Baby of the Family

Chapter 6 : A friend

Chapter 6       

Riker POV

I know I hate the dark, but I've had it with my brothers. So I didn't care.

I rode my bike down the street in the dark for a while. I don't really have friends besides my siblings except for 1 person. Curt Mega. I met him in an audition and we exchanged numbers. We've hung out a few times since then. 

When I finally got to his house, I put my bike on his porch and knocked on his front door. He opened it a minute later.

"Riker, what are you doing here?" He asked.

"Can I stay the night? Please?"

"Of course. Is everything ok?"

"No."

Curt led me inside and shut the door.

"My parents already went up to bed, so try to be quiet," Curt said, leading me to his bedroom.

He shut his door and we both sat down on his bed.

"So what's going on?" Curt asked.

"Are we really friends?" I asked.

"Um... Yeah? Why? Did you think we weren't or something?"

"It's just that you're a few years older than me."

"So?"

"So do you care?"

"No...? Riker I don't understand where you're going with this."

"My stupid brothers keep making fun of me and leaving me out of stuff because I'm the youngest! And now I just found out that I was an accident and my parents didn't mean to have me. I guess I'm just really upset and I didn't want to spend another minute in that house."

"Riker, I'm so sorry. That sucks. But no. I don't care if you're younger than me. It doesn't make a difference."

"Well I'm glad someone doesn't care about my age for once..."

Curt pulled me into a tight hug.

"Did you run away from home?"

"Kinda..."

"Riker, you should call your parents."

"No."

"Why not? They're probably super worried."

"Because I've already tried telling them that my siblings aren't treating me very nice and they don't care. You know why? Because they didn't want me. I was a mistake."

"Riker, I know you're upset about this, but you're going to be in so much trouble."

"Good. I don't care."

"Yes, you do. I know you. You're not one to get into trouble."

I sighed.

"Riker, seriously. I know your parents. And I know they'll be super worried."

"I'm tired of being the good child! I just let everyone tell me what to do all the time!"

"Riker, I know you're upset, but-"

"But nothing! They need to stop treating me like that!"

Curt put his hands on my shoulders.

"Riker, breathe for a second. Just calm down."

I started to cry and completely broke down.

"Riker, it's ok. Just breathe," he said, instantly pulling me into a hug.

I tried to cry quietly so I didn't wake up his parents and cause more trouble than I already have. My phone kept ringing and I knew I was in so much trouble. But I felt so overwhelmed that I couldn't bring myself to answer the phone even though I felt so guilty.

After a little while, I calmed down. Curt had me lay down in his bed. But my phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing.

"Curt?"

"What?"

"Do you think maybe you could answer my phone for me? I just thought maybe if you answered, I wouldn't be in as much trouble."

"Yeah, of course, Riker."

He grabbed my phone when it rang again.

"Hello?"

My heart started to race again. I was watching Curt's face, trying to tell if my parents were screaming or not.

"Yes, Riker's with me. And he's really overwhelmed with everything that's going on at home. Please don't be mad at him. He's really upset."

He was silent for a minute, listening to whoever was talking to him.

"Yes. Ok. I'll tell him. Bye."

He hung up.

"What happened?" I asked, quietly.

"They called the police."

"To arrest me!?"

"No, Riker. Because you were missing."

"Oh..."

"They're coming to pick you up."

I sighed.

"I'm sorry," Curt said.

"It's fine. Thank you for letting me come over."

Curt put his hand on my shoulder and we just stayed there for a while.