Chapter One: Ricky Is Okay
"December fourteenth, 2014... My parents and siblings were catching up on plans, wanting to have a family outing. Which i didnt think was a good idea since the whole ride was a mess, arguments, minor fights, and long bathroom breaks. I sa-" Ricky was interupted by the therapist sitting across from him. "Ricky, please tell me in full detail and don't try to mix things up and lie...we have been through this several times." Dr. Matt. politely asked. Ricky let out a sigh as though he was fustrated. He was telling the truth and coughed sarcastically to continue. "I..saw the figur-" ricky noticed the eye roll Dr. Matt gave him, Ricky stood up feeling his throat heating up. "look i don't even know why im here...im telling the truth." Ricky complained. Dr. Matt closed in startling Ricky a bit as Dr. Matt rubbed his shoulder. "you're not okay." he admitted and almost felt like giving up on Ricky. "but I am okay, i don't feel anything weird or unnatural about myself." he choked on the words weird as he was technically lying. Ricky had been with this therapist for 3 years now talking about the same accident over and over, but he never told him his other problems such as his imaginary friend he had. Dr. Matt wrote something in his notes. Ricky politely got back into his chair and tapped his foot on the marbled floor. "..Can i leave now" Ricky gripped under the chair ridges as he asked. Dr. Matt nodded and put his notepad on the table that was next to him. Ricky smiled and got up shaking his hand as a thank you and left even though the time was pretty wasteful.
- 4 hours later -
"Nathan!" Ricky shouted standing near a rusty treehouse his uncle built a few years back. Ever since the accident he was forced to be homeschooled and live with his uncle and aunt. "...Nathan?" he heard rumbling behind him as Ricky turned around seeing a tall figure emerging. "Ricky! you're back!" Nathan ran up to Ricky tackling him until they both fell on the dry grass. Ricky pushed him off getting up brushing himself off. "for fuck sake Nathan i told you no more hiding and to wait at the treehouse" Ricky sighed and looked at Nathan with a serious expression. Nathan got a bit worried and took a few steps back hearing the tone in his voice. "im kidding." Ricky smiled and blinked as he felt a small drop of rain...the two friends got into the treehouse and hung out until the rain passed. "..Nathan i forgot to tell you, Dr. Matt was possibly thinking of letting me go to a public school! He told me two days ago and i saw him put an address today on his notebook" Nathan raised his eyebrows and smiled "..thats good news" he said and had his hands side by side leaning his back on the wooden wall. Ricky felt like he was bragging too much and noticed Nathan didnt like letting Ricky make new friends or leave him for days when he is either sick or just bored. "But..i still wont ever forget about you I promise." Ricky heard a voice from under the treehouse, his uncle was calling him to come inside for bed time. Ricky gave a small hug to Nathan as he felt his shaky hands wrap around his waist and let go before his awkwardness took over him.
- Bedroom -
Ricky didnt have any special night routine, it was always dinner and a shower and to bed. Ricky felt tired and was severely sweating. He always had this feeling when he left Nathan..up there in the treehouse alone. He took his mind off it and stared blankly at the ceiling. Ricky wasn't allowed to have a cellphone or stay up late since his uncle was afraid of Ricky getting "sick" as he describes it. He was turning 18 after tomorrow and felt like he should have more freedom. Ricky shut his eyes as he rolled to the comfortable side of his bed...hearing the faint whispers enter from his window to his ear. A shadow figure standing at the window gazing into his room as Ricky peacefully slept.
- Morning -
Ricky woke up nearly before 7am. His uncle was still sleeping and his Aunt went away for a business trip for a month. Ricky always opened his window and climbed through to wake Nathan up. He had his slippers on and a robe and ran through the green forest. He never got lost and always found his way to the treehouse as if it called him every day. Ricky climbed the ladder roughly and opened it surprisingly seeing Nathan up playing with a knife carving drawings on the wall. "Hey..morning, anything new that inspired you this time?" Rickey asked admiring the detailed drawings, he couldnt tell what they were but it was so beautiful he hardly recognized how did he even get these talents. "from you of course..your voice always gives me inspiration" Nathan kept carving as Ricky was confused and let the silence take over him. a few hours pass of talking and talking. Nathan out of nowhere said something Ricky wasnt even expecting.
"..they still think im not real hm?" he looked down. "..it takes time they wouldnt understand." he patted Nathan's shoulder and needed to eat breakfast even though its nearly 2pm.
- Breakfast -
Ricky's uncle cooked bacon and eggs for Ricky and himself. The two ate in silence and his uncle was clearly uncomfortable seeing Ricky humming a song, the song the radio was playing in the car before tje accident. "..hey Ricky, does uh..Nathan still talk to you?" he choked on the words talk and continued to eat. Ricky nods and clearly felt kinda mad.
- End Chapter One -