FOREVER…
Their Reality…
Riley pulled away as she stared at Lucas. She was looking for any sign that he was pulling a practical joke on her. But all she saw in his eyes was the same look that he had continuously given her when they were still together. Lucas pecked Riley's cheek once again as he placed one of his soft delicate hands on her cheek.
"Hey is something wrong?" He wondered.
"No nothing's wrong. I was just trying to see if you were pulling a practical joke or something." Riley replied.
"Babe I would never pull something like that." Lucas stated bringing Riley in for a hug. "I promise this isn't a practical joke. I've missed you so much Riles that I couldn't go another day knowing that you weren't mine…"
"So are we back to where we were before?" Riley asked innocently.
"I think we are for sure." Lucas smiled happily wrapping his arms around Riley. "So what should we do for our first official date as a reunited couple?"
"I think we should…" Riley was cut off by her phone ringing. "Oh my god Norman…"
"Answer it…" Lucas encouraged.
"Norman what's up?" Riley asked curious.
"Hi Riles…" Norman sounded like he was crying on the other end of the line.
"Norman is everything OK?" Riley asked concerned.
"It's my younger brother…He's in the hospital." Norman explained.
"Oh my god what happened?" Riley asked worried.
"Please just come to the hospital and I promise everything is going to make sense." Norman explained.
"I promise I will try to make it there as quick as possible." Riley stated.
"What's going on?" Lucas asked confused. "Is everything OK?"
"Norman just called. He sounded pretty upset." Riley explained. "He told me he wanted me to meet him at the hospital so he can explain everything."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Lucas questioned.
"No I need you to stay here to watch Auggie." Riley explained as she put on her jacket. "My parents are out on their weekend date night and I don't think they will be home anytime soon."
"Do you think it's serious?" Lucas asked nervously.
"I won't know until I see him I guess but I hope it isn't as bad as he's making it out to be." Riley replied.
"We still need to tell him what's happened between us and our new relationship." Lucas replied.
"Oh gosh…" Riley began pacing back and forth in the living room. "We're probably going to make his day a lot worse." Riley sighed. "You know how much I hate making people sad…"
"Look we don't have to tell him just yet." Lucas explained. "It sounded like he was going through a lot just now maybe we can tell him a little later on when everything is going to clear up." Lucas suggested.
"I better go check up on him." Riley replied giving Lucas one more peck on the lips.
Riley made her way through Beth Israel Memorial Hospital trying to find Norman. She was still confused as to why he had called her sounding so upset. As she turned the corner she found him sitting alone in the corner sipping a steaming hot cup of hot chocolate.
"Norman…I came as soon as you called is everything OK?" Riley questioned.
"No…" Norman simply stared straight at the wall. "My little brother…He got beaten up by a mob."
"Oh my god…" Riley whispered as she pulled up a chair across from him. "Did the doctors say how he's doing?"
"He's…" Norman took a deep breath as the facts were still kind of hard for him to face. "He's suffered a punctured lung and severe head trauma…There taking him into surgery now." He finished.
"Norman you don't need to worry about him…He's with the best doctors in the world." Riley reassured him.
"It's the reason why he was beat that still makes me upset." He replied.
"If you don't mind me asking why was he beat?" Riley wondered.
"He was gay…" Norman flat out stated.
"Oh my god…" Riley said shocked. "This must connect to the recent hate crimes that have been targeted against LGBT members in the city…"
"He was the tenth one this month." Norman sighed. "Riley what the hell was I thinking? I should have gone with him to the library to make sure that he was going to be OK. If I had gone with him, I would have been able to protect him from this happening. If I had just used my noggin this entire thing would have been stopped." Norman sighed.
"Norman you can't blame yourself for what these horrible people did. It was their choice and you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. They chose to commit this crime. You didn't orchestrate it." Riley explained.
"You know he wasn't even out to our parents yet. They thought this whole entire thing was just a bunch of thugs beating an innocent person." Norman sighed. "He was planning to come out to our parents soon but he was always afraid of what they would think of him once he did. He always had this fear of rejection."
"Once he gets out of this OK you never know, maybe he could one day find the courage to truly come out." Riley said hopefully.
"It always makes me upset you know, that cruel and heartless people would do such despicable things to individuals who were normal human beings just like them. And they choose not to see past the barrier of their sexual identity." Norman sighed.
"It makes no sense to me either." Riley replied.
"But unfortunately we can't change the way people think either." Riley explained. "Some people choose to stay close minded no matter how wrong that is."
"Why can't there be more people like you in this world? You always manage to see the best in everyone no matter what they've done in the past." Norman smiled. "It's one of the things that I love about you."
"Wait…What?" Riley said shocked.
"I've known for a while now that I've had strong feelings for you but now I finally know what those feelings are. It's love Riles…"
Riley had a look of pure shock and terror all mixed together written on her face. Not only did Norman just profess his love for her for the very first time, but she finally saw that she didn't love him back. She loved Lucas.
