Realizations

Chapter 3

I wake up to someone poking my cheek and telling me it's time to wake up. Groaning, I open my eyes to see Kaitlyn straddling me while flashing her million dollar smile already dressed in some of my clothes that I only wear when my dad is not away on a business trip. I give her a tired smile and run my hand through my hair, "Morning Katie." Man, I wish I could wake up to this every morning. "Morning Rika" Kaitlyn says giggling and then climbing off of me, "But seriously get up before you make us late." "Alright" I say climbing out of my bed. Kaitlyn sends me one last smile before exiting my room.

I walk over to my dresser before I remember that my dad is currently here. I sigh and walk over to my closet and cringe at the content within the four walls. It's only until you get to school Ryker I remind myself. I walk down to the kitchen still in my pj's to eat breakfast, planning to change right before we leave. Mom, dad, and Kaitlyn are sitting around the table. "Morning superstar" mom says. "Morning" I say making myself a plate, sitting down next to Kaitlyn, and digging in. "Why aren't you dressed" dad asks. "I was starving" I reply. "Make sure you aren't late and cause Kaitlyn to be late" dad says getting up, "Rika, a word."

I get up and follow my dad around the corner. "What is it dad" I ask. "Is there something you're not telling me" dad asks. Two things actually, but I'm going to tell you that. "Can you be more specific" I ask instead. "Well for one, you could dress more like a girl. I miss seeing you all dressed up" dad says, "And you spend pretty much twenty-four seven with Kaitlyn." Oh boy, this is not good. Come on think Ryker think. "Well I am an athlete so..." I say hoping he doesn't question me, "And Kaitlyn's my best friend, besides Rodrik is always with his friends or girlfriend."

"I-" dad's phone beeps and he checks it before kissing my forehead.  "We will finish this conversation later, but the next time I see you you better be dressed more girly and no Kaitlyn in sight. Have a good day at school, see you in a few days." "Bye dad" I say smiling. Awesome, now I don't have to worry about dad seeing me. I quickly finish eating and get dressed in a random t-shirt, a short-sleeved flannel, jeans and a pair of vans before grabbing a pair of basketball shorts, random shirt, and the rest of my football gear for practice later today. I grab my backpack and duffle bag, running downstairs to see Kaitlyn and my mom waiting, "I'm ready."

Mom drives us to school as me and Kaitlyn sit in the back talking. As I try to use this as a distraction to try and forget the conversation with my dad. "Have fun you two and be careful during practice" mom says. "Bye Lena" Kaitlyn says getting out. "Forget and don't take to heart what your dad said" mom says, "I love you Ryker." "Love you too mom" I say smiling and climbing out of the car. "Are you ok" Kaitlyn asked as we walked into school, "You seemed...off in the car." "Yeah I'm fine" I say.

Kaitlyn looks at me with a look that says 'I don't believe you' but doesn't push me. "But" I say, "There is something else...can I talk to you later?" "Just tell me now" Kaitlyn says, "It's not like we are in a rush, we have time." "It's...can we talk in private" I ask nervously, playing with my fingers looking off to the side, "It's just...it's something personal." "You're not in any danger or trouble...are you" Kaitlyn asks. "No, nothing like that" I reply. "We can talk once we are at your place" Kaitlyn says, "Now lets go before we are late."

Before I know it, the final bell of the day is ringing signaling the school day is officially over. I head to the locker room and change into my practice clothes for football practice. While the cheerleaders start their practice on the other side of the football field, I line up with the rest of my teammates at the other end and begin with conditioning. Once we finish with conditioning, we begin running through and practicing different plays. After we run the last play of practice, Coach Jones calls us over and we all huddle around him.

"Great work today guys, keep up the hard work" Coach Jones says, "Remember starting next week, we will have a quick practice before school as well as the usual practice after school ends to prepare for the big game coming up. Alright badgers on three. One, two, three." "Badgers" everyone says before heading to the locker room to shower and change. I quickly change and wait outside for Kaitlyn. While I wait, I pace back and forth going over what I'm going to say in my head. "You okay there" Kaitlyn asks knocking me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah" I say, "Ready to go?" "I'm ready" Kaitlyn says. We begin the walk to my place and talk about our day along the way. Well Kaitlyn is doing the majority of the talking, I'm mentally preparing myself for the conversation I'm about to have. We finally reach my house and are greeted with the aroma of fresh baked cookies. "Oh hey guys" my mom says, "How was school?" "It was good" I reply, "We will be in my room doing our homework."

We go to my room and Kaitlyn sits down on my bed. "So what is it you wanted to tell me" Kaitlyn asks. "Um so..." I say nervously before taking a deep breath, "I'm a guy. My name is Ryker." Kaitlyn looks at me in shock for several seconds before saying, "Oh wow...um that, I really don't know what to say." "There's one more thing I need to tell you" I say, "Might as well rip off the band aid and tell you everything." "Okay..." Kaitlyn says. "I uh I like you Kaitlyn" I say, "I've had a crush on you since we've met."

Kaitlyn looks even more shocked if that's possible and I just stand there waiting nervously for what Kaitlyn is going to say. "Now I really have no words" Kaitlyn says after several seconds before gathering her thoughts, "That's a lot to take in, I need some time to process everything you just told me." "Um yeah...totally" I say, "Take your time." Kaitlyn grabs her things and exits my room and several seconds later, I hear the door open and close. I collapsed onto my bed releasing the huge breath I had been holding looking up at my ceiling, the conversation I just had with Kailyn replaying over and over again in my head.

My mom walks in a few minutes later, "Is everything ok? I saw Kaitlyn leave when she usually spends the night." "I don't know...mom, I think I messed up" I reply trying not to cry. Mom walks over and sits down next to me , pulling me into a hug, "It's ok. What happened?" "I...I told Kaitlyn" I say. "And I take it that she didn't take it that well" mom says. "She said that I dropped some big bomb shells and she didn't know what to say" I say, "She needed some time to process everything and left." "Look Ryker" mom says, "I won't tell you everything will work out and go back to normal, but I can tell you this. If Kaitlyn really is your friend, then she will accept you for you."

"Thanks mom" I say smiling and hug her back, "I love you." "I love you too Ryker" mom says, "Now come on, dinner's almost ready."

Thanks for reading.  What did you think?  What do you think will happen next?  What do you want to happen next?  As always votes and comments are appreciated.