Chapter 4

Sorry I didn't post on Friday I was super busy with school. I should be able to get on schedule this week though so there should be another chapter up next Friday. I have three questions: 1. Should Farkle transfer to NYU, Chicago, or Boston? 2. Would you like me to give Zay a character? 3. Is there anything you really want to see happen? Let me know in the reviews or PM me.

Riley sat at her bay window staring at all the boxes of her stuff. All the pictures and decor she would be bringing with her all packed away, along with all her clothes. Riley turned her head to say something only to see the empty spot Maya used to inhabit. She didn't think she will ever get to Maya not being by her side everyday. It hurt so much.

*Flashback to the plane ride back from the airport*

Riley sat looking out her window, tears streaming down her face as she thought of her best friend that she just left for the next four years. Her sister, the only person she ever truly felt was there for her. She couldn't help but feel depressed, like she was missing part of who she was.

Before Riley was truly ready the plane ride was over and she was about to begin her life without her other half. It was 100% miserable. When she got off the plain she saw her mother, father, and Lucas, she should be happy, but she couldn't even fake a smile. Lucas was the only one that seemed to notice her change in derminer.

When they arrived to the Matthews' apartment Riley just went straight to her room, dragging Lucas with her. She needed something to take her mind off how she felt. Riley sat at the bay window with Lucas has he soothed her and she let him. Every now and then he would kiss her temple. "Princess?" he finally said causing Riley to look up at him through her eyelashes. She needed this distraction.

Her eyes met his bright green orbs, she tilted her head up more before leaning forward, pressing her lips to his. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she pulled her distraction closer. She knew this was wrong, but she had to stop thinking about Maya and the only way she could do that was by kissing Lucas. He deepened the kiss before pulling away to look at her chocolate doe eyes.

"You can't use me as a distraction Riles, you know that right? Everything will be fine. After a week or so it will probably won't even feel like she left, you'll talk so much." he was right. Riley hated that he was but she knew it was true.

*End of flashback*

They talked every morning when they woke up and every night before bed. Riley wasn't depressed anymore, but there was still times when it hurt. Like right now, Riley was about to leave for Boston and live with Lucas. She was staring at her childhood in front of her and her best friend wasn't here with her for it. Riley did the only thing she could think of to help she took out her phone and facetimed Maya.

After just one ring Maya answered a giant smile on her face, why was she so happy? "RILES! You will never believe what just happened!" Maya exclaimed.

"What is it Peaches?" Riley asks with curiosity towards her friend's gleeful attitude.

Maya takes a quick deep breathe, "Well, today when I got back to the dorm after my English class I found the Deen and Missy talking. Turns out that she had been caught drunk on campus and it was already her third warning. So she got expelled. Can you believe it? I no longer have to deal with that slut!"

Riley couldn't help but laugh, she missed this about Maya. "I am so happy for you Maya! So, anyway I called because I just finished packing my childhood up before Lucas and I leave tomorrow and I wanted to spend my last hours in this room with you. Face Time sleepover?" Riley can see the tears forming in Maya's eyes at the statement.

"Always my little plant. Anytime." Maya replied. Riley walked over to her bed and placed her phone on her night stand so that Maya was facing her.

"Goodnight Peaches."

"Goodnight Pumpkin."

And with that the two fell asleep together in their last night of childhood.

It was the first day of classes for Riley and Lucas. Riley couldn't be more nervous, despite Maya dining her best to convince Riley that it would be all fine.

Riley woke up to her alarm at 7:30, her first class was at 9. She turned in her bed to find Lucas missing. Confused she got up and walked into the kitchen to see him cooking breakfast for them. Riley just smiled at the sight of her boyfriend.

She couldn't believe how much Lucas stayed the same. He still styled his ash blonde hair the same way and his face was still the same shape. The only real difference was that he got even taller, around 6'3", he also got much stronger with very defined muscles. Not that she could complain.

"A picture will last longer you know." Lucas stated breaking into her own little world. He laughs at her reaction before walking over to where she sat with a plate of pancakes. Lucas places the plate down in front of her then kisses her cheek before standing across from her on the other side of the bar. "You ready for today?"

Riley lets out a sigh, couldn't be less ready. "I don't think I ever will. I mean this is college now. Shit…I can't even believe we are IN college."

"Riley Matthews! Did I just hear you say a bad word." Lucas gasps sarcastically.

"I'd be quite if I were you, I mean I do control where you sleep mister." Riley sternly replied as she takes one last bite of her pancakes. She stood up to take her plate over to the sink, as she washed it off she felt Lucas wrap his arms around her waist. He placed his head on her shoulder as he held her close.

