Chapter 11 - The Year Is 2011
It was a bright Thursday morning & Riley was on her bed in her pajamas working on her online orientation for her internship. Her legs were stretched out in front of her while her back was against the headboard. She was so concentrated on her work that a knock against her bedroom window startled her.
"Lucas," she smiled. She gently closed her laptop and set it aside. She crawled out of her bed to unlock the window. "What are you doing here?"
Lucas climbed through with both hands behind his back and stood in front of her, "I came here to give you these." He moved his arms in front of him and in his hands were a box of chocolate and three stems of roses.
"Thank you Lucas. What are these for?" She looked up at him and flashed him a sweet smile.
"I'm here to ask you out on a date. After you're done with your orientation of course,"
"I told you to give me a call," She chuckled.
He sat down next to her and took both her hands in his, "It didn't feel right. You deserve to be asked on a proper date remember?"
Her heart skipped a beat. There it goes again she thought, "What have you got in mind?"
"I was thinking a nice picnic at the park for lunch? How about you bring Sprinkles and I'll bring my pup Tombstone,"
Riley scrunched her forehead, "Your dog's name is Tombstone?"
"Don't judge me," Lucas huffed.
"I'm not!" She giggled. "I should be done by 11. Should we meet you there? Do you need me to bring anything?"
"Sounds good to me! And no," Lucas shook his head. "We'll pick you up. I'll take care of the rest."
"I'll see you later then,"
Lucas turned to crawl out the window, with his head first followed by both his legs but not before turning around one last time and give Riley a wink, "Can't wait for our first actual date."
She giggled like a 5 year old and smelled the roses Lucas had just given her. Suddenly, Sprinkles came running inside her room, rolling around in front of her. She picked her up and cradled her in her arms, "Lucas and I have a date Sprinkles!"
"Knock knock I'm already in doesn't matter," Topanga waltzed inside her daughter's room and sat next to her with a huge grin on her face. "I heard someone has a date?"
"Mom! We're you eavesdropping?" Riley groaned loud and long.
"No!" Topanga feigned hurt as she gently placed her hand on her chest. "Why on earth would I do such a thing?"
"Mother!"
"I just happen to have extra sonic hearing. So tell me what has he got planned? What are you wearing? Oh this is so exciting!"
Riley narrowed her eyes at her mother, "Why is everyone all up in mine and Lucas' dating life? You people are nuts!"
"Come on tell momma," She gently caressed her daughter's leg.
"We're going on a picnic for lunch," Riley sighed feeling defeat. "We're taking both our dogs."
Topanga pouted her lips and batted her eyelashes, "Aww! It's like a cute little family! Well I'll let you be so you can finish your orientation and get ready for your date."
Riley set Sprinkles down on the ground, "Thanks mom."
"Oh," Topanga got up and headed towards the door. "I'll be waiting up so you could tell me all about it."
Eleven o'clock in the morning, exactly on the dot and Riley heard the doorbell ring. She straightened out her skater dress then quickly put on a jean vest over it. She took one last look at herself in the mirror to fix her hair. "Coming!" She yelled.
Riley ran down the stairs excitedly and grabbed Sprinkles' leash from its hook. She bent down to attach it the collar and scooped him in her arms. She walked over to the front door getting ready to leave her apartment when her mother blocked the door.
"You look so beautiful Riley!" Her mother gushed and took Riley in her arms.
"Mom, are you alright?"
"I'm just so happy this is finally happening!"
"Mom!" Riley groaned. "You're sounding like Maya."
Topanga released her daughter from her grasp and laugh, "I know. Because we have been waiting for this day for years! Now go ahead, Lucas is waiting for you."
Riley walked out of her apartment door and down towards the front of the building. When she opened the door, she finds Lucas in a blue button up shirt with black skinny jeans. In his hand was Tombstone on a leash she was assuming and a picnic basket.
