Not As Different As They Thought

Chapter 8

Riley's POV

A tear slipped down Beck's cheek after I finished telling him my story. At first I was scared he'd react how everyone else does. But then he began signing and my fears of that faded.

'I am so so sorry Riley! That is the most awful thing I've ever heard. You don't deserve to go through that! Especially not alone!'

I started crying again suddenly. I've never been this emotional before, because I've never had to tell anyone what happened so specifically. I shoved my hands in my face to block my tears from Beck because I thought he'd think I'm being wimpy. But suddenly I felt arms close tightly and comfortingly around me. I immediately hugged back and sobbed into Beck's shoulder again. Beck makes me feel so safe when I'm with him. I never want him to leave me.

We hugged for maybe a half an hour. I stopped crying after like 10 minutes but I needed to be in his arms longer so I didn't pull away. And I think he knew that, so he didn't pull away either.

When I finally pulled away, I said worriedly, 'Please don't look at me differently now. I don't need you pitying me like everyone else does..'

'I will never look at you differently. I promise.'

I smiled. And soon after, a tear slipped down my cheek, but to my surprise, it didn't stay there long. Beck reached over and smoothly wiped the tear away and his hand lingered on my cheek for a second or so before he brought his arm back to his side. I saw the slightest hint of a blush on his cheeks afterwards, which made me smile again.

'So... did you by any chance bring food? I didn't eat breakfast and I'm starving.'

He laughed, which made me giggle a little, 'Yeah I brought a couple snacks and waters. Just in case.'

'Good.'

After that, we snacked in the back of his truck and drove around town until school ended and I decided I didn't want to go home. So Beck offered to take me to his house to hang out for a while until I feel like facing my mom and probably my sister too.

I must have fallen asleep in the car because I suddenly woke up, what felt an hour or so later, and I was laying in Beck's bed while he was at his desk and on his phone. I moved to my side and snuggled under the blankets more and caught his attention.

He smiled, 'Hey sleepy head. How was your nap?'

I smiled back, 'It was good. How long was I asleep?'

'About a half hour, maybe 45 minutes. You should try to get more sleep.'

I nodded sleepily. 'Okay.'

**

"Help! Somebody help me please! I'm trapped! Help! Please!"

No one can hear me. What's the point? I'm gonna die here. Cold and alone.

"Help! Help! Help! Help! Help!"

**

I suddenly woke with a start, I heard a strained voice screeching, and I tried to sit up but there was an arm around my waist keeping me down. Still in panic mode, I looked behind me and Beck was sitting up and rubbing my arms to comfort me.

He stopped, 'It's okay. It was just a nightmare.'

My breathing calmed down a bit, 'Why were... you laying so close to me?'

Not that I minded it. It was just... unexpected.

'You were..' he paused, 'You were talking and thrashing in your sleep. And one time you said "Beck please, help me". I couldn't wake you but me being near you made you calm down. Sorry if I overstepped your boundaries.'

'It's okay. I was just startled, that's all. I was having flash back dreams, I guess you could call them. I was remembering one of the nights I was tied up and screaming for help. Wait, how did you know what I said?'

He laughed awkwardly, 'Um normal reasons... I felt the vibrations of you moving around and I looked over to see what's wrong and I read your lips.. '

His face got red after and I laughed a little bit.

He was staring at me while I was sleeping.

'Okay..' I stopped

Beck just looked at me curiously.

I didn't say anything for a second. I felt my throat and tried to make an audible sound, but not a word. The same screeching or wheezing sound that I heard earlier came out of my mouth. That was me trying to scream from my dream. Shit. Now my throat hurts.

I explained to Beck what happened.

'Do you need some water?'

'Yes please.'

We went downstairs and after I finished chugging a glass of water, I saw the time.

Shit. It's 7. I'm gonna be later for dinner.

'I'm late. Can you please take me back home right now? I'm gonna be in so much trouble.'

He looked at his watch and looked worried, 'Oh yeah, I can give you a ride. Sorry for losing track of the time.'

'It's okay.'

Beck then drove me home and it took me a minute or so to get the courage to open the door and step out.

He signed good luck to me through the window and I signed back thanks.

I'm gonna need all the luck I can get right now.

As soon as I unlocked the front door and walked inside, my mom was right next to me and checking to see if I was alright. When she decided that I was, that's when she started yelling at me.

"Why the hell did you skip school young man? And where were you all day until now. You're late for dinner and we were worried sick!"

'We?'

"Yes, me and Rachel."

Suddenly Rachel walked out of the living room and over to us and faked worry.

"Oh my god, Riley you're back! We were so worried."

She attempted to hug me, but I backed into the door and held my arms out in front of me so she couldn't. She didn't look hurt, obviously, because she was faking this for mom. But her, on the otherhand, she's now furious for another reason.

"Now Riley King! Your sister has been worried sick about you all day. You do not push her away when she wants to hug you."

I put my hands behind my back and signed there, 'I'm surprised she noticed I was gone at all. If she actually did, I mean.'

"What was that?" My mom asked me, eyebrows raised and nodding from my hands, that are now at my sides, to my eyes.

'Nothing'

She did a kind of glare at me and sighed, "I swear, ever since the accident- let me finish!- ever since the accident you two have been going at it a lot or not saying anything at all. What happened to you guys?"

Me and Rachel looked at each other and then back at mom.

'You wanna tell her or should I? Sister, dear.' I signed the last part with a clear note of sarcasm written on my face.

"No not really."

"Someone tell me! Or you are both grounded."

'I'm grounded either way for being late and skipping school. So either way I don't care.'

My mom looked over to my sister, with an expectant expression.

Racial opened her mouth to talk, but then stopped. She took a deep breath and..