Baby of the Family

Chapter 4 : Picked on

Chapter 4

Later...    

Riker POV

"Go get changed and then meet me downstairs in the living room," Ross said, grabbing pillows and blankets.

"Ok," I said, heading to my room.

Rocky and Ryland were both in here.

"What are you and Ross doing?" Rocky asked.

"We're having a sleepover downstairs," I said, grabbing my pjs.

"Why?" Ryland asked.

"Because," I said.

"Because why?" Rocky asked.

"Just because," I said.

I felt them both staring at me as I got undressed and changed into my pjs. I grabbed my pillow and then left.

I went downstairs and met Ross in the living room. He had blankets and pillows set up on the floor for us.

"Thank you for doing this," I said, sitting down next to him on the floor.

"Of course, Rik. We should definitely spend more time together."

He hugged me tight. 

"Ok. Now I'm going to make some popcorn. You pick out a movie, ok?" He asked, handing me the remote.

"Ok," I said, smiling.

Ross left. And Rocky and Ryland came downstairs while I was looking for a movie.

"You guys are having a movie night too?" Rocky asked.

I didn't say anything. I was too annoyed with them. Mostly Rocky. But a little with Ryland too for calling me a crybaby.

"Hello?" Rocky asked, shoving my shoulder.

"Ow," I said, looking up at him.

"That didn't hurt," Rocky said.

"It hurt my back. From this morning," I said, annoyed.

"Riker, it's just a bruise. You're being dramatic," Rocky said.

"Why are you guys in here?" Ross asked, walking in with the popcorn.

"We heard you were having a sleepover and a movie night," Rocky said.

"Ok, so?" Ross asked.

"So maybe we want to join," Ryland said.

"No. It's only for me and Riker," Ross said, pushing past them and sitting down next to me.

"Why?" Ryland asked.

"Because you guys were being mean to Riker earlier. So now we're having a sleepover so I can make him feel better. Just because he's the youngest, it doesn't mean you can just push him around and be mean to him," Ross said.

"We weren't mean," Ryland said.

"Ok, well maybe you weren't exactly mean, but Rocky was," I said.

"Riker, I was just messing around," Rocky said.

"Ok, well now I have a bruise on my back. It wasn't funny," I said.

"Whatever. We can have our own movie night upstairs," Rocky said, turning to leave.

They both left. Ross put the bowl of popcorn in my lap.

"Did you pick a movie?" Ross asked.

"No. They came down and bothered me before I had a chance."

"That's ok. You can pick one now."

Ross put his arm around me and pulled me closer. I picked a movie and hit play. 

"Are you ok?" Ross asked.

"I'm just... upset about earlier still. And my back is still sore. I'm sorry. I'm just..."

"It's ok, Riker. It wasn't nice what Rocky did. Mom talked to him and Ry, so hopefully they won't do it again, ok? Has this been going on for a while?"

"Kind of... I mean, Rocky has kind of always said I was a crybaby, and immature, and just stuff like that. Just because he's the older brother and I'm the youngest, he thinks it's ok to say that stuff to me?"

"It's not fair. Hopefully he'll stop now."

Ross spread the blankets over us. I laid my head on his shoulder, feeling tired already. 

"How's your back?"

"Sore."

"Do you need more ice?"

"No, I'm ok for now. Thanks for tonight."

"Yeah, of course! I'm glad we're spending some time together."

He put his arm around me. I ate some popcorn and tried to focus on the movie. But honestly, my mind was just racing and replaying everything that happened this morning.

I mean, I know siblings pick on each other, and that's like a normal thing. But I think I've been annoyed about it for a while and this morning was just the last straw and I lost it.

I'm tired of being treated like that. I can't help it that I'm the youngest.

I sighed and closed my eyes. I'm really tired, and honestly, I'm not really interested in the movie. I'm just glad at least Ross cares about me and wants to hang out with me even though I'm the youngest.