"Riley you stupid whore you forgot to turn off your alarm." Ah I love it when Maya whispers sweet nothings into my ear on this fine Saturday morning. Kelsea Ballerini's 'Peter Pan' is dancing in my otherwise eerily silent room. I can't seem to move my arms to turn off the alarm so I decide to let it play until it turns off by itself after 2 minutes in hopes I can go back to sleep with little issue.

Unfortunately I have issue and decide to ponder over this past week. This entire week was the same, I'd get a text message from Lucas early in the morning stating he was picking me up for school even though my father or Josh could have easily driven me, especially since he's been taking Maya to school since my car went belly up. I protest saying it is fine that he doesn't need to do that especially because he has to travel the opposite direction of school and because he's Lucas Friar. Either way, I end up in his car. We get to school and he follows me around, or rather I follow him around… not because I want to but because his arm around my shoulder that I'd continually shove off seemed to mosey its way back and dictate my movements throughout the halls.

Seeing as he's popular and 'the bad boy' as many girls have termed him he tends to be a chatty Kathy. Stopping every few seconds to speak to someone new as if it had been years since they've seen each other when in reality they spoke if not the passing period before then the day before. In class he gets us in trouble because he won't leave me alone. At lunch all my friends stare at him in wonderment as if he's the shiny new toy and they can't help but fawn over him and try to find their reflection in his midst, and yes that includes Farkle. It's as if Mr. Minkus has found his idol, he practically stares at Lucas as the girls trip on their own jaws while walking by. Art comes around and the brothers give their death stares to one another while Missy gives one to me… why? I don't know. She's got the one that I want, shouldn't I be glaring at her? Sadly, that won't ever happen.

After art, he again forces me into his vehicle and by the time Friday came around I didn't put up a fight when he hoisted me over his shoulder in a way to show off his strength. I'm not an idiot, I don't miss the death glares and whispers that are being spread around the school by the petty girls who have thrown themselves at him and received zero interest in return. I'm sure they think it's my fault since I'm one of the few females he associates with, but if they truly understood our 'like hate relationship' then they'd realize I'm not a threat. In fact I'm the furthest thing from it. The one thing that did change was him hanging out at my house because my lovely father was always home.

Don't get me wrong, I love my daddy. I'm his pumpkin and I appreciate as well as understand his protectiveness of me. I'm his one and only daughter and he knows how boys are, but even in class he looks terrified that I'm going to pounce on top of Lucas like a lion on a gazelle. I'd like to think I have some sort of self-control even if I was attracted to Lucas. So I try to politely decline when he insists on coming inside but when that doesn't work I yell 'NO' and run inside so he can't follow me. At this point my stomach makes a 'roar' like a dragon and I realize that I'm terribly hungry. "Go get food you monster." Maya tries to shove me out of the bed and I do willingly, when food is on the line why on earth would I try to fight it.

"Gladly." I reply but I go the bathroom first and after doing my business I wash my hands and face and braid my hair to the side before brushing my teeth. I know it's silly to brush my teeth before I eat, but I kind of have a weird thing with my teeth, in fact up until last year I would get up in the middle of the night to brush them. I didn't mean to, but when I'd get up to go to the bathroom I would think 'eh why not'. I practically skip out of my room avoiding all the voices that are echoing throughout my home and solely focus on the heavenly aroma of bacon that is currently invading my nostrils. I love pig.

I exit the hallway with haste and see my mother at the stove flipping pancakes in one hand and turning bacon with the other. She's seriously 'super mom', a bad ass lawyer and caring homemaker. "Morning momma." I kiss her cheek and spin around to face my dad who is reading the paper, because he's old and sipping on his coffee. "Morning daddy."

