A.N.- Happy New Year! I'm glad you all are following me into the new year. I'm excited for what is to come. This is just a filler chapter, but it is good all the same.
The pure excitement woke Riley up earlier than she anticipated in the morning. She couldn't believe that she had gotten away with running. Her father probably sent out men looking for her by now, which just increased the risk. She paid for her room downstairs gathered her things and used the remaining cover of the night to sneak in the direction of the boat. She found that the harbor was full of people preparing their ships, including her future home for the next couple weeks. It was at this point that she was glad that she brought her plain dresses not to stand out in the crowd. She rounded the corner only to see the area crowded with guards looking for her, she reversed with just as much force. They were at different vessels talking to the captain, including her own. Fear struck her system and she didn't know what to do, he might not know who she was but if they talk to the guards, they might be able to figure it out. She found herself at a cross road, if she didn't go then they would leave her, but if she did then it would increase changes of being caught.
Thankfully for Mrs. Matthews, she didn't have to decide because the men left her leaving it wide open. She waited till she was sure it was clear and then made haste not to get caught before the journey had begun. Before she reached her destination, she watched as Farkle walked up to the captain and they started to talk. She hesitated for a second, she didn't know that much about Farkle, he seemed trustworthy, but if he said the slightest information about her could give away her position. Her nerves riled up as she neared the ship and captured both sets of eyes from Farkle and the Captain.
"There you are sister," Farkle emphasized the last word to clue her in. A small smile graced Riley's lips as she figured out what exactly the captain was talking to her new-found friend had said.
"I told you to show up right at dawn, you know how important this trip was to me." Their dynamic played well as they could pick up on subtle cues.
"Sorry it won't happen again," she replied apologetically casting her eyes to the ground. Farkle picked up her suitcase and the two of them strolled aboard the ship.
"Why did you do that?" Riley asked when they were out of earshot, he had the perfect opportunity her father was probably offering a tempting reward. Farkle shrugged in response to her question and smiled.
"You want to run away and if they knew the truth then you would never get to see it." Riley knew right then and there that this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. He stuck his neck out for her even when he didn't need to. They made their way below deck and stored their bags wherever space they could find.
"And who are you?" She asked seeing Farkle's companion come up behind her carrying Farkle's bags. Vanessa's face flashed in her mind bringing warm memories, she would miss her when she was away and hoped that she didn't get in too much trouble.
"Zay." He responded shortly, not used to being asked questions.
"Nice to meet you." She responded. She headed above deck just to enjoy the salt of the air. Before she knew it, the ship was sailing on the open waters. Farkle joined her by the railing.
"What now?" He asked with a smiled which she happily returned.
"An adventure."
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky before her stomach started to rumble signifying need of substance. She walked around the deck once more the excitement starting to wear off of life on the water. It was calmer than she anticipated, besides getting used to the ship cutting through the water there wasn't much to do to entertain herself. She strolled below making sure to stay out of everyone's way as she initially promised. It wasn't long before her feet followed her nose and wandered into the kitchen area. There was no one in sight she reached for an apple that lay at the top of a barrel and raised it to her lips.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A man came around the corner with dark brown curls that was pulled back.
"You could lose a hand for that." Not knowing whether he was serious or not lead to the brunette putting back the fruit despite her stomach. A sheepish smile spread on her thin lips feeling guilty that she was caught.
"It's my first time on a ship," she didn't know why she confessed that, but it was now out in the open.
"Are you finding what you are looking for?" Riley's head tilted slight not sure of how he could manage to see through her.
"I'm not sure yet." She replied. It wasn't often that she could afford to be this honest with even herself.
"Well I hope you find what you're looking for"-
"Riley." He shared a small smile the tough exterior waning.
"Thank you -" She paused waiting to hear his name.
"Tony, and everyone eats in an hour when we hit the next port." Riley turned her body with full intentions to leave the kitchen when he called out her name. She turned back to get something lobbed her way. Her chocolate eyes lingered down to reassure her mind that he had in fact that he had given her an apple.
"I didn't see a thing." He winked before returning to preparing some food.
Watching the waves crash against the ship was not quite the same as watching it meet the shore, so Riley let her mind wander to everything that she would let it. It mostly revolved around Josh and what other secrets that her family might have had. All this time and no one told her, what had happened to him that was too terrible to mention? The most important question was being he still alive. She hadn't thought about the reality of that question, and if he was then how would she go about finding him. It was a bit of a stretch to believe that he was still alive but there was still a small glimmer of hope.
