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Not proof read even fucking once but do I give a shit? No, it's nearly 2 AM. Feel free to highlight the shit out of typos
---

I felt really drained when we got back. Possibly because I spent the whole drive in a very shallow sleep, it usually does more bad than good for my fatigue levels.

Aaron didn't say anything the whole time, apart from occasionally asking if I was alright. I'm really glad that we seem to be able to sit comfortably in silence at this point.

When we got home I just went straight to the living room sofa and sat down. I knew that being alone in my room would 'wake me up' just with pure anxiety, but I didn't really have the energy.

Hunter was in there with what looked to be homework, and I could hear Alex and Nate having some kind of argument in one of the other rooms.

He smiled at me before looking back down at his work, and I sat in silence.

Could really do with my phone right now.

I sighed, watching Aaron appear every now and again as he walked around, seemingly busy.

I want something to do, maybe I should take up cleaning.

...heh.

I wonder how Erin is doing...

I lifted my head when a "you're a fucking idiot" sourced from the other room, and watched Nate slam a door closed from across the hall.

Yikes, seems like that was a real argument they were having.

He sighed angrily, before looking around with a grumpy expression. I felt a pang of fear when we had eye contact and looked away like I was being told off or something.

If looks could kill.

This is why I stay upstairs...

He gave a loud sigh before stomping up the stairs.

"They're fighting so much lately." Hunter commented, and I bit my lip.

"Oh." I said awkwardly and turned away, not wanting any conversation to begin.

It went silent again, and stayed silent.

I just rested my head on my palm and stared down at the floor.

Someone entered the room eventually, and I smiled politely when I realised it was Aaron frowning at me.

"What?"

"Are you alright?" He asked, moving and sitting next to me. Hunter looked up from his homework and stared at me too, making me anxious.

"Uh, yeah."

"Why are you just sitting here?"

"I'm tired, I guess."

Aaron sighed, then seemed to be in thought. I just chewed on my lip anxiously.

"How about you and Hunter share a room tonight?" Aaron suggested, making Hunter hold an expression of panic.

"Huh?" He said.

"Just to help Riley get some sleep."

"Umm." I winced. Damn I didn't think he'd actually go through with asking people to do that.

"But, what if I get in trouble, and who's room? And how does it help?"

"It's just for one night, to help with his monophobia. In his room because it's bigger."

My what?

"Er, I mean, I'm not against it if he's not against it." Hunter said awkwardly.

Aaron smiled at me and I let out a heavy breath. "Um, I mean, I don't want to be that kind of burden." I stated and I swear he almost rolled his eyes at me.

"Stop using that word. You're sharing, there. I decided, now get over it." he stood up before leaving the room and I blinked after him.

Eventually I had to force myself to look at Hunter, and he made a face at me.

"What's monophobia?" He eventually broke the silence and I chuckled.

"Uh, I'm guessing it's something about being alone."

"Oh, because of the whole..." He trailed off when I gave him a warning look. "...things... right, I get it. Sure. Sleepover, great " he chuckled awkwardly. 

"Ok, well, I've got... homework." I excused and got up, forcing myself to escape and climb up the stairs.

I sat down on my bed, before sighing heavily.

I hate night time so much...

---
Last night was super strange. I mean, Hunter tried not to seem anxious but he was, I'm pretty sure it was more about getting into a fight with his brothers rather than me making him nervous.

He stayed on a mattress on the floor, which was a clear message of 'leave me alone' however. I wasn't against that, the more distance the better at this point.

Today I was determined to stay in my room, Aaron tried to get me to come with him to his daycare centre or whatever, but I politely declined. Yikes, I am way too fatigued to deal with children.

I ended up talking with Erin on messenger all day. Which was probably bad, considering how much homework he had.

Erin was one of the only people fully up to date with my whole situation, I even talked about a few of my ex's with him, so it was nice to simply discuss things with no surprises.

Honestly I think our messages have at least a million words in them all together. Most of it being random bullshit of course.

Currently Erin was talking about him staying over one night, seeing as I was currently having to share my room, he oh so generously volunteered.

