Secrets

Chapter 18 : Problems with Riker

Chapter 18

The next day...

Riker POV

I went over to Jen's kind of early. I knocked on her front door, and she answered, still wearing her pajamas.

"Hey, did I wake you?" I asked.

"No... I barely slept all night though..."

"Why?"

"I'm too stressed... And that makes me wake up 8 million times."

"Oh... Do you want to talk about it?"

"Definitely not..."

"Ok... So what do you want to do today?"

"Something relaxing."

"We can have a lazy day. That's cool with me."

"Sure..."

I followed her to her bedroom. I noticed a black hoodie on the floor. I picked it up, and I smelled cologne.

"Jen? Who's hoodie is this? It's obviously not yours. Unless you wear cologne."

"No. Um... That belongs to... my cousin."

"Your cousin?"

"Yeah. Um... He was over here yesterday. He picked me up and dropped me off for my doctor's appointment. And I guess he just left it here. I'll have to give it back next time I see him."

"Wait. Weren't you wearing this last night? Yeah, I remember now. You were wearing it when I came over."

"Uh... Yeah, because... I was cold, so he gave it to me."

"Um... Ok."

Jen seemed nervous for some reason. I assumed she was just stressed.

"So... What do you want to do?"

"You know, on second thought, I actually feel sort of sick. I think I might be coming down with the flu."

"The flu?"

"Yeah, does it feel hot in here to you?"

Jen put her hand on her forehead.

"Whoa, yup. That's a fever. You better leave. I wouldn't want you to catch it."

Jen sort of pushed me out of her room, and then out the front door.

"I'll text you later if I'm feeling better."

She shut and locked the door before I had any time to respond.

Well that was strange...

Jen POV

I sighed in relief. I'd gotten rid of Riker for now, but I'd just told more lies. It's driving me insane!

I went back to my bedroom, and texted Mike like he'd wanted me to.

"Why'd you want me to text you? By the way, I have your sweatshirt."

He texted me back almost immediately.

"Have you thought about who you love more?"

"I was up all night thinking about it."

"And?"

"I still don't know."

"Jen."

"I can't just decide in 1 day! I need time!"

"Alright, fine. Take some more time. I'll text you later."

I put my phone down, annoyed. I just can't decide!

I love Mike because he was my first love. We have history, and I know he can be sweet at times. I'm just not positive he's not going to hit me again. But after the past couple of days, he'd sort of earned back a little bit of my trust.

But then again, there's Riker. We don't have that much history. And I'm almost sure he'd never hit me. He's one of the sweetest guys I know, and I know he cares about me. And he'd promised not to break my heart.

I just don't know...

Later...

Jen POV

I was going crazy. Mike's putting all this pressure on me to decide. But I'm not sure yet! And I feel awful about lying to Riker. This is all making me so stressed out, and I don't know how much longer I can take it!

I was walking down to the beach right now. I was hoping Riker wouldn't be there, and luckily, he wasn't. I went down one of the docks to the edge, and sat down with my feet in the water.

Riker or Mike... Riker or Mike...

Maybe I should just flip a coin, and end this all right now.

No. I have to think about this decision... But I wish I could!

I felt footsteps shaking the dock slightly. And who sat down next to me? None other than Riker Lynch.

"Hey. Are you feeling better?"

I sighed.

"No, not really..."

That wasn't exactly a lie. I was feeling so stressed, and honestly, it was starting to make me feel sick to my stomach.

"Aw... Well I was wondering if you wanted to do something. We could watch a movie."

I sighed.

"I don't know, Riker..."

"Are you ok? You just seem off."

I closed my eyes, and laid down on my back, covering my face with my hands.

"Jen, what's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

"It's obviously something."

"I can't tell you ok? It's a secret."

"I feel like you're keeping a lot from me."

"Maybe I am, and maybe I'm not."

"Jen-"

"Why don't you just go home, Riker!? Quit bothering me!"

I felt his footsteps leave. I looked up, and he was gone.

I groaned out of frustration. Now I feel bad for yelling at him like that... But I can't deal with him right now! He's just making me feel more stressed out!

Later...

Jen POV

"Have you chosen yet?" Mike texted me.

I didn't respond, and shoved my phone under my pillow. I don't want to talk to anyone, and I don't want to make this decision. I'd rather pretend everything was ok for right now. But I knew it wasn't.

I heard knocking at my door, and groaned, guessing it was Riker.

I got up, and answered it. And guess what? I was right.

"Jen, I think we need to talk," Riker said, looking upset.

Obviously we need to talk...

"Can I please come in?" Riker asked.

"Yeah..."

I followed Riker to my bedroom. We both sat down on my bed.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, sighing.

"Are you cheating on me with Mike? Because ever since the hospital visit, you've been weird. And now you're keeping secrets and acting weird. Please tell me the truth."

"No, I'm not exactly cheating on you..."

"Then what are you doing? What's going on?"

"Riker, I can't tell you."

"Then I don't think I can be with you."

Riker got up, and walked out. I burst into tears, and fell down on my bed, crying. I can't handle this anymore...