December 29, 2020
I now laugh at the thought of our original dream. We were going to make it as a band, always stick together, but that never happened. Riker got a girlfriend, Ross got movie deals, Rocky got other band offers, Ratliff and Kelly got married, and Rydel got a job as a dance instructor in the UK. And for me? I’m still at home. Helping my parents.
Everyone was supposed to be back for Ross’ birthday but Riker cancelled because his girl wanted a movie night because she ‘claims’ she never sees him. Rydel couldn’t get a flight back because it’s snowing, and Rocky is in the middle of a tour. Ross is still on set until later tonight, and I have no clue where Ellington is…….
“Ryland can you come help me in the kitchen?” I heard mom shout from the kitchen. Sighing I start heading for the kitchen stopping outside of our old band room. I opened the door and so many flashbacks came to me. Riker and Rocky writing all night. Rydel playing keyboard. Tears were rimming my eyes and I looked down to the floor. Why is this so painful for me? I wasn’t apart of it.
I felt a hand on my shoulder so I turned and saw the flash of blonde and red hair. Ross. “You ok bro?” He asked. After the Loud tour of 2013 Ross had gotten red streaks in his hair and just never stopped dying it afterwards. “Yeah just reliving the past……” I spoke sighing again. “Don’t dwell on the past Ry. It’s never coming back. No matter how much you wish it does…….”
As soon as mom had seen Ross she bursted into tears. She was so heart broken when he told her he was leaving the house because Riker, Rocky, and Rydel had all left. That’s why I’m still here. “So baby how’s filming?” A smile instantly appeared on his face making me chuckle because he went into full detail about how his co-star is really cute, and he thinks he may ask her on a date.
Later that night I had decided to go to sleep and Ross was getting ready to leave. I gave him a hug and slumped up the stairs. I glanced over at the room across from mine remembering Riker and Rocky playing video games after we got home from the West Coast Tour. I then looked down the hall at Rydel’s room. Everything is still in both rooms……..
Walking into my room I remembered all the pranks Ross and I pulled on each other. Varying from safe pranks with buckets of water to one of us hanging out of our window. I than logged onto twitter to read some tweets from the old fans.
“@R5_Katie Hey Ryland how’s everything been for you. Haven’t seem tweets from you lately. <3”
There were a few more tweets asking the same thing then one stood out to me.
“@Ashley_Thompson_LynchR5 Ryland you are such an amazing person! Please start tweeting again, or at least your quotes! They’re really inspiring. Love you forever! <3”
A smile slowly grew on my face. I Haven’t seen a tweet like this since R5 broke up……….. I favorited the tweet and a few more then lied down in my bed trying to drift off to sleep. I could hear a slightly familiar beat coming from downstairs then my phone buzzed.
From Mom:
Get downstairs now!
I threw my blanket off sprinting down the stairs noticing mom was standing in front of the music room. The music had gotten louder and I could hear Ross singing Here Comes Forever. What’s going on? I was waved over to the door and saw everyone in there playing and smiling. Rocky was using his old Les Paul, Riker and his black and white bass, and Ross on Luna. Rydel was playing keys. She had gotten a lot taller in the past few years. She’s almost as tall as Ross now…….
I saw my mom hugging dad behind me and I also saw Kelly and Riker’s girlfriend, I never did get her name, sitting on the couch singing along. When they had finished I entered the room and was instantly attacked with a bear hug from Rydel.
“I missed you so much Ry!” She screamed and I could see Rocky and Riker laughing at us. “I missed you too Delly now how are you all here?” Rydel smiled and laughed a little, “I lied. I was actually in LA all day saying hey to everyone.” Next was Riker, “Kari and I met up with Rydel at the airport in New York.” Then Rocky went, “We’re on break.” And finally Ratliff spoke, “Do you really think I’d miss Ross’ birthday?!”
I chuckled a little then a serious question came into my mind. “Why did R5 stop?” I could hear my mom choke while drinking her tea and my dads eyes widened.
Rydel looked at the boys sadly then back to me, “I guess we just drifted apart. Ross got more into acting. Riker got into a relationship and I moved.”
“Then there’s Kellington over there.” Ross said pointing over to the couple feeding each other grapes. They’re still the same even after all the years……..
I saw Rocky turn around and grab his acoustic and realized he hasn’t said but three words since he got here. I think he feels really awkward because him getting band offers was the original reason they started drifting. He sighed and then stood up, “I’ve missed you guys, and not just because you’re my family. I’ve missed Riker and I’s songs, Rydels giggles, and most of all playing with you guys everyday.”
Before anyone could say anything else Ross’ watch started to beep, “Sorry guys I have to get back to set before midnight……” He looked as if he could cry. It was great seeing you though.
Rydel pulled him into another hug, “I’ve missed you so much baby bro…..”
I felt my mom tug on my sleeve trying to get my attention, “Ry you need to get to sleep you have school and work tomorrow…..” I sighed looking at my siblings for one last time then started up the stairs. This’ll probably be the last time I’ll see them until next year…..
I lied in my bed staring at the ceiling and after a few hours I finally drifted to sleep having memories of the past flood my mind. We’ll always be more than just a band, we’re family……….