...: I can't even imagine the literal hell you would unleash if you did that. I mean, shit got ugly when you simply came round for the day, so a sleepover would be a shitshow.  

Oh god, I can't begin to comprehend...

Erin : awe :c but it'd b fun

...: Nope.

Erin: It's beTtEr ThAn FrICKin HuntEr

...: You hardly know Hunter what's your problem

Erin: Are you kidding me??

Erin: Hey!
Idea!
Come round mine for the day and night. Like, right now.

...: It's Monday tomorrow...

Erin: so?? Just bring your bag!

...: Hmm...

Erin: come on!!!nplzzzzzzzzzz

...: Maybe you should ask Delilah if she wants to come too?

There was silence for a while and I bit my lip.

Erin: she can't sleep round on short notice, she has a routine

..: huh, okay. I'll have to ask Aaron or Chance or something

Erin: ask?? You're an adult now bitch

...: Okay, tell it's not like they would mind though, well Chance would

Erin: oh please, I'm 100% sure that Aaron would too, but that's none of his beeswax

..: ?? What are you even typing

Erin: just come on! Get your bag and go, don't give them a chance to tell you no because they will!

...: I'm not sure they would..

They've definitely started trying to act a little less overbearing recently

Erin: well then they're idiots, now go! Or i'm coming to get you and I know everyone would love that

...: But I don't have a phone!

Erin: I'm starting my car!

...: Your what??? Erin!

I tssked before shutting my laptop and standing up. I stood for a while, contemplating the pros and cons, before finally just sighing and picking up my school bag and clean clothes.

His parents better be okay with this. Damnit.

I walked down the stairs, seriously hoping there was someone to tell other than Luca or Chance, but there was no one around. I sighed before heading towards Chance's office.

The worst possible person to choose.

Wait I can't do that.

I turned around and clicked my tongue impatiently.

"Are you going somewhere?" Luca's voice asked and I spun round. He was staring at my bag anxiously, probably a little paranoid after I ran away.

"Oh." Great. "No, well yes, I'm just heading off to Erin's."

"And you need a bag?"

"Yeah, I'm staying till tomorrow." I grit my teeth awkwardly.

He looked like he was having some kind of flashback episode. "Are you telling the truth?" He asked in a low, cautious voice.

Yikes.

"Yes! Seriously I am, just a little break, sleepover, kind of... thing." I replied, sighing as I heard two pairs of feet walking down the stairs.

"What's going on?" Aaron's voice asked, obviously picking up on the tension.

Great, now I'm boxed in.

I turned and smiled at him, while Hunter just walked into the kitchen and ignored us.

"Riley wants to run off somewhere for the night." Luca explained, obviously wording it in the most suspicious way possible.

"Um, okay, like a hotel?" Aaron blinked, confused.

"I'm just staying at Erin's." I stated.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Luca commented, seeming concerned.

"I do." Aaron responded, and I looked to see them giving eachother some kind of passive aggressive stare.

"O...kay, well, see you later then." I awkwardly tried to shuffle past him in the small hallway.

"Wait." He made me jump when he grabbed my arm. Ummm not in the best position for you stop me... "How long are you staying?" He asked, making me gulp. Um, personal space is needed.

"Just till tomorrow." I answered, facing to the side to avoid the close proximity.

What are you doing...

There was a slight pause, which felt like it lasted hours.

"Okay, do you need a ride?"

"What?" I turned to him in surprise and he just smiled at me.

SHIT. I immediately blushed at how close he was, and nearly had some kind of stroke when his hand brushed against my arm when he let go of it.

"Nope I'm good!" I alarmed myself with how loud I shouted that before practically jumping away.

WHAT THE FUCK.

Was he aware he was doing that???

I didn't waste any time in escaping, but looked back once to see Luca giving him the most openly aggressive glare I'd ever seen.

What the fuck...

What the fuck...

I let out a breath as soon as I slammed the front door shut.

Holy shit.

I'm out of here!

---

I'm pretty sure I made it into town in record time. Although I couldn't check because I didn't have a phone.

