Paralyzed

Chapter 26 : Another article

Chapter 26

Later...  

Riker POV

I couldn't sleep because I was too excited, thinking about seeing my family. I decided to go on my phone to try to make myself tired.

And I saw another stupid article about myself. Except this time, it was true.

Someone had gotten pictures of me and Avery in the pool and wrote a whole article about how I'm scared to be home alone and I'll be seeing my siblings on tour. I was furious.

Someone literally snuck into my backyard, got pictures of us, and listened to our conversation.

"Avery, can you call the police?"

I started shaking her shoulder.

"Avery."

"What? Are you ok?"

"No. Can you call the police?"

"Why?"

"Because someone got more pictures of me. Someone was watching us tonight. They listened to our conversation and took pictures and wrote a new article. They probably waited until the police left and then came back to try to get pictures."

She sat up beside me. I handed her my phone.

"Yeah, I'll call the police," she said, reading the article.

She got up and went into the kitchen to call them. I was so mad. And I was starting to get a million comments on social media of people asking about me showing up on tour and if I would be performing at that show.

"I called and left a message," Avery said, getting back under the covers beside me.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Are you ok? I don't want this to ruin you being able to see your family."

"Why can't they just leave me alone? I'm lucky they didn't get any information about me not being able to walk. Why am I literally being stalked?"

"Because you're famous. And people want to know why you're not on tour. Come on. It's late. Try to get some sleep."

"I can't. I'm mad."

Avery took my phone from me and made me lay down next to her.

"Try. You need rest," she said.

I sighed and wrapped my arms around her tightly.

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"About what?"

"The article."

"You don't have to do anything."

"I just feel like my fans are expecting some sort of answer from me."

"Riker, your fans will understand if you want privacy."

"I'm just so mad," I said, starting to cry.

"Hey. Stop. Don't let it get to you."

I turned my face into her shoulder.

"You're ok, Riker," she said, putting her hand on my cheek.

"This is becoming too overwhelming," I cried.

"Riker, stop. You're ok. Just take some deep breaths. You're going to get to see your family and you're going to have a great time. Who cares about the article?"

"I'm going to have a panic attack."

Avery sat up and started rubbing my back. I turned my face into my pillow, still crying.

"Just breathe, Riker. Stay calm. I'll help you get through all of this, ok? Maybe tomorrow we can think of something to say and you can make a statement on social media. The police are going to send someone else back here, I'll make sure of it."

I calmed back down again, but I felt exhausted now.

"Riker, do you want anything? Water?"

"Can you just put on a movie?" I asked, quietly.

"Sure."

She put a movie on and laid down beside me again.

"It's just a lot," I said, quietly.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. I just want to get better already so that I know for sure I'm going to get better! Every single day I worry about not getting better. It's stressing me out so bad!"

I went back to burying my face in Avery's shoulder.

"You know how you keep mentioning that you still haven't really accepted what's happened to you?"

"Yeah..."

"Well I think maybe that's what you should work on next. If you can accept that you had an accident, maybe it won't seem to overwhelming anymore. You need to face the reality."

"But how? It's so hard."

"That's why you have to be positive about it."

"How? Everything about this is negative!"

"Think about it like this. You might've gotten in an accident and gotten a spinal injury, and now you can't go on tour with your band. But you never would've met me if you didn't."

I smiled slightly.

"Yeah, that's true..."

I moved so I could look at Avery.

"Avery?"

"What?"

"Can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

I took a deep breath.

"I love you."

Avery kissed me.

"I love you too."

I smiled and snuggled into her side. Avery ran her hand through my hair and then rested her hand on my side.

"Try to get some sleep," she said.