Foster Kids

Chapter 5 : Skateboarding

Chapter 5

Later...   

Riker POV

"Wake up, Riker."

I opened my eyes and saw Ross shaking me.

"You're back!"

I sat up and hugged him tight. I pulled him onto the couch beside me.

"I'm guessing you missed me?" Ross asked.

"I had the worst night ever," I said, still holding onto him tight.

"What happened?"

"I had a nightmare. And you weren't here."

"I'm sorry. But what happened? Why were you sleeping down here?"

"Mark told me to come down here. We slept down here."

"Really? But you're scared of him."

"I know. But you weren't here."

"Well I'm glad that you could trust him enough to sleep down here with him. Mark and I made pancakes. Can you come eat with us?"

"Yeah."

"Where are your glasses?"

"I don't know. Upstairs?"

"Do you want me to go get them for you?"

"Yes, please."

Ross left and came back a minute later with my glasses. And then we went into the kitchen. I had 2 pancakes. And then I took a shower and got ready for the day. I was still super tired from last night.

Later...

Riker POV

Ross wanted me to come outside because Mark bought him a skateboard and he wanted help learning. So I agreed.

"What are we going to say tomorrow when the foster people come do the home check?" Ross asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Like what do we say when they ask about Mark?"

"We'll say that everything's fine. Because that's the truth."

"Ok, good. Because I really like it here."

Ross hit a rock with his skateboard and fell on the driveway.

"Ow!"

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"No. My knee really hurts. And it's bleeding."

"Go ask Mark for a bandaid."

"Ok."

Ross ran inside. He came back a few minutes later.

"Good?" I asked.

"Yup. You try now."

"I don't know how to skateboard."

"That's why I said try."

I rolled my eyes and stepped on the skateboard.

Ross was trying to help me skateboard, but I ended up falling backwards and landing hard on the driveway, just like he did. But I landed on my back.

"Ow!" I said, shutting my eyes.

Ross tried to help me sit up, but it hurt too much.

"No, stop. Just let me lay here."

"Are you ok?"

"No, my back really hurts."

"Let me go get Mark."

"No!"

"Why not? You can't even sit up."

"I don't want him out here."

"But you're hurt. I'm getting him."

"Ross!"

"Stop! You're hurt! I'm getting him!"

I was so annoyed. A minute later, Ross came back out with Mark.

"I think you guys have spent enough time skateboarding for today. 2 injuries is enough," Mark said, kneeling down beside me.

"Yeah, I think we're both done for the day," Ross said.

"What hurts? Did you hit your head?" Mark asked.

"No. It's my back," I said, trying to sit up again.

My back hurt too much, so I let myself lay on the driveway again.

"Ok. Let me help. Don't strain your back. Let me sit you up," Mark said.

He helped me sit up. And then he pulled my shirt up so he could see my back.

"Whoa! What happened!? That can't all be from today!" Ross said.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Riker, did your other foster family do this to you?" Mark asked.

I nodded. I didn't want to cry. I'm tired of crying. Don't cry. Just breathe.

"Your back is black and blue with bruises," Ross said.

"Still?" I asked.

Ross took a picture with his phone and showed me. Sure enough, he was right.

"Come on. Let's get you inside," Mark said, helping me up.

We went inside. Mark pulled my shirt off over my head and made me lay down on my stomach on the couch.

"Where does your back hurt the most?" Mark asked.

I pointed towards the top of my back, and Mark put an icepack on it.

"Just rest for a little while and see if the ice helps," Mark said.

"Ok. Thanks," I said, quietly.