Baby of the Family

Chapter 22 : Night nerves

Chapter 22

Later...  

Riker POV

I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. But then I couldn't get back to sleep. My problem is that I feel like my ears are playing tricks on me and I swear I can hear someone or something on our porch.

I was concentrating really hard, trying to hear what was outside when a huge crack of thunder shook the whole cabin, making me jump. I almost screamed but I didn't.

And then someone touched my arm and I almost screamed again.

"Relax, it's just me," Ryland said.

"I think someone or something is on the porch," I whispered.

"Riker, if something was on the porch, the lights would be on. They're motion activated, remember?"

I still just feel scared...

"Riker, come on. Let's go to bed. You can come sleep in my bed if you want."

I got in bed beside Ryland and I felt a little safer.

"Relax. We're literally in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. You're safe, ok?"

"I know, but I'm just anxious."

"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

"I don't know how to not be anxious."

I pulled the covers over my head. Ryland put his arm around me and started rubbing my back.

"What are you anxious about? The noises outside?" He asked.

"Yeah. What if someone breaks in?"

"They won't. We're safe here, Riker."

"Promise?"

"I promise. We're safe. Try to go back to sleep."

"Ok."

I shut my eyes, listening to the rain. The rain is making it hard to hear any noises outside. I feel better being in someone's bed than alone in my own. I'm just hoping tomorrow will be better than today was. And it's not that I hope Rocky gets in trouble with dad. But I hope dad makes it so that Rocky stops making me feel bad for being anxious about stuff.

The next day...

Riker POV

It's not that I want Rocky to be in trouble. But if being in trouble keeps him from making me anxious then...

Dad called him this morning and yelled at him. He had Rydel put the phone on speaker and he yelled at Rocky and said anyone who makes me anxious on purpose will be in trouble. And when mom, dad, and Ross get here, he's grounding Rocky for a few days.

So of course Rocky was mad at me. Not that I got him in trouble, because I didn't tell on him to dad. But it's because of me that he's in trouble anyway.

Ryland told Rydel what happened in the middle of the night because she obviously noticed I was in Ryland's bed this morning instead of my own.

And she was glad Ry let me stay with him so I felt better.

So today I was allowed to do whatever I wanted. Rydel said it was completely my choice what we do since I'm trying to be less stressed. Rocky wanted nothing to do with me though. He went down to the lake to hang out or go swimming or something. But Rydel and Ry stayed with me.

"So what do you want to do today, Rik?" Rydel asked.

"I'm not sure... Because here's the thing. I'm wondering if I literally just need to suck it up and be brave if I'm anxious. Like maybe I just need to push through whatever it is that's making me anxious. So I don't know. I was thinking of maybe doing something that makes me anxious," I said.

"Riker, dad wanted you to come to the cabin so you wouldn't be anxious," Rydel said.

"I know, but what if this is the answer to how to solve this whole thing?"

Rydel sighed. I know she doesn't want me to do something that makes me anxious, but I want to try.

"What did you have in mind?" Rydel asked.

"What if I had like a pretend concert? Like we have a guitar here. I could practice for a little while and then you could livestream me playing a few songs. And if I get anxious, then I can just push through it and see what happens," I said.

"Are you absolutely sure, Riker?" Rydel asked.

"I'm sure. I want to try."

"Fine."

Later...

Rydel POV

Riker's been practicing guitar for a little while. He keeps practicing Loud and Pass Me By. I still think this is a bad idea though.

"You're worried," Ryland said, sitting down next to me on the couch.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked.

"What are you worried about? He's just going to play 2 songs. What's the worst that can happen?"

"He can have a panic attack and embarrass himself in front of a bunch of our fans," I said.

"Ok, but what if it goes great?"

"Then that's good, but I'm not sure it will. But if it goes bad, I have a backup plan."

"A backup plan?"

"Yup."