Author's Note: Thank you for all the follows and favorites! This is one of my first actual stories and it means a lot to me that people are liking it. I am actually almost done with the whole story, but I am having trouble with the ending. I just want to make sure I end it correctly.

Again, I don't own GMW or Lee Brice's song.

I know it's been a while, I don't mean to pry

But when I asked you if you're happy I didn't hear you smile

And that don't sound like you

Nah, that ain't the girl I knew

Riley was telling him a story about a little girl she took care of in the hospital she was working in. He loved hearing her talk. He had missed talking with her so much. "…and then a couple of days ago, I was at my computer charting and in walks that sweet angel. She had colored me a picture of Anna and Elsa because I told her how much I loved Frozen. She had been released and made her mom come visit me just so she could bring me that picture. Even though I hate my job most days, that little girl made me realize that I am making a difference." She finished her story and he could hear the smile in her voice.

"Well of course she did Riles. She was lucky to have you as her Nurse Tech. I am sure you are the best one in that hospital."
"Oh stop it Lucas!"

"So I know you love work, but how about the rest of your life? How's the family? How are Maya and your Uncle Josh doing?" He paused for a second, but then continued, "How is Charlie doing? Are you happy?"

"Oh, you know, things are good. And, of course Lucas. You know me, I'm always happy!" She replied. Her smile was gone. He didn't have to see her to know that she wasn't smiling anymore. She smiled the whole time she talked about her job at the hospital, but as soon as he mentioned her family, friends and boyfriend, it disappeared.

"What's wrong Riley?"

"You always know, don't you Friar?" and she started telling him about how Charlie was causing problems between her and Maya because he wanted to be with her all the time and it was limiting the time she got to spend with Maya. She then began telling him how her parents wanted her to put off nursing school for another year. She had been accepted to four nursing programs, but none of them were in NYC. She then went into the story of how Charlie agreed with her parents and was trying to dissuade her from following her dream. Lucas loved Cory and Topanga although they had ripped Riley out of his life, but he didn't like how they were still trying to control her and her life. And although he still hadn't been out to New York to meet Charlie, he wasn't his biggest fan. Not just because he was jealous he had Riley, but also because he was trying to discourage her from following her dream.

9 Months Ago

Lucas had been on Facebook scrolling through his news feed and the name Riley Matthews caught his eye.

"In a Relationship with Charlie Gardner"

He dropped his phone. He picked it up and looked at it again and it still said the same thing. She had mentioned Charlie to him over the last few months. He was one of the guys in her study group. He was pre-med and so they had several science classes together. She had posted a couple of picture with him on Facebook and Instagram before, but she had never once mentioned to him that there was anything romantic going on between them. Hell, school just started back up and he figured that she hadn't seen him all summer. He called her as soon as he calmed down enough to be able to string a few sentences together. And she answered right away, almost as if she was expecting a call.

"Hey Luke." Her voice sounded like an angel. But it didn't matter right now. He was mad.

"Don't 'Hey Luke' me!"
"What's wrong?"
"You seriously don't know…"
"Oh, I guess you saw Facebook." Riley said sounding defeated. "Lucas, let me explain…"
"Explain what Riley? That I had to find out with the rest of your Facebook friends that you had moved on?" He interrupted. She could hear the pain in his voice.

"Lucas, can I please talk?"

"Why couldn't you just tell me Riley? We have talked almost every other day the last couple of weeks. Why did I have to find out over Facebook? I didn't even realize that you were dating anyone. Why would you keep that from me?"

"I didn't know how to Lucas. Things have been going so well between us and we were talking more and more that I was afraid to say anything. Charlie and I spent a lot of time together over the summer and it just kind of happened. I didn't know how to tell you." She pleaded her case. Lucas was quiet trying to process everything. He knew that they technically weren't together anymore, but that didn't change his feelings for her. He was still madly in love with her and thought that they would be together again one day. But now, with her moving on, he had no idea what that meant for their future.

"Lucas, please say something."

"I don't know what to say Riley. I just…" He heard a guy's voice in the background and heard Riley cover the speaker. He then heard a door shut.

"Lucas, are you still there?"

"Riley, I'm assuming that Charlie is there to spend time with his girlfriend so I won't take up any more of your time."

"Lucas, no. Do not hang up yet. We need to talk this out. I don't want you to be angry with me."

"Riley, I'm not angry. I'm just, I don't know what I am right now. I just wish I would have found out from you that you had moved on and not your social media account. I just wish I had known you guys had been hanging out and dating. I just wish that I had heard from you that you had given up on us."

"That's not what this means Lucas!"

"Riley, you are not the type of girl to date just to have someone. You date to find your future husband. You told me that after our third date. So for you to get into a new relationship, I know that you are looking at other guys to be your future husband."

"Lucas…" Riley started, but Lucas didn't give her time to continue.

"I hope he makes you happy Riles. That's all I ever want for you is for you to be the happiest girl in the world. I've got to go though. I'll, um, goodbye Riley."

"Lucas, please don't hang up yet." Riley begged him, but it was too late. The call had already been ended. Lucas let out all the tears he had been holding back throughout the call and threw his phone across his room. Riley locked herself in her room even thought Charlie was waiting for her in her living room. They had always promised to never end a conversation with 'goodbye.' That's how Riley knew she had lost her best friend.

And lost him she had, for a while at least. He wouldn't take her calls, her Facetime requests or even text her back. He shut her out for four months. Four months they went without talking. It killed him to ignore her, but he was hurt. She broke his heart and she didn't even realize it. But on New Year's Day, at 12:01 AM, she tried calling him again, knowing it would be pointless. She just wanted to try and see if the New Year would bring back her friend. The phone rang three times and she was about to just hang up, but then she heard his voice.

"Lucas?"

"Hey Riles."

"Happy New Year Lucas."
"Happy New Year Riley."

And just like that, she had her best friend back. They talked on the phone for 2 hours, catching up on the last four months they didn't talk. Lucas had missed his best friend.