***AUTHOR'S NOTE PLEASE READ***

Hey all. I'm back with the beginning of the sequel for Broken Wings. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update. I know I've said that before, but this time I **really** mean it, and there are several reasons as to why: a) I only have a few chapters in the vault, b) the college semester is winding down which means that work must take precedence, and c) I'm going through a really rough time right now. To those that know why, thank you for your love and support. It really means a lot to me. The only reason why my reasons don't affect my collaboration piece, Life Between the Pages, is because my first part of that fic is complete. Anyway, without further ado, I present chapter 1.

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Riley inhaled deeply as her body climbed out of her pleasant night's sleep, feeling the warmth of the sheets tucked around her and enjoying the softness of her bed. She kept her eyes closed as she rolled over onto her back, sensing the low rays of the sun this December morning as they slowly glided up her face. Riley enjoyed this feeling so much, as it was not one she got to experience often anymore. College has its 'perks' like that. Mattresses that felt more like shelves to Riley, rooms that were either too hot or too cold, and annoying people in the suite next to you that you can't get to shut up no matter how hard you try. It was these things that made being home all the more special. And now that she was home, Riley was happy that she got to have the benefits of home for just over a month.

The soft buzzing of Riley's cell phone reached her ears. Not wanting to move from her cozy spot, Riley tried to reach over to where it sat on the nightstand, but it was just out of reach. With a sad groan, Riley rolled over to her bedside table and looked to see who had sent her a message. When she saw who the message was from, a grin formed over Riley's lips. It was from Lucas, her boyfriend of four years to the day. Despite attending separate colleges, they were able to keep their love for each other. In fact, it grew even more despite the distance. Riley remembered the day they decided to risk it, the after graduation, like it was yesterday.

Riley was sitting on the park bench waiting for Lucas to arrive, her nerves churning in her stomach as the seconds ticked by. She received a text from him earlier that day saying he wanted to meet. It didn't say anything else, just that and the time. And what made it worse was that Riley was there early. There was one thing that kept running through her mind: because of them going to separate colleges, they were going to break up. It seemed like almost everyone else in their class was doing that, and she didn't want it to catch up with them.

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally saw Lucas walking up towards her. With each step he took, Riley felt her stomach clench. She was dreading this talk. She really was.

Finally, he sat down next to her and looked her in the eyes.

"Hey."

"Hey," Riley returned.

Lucas inhaled and started to speak. "Riley, the reason why I asked you here was to talk about us."

Riley felt her stomach drop after Lucas finished his sentence, but tried to contain her composure. "Okay," she whispered, trying to ignore the fact that her heartbeat was now racing.

"Around this time, a lot of couples in high school go to different schools and break up because of the distance." Here it comes, Riley thought to herself.

"Which I don't think is right. If you truly care for someone, long distance will be a challenge, but an acceptable one. If you're willing to try, I want us to stay together. I know it will be hard, but I'm ready to face that."

Riley released the breath she didn't know she was holding and started to tremble a bit. "Really?"

Lucas nodded. "Yeah… I mean, what else did you think I was going to say?" He took ahold of Riley's hand and continued on. "You're such a huge part of my life Riley. I'd do anything for you."

Riley smiled as she closed her eyes, and felt a couple of tears fall, to which Lucas wiped away. "Why? Did you think I wanted to talk to you for another reason?" he asked.

She nodded in response, not able to find any words. Lucas pulled her into an embrace and kissed the top of her head. "Don't worry, Riley. I'll always be there for you."

Riley opened the text and read what it said.

Happy Anniversary, city girl. Love you and see you tonight :)

Her smile grew as she wrote her response, sent it, and set her phone back on the table. She snuggled back underneath her covers and let out a pleased sigh. Long breaks were by far her favorite. Not only was she home, she got to spend time with the people she really cared about: her family and her friends.

Riley wasn't back under the covers long before she heard someone pounding on her door.

"Riley!" a voice called. It was her brother. "Riley wake up!"

"What is it, Auggie?" she called back to him.

"Mom made your favorite! Come and get it!" he called back before Riley heard the clomping noises of his feet rushing away from her door.

