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Fifteenth step
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Ryder’s POV:
My face was still a little bit swollen when I left the hospital but I didn’t think my allergic reaction had been as awful as the headache produced by Carter’s family incessant chatter on the ride back to their flat. Gosh could Kathy talk!
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I felt my teeth rattle in my mouth, the cold numbing my nose and cheekbones. The car was still dead as well as our phones, mine not having signal and Ryder's being uncharged. We were dressed in a couple of sweaters and pants, making use of every cloth we had in our luggage and we were both sitting in the back of the car, trying to warm each other up. The only blanket was the one of snow laying over the car. I kept on rubbing my palms up and down my arms, looking at Ryder’s back as he laid his head against the driver’s seat, his body shaking uncontrollably. He kept his legs crossed Turkish style over the chair, stuffing them underneath a large sweater. However, not even this could stop his trembles so I took my jacket off and placed it over his shoulders. “What do you think you are doing, Carter? You need this jacket as much as me.” “You are shaking worse. Keep it.”
Baby steps Seventeenth
"It was nice knowing you, guys. You have my number so you can call me anytime. Maybe we could all go out for drinks one of these days if you are free." I nodded, gasping for air when Liva clasped me in a tight embrace. “Of course! Thank you very much for everything. We owe you.” I responded, crossing my own arms around the slightly chubby girl, feeling content with how her soft body felt in my arms. Her embrace was surprisingly homey.
Baby steps Eighteenth step
“Are you okay?” Ryder asked, tilting his head to look at me. We were both sitting in my bed, my head being laid against the headboard and eyes staring aimlessly through the room while Ryder sat with his legs crossed Turkish style next to me.I nodded, turning to look at Ryder. He was already staring in my direction, his gaze somehow fixed as if he was not seeing me, but rather watching through me. His face contorted a few seco
Baby steps Nineteenth step
The rest of the night passed peacefully. Ryder and I ate sandwiches and played video games and afterwards we started watching TV series. My dad came in sometimes during the night and told us that the guest room was ready for Ryder, but we both fell asleep during our movie party so my bed was still the place where we both woke up in the morning. It was quite a surprise I could sleep at all due to being restless about the discussion I overheard between Ryder and Ivy. I didn’t want the possibility that Ryder might have a girlfriend to irk me so much because it meant I was jealous and still liked Ryder, but I couldn’t help myself. Fortunately the next morning my heart felt less heavy and once I set my eyes on a peacefully sleeping Ryder I decided only staying by his side as
Baby steps Twentieth step
Ryder's PoV:“Would you like to come over to mine tomorrow?” I asked Carter, keeping a straight face in spite of my sweaty palms and quivering heart. Before Carter was able to respond though, I shook my head and leaned over, proceeding to tie the laces of my boots, getting ready to leave the Matvey residence.
Baby steps Twenty-first step
“Ryder, why would you let your brothers attack the poor boy like that?” Aunt Debbie said as she peeked her head from the living room, telling Skyler and Mike to change their pajamas before she walked into the hall and picked Ollie up in her arms. “Hello, Carter. I am Debbie, Ryder’s aunt. It’s nice to finally meet you. Ryder has talked about you like a cheerleader on crack since the day he became your-“
Baby steps Twenty-second step
“Ivy, welcome home. How was your day?"I waited for a response, but Ivy was solely looking at Carter taking in his appearance as if he was the one dressed in a Mrs. Claus costume and not me."Oh, this is-“ I started introducing Carter but Ivy went ahead and waved a hand in the air, shushing me up.“I know who he is.” Ivy sneered, looking Carter up and down.Carter’s own expression twisted into a scowl, the glares of the two almost striking each other mid-air into a swirl of lightings.“I don’t think I had the pleasure to meet you though.”Carter responded, offering Ivy a shallow smile despite his obviously tensed figure. What was up with these two? “I’m Ivy, Ryder’s younger brother.” Ivy said, stretching his hand towards Carter.Carter’s eyes widened and after a few minutes of staring a wide genuine, smile bloomed
Baby steps Twenty-third step
“Are you sure you don’t want to eat anything else? Turkey? How about pudding? Danny, do you want anything?” My aunt asked Carter’s parents, bringing more food on the table despite barely having any space to even see the color of the tablecloth. &ldq
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Baby steps Thirty-fifth step
I kept staring at the door, my mind immersing in all kinds of dark thoughts. I hoped my nightmare this morning wasn’t a sign something bad was going to happen. "Carter?" I asked again, trying the handle for a few more times before starting to knock on the door. "Hey, are you ok? Why is the door locked?" I looked around, wal
