I'll Always Be By Your Side. (Ryden)

Chapter 6

Ryan's POV:

I slowly opened my eyes recognizing I was in my room and not the dusty old house. I thought for a moment, I completely broke down on Brendon. It's embarrassing to think about. My face red and streaming with tears is not cute at all. With a sigh, I glanced over to see Brendon leaning back in the chair at my desk.
"How you feeling?"
"Numb."
"Is there a way to make you feel better?" You could cuddle with me.
"I don't know."
"Anything?" Go for it.
"Cuddles?"
"You want me to cuddle with you?"
"Yes."
"Alright." Brendon then walked over to the bed and put his arm around my waist as I laid back down. I was pressed up against him and his breath was on the back of my neck. I smiled to myself.
"I'm sorry about earlier," I gushed out an apology.
"Why? If you were upset that's that. I'm here for you Ryan." His voice is gentle and soothing like the way the waves on a beach go back and then grace themselves on to the shore.
"I don't know why I did though. I guess I just have held everything in too much?"
"You should talk to me more. Even if I don't have anything to say; you're the one doing the talking." I didn't have a response so we laid there in silence. It wasn't that awkward quietness though. It was comfortable. Brendon began playing with my hair which made me sleepy again. Before I knew it my eyelids closed.
When I woke up I was laying on my back, and Brendon was curled up by me. Only though, his hand was on my crotch.
"Brendon." No response. "Hey Brendon." I tried moving him, but that only made him stir causing his hand to move around. I bit on my lip and went to move his arm. It's really heavy actually so I kind of can't. I could try just moving myself, but I don't know how well that's going to work. Finally I decided to just hit him repeatedly with a pillow.
"What?" he mumbled moving his head closer to my side.
"Do you notice where you hand is at?" He looked up and saw his hand. A smirk spread across his face. What is he thinking about? He moved his hand and decided to go back to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday morning..
"Look who's not late to class," Spencer looked at Brendon and I as he shut his locker.
"Yeah well, Ryan actually decided to wake up on his own." Brendon chuckled and looked at me.
"Excuse me for wanting to sleep."
"So we're practicing tonight right?" Spencer asked. How could we forget?
"Yeah and at your place right? You have the basement and all." Brendon had this hope in his eyes as he spoke.
"Yeah that's fine," the bell rang signaling we need to start heading to class. "Well I'll see you guys later." I took Brendon's hand and squeezed it.
"I'm so excited. What if we are actually good?" I stopped Brendon and stood in front of him.
"Well then we're going to have to send some demos out." He still held my hand and smiled. "Let's get to class."

The day dragged on. Just never wanting me to be happy. I tapped my pencil on the desk impatiently and got yelled at. The hours went on until the final bell rang. I jumped up from my desk and was the first out the door. I ran to Brendon's locker and waited for him. I saw him coming down the hall, and I felt the urge to run and hug him. I just stood in my spot and watched as eyes looked at me and judged. I looked down and kept my head hung low.
"Hey, you ready to go?" I looked up and nodded my head. We met Brent and Spencer at the doors and all headed back to Spencer's house.
We all agreed that we aren't leaving until at least a verse is done and performed of one song. I pulled out my notebook of songs and chose one I already have some chords for.
We practiced for hours and finally began to get somewhere. I walked out of the room for a minute, and when I walked back in I wish I didn't.
"Brendon must be the lead vocalist," Spencer said.
"What? Why?" I looked at Brendon; he just shrugged.
"Have you heard him? There's so much power there." Something I don't have. I just sighed and handed Brendon the book. Sing for me.
After just a couple more hours, we all headed home. It's set now, I'm on guitar and Brendon is vocals. His voice does carry my words out better. I guess this is what is best for the band. So now, Brendon is awkwardly walking by me as we head back home.
"I didn't mean to-" I cut him off.
"Brendon, it's fine. I said that before."
"But it's not, we all know you can sing and it was decided that you-"
"And you can sing better. It's fine Brendon. Maybe if we actually get somewhere our next album we can sing together?" Brendon sighed and nodded at my thought.
"Yeah, I think that sounds like a great idea."
We went our own ways for the night. When I walked in the house I didn't expect to get attacked right away. Incoherent words were shouted through the air, and my body was slammed up on the wall.
"Where were you all day?" He yelled at me. This time I was able to understand.
"I was at band practice," I barely squeaked out the words.
"When did you join band?" Not that kind of band you dumb ass.
"No, like a rock band." He began to laugh. He's literally laughing. I shrank back, and he just looked at me.
"You aren't doing it. I won't allow it in my house. You are to focus on school. Then you are to go to college. No ifs, ands, or buts about it." With that he stormed himself away. Fuck you, fuck you old man. I peeled myself off of the wall and made my way upstairs. I had a text from Spencer.

Hey dude. Sorry about the whole singing thing. Thought it was better for the band. You ok?

I can't ever be mad at that kid.

It's fine. He has the voice of an angel. No way you can say no to that.

He replied almost immediately.

I get it (: but I'm asking if you're fine. I went to stop by and I heard yelling.

Yah my dad...

I'm coming in.

Next thing I know Spencer is tapping at my window to open up. How did he climb up there?
"Dude."
"Don't mind me just climbing to your window," he laughed at himself. "But really what happened?"
"He slammed me against the wall asking where I was at. I told him and he laughed at me. I'm just waiting until he stabs me." I sat on my bed and leaned back until I hit the soft cushion.
"I'm guessing he's getting worse?" Thank you for always being there.
"If you think him choking me the other day is worse. Then, yes." I didn't fill him in on the events.
"Ryan, why didn't you tell me!" Spencer was practically yelling at me.
"Shh, be quiet!" I whisper yelled. He just gave me this look of "well." I sighed, "I don't know we just started arguing and it got out of hand. Brendon saw it all and that's the worst part."
"Brendon was here and he did that?" Spencer knows that he wouldn't ever do anything if he knew someone was here.
"He didn't know."
"Ryan, you need to let someone know. He's going to kill you. What do teachers think about all those shiners?"
"I just tell them it's the fuckboys." It certainly isn't a lie lots of the times. Spencer took a deep breath and dramatically let it out. "I can't let anyone know. I don't need sympathy, and I don't want to move. It's only about two more years and I'm out. I lived with it this long."
"I'm not going to push anything on you. Lets talk about something else then," he paused and took a moment to think. "I've noticed you staring at Brendon." I turned my head and grabbed the pillow to cover my face. "So want to tell me something?" Spencer was laughing.
"I may or may not be falling in love," my voice came out muffled against the pillow.
"I'm not surprised; it was bound to happen," he looked at his phone, "Well I better get going. See ya later, kid." With that Spencer climbed back out the window. A few minutes later my phone began ringing.
"Hello."
"Are you cheating on me? I saw Spencer climb in and back out of your window." I started laughing.
"Is someone jealous?" I can just imagine Brendon pouting. Then a thought struck me. "Does this mean you're watching my house? Maybe watching my window?" I walked over to the window and looked over at Brendon's house. His bedroom light was on and the curtains pulled back. I think I can make out his figure standing there.
"Maybe I am."
"Which answer is that too?"
"All of them." I shook my head and chuckled.
"Goodnight Brendon."
"No, let me join you."
"What?"
"I'm coming over." With that he hung up.
About five minutes later Brendon was tapping on my window.
"Someone lonely?" I smirked at him as he tumbled inside.
"I'm lonely without you." Do you realize what you do to me?
"I'm going to bed." I rubbed my face and turned off the lights.
"I'm joining you." Brendon then crawled into bed next to me.
The only thing that crossed my mind is why?