Riley rolled her eyes as she kicked off her covers and put her sweatpants on over her pajama shorts. No matter what she did, she could not sleep in on the weekends when Auggie was around. It annoyed her a little bit, but she understood that he was excited for her to be back.

After slipping on her fuzzy socks, Riley opened her bedroom door and headed out to the kitchen. The lovely scent of warm blueberry muffins greeted her as she headed down the hallway and entered the kitchen area. Her dad and Auggie were sitting in their usual places while her mother was standing at the oven, pulling out one of the muffin pans.

"Morning, everyone," Riley greeted.

Both her parents faced her and smiled. "Morning, Riley," her dad returned as Riley bent down and gave him a hug. "Why are you up so early? We would have thought you would be sleeping in considering you didn't get back home from college until late last night."

Riley nodded as she walked over towards Auggie. "I was until this one decided to come banging on my door," she explained as she ruffled up her younger brother's hair.

Auggie grimaced as he tried to knock his sister's hand off of his head. "Hey! I just got it perfect!"

Riley rolled her eyes as she leaned up against the counter. Even after all of this time, Auggie did his best to please Ava.

"Oh boo," Riley teased. "You were asking for it kid."

"I'm not a kid!" he complained after taking a bite of his cereal. "I'm a man!"

Riley let out a chuckle. "You keep thinking that," she said to the fourteen year old.

Auggie rolled his eyes as he stood up from the table. "Anyway… I need to go pick up Ava for school. Unlike some people, I still have to go to school."

"Alright, see ya later," Topanga said.

"I'll see you in class, Bubba," Cory called out.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" Auggie muttered as he closed the door behind him.

Riley took her usual seat next to her dad while her mom placed the muffins on the table. "So," Topanga began, "you and Lucas have big plans for tonight?"

"All I know is that we have plans," Riley replied as she took one of the muffins. "I'm not exactly sure what Lucas has in store. He seems to be doing that a lot lately… not that I mind. I actually enjoy it," she finished with a smile.

"Any other plans, or are you just going to sit around all day waiting for your date?" Cory joked to his daughter.

Riley returned the joke with a glare. "Very funny dad. I'm actually thinking about heading down to the park and getting some good shots in." Despite being on break, Riley couldn't help but want to go out and photograph things. Her father's friend, better known to her as Uncle Shawn, got her into photography when she was in middle school. She was hooked once he gave her one of his cameras, so it only made sense that she would major in it in college.

"Don't forget to have some fun while you're on break, Riley," her mother warned.

"But mom, this is fun!"

"I know," she responded as she held her hands up in defense. "But I just want to make sure you have some other activities planned."

"Don't worry, mom," Riley replied. "I will."

The rest of their meal went by fairly quietly, the only sounds being Cory eating his cereal or the clinking of the glassware on the table. Once Cory and Topanga had finished, they bid Riley farewell and headed off to work.

It wasn't long after her parents left that Riley noticed something out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head to see Maya walking into the dining room and brushing the few remaining snowflakes off of her coat.

"Did I leave my window open?" Riley asked.

Maya shook her head. "Nope, unlocked."

"Ah. Breakfast?"

Maya eagerly nodded as she snatched one of the blueberry muffins off the table and sat beside her best friend.

"I'm actually surprised to see you here this early," Riley commented. "Would have thought Farkle would have gotten ahold of you first," she teased lightly.

"Nope. He's still not quite done with finals yet. He'll be home in a couple days. So what are your plans for today?" she asked in between bites.

Riley shrugged as she swirled her orange juice in her glass. "I'm not sure, really. I was thinking about heading down to the park to get some shots in, then filling in the rest of the time between then and my date with Lucas tonight I have no clue."

"Ah yes, your anniversary date with Cowboy," Maya responded, making Riley blush a little. "Why don't we head down to the park so you can get all the photos you want, then head down to the movie theater?"

Riley smiled. "That's sounds great!" she responded as she stood up. "Mind if I take some of you?"

Maya looked down at her outfit which consisted of ripped jeans, an oversized sweater, and her winter coat. "You wanna break your camera?"

Riley rolled her eyes. "Come on, it'll be fun!"

"Okay fine," Maya sighed. "But don't say I didn't warn you!"

A/N: So how's that for the start of it? If you could let me know, it would be greatly appreciated. Until next time.