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I slowly woke up feeling more then slightly groggy. I frowned at the headache I had developed before noticing the arm around my waist. Is he still here?

I listened for breathing then smiled when I realised he was asleep, how adorable.

My small movements were enough to wake him, and he gave a heavy exhale before simply nuzzling the back of my neck and laying still again.

"Umm...Luca" I said when I noted the low levels of orangish light coming in from the window and the noises downstairs.

"Mhhmmm" he replied without lifting his head.

"It's been a few hours" I stated but he didn't stir, just mumbled again.

"Soo...that means everyone is home, and are probably wondering where we both are..." I explained but he still didn't move.

"Don't you care?" I asked and he sighed.

"Just give me a few more minutes...then I'll care" he stated and I rolled my eyes.

"Come on Luca" I encouraged as I tried to shuffle away from him but he just pulled me back towards his chest and gave a louder grumble of complaint.

"I'm not your teddy bear, now get up!" I persisted then slapped him on the arm. He jumped from the sudden attack then finally moved, just...moved on top of me and squished me against the bed.

"Luca! I complained and he chuckled.

I glared ahead of me at the pillow then shivered when he ran his hand up my arm.

"Why aren't you freaking out? " he asked and I looked back at him.

"What?"

"Aaron told me about you getting scared when he stopped you from sneaking out last night. I thought you'd have a fear of being restrained or something but you seem fine now, and thinking about it I would have noticed by now" he pondered and I sighed.

"I get agitated when I know I can't get free" I explained and he frowned.

"You can't get free now?" he stated unsurely and I smirked.

"You think?" I said in amusement and he seemed to be in deep thought.

"I've definitely had you in situations you couldn't get free from before..." he stated and I groaned in irritation.

"Maybe, but if I don't think about it or try to get free and realise then I wont start panicking, simple" I explained with a frown, really not wanting to be in this situation.

"So its a phobia, probably caused by a traumatic event..." he trailed off then gave me his signature worried look.

Irolled my eyes before pushing up from my arms and forcing him off of me. He started coughing from the impact on his chest and I gave him a sympathetic pout.

"Sorry" I said before smiling and he gave me a look.

"What happened Riley?" he persisted like we were in some sort of therapy session and I shook my head before heading over to the door.

I listened for commotion outside before exiting the room into the quiet hallway.

"Riley" Luca snapped and grabbed my arm, making me start grinding my teeth.

"It's not half as dramatic as you're probably thinking don't worry. I just...don't want to talk about it" I reassured while looking down the hallway, then looked to him with a pleading expression.

He stared down at me for a long while before sighing. "Fine" he said before letting go of my arm and walking past me.

I frowned as I watched him walk down the stairs before standing there in silence.

It was a few moments until a figure in one of the doorways caught my eye.

I jumped and looked to Alex's room, where he stood leaning against the door frame and watching me with a strangely flat expression.

I gave him a small smile in which he returned kind of gloomily.

"Hey Riley, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked before standing properly and disappearing into his room.

I frowned before following him, stepping into his bright room filled with anime and marvel posters. He stood facing away from me next to his bed, fiddling with a Rubik's cube anxiously.

"What's up?" I asked with a smile, while observing his behaviour in concern.

"Um...I wanted to say...sorry...for...you know..." he trailed off before finishing his sentence and I was puzzled until I remembered yesterday evening.

"Oh that's fine, I understand" I reassured and he gave me a disbelieving look.

"Seriously??" he asked and I raised a brow.

"Of course, no offence but I'd probably do it too if the situation was reversed" I said and he smiled.

Ooh, well if it makes you feel any better, I'm grounded for my 'bad choice in friends'" he said while turning towards me and I frowned.

"Really? That's a bit harsh" I commented and he shrugged.

"If they weren't harsh I'm sure we would have least lost a brother by now, with it being such a large hard to keep track of family and all, so I'm kind of grateful for it really" he explained and I was left surprised at his maturity about the situation.

"Plus,meeting you has made me realize people without strict 'parental figures' turn out to be a bit strange so I'm grateful for that too" he teased and I scoffed.

"Um...you don't actually do drugs do you Riley? he asked while standing in front of me, and I stood in silence for a while before snickering.

"No, no I don't." I admitted and he let out a breath.

"Jesus Riley, why'd  you stay silent like that, I thought you did for a second" he gave me a crooked relieved smile and I chuckled.

"Weed's hardly a harmful drug anyway"  I commented and he rolled his eyes.

"It's a gateway drug Riley, like, nearly always" he said seriously and I smiled at him

Not really, that's a bit of an over exaggeration. But that's Alex for you.

"Got it, I wont take drugs Alex, I promise" I reassured anyway and he smiled brightly at me.

"Good!" he said and then happily squished me in a hug.

"Why do you have friends that take them if you are so against them?" I asked while trying to breathe sufficiently enough to not pass out.

"It's because they take them that I am against them, I was friends with them long before that, it just, makes me sad, you know" he explained then sighed, his hug becoming a little less energetic.

"I gave a sad smile before wrapping my arms around his waist and hugging him back .

"Do they take any other drugs?" I asked quietly and he sighed again.

"A few of them, one of them has started taking heroin." he explained and I bit my lip, grateful that he couldn't see my expression.

"Oh, have they gotten help for it, or? I asked and he snickered.

"No, they're an addict, addicts don't usually get help themselves" he stated before sighing again.

"You should get them help then, you'd be surprised at how easy it can be" I suggested but he just hugged me tighter instead of responding.

"...Why do you act the way you do Riley?" Alex suddenly asked, and lifted his head to stare at my face.

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously and he frowned.

"You know what I mean" he stated and I  sighed when I  realised what he must be taking about.

"I don't like to upset people I guess" I explained horribly then cringed.

"Yet you still do" he commented before releasing me from his hug but still standing close to me, looking down at the floor.

"I know..." I admitted and frowned, biting my lip and looking out the window.

I know.


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