A/N: Hey all. Usually an update brings me great joy, but I must announce a message with this one since there is no way to do it elsewhere and make sure all of my readers see this.
To whoever wrote this review, or knows of who wrote it:
Review for Cheater, Cheater:
cowgirlangle95 (Guest)
(to myself) Remember to right that fan fiction about how Lucas and Riley spend their first vacation together ALONE!
I do NOT appreciate you trying to impersonate me at all! If you have a request, simply leave a review with your name and the basic plotline while following the rules I have posted on my profile. Also, if you haven't noticed, I already wrote that one shot. It's called In the Middle of Nowhere, and occurs in the Broken Wings universe. I'm not sure why you emphasized 'alone', but if you're trying to imply smut, I don't write it. Lastly, if I have an idea, I don't *write* myself reminders like that.
If something like this happens again, I will have no choice but to moderate the guests' reviews.
I'm sorry if you think I'm taking this too seriously, but I've had enough teasing, joking, rumors, and bullying about me in my life to know I don't have to put up with it, and I will not.
Maya burst through the door and threw her graduation cap across the apartment as if it were a Frisbee. "I'm free!" she shouted, not caring how late it was and that the rest of the residents were probably sleeping.
Riley shook her head as she and the rest of the group entered the apartment. "You know you're going to miss it, Maya."
Her best friend shot her a glare. "Professors critiquing every last thing, thinking you're only taking their class, late nights in the studio… you're right, I'm going to miss it," she stated sarcastically.
"Alright, graduates over by the window for more pictures," Topanga announced. "Lucas, don't go too far, I want you in the shot afterwards."
All four friends groaned slightly. Everyone was tired from the long journey, to the college and back, and the last thing anyone wanted was more photos being taken.
"Mom, you already took a bunch right after the ceremony. Why must there be more?" Riley asked. Usually she wouldn't be one to argue with her mother, but her fatigue was showing more after each passing minute. All she wanted to do was collapse on her bed and fall asleep.
"Only a few more, I promise. Now, come on, come on, come on," Mrs. Matthews urged. "The sooner you guys participate in these, the sooner you can get to bed. Riley, Maya, Farkle, up by the window… chop chop."
The three young adults obeyed. Despite the smile Riley wore, she couldn't help but think, No more pictures!
As Topanga snapped more pictures of the group, Cory helped put Auggie to bed and grabbed some bedding and the air mattress from the hallway closet. With it being this late at night, he didn't want any of Riley's friends driving home right now. And with how tired they all were, it would be even more dangerous. Once Cory entered the living room, the last of the photos were being taken and the group started to disperse. As he began to toss the blankets and other things onto the couch, Farkle immediately called the air mattress, leaving Lucas with the couch. The athlete simply shook his head; he didn't really care where he slept at the moment, as long as he'd be asleep soon.
The four friends bid each other goodnight and headed to their designated sleeping areas: the girls to Riley's room and the boys not five feet from where they stood.
Once the door was closed behind both Riley and Maya, it was Riley's turn to toss her graduation cap across the room. "Finally!" she exclaimed as she kicked off her shoes and started to take her graduation gown off.
"We should have gotten out of these things before we got on the road. Riding back in them in this heat was not the best of choices," Maya commented as she too started to remove the ceremonial garb.
"We didn't exactly have time."
"True that."
The two girls finished getting ready for bed. Riley climbed underneath her covers while Maya unrolled her sleeping bag and crawled inside. They were both silent for quite some time, and although the two were exhausted, neither of them could quite fall asleep yet.
"Hey Maya?" Riley whispered.
"Hmm?"
"Can you believe we're actually done with school now? That we're about to meet the world for the first time on our own?"
Maya shrugged. "I guess."
"Makes me wonder what's going to happen next."
"I know what's going to happen next. Sleep," Maya teased.
Riley chuckled as she rolled over onto her side. "Yeah, you're probably right. We're going to need energy to deal with the rest of my family coming over tomorrow for the party my parents are throwing for us. Night Maya," she said, but didn't receive a verbal answer, only the tones of Maya snoring softly.
Riley awoke to the sound of someone laughing. She slowly opened her eyes and sighed when she realized what time it was. The rest of her family should be arriving soon, and she wouldn't be surprised if some of them were here now. After a few more moments, Riley gathered her clothes, took a quick shower, braided her hair, and headed to the kitchen. When she reached the room, she saw Maya and Farkle sitting at the dining room table looking at a photo album while her mother was putting the final touches on the graduation party.
But one thing puzzled Riley. Where are Lucas and my dad?
She wasn't given the time to think about it before Maya looked up from the pages of the album and said, "Morning sleepy head. You do realize the rest of your family is going to be here in like –"
The doorbell cut Maya off. "Now…" she finished.
Riley shook her head as Topanga headed towards the door to let her in laws in. The sound of relatives greeting each other filled the room, just as Cory and Lucas entered. Lucas wrapped his arm around Riley's shoulders, but Riley couldn't help but notice that something seemed off about him.
"Is everything okay?" she asked.
He looked at her and nodded. "Yeah, I just wanted your dad's opinion on something."
Riley believed his answer; however, she felt like there was more to it. But she wasn't going to press it. He would tell her if time warranted it. "Okay. Well, we better go greet the guests…"
"Yeah."
The couple walked over to the group with Farkle and Maya close behind them. The rest of the Matthews family was buzzing amongst themselves, and it was hard to pick up on what they were talking about. After a few minutes, the excitement started to calm down, and Riley was finally able to pick out a comprehensible sentence.
"…Morgan got stuck in some traffic; she should be here at some point this afternoon though," she heard her grandmother say.
The group finally started to disperse and greetings were spread to the graduates.
"Little Pangers!" Eric shouted as he wrapped Riley into a hug. "Hey Maggie, Mink, Lucas," he continued. "Where's cousin Auggie?"
"Right here Uncle Eric!" he shouted as he dashed into the room.
"How ya doing buddy?" Eric asked as he picked up the young teen as if he were still five years old.
Maya shook her head as she turned to Riley. "Do you think he'll ever get my name right?"
"It's not his way," another voice said. They all turned around to see Shawn Hunter.
A huge smile spread across Maya's lips as she gave Shawn a hug. "I'm so glad you were able to make it!"
"I'd never not be here for you, kid. Same goes for you, Riley," he said as he extended an arm towards Riley, wrapping them both into a group hug.
"Alright," Cory announced. "Who's ready for some food?"
OoOoO
Both Riley and Lucas sat in the bay window as the party was winding down. The only guest that was still there was Shawn. He and Cory were talking about something that Riley couldn't quite make out; all she did know was that they were talking about one of the schemes they pulled when they were younger. Something about using their teacher's house as a bed and breakfast?
"Up for a little walk?" Lucas asked.
Riley let out her breath and nodded. The two stood up, headed out the door, and headed down one of their paths.
As the time ticked on, the young couple didn't say much of anything with each other, and the silence continued on until they were almost back to the Matthews' apartment. Usually it wouldn't be worrisome, but as Riley looked up at the love of her life, she noticed a worried expression on his face. Or at least she thought it was worry. What else could it be? she wondered. Fear? Nerves? A combination of all three?
"Lucas, are you okay?" she finally voiced. "You seemed a bit off all day."
They stopped walking and Lucas turned to face her. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that there's been something on my mind all day. Talking to your dad helped a bit but… " he trailed.
A nervous pit formed in Riley's stomach. "Is it something that I should be worried about?"
He shook his head. "No, I'm sure this… nervousness will be gone tomorrow."
Riley sighed. "Okay. So… I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
Lucas nodded. "Yeah," he replied just before he leaned in to kiss her. "I should be here around ten."
"Alright then. See you then. Night."
"Night."
Riley headed up the stairs and back into her family's apartment. At this point, everyone had retired for the night, so she quietly made her way into her room and shut the door. Despite the fact that Lucas said that everything was going to be okay, she couldn't help but think there was something going on. She turned to get ready for bed, but something caught her eye. Riley focused her attention to her window seat, and noticed a white flower sitting on the middle cushion. When it was put there, Riley wasn't sure. But then again, she hadn't been in her room since that morning, and Lucas could have put it in there before he came out to the living room.
As she walked closer to it, she began to notice more details about it. It wasn't pure white like she thought it was at first. Near the base of each petal was a small red dot, almost the color of blood. When she picked it up, Riley felt her heart stop.
It was a gum cistus. And its meaning pained her heart.
I shall die tomorrow.
Tears began to fill her eyes as she sat down. She knew it was a figurative meaning, but why did he feel this way?
Oh Lucas, why won't you tell me why!
A/N #2: Hope you liked it! It's probably going to be a while before I can get the next chapter up here. Haven't had the time to work on the last two chapters, but I'm hoping I will soon. Don't forget to review! Until next time!