"Today will be great and we will meet up for lunch and then when you get home from your last class I will have dinner ready. Everything will be perfect, now go get ready princess." Lucas does his best to reassure Riley. When he is done talking, she places a quick kiss on his lips before heading to the bathroom. She was ready she could do this.

It took Riley a few minutes to find her class, but when she did she was super nervous. She stood outside the door and looked down at her outfit. It was a little colder so Riley wore an over-sized army green sweater with a pair of black distressed skinny jeans with maroon lace tights under them. Her shoes wore black leather converse, her hair was down in its natural curly state and she had dark eyeliner around her eyes with mascara and nothing else. She was ready.

Riley walked into the class and sat in the front next to a girl who had pin straight scarlet hair and dark blue eyes. She was gorgeous, she had a dark, flowy, floral crop top on, black ripped boyfriend jeans paired with nude strappy stilettos. She barely had makeup on but what she had was perfect. Riley, being herself, couldn't help but feel insecure.

The girl looks at Riley with a smile before sticking her hand out for Riley to shake. "I'm Tessa Chris Herondale. I am so nervous this is my first time."

"Riley Matthews, and I get it. I'm a freshman too." Riley states as she shakes Tessa Chris' hand. "Tessa Chris is an interesting name. How did you end up with it?" Riley asked, she couldn't help but be curious.

"Well I was named Tessa after my great great great grandmother and Chris after my father Jonathan Christopher. It is strange but I like it." Tessa answers right before the teacher enters to start the psychology lesson.

Lucas' first class wasn't till eleven so he had about an hour and a half after Riley left till his next class started, but it was finally time for him to go. He found the classroom and walked in sitting down in the front row. It seemed like everyone was staring at him, which made sense since he was the only one in jeans and a t-shirt and not more formal clothes. About three minutes before the class was supposed to start a girl with red hair came in also in casual clothes so Lucas didn't feel 100% alone.

I felt a pang in my heart as she sat down next to me and gave me a flirty smile. "I'm Tessa Chris. And who are you?" She says sticking out a hand for Lucas to shake.

Lucas hesitates for a second before taking her hand for a second "Umm…Lucas." He then looks down at his English book on his desk.

"Okay class, I'm Mrs. Williams. I'll be your teacher for the year. Your first assignment will be a partner project." the teacher states after walking into the class. "You will be reading Romeo and Juliet and then doing a poster and essay on the importance of family value. Your partners will be Ella and Kris, Clarissa and Malec…" The teacher names off names but Lucas just zones out till she says his name "Tessa Chris and Lucas"

Lucas looks to the smiling, blue eyed girl next to him and can't help but shake his head.

Riley sat waiting at the small bakery her and Lucas had agreed on. It reminded her of her mom's bakery so she didn't mind waiting for Lucas. She looked up from her vanilla latte when she heard the the door ding signaling that someone had come in. Her eyes met Lucas' and she instantly smiled. As she got closer she could tell something was wrong. He bent down kissing her cheek as he took a seat taking the coffee she had gotten for him.

"Okay what is wrong?" Riley sternly asks. He knew he couldn't get away with just saying nothing.

"There is this girl in my English class, I grew up with her in Texas before she moved to California when we were 10. She didn't recognize me but I don't blame her I am a lot different now." He looks to Riley who is still confused. "She was part of the reason I was the person I was in Texas, she always found a way to get me angry and that is how it all started… and now I'm stuck doing a project with her."

Riley can see the pain this causes him. She puts her arm around his waist, pulling him close and placing her head on his shoulder. "It will be fine Lucas. I'm sure she has changed, I mean look at you." He chuckles and she knows she broke through. "Also, she didn't even notice you were the kid she grew up with so I doubt she will try anything." Lucas kisses her catching her off guard but she didn't care, it showed she got through to him.

He pulls away and stares into her beautiful chocolate orbs. "You are truly perfect." he says before kissing her again. This kiss interrupted by Riley's stomach grumbling causing Lucas to smile against her lips. "I'll go get us some food. What do you want princess?"

Riley blushes, embarrassed by what just happened. She looks down before answering him. "Um...a sourdough bagel and some fruit please."

Lucas comes back like five minutes later with a bagel, two apples and a turkey sandwich. They eat their food in peace as they talk and laugh with each other. Riley loved the moments she got to spend with Lucas like this, it reminded her of the first real conversation they had back in seventh grade in the New York Public Library.

Riley walked up to her apartment door ready for dinner. It had been a long day, she wasn't used to having to be in class again especially without her father there. After her lunch with Lucas she had two more classes and she was starving.

She opened up her apartment to find herself face to face with someone she recognized and knew for a fact was not Lucas. "You're here!" Riley yelled…

A/N: Again sorry I didn't update. I hoped you enjoyed this chapter and shoutout to the people who get Tessa Chris Herondale's name or some of the names I used for Lucas' classmates.