R5 Imagines

Riker and Ella

Ella's POV
My jaw dropped. "This coming from the guy who had blueberry pie for dinner the other day."
"Well I was tired and you guys ate all of the pizza." Riker argued.
"Well you had corn chips for breakfast this morning and I sure didn't eat all of the pancakes. There were at least five left."
"Oh. Well you ate corn cereal for breakfast so I don't think there's much difference." He shrugged. "It's all corn."
"Umm yeah but one is approved by the FDA as a nutritional breakfast." I stated.
He squinted. "Do you even know what the FDA is?"
"Yeah. Do you?"
"Yeah."
"Well what is it?"
"I asked you first."
"Wow. I can't stand you." I blurted, defeated (an unable to remember what "FDA" stood for).
"Love you more."
I absolutely could NOT stand Riker. He was always picking on me. I don't even know what or who started this argument.
Okay.
Yes I do.
It was I who started the argument and I was questioning Riker's food choices. I swear if he eats this randomly every day of tour, he is going to die at the age of thirty-seven. He either makes super healthy choices or goes off the rail. There's no middle ground.
Currently, R5 was on tour and I was on spring break so I decided to surprise Rydel at one of their shows and hang with them while they toured the West Coast.
I met the Lynch family at the Rage Dance Complex. They took a lot of the same dance classes I took so I saw them all the time. Instantly, Rydel and I became the best of friends. Even before I actually met him, I decided that Riker was annoying and was set on the fact that I couldn't stand him. He turned out to be quite sweet but, of course, I wasn't going to admit that. One time, we were in a hip-hop dance together and, for the sake of the performance, we pretended to love every minute of it but in reality, we despised every millisecond of it.
Every now and then, I felt bad for never giving Riker a chance. He was probably wondering why I never liked him. If I had the chance to relive that time once more, I would have just been honest; I had an immense crush on Riker and I was nearly mad at myself because I didn't even know the kid and I was head over heels.
Tonight, the band was playing a show in Fresno. I had changed out of my cotton shorts and hoodie and put on a pair of light-wash denim shorts and a black and white striped tee. Now, I was wandering the halls backstage with the intent of finding the backstage entrance to the stage.
"Hi Ella!" Stormie greeted me, as I walked past her. "You look adorable, as always."
"Hi, Mom." I chuckled at the fact that nearly every kid who knew her called her 'Mom'. "Aww. You're the sweetest. Have you seen Rydel?"
"Yep. She's onstage rehearsing. If you wanna hang backstage, keep going down this hall, make a left, go up the stairs, and then you'll the curtains. Or you can just go out that side door and watch them from the seats."
"Oh. Okay. Thanks!"
I decided to hang backstage for a bit. I ended up in the wings on stage left and Riker was only feet away from me. Turning around to mouth something to Ellington, he saw me and rolled his eyes. Due to my stubbornness, I decided to sit cross-legged on the stage.
The band about to run through "Dark Side" but Riker stopped playing.
"Hang on. I'll be right back." He spoke.
I looked up and realized Riker was walking towards to me. He shifted the guitar strap on shoulders, moving his bass to the side so he could kneel in front of me.
I frowned at him for no good reason.
"Whatcha doing?"
"What's it to you?" I made another face. "I'm just sittin' here hopin' you fall off the stage."
"Yo what's your deal? Why do you hate me?"
"I don't hate you, Riker."
"Yeah you do. You literally just said that you hoped I fall off the stage tonight."
"Well it wouldn't be the first time." I snickered.
"Shut up." His voice cracked with laughter. "My butt is still bruised from the last time I fell."
He extended his arm and held out his hand. I awkwardly took his hand and continued to sit. What in the world are we supposed to be doing? What even is this?
"Umm...Ella?"
"Yeah?"
"I was tryna help you up." He blushed.
"Ohhhhh." I felt my face heating up, as I slowly rose to my feet. "Oh thanks."
"Hey after your done rehearsing, do you have a minute?"
"Sure. We can talk.
"Hey, guys." Riker said to the others as he put his guitar down. "Could you go through the song without me? I gotta talk with Ella."
"Oooh." Rocky smirked. "Have fun 'talking'."
"Oh gosh." Riker rolled eyes. "Ignore him."
With ease, Riker hopped off the stage (on purpose this time) so I tried. My landing was not so smooth and I scuffed my new Vans in the process.
"Careful. You almost fell off the stage." Riker winked.
The two of us walked out of the noisy auditorium and stepped into the cooler air of the spacious entrance hall.
"So what'd you wanna talk about?" Riker asked.
"Umm...so ya know how we kinda argue and bicker a lot?"
"Yeah..."
"Well I wanted to apologize because I never meant to actually hurt you. I just felt like annoying you because-" I took a deep breath. "-because when I first met you, I really liked you. Like I really, really liked you...a lot. I was kinda annoyed that I had feelings for you. That's why I was always irritated by you. I figured that I could trick myself into hating you so that I wouldn't like you but that didn't work. I'm sorry."
I didn't even dare to look at Riker so I continued speaking with an averted gaze. Riker leaned to the right a bit and was in my frame of view. I glanced at the amused expression on his face, truly hoping he either felt the same or wasn't weirded out.
"Really? You like me?"
"Yeah..." I replied, now unsure of myself.
"Wow. I liked you too but I thought you didn't like me so I kinda did the same thing." He chuckled, shyly. "Actually, I loved you. I still do."
"I love you too."
I closed my eyes serenely as Riker lightly kissed my forehead.
He pulled me into a hug but Stormie startled us both and we immediately turned to face her. She had her phone in front of her and it was obvious that she was or had been taking pictures of us.
"Mom...." Riker laughed. "What are you doing?"
"What? I don't know what you're talking about?" She blinked in pretend oblivion. "I have been waiting for this day for at least six years. You may NOT take this happy moment away from me."
"Riker, soundcheck starts in fifteen minutes." Ryland called from the large double doors leading into the auditorium.
"Ooh. I gotta run. See ya after the show."
"See ya!"
He began to dart towards the stage but stopped mid-jog and whirled around.
"Hey, Ella. Guess what."
"What?"
"The FDA stands for the 'Food And Drug Assocation'. Just thought you'd wanna be reminded."
I chuckled and shook my head. I've got myself an adorable guy.