Just A Frail Disguise | Ricky Horror

Blind Faith | Two

I woke up late the next morning, almost at noon. I stumbled into the kitchen to get a bottle of water and was greeted by Rose. "Morning." I grumbled, opening the fridge. "Hey An, you may wanna get dressed, and brush your hair." Rose answered, grabbing some plates and napkins. "Why?" I questioned, rubbing sleep from my eyes as I took a bottle of water.

"Need any help babe?" Chris asked, walking into the kitchen, "Annie, hey!" I nodded his way, then hurried out to my room. I was real hungry, so I wanted to just make myself look decent enough to be seen by others. I changed into an oversized Deer Gods black T-Shirt, and a pair of black leggings. I ran a brush through my hair, and deemed myself presentable.

I walked back to the kitchen and saw Rose was there, pulling something out of the oven. "Oh good, you can help." she sighed, setting a large tray on the counter. I saw onion rings, fries, and chicken wings covering the entire space. "Are we having a party?" I asked, yawning. "No, it's just me, you, Chris, and Ricky. But they eat a lot. Our food is still in the oven." she replied flatly.

"Ricky's here too? You should've tol- Our food is in the oven?" I peeked inside, and sure enough, there was a whole other tray. "Are you telling me everything on that thing is for those two?!" Rose burst out laughing. "I went to an all you can eat buffet with all of em once. They both had five plates, each one nearly overflowing. They can eat."

"God damn right. I'm starving." Chris said from behind me. I jumped and moved away. "Sorry, didn't mean to. Anything I can do to maybe hurry up the food?" he asked hopefully. "You can get out." Rose laughed, pointing toward the living room. "But I-" "Go on, shoo!" Rose chuckled, "Go talk to Ricky about putting on a movie or something."

Chris hung his head like a scolded child and walked out. The oven timer beeped, and Rose took the other tray out. "You can come and sit with us, or you can hang in your room if it's too much." she told me, taking off her oven mitts, "But, they both thought you were cool, and Ricky is only here to see you, if you're up for it."

Ricky was here, to see me? Why? I'm not special, I'm just....me. I don't even do well with people, I'm terrible at small talk. What's he care? "Why does he wanna see me?" I asked quietly. "He said you seemed really awesome and he wants to get to know you." Rose answered, starting to pile food onto plates, "He also understands if you would rather be alone."

She handed me a plate of food with a napkin, and I stared at it as I thought. "I'm gonna go eat in my room, then I'll join, okay?" I told her. She smiled at me. "Whatever you're comfortable with, sis." I thanked her and walked back to my room. I sat on my bed and ate, thinking. No one ever wants to get to know me. No one. So why Ricky?

I finished eating and put my plate in the kitchen sink, then walked into the living room. Rose had an empty plate on her lap, and had her head on Chris's shoulder. Chris was scarfing down chicken wings like he'd been starved for a week. Ricky's empty plate was sitting in front of him on the coffee table, as he was sat on Chris's other side.

"Annie, hey." He smiled warmly, patting the couch next to him. I mentally cringed at the thought of getting that close, and sat in a recliner by him. He seemed slightly hurt, but didn't say anything. I looked at the TV and saw they were watching The Exorcist. I frowned; in my opinion this movie was total shit. But I guess it was pretty scary for it's time.

Rose must have noticed, because she suggested we watch Beetlejuice, which is my favorite movie. "But, Regan, and-" Chris stammered with a mouth of food, pointing at the TV. "This is boring me and it's my house." Rose smirked, grabbing the remote. She turned off the movie and put on Beetlejuice instead.

As the opening credits started, Ricky passed me his phone. He had the notes section open, and had written, "She put this on for you, right? It's my favorite Burton movie, good choice." I blushed and nodded at him, handing his phone back. Of course Beetlejuice is his favorite Tim Burton movie, why wouldn't it be?

Everyone stopped talking and just watched the movie, and I caught Ricky looking at me a few times. Never in a creepy way though. He just would smile happily and then look back at the TV. Confused by that as I was, it made me feel kinda special. Like someone other than Rose seems to give a shit about me.

~

After the movie ended, I ended up sitting outside in the backyard, just to get some air. I sat on our porch swing, looking up at the sky. I had some reading to get done for college, but I wanted to relax for a bit. I was just about to head inside when the back door opened. Ricky. He gave me a smile and leaned against the wall, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

He took one out and lit it, putting the pack away as he took a long drag of his cigarette, looking up at the sky. He was just wearing a black T-Shirt and black skinny jeans, but he still looked so incredibly mesmerizing. He looked over at me, and I blushed and looked away. "You smoke?" he asked, holding his cigarette towards me. I shook my head no, and he shrugged. "I just can't seem to give it up. Clears my head, I guess."

"What do you need to clear?" I questioned. He chuckled at my sudden boldness. "Uh, you, actually. I just can't stop wondering about you. You intrigue me." Ricky stated simply. I felt my cheeks heat up as I blushed. There's nothing intriguing about me. "Wh- Why?" I queried, "What's so special about me?" Ricky shrugged. "You just seem different. You're so shy, I wonder what your story is."

Hearing that made me feel uncomfortable then. I don't ever like to think about my past, so I definitely don't wanna tell a stranger. I excused myself and hurried inside, tears in my eyes. Rose caught up to me in the hallway and asked what happened. "He s-said he's curious about my story, a-and I don't wanna think about th-that." I stammered, tears starting to fall. She nodded. "Alright, go." And with that, I hurried into my room,