Chapter 1
A Few Days Later…
Riley POV
"Riley! Your boyfriend's here!" My dad shouted down the hall.
"Ok!" I shouted back.
I walked down the hall, and saw Riker standing at the door.
"Hey," I said, hugging him.
"Hey, Riley. Do you want to go down to the beach and talk for a few minutes?"
"Sure."
Riker and I held hands as we walked down to the beach.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked.
"Uh… Well…"
"What is it?"
"I planned something for us."
"What?"
"For a few days, we're going on a camping trip. I have everything all planned!"
"Riker, do you not remember what just happened literally less than a week ago?"
"I know, I know, the whole Dylan thing. But he's gone, and the mountain isn't even near the one we went to last time."
"Riker, that's very sweet of you to plan something like that, but even if I did want to go, I don't think my dad would let me. Think about it. Would my father really want his daughter to go on a camping trip alone with her boyfriend?"
"No. But we won't be alone. Ross and Rydel are coming. And I already asked your dad about it, and he thinks it's a great idea."
"He does? Why?"
"Because you're still addicted to your phone, and having… problems sleeping…"
"Wait, wait, wait. Did he say I couldn't bring my phone?"
"Yeah. He said you have to leave it at home."
"Is he nuts!? Doesn't he remember what happened last time!?"
"Yes, he does. That's why Ross, Rydel, and I are all bringing our phones."
"Well thank goodness for that."
"So will you go!?"
"Uh… Can I think about it? When are we supposed to leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow!?"
"Yeah."
"Riker… I don't know about this. I mean… The whole Dylan thing happened less than a week ago, and yeah I'm still having nightmares. It's not that I don't want to go… It's just that I don't know if I want to go now."
"Awww come on Riley, please? I already planned it. And one of the reasons I fell in love with you was because you're a little crazy! You do unexpected things. So what, if the whole Dylan thing was only a few days ago? It's over now, and you'll be with me, Rydel, and Ross."
"Well…"
"Come on! Please!?"
"Fine. But only if you do something for me first."
"Sure. What is it?"
"Will you come over tonight for a few hours?"
"Of course. Why?"
"I just want to… talk…"
"Is everything ok?"
"Yeah. It's just that a lot has happened to me lately, and I just want to talk about it. I tell you everything, and you always make me feel better."
"Ok. What time do you want me to come over?"
"I don't know. Whenever."
"Ok."
"Thanks. Well I should get back home. I was kind of in the middle of something when you came over."
"Ok. I'll walk you back."
"Thanks."
Riker put his arm around me as we walked back up the road. He always made me feel amazing.
Later…
Riley POV
"So what was it exactly that you wanted to tell me?" Riker asked.
Riker was sitting on the floor, leaning against my bed. I was laying on the ground with my head in his lap, and Riker was slowly rubbing my back.
"I don't know. I guess I just wanted to talk about everything that's happened lately."
"You mean Dylan?"
"Yeah…"
"What about him?"
"I don't know. The whole thing just scares me. He tried to kill me twice! And if you hadn't been there the second time, he would've succeeded! Well actually, if you weren't there the first time, I don't know what would've happened…"
"I know, but I was there, and you're fine!"
"I know."
"Come on, Riley. What's really bothering you?"
"Sometimes I just think…"
"What?"
"I think about that night."
"Riley, you really shouldn't."
"I know… But…"
"But what?"
"I just… I think about when Dylan fell."
"Why?"
"Well… I mean… He fell off a cliff. Theoretically, he should've died, right? But what if he didn't? And what if he's still out there? What if he's waiting?"
"Waiting for what?"
"Another chance to kill me…"
"Riley, don't think like that."
"I try not to, but how can I not!?"
"Riley, I promise, you're safe."
"I hope you're right."
"Riley?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
I sat up and looked at Riker.
"I love you too."
I smiled and intertwined our fingers.
"Did you pack yet?"
"For what?"
"The camping trip!"
"Oh! No… What time are we leaving tomorrow?"
"Hopefully around 9:00. But Ross always makes us late! But I set his clock back 30 minutes, so we might have a chance!"
I laughed.
"Riker?"
"Yeah?"
"I love that you're my boyfriend."
"What's with all the Riker I love you stuff?"
"Nothing. I just love you. And I hate to admit it, but I think it's really sweet that you're taking me on a camping trip. Dylan wasn't at all like you."
"So that's what this is about."
"What?"
"You're only happy because I treat you better than Dylan did."
"That is not true! I'm happy because you're my boyfriend, and I love you."
"Wait. Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah…?"
"Do you still have feelings for Dylan?"
"What kind of question is that!?"
"Please just answer it."
"Riker, that's kind of personal, don't you think?"
"So? You always tell me personal stuff! And I tell you personal stuff too! Like I told you I was in love with you! That was one of the hardest things I ever did!"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Well… Actually the hardest thing was trying to pull myself away from you at the hospital when you almost died. But luckily, I didn't have to, and you're ok."
"Yeah… I'm ok…"
"Can you answer the question now?"
"Riker."
"Come on! You always tell me everything!"
"Well then you shouldn't be mad that I don't answer that, then."
"So you do still have feelings for him then!"
"I never said that."
"You didn't have to."
"Riker, wait. Whether I do, or I don't, shouldn't matter to you. You're my boyfriend, and I love you. And I really don't want to fight with you before our camping trip. Please just drop it."
"Will you answer it someday?"
"Someday…"
"Yes!"
"Riker, look. I'm really tired, and we're going camping tomorrow. I have to get up early and pack. Do you mind if we cut tonight short so I can get some sleep?"
"No, that's fine. I'll be over here a little early in case you need help with anything."
"Ok. Thanks Riker. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Goodnight Riley."
"I love you."
"I love you too."