"Morning pumpkin." I manage to sneak a piece of bacon and focus my gaze to the living room in search of my little brother. But instead of my little brother, who I'm assuming is still sleeping I see 2 men sitting on the couch playing video games. Let me just say that I understand why one is here, he's my uncle and my dad's brother, not to mention Maya's boyfriend and he knows she's here. But the gentleman or rather, Neanderthal sitting next to him is in no way related to this family. Not by blood or marriage so why is he currently slamming his thumb on MY pink PS4 controller as if his life depended on it?

"Could someone explain to me as to why Lucas Friar is in our home?"

I can practically hear his lips turn up into his signature smirk, though he hasn't acknowledged me yet I know he knows that I know he's here. Did you keep up with that? "He's here for breakfast." My mother chirps in a surprisingly upbeat tone. I'm assuming because we have company, she's normally chipper but on Saturday's she refrains from overly exerting her energy.

"And you allowed this?"

I point my accusatory finger towards my father, he was the one that was supposed to be on my side. "Yes pumpkin I did. You two seem to be getting along, he gets along with my brother I don't see why not." He replies as a matter of fact while sipping his coffee.

"Getting along?" I question.

"Yes I see you two together all the time in school." What is he playing at? He's supposed to belong to the over protective I can't even smell another man's cologne club.

I start to laugh, but it comes out as a forced scoff, "Because we have every single class together." I feel as if I've had this conversation with him before. "Literally."

"Morning Riles." A slight shiver vibrates throughout my body with his voice. No matter how much he annoys me it is hard to deny the fact he can makes a woman's knees weak with his smooth as caramel tenor. In fact everything about Lucas is as smooth as caramel, his voice and looks, even the way he treats others. Effectively winning over everyone in my family… including my father.

"This is truly abnormal." I reply while pouring me some orange juice from the fridge. I purposely ignore his greeting and take my delicious pulp free liquid down the hall and to my bedroom to wake up my best friend who is going to help me through this breakfast so I don't go to jail for murder. This is my Saturday for goodness sakes. "Maya Penelope Hart. Open your damn eyes and give me your full and undivided attention."

I'm not asking for much.

She grunts and after rubbing her eyes from the blur that the morning tends to bring her icy orbs gaze upon me with curiosity and anger. Definitely anger. "What do you want?"

"I want to know why your boyfriend brought over Lucas Friar on this fine Saturday morning."

She grunts again and pulls the covers over her head, how dare she? "He's your uncle!"

"Not right now, I disown him and he is all yours. Get your butt up out of bed because apparently he is staying for breakfast and I need someone who is sane to get me through it." I determinedly state, but after 30 seconds of no movement I set my glass down and tug the comforter off of her lifeless form. The answer is yes.

She's back asleep.

"WAKE UP!"

Her blonde hair flies behind her in an effort to catch up as she abruptly sits upright in my bed. "Wait… did you say he's staying for breakfast?"

I nod my head, no I don't find the fact that she remembers exactly what we were saying before she fell asleep to be weird or even remotely odd. "Yes. My father says that since we're 'getting along' it shouldn't be an issue."

"5 minutes and I'll be in the living room." I sigh and plop myself down on the bed as she shuffles her feet across my floor. "Make yourself useful and go wake up Auggie I'm sure he could distract Lucas so he doesn't bug you."

And that is why she's my best friend.

I waste no time in scurrying across the hall and jumping on my brother's bed. "Wake up Auggie. Wake up Auggie. Wake up Auggie and a wiggle, wiggle, wiggle." I shake his body and he slowly removes the covers from his face. "Wake up nose. Wake up nose. Wake up nose and a wiggle, wiggle, wiggle." I clutch his nose and move it from left to right.

"If you weren't my sister I'd wrestle you."

"Meaning if I wasn't longer and seemingly stronger than you- for now- you'd wrestle me." I quip and ruffle his hair. "Get up, Lucas is here and-"

He's out of bed and heading towards the living room. So much for finishing my sentence, isn't that a little disrespectful? I sigh, it's filled with content as I retrieve my glass and meander back into the kitchen. Lucas gives me his signature swoon worthy smirk and I find myself actually looking over his appearance once he breaks eye contact. Dark denim wash jeans with a plain red tee shirt that hugs his arms and is tucked into his black belt buckle. I hate that he is so easy on the eyes, makes it harder for me to despise him.

