Emerald Skies

Together

Ch 4; Together

I had to tell Laura that Ross was with me too, and that he saw everything. Before she freaks out though, I quickly tell her that we couldn't identify who it was that Rydel was sitting there kissing.

"Wait... Did you even know it was me when you asked before?" She questions. "Is that why you used that movie-quote? So that if I had no idea what the hell you were talking about you could have gone off like you weren't accusing me of anything?!"

"I wasn't accusing you of anything!" I exclaim. She was worked up about Ross knowing. I could tell. "And no- I raced to the door when you guys left and caught you two holding hands. By the time Ross caught up though you were already gone."

She's about to burst out about something- but calms herself before she continues. "So... Ross has no idea that it's me then...?" She clarifies, and I nod. "And, you haven't said anything to him?" Again, I nod. There's a pause, then... "Riker, do you think Ross has a crush on me?"

"I know he does." I sigh, my face dropping into a pity-expression. "He's never said it, but I'm almost certain he likes you in that way."

"I... Kinda thought he did too..." She admits. "But, not anymore."

What?

"At first yeah- I thought he had a crush on me and I think he really DID used to have a crush on me, but... Well..."

I cock my head.

"No, nevermind. Look, I don't know how he feels about me, but please don't bring it up to him, okay? And, don't tell Rydel you know about this either please."

"Laura I'm not gonna tell anyone." I assure her. "So, you didn't tell Rydel that I saw you two...?" I catch.

She shakes her head. "Like I said, it's taboo. We don't talk about it period."

It all sounds more complicated than it's worth, but I'll have to take Laura's word that she'll be okay. Before I leave, she offers me a water for the road.

"No thanks, but I might need that hair spray right about now!" I laugh. She does too, and it's good to see she isn't too upset still as I leave.

I enter the foyer, and am greeted by Ross, running down the steps. He nearly trips over one as he descends, and I watch in amusement until he finally reaches the bottom.

"Riker guess wha- whoa, what happened to your shirt?" He asks, looking at the stains left from Laura's eye-liner.

"Uh- pen exploded from being left in my car. It got all over my shirt." I lie.

"Oh. Anyway back to my thing- guess what?!" He says, and I can tell he's too excited about something-or-the-other to really care what happened to my shirt.

"Ross, what?" I say impatiently, but was actually curious to see what's got him all riled up.

"Mom called- she says we should all take a week off classes cause we're going up north!" He gleams.

"Aren't they there now?" I ask, but can't help but get a little excited.

Ross nods. "They want us to drive up there and meet them at the cabin on Monday. We're leaving tomorrow night!"

Talk about short notice. It kinda makes sense that we leave now though, seeing as though we have a brief period in time that none of us are doing ANYTHING. Especially that trouble-maker brother of mine- sometimes I wonder when he has time to breath between all his activities.

"Tomorrow night? Why the hell don't they just tell us to pack up and leave now?"

"All packed!" Rydel says, and Ross raises a brow. She had three suitcases, a giant duffle bag, a computer bag (chocked full with more than just her computer), a backpack, and a purse. "...yeah I guess I got a little too excited and went overboard..." She notes.