Jessica's POV:

"Dinner and game night was pretty cringey wasn't it." I told Ross as I played with his hair. 

"Well, Riker was being a complete as-" "Don't finish that." I hush him. "But he is." he defended. "Yeah he was." I sighed. 

"I don't know what's wrong with him." 

Ross shrugs, "His problem is me." 

"Why?"

"Well not necessarily. He's just adding me to what his problem is." he sat up. "Riker is scared that his relationship with Sofia won't work out because of their age difference." 

"What? Why does that bother him?"

"He's four years older than her and he feels like she's suppose to be with someone her age."\

"Like you." I say. 

"Well he adds me in the mix because we dated and her past love for me." 

I nod, "But he loves her and she loves him which should be the only thing that matters right?" "I tried telling him that but he's adamant that she doesn't love him after she how she replied when he asked if she loved him."

"Okay. I could understand that but she was just under some pressure. Saying 'I love you' means a lot to her."

"Yes, I know. I told him that too. I even tried to let him understand that because she never told me that she loved me." he sighed. 

"How do you know all these things about Sofia?" 

"We were together Jess, of course I would've known things about my girlfriend." 

"Ex." 

He rolled his eyes, "Don't act like Riker now Jess." 

"Stop calling me Jess." 

"Isn't that your nickname what do you want me to call you?" 

"Jessie! That's what you call me." 

"I don't always call you that. Come on stop being ridiculous." 

I sigh, "I'm sorry. Just this whole thing about you and Sofia is getting to me." He nods, "I understand, but don't get upset over an accusation." 

"What was that thing about a ring earlier?" I suddenly asked. 

Ross looked taken aback, "Um. Well Riker is planning to give Sofia a promise ring." I smiled, "That's cute." "Yeah but if he continues to act like a as-" I gave him a look. 

"-donkey. Then I'll never let him give it to her. It'll just break her even more."

I smiled, "That's sweet of you Ross."  There was a knock on the door. 

"Come in." I say. 

In walked a tear faced Sofia. I walked to her, "Sof, what's wrong?" She meekly pointed to her old bedroom. 

"That's it." Ross snapped, marching over to the room. 

Sofia stopped him, "Ross. Pl-please." she choked, "Don't do anything." He stared at her and his face softened. He hugged her tightly. 

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"Why did you lie to me Ross?" she asked as she sat down. 

"What?" 

"You. You said he loved me." She began to cry, "I don't feel it and I don't know why I still love him." 

My heart broke for her. 

"I didn't lie to you Sof. He loves you. Not that guy in the other room. The Riker before." he told her. 

"Well I've got the guy in the other room and if that's not the Riker I fell in love with then I'm done." 

"Sof. Come on. He's behaving ridiculous I admit but you've gotta be there for him through whatever he's going through right now." I told her. 

"He's breaking me down Jess. What am I to do? Be there for him until I'm in pieces!" she cried. 

I didn't reply. 

"Sof." Ross held her hand. "Give him tomorrow. I'll talk to him, bring him to his sense. While Jessie and I are hanging out. You and Riker are gonna have fun." 

She didn't speak for a moment. "Fine." she sighed,"Tomorrow. But after that I'm done." 

"Can I stay here tonight?" she asked. I looked at Ross. "Of course you can." he told her. I gave a small smile. 

"Are you okay? Dinner was wow." 

She shook her head, "I've never seen him like this."

~Flashback~ 

"So how was your first day back here?" mom asked us. 

I looked at Ross who looked at Sofia who was looking at her plate. Riker was playing with his food. 

"It was interesting that's for sure." I chuckled but that didn't help the atmosphere. 

"Food tastes great." Ross compliments. Mom smiled, "Thanks. Didn't take much work. Use to cook this all the time for Jess and Sofia."

I looked at Sofia but she had no reaction, like if she was in her own world. 

Riker gave her a nudge and she glared at him, "Don't." she snapped. Mom gave a cough, "Um, anyway. What movie do y'all wanna watch?"

I shrugged, "Anything's fine with me." Ross and Riker agreed. "Yeah." Sofia said softly, "Doesn't really matter." 

"We could play some games instead." mom suggested. I nodded, "Games should be fun." 

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"Truth or Dare Sofia?" Riker asked. 

"Truth." she replied. "Why do I feel like this isn't gonna be good?" I whisper to Ross.

"Is it true that you still have feelings for Ross?"

"Because it isn't." he whispered back.

Sofia took a breath, and stood up, "I'm not doing this." Riker stood up as well, "So are you admitting it?" 

She shook her head in disbelief, "You disgust me." 

"And what? Ross doesn't?" he shot back. 

She then did the unbelievable. She slapped him. She was about to hit him again when he held her hand tightly. 

"Let go of me." she gritted her teeth. 

He still held onto her and she was desperately trying to get away from him. 

"Okay. Riker. That's enough!" I release his grasp from Sofia's wrist which was now red. She rubbed her wrist while staring at Riker. 

The way she watched him wasn't right. She looked empty, like if she didn't even know what was happening anymore. 

She sniffled but wiped her tears quickly and went upstairs. 

We again glared at Riker. Ross grabbed a fistful of of Riker's shirt. "The hell is wrong with you!" Riker pushed him to the ground. 

I froze. 

Ross got back up and shoved Riker to the wall, "Don't Riker. I don't get what's wrong with you. Are you drunk? Are you taking something? Because this isn't you." 

"People change." Riker snapped. 

"Well this change in you isn't you. You were better how you were before but if this is what you wanna be now just know that no one will be here for you. Not me, not mom or dad or the other, not Jessie and not even Sofia. We won't be here for the new and 'improved' Riker okay. So if you don't wanna lose us or her-" he pointed upstairs, "-get your act together."

~End of Flashback~ 

I gave Sofia a hug, "We're here for you Sof." 

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2 updates in one day? It's a miracle! Well yes and no. I got a big idea for the future and I'm excited to write it so inspiration for chapters leading up to it is coming to me. 

ILY Maria✌❤