Riker's POV
Rhee left in such a rush it left us all confused. After she left, we were al, wondering why it was so important for her to work. Were we such bad company?
Though we'd already paid for the food, we continued to linger around to talk. It was really cool, because even spending a majority of my life with these people, we always things to talk about. I loved my siblings (sure Ratliff too, I mean he was almost a brother-in-law), and I wasn't shy to admit it.
Some people think I'm overprotective. Psh. That's not true. Maybe I just don't like watching them hurt themselves willingly.
That was when the fire alarm started. The five of us looked among each other in confusion. What was that wretched sound?
One of the mall staff came running into the restaurant. He went over to the manager and they exchanged a few hushed whispers. We didn't think much of it. Rocky was too busy teasing Rhiannon and I.
I didn't like her. I mean, I just met her. She was nice. I couldn't possibly like her.
Nope. Not at all.
I flicked Rocky. This was ridiculous. I was older. How dare he bully me?
"Sorry, sirs, ma'am," he addressed us, "it seems that there's a fire in the mall. All customers are advised to make their way to the entrance to be safe. It could be nothing, but for the sake of safety, it would be in your best interest to exit the mall in an orderly manner."
We exchanged glances and shrugged. Gathering our things, we took our time leaving, seeing how the outside was a flurry of activity. "Probably nothing," Ratliff muttered, "like what? Two lovers are having a hot and passionate session they accidentally bump the alarm?"
Rydel snickered and whispered something to him and the both of them started giggling. I gave my sister a suspicious look and then focused on trying to keep us together. The mall was really full, it would have been no easy task to regroup.
It took almost half an hour to get us out. Still, there didn't seem to be any sign of fire. It was probably nothing. When we were outside, I tried looking for Rhiannon. She should've been out, shouldn't she? I mean, they should've evacuated the staff as well as the customers, shouldn't they?
Yet I couldn't see her. I did see the two others that were in the store with her though. I approached them. "Hey," I said, "have you guys seen Rhianna? Did she come out with you guys?"
The girl looked at the boy. "Who?" she asked.
"The girl that works with you?"
"Oh," the boy said. "Her."
"Where is she?" I asked them.
"Wasn't she still inside when we left for our break?" the girl asked the boy.
The boy thought for a while, then turned to face me. "Right!! She was studying when we left! We didn't want to disturb her. The shop is mostly empty too, so it wouldn't matter if we left because she'd be able to manage."
So that meant she was inside.
I thanked them and walked back to where my group was. Why did that make my heart feel so uncomfortable? Right, because there was someone inside a building with a fire!!
Potentially, but what difference did it make?
"I'm going in, guys," I announced.
They looked at me as if I were crazy. "Dude, there's a fire in there!" Ross reminded me.
"Yeah, but I need to pee."
Why was I lying to my own brother?
He shrugged. "Don't die man. We need you."
