Part 1

Riley was lying on her bed crying and remembering their time together, after spending her last night with Lucas Friar. The boy she has been in love with since 7th grade when she fell into his lap on the subway.

They had faced several hurdles over the years, the biggest one being when she realized her best friend Maya Hart had feelings for her unofficial boyfriend in 8th grade. Maya had begun to change during 8th grade, not necessarily for the worst but she became a better person, her grades got better, her artistic abilities got better but then one crazy day in Texas, things had changed. She realized her best friend liked Lucas too and she didn't know what to do other than let Maya explore her feelings. So she stepped back so that her best friend can explore the possibility of a relationship with Lucas and although it was painful to watch, she stayed by her best friend through it all. But then Lucas realized he may have feelings for Maya too and she was devastated for a time. This went on for months and months and their friendships were strained. Then they started high school and still nothing was resolved until one cold evening during a winter class trip to a ski lodge. She had become sick before the trip but she did not want to miss out on going so she decided to go anyway and stay in the lodge and read, relax and sit by the fire. One night Lucas returned to the lodge after skiing one evening and everyone else had stayed outdoors by the bonfire but Lucas said he wanted to check on me so he came inside. They had talked all night that night and came to the realization that they wanted to finally be together on their terms but still had the problem of Maya. Lucas had also realized that he only liked the concept of good Maya not her old self. He liked her because she was unintentionally trying to be like Riley. They did not want to hurt her so she waited until she could talk to Maya by herself. She finally got a moment alone with Maya to tell her. Maya was actually very relieved because she admitted to her that even though she cared for Lucas very much, she only liked him platonically and told her that she thinks that when she was becoming a better person and more like Riley was when she thought she may have feelings for Lucas but turned out to be not true. And also Maya admitted that her feelings for Josh were still unresolved as well. Maya knew that she couldn't be with Josh right now because of the age difference, but she had hoped they could develop a long lasting friendship and she was in in for the long game and she would wait until the time was right. He also finally admitted to Maya that he liked her too but they came to an agreement that they could not be together right now. So then she finally was able to talk to Lucas again and they agreed to become a couple again because this time they were ready on their terms. That was three years ago.

Riley was still lying on her bed crying after remembering their time together, when she heard a tiny knock at her window. She sat up and wiped her eyes and there was Lucas staring at her though her window. She went to him and opened the window.

"Lucas what are you doing here? Riley was wondering.

"Riley, I was walking home and I just realized that I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet." Lucas looked at Riley with those beautiful green eyes of his.

"Lucas you know that this is the best thing for us to do right now, you are going to be in Texas and I will be in New York and…."

Lucas interrupted Riley. "Shhhhhh….."

Lucas and Riley say in her bay window for what seemed like hours staring at each other.

"Riley, I know we talked about this and I know what we agreed to; I just don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I can let you go just like that." Lucas pleaded.

"Lucas, listen to me!" her hands cupped his face as she starred at his eyes that she loved so much.

"We agreed to this together. Remember we are not saying goodbye forever, but neither one of us wanted to go to college and hold the other back from anything. We both agreed that we would not actively look for anyone else but you can never rule out and accidental meeting, kind of like when we met. Remember?" Riley continued.

"Yes I remember Riley, all too well. But I also know that I love you so much that I can't let you go. It kills me to have to let you go. I know you are the most beautiful soul on this planet and any man would be stupid to not fall for you." Lucas said.

"Lucas Friar, I love you too! And while I don't want to make promises I can't keep, I can promise you this, I will love you forever and you are and will forever be my first love. No matter what happens during college, just know that I will not try to find anyone else to take your place, no one can do that. My goal is strictly to get my education. I will have fun, make friends, go to parties and all that stuff and I want you to do the same. That is the only way we will get through these 4 years. We have to be open with each other and talk as often as possible and write each other. "Riley pleaded.

"Riley, I understand all that and I will try my best to do the same. Just know this, that you are and will forever be my first love. I will never forget you and I will never stop loving you. "Lucas then kissed his girlfriend of 3 years so passionately on the lips that her knees became weak and he had to wrap his arms around her tightly to keep her from falling.

Lucas then freed himself from Riley and leaned into her and kissed her forehead "always and forever" he whispered.

"Always and forever" Riley whispered.