Chapter 2 Communication an Essential Part of a Good Relationship

Then Riley and Lucas are suddenly all alone. "So…." Lucas begins. "Yeah." Riley responds. "I do not want to be your brother Riley, I like you and today I had some very important things I needed to tell you about our relationship." Riley looks everywhere but at Lucas and says, "Friendship you mean?" Lucas takes her hands into his and ask softly, "Is that all we are? Just friends? There nothing else between us but friendship? Because I thought we were building up to something much more. Tell me Riley is that what you really want us to be, just friends?" "No, but I am scared that if we become more it will be awkward and we'll lose each other. I don't want you to lose you Lucas." "I'm scared too, but I want to be with you Riley, I want to know what we can be if we let ourselves pursue this connection we have." Lucas makes gestures with his hands between them and continues his argument, "If we let fear dictate our relationship then our friendship is doomed anyway." Riley looks into his impassioned stare. She knew something was about to change either way; if she chose to let herself be in a relationship with Lucas they would be a couple and if she did not; there would always be the encumbrance of their emotional connection which was a lot more than friendly admiration. Her thoughts drifted to their first date and when she had kissed him, she liked kissing Lucas Friar; and even though it was weird holding his hand she wanted to do it more often. "Riley?" he drew her from her thoughts. "Lucas, do you think if we become boyfriend and girlfriend it could workout between us?" "Yeah, as long as we are able to talk and I think that is something we are pretty good at except for that one time; but that was because of all the pressure from our peers. I think we have grown since then and I am ready to be your boyfriend if you're ready to be my girlfriend." "Can we take things slow? I don't want to risk rushing things and mess us up." "Riley of course, I would not want to have it any other way. Right now I'd like to pick up our conversation from earlier, only this time when I say how important you are to me, could you please leave out the part where you love me like a brother; because I definitely do not think of you as a sister." "I am sorry I lied Lucas because I am positive I do not see you as a brother either." Lucas smiles and pulls her into his arms and looks at her with a content smile and says, "Riley Matthews, you are very important to me, because of your support I was able to ride Tombstone the bull and you helped me survive in New York; and I would really like you to be my girlfriend." "I love it, yes I'll be your girlfriend." Lucas slowly lowered his lips to hers and just before kissing her he uttered the words they both needed to hear, "This is my moment." He kisses her gently but with a sweet sense of passion; because even though communication is an essential part of a relationship so is a physical, emotional, and spiritual connection. Just as the couple parted Maya, Zay, and Farkle returned from their walk. Maya looks at them and rolls her eyes saying, "So which side of her notebook is it?" Riley answered confidently, "Riley loves Lucas." Lucas adds, "and Lucas loves Riley." Zay looks at them with a mischievous grin, "guess that mean no sugar for me?" Lucas punches Zay's arm lightly and replies, "you're gonna have to get your own sugar, Riley is all mine and I'm all hers." Farkle looks at the group and says, "We gotta a lot of secrets to learn about life and now love." Riley's phone rings and she answers, "hi dad, everythings fine. Lucas conquered Tombstone the bull and now he's my boyfriend."

Cory can be heard yelling into the phone, "no, no boys, you can't have a boyfriend." The friends laugh as Lucas looks nervous and says, "oh boy, I really can't afford to lose anymore shoes."

Next: The group return to New York City and Riley and Lucas deal with parental interference and dating complications.