The Miles We Travel
By: HJ Russo
Rating: T-M
Disclaimer: I own nothing if I did I would so own Riker Anthony Lynch
Summary: This is a story of a group of lifelong friends that took a trip one summer that ended up changing their lives forever. Love was found and friendships were ruined. Can they ever get back what they lost? Or was it part of the Miles they traveled?
Chapter 1
Laura Marano, Raini Rodriguez and Rydel Lynch were the best of friends, along with Riker Ross Rocky Ryland Lynch Ellington Ratliff and Calum Worthy. The nine of them had grown up together since they were little toddlers in diapers. Currently Laura Raini and Rydel were in the living room of the Lynches house going over what they want to do for the summer.
" This summer has to be amazing you guys, I mean this is the last one before we go off to college. It has to be summer that we remember." Rydel cried out as she was trying to think of something that they could all do.
" Don't worry Ry it well, now what do you guys want to do?" Laura asked. She too was trying to think of something that they can all remember for the rest of their lives. This was going to be the last summer that everyone would be together. She was going to go off to the London School of Dramatic Arts in the fall, Raini was going to be going to NYU and Rydel was going to be going to Stanford. She didn't even want to think about being away from her best friends. And that includes Ross, Rocky Calum and Ellington otherwise known as Ratliff. The nine of them were a family and she was terrified at leaving them.
Riker.
Laura sighed as she thought of Riker Lynch. He was the oldest of the Lynch siblings and the holder of her heart. Laura can't remember the exact moment that she first fell for him, but she knows it has been for a very long time. Every time that she thought about him her heart would skip a beat and every time that he would look at her, she could feel herself melting.
Riker was an amazing guy, besides being completely gorgeous, he was kind and a very happy person. In all the years that she has known him she couldn't recall a moment where he wasn't happy. He always made sure his siblings were taken care of and that also applied to her, Raini Calum and Ratliff. He was a very caring guy and that is what made Laura love him. When she was younger she could remember the fantasies she would have of him coming to her telling her that he came to the conclusion that he was madly in love with her and that he would love it is she would marry him.
She wasn't going to lie she still had those fantasies. But that is all that it was. A fantasy. There was no way that someone like Riker would ever fall for someone like her. First he was twenty one years old and she was seventeen. It would be illegal. Plus he was way out of her league. He was tall blonde and tan and she was short mousy brown and did she mention short?
Plus Rydel would freak out if she knew that she was crushing on her big brother. Laura knew that she wouldn't take it well if Riker and Laura ever got together. Get real Laura as she thought to herself she didn't have to worry about upsetting Rydel because as she said there was no way that Riker would ever fall for her.
" Laura are you there?" Rydel and Raini both were looking at their friend. Laura snapped out of her Riker filled daydream and realized that her friends were looking at her for suggestions.
Laura sighed.
" Sorry guys, I am so bored trying to think of something to do it is making me insane."
" I know same here, we just can't let the rest of summer go by without us doing something." Raini added.
So the three of them just sat back in the couch watching the TV when something came too them when the Britney spears movie Crossroads came on.
" ROADTRIP!" The three of them yelled out.
" We should totally do that!" Rydel squealed.
' Totally!" Laura and Raini both agreed.
Riker came downstairs after hearing the racket from downstairs. " What the hell is going on?" Riker asked wanting to know why they were making noise. His hair was a mess and it looked like he just got up.
Oops. Did they wake him?
Laura blushed. Just the sight of him made her knees go weak. He really was a gorgeous creature.
" Sorry Riker, we didn't mean to wake you." Laura answered trying not to stutter.
Riker just laughed. " It's okay Laur I just want to know what has gotten you guys so excited?"
Laura again blushed. Riker once again just laughed. Laura was really cute when she blushed like that. Rydel just rolled her eyes.
" Riker, we were just talking about what to do this summer before we all go away to school. And the movie just gave us a suggestion about taking a road trip how cool is that?" Rydel squealed. Riker just rolled his eyes.
" Sorry but you guys aren't going on any Road trip." Riker said.
" Why the hell not?" Rydel asked getting up from the couch. She loved her brother she really did but his overprotectiveness was getting quite old. She was almost in college yet he treats her like a baby.
" Because I am not going to let you guys go off by yourselves on a road trip. Don't you know how many creeps there are out there?" Riker asked.
" No but I do know about the creep that is standing in front of me." Rydel said.
Riker just rolled his eyes.
" Funny." Riker answered.
Raini and Laura just sat back and watched the two siblings go out it. The Lynches don't fight very often but when they do it is hysterical. As Rydel and Riker were going out it, the others walked in as the voices were getting louder.
" What did we miss?" Ross asked as he sat next to Laura. Laura just rolled her eyes.
" Riker and his overprotectiveness as usual. We were thinking about going on a road trip before summer ends and Riker said no."
Ross rolled his eyes this time. " A Road trip sounds like a blast."
" I know it does. Hey Riker calm down and let them go on their Road trip." Ross said to his big brother.
" Thanks Ross, at least one of my brothers isn't a total doof." Rydel said that directed at Riker.
" Ross you aren't suggesting that we allow three girls go by themselves on the open road are you?"
" Girls? We are about to go off to college! Ho old do you think we are?" Raini asked.
Riker again rolled his eyes.
" They won't be going by themselves, we are going with them. We all should go." Ross answered.
" WHAT?" The three girls all screeched.
" It is not like we are babies! We can take care of ourselves you know." Laura said. Riker just looked at her, and her damn crush made her go weak again. Here she was trying to stand her ground and one look from Riker almost made her fold.
She really was pathetic.
" Laura it isn't that we don't trust you guys. But if anything happened to you I would be devastated." Riker said softly. Laura could feel her resolve melting.
