The Accident That Changed Everything

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Emma POV

I went back to Riker's room after reading the script.

"Riker?"

"What?"

"I... I read it."

Riker looked like he was going to start crying again.

"What are we going to do?" Riker asked, quietly.

"I don't know. How about we at least rehearse up until that part?"

"I guess that would be ok..."

"Ok. Can we start now?"

"Fine..."

"Where do you want to rehearse?"

"Actually, can we just do it tomorrow instead? I don't really feel so well."

"Fine, but promise me we'll actually practice tomorrow."

"I promise."

I went back to my and Rydel's room, and started working on some of my homework. Rydel came in a few minutes later.

"Hey, Rydel."

"Hey. We're all about to go see that new movie. Do you want to come?"

"Who's going?"

"Everyone except Riker, and possibly you."

"Even our parents?"

"Oh. No. But they're going out for some coffee."

"Oh... Sorry, Rydel. I don't think I'm going to go. I want to see if I can get Riker to rehearse our scene for theater with me. He says he doesn't feel good, but I think he's just saying that so he won't have to rehearse with me."

"Ok. Well good luck."

Rydel grabbed a sweatshirt and left. I heard everyone go downstairs and leave. Riker and I were now alone, and I needed to get him to rehearse with me!

I opened my door, and was about to go into Riker's room, when we both crashed straight into each other.

"Riker! Sorry. We have to rehearse."

"I can't," Riker said, running past me.

"What!? Why not!?"

"I'm going to throw up!"

"What!?"

The next 30 minutes were spent sitting on the bathroom floor next to Riker, who was throwing up. I was rubbing his back slowly, trying to make him feel better.

When Riker finally felt better, he turned around to face me, and he looked kind of embarrassed.

"Riker, it's ok. You'd do the same for me."

Riker gave me a small smile, and then looked away.

"Riker, what did you eat today?"

"Nothing."

"Well that's probably why you threw up! You have no food in you! Come on. Let's go downstairs and get you something to eat."

Riker didn't say anything. I pulled at his hand so he'd follow me. We went downstairs, and Riker sat down at the kitchen counter. I opened the fridge, and started looking for something for him to eat.

"Riker, why haven't you eaten all day?"

"I have no appetite."

"Why?"

"Because ever since you said we're over forever, it's destroyed me inside! And after reading that now I have to kiss you... I felt completely sick."

I sighed, and walked over to Riker.

"Riker, I'm so sorry you feel like that. But can't we get rid of the awkwardness between us? I know we're not together anymore, but we're still friends! And I never want to lose that! I don't want us avoiding each other, and I hate the awkward conversations. Can we just be friends?"

"I don't know... I might never be able to get over you! And it might be too painful to have to be friends!"

"Well how about for right now we try it? Whether we want to or not, we have to do that scene for theater."

"Ok," Riker said, getting up.

"Wait! You're having something to eat first!"

Later...

Riker POV

Emma and I rehearsed up until the kiss. She kept yelling at me for not looking her in the eyes, and not putting feeling into it. But I just had no motivation for anything.

"Ok. How about this time, we try the kiss?" Emma asked.

I immediately felt my cheeks heat up.

"Um... I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"Riker, we'll have to do it on Friday. I'd rather have it be awkward now, and have the chance to make it seem smoother, rather than make it look super awkward on Friday. Oh, speaking of that, I don't know if you checked your email yet, but we got an email about performing our scenes."

"What do you mean?"

"Instead of performing them in class, we're going to do them Friday night on stage in front of an audience."

"We... We are?"

"Yeah."

"Oh..."

"You look nervous. Why are you nervous?"

"I... I can't kiss you, Emma!"

I ran out of the room, and ran out the front door. I sat down on the steps, and stared up at the stars. Emma found me, and sat down next to me. I felt her put her hand on my shoulder.

"Riker. It's just a kiss."

"No! You're wrong! It's not just a kiss! It's a kiss with the girl I'm in love with! And it's hard enough not being your boyfriend! I just can't kiss you! It's too hard!"

"Ok, ok. Shhh! The whole neighborhood doesn't need to know. We need to figure something out then. We'll get a bad grade if we don't do it."

"I don't know what to do..."

"How about we rehearse up until the kiss, like we've been doing, and then on Friday, we'll do the kiss for real, and that will be the end of it."

"I guess I can try..."

"Ok, good."

Emma leaned her head on my shoulder, and took one of my hands.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Even if you're not my boyfriend, you're still my friend, and I love you."

Those words practically made my heart explode. A few tears silently slipped down my cheeks, and Emma noticed.

"Riker, please don't cry."

"I love you too, Emma," I whispered.

"Awww, Riker come here."

I hugged Emma for a minute, and I fell even more in love with her.