boundaries | e.d

S e v e n t e e n

Riley

I followed him after our ending-of-things. He eventually slowed down his pace when the sidewalks got more crowded and kept me close to him; I tried to ignore the fluttering in my chest from the simple contact - he was only doing his job.

Ethan stayed by my side until the two of us were at my doorstep. The moment I decided to take a breath to speak, he turned away and headed home.

Watching him leave today felt different, like we were on limited time. I shook off the feeling, reminding myself we were out of time the second that gang invaded the apartment.

I opened the door in hopes no one will be home, but to my luck, there were voices coming from the kitchen.

"Oh," I hear Natasha as she makes her way towards the foyer, "You're back."

The sight of a familiar face, one that reminds me of such simpler and innocent times, somehow breaks something in me. My strength? I couldn't tell. But, watching her stare at me with compassion made my whole chest empty.

"What happened?" She cautiously asks me as my brother comes into view from behind her. "Did he hurt you?"

I begin to nod and not a second passes before my brothers on his way towards the door. Natasha pulls me into her arms, but I pull my head away to yell for Ryder.

"He didn't lay a hand on me!" I call out behind me, praying the footsteps stop. They did, and following their silence was my brothers arms.

"I'm sorry," He sincerely whispers against my hair while my eyes clench tightly shut in hopes the wall will stop the tears. To my failure, they begin to trickle down my skin - forcing me to realize that I'm hurting.

"I wish I never met him." I sob into Natasha's chest as they both rub my back in comfort. I hear her shushing my cries as she kisses my forehead, whispering that it was okay to let it out.

After letting every last teardrop fall from my eyes, I pulled away from her with gratitude. They stood there and let me be vulnerable without any hint of judgment for being so emotional.

It was private moments such as these, that reminded me my brother is still the boy I grew up admiring. I pay close attention to these moments, knowing they're rare and only mine for the rest of his days are brutal and violent.

"Do you still want Jayden to come tonight?" Ryder asks me once I begin to breathe again. Natasha slaps his chest and he's quick to defend himself, "It was just a question! We don't have to!"

I giggly lightly to everyones surprise, "How'd you find out about that?"

"Jake told me. Don't worry, I'm okay with it." He winks at me, taking a breath as if he wanted something. "Are you still upset with me?"

I heavily sigh, letting the rest of the tension ease off my chest; feeling lighter as the conversation continued, "No, Ryder. I can't ever stay mad at you." I shove his chest playfully, but his reflexes pull me into a hug.

"Maybe we should have everyone over tonight." Natasha suggests which results in a groan from my lips. "Things are changing Ri, they're different with each other."

"Yeah sure," I cackle as my brother releases me from our embrace. I fix my hair as she nods confidently.

"I'm telling you. The gang is turning around for the better."