However, that's all I've ever known is to hate and fight him with every fiber of my being. So this whole friendship thing is a tough egg to crack. "Good morning again family. I apologize for my recent outburst but I'm going to blame it on the fact that I was caught off guard from the outsider's presence." That brought out a few laughs and a chuckle from the evil mastermind himself.

I decide to help my mom finish up everything but the emerald orbs staring at the back of my head doesn't go unnoticed, nevertheless it does go unmentioned. I place the plates down on the table buffet style and find the only empty seat to be by Lucas but that's okay he's completely enthralled by conversation with my brother. "Dig in." I announce and meander towards my seat. I hurriedly make a plate knowing that with the men at this table I won't be able to get anything.

"So what are you kids doing today?" My mom questions with the arch of an eyebrow.

I shrug and take a look outside, sunny and I'm assuming hot. "We haven't really thought about it." I gesture towards Maya who is giving me a small smile before turning back towards Josh. "What about you and dad?"

"Well honey your father and I have some exciting news." Uh oh. That's what they said whenever she was pregnant with Auggie. "Your father and I have signed up to join a mission trip to build wells in Africa." My eyes widen with both pride and shock. "It was kind of a last minute thing but we're so excited, you know how we all signed up for the 'Walk 4 Water' where you walk 4 miles for a fundraiser."

"Yes." That's tomorrow after church, crap I forgot about that.

"Well those funds are going towards our mission trip. Your father will be teaching children how to read and write also." My mom clutches my dad's hand with a larger than life smile. "So we leave next month."

I take a sip of my juice avoiding Lucas' curious and itching ears. Nosy. "For how long?"

"1 month." My eyes widen, they should have discussed this in private I can sense Maya's mischievous plans uprooting in her brain. "We probably should have talked about this with you before we signed up but at the same time it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. Your father and I both need a break and what better way to do that than giving love and support where it's needed most?"

I realize that I'm holding orange juice in my mouth and instantly swallow it down. "Wow, that's so great you guys. So will Auggie and I be staying here… or?"

This is the part where they fill in the blank but it seems as if they are wanting to keep me on edge. They look at each other with a knowing twinkle in their eye. "That's up to you ultimately. Auggie will be going to stay with grandma and grandpa." I find myself frowning, I love my little brother. "Only on the weekends if you'd prefer that. I know how close you two are. So during the week he can stay with you, and on the weekends he will go over there since you're a teenager and I'm sure want to have a life." Now I'm beaming. "That means you'd have to cook dinner and grocery shop and take him to and from school during the week."

"I can do that." I reply with a coy smile. "Right bubba?"

"Yuh." That's my brother trying to be a 'gangster'. I roll my eyes and give him a fist bump.

"I think that's great you guys. I'm happy for you, now next topic does anyone want to take my place in the 'Walk 4 Water' tomorrow?"

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Unfortunately, no one took me up on my offer to fill in my position but of course Josh, Maya and yes Lucas all signed up last minute through our church to join us. So as of right now we're walking around Hobby Lobby for paint. We're making our own shirts to wear, idea courtesy of me! It's not going to be much just white tee shirts with splattered paint all over it. But we thought it'd be a fun project for us seeing as we have nothing else to do today. Which is surprising for Josh, usually he has a million ideas of things to do. "So party at your place when your parents are gone?" I shove Lucas and hopefully shove the idea out of his head. "Kidding sweet cheeks. We don't want your place torn to shreds."

"No kidding." I snort and finally find the fabric paint. "THANK YOU JESUS!" I shout while attracting attention from all of my friends and a few employees. I instantly grab the purple and green paint and snatch a few paint brushes to use for flinging. After everyone has chosen their paint colors and after getting iron on letters- a last minute idea, we make our way up front. "So how's my car looking?"