" Okay." Laura said.
" What? Laura you are such a traitor!" Rydel said and Raini just agreed.
Laura rolled her eyes. " Guys come on it won't be bad. This is going to be the last time that we are all going to be together for a while, so let's make the most of it. And it isn't like the guys are going to police anything we do because they know their balls will be ripped off and shoved down their throats right guys?" Laura asked sweetly.
All the guys just groaned at the thought. Rydel and Raini just laughed.
" Okay I guess it won't be bad.' Raini agreed.
" Wahoo Road trip baby! This summer is going to be awesome!" Ratliff yelled. Laura couldn't help but notice at the smile Rydel was sending Ratliff's way. Could Miss Lynch have a small crush on Mr. Ratliff?
Laura just smirked. Well this summer is going to be interesting.
" Ross! Quit dancing like a reject from dance moms!" Rocky said. Laura just laughed as she watched her best friend's face blush after being scolded buy his big brother.
" You are just jealous of my moves that is all." Ross retorted.
' Yeah with moves like that I don't think so." Rocky imitated Ross moves and everyone just laughed.
" Mean." Ross muttered.
" Aww poor Ross, it will be alright, I like your moves." Laura said.
Ross blushed. " Thanks Laur, at least someone knows talent when they see it." Ross said as he made his way to the kitchen to get something to drink.
Laura just chuckled. Everyone was now getting excited at the thought of being on the open road for the whole summer. Their parents wouldn't care because they knew a long time ago that when this group wanted to do something then nothing was going to stop them. Plus they were responsible and their parents knew that. Laura looked around and saw the smiles on all her friends' faces. Maybe it was a good thing that all of them were going instead of just the girls. Because who knew when would the next time Laura would see any of them.
" You Okay Laur?" Riker asked coming up beside her. Laura just nodded.
" Yeah I am just thinking that it is a good thing after all that you guys are coming. I mean when we get back it will be time for me to go to London while Raini is off to NYU and Rydel is off to Stanford. Who knows how long it is going to be when we are all together." Laura said looking at Riker. And this trip also gave her more time to spend with Riker and Laura liked that. Even though she knew that it was impossible for them ever to be together just being around him will do her good. Then when she goes off to London then she can have even more memories of Riker to keep her from going insane from being homesick.
Riker just sighed.
" Well I am glad you are happy now, I didn't mean to piss you guys off. I know you guys are all grown up. I just want to make sure nothing happens to any of you. I mean it has been my job to watch out for all of you." Riker answered.
" And you did an amazing job Riker, but we are all grown up now. You don't have to worry okay?" Laura said.
" I am always going to worry about you Laura." Riker whispered.
Laura just felt her chest tighten as Riker gave her a look. Laura shook her head, now all he is worried about someone who he considers a baby sister.
" Riker I will be okay. Now come on I guess we should get back in there and help plan, I want to spend as much time as I can on this trip so the sooner we finish planning the more time we will have for fun."
Riker just laughed. " You got it." Both of them walked back to the couch and sat down as the rest of them were getting everything planned.
" Okay so what vehicles are we going to take? There are nine of us, so I am taking it we all won't fit in one care." Rocky said.
" Wow man, you are a genius I don't know how you came up with that." Ross said in awe. Then he rolled his eyes.
Rocky just shrugged.
" Well I was thinking that maybe we can travel in those traveling Winnebago's? There are some that are huge and has plenty of room? Like a tour bus? My uncle can get us one at a pretty decent price and when I say that I mean free." Laura said.
" Free is awesome so there you go we have the wheels and now we need is cash." Ratliff said.
" Well we all have savings so we can use that. And we can make a list of food we want s we can bring with us. Plus not to mention all those awesome cafes on the road that we need to experience." Ross said with his eyes watering at the thought of food.
" You really are a loser are you? Mom should have aborted your ass." Rocky replied. Ross was about to get up when Riker held him down.
" You two knock it off or you guys will be staying home." Rydel said.
" Yes mommy." Rocky pouted sarcastically.
" Rocky Mark…" Riker said.
" Okay okay geez someone is on the rag today." Rocky muttered
" Anyway that sounds good, so Laura do you think we can get the Winnebago for this Friday? That is when we get out of school I want to start this as soon as possible." Rydel asked.
" Should be no problem." Laura said. And the rest of them just smiled.
It was now Friday and Laura was able to get the Winnebago due to her uncle, all she had to do was promise that she would have a good time. So now everyone was at the Lynch house waiting for the Lynches to get ready and when I say that they mean Ross.
Ross Shor Lynch gives the meaning to a true diva.
" HURRY THE HELL UP ROSS! GOD!" Rocky screamed. " We really need to make sure Ross has a vagina he takes longer then Rydel and that is saying something." He said to Calum and Ratliff who just nodded agreeing.
" Shut your face Rockass! Your just jealous that I look this good and well you look like shit." Ross said. As he finally came out of his room carrying his many bags.
" Jesus Ross all the girls combine don't have as much bags as you do." Calum said.
" Calum you know this is all that I need to survive on the road."
Everybody just rolled their eyes at Ross. Ross did this every time they went somewhere.
" Sorry dude the Winnebago is huge but not that huge. I think you can manage without your dildo." Rocky said.
" I am going to kick your ass." Ross said as he was walking up to rocky.
" You two knock the shit off!" Laura screamed. It took a lot for Laura to get mad, but when she does, everyone freaks.
" Sorry." Both Rocky and Ross said ashamed.
" Good job Laur, I need to learn your tricks." Riker said. " Okay everybody get your things and let's hit the road!"
Everyone made their way to the Winnebago and loaded it up. Laura just looked around and smiled. This really was going to be a summer to remember.
If she only knew what was going to come.