Finding a Twin

Chapter 13 : Riker makes a mistake

Chapter 13
  
A few days later...

Jeff POV

To be honest, school still scared me. A lot. But Riker was by my side almost the whole time. I trusted him, and he's become my best friend. I've never really had one before.

We'd taken a test in calculus yesterday, and he was freaking out because he can't fail stuff. But I helped him go over our notes the night before, and he seemed like he understood it. Sort of...

We'd just gotten to calculus, and I knew we were getting our tests back at the end of class. Riker was sitting next to me, being all jittery.

I thought about telling him to calm down, but as a person that has anxiety, I know that doesn't help, and I know it's not that simple.

All throughout class, he just seemed to become more and more nervous. I guess he was kind of like me, except I'm always nervous throughout the whole day.

I was a little nervous about the test grade too though. I mean, I thought I did alright, but sometimes I think I did good, and then I don't. But I double checked all of my answers, so hopefully I did alright.

We got handed back our tests face down. Riker was just staring at it on his desk. He wasn't even looking at what he got.

The bell rang. Riker took his test, but kept it face down. We went to the senior lounge together, and sat down in the back.

"Aren't you going to look at it?"

"Well... What'd you get on yours?"

"92. Is that good?"

"That's better than good. I can't look! You look for me and tell me if I should look or not."

He held up his paper.

"So?"

"Don't look at it."

He turned it around.

"42!? I got a freaking 42!? Ugh! I tried so hard on that one! You helped me study!"

Riker covered his face with his hands.

"You said they won't hit you, right?"

"No, Jeff! They're not going to hit me!"

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem is that I got a 42! They're going to kill me!"

"Really?"

"Not literally. They going to punish me, but I tried my best, and ugh! This isn't fair!"

"So what? At least you're not going to get hit."

"Jeff, my parents don't hit people! And it's still going to be awful even though I'm not getting hit. I'm getting punished! That's like just as bad."

"No, it's not. Getting hit is terrifying. You know it's coming, but you don't know when. When it starts, you don't know when it'll end. When it's happening, you can't scream or cry or else the hits get worse. And the bruises hurt for days. You can't fall asleep at night because they hurt so badly. And they're everywhere, so you really can't find a comfortable position."

Riker looked at me, annoyed.

"Maybe it's not the same as getting hit, but it's still getting punished, and it's not fun!"

"Ok... sorry..."

Later...

Jeff POV

Riker was sort of in a mood all day. And I was a little nervous of him. But I still trusted him.

We got home, and went up to our room.

"So are you telling mom and dad tonight?" I asked.

"Duh, I'm telling them! I have to get my test signed!"

Riker was pacing the room.

"Are you sure they're going to be mad at you?"

"Yes, Jeff! They told me when I got the 20 on the chemistry quiz! They said that I couldn't fail anything else otherwise I'd be in big trouble! You were there when it happened!"

"Ok, ok! I'm sorry! Please don't yell at me!"

Riker left the room. I was beginning to get very nervous. Where is he? What's he doing?

I sat down on my bed, trying to calm down a little. My heart was sort of racing...

Riker came back about a minute later, still looking annoyed.

"W-where were you?" I asked, quietly.

"The bathroom! Is that ok with you!? Why are you asking me so many questions!? Gosh!"

The rest of our siblings started coming home.

"R-Riker-"

"Jeff, shut up! Stop talking to me! You've been talking to me all day! I've had enough!"

"I-I'm s-sorry! I'm n-not t-trying to b-be annoying!"

"Well you are!"

"R-Riker, p-please-"

"Jeff! Shut up!"

"What's going on in here?" Rydel asked, standing in the doorway.

I got up, and walked over to her, feeling sort of scared inside.

"Jeff is being so annoying and asking me all these questions about my stupid calculus test!" Riker shouted.

"Riker, he's probably just trying to help-"

"No, he's not! It's like he's shoving it in my face that he's the smart twin, and I'm the dumb twin!"

"Riker, stop yelling at him! Or I'm going to get mom. This isn't nice."

"Rydel-"

"Riker, take a breath, and control yourself."

"I am in freaking control of myself, Rydel! Stop trying to protect Jeff! It's like you're playing favorites with someone you don't even know!"

"I'm getting mom."

"Rydel! Stop! Move, Jeff!"

Riker shoved me hard, and I fell down in the hallway.

"Riker, why would you do that!?" Rydel yelled.

I quickly got back up on my feet, and bolted. Riker's like everyone else. He doesn't care. He led me to believe he'd protect me, but he lied.

I ran as fast as I could downstairs, out the door, and down the street. I had no idea where I was going, but I just needed to get away.