Skinny

Chapter 26 : Another family meeting

Chapter 26

The next day...

Riker POV

I groaned in pain as Rydel opened the curtains.

"You ok?"

"Head hurts..."

"Aw, Rik. It's probably because you drank."

"I know... I'm such an idiot."

"You're not an idiot, Rik. It's normal to make mistakes."

"Mom's going to kill me. No, dad will. I'm doomed."

"Rik, listen. I won't tell if you promise me you won't go to any more parties like this."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know there would be alcohol. It was Dom's party, but I guess I forgot that like everyone's older than me... That's why they call me Baby Warbler."

"Aw."

"Can you please get me something for my head?"

"Sure."

Rydel got me some medicine, and I started to feel a little bit better.

"What do we tell mom?"

"Um... Well maybe you could tell her Curt had a family emergency so you came back home really early."

"Ok... Do you think maybe you could tell her for me? Is she going to be able to tell that I drank?"

"I don't know... I'll go down and tell her. You should try to sleep it off."

"Ok."

I laid down in Rydel's bed. She put the covers over me, and I curled up.

"I'll check on you in a little while and bring you some breakfast, ok?"

"Ok. Thank you..."

"You're welcome."

Later...

Riker POV

"So can you tell me exactly what happened last night?" Rydel asked.

"Well they just kept handing me all these drinks, and I felt bad, so I drank them. And I don't know if it was because I drank so much or because I was nervous or both, but I went to the bathroom and threw up a bunch of times."

"Why were you nervous?"

"I don't drink, Rydel! And I felt weird! I didn't know what alcohol would do to me, and I was just scared. I didn't know if how I felt was normal! And I didn't want the police to come and arrest me! I'm underage!"

"I know, I know... How do you feel now?"

"A lot better. My head only hurts a little. What did mom say?"

"Nothing much. She believed it. But you promise me you didn't make yourself throw up last night on purpose?"

"No. It just happened. I didn't try to."

"Ok, good. And you ate your breakfast, right?"

"Yup. It was really good. Mom always makes good pancakes. I think I'm going to take a shower now. Um... Do you mind sitting outside the bathroom for a little while? Mom still wants me watched, right?"

"Yeah."

"Ok."

I grabbed some sweatpants and a T-shirt, and then went to take a shower with the door open from my parents' orders...

Later...

Riker POV

"Hey, dad wants us downstairs for a family meeting," Ross said, standing in Rydel's doorway.

"Ok, we'll be down in a second," Rydel said.

I'd been hanging out with Rydel a lot today. And she read me a bunch of nice comments from Instagram since I had my phone and laptop taken away.

I followed my sister downstairs, and sat next to her on the couch. I was beginning to get a bit nervous. Why are we having a family meeting? Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong? Did they find out about last night?

Are they sending me away!?

"So... I've called this meeting to talk about R5," dad said.

I sighed in relief.

"I booked you a show in 3 days. Riker seems to be doing a lot better, so I figured we could push him a little bit, and have him perform. Plus you guys need to keep playing shows if you want to grow an audience."

"Where are we playing?" Ross asked.

"There's a festival about an hour from here. They're having a few bands play."

We all nodded.

"So I need you guys ready to leave by 7:30 on Friday. I already told Ellington about it too, so he knows. And Riker, if you have any problems or need to talk, we're here for you."

"Thanks, dad," I said, quietly.

"Family meeting dismissed."

I went back up to Rydel's room with Rydel. I was scared for the show.

"So, you excited for Friday?"

"No... What if they can tell I have an eating disorder!? What if they hate me!?"

"Riker, calm down. Everything will be fine. Just don't wear something skin tight."

I sighed.

"You'll be fine, Rik. And you're getting better. And if they notice, you won't know because dad doesn't want you on social media."

"Oh... Right..."

"It'll be fine, Riker. Trust me. The R5 Family loves you."

"Except for all those people who said mean things about me..."

"They're not in the R5 Family, Riker. They're just haters."

"Oh... I guess you're right... But those are the people who affect me the most!"

"Riker, see this is the problem. Why are you letting what haters say get under your skin? They don't care about you, so why do you care what they think? Listen to what our fans say. They're really nice."

"Well I can't because dad took my phone and laptop."

"That's why I've been reading you nice comments."

"Whatever..."

"Riker."

"Can I just think for a little while?"

"Fine."

"And can I sleep here?"

"Why do you want to sleep in here?"

"Because I trust you the most, and you don't get mad when I make mistakes, and I just need someone who cares! Rocky won't talk about feelings and stuff! I just feel better here, ok!?"

"Ok, ok, calm down. I was just wondering."

I curled up in her bed, and closed my eyes. And I started stressing about the show.