Finding a Twin

Chapter 36 : Getting back to normal

Chapter 36

Later...

Riker POV

Jeff started stirring next to me. He finally woke up, and he looked sort of scared and confused. He also looked extremely tired.

"Hey. Don't panic. Everything's fine," I said, pulling him into my arms.

He curled up into my chest.

"Look. Sophia got suspended all week. So you don't have to worry about her, ok?"

He nodded a little.

"And your stitches are out, and your wrists are fine. You're completely 100% safe."

"I'm hungry..."

"Yeah. You missed breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Do you want me to go bring you something to eat?"

"Don't leave!" He said, grabbing onto my shirt.

"Ok, ok... How about I get Rydel to bring you something, ok? I won't leave you."

"Ok."

I texted Rydel, and she brought Jeff some spaghetti that we had for dinner. He seemed pretty calm. He was sitting right next to me, and wouldn't let me move an inch, but he wasn't freaking out, and he wasn't crying. I think that's progress.

He gave me the plate when he finished, and I set it on the floor. The door opened, and he jumped, shrinking down next to me.

It was just mom.

"How's Jeff doing?" She asked.

"He was fine until you opened the door and scared him," I said, looking at my brother.

Jeff was curled into my side, holding onto the bottom of my shirt tightly.

"He's doing fine, mom. Just a little nervous. But he's fine."

"Ok, good. You let me know if anything changes."

Mom left. I looked back at Jeff.

"Hey. Look, I really need to take a shower before bed."

"Riker, no!"

"Jeff... I have to. And you should too."

"No."

"Yes."

"Riker, no!"

"Yes!"

He crawled onto my lap, latching himself onto me so I couldn't really move.

"Jeff..."

"You can't leave me!"

"Alright, how about this? We'll take turns showering. You can sit in the bathroom while I shower so we're in the same room, alright? And then we can switch, and you can shower. I'll get dressed and stuff while you're in there, ok? I won't leave you."

"Ok..."

I pushed him off of me, and grabbed us both some pjs. I put my arm around Jeff, and we walked to the bathroom together.

Later...

Riker POV

Jeff and I were back in bed. My shower plan had worked, thank god. Jeff actually seemed a little more calm now for some reason. He was curled up next to me, fast asleep.

I shut off the light, and laid down. Hopefully we can make it until morning without anything crazy happening...

Morning...

Jeff POV

"Wake up. We've got school," Riker said, shaking me.

"No," I groaned.

"Yes. Mom said you have to go. You already missed yesterday, and Sophia is suspended. Get up."

I watched Riker get dressed in the closet.

"Jeff, come on. You need to get dressed."

"I don't want to."

"Well you have to."

Riker pulled me out of bed, and put me in the closet.

"I don't even have anything to wear! The laundry isn't done!"

"Wear something of mine."

"All your jeans are too big."

"Then wear sweatpants."

"Fine..."

I pulled on a pair of Riker's sweatpants, and rolled the waistband over a few times so they wouldn't fall down. I put on one of Riker's sweatshirts too, and then we went downstairs.

Later...

Jeff POV

I don't exactly know what happened to me for the past few days, but I think I'm over it. I'm with Riker every second I can be, and Sophia's not here. Things are ok for right now.

Riker and I walked home. And once we got there, I flopped on my bed.

"Tired?"

"I'm stressed."

"I thought you were ok today."

"I was... But I'm just... not completely ok again yet."

"Yeah, I get it. But I'm here. I'm keeping you safe."

"I know, Riker. Like... You have all my trust. And you're the only thing that kept me from running out of school. I trusted you."

"Good. You should. I'm your big brother by 9 minutes, and I'll always protect you no matter what."

Later...

Riker POV

I think Jeff is finally back to normal. Well... His version of normal.

I can finally leave him alone in the bedroom without him freaking out. He's doing just fine. And I sort of felt proud of myself because I'm the one who helped him get through whatever it was that happened to him. He trusts me, and it made me feel good that he sort of relies on me. I like it.

Jeff came in the bedroom after taking a shower. He was wearing my pjs.

"Ready for bed?" I asked.

"Yup."

He climbed into bed, and curled up next to me. I shut off the light.

"Night, Jeff."

"Night, Riker."

A/N : Ok, remember when I said I was going to break your hearts in the next few chapters? It's coming...