On the last school day before winter break, it started snowing pretty hard. School called a half-day. I had to return an overdue library book, and all the buses left before I made it outside. Of course.
I was standing in the school lobby, about to call my mom, when I heard someone calling Riker's name.
"Riker! Dude, Riker! Come on, let's get out of here already!" The voice came from a tall boy I'd never seen before. In a moment, I saw Riker come around the corner, tell his friend to relax, that they're in no hurry, and start towards the door.
Without thinking, I blurt out "Riker."
It surprised them both. They probably didn't notice that I was there. I regretted saying anything.
"Hey Ross," Riker stepped towards me. "Do you need a ride?"
Riker's loud friend shot him a look of disapproval, but Riker didn't see it.
"That would be really awesome, yeah." I hear myself say. What was I doing?
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Riker's car was an old red Subaru. It smelled like coffee. I sat in the back seat so Riker's friend could have shotgun. I figured that if he already didn't like me, I should be as agreeable as possible. The car was pretty messy. It was difficult to find somewhere to put my feet without stepping on a mathbook or sweater.
At the end of the school driveway, Riker turned in his seat and asked "Nick and I are going to hang at my house. Play video games and stuff. You want to come?"
"Sure, yeah!" I replied immediately. Did I sound too excited?
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Riker's car was spotless in comparison to his basement. At first I was grossed out by it, but it grew on me. There was trash all over the floor, tons of writing on the walls, and dirty furniture. I had texted my mom "With Riker" and my phone rang with her reply: "Keep your nose clean."
Riker and Nick were playing some war game. I laid back in an armchair and watched. I would have been bored if there wasn't so much to look at. Riker's bookshelf was overflowing. The top shelf had a bunch of brightly colored books by someone named "Kurt Vonnegut". Thinking that Riker must really like the guy, I copied the author's name onto a note in my phone.
Nick's phone rang loudly and pulled him out of the game. "Yeah. Okay. I'm at Riker's. Sure. Pasta? Alright. Soon. Bye." Nick hung up and turned off the game. He said he had to go home and started putting on his shoes. He ignored my mumbled goodbye and made plans to see Riker tomorrow. Should I go home too? What are Riker and I gonna talk about by ourselves?
"What are you thinking about?" Riker asked me.
"All this writing on your walls." I replied. "Did you do all this?"
"No, it was mostly written by other people. My older brother started it and now it's kind of out of control."
"Hm." I didn't know what else to say.
Silence. How do you keep a conversation going? Should I ask him questions about himself? Should I go home? Will I be able to ask him for a ride home?
"It's weird that our hair is like. The exact same color." He interrupted my internal rambling.
"Yeah."
"Do you want to go outside?"
"What?"
"Sledding, I mean." Riker says.
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Riker's driveway went downhill from the road and then turned right. We were able to sled on the downhill part without hitting any cars. I didn't have boots or snowpants, so we were only out for about an hour. By the time we went inside my feet were numb and my whole body was soaked and I was so, so happy. Riker's cheeks were rosy and he was excited and smiling like a little kid. He looked so cute.
"I can throw your stuff in the dryer for you, yeah?" Riker asked after we'd removed our coats.
"Okay, yeah," I answered. "Can I, uh. Borrow some clothes?"
"No problem." Riker said before retreating to his room. He came back with two pairs of sweatpants and two sweatshirts. "Dude, you're dripping all over the floor." He laughed. "Come into the laundry room."
He peeled off his wet clothes and tossed them into the dryer. I copied. His clothes were a bit big on me, but they smelled like him and were so cozy that I didn't mind.
"Are you hungry?" He asked.
I nodded in reply. I'd been so preoccupied that I didn't realize I hadn't eaten since breakfast.
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Riker put some popcorn in his microwave and I helped him make hot chocolate.
I glanced at my phone. It was 6 pm. "Where are your parents?" I asked.
"My dad works in the city and my mom's a nanny. They usually don't get home until 7."
"Oh."
"What do your parents do?" He asked me.
"My mom's a behavioral therapist and my dad flies planes."
"What kind of stuff does your mom do?"
I'm surprised Riker is more interested in my mom's job than my dad's. Usually people want to know about where he is and what kinds of planes he flies.
"She works with teens who have ADD and stuff. She helps them, like, cope. Or something. She doesn't talk about it a lot. Confidentiality."
"That makes sense."
Riker had a line of hot chocolate on his upper lip. Paired with his still rosy cheeks, I could hardly look at him. I was certain that if we made eye contact he'd be able to tell how beautiful I think he is.
My phone rings. It's my mom, of course.
"Hi. Yes. I'm still with Riker. I'm fine. I'll ask." I take the phone away from my face and ask Riker if my mom should come to pick me up or if he would be able to give me a ride home. Riker points to himself. "He'll bring me home. Yeah. See you soon. Love you."
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Driving with just Riker, at night, in a snow covered world, is the closest thing to a religious experience as I've ever had. He gives me his phone and instructs me to play the playlist "Last One Awake".
It's beautiful. My mom likes musicals, and my dad likes silence, so music is something I have a pretty limited knowledge of. This music is peaceful and so original. I try to remember all the songs so I can hear them again later, but the only one that sticks is "No Below" by Speedy Ortiz. Riker and I don't speak for the entire drive.
I'm surprised when Riker stops in front of my house.
"How did you know where I live?"
"Huh?"
"I didn't give you directions to my house, how did you get here?"
"Oh, I've seen you walk here after school with your. Um. Girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?"
"Yeah."
"I don't have a girlfriend, dude. Ellie's just my friend. How did you know this wasn't her house?"
"Because you asked how I knew where you lived," He smiled, "not why I stopped at your girlfriend's house."
"Again, she's not my girlfriend."
"Whatever you say, man."
I look over at my house and see my mom through the kitchen window.
"Bye, Riker."
"See you later, man."
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My mom gives me a strange look when I walk inside.
"What?" I say.
"Whose clothes are those?"
I didn't realize I still had Riker's clothes on. He still had my clothes, too. I feel stupid for forgetting my own clothes, but at least now I have something to talk to Riker about, a reason to hang out with him again.
