The Journal

Chapter 25 : Family meeting

Chapter 25

The next day...
    
Riker POV

"So you're feeling better today?" Kelsey asked.

"Yeah... Well kind of..."

"Rocky told me you had a rough night."

"How?"

"I gave him my number so he could text me."

"Oh... Why?"

"Because if anything happens to you, I want to know."

Kelsey and I were walking to my house. It was cold and I didn't like it.

"You're giving me cuddles when we get home."

"Ok."

"And I want you to read my journal. I wrote in it yesterday when I was having a bad time. And I let Rocky read it, and he was kind of worried."

"Well what did you write?"

"Kind of just that I think I'm getting worse..."

We got back to my house. I took Kelsey up to my room and let her read what I wrote last night.

"We'll just try to keep helping you," Kelsey said, shutting my journal.

"But it's not working!"

"I'll ask my parents about it, ok?"

"Ok..."

"So Rocky told me you guys told one of your other brothers what was going on."

"Yeah, Ross. Rocky was mean, so I went to Ross instead, so we told him."

"But you and Rocky made up, right?"

"Yeah."

I cuddled with Kelsey in my bed until my siblings got home. Apparently Rocky was talking to Ross about me today because they both came up to my bedroom.

"This is his girlfriend," Rocky told Ross.

"How was today?" Ross asked.

"It was ok," I said, still cuddled into Kelsey.

"How was school?" Rocky asked.

"It was ok too."

"How are you feeling?" Ross asked.

"Fine for right now."

"Good. Tell us if you need anything, Rik. We're going to play video games," Ross said.

They both left, and I was alone with Kelsey.

"Ross is sweet," Kelsey said.

"Yeah, sometimes Rocky can be a bit rough and he acts tough and stuff, but Ross is a bit less tough and I like his personality a bit better."

"You'll tell them if you need help with anything, right?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to do anything today? Or just relax?"

"Just relax. I'm tired from yesterday."

"Ok, Riker."

She started giving me back rubs, and it made me happy.

Later...

Riker POV

After dinner, mom called a family meeting in the living room, and it made me super anxious that she found out about me.

I was sitting between Ross and Rocky on the couch. I had my knees pulled to my chest, and I was starting to shake a little.

"Rik, you ok?" Ross asked.

I nodded, but I felt like I was going to start crying any second.

"Alright. I've called this family meeting because your father and I have decided that we're going to take a family vacation this weekend," mom said.

I sighed in relief. I'm still safe.

"Where are we going?" Rydel asked.

"To the mountains. You kids have a day off on Monday, so it's a 3 day weekend and we're leaving Friday night," mom said.

"Is there going to be snow there?" Ryland asked.

"Yes, so bring warm clothes."

"Are we leaving like right when we get home from school?" Ross asked.

"We're actually picking you kids up a bit early from school. Not Riker since he gets home an hour earlier, but the rest of you are getting picked up an hour before school ends," mom said.

"Yes! I get to miss a math test!" Rocky said.

"So I want you guys to pack tonight so there's no rushing around on Friday, ok?" Mom asked.

We all nodded.

"Family meeting dismissed."

We all got up and went upstairs.

"Why were you shaking down there?" Rocky asked.

"I thought mom found out about me. And that's why she called a family meeting."

"Oh... Riker, we promised we wouldn't tell."

"I know. But I was just scared."

"You're going to be ok this weekend, right?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you won't be able to see Kelsey."

"I know, but I was fine when she was gone for the doctor convention thing because I was with you."

"True... Ok. But if you feel upset or anything at all, you have to tell me."

"I will! Why does everyone think I'm not going to tell them!?"

"We're just worried, Riker."

I wrapped my arms around Rocky tight.

"I'm ok. I promise. I'll tell you if I'm not. Or you'll know it before I do."

"Rik, I really don't want anything to happen to you," Rocky whispered.

"Nothing is going to happen to me. I'm fine."

"Promise me?"

"I promise, Rocky. I'm really ok."

"Ok. I'll go get our suitcases."

Rocky left. I felt sort of bad that I was stressing him out so much. But I'm stressing myself out too.

Rocky came back with our suitcases.

"Will you and Ross sit next to me in the car on the way there?" I asked.

"Sure."

"Ok, thanks."

"Of course, Rik."

He handed me my suitcase. I put it on my bed and unzipped it so I could start packing. I made sure to pack warm clothes like sweatpants and hoodies so I would be warm.

When I was done, I got changed for bed and curled up in Rocky's bed. And I fell asleep before he joined me.