Secrets

Chapter 8 : Dating?

Chapter 8

Later...

Riker POV

I couldn't get Jen to tell me much. She just kept a lot to herself.

Me on the other hand... I was practically an open book. I told her stories about me and my siblings, crazy things that happened to me, and other weird things. But I couldn't get much out of her.

"Jen?"

"What?"

"Can you answer one question? Just one? Please?"

"What?"

"You know how you don't want to date again?"

"Yeah?"

"How long is it going to be until you trust guys again?"

"I don't know. Why? Oh, because... you..."

I felt my cheeks get hot.

"Um... I'm not trying to pressure you or anything. I just... really like you. You're really pretty, you're fun, and I just like you a lot..."

"Riker, it might be a long time before I'm ready to date again. I wouldn't wait for me if I were you."

"How do you feel about me though?"

"Like I said before, I haven't really thought about it. I still don't really know you that well."

"You know me well enough. You know I don't like storms and the dark. You know I'd save you if you fell in a lake. You know I'd buy you ice cream and lunch. You know-"

"Riker, I get it. I know some things about you. What's the point of this conversation?"

"I just... I guess I just wish that you'd give me a chance. I've never had a girlfriend or my first kiss before... And... I was hoping that you would be both of those."

I felt my cheeks burning now. I just confessed a lot.

Jen looked at me, and sighed.

"Riker, here's the thing. I'm scared of getting hurt again. I just don't feel like I can trust anyone right now. It's not just a matter of having a bad boyfriend. He cheated on me with my best friend! I don't want any boyfriends, and I don't want any friends. I'm scared the same thing is going to happen."

"Jen, I won't break your heart! I'd never cheat on you! I just want you to be happy. And if you could be happy while being with me, that'd be even better."

"You're making this really hard, you know."

"What do you mean?"

"You look so innocent and shy and embarrassed all at the same time. It's kind of adorable."

My cheeks burned even more.

"Riker, I'm willing to give you one very small chance, ok? You can call us a couple, and all that stuff. But if you do anything, it's over."

"No! I swear, I won't! You can trust me! I promise!"

"I hope so..."

"Wait. What am I allowed to do?"

"I don't know..."

"What can't I do?"

"Break my heart."

"Oh... So I can do pretty much anything a good boyfriend would do?"

"Sure. Knock yourself out."

"Wait. I don't want to do this if you're just going to be grumpy about it. I really want this to work."

"I'll give you a chance, Riker. We can see if it works."