"Wow you look beautiful," Lucas whispered making Riley blush a little, or a lot. He stared at her for what seemed to be forever until he shook his head and chuckled, "I'm sorry I've been staring. I just want to remember this moment."
"You don't look half bad yourself Lucas," Riley smiled. "Is this Tombstone?"
Lucas nodded and Riley reached over to put Tombstone on the head, as the pup tried to lick her hands. "You ready to go?"
"Yes," Riley replied with a smile on her face.
As they approached the park, Lucas spotted the perfect place with a shade to set up a picnic lunch for two, "I think this spot was reserved just for us."
"I think so too," Riley giggled as she ties Sprinkles' leash around the tree and Lucas does the same. "Would you like some help setting up?"
Lucas set down the picnic basket, "Nope! You just stand tight there and let me take care of this." Riley nodded and Lucas began to set up. He opened the basket and took out a blanket which he laid out in front of them. He picked up some rocks in order to hold it down in place. "You may now take a seat,"
"So what did you prepare for us today?" Riley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Well," He reaches in the basket to take out what he had packed. "I've got two chicken salad sandwiches, juice boxes and an entire chocolate cake. Maya told me you love chicken salad sandwiches and chocolate cake."
"You asked Maya?"
"Of course! I didn't want you to eat something you didn't like," Lucas laughed. "And as for these two, I brought them their favorite snacks. Let's dig in!"
Just like their first but not actual date yesterday, the two were engaged in a conversation while they were munching on their sandwiches. They were left alone by their dogs, who were sitting under the tree, completely preoccupied with their food.
"I'm just going to be straight forward here because I've been waiting for this day for like forever," Lucas swallowed his food and took a sip of his drink. "I've had a crush on you ever since we bumped into each other in the first grade."
Riley giggled, "Yeah I figured. Well, Maya figured."
"Of course she did," Lucas rolled his eyes. "She's really something."
"Yeah she is," Riley agreed. "You know even after you left after 7th grade she wouldn't stop teasing me about you."
"Really? How come?"
Riley shrugged, "She just kept saying that 'Destiny will work it's way'."
"And that it did," Lucas smiled. "I'm not creeping you out am I?"
"Not at all!"
"Good, that's the last thing I'd want to do."
"You're funny."
"I try," Lucas grinned. This was perfect, he thought.
After they were done eating, they cleaned up and packed everything up in the basket. The two decided that they were going to take a walk around the park with their dogs before heading back home.
"I hoped you like the sandwiches I made," Lucas chuckled.
"They were aight,"
Lucas pouted, "Were they that bad?"
"I'm kidding Lucas!" Riley laughed. "They were pretty good actually. I didn't know you could whip up some good ole' chicken salad sandwich."
"I'll have you know I'm a pretty amazing cook," He said proudly, running a hand through his hair.
"Oh yeah? How come I have a hard time believing that?"
"I'll just have to prove it to you then."
"How?" Riley furrowed her eyebrows.
Lucas stopped at his tracks and turned towards Riley, "Have dinner at my place tomorrow night. I make a mean stuffed chicken breast."
"Is this you asking me out on another date?" Riley raised her eyebrows.
"And if it was?"
"Then I'd say yes,"
"Perfect," Lucas smiled. "It's another date. I'll have to kick Zay out for the night."
"And I have a feeling that won't be a problem," Riley laughed and the two went on with their stroll.
The rest of the summer went pretty fast for the two of them. If Lucas weren't helping out his father at the clinic or Riley weren't working on her internship training, the two would either be found hanging out with their friends or with each other. Most of the time, it was with each other.
Their friends were ecstatic for them. They were glad that Lucas finally got what he'd always wish for. As for Riley's best friend, Maya could never have been happier that the two had finally met and that they were almost inseparable. She missed her best friend dearly but she had no problem that she was sharing her with Lucas.
Topanga and Dr. Friar would not stop talking about their children dating each other. Frequently, the Matthews' would invite the Friars over for dinner or vice versa. The topic of marriage and grandchildren would always come up, making Riley and Lucas blush and Cory Matthews to feel completely uncomfortable.
