Chapter 2: Hi, Hi

"Hi." Riley responded unsure of what else to say.
"Hi." Lucas responded out of familiarity. Lucas immediately snapped out of his confusion remembering that Riley had fallen off a horse. "Riley, I'm going to need to check you out ok? I understand you fell off a horse?"
"I didn't fall off a horse, the lady heard me wrong. I fell trying to get on a horse."
"…That is…different, a little?"
"I'm ok, I don't know why, my friends wanted me to come get checked out. I'm fine, I'm fine." Riley said attempting to get up. "I'll just be on my way and not take up anymore of your time."
"Ri..Ril."
"I'm fine Lucas, you have more important patients." Riley continued attempting to get up and leave the awkward situation. As soon as she stood on her ankles, it felt as though her ankles had snapped in half. She immediately began to fall, but luckily Lucas caught her.
"I would hardly say you're fine. Sit down and let me take a look at you."
"Ok, Riley said taking a seat." She sat down and wanted to look anywhere but directly at Lucas. "So, Dr. Friar huh? People doctor?"
"Oh, yeah. I decided I wanted to help people." Lucas chuckled. Twelve years and Riley was still as obvious as ever. She was never great at breaking the ice in an awkward moment. "How about you? How are you these days?"
"Uhm, besides being here, I'm great? How long have you been a doctor?"
"Just recently, I didn't finish my residency until recently."
"Wait a minute, we haven't seen each other for 12 years, surely it didn't take you that long to finish school?"
"I uh.. I enlisted in the military and did my undergrad when I wasn't on active duty. I was deployed for a little bit before my contract ended."
"Wow, that is impressive. Well thank you for serving."
"You're welcome." Lucas said turning her ankle a bit.
"Oww."
"I'm sorry, I just need to make sure nothing is broken or anything."
"I guess that is what doctors do."
"Yes." Lucas responded. A moment of awkward silence passed before Lucas could no longer hold it in. "What are you doing in Texas Riley?" A part of him hoped she says she came to look for him.
"I umm, Maya and Josh are getting married and I'm here for that."
"In Texas?"
"Yes, Josh moved to Texas a few years ago because the company he worked for named him as head of the office here so he had to relocate."
"Oh, How is everyone else? Farkle? Smackle? Your parents? Auggie?"
"Well, My mom's company was persistent on her heading the London office and eventually she accepted. Auggie lives in London with my parents. I see them a few times a year when there are breaks and stuff. Farkle and Smackle work for Minkus International, obviously. How is Zay?"
"Zay is good. I'm kind of surprised he moved back to Texas after me to be honest."
"That is good, I'm glad you two are doing well. Mr. Bachelor of the year."
"Oh you know about that?" Lucas chuckled.
"How can I not, it is all over the tabloids."
"I didn't peg you for a tabloid person."
"To be frank, it is the only thing to do down here in the South." Riley laughed.
"Don't get to comfortable with it, you may turn into a country girl."
"Why, Dr. Friar, I've already fancied myself a country girl. I've given this here state a great twelve years of my life."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Yeah, I got accepted into Rice and it is one of the best and most beautiful colleges out there. I meant to tell you that week you- Uhm, I graduated and went to University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. So you're not the only Dr., Dr. Friar, you are looking at Dr. Matthews, best pediatrician in Dallas." Riley bragged.
"I…"
"Don't flatter yourself Friar, I had already gotten accepted in and it was my top choice because of the beauty of the campus." Riley said to assure Lucas didn't feel anything from her decision.
"Oh,"
"So, we gonna get my ankle going soon doc? I have an appointment in a bit."
"That appointment is going to have to wait, Ms. I mean Dr. Matthews. You milady have a few xrays and mris lined up."
"Oh no, but there is hardly anything wrong with me!"
"You can't judge from the surface. Inside injuries are the lethal ones."
"Tell me about it." Riley mumbled.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, nothing."

Lucas couldn't help but gawk at the adult Riley Matthews. The Riley Matthews that is a doctor. She looked just like she did twelve years ago, but older, more mature, and more sophisticated. She was still funny, goofy, and weird. Those have been and always will be her best qualities. Looking at her sitting there in a hospital room gown made him sad because she was injured, but riled up disgusting thoughts in his head. She was wearing nothing under that gown.

"So Lucas, anyway we can switch me to a regular room?" Riley asked as Lucas entered the room. "It is bad enough I have to stay a night, but a room like this is gonna cost me some pretty pennies."
"Don't worry about it."
"I can't not worry about it, I know I'm a doctor now, but I'm not making that kind of money yet."
"And I said, don't worry about it. I want you comfortable, safe, and close."
"Close to what?"
"The areas you need to be in." To me. Lucas lied. Lucas, God is giving you a second chance. Your punishment is over, you can't let her go this time.
"Oh, but I can't afford-"
"I said don't worry about it Riley. I'll take care of it."
"Oh God! No! I can't ask that of you."
"It's fine, you get the friends discount. I work here remember. Is Maya or Josh going to come stay with you tonight?"
"No, they are out of town right now. I was actually headed back up to Dallas, but couldn't help but go horseback riding one time before I headed back up there."
"I see, I can stay with you if you'd like? My shift just ended."
"Oh goodness! No! You just spent the day working in a hospital, I can't possibly ask you to stay with me. Go home, get some rest. I know how exhausting a shift can be. I'm a doctor to remember?"
"Riley, I don't want to leave you alone."
"You had no problem doing it twelve years ago, why is it any different now?" Riley responded angrily. Lucas was taken back by her response. Riley Matthews hardly got angry at anyone and she was angry with him.
"So, there it is huh? I'm surprised you lasted this long."
"I'm sorry Lucas, I can't just pretend that elephant in the room doesn't exist anymore."
"Do you really see an elephant in the room? That can be a sign of concussion."
"NO! Either you tell me why you left without so much as a goodbye twelve years ago, or walk out that door and send in another doctor."
"Riley, it's complicated."
"No, complicated is trying to figure out why my boyfriend left over a stupid argument. Do you know how badly I felt after you left? I thought it was my fault that a stupid little argument made you hate me so much that you couldn't bear to be in the same state as me anymore."
"Riley, I didn't leave because I hated you."
"Then why? Why?!" Riley screamed. Lucas couldn't contain himself anymore. He cupped her face and silenced her by covering her lips with his.