Guys Can Change

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Riker POV

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Tears were streaming down my face, and I was trembling.

"W-what!?"

"I can't, Riker. I'm sorry."

I rubbed my eyes with my fingers. I slowly walked back to my car with Emma following me. I started driving back home. All of a sudden, I just completely lost it. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I started crying uncontrollably, and I got hiccups. I felt like I could barely breathe.

"Riker, pull over!"

I did as she said, and then slammed the steering wheel with my fists. Emma grabbed my wrist, and pulled it away from the wheel.

"Get out. Let me drive. You're too upset."

"No!"

"Riker, you're going to get us both killed!"

"Just stop talking to me!"

"Riker, breathe for a minute."

I couldn't. I was crying too hard, I had hiccups, and everything was a mess.

"Riker, please let me drive. We both need a good night's sleep. We can talk about this more in the morning."

"I don't want to talk about this more. I never want to talk about this again!"

"Riker, calm down. Let me drive."

Emma POV

Riker looked at me with intense hurt and anger in his eyes. I felt a little scared he was going to do something to me, but he unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed into the backseat, still sobbing.

I rolled my eyes and climbed into the driver's seat. I drove us back to Riker's house. When I parked, Riker didn't budge.

"Are you coming?" I asked.

"No."

I climbed into the backseat with Riker.

"This is not my fault, Riker. And you need to seriously pull yourself together and move on."

"It's not your fault!? Emma, you're the one who won't get back together with me! I proved it to you that I wasn't cheating! I don't understand why you won't be my girlfriend again!"

Since it was still dark out, I could barely see Riker. But I could see the tears shining on his face.

"Riker, I don't want to get back together because I'm exhausted."

"But I didn't do anything wrong, and it's not my fault, and this isn't fair!"

"Riker. I need some space, ok? I'm sorry you're heartbroken. I am too. But I think we need some time apart. At least for now. Ok?"

"This is 100% not ok."

I could hear Riker's voice shake as he said that. It was killing me inside from being heartbroken, and seeing Riker feel the same way. But I needed space. I just needed a break from him.

"Riker, right now, we can't be together. Maybe in the future we can date again, but right now, I just can't, ok? It's just too much for me right now."

I searched for Riker's hand in the darkness. Once I found it, he pulled away from me.

"Riker?"

"What?" Riker asked, angrily.

"I just realized... um... There are lights on inside your house."

"So?"

"So, your family might be worried! Did you tell anyone or leave a note before you left?"

"No."

"Come on, we have to go inside and tell them we're ok."

"No! I'll get in trouble!"

"Riker, I'm going inside. If you don't come, you're probably going to be in even bigger trouble."

Riker got out and slammed the door. I followed him up the front steps to his house. He slammed the front door too. Mrs.Lynch ran over to us, obviously concerned.

"Where have you two been!? It's the middle of the night! You know you're not allowed out past 11:30!"

"It's all my fault mom. I'm just an idiot. I kidnapped Emma, in an attempt to get her to see I wasn't cheating on her with Lauren, and it failed miserably. I'm an idiot for even trying something like that. Why don't you skip the punishment, and just kill me now."

I looked at Riker, annoyed he'd completely given up. His mom told him to go to bed, and that they'd talk about this in the morning. I sat down in the kitchen, and told her everything that happened. She obviously wasn't mad at me, because I didn't do anything wrong. And she understood that being Riker's girlfriend was my choice. And if I didn't want to be that anymore, she was fine with that.

I eventually headed up to bed. I crawled in, next to Rydel, who was still asleep. Almost immediately, I fell asleep too.

The next morning...

Emma POV

The next morning, Rydel and I both went downstairs to grab some breakfast. We sat down at the kitchen table, across from Riker. He had a puffy red face, and bloodshot eyes. Sure, I felt awful for making him feel like this, but this was my life, and if I didn't want to be with him, I didn't have to. I just needed a break.

Riker refused to look at me at all. I felt awkward sitting there with Rydel and Riker. I didn't want to talk to Rydel. And I also didn't want to talk to Riker. When I finished my cereal, I went upstairs and took a shower. I felt somewhat refreshed, but my mind was racing.

As the day went on, it felt like my mind was going to explode! I felt so stressed out, and I eventually broke into tears. I felt arms wrap around me, and I wished it was Riker, but it was Rydel.

"Hey. It's going to be ok, Emma. I promise. Just give him some time. He'll get over it."

"I just feel so bad!"

"Don't. I think he's trying to guilt you into getting back together with him. If you're not ready, or you don't want to, then don't.

I sighed.

"But what if we're meant to be? What if I'm making a mistake?"

"Emma, just take a few days and let everything settle in. Try to clear your mind. After some time passes, maybe you'll understand more of how you feel, and you'll know what you want to do."

"Thanks, Rydel," I said, hugging her again.

Although Rydel's words helped, my mind was still racing like crazy. I went downstairs, but immediately stopped. Riker was making out with some girl on the couch.