I feel so isolated.

Hmm, I really should have a phone.

I looked around anxiously before quickly making my way to Erin's house.

Clara almost had a fit when she saw me, I mean, I didn't even make it onto her lawn before she exploded out of the house screaming at me.

Fucking terrifying.

She almost suffocated me in a hug, smelling strongly of perfume.

"Angel! How are you? I'm so glad you could come. OH! I'm preparing the nicest plant based meal, short notice but I did it! Also you're of course in Erin's room, I hope you don't mind but...-"

I blinked at her, yet to process her presence.

Is this what a parent is like? Bloody hell.

Erin just laughed at me when he noticed her dragging me inside, but eventually saved me by distracting her.

I stood quietly as they hyperactivly interacted. So much energy...

"How are you here already, did you sprint?" He eventually asked when he dragged me up the stairs.

"Something like that." I said simply.

"Okay? Um, anyway, I kind of haven't done any homework today so we're gonna have to do that." He said as he jumped onto his bed.

"Whose fault is that? And 'we're'?"

"Yes 'we're', I'm sure you still have some homework. If not, redoing it with me will be good for you!"

"What?" I sighed dramatically at him before putting my bag down. "Only because I don't have my phone to entertain me." I grumbled as I sat down next to him.

---

I found dinner to be an extremely uncomfortable experience. I really wasn't used to the attention I was getting, all three of them were just so happy, it really was a stark contrast to just a few months ago.

Both of Erin's parents treated me like a long lost son or angel or something, really reinforced my suspicion that Erin had told them I got him the money.

The things they talked about really made me realise how amazing they were, I mean, to adopt a teenager with cancer and no insurance was a pretty amazing thing to do in the first place, but they also volunteered at the local care home, and gave to charity weekly, and so many other things.

I felt like some kind of selfish cretin compared to them, to be honest.

The way Erin looked at them made me smile, he was obviously very proud of his new parents.

I wonder what my life would have been like if I had went in the system. For most people the outcome isn't so ideal, but some people get a second chance at a family.

Well, that didn't happen, so there's no point in pondering what ifs.

I had to spend a good amount of time convincing Clara that I didn't want the Nutella she offered. She was adamant that I had eaten it in her house before so it must be okay, but I tried to explain that I no longer ate it.

It seemed like a foreign concept to her, I had no idea she was a fellow Nutella addict.

After what felt like a seriously long afternoon and evening, I eventually found myself in a quiet room. My ears were almost ringing from the amount of energy in this house.

Erin was finishing off the last bit of his homework while I just sat there.

"Where am I sleeping?" I suddenly wondered.

"Oh, I managed to convince Clara that you needed to be in here, so she brought up a matt thingy."

"Matt thingy?"

"Yeah I wouldn't recommend sleeping on it."

"You wouldn't recomme- well what do you recommend?"

"Same as last time, just share." He said without looking up and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Erin, that's inappropriate." I commented and he snorted.

"You're serious?"

"Yes, Erin." I sighed in complaint and he smiled at me in amusement.

"It's fine! I don't mind."

"Oh, you don't mind."

"Nope."

I rolled my eyes at him, and he just watched me.

"Do you mind?" He eventually asked and I blinked at him. "I mean, you said company doesn't make you uncomfortable despite everything that has happened, so I assumed you wouldn't mind."

"No, I don't mind." I sighed. "But if you kick me." I warned and he chuckled.

"Fine, I'll try my best, but my bed's not the biggest..." He said as he packed away the paper into his bag.

"Yeah exactly."

He checked his phone before sighing.

"It's 11.30, I think I'll call it an early night."

"Excuse me, early?"

"Yeah, I usually go to bed around 2."

"On a school night?"

"Yeah."

"Freak."

"Queer."

I snorted at him as I took my trousers off, but left my t-shirt on.

He gave me a look as he undressed and I pulled my tongue out at him.

"Don't tell me I make you self conscious." He teased.

"It's more like I'm just too irresistible and need to be censored." I joked and he snorted.

