Guys Can Change

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Emma POV

Riker wouldn't answer, and he wouldn't look at me either. I scooched next to him, taking his hand in mine.

"Riker. Talk to me."

"I'm... scared. Happy!? I said it!"

Riker stood up and walked over to my window. I followed him and put my hand on his arm.

"Why?" I asked, softly.

"I've read about the city, Emma. Bad things happen. Apartments get broken into, things get stolen, people get killed..."

"Riker, I know those things happen. But we're in the good part of the city. We're safe. I promise."

"Anyone down there, could come up here, and kill us..." Riker said, staring out the window.

I pulled my curtains closed, and dragged Riker away.

"Riker, I've lived here forever. No one's ever broken into our apartment building before. We're safe."

Riker sighed, and sat down on the edge of my bed.

"Here, I'll get you some blankets and pillows, and we can go to sleep. You've had a stressful day."

I pulled some stuff out for Riker from my closet. When I turned back to him, he had a strange expression on his face, like he wanted to cry, but he was trying not to.

I put everything down next to my bed on the floor, and hugged Riker. He hugged me tight, and sighed.

I pulled his suitcase over to him.

"How about you go get changed, and I'll make your bed."

"Ok."

When Riker came back, he was wearing glasses. I thought he looked adorable. I changed into my pajamas too, and then got into bed. I looked down at Riker on the floor. He was sitting against the wall under the blankets, playing with a bracelet I had made him.

"Riker?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you alright?"

"I think so."

"Ok. If you're not... Tell me?"

"I will."

"Alright. I'm going to shut off the light, and we can go to bed, ok?"

"Yeah."

I couldn't sleep though. I was too busy worrying about Riker. I was scared he was going to just completely lose it at like 3:00 in the morning, and cause a scene, and embarrass himself in front of my parents.

"Emma? Are you asleep?" Riker whispered.

"No. You ok?"

"Can we talk for a second?"

"Of course! Just make sure you keep whispering. I don't want to wake up my parents."

"Ok... Um... I... I feel like your parents don't like me. And I'm worried about us."

"Riker, my mom absolutely adores you. And my dad likes you too."

"Your dad does not like me! I felt like he was threatening me!"

"He's just being a dad."

"I'm just... worried they'll break us up. You know?"

"They won't. I promise."

I heard Riker moving around, and the next thing I knew, his lips were pressed against mine.

"What was that for?" I asked.