"Find a way to entertain yourself?" Farkle's voice almost made her jump outside of her skin. She turned her head in his direction and gave a soft smile. It was because of him that she wasn't caught and could come on this journey in the first place.
"I've managed," A wry smile grew. "It's not as exciting as I initially thought especially with all the stories I've heard."
"Like what, pirates, mermaids and sea creatures." He teased. It sounded silly coming from him, he seemed like a man of logic to which all those things went against.
"I prefer the stories I've heard compared to waiting around for something to happen." She had a seed of doubt that running away was the best move to run away, but this was just the first lull in the journey. She didn't believe that all the stories she heard were made up, there had to be at least some truth to them.
"There's two side to every tale, sitting around all day on a ship isn't much of story."
"What's the other side of your story?" It was a bold question, especially since they didn't know each other that well, but he had already saved her once that day so she couldn't help but wonder. Farkle opened his mouth to answer but he was cut off by a yelling crew mate.
"Land ho." Her heart rate quickened and it was a reminder to what drove her to the see in the first place. She raced to the front of the sea to get a better view to which Farkle followed.
Riley felt at ease as Trevor, the deckhand who had showed her how to tie knots in her hours of boredom, called directions to steer into the port. They had made great time in the water or everything was unfolding faster than she imagined. Her eyes jumping from crew members throwing rope, adjusting the sails, and barking orders to each other. She had never been on a ship to her memory, but she also didn't know she had a brother either.
"Isn't this exciting?" Riley couldn't wipe the smile as she leaned away from her new-found friend. The excitement was flowing out of her body, anyone could see it.
"I guess."
As soon as the ship was secure Riley grabbed Farkle's arm and pulled him off the ship before he could say another word on the matter. One of the first things she did was breathe in a big breath of air. The environment around her just felt different, better than the air on her island. She felt free, it was finally sinking in that she could get away with running away. Everyone seemed in a hurry the second her feet hit the dock. She dared to say that this market seemed even more alive than her own. She was glad that Farkle had agreed to explore the city with her, despite her pride she was a little bit more intimidated than she would admit.
"Any ideas of where you want to explore first?" Her answer was in the form of her growling stomach and she let out a sheepish smile.
"I thought the sailors mentioned a good tavern by the name of New Providence." All of this was new to Riley but she was willing to overlook her questions to feed herself. Luckily the tavern was near the port because the brunette was convinced that if they had to go scouting through the town they wouldn't be able to find it.
"Please tell me that you're not going to New Providence." The voice caught them off guard. Riley's chocolate eyes scanned the crowd until she found the owner. He was leaning lazily on a building across from the entrance. His blonde hair reminded her of the sand that met the ocean every day. He was well built, he could take care of himself if the need were to arise. His facial features were prominent including a ridged jaw and ruggedly handsome face. Riley shrugged off any thoughts that drifted into her mind, if she allowed them to dwell it would only distract her. The thoughts dissipated when their eyes connected, Riley let out a small gasp.
His emerald eyes drew her in and made her forget just for a second the reason for escaping.
It wasn't until Farkle shook her arm bringing her back to reality just to see his lips smudge up into a smirk while Riley crossed her arms in defense.
"And why is that?" It was suspicious that he was just waiting outside the tavern, but maybe that was just a ghost of her paranoia lingering.
"Because they charge more than some places and they don't even have the best food." Her guard was still up, but if that was indeed true then it wouldn't make sense not to go inside.
"And I'm sure you know of somewhere better?" His lips twisted up in a smile she could only describe as mischievous.
"As a matter of fact, I do."
"Well I surely can't run off with someone without knowing their name."
"Lucas." He held his hand out to her.
"Riley," she replied placing her hand in his. He lowered his lips to meet her hand and it sent a tingling sensation across her body.
"Do you trust me?" There was no logical reason why she should trust the total stranger, but his emerald eyes drew her in further.
"Yes," the words fell out of her mouth.
"Follow me." He grabbed her hand and the three of them maneuvered through the surrounding crowd to the destination.
A.N.- Rucas ahead. Like I said it made a decent filler chapter, next chapter you;ll find out a little more about everyone. Let me know what you think! If I get ahead early I'll post before next week.