A boyish grin approaches his lips and I'm well aware he knows something I don't know. I have that 'grin' committed to memory, unfortunately. "It's been ready. Did I forget to mention?"

My jaw is slacked, my eyes are wide and my fists are clenched. So the only thing I do is punch him. "LUCAS! Why didn't you tell me?!"

His broad shoulders rise and fall while he caresses his arm, "Why do you punch like a man?"

"Years of practice. Now tell me why you chose to avoid that little bit of information?" In other words why didn't you tell me that my car was ready so we could have what's known as 'separation'. In some weird way though, his reoccurring presence hasn't bothered me that much.

"I just thought I'd grace you with my presence." He bows as soon as we come to a halt in the line to check out.

"Dude why are you bowing?" Josh questions while stifling a laugh.

Maya snickers while my stalker rises from his position. "I'm showing Riles that I'm gracing her with my presence." He points out.

"You're such an air head. If that's what you're trying to prove then I'm supposed to bow to you."

He wiggles his eyebrows and steps forward, "I like that idea."

I place my hands on his chest, in what he thinks is a suggestive gesture but with all my force I push him backwards. "In your dreams Friar."

"Always Matthews." After arguing for 5 minutes on who was going to pay for 'my stuff', Lucas stole my wallet and paid for it. I'm Miss. Independent, just like Kelly Clarkson's song and that was a hit to my ego.

"Do you always get your way?" I ask him on the way home and with an arrogant smile he nods his head. My eyes roll and I inhale deeply, little did I know I would be breathing in his cologne. It's so… manly. If that even makes sense. "You don't find the fact that I'm always around even slightly irritating?"

He chuckles and shakes his head no, "If I did then I wouldn't have come to your house this morning."

"Yeah that was a huge surprise." I chuckle and watch as the trees zoom by. Josh and Maya are in Josh's two seater mustang that he insists on driving everywhere even though Lucas' Camaro could fit us all. But I can't say I blame him, if I had that car I'd drive it everywhere too. "Wait, where are we going? My house is about 5 minutes that way?" I glance towards the driver and give him a good ol' death glare that always gets 'em talking.

"We can't do this in your apartment. It gets too messy, so we're going to my backyard."

My muscles instantly tense up at the mention of going to his house. The Jell-O filled memories along with Charlie and Missy's presence possibly being there is enough to make me jump out of this car. "Relax sweet cheeks. Charlie is gone and I promise no more Jell-O pranks."

But that leaves room for so many more opportunities to prank me that don't involve Jell-O. "So you were serious about the whole being friend's thing? That wasn't just to lower my guard so you could make my dress fall at prom in front of everyone?"

He laughs and rubs his chin as if contemplating the idea, shoot. "Not that, that idea is terrible because it isn't but do you honestly think I'd embarrass you like that?"

"I can't say I haven't thought about wearing another dress underneath." I quip, but the seriousness in my voice doesn't make it seem that way.

His laughter fills the car, and effectively my ears, "Don't worry Riles. I was serious when I said I wanted to be friends with you. Why do you think I haven't pranked you all week?"

I shrug as the car comes to a steady halt in his driveway. I feel like I'm on an uphill rollercoaster. "Again, to make me lower my guard and to not castrate you all at the same time. It's a win-win for you. You keep your boys and your utter joy at my expense."

"You're paranoid."

I can't help the spew of laughter that doesn't really have a stopping point. "That's rich." I clutch my sides in an effort to alleviate pain but let's be honest when has that ever worked? I even realize my nemesis is laughing along with me. "Paranoid?" I wipe the tears from my eyes and manage to sit up straight. "Who on earth do you think made me that way?!"

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Thank you everyone so much for the encouraging comments you are all wonderful! I thoroughly enjoy writing this fanfic. Their playful dynamic reminds me of my husband and I! Love you guys!