Emerald Skies

Red Skies at Morning

Ch 12; Red Skies at Morning

Ross slept in and missed his classes.

Since he already missed a bunch of his schooling while we were away for the week, he has a ton of assignments to do. This morning Rydel scolded him harshly for not going to bed on time last night and missing class, and threatened to tell mom if he didn't make up the work at that moment. I heard it from my room, and that's what woke me.

By the time I grab a shirt and open the door, Rydel's already past my room and stomping towards the steps.

"Well good morning to you too."

"Ah!"

She spins around, her hand over her chest and gives me a stern look. "Riker!" She scolds.

I put my hands up in defense. "Whoa- sorry! Didn't mean to almost make you go tumbling down the steps."

She leans against the railing over the balcony. "Uhg... That's okay. I'm just a bit annoyed with our brother at the moment."

She was talking about Ross, but I glance over at Rocky's room. Join the club.

"Sorry, did I wake you up or something? I forgot you didn't go to bed until, like, sunrise." She comments.

I shrug. "It's alright. I should be doing some schoolwork myself."

"Yeah. I'll try to be a little more quiet then." She laughs, and turns away to continue down stairs.

"I wanted to talk to you about something first though." I state.

Rydel froze. She did not turn around. Did not look at me. Did not pass 'go' did not collect 200 dollars.

"Not here." I say, and finally she spins around. Her face is pink; Rydel knows exactly what this is about. I step aside to allow her space to enter my room, and she hesitantly enters, seeming 'just a bit annoyed' with me at the moment. I shut the door behind us, and prompt her to have a seat on my bed when she looks at me for direction.

She crosses her arms as she takes her spot, and I sit next to her. "Riker, why are you getting yourself involved in-"

I put a finger over her mouth.

"Just tell me you didn't say anything hurtful to Laura when I left you two alone the other night." I state. "If you're being mature about whatever it is that's going on with you two, then I promise I won't interfere with whatever it is that you think you're doing with her."

"Riker-"

"Did you say anything hurtful or demeaning to her Rydel? Yes or no."

She pauses for a moment, then looks down to the other corner of my room. "No. I didn't say anything demeaning. Or hurtful. To her." Again, a pink tint appears on her cheeks.

I give her a stern look. "Are you telling me the truth?"

She sighs, and looks me in the eyes this time. She lowers her voice. "Yes. But, I kinda..."

...?

"Well, um, I fucked her."

...

...she makes a damn good point. Why the hell do I involve myself in her drama? I love her and Laura to death but this shit just keeps getting more complicated.

"Rydel, fucking her is not a solution." I criticize.

"It sorta is..." She mumbles.

"How. How does this help anything Rydel?"

"It- um, I... Well, eh..."

I raise a brow.

"...it kinda just makes things easier. 'Cause..." She trails.