When I Wake Up

Amara

I hope Ryder will be here when I wake up.

I didn't actually think this would happen when I said that in my mind. I mean I had in mind that Ryder could come while I was sleeping, but I was sure I would wake up from all the chaos.

However, when I woke up I was back to Ryder's house, in his bed. I was convinced this was a dream. I sat up and looked around to see Ryder near the window. He turned around at the sound of the sheets moving around and I was terrified for him.

"What happened to your face!?" I asked.

"Out of all the things you could have said.." He sighed burying his hand in his hair.

He had a scratch near his eye and several bruises on his face. Not to mention his busted lip.

"Ryder, what happened? How did we get here? I-"

He smiled at me gently and took a few steps towards the bed where I was sat.

"You don't have to worry about that now. It's all been taken care of"

"No, I want to know" I said firmly.

"You don't have to" He frowned and slowly lowered himself on the bed too and sat in front of me, his face really close to mine.

I only noticed his knuckles when he raised his hand to rest it on my cheek. They had fresh scratches even though there wasn't a lot of blood. Looks like he cleaned it.

I could feel his cold rings against my cheek as he brushed my lip with his thumb.

"I missed you" He said.

I sighed and wrapped my arms around his big form finally hugging him after so many days. We stayed hugging like that for a good few minutes.

He pulled away with his arms still around me and smiled at me. I flinched as I saw the scratches on his lips stretching and blood dripping from them.

"Ryder, we really need to clean you up a little better" I said and stood up walking towards the bathroom, "And while I clean you up I want you to tell me what happened"

I got the stuff I needed from the bathroom and went back into his room. He was still on the bed just like I left him. He looked exhausted and I also noticed how quiet the house was. Pretty quiet for a house full of people. It hurt to see him like this.

"Sit up" I told him. He slowly turned to me and sat up on the bed, "Now tell me"

"There's nothing to tell you. We went there, things went down and now we're back to normal"

"You're hiding something from me. There is no way it was that easy" I said as I tried to clean him up.

"I'm not hiding anything. It's over"

"Where is everyone else then?" I asked.

He looked down avoiding my gaze. That told me everything I needed to know.

"I-is everyone okay?" I asked.

"Jason isn't doing so well" He said. His voice was hoarse and he frowned as he shook his head.

"W-what do you mean?" I asked starting to feel terrified and accidentally dubbed too hard on his scratch, "Sorry"

"He's-let's just say he's still unconscious, but he'll be okay. I promise"

I let out a deep breath, "What about Mary? And Gordon?"

"They're both okay" He said with a knowing smile. I raised my eyebrow but didn't ask. I was done with his wounds so I put everything back and sat next to him.

"Thank God-"

"Who is Brandon?" He asked looking at me with a piercing stare.

Fuck.

"Um-"

"Don't try to lie, sweetheart"

"Brandon is just a guy working for-"

"You called from his phone" He said.

"Yes, he gave it to me-"

"He said he never did" He interrupted me again smirking, "I said don't try to lie"

"Fine" I sighed, "He offered me mental support sometimes"

"I see" He said quietly, "And how exactly did you take his phone?"

"It was in his back pocket. I had to hug him to get it"

He inhaled sharply and buried his hands in his dark hair.

"I'm sorry, okay? I had to do it, so what if I did? It's not like we fu-"

"Don't" He cut me off. He looked at me and smiled subtly, "I understand love, you had to" He said as he reached out and put some of my hair behind my ear, "You don't have to apologize for anything and don't worry he's alive and well"

"So all of this is over, what now?"

"Now we're going to get you back to your family"

"And then?"

"I'm sorry" He said as he looked down.

I could already feel the tears coming out of my eyes.

I can't believe we went through all of this jsut for him to leave again. Do I mean that little to him?

He probably just wanted to play with me a little before leaving again. He was probably bored in his big empty house and wanted to entertain himself.

