ocean eyes and city lights {ricky horror}

twenty

I sat on the tour bus, waiting for us to go pick up Ricky. Everybody else was in but him and the crew members, AJ and Shane.

The guys were all watching hockey, as usual. I didn't understand the game at all, so watched YouTube on my phone. It may be a little childish, but I'm watching CrankThatFrank. I'm only 23, okay?

I heard the bus door open and I took my earbuds out. Ricky set his bags down and gave me a tight hug.

"I'll help you unpack your things," I offer.

"Okay." I grab two of his bags and he grabs the other two. (I don't know how he carried four bags and a backpack into the bus at once, but it's Ricky.)

We began to place his folded things into the drawers with his name on them. I snatched a hoodie and shrugged into it, making Ricky smile.

"Are we sharing a bunk?" I ask. "There's the extra big one at the back of the bus that the guys said we could use."

Ricky's smile gets bigger. "Of course we are."

We continued having our own, small conversation before Chris pops his head into the makeshift closet our bus had. He had my ringing phone in his hand. I said thanks and snatched it, pressing the answer button.

"Angie ..." the voice on the other side of the line cries.

"Lynn?"

"H-he hit me, I-I don't know what to d-do," she stutters.

"Who hit you?" I demand.

"Mom's husband."

"Damnit," I mutter. "Lynn, we'll be in Maine in four days. Stay in your room. I'll pick you up then."

"Okay, I can do that," she answers.

"Good, I love you, hun. Stay safe."

"I love you too."

I took all of my strength not to jump off of the bus and march my happy ass all the way to Maine. I tossed my phone down and exhaled angrily.

"Who hit who?" Ricky asks.

"My mom's husband hit my sister," I growl.

Ricky's face hardens. "We're getting her, right?"

I nod. "In four days, when we go to Maine."

"Shouldn't she come sooner?"

I shrugged and shook my head. "I want her too, but we have to follow our schedule, too. She said she'll stay in her room for the most part."

Ricky and I finish unpacking his things and walk back into the living room. Instead of sitting down, I began pacing. I did that for about five minutes before Ricky grabs my side and pulls me into his lap. "It'll be okay," he says.

"What's wrong?" Ryan questions.

I explain the situation and they all agree that Lynn needs to be out of that environment. They said it'd be fine if she toured with us and that she could have the extra bunk.

Was I really ready for this big of a responsibility? Taking Lynn in would be like raising a child of my own. I'm not mother material! But she needs to leave. She's my baby sister and I do care about her.

I decided then and there that Lynn would be like my child. I'd take care of her for as long as she needed. If Marie was never able to get her head out of her ass and divorce her crappy husband, than I'd raise Lynn until she's 18. If Marie is smart, she can have her daughter back.

Damn, I'm gonna be like a mom.

575 words
Edited and revised: ✔