Baby steps Thirty-fourth step
Triggering content ahead! Everything seemed to be crying…The hinges of the rusty gate, the crows twirling menacingly in the air, even the black dressed people clustering in front of the grave. Something rose to my throat, and I didn’t know if it was bile or my heart trying to burst out of my chest. With reluctant steps I approached the horde of people, looking down, not trusting my eyes to not betray my sorrow… even though we all shared the same pain today. I passed everyone silently, hands touching me and squeezing my shoulders reassu
Baby steps Thirty-third step
Once he saw us, Jason’s eyes widened and he hurried to leave. Good thing my fists reacted faster than my brain because with one swing of my arm, Jason was launched at the ground and rendered unconscious.“SIMON!” Ivy’s terrified scream pierced through the thin atmosphere and I spun around to see him backing away from the edge of the roof, his palms pressed over his mouth. Aubrey was standing next to the door, his entire body trembling as he grabbed Simon’s phone and ended the live.Carefully, I made my way towards my brother, pulling him into my embrace and cradling him at my chest as he shook and sobbed. Looking at the ground, I winced at the sight, quickly looking away as bile rose to my throat.“Aubrey, don’t come over. Call an ambulance and the police.”Aubrey nodded, his hands fumbling with his phone and voice breaking as he talked with the dispatcher.I turned my attention back to my brother.“Shh, love, shh. Everything is g
Baby steps Thirty-second step
Monday I was back to lectures. I really didn’t want to be here because Carter was going to have his surgery today, but my classes ended at twelve so if I rushed, I could get to hospital in time to see Carter before they sent him to the operation room. His dads also came back yesterday so they would be there with him. Still, I wanted to support Carter, to ease his worries and make sure he comes out of the surgery safely.My phone rang.“Hello, my eager rider. How was your day?”I rolled my eyes at Carter’s “pun”.“Hi, asshole. It was uneventful. How about yours?” I asked as I left the lecture room, finally being done with my classes for the day.“Depressing without you around to entertain me.”“I am not a buffoon to entertain you.”“I know, love. I might be desperate, but I wouldn’t go as low as to date a buffoon. A clown, maybe. I mean, I date you...”“Rude ass bitch.” I muttered and Carter gifted me with a wholehearted lau
Baby steps Thirty-first step
Carter’s birthday came just around the corner. So did the next stage of mine and Carter’s relationship.After Simon’s confession nothing remarkable happened. We entered a new year, college started again, and the football team was waiting for the last championship of the season. One thing that changed though was that I became a little more sociable. I was still shot-tempered and rude with anyone new, but at least now I was in better weathers with my teammates. I was also wearier of Jason, but he never tried to confront me directly. I can’t deny I acted intimidating towards people outside my comfort zone.Anyways, back to Carter’s birthday. His dads decided to visit their relatives in Australia a week ago, but Carter’s aunt gave birth thus they extended their visit with a few days. So my boyfriend invited me to spend his birthday with him... only him. Knowing that we’ll have the whole house for ourselves, and that Carter was the
Baby steps Thirthyth step
“What would Jason want from Simon though? I don’t understand why would he do all of that.” Carter said and Eric just looked at his brother, shrugging. “Simon never told me anything no matter how many times I asked. I believe he didn’t trust me to keep silent after I called the police.” I nodded in understanding then looked at my brother who stood up and walked towards us. “Let’s stop talking about all of this. Simon need to rest.” He said then turned towards me, pulling on my sleeve. “Could you help me bring him to my room, please? He would be more comfortable if he lies in bed.” He added and his voice seemed so small and brittle it almost didn’t sound like himself. I nodded and moved to pick Simon up, carrying him to the bedroom. Eric and Ivy followed me but Carter stayed behind, talking with his parents who se
Baby steps Twenty-ninth step
“You don’t have to go back there if you don’t want to.” I said and Carter considered the option before shaking his head. “I want to know why he is here. Plus, I want to make sure he doesn’t say anything weird to my parents.” I nodded and we slowly made our way out of the room. Carter’s father was waiting outside the door and together we entered the living room. However, Simon was still laying on the couch. He was shivering and sweating but he seemed completely separated from reality. “He fell asleep again.” Ivy explained as we entered the room, being sat on the edge of the couch with Simon’s head laid on his lap. He was playing with Simon’s fringes, his gaze fixed on the floor. Eric sighed, lifting his knees to his chest, looking at his brother from the chair he was sat on. He had finally calmed down and was able to talk again. “He’s