"What!? You said you wouldn't leave"

He chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

Such an ass. I should've never forgiven him in the first place.

"I was joking" He said.

I widened my eyes and then glared at him, "So funny" I mocked.

"I would never leave you, silly. I'm surprised you bought that" He smiled as he leaned closer.

"Don't think I'm letting you come near me after this" I said leaning away.

"Please?" He asked pouting.

This is cute I'm not going to lie.

"I missed your lips. I missed everything about you"

Now I just couldn't say no. I didn't want to either.

"Just a peck"

As soon as I finished the sentence his lips were on mine. He didn't have blood on them anymore but he was still hurt and I didn't want to make it worse.

One of his hands was on my jaw and the other was on my waist as he leaned closer and deepened the kiss murmuring something.

I didn't want it to end, his lips were so soft, apart from the scratches, but it had to end before it got out of control.

"Why?" He whined as I pulled away, but continued with kissing my neck.

" 'cause-"

Just when I was about to find a shitty excuse, we heard a knock on the door, but Ryder being Ryder ignored it and kept trailing his lips up and down my neck.

"Ryder?" I heard Gordon's voice.

"Answer him" I whispered.

He mumbled something and kept leaving kisses anywhere his lips landed on as his head was leaning on my shoulder.

All this sudden affection from him felt so different. I was still not used to these new feelings for him.

"Are you there?" Gordon asked again.

"H-he's here" I answered.

"Oh you're awake!" He said as he opened the door.

I quickly pushed Ryder away from me, but he kept his head on my shoulder and nuzzled there.

Gordon stood in front of us and smiled at me.

Awkward.

Gordon had a few bruises and scratches too, but he seemed to have taken care of it better than Ryder.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"I'm okay. I'm glad I'm back" I said.

"What's up with him?" He asked gesturing to Ryder.

"He's just being annoying" I chuckled.

Ryder lifted his head and glared at me.

"I'll leave you two alone and go check up on Jason"

_________

"How are you?" I asked Mary.

We were in the living room and for once I felt like I could actually talk to her without her being so distant. She seemed a lot more free.

Ryder was in the kitchen, he could hear what we were saying since the kitchen was close to the living room, but he was making dinner with Gordon and some other guys. He was being extra clingy today and to be honest, I liked it a bit.

"I'm good, it's just I'm really worried about Jason" She said.

"Do you know what happened? Were you there?"

"Yes, you might not want to know" She said.

"Please, I do want to know" I told her putting my hand on top of hers pleading her to tell me.

I was curious and also worried.

"Everyone is okay, you don't need to worry about anything"

"What happened to your father?" I asked.

"He has no power anymore" She said, "He's alive, but he won't try anything. I promise you"

"okay" I said looking down.

This seemed so weird.

"Hey girls!" I heard a familiar voice.

I looked up to see the twins, Aidan smiling at me and Alexander bein  his moody self as usual, but he did give me a subtle smile.

"How are you girls doing?" Aidan asked sitting next to us.

"We're doing great" Mary replied with a smile.

"You know if it wasn't for us you would still be there" Aidan said.

"I heard that!" Ryder yelled from the kitchen.

"Yeah that was the point" Aidan said.

"You are so annoying" Alexander commented.

Watching them fight is so entertaining.

"So are you guys staying?" I asked.

"Oh no, we're still in high school remember?" Aidan said chuckling. "Our dad will come pick us up in a few hours. Maybe you can meet him"

"Not happening" Ryder said from the kitchen again.

"You know I'll tell him that" Aidan told him, "Anyways-"

"Amara, we're going to your house today" Ryder said as he stepped out of the kitchen.

"What? So early?" I asked shocked.

Was I finally going to see my parents again?

"Your parents missed you" He said smiling.

I felt so happy to hear that. I was almost used to not seeing them and it bothered me. I felt like a bad daughter, but now I couldn't wait to see them again and for things to go back to normal.

As normal as it can be with Ryder here.