For real though, probably shouldn't do anything to make our situation more complicated.

I jumped onto the bed before he could make it. "Claiming this space as my side!" I exclaimed, reaching across the whole bed.

"Hey!" He complained and tried to shove me off.

"Bitch, I will use you as a mattress." He huffed as he sat on me.

"Ow! Okay, get off." I pouted and shuffled to the side. "Just FYI, I can kick you, but not the other way round okay."

"Um WHY?"

"I'm a GUEST."

"You're one catty guest."

"Rude."

---

"What do you think of parents?" Erin's voice brought me out of a light sleep in the middle of the night.

"Erin."  I complained and he chuckled.

"Oh, were you asleep?"

"Are you kidding me..."

"So, what do you think?

I lifted my head and looked at him.

"What was the question again?"

"What do you think of parents?"

"Not much." I grumbled.

"Really?"

"I don't have any parents Erin."

"Aw, at least they're not like my biological ones."

"Parent pain is relative, hoe. At least yours didn't try marry you off for a business deal." I huffed. "Besides, you've got some pretty neat ones now."

"True." I could practically hear the grin in his voice, and smiled at him.

"Do they harrass Delilah like they do me?" I asked and his expression faulted.

"Um, not really."

"So why is it they treat me like some kind of angel?"

"Huh, I guess they just like you."

"Oh really? It couldn't be the fact that you told them I gave you the money?"

"What! I didn't!"

"Erin."

"I...didn't mean to!"

"ERIN."

"I'm sorry, it just came out!"

"Godamnit Erin."

"I'm sorry!"

I rolled my eyes at him.

"They suspected anyway, I mean, it just solved all their troubles of course they wanted to know who did it."

"Ugh."

"What? How is being appreciated bad!"

"I'm not used to it! It's uncomfortable."

"You're not used to normal affection and appreciation? That's sad!"

"Isn't it just. Doesn't change it though."

"Riley..."

"What? Don't look at me like that!"

He pouted at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Stop, you're making me feel stupid. Why don't we talk about Delilah."

"Why do you keep bringing up Delilah?!" He huffed, and I snickered.

"Because you react like that." I turned and faced him properly. "You like her don't you?" I teased, unphased by his glare.

"Don't, why are you bringing that up?"

"What? There's nothing wrong with that. You can like two people."

"Yeah says the one who likes a dozen."

"Aww come on, don't be so put off, I think it's cute."

"Cute? That's biphobic."

"Oh shut up."

"You're a bitch."

"Have you only noticed recently or something? Thinking about it, you really have been acting differently lately, what is that..."

"It could be the fact being off of chemo has made my libido come back."

"Your what?" My eyes widened at the sudden turn of conversation.

"Yeah it's all developed really suddenly. It was frustrating because I was beginning to think I was homoromantic or something." He sighed, with a frown on his face.

"Aw, you like her romantically? Cutie."

"Riley if you don't shut the fuck up."

"What? I love bisexuals." I continued to tease, simply amused by how worked up he was getting.

"Stop talking about that."

"I totally ship it."

"You're a fucking asshole."

"What? Expand your horizons, she's probably into you too."

He jumped up slightly with an angry expression, and I felt a little anxious for a second.

He then moved over me, resting his hands by either side of my head and leaning down. "Shut up." He said, and I gulped like a scolded schoolchild.

"Yessir."

Holy shit.

He then just stared at me, making the tension thicken.

Ummm.

He looked like he was contemplating life or death or something, and I moved to grab his arm and push it away.

He didn't budge and I lay there awkwardly for a few moments.

"Erin...?" I eventually said something, and I thought that had snapped him out of it, but he just leaned down and kissed me so hard it hurt my lips.

Um, not the reaction I was expecting in this situation!!

I couldn't move my lips or anything at first so just widened my eyes, subconsciously bringing up my hands to his face.

He released the pressure a little and then sucked on my bottom lip gently. I was completely tensed for a few moments, but then just sighed and kissed him back.

What happened to not complicating the situation?

He seemed to relax himself when I responded,

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