"Look you don't have to say it back to me right away…" Norman stated. "I know this was just out of the blue especially for someone like me. But I can't help but express how I feel. If this event taught me anything, it's that I should never take the people in my life for granted. And right now, you are the most important person in my life Riles. And I never want to lose you." Norman confessed.
"Norman look don't you think your moving a little too fast? I mean we've only been dating for two months." Riley replied.
"And it took me those two months to realize that you're the only one for me." Norman confessed. "Look I know I just said this out of the blue, but it's nothing but the truth."
Riley walked into the apartment with a confused look on her face. She noticed Lucas was casually flipping through the channels. She pressed a soft kiss into his hair as he looked up from the television.
"Hi princess…" Lucas smiled as he brought Riley into his arms. "That was a quick visit is everything OK with Norman?"
"His younger brother was the latest victim of those hate crimes against LGBT youth." Riley sighed.
"Oh my god…You didn't tell him about us did you?" Lucas asked afraid.
"Of course not. That would be way too much for him to handle." Riley pointed out.
"Now I feel like a jerk…" Lucas sighed.
"Hey it wasn't your fault that we got back together…" Riley laughed. "I guess it was just bad timing especially on Norman's end."
"Why do you say that?" Lucas questioned.
"He confessed something to me today in the spur of the moment." Riley replied.
"What did he confess?" Lucas asked confused.
"He told me he loved me." Riley replied.
"Please tell me your joking…" Lucas sighed running his hands through his hair in frustration. "What did you say?"
"I couldn't say anything. You know I love you Lucas…" Riley replied grabbing a hold of Lucas' hands. "But between what's happened between his brother and us getting back together I just couldn't be able to tell him the truth." Riley replied.
"Well this is an unfortunate situation." Lucas sighed.
"You can say that again." Riley replied wrapping her arms around Lucas' neck and burying her face into his chest. "Can we just drop it for the rest of the night and just focus on being together?"
Lucas could only nod as he tightened his grip on Riley. He could not even begin to imagine what Norman could possibly could be going through at this moment, Lucas was worried how he was going to react to his new relationship with Riley. He knew that Norman must have been feeling so helpless and vulnerable. And this news could possibly push him over the edge which is something that Lucas didn't want happening. Even though he hated Norman for having Riley as a previous girlfriend, he still thought he was a pretty cool guy and he thought that nobody should ever be put through what he was currently going through in life.
The next day, there was a missing member from their normal group at the lunch table. Riley and Lucas had just filled the rest of their friends in on the events of the past twelve hours.
"Well that's just a shitty situation…" Maya commented.
"You aren't helping Maya." Riley groaned.
"How do you think Norman is going to react once we tell him that you and Lucas are back together?" Farkle wondered.
"That's what I'm worried about the most buddy." Lucas sighed. "He's been through so much over the past twelve hours that this news might just push him over the edge. That's the last thing that I want to see happen." Lucas stated.
"So you two are just going to keep this from him for as long as you can?" Farkle asked confused.
"I guess until the time is right." Riley replied.
"But the longer that you put off telling him that the both of you are together don't you think he will be in more pain when he finds out?" Farkle wondered.
"Farkle this is seriously not the right time to spring it out on him…" Riley sighed.
"Well the longer that you do put it off, the more he's going to be hurt once he discovers the truth." Farkle stated.
"For once me and Farklestein over here agree on something. Riles, you two need to tell him what's really going on here." Maya commented.
"There is seriously no rush in telling him you two, the both of us will tell him whenever he is ready and when his younger brother is better of course." Riley replied.
"I still think your making a big mistake with not telling him." Farkle sighed.
"Farkle seriously let it go…" Riley laughed.
The four best friends walked into their English class and weren't surprised when they didn't see Norman in his normal chair up front. Riley took Lucas' hand as the both of them went to go sit down in their normal seats behind Norman.
"It's going to be a while till we see him isn't it?" Lucas whispered.
"It might be longer than expected." Felicity pointed out. She lived on Riley's floor and was Norman's next door neighbor.
"What do you mean Felicity?" Riley asked.
"Norman's younger brother died via cardiac arrest during surgery late last night." Felicity pointed out.
Riley dropped her water bottle at that point. That was the last thing that she wanted to hear come out of her mouth. She was in a state of pure shock and heartbreak. She could not even begin to imagine what Norman could possibly be going through right now, as she turned to the rest of the group they had the same look of disbelief on their faces. They were definitely in one gigantic pickle that was going to be a tough one to get out of.
It was a couple of days later, Riley walked into the funeral home with the rest of their friends. She saw Norman sitting in the front of the small chapel with the rest of his family. Lucas took a hold of her hand to show his support as Riley continued walking forward towards him. She began to breathe heavily knowing what she had to do. She had been hiding their secret relationship for two weeks now. She began to realize that Maya and Farkle were absolutely right. Hiding their relationship was not the right thing to do. There was no right way to tell him the truth, but she knew that it had to be done.
