Panic Attack

Chapter 4 : First day of school

Chapter 4

Later...   

Riker POV

After dinner, I went upstairs and changed into some pjs. I'd gotten my phone back again, so I texted Nicole to wear her pjs too so we could have a comfy movie night.

And then I heard some taps on my window. It was Nicole.

I opened the window and helped her step inside my bedroom.

"Ready for movie night?" I asked.

"Yup!"

I kept her hand in mine, and led her downstairs to the living room. I had set up a movie, complete with popcorn, lemonade, and blankets.

Nicole and I both got settled, and then I started the movie. I gave her a glass of lemonade, and put the bowl of popcorn between us.

I'm super happy Nicole wanted to come over tonight. I sort of have a crush on her. But to be honest, I'm a little confused.

I'm worried I only like her because she's the only one besides my siblings and Ellington that I've been hanging out with. I'm just worried that I like her because I'm scared I won't find anyone else.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I do just have a crush on her.

I can't even think straight. I'm too stressed out.

Later...

Riker POV

By the end of the movie, Nicole had her head on my shoulder, and our fingers were intertwined.

"Thanks for the awesome movie night, Riker," Nicole said, sitting up straight again.

"You're welcome. Thanks for coming."

"You'll be at the bus stop tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah. At 7:00."

"Ok. Just making sure."

"Are you still nervous?"

"Yeah, a little."

"I'm sure you'll have a great first day. Hey, you know what the best part of you living next door is?"

"What?"

"I don't have to go far to walk you home."

I put my arm around her as we walked back up to my bedroom. I helped her out the window and over to hers.

"I'll see you tomorrow. At 7:00," Nicole said.

"Yup!"

Nicole kissed my cheek quickly.

"Goodnight, Riker."

"Goodnight."

She climbed back inside, and I went into my own bedroom too. I collapsed on my bed, smiling.

My stomach has a million butterflies in it.

"Riker! Come clean up from your movie night!" Mom yelled.

I sighed. Way to ruin the mood, mom.

I went back downstairs and put away the popcorn bowl and empty glasses. I refolded the blankets and then went to the kitchen, where mom was drinking tea.

"How was your movie date?" Mom asked.

"It wasn't a date."

"Well how was it?"

"Good. Nicole and I are becoming really good friends."

"That's nice, honey. I'm sure it's making her feel better that she knows some people before starting at a new school. Is she in your grade?"

"No, she's in Rydel's. But I introduced her and Rydel to each other, and Rydel told her all about the classes and stuff. So I think she feels a bit better."

"That's good. It's getting late, honey. You should head up to bed."

"Ok. Night, mom."

"Goodnight."

I kissed mom goodnight and then went back upstairs. Rocky was in bed now. His hair was wet from his shower.

"So are you like in love with our new neighbor?" Rocky asked.

"What? No! We're just friends, Rocky."

"Yeah, for now."

I rolled my eyes.

"Just be nice to her tomorrow. She's nervous for her first day of school. Don't say anything to scare her."

"I won't."

I shut off the light and got in bed.

"So your movie night wasn't a date?" Rocky asked.

"No! It was just two friends watching a movie! I'm going to bed!"

I pulled a pillow over my head. I'm not answering any more of his questions. I'm confused about tonight enough already.

The next day...

Nicole POV

My first day at school was going ok so far. Rydel and I had most of our classes together. Except lunch.

I had no idea where to sit or what to do because I really didn't know anyone. So I decided to text Riker and ask him if he had lunch this period. And thank god he did. He told me to meet him outside the cafeteria.

"Hey. How's your first day going?" Riker asked, appearing beside me.

"Good, now that I know someone who has lunch this period."

Riker held his hand out to me, so I took it. He led me over to a table of boys. I recognized some of them as his brothers.

"Guys, this is my new neighbor, Nicole. Nicole, this is Rocky and Ryland. You met them this morning. And my other friends, Ellington, Curt, Titus, and Dom."

I sat down beside Riker at the end of the table.

"So... I was wondering if you wanted to come hang out later," Riker said, smiling at me.

"Sure. I have a lot of catch up work from my teachers though."

"I can help! I took all those classes last year."

"Ok, thanks. So... I had a thought about the treehouse."

"Oh... What is it?"

"Well, you said that it's kind of just you who uses it. And now kind of me, I guess. So I was thinking maybe you wanted to give it a makeover."

"That's a great idea! We can bring some snacks and games and make it awesome!"

"Great."

Later...

Riker POV

I helped Nicole catch up on all of her schoolwork, and then we decided to work on the treehouse. I brought some snacks and drinks from the kitchen. Nicole asked if I had any posters of my band, and I did. So she hung a few of them up in the treehouse. She had a string of LED lights that we put near the top of the treehouse, and we were able to plug them in with an extension cord that went through my window.

"It's perfect!" Nicole said, smiling.

"Not yet. One more thing. We need to carve our initials into the floor," I said, getting out my pocket knife.

I carved 'RL' into the floor, and Nicole carved 'NS' into it near mine.

"It's getting late, so I should head home. But I'll see you at the bus stop tomorrow," Nicole said.

She hugged me tight, and then climbed through her window.

I looked down at our initials. I didn't realize how much I needed Nicole in my life until I met her.