him.

"I can't do this. You're too stressful to work with," I huff with frustration, shaking my head.

"I'm working as hard as you are," he defends himself. He takes his hand away, his eyes track mine as I reply to him.

"Really?" I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow at him. "You weren't working at all! You were just sitting there, picking at your stupid scab. I was watching you do it."

"I was thinking about the project too," he shrugs.

"Yeah," I roll my eyes, turning around again and opening the door. I stop in my footsteps as I see I just revealed Riker standing in the doorway, his hand up as if he was about to knock. I look up at him towering over me for a few moments, silent, then I look down at my feet. The memory of him kissing Liane flashes before my eyes.

"Excuse me," I mumble, brushing past him. I move my way to the stairs quickly, holding on tight to my bag. I zoom out the door and start on my way down the sidewalk. It is dark out now and the streetlights show me the way.

"Justine!" I faintly hear from behind me. "Justine, wait!"

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A/N it's so much shorter! There used to be maybe 200 more words but that's still not a lot.

LNBAT is lit - vid on side! (yeah this how long ago this chapter was originally posted..)

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Happy reading! -Bethany