A New Beginning

Nightmares

Lucas POV:
When we get back to the house, we go our separate ways. Farkle leaves with Pappy Joe to feed the horses, Maya goes to take a shower, Riley goes to her room, and I go to my room.

I think about what Riley said. About her depression. She never told me about it. I don't know if anyone knew about it. I decide to cross the hall, and knock on Riley's door.

"Yes?" She replies. "Hey, can I come in?" I ask. "Sure." She answers through the door. I open the door, revealing Riley sitting on her bed reading a book.

"Riles, why didn't you ever tell me about your depression?" I ask sitting on the edge of her bed. "I just... I didn't want to tell anyone. People would just laugh at me." She says innocently. I sigh and then reply, "Riley. Why wouldn't you tell me? Depression is a very serious topic." "I know Lucas, I don't have depression anymore. It's no big deal."

"Riley please don't ever keep something like that away from me ever again." I say sternly but gentle. "I know Lucas."

A tear escapes Riley's eye and runs down her face. I move over towards her and wrap my arms around her. "Riley, whatever is bothering you, at any time, you can tell me. I'll listen; always."

*Later that night, about 1 am*

I wake up slowly, to a light sob. It isn't in my room though. It sounds like a Riley sob. I get up and make my way across the hall. The door is barely cracked open, so I push it open more. I try to look in the darkness for my girlfriend. Finally my eyes adjust, and I make my way over to her bed. "Riles, what's wrong?" I say rubbing her back while she's wrapped in my arms.

"I had a-a nightmare." Riley replies. "Aww baby girl..." I say now combing her hair with my hands. I am trying to calm her down the best I can. Apparently Maya is a VERY heavy sleeper because she was snoring all though this.

"It's fine now I guess, because I'm awake now." She says plainly.

"What if you have another bad dream? I'll just stay here and protect you." I say with a small smile.

"You don't have to."

"Oh, but I do."

"Okay fine." Riley says and then sniffles.

"Hey, would it make you feel better if you talk about the dream? If you don't want to talk about it that's completely fine."

"Umm, I dreamt that I was beside Auggie in the car crash. You know, the one that killed him."

I feel a tear hit my arm that had rolled off of Riley's face. "I'm so sorry baby, I'm right here whenever you need me okay?" She nods and eventually we both drift off to sleep.

I wake up to a scream. I frantically look around. It's Riley again. I look at the clock: 3:49 am. I gently shake her awake because she was still in the nightmare. "You're okay, we are okay. You're safe. I won't let anything hurt you." I whisper softly to Riley. I rub her back again until she falls back asleep.

Riley POV:
When I wake up a third time, it's 11:02 am. "Good morning princess." Lucas says playing with my hair beside me. He still has a sleepy tone to his voice "Morning." I reply.

Lucas returns to his room, and Maya and I begin getting ready. Apparently Maya had not woken up at all last night while I was screaming for my life. I put on a loose black dress that falls shortly before my knees and it has long sleeves. On top I put on a cream colored belt. I put on my cowgirl boots and straighten my hair.

Maya puts on light washed jeans and an army green colored blouse that has peasant-style sleeves. I Dutch-braid her hair and she puts on a pair of white converse.

Shortly after, we head downstairs and eat breakfast. The table arrangement is Maya, me, and Lucas on one side. Farkle across from Lucas and Pappy Joe across from me on the other.

"Riley, you haven't said anything about your family this whole trip. How've they been doing? Is your little brother still obsessed with Goosebumps books?" Pappy Joe says while stuffing his face with bacon.

My heart drops. My brother. My little loving brother who never did wrong. Oh how I miss him. I feel tears coming on. Being in Texas and being so busy helped me forget about his passing, but when Pappy Joe brought it back up I thought I was going to fall to pieces.

I see Lucas shake his head slowly at Pappy Joe from beside me, signaling to not speak of that. "Oh, I'm sorry Riley. I do apologize." Pappy Joe says innocently. I put on a fake smile and reply, "It's fine." But then I feel tears form and start running down my face. I excuse myself and run upstairs to my room.