"Don't worry babe…I'll right beside you the entire time." Lucas encouraged.
Riley couldn't help but give him a quick peck on the lips for that. She had the most supportive boyfriend that anyone could ever ask for. She honestly didn't know what she would do without him. Riley gave him one more look as he smiled and tightened his grip on her hand.
"Riles you made it…" Norman said looking up from his feet to see Riley walking toward him.
"I'm so sorry Norman…" Riley whispered bringing him in for a hug.
"Hey you're here now everything is better whenever your around me." Norman whispered.
"Norman look we need to tell you something…" Riley sighed.
"Who's we?" Norman asked.
"Me and Lucas…We're back together…." Riley sighed.
"Your kidding right?" Norman said with disbelief.
"Norman I know this is a lot to take in right now." Riley sighed.
"How long?" Norman asked in a heartbroken voice.
"The night of your brothers accident…" Riley confessed.
"Oh my god…That's why you were quiet when I told you I was in love with you." Norman said shocked.
"Norman really I'm so sorry this happened." Riley whispered.
"How could you let this happen Riley? I cared about you." Norman said heartbroken.
"Norman I know this is unexpected but I just couldn't keep lying myself to myself." Riley explained.
"So you thought it would be OK to lie to me? How is that fair?" Norman questioned.
"Norman I know this sounds unfair but I just can't living my life in a lie…" Riley finished.
"I honestly can't believe this…" Norman sighed.
"I really am sorry." Riley whispered.
"I think all of you so called friends need to leave." Norman said heartbroken.
"Norman…" Riley began. "We're all here for you."
"Well maybe the only person I want to be there for me just broke my heart in a million pieces." Norman sneered. "You two were probably scheming behind my back to get back together and then tell me when my life starts to fall apart."
"Now that's just ridiculous…" Lucas interrupted.
"There's no doubt that you wanted Riley all for yourself." Norman argued back. "You two were probably seeing each other behind my back."
"OK now that's the furthest thing from the truth. Yes I missed Riley, but I respected her relationship with you so of course I didn't just swoop in and take her from you." Lucas pointed out.
"But you still took the most important thing left in my life." Norman said heartbroken.
"Do you think I wanted this to go down this way? Of course not! But I absolutely do not regret it from happening." Lucas stated.
"Well I should have known that our relationship was doomed in the first place. Your Riley and Lucas you've always had this unexplainable chemistry with each other." Norman sighed.
"Finally the man gets the message." Zay sighed while Maya just whacked him in the head. "Wrong timing ain't it?"
"Look Norman I did have feelings for you when we were together, and I'm grateful for what our relationship turned out to be. It taught me a lot…" Riley explained.
"I really think you guys should head off now…" Norman sighed. "I think you've all done enough."
"I really am sorry Norman…" Riley said as the gang respected Norman's wishes and headed out of the small chapel.
One Week Later
Riley was holding onto Lucas' hand as the both of them climbed up the steps of Riley's apartment building. After a long week of never ending school work, the both of them were looking forward to a quiet Friday night just spent in front of the television eating as much popcorn and chocolate as the both of them could handle. As they turned the corner they were surprised to see Norman standing in front of Riley's apartment building.
"Norman?" Riley asked confused.
"Hi…" Norman said awkwardly. "Look I know you two probably don't want to see me after how I reacted at the funeral home." Norman said. "And for that I really am sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry about…" Riley pointed out. "You were going through a lot during that time. So we can't blame you."
"That still doesn't give me right to treat the both of you like that." Norman stated.
"It's all water under the bridge now." Lucas smiled.
"Well the other reason why I came to see you Riles is to say goodbye…" Norman stated.
"Wait where are you going?" Riley asked shocked.
"I'm off to start a new life in Chicago away from New York City… It has way too many painful memories. I'm going to be starting at University of Chicago next year anyways so I thought I would transfer schools to get myself accustomed to the new environment." Norman explained.
"Well we're going to miss having you around here." Riley replied.
"Don't worry I'll be sure to come back for the summer to visit you all I would be too lonely without you guys." Norman laughed.
"So are we good?" Lucas asked extending his hand towards Norman.
"We're good…" Norman said shaking his hand firmly.
The three old friends soon found themselves in a group hug. Riley had to smile, knowing that they were able to get over the awkwardness and hurt that the events of the past week had brought into Norman's life. Yet again, Norman wasn't the kind of person to hold a grudge for very long.
"Now go kill it in Chicago no matter where you end up I know your going to be amazing." Riley smiled.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Riles…" Norman smiled. "Take care of her Friar, if she comes to tell me you broke up with her you're a dead man."
"You don't have to worry about that Norman. I learned my lesson the first time, I promise I won't let her go ever again. She means way too much to me."
"That's good…" Norman smiled. "Because you two are definitely meant to be together forever."