Panic Attack

Chapter 1 : New neighbor

Chapter 1
  
Riker POV

When I got home from school, I noticed a moving truck in the driveway next door. I guess we finally have new neighbors. That house has been for sale for a few months now.

I went up to my bedroom and took off my backpack. I flopped down on my bed, tired.

"Riker, can you help me with my homework tonight?" Rocky asked, walking in.

"Yeah, after dinner, ok?"

"Ok. Did you see the new neighbors moved in?"

"Yeah. I wonder if they have any kids who will go to school with us."

I dug my homework out of my backpack and started working on it. It's Friday, but I want to get it done so I can relax for the weekend.

Later...

Riker POV

I'd helped Rocky do his math homework, and now I was upstairs in my bedroom. I got changed into my pjs, and then I noticed the light was on in the house next to ours. There's a window across from mine in the other house, and I saw a girl unpacking some boxes. So maybe we'll make a new friend.

"Rik, we're all watching a movie tonight downstairs. Want to come?" Rocky asked.

"No. I'm kind of tired. I think I'm just going to head to bed early."

"Ok."

Rocky left. I shut off the light so I could see out the window better. I was just sort of curious about the girl next door. She looks about our age.

I just sort of watched her unpack for a little while, and then I fell asleep.

The next day...

Riker POV

"Wake up!"

My eyes snapped open and I saw Ross beside my bed.

"What?" I groaned, rubbing my eyes.

"We have to drive somewhere for an interview. Dad just got it worked out this morning. Come on! We leave in 20 minutes."

I groaned again and rolled over, burying my face in my pillow.

"Riker, get up!"

He started yanking the covers off of me.

"Ross!" I whined.

"Get up! Or I'm telling dad."

I sighed and sat up.

"What color are we wearing?" I asked.

"Blue."

Ross left. I got out of bed and put on black skinny jeans with a blue button up shirt and a black tie. I put my shoes on too and grabbed a jacket.

I put my contacts in, brushed my teeth and hair, used the bathroom, and then went downstairs. Mom handed me a plate of toast. I was still half asleep and not very hungry. But I didn't know how long it'd be until I could eat again, so I ate my toast.

Everyone else had breakfast too, and then we got in the car to go to the interview. I dozed off on the way there.

Later...

Riker POV

After the interview, we stopped for lunch. I was tired and just wanted to go back home.

But Rydel and mom decided to go shopping for a little while after lunch, so we were stuck just sort of hanging around the mall.

I was tired and frustrated and stressed out. And grumpy. I got in trouble with dad for having a bad attitude. And that only made me grumpier because he took my phone.

I was so bored.

But finally mom and Rydel were done shopping and we got to go back home. I decided to try to take a nap and get some more sleep.

Later...

Riker POV

When we finally got home, I went up to my room. I just wanted to be away from everyone.

We had a treehouse right outside our window. So I opened the window and climbed into the treehouse. Dad built it years ago because we used to be best friends with the kids that lived next door. So he built the treehouse between our two bedrooms so we could hang out. Nobody really uses it anymore except me. I come out here whenever I'm stressed out or upset or I just need to be alone.

I had a pillow and a blanket out here so I could lay down. I'd do that a lot and just let myself think about whatever came to mind.

All of a sudden, I heard a window open. It was the girl next door.

"Cool treehouse," she said, smiling at me.

I sat up so I could face her.

"Thanks. Are you our new neighbor?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm Nicole."

"I'm Riker."

Nicole climbed out her window, into the treehouse.

"So are you going to go to school here?" I asked.

"Yeah. I start monday."

"What grade are you in?"

"11th. What about you?"

"12th. You're in the same grade as my sister."

"What's your sister's name?"

"Rydel."

"Cool name. Yours is cool too."

"Thanks," I said, smiling a little.

"You're welcome."

"So where did you move from?" I asked.

"From New York. My grandmother lives out here and she's in the hospital, so we decided to move out here and take care of her."

"Oh... Sorry to hear that."

"It's ok. It's not that serious. She just needs a little help. She's going to be moving in with us so we can take care of her. It's a bit complicated."

"No, I get it. So do you like Colorado so far?"

"I don't know. It's a lot different from New York. I guess I just need to get used to it."

I nodded.

"So are you sleeping out here or something?" Nicole asked.

I laughed.

"No. I've just had a long day. I just wanted to get away from my siblings and relax."

"Oh... Well I guess I'll leave you to it then. I'll see you around, Riker."

She climbed back into her bedroom and shut the window.

I closed my eyes and smiled. I like our new neighbor.