It was the night before Riley's flight back to Chicago and she was doing some last minute packing with her best friend.
"So what's the deal between you and Lucas?" Maya raised her eyebrows towards Riley.
"We're dating."
"So are you like boyfriend girlfriend?"
"I don't know Maya. We haven't exactly talked about that yet. I mean with this long distance I don't even know."
"Then why haven't you talked about it?"
Riley bit her lip, "I've been avoiding it."
"Riles!" Maya exclaimed and moved towards the bay window to sit. "Have you told him yet?"
"Nope," Riley walked across the room towards her closet. "I mean do I really have to?"
"Yes!" Maya yelled. "You have to Riles! It's kind of a big deal!"
"I don't think it's that big of a deal," Riley rolled her eyes and dumped a bunch of clothes in her suitcase.
"It is! You have to tell Lucas Riley!"
And as if on cue, Lucas pops his head through the window. "What does Riley have to tell me?"
"Perfect," Maya said. "Now you two can talk about what you two are supposed to be." She got up from her seat and made her way towards Riley's door. She turned around before closing the door behind her, "Tell him Riles. He should know too. I'll see you tomorrow" And with that, she closed the door behind her leaving Riley and Lucas in a few moments of silence.
"What are you doing here?" Riley asked sitting at the edge of her bed.
"I'm sorry I should've called but I just wanted to spend the last few moments you have here in New York together," Lucas sighed. "I'm really gonna miss you. These past few weeks were really the best weeks of my life. You're worth waiting for and..."
"What?"
"That can wait. What was Maya talking about?"
"No," Riley began. "Finish what you started first."
Lucas bit his lip and stared at his hands, "I know you've been avoiding this for the past few days Riles. I just want to know what are we?"
"Ugh I knew this was gonna come up," Riley sighed. "I'm leaving tomorrow Lucas."
"I know that. Which is why I'm asking you," He made his way towards her and sat besides her. "I'm willing to wait again for you Riley."
Riley laughed, "You make it so hard for me to resist you."
"I'm serious," He took her hands in his.
"I'm serious too Lucas. I am leaving tomorrow. Don't get me wrong," Riley began. "I really loved being with you. And I mentally slap myself everyday because I tried to avoid you for the past few years. I just didn't know what I was missing. But I don't want to put the burden on you with us being far from each other. I don't want to stop you from meeting other people."
Lucas chuckled, "Riley I haven't dated since I got back to New York. I couldn't stop thinking about you knowing that there was a chance we could meet again. You think that one year is going to make a difference? We're graduating in a few months anyway."
"You're a hopeless romantic,"
"That I am," He smiled at her. "So I'm willing to wait for you again. Will you let me wait for you?"
Riley took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She didn't say anything for a while which made Lucas nervous. "I need to tell you something then."
"What is it?" Lucas asked. "Oh god you're permanently staying in Chicago aren't you?" He groaned making Riley laugh. "Why are you laughing? Is this your way of breaking up with me? Not that you would because we aren't even together officially."
"Lucas," Riley began. "Relax take a deep breath and listen to me." The blonde boy nodded. "I'm moving back to New York."
His eyes widened with excitement, "You're what?"
"I'm moving back home. That's what Maya was talking about earlier," Riley explained.
"So after you graduate you'll be coming back?"
"Yes,"
"So you're going to be back here? In New York?"
"Mhm"
"Like back here. In New York. Like in this house?"
"Lucas if you ask one more time if Im coming back I will slap you silly"
Lucas grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her closer towards him. He squeezed her with all his might, "I cannot believe you're coming back Riles!"
"I take it that you're happy?" Riley laughed.
"I'm beyond happy Riles!" He released her from his hug but never letting go of her hands. "This is amazing!"
"So you'll wait for me?"
"I'll always wait for you Riley," He moved a hand to caress her cheek.
"Good,"
Lