Hey guys!

Thank you for all your reviews! I really hope that you are enjoying the ride. The story will start to really pick up the pace in the next few chapters and from there to the end it's pretty fast paced. This story really looks at Riley's relationships with her friends more than the relationship between her and Lucas. It's definitely very important to Riley, but she's really trying to come to terms with who she is. I'm sorry this story isn't a full blown romance like you might have hoped. :/ I think that's one of the reasons this story isn't as popular as most.

Keep reviewing!

-H

Chapter 9

Anxiety replaced excitement, as the girls got ready for the dance. They were too worried about their parents to enjoy the moment. They had lived in the moment for one night and now it was back to reality. Riley tried to think about whom the person was and where they were that they had to locate. She thought about the letter her grandmother wrote to her father. The person whose hand turns the wheel…at the capitol where the bell tolls for those who cross the head of state, she thought to herself over and over again. It had to do with the government, but she didn't know where the bell tolled. She looked up on her phone the phrase and found a novel and a poem. It came to her that the poem would have more connection than novel. As she read the poem by John Donne, she thought that her grandmother was using it as a metaphor.

"Maybe it's a church," Riley said as she waited for Maya to finish doing her hair. She had put her hair in a simple French twist and called it a day. Her mind wasn't on the dance or getting ready for it.

"What is a church?" Maya asked looking at her quizzically. There were very few churches left in the United States. Riley thought that it would a valuable place to have a friend.

"Instead of it being a person, maybe it's a church. I mean there could be a person there too, but there's a very old poem called 'For Whom the Bell Tolls or No Man is an Island' by John Donne and it talks about a head and a state. I don't think grandmother was being literal," Riley said briefly explaining while skimming over the poem and trying to connect it to her situation. It connected perfectly and she felt relief wash over her.

"Hm, I don't remember that poem at all. That makes a lot of sense though and you're the brainiac," Maya said putting on the finishing touches of her make up and looking down at Riley. She put a hand over her phone and gave her a small smile. "Two hours Lil and then we can think about it".

"Let me text the poem to Josh. So, he can look into it more and look for churches in DC," Riley said while texting Josh and putting her phone into her clutch. She stood smoothing out her simple dress and followed Maya out of the room to the living room where the boys were waiting. Lucas let out a low whistle as Riley walked down the stairs and she couldn't resist the blush the crept on her face. Maya rolled her eyes, because Riley had barely put on any makeup and done anything to her hair.

"You look beautiful," Farkle said taking Maya by the arm and she couldn't contain her smile.

"Wait, your parents would have wanted photos," Josh yelled coming into the living room and Riley was glad he remembered. He took photos of them and then came up to Riley. "I'll look into it and I think you're on to something. Don't worry about it, if I find out anything I'll let you know. Be back within two hours". Josh gave them strict instructions and they nodded in agreement before heading to the dance.

The ride to the dance was filled with small talk and chit chat. They didn't turn on Eze and Riley wished they would have. She knew that Maya wanted to enjoy her fifteen minutes of fame before taking on the world. Josh hadn't told them the source of the blood they found in her house. She assumed it was one of their parents, but he didn't deny or confirm it. Josh had been overly secretive about everything and it put Riley on edge. She had known him all of her life, but he had never acted this way before. When they had found out about Riley's DNA he had been truly surprised. Her parents may have told him more than they were willing to tell her, but it wasn't right. They didn't know where they were, but apparently wherever they are is where the book is. Yet, her parents didn't know where the book was or what the secrets were. It didn't make any sense to her and she thought about what Lucas said about this being about the journey and not the destination. Lucas squeezed her hand pulling her out of the thoughts as they stopped in front of the school gym. There were hundreds of students walking in with their dates looking like a million bucks. Maya let out a squeal of excitement and Riley fingered her locket.

"Remember Cinderella you'll turn back into a maid at ten," Lucas said and Maya stuck her tongue out at him. Farkle escorted her inside as Riley sat unmoving in the car. Lucas turned sideways and looked at her.

"I can't quit going over all of it in my mind. Why would they leave us and how do they know where the book is?" Riley asked looking out the window at the sea of students that went about without a care in the world. Their parents weren't missing and they didn't have to fingure out the secrets of their past. They could love and be loved with freedom.

"It could be in the location they're at, but they probably don't know exactly where it is. Even if they do they can't open it. Riley it's your family's history, someone needs to know the exact location. You have people hunting you for it," Lucas said causing her to look at him. She knew he was right, but she hadn't thought about it that way before.

"I guess mom did say something about being guardians of the book. If there are Guardians then how come they just didn't open it and find out what's in it?" She asked and Lucas ran a hand along her jaw.

"It's in your DNA vauva hain remember?" Lucas said and Riley inhaled sharply. She couldn't breathe or think whenever he spoke to her like that. He had this effect of making her forget everything that was bothering her. Even though she didn't know what it was meant to be in her DNA, it made her feel reassured that they would get through this. She would find out what her grandmother was keeping a secret and why.

"I don't know how you do it. It must be the bond," Riley said and Lucas shook his head before giving her a long kiss.

"I think it's my love not the bond. Now, are you going to dance or not? Maya will hate being in there without you and will complain until we're dead about how you didn't dance with her when she was queen," Lucas said and Riley sighed. She knew he was right. Maya would never let her live it down if she didn't show her face in there.

"You know it's going to be ten times worse come prom season next year right?" Riley said getting out of the car with her clutch in hand. She opted for a tea length taffeta dress instead of a ball gown. There was nothing fancy about her outfit other than her dress. She wore converse sneakers that matched. It made it easier to change in the car, but Maya was dressed to impress the mass of students. They had gone dress shopping a week before and spent hours in various stores.

"Yeah, I can only imagine. I'll leave to deal with that," Lucas said as they walked into the gym filled with sweaty bodies of hormonal teenagers. It was stuffy, but decorations were nice. They didn't go with a theme, because homecoming was a theme in itself. The punch had the faint taste of cheap whiskey and was watered down from sitting. Riley couldn't help but be less than impressed. Lucas was noticed the moment they walked into the room. Students stopped to talk to him and Riley left his side to dance with Maya. It wasn't hard to spot the queen bee in the middle of the dance floor with Farkle. She could hear whispers about Farkle going through the crowd. Ryan was over in a corner sulking with Sheressa. Riley shook her head as she walked out onto the dance floor and her friend's smile reached her eyes. Farkle made room for her and they danced as if there was no tomorrow. Riley tried to lose her mind to the music and forget about the coming hours. Hands slinked around her waist and she could feel stress melt off of her. Her feelings synced with Lucas's as they danced. It was a powerful thing they shared and she got lost in the moment.

"Okay glow sticks," Maya said pulling on Riley's arm and she gave her a look. Farkle just shook his head in amusement. It was about time for them to leave, but Riley was reluctant to be pulled out of Lucas' arms.

"Really? You know at some point the world is going see us like this. There's nothing we can do about it," Riley said annoyed with her friend and Maya laughed at her.

"Tonight is not going to be that time. Plus, you should know that bell tolls for us," she said in a deep dramatic voice trying to imitating a ghost. Riley just looked at her before heading back to the car with boys at their heels. It was time for them to get answers and go to Washington, DC. They hadn't heard from Josh, but they knew he would have located a place for them. Riley pulled out her phone and saw she had a missed call from Josh. After they were inside the car, she called him back.

"Hey, what did you find out?" Riley asked as Josh answered the phone on the first ring.

"You were right. Well, at least I'm 90% sure you're right about the location being a church. One with a bell tower obviously," Josh said and Riley got excited at the news. She didn't know how they were going to do find the person before.

"Which church?" She asked as Lucas pulled onto the highway.

"Well, I've narrowed it down to two; St. Patrick's Catholic Church or Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. These are the two oldest churches still standing in DC. What do you think?" Josh said and Riley chewed on the inside of her lip.

"Let me turn on Eze and I'll see if I can get any other clues. I'll see you soon," Riley said and put the phone back in her clutch. The group waited anxiously for her answer, but she turned on Eze first.

"Hello Riley. I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me," Eze said with a smile and Riley wondered who Eze was designed after. His face was of a handsome late twenties man.

"How could I Eze?" Riley said with a smile and knew that he would talk forever if she didn't get straight to the point.

"Well with your new guy and all…"

"Eze, I need to know if there is anything about St. Patrick's Catholic Church or Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in your files," she asked and immediately the locket showed up on the scream. Riley put her locket to the screen and Eze appeared with a smile.

"There are files about St. Patrick's Catholic Church, but they are protected by a password," Eze said and Riley let out a groan. She should have known that it was, because everything was password protected.

"Let's hear it Eze".

"St. Patrick's Catholic Church was founded before it became the capitol. The symbols of joined compasses and the square represent which society?" Eze asked and Riley looked at him dumbfounded.

"The Freemasons," Farkle said from the backseat and they looked at him in surprise.

"Many politicians belonged to the Freemasons before our modern society. It spawned the groups we have now, but their history is rooted deep in our government," Farkle explained and Riley wondered why that would be important.

"Good job! Here is the file that talks about the church," Eze said and Riley touched the file and printed off the pages. It was a lot of historical information about how the church ministered to the freemasons when they were building the White House. Riley shared the information with her friends and knew that this was the church they were meant to go to.

"I can't get over any of this," Maya said looking over Riley's shoulder from the backseat. Riley had to agree with her, because she never would have thought she would be on this journey. The information that Eze provided was good, but Riley didn't know how it connected to her family. She knew that the church would provide her some answers to where go next, but she didn't know where it was going to be.

"It's exciting," Farkle said and they looked at him as if he was ridiculous.

Before Riley had gone to Alabama, her life was boring and uneventful. She lived in Maya's shadow and was content with being the genius best friend. Riley never thought this would happen to her. College motivated Riley to do her best and ignore the gossip that flittered around school.

"Is it always going to be like this?" Thirteen-year-old Maya asked Riley as she read a book on her tablet. Riley looked up at her wondering what she was talking about. Maya was getting ready for a middle school event that was taking place and Riley was going with her like always. Riley didn't mind tagging along it gave her a small social life, but it was annoying that Maya thought Riley had to be as enthusiastic as she was.

"What?"

"You reading a book instead of doing your hair and makeup," Maya said looking condescendingly at Riley's casual outfit, ponytailed hair, and all natural face. Riley had been blessed with perfect complexion and didn't have to worry about acne. That gave her the excuse that she didn't need to wear make up. She didn't want to clog her pores and ruin her perfect skin. Honestly, she just didn't care enough to worry about it.

"Yep," she answered with pop on 'p' and didn't look up at her. They were good enough friends that their disputes didn't matter.

"What are you dork 'oids'?" Fifteen-year-old Lucas asked leaning against the door frame. Riley looked up at him briefly and turned back to her book. She wasn't in the mood to argue with him.

"Getting ready for the middle school millennial dance. Riley is supposed to be wearing a leather shiny skirt, but obviously missed the 2000 theme memo," Maya said putting her hands on hips staring unblinking at her.

"Awe, what she can't pull her eyes from a book for five minutes to change clothes?" Lucas said coming over to Riley and taking her tablet away.

"Hey! Give that back. I was just getting to the good part," Riley said with a whine and crossed her arms.

"You can't live in books baby it's not real," Lucas said turning the tablet off and throwing it on the bed. Riley rolled her eyes and thought he had probably never read a book in his life.

"Whatever it's better than some lame millennial dance. Why are we celebrating an era that was like a 1000 years ago? Plus, I'll cut my jeans into short shorts and be Brittany Spears. Oh, then I'll shave my head. Who are we representing again? Sugar and Spice?" Riley asked getting up and Lucas laughed.

"It's Spice Girls and you are supposed to Ginger Spice," Maya said with a pout and was to be Posh Spice. Riley didn't want to be in the Spice Girl group, but didn't argue with Maya. When she had her mind set one something there was no changing it. Maya began rummaging through her closet and pulled out a leather skirt. Riley looked at it with speculation. Maya threw it at her and told her to put it on. Then, she threw her a tank top.

"Have fun dorks," Lucas said with a smirk on his face. He walked out of the room as Riley was forced to change clothes and put on make up. Maya braided the crown of Riley's head in rows and then straightened it.

"I look like a punk rock person or something," Riley said looking in the mirror at her transformed 2000 Spice Girl self. There was everything from glitter to purple eye shadow and glossy lips. She was even forced to wear platform heels. Riley didn't know why Maya's parents would let them out of the house like this.

"Perfect," Maya said with a purr of pride. Riley rolled her eyes as she was being pushed out the door. Her parents yelled for them and down the stairs they bounded. Riley could barely walk in the shoes Kailsta was making her wear.

"High class hoochies," Lucas said laughing and Maya flicked her index finger at him.

"Maya! This is the only warning I'm giving you," Esther said scolding her daughter. Maya gave a sigh of disbelief.

"He called us prostitutes!" She whined back and Riley couldn't wait for the whole night to be over.

"Just call it like I see," Lucas said folding his arms and Riley stuck her tongue out at him.

"Lucas," David said with a warning in his voice and Lucas smirked before going upstairs.

"Have fun hoochies," He yelled down before closing the door to his room.

"Mom!"

"Let's go," Esther said with a sigh and the girls followed her out to the car.

The middle school dance was just one of the many times Riley would tag along beside Maya in her endeavors to become popular. Lucas was popular by nature, because he was athletic and handsome. He was both the nice guy and the jerk. At fifteen, he knew how to keep them coming back to him. Riley thought the whole thing was childish, but he never listened to her. The dance turned out to be more fun than she anticipated even with the dumb outfits.

"Where did you go?" Kalsta asked raising an eyebrow.

"To the millennial dance in middle school," Riley said with a smile and Lucas burst out laughing.

"I totally remember that. Y'all looked like…" Lucas started and Maya stopped him before he could say it.

"Don't even say it," Maya said with warning and he coughed.

"Hoochies," he said finally and I couldn't help but laugh as Maya gave him the finger.

"Do I want to know?" Farkle asked raising an eyebrow and Riley explained to him the Spice Girl theme. "Who?" It didn't surprise Riley that he didn't know who they were talking about. She didn't know who they were either. Maya had probably searched for 'girl bands in the 2000s'.

The rest of the car ride was filled with laughter. It wouldn't be long before they were flying to Washington, DC to meet an old family friend. Whether that was literal or figurative, Riley could only guess.