Gone Mental

Chapter 18 : Still nervous

Chapter 18
   
Later...

Riker POV

I woke myself up by screaming.

"Riker, it's ok! It was just a dream!" Ericka said, grabbing my hands.

I sighed in relief, and fell back down on my pillow.

"Riker, I think you really need to see someone. You're turning back into who you were when you first came to the mental place. You're scared."

"Please don't make me go back!" I said, breaking into tears.

Ericka sighed.

"Riker, it's not my decision. But I think you still need help."

"I don't want help," I whispered.

"Riker..."

The door opened, and I saw mom.

"Is everything ok up here?" Mom asked.

"Yeah, Riker just had a nightmare."

Mom came and sat down on my bed.

"Riker, maybe taking you home was a mistake," mom said.

"NO!"

"Riker, you still seem paranoid. We need to fix that," mom said.

"No! Please don't send me back! Please no!"

I clung onto Ericka tightly, and cried.

"Riker, I'm going to call the mental place and see what they recommend. And I'm going to do what they suggest."

Mom left, and I was sobbing now.

"Riker, she only wants what's best for you, you know."

"I don't want to leave! I just want to not be scared."

"Well maybe you can still stay home and work on this."

I rolled over, and curled up underneath my blankets. I had them pulled over my head. This is the closest I can get to hiding without getting yelled at for it.

Later...

Riker POV

Mom came up, and wanted to talk to me. I made her let Ericka stay because Ericka made me feel better.

"Alright Riker. So I called the mental place. Their guess is that since your environment changed, it set something off in your head, and you just need to get used to it. So they recommended a counselor for you to go to."

"Wait, so I get to stay home?"

"Yes. Except for your appointments with the counselor. You're going twice a week."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Riker, you can either cooperate, and go to the counselor, or you can go back to the mental place."

"Fine..."

"Alright. Your first appointment is tomorrow."

"Ugh..."

Mom left, and I cuddled with Ericka again.

"Why is this happening to me?" I whispered.

"It's going to be ok, Riker. You'll probably feel a little better in a few days."

"I want to feel better now."

"Well you're calm. How don't you feel good?"

"I just feel like I want to run and hide."

"Riker, it's ok to feel like that as long as you can resist it."

"Well I wish I just didn't feel like this at all!"

"Riker, that's something you can work on with the counselor."

"Will you come with me?"

"Riker, it's supposed to be one on one."

"But I would feel better if you came."

"Well then ask your mom. If she says yes, then I'll go so you have some support."

I got up, and went downstairs. I asked mom, and she said yes!

I ran back up, and told Ericka. And then I went to sleep.

Later...

Riker POV

"Rik, wake up. It's time for dinner."

I opened my eyes to find Ericka shaking me.

"Mmmm..."

"Come on. Let's go downstairs."

"N-no!" I said, sitting up.

"Riker, what's wrong?"

"N-no! I d-don't want to g-go!"

"Why? What's wrong?"

I laid down again, and started crying into my pillow. Ericka started rubbing my back.

"Riker, please tell me what's wrong."

"You'll be m-mad at m-me."

"No, I won't. Please just tell me."

"I'm... scared!"

Ericka sighed.

"Riker, you're going to get sent back if you're not brave. Come on. Please at least try to come down and eat with us. Ok?"

She made me stand up, and she led me downstairs. I had a really awful feeling in my chest though.

She sat down at the table, and I sat down next to her. I moved my chair right next to hers, and held her hand tightly under the table.

Ericka told everyone that I was kind of nervous to be down here. And they were all kind of supportive of me. But I really just wanted to be done with dinner so I could go back upstairs.

Finally dinner was over, but mom made me wash the dishes by myself. And I was doing alright until Ross snuck up behind me.

"BOO!"

I screamed, dropped the plate in the sink, and fell on the ground.

"Ross! Not nice! He's not better yet!" Rydel yelled.

I'd gotten water all over myself. Rydel helped me up, and helped me finish the dishes. And as soon as we were finished, I made Rydel walk me upstairs because I was scared to go alone.

Unfortunately for me, Ericka was getting ready for bed, so I had to be alone. I curled up in my bed, feeling like something bad would happen.

My door opened, and I literally jumped a few inches. But it was only Ericka.

"You need to sleep next to me tonight!" I said, becoming close to tears.

"Why?" Ericka asked, walking over.

"I'm not going to make it. I'll get scared."

"Riker... Are your parents really going to approve of us sleeping in the same bed?"

"But we're not even doing anything! The whole reason is because I'm scared! And Rocky's in here so we're not even alone! And we're more than 18, so we have every right to sleep wherever we want to!"

"Well..."

"Well come here!"

I pulled her into bed next to me, and I cuddled up next to her.

"Just please don't let me wake up and find you under the bed, Riker."

"Ok, how about this? If I get scared, can I wake you up so you can help me?"

"Yes."

"Ok... Night..."

"Night, Riker..."