Handle With Care

Chapter 3: One Concert Down, A LOT To Go

Chapter 3: One Concert Down, A LOT To Go

~River's POV~

I woke up at the sound of music and loud voices, all talking over one another. Well, that concludes my two hours of sleep. The bus rocking really didn't help me rest. I sat up, only to bump my head against the top of the bunk, probably leaving a bruise.

Everyone got quiet as I opened my curtain slowly, rubbing my head as I rolled out of the bunk. Ross, Rocky, and Ryland could barely contain their giggles as I sat down on the couch beside Riker and Rydel.

"You might wanna watch your head next time, bab- I mean River." Riker said, blushing like crazy.

Rocky picked me up and cuddled with me on the other couch, "Stop hitting on my woman Riker." 

I laughed and cuddled with him. Soon, I felt more arms around me and I realized I was being dogpiled. Everyone but Riker and Ross had piled on top of me.

"Okay I need air," I said from underneath them all. They laughed and got off of me. 

Riker got up, grabbed my wrist, and hauled me out of the bus. Wait, was I being kidnapped? I smiled to myself at the thought. Before we had gotten out of the bus Riker called to everyone, "We won't be back for a while." 

Nobody really had the chance to say anything as Riker slammed the door shut behind us. He drug me out to a car we kept in case we wanted to go anywhere. We were still in Cali, I noticed.

He gestured for me to get into the passenger seat. I quickly got in, excited for whatever we would be doing.  He got into the driver's seat and turned the key, driving away from curb.

"Where are we going exactly?" I asked.

He smirked, keeping his eyes on the road, "Anywhere but near my crazy siblings."

"You don't like your siblings?" I asked. I'm not sure if Riker knew where he was going, but I trusted him.... Enough.

"I love them. They're my best friends. But I'd rather be alone with a girl I like other than hang out with them, which I do all the time," he explained. 

"And you know where you're going, right?" I asked.

He snorted, "I am fully capable of finding... the place we're going." 

We drove the rest of the way in silence. He looked over at me occasionally. I looked over at him more than not. It was kind of normal though, in a weird way.

When we pulled into the beach, I was actually surprised, seeing as though neither of us had bathing suits and it was 9 in the morning. 

"We don't even have bathing suits," I pointed out. 

He just smiled and got out of the car. I got out and stood in front of him. He threw me over his shoulder.

"RIKER!" I squealed while laughing, "PUT ME DOWN!" 

"Okay," he said. He put me down onto the warm sand. 

We sat down beside each other just soaking up the sun's warmth. I felt Riker's stare as I leaned back and closed my eyes against the sun's harmful light. His hand covered mine and I opened my eyes and smiled at him. 

"Let's just spend the day together," he said.

"We have a concert in a few hours Rike. We kinda can't spend the day anywhere but the tour bus," I pointed out. 

He sighed, "I guess you're right. Let's get back and change and we can hang out with everyone for a while before the show."

"Good idea smarty pants," I replied, giggling.

He laughed and helped me up and we went back to the car after our short visit at the beach. We drove back to the bus in silence. But not like that awkward silence. It was a silence that everyone was okay with and nobody questioned. Well I guess commenting on it is sort of questioning it, but whatever.

When we were back at the bus, Riker put his arm around me as we walked in together. Nobody was there though. They must be in the back of the bus then. Riker dropped his arm to his side as we ventured further into the bus, looking for the others.

"Hey guys.... What are you talking about?" Riker asked as we stepped into the back room of the bus. 

Everyone's heads snapped back around to us.

"Ross was just telling us about-" Rocky started, but was quickly interrupted by a whack in the back of the head by none other than Ross.

"Dude!" Rydel said, looking sternly at Rocky. He rubbed the back of his head in pain and stopped talking.

"We were discussing what colors we should wear for tonight's show," Ellington said. 

I eyed him suspiciously, "Without us? Plus, Stormie already has the colors picked out. Pink and black, remember?"

Ross stood, "Then I guess there's nothing more to discuss."

Everyone else stood and left the room to go do whatever. Everyone but Riker, Ross, and I, that is. I sat uncomfortably on the couch, quickly followed by the two boys, sitting on either side of me.

"Umm... I kind of need some space," I said. They were instantly on separate sides of the couch. I sighed and stood up.

"Wait!" Ross said. I turned to look at him. Seeing those pleading puppy-dog eyes made me want to stay, so that's what I did. "I need to talk to you... alone."

"No way!" Riker shouted. I glared at him, but he ignored my eyes and found other things in the room to look at.

I rolled my eyes, "Riker, I don't need a babysitter. Just go and play a game with Rocky or something. I'll be fine." 

He snorted, stood up, gave Ross 'the look', and left the room. I turned to Ross on the couch and waited for him to say something.

After waiting what seemed like forever, I spoke up, "What is it Ross?"

"I-I.... I kind of sort of... like... you," he mumbled.

Of course I kind of picked up on this, but that was beside the point. 

"Ross, I-" he cut me off quickly.

He rushed through his words and stumbled over a few, "I don't expect you to say anything. I know that you like Riker, and I respect that. I just thought you should know."

I smiled at him and pulled him into a hug, "I love you.... like a brother of course. Thanks for letting me know."

He smiled as I released him from the hug and went some where to the front of the bus. I laid down on the couch and rested my eyes, wanting to have all the energy I could muster for the next performance today. 

Soon, I was fast asleep.

A/N: ------------> IMPORTANT!!! <------------------ So I noticed a lot of you asking for updates, and I'm not sure if you got the memo, but every chapter needs 50 reads before I update it. Sorry for the delay last night, but I started it and just had major writer's block. So, I gave myself Riker feels, and the writer's block is gone! Yay! :D Anyway, like I said, 50 reads. No less than 50. So I advise, if you want an update, tell you friends and family and cats and dogs and uncles and aunts to GET READING! And sorry for the semi short chapter! Oops? :D <3