Chapter 1- A Day in the Life of Love
When I think about the moments that sum up my life she is always in them. Her smiles and laughs are infectious to me. The way she tosses her hair and the way she smells so sweet. Since day one I have known that she was unique; a ubiquitous character dancing across the stage of my heart. I call her princess or city girl. Her real name is Riley Matthews and she is the girl that has captured my heart. My name is Lucas Friar and I have become a better person all because of the summer rain that cleanses my soul when Riley smiles. That is why when she says Maya likes me; I never take my eyes of off her or look at anyone else in the room, because no one else matters. I am tense and my heart is pulsating. She is standing in front of me and talking nonsense that is irrelevant to my soul. When she kisses my cheek it burns like fire, and tortures me in a way that singes my very being. "I love you Lucas and now I know how" those are her last words to me as she walks away. Then for the first time my eyes fell upon Maya, and she looks despondent; peradventure should I say she appears frightened. I had to ask because it needed to be addressed and handled carefully. "Is it true, do you like me?" She mumbles incoherently at first but when I looked at her confused she spoke with a clarifying tone. "Of course I like you Sundance, but it's not what Riley thinks." I am even more perplexed at her response. "What does Riley think and why?" She laughs un-amusedly, "She thinks that I have intimate feelings for you, she has had doubts about you two since the whole yearbook fiasco. She knows that I think you both act more like siblings than potential boyfriend and girlfriend." I stammer as I try to make sense of what she just confessed, "I thought that was over and we were clear about where we both stood" "You should know by now it is not always that simple when it comes to Riley. I was scared today because I didn't want to see you get hurt, I knew if anything happened to you Riley would feel guilty. I couldn't watch her reaction if something went wrong and you were seriously hurt. She would not have been able to handle that Lucas. She is very important to me and her pain, guilt, and all her feelings I feel them too." "Okay I am glad that's clear, but what do I do now, Riley just literally brother zoned me and I don't want to be her brother." For the first time Lucas and Maya acknowledged the other two people in the room, Farkle and Zay. Lucas looks at his two best friends, "guys, what am I going to do about Riley.?" Zay smiled mischievously and said "When you love someone you let them go, Lucas let her go, Cotton Candy Face could end up being my sugar." "Really Zay." Lucas narrowed his eyes at him and Zay chuckled. "If you really care about Riley then honesty is the best policy. Tell her the truth both of you just need to tell Riley what is really going on." Farkle added reassuringly. At that moment Riley returned her eyes were slightly puffy and red because she had been crying. "I think I am going to turn in early." she said this without making eye contact with any of her friends. Maya addressed her first, "Can we please talk first?" "Sure Peaches, what do you need?" Riley smiled at Maya. "You misinterpreted my feelings for Lucas, yes I like him but not like that. He is like an annoying brother that I want to give nuggies to all the time. I was only upset about him riding the bull because I knew how bad you would feel if Lucas got hurt. You would have blamed yourself and went to that dark area in Rileytown where the sun never shines. We all need our sunshine Riley you make all of us better when you're smiley Riley." Riley sobs and says "So you aren't in love with Lucas?"
"Not in a million years honey could I ever be in love with the boy that my best friend obviously adores." She hugs Riley. When the two girls end their embrace Maya gestures between Lucas and Riley and says, "you two need to talk, so me Farkle and Zay are going for a walk.?" As the three friends are exiting to give Riley and Lucas some privacy Farkle whispers to Lucas, "be honest." and Zay says, "Let her go I really could use some sweetness." Lucas pushes Zay away and chuckles at his ridiculousness. Then Riley and Lucas are suddenly all alone. "So….." Lucas begins.