I now laugh at the thought of our original dream. We were going to make it as a band, always stick together, but that never happened. Riker got a girlfriend, Ross got movie deals, Rocky got other band offers, Ratliff and Kelly got married, and Rydel got a job as a dance instructor in the UK. And for me? I’m still at home. Helping my parents.
Everyone was supposed to be back for Ross’ birthday but Riker cancelled because his girl wanted a movie night because she ‘claims’ she never sees him. Rydel couldn’t get a flight back because it’s snowing, and Rocky is in the middle of a tour. Ross is still on set until later tonight, and I have no clue where Ellington is…….
“Ryland can you come help me in the kitchen?” I heard mom shout from the kitchen. Sighing I start heading for the kitchen stopping outside of our old band room. I opened the door and so many flashbacks came to me. Riker and Rocky writing all night. Rydel playing keyboard. Tears were rimming my eyes and I looked down to the floor. Why is this so painful for me? I wasn’t apart of it.
I felt a hand on my shoulder so I turned and saw the flash of blonde and red hair. Ross. “You ok bro?” He asked. After the Loud tour of 2013 Ross had gotten red streaks in his hair and just never stopped dying it afterwards. “Yeah just reliving the past……” I spoke sighing again. “Don’t dwell on the past Ry. It’s never coming back. No matter how much you wish it does…….”
As soon as mom had seen Ross she bursted into tears. She was so heart broken when he told her he was leaving the house because Riker, Rocky, and Rydel had all left. That’s why I’m still here. “So baby how’s filming?” A smile instantly appeared on his face making me chuckle because he went into full detail about how his co-star is really cute, and he thinks he may ask her on a date.
Later that night I had decided to go to sleep and Ross was getting ready to leave. I gave him a hug and slumped up the stairs. I glanced over at the room across from mine remembering Riker and Rocky playing video games after we got home from the West Coast Tour. I then looked down the hall at Rydel’s room. Everything is still in both rooms……..
Walking into my room I remembered all the pranks Ross and I pulled on each other. Varying from safe pranks with buckets of water to one of us hanging out of our window. I than logged onto twitter to read some tweets from the old fans.
“@R5_Katie Hey Ryland how’s everything been for you. Haven’t seem tweets from you lately. <3”
There were a few more tweets asking the same thing then one stood out to me.
“@Ashley_Thompson_LynchR5 Ryland you are such an amazing person! Please start tweeting again, or at least your quotes! They’re really inspiring. Love you forever! <3”
A smile slowly grew on my face. I Haven’t seen a tweet like this since R5 broke up……….. I favorited the tweet and a few more then lied down in my bed trying to drift off to sleep. I could hear a slightly familiar beat coming from downstairs then my phone buzzed.
From Mom:
Get downstairs now!
I threw my blanket off sprinting down the stairs noticing mom was standing in front of the music room. The music had gotten louder and I could hear Ross singing Here Comes Forever. What’s going on? I was waved over to the door and saw everyone in there playing and smiling. Rocky was using his old Les Paul, Riker and his black and white bass, and Ross on Luna. Rydel was playing keys. She had gotten a lot taller in the past few years. She’s almost as tall as Ross now…….
I saw my mom hugging dad behind me and I also saw Kelly and Riker’s girlfriend, I never did get her name, sitting on the couch singing along. When they had finished I entered the room and was instantly attacked with a bear hug from Rydel.
“I missed you so much Ry!” She screamed and I could see Rocky and Riker laughing at us. “I missed you too Delly now how are you all here?” Rydel smiled and laughed a little, “I lied. I was actually in LA all day saying hey to everyone.” Next was Riker, “Kari and I met up with Rydel at the airport in New York.” Then Rocky went, “We’re on break.” And finally Ratliff spoke, “Do you really think I’d miss Ross’ birthday?!”
I chuckled a little then a serious question came into my mind. “Why did R5 stop?” I could hear my mom choke while drinking her tea and my dads eyes widened.
Rydel looked at the boys sadly then back to me, “I guess we just drifted apart. Ross got more into acting. Riker got into a relationship and I moved.”
“Then there’s Kellington over there.” Ross said pointing over to the couple feeding each other grapes. They’re still the same even after all the years……..
I saw Rocky turn around and grab his acoustic and realized he hasn’t said but three words since he got here. I think he feels really awkward because him getting band offers was the original reason they started drifting. He sighed and then stood up, “I’ve missed you guys, and not just because you’re my family. I’ve missed Riker and I’s songs, Rydels giggles, and most of all playing with you guys everyday.”
Before anyone could say anything else Ross’ watch started to beep, “Sorry guys I have to get back to set before midnight……” He looked as if he could cry. It was great seeing you though.
Rydel pulled him into another hug, “I’ve missed you so much baby bro…..”
I felt my mom tug on my sleeve trying to get my attention, “Ry you need to get to sleep you have school and work tomorrow…..” I sighed looking at my siblings for one last time then started up the stairs. This’ll probably be the last time I’ll see them until next year…..
I lied in my bed staring at the ceiling and after a few hours I finally drifted to sleep having memories of the past flood my mind. We’ll always be more than just a band, we’re family……….