Chapter 25
Later...
Riker POV
"Riker, tomorrow maybe we should practice some more things to help your anxiety," Avery said.
I was laying in my floor bed with my arms around Avery super tight.
"Like what?" I mumbled, feeling super tired.
"I don't know. But I just feel like you're becoming more and more anxious about stuff and that's not good. Maybe we could practice you hanging out here by yourself-"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm just not comfortable being left by myself yet."
"Ok, but how are you ever going to get comfortable if you don't practice?"
"Because I'll get better and hopefully be able to walk and then I won't feel so worried."
"What if you don't get better?"
"We already know I am."
"We already know you have feeling down to the new x we made. We don't know for sure that you'll walk."
"Why can't we work on something else? I don't want to be left home alone."
"I know you don't, but we're getting low on groceries. This would be the perfect opportunity to practice being home alone."
"I don't think I'm ready yet. I haven't had enough time."
"Riker-"
"Please, just not yet, ok? I'm not ready."
"Fine, not yet. But soon."
I held onto her tighter.
"Riker, calm down. You're so tense."
"Because I'm stressed."
"Well relax. Get some sleep. You had a long day."
A few days later...
Riker POV
I'd convinced Avery not to leave me alone yet. And tonight I said I wanted to have another date night. So we were going night swimming in the pool.
I slid off the edge, into the pool. Avery got in beside me.
"Riker, I have a surprise for you."
"What is it?"
"I don't want you to get overwhelmed by it. I want you to enjoy it, ok?"
"Ok, just tell me what it is."
"Your band has a show a few hours away in a few days, and your parents arranged for me to drive you there so you can see your family. This doesn't mean you have to perform on stage. You can if you want. But the point of this is so you can see your family."
"That's awesome! Do my siblings know I'm coming?"
"Yes."
"This is the best thing ever! Thank you!"
I kissed her.
"So you're not overwhelmed?"
"No. I'm so happy."
"Ok, good. Because it was sort of my idea and I was going to feel really bad if it stressed you out."
"No. I'm so happy. I miss everyone so much. Avery, you're seriously the best girlfriend ever. I don't know anyone else who would do all of this for me."
"Don't you think your siblings would?"
"They would take care of me, but they'd get tired of it. And if I told them I didn't want to be left home alone, they would probably force me to be home alone and make me get over it."
"Well that's probably what I should be doing too. But I feel bad for you and I don't want to make you go through that."
"Ok, well I'm really happy. Thank you."
Avery ran her fingers through my hair and kissed me again.
"I'm really just trying to make sure you're happy Riker. I don't like seeing your mental health in a bad place."
"This is going to be so much fun. I can introduce you to everyone. And you can see one of our shows. It'll be awesome."
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Paralyzed
FanfictionWhen Riker gets into a car accident, he becomes partially paralyzed and can't go on tour with the rest of R5. But instead of leaving him home alone, his family hires a college nursing student to take care of him while they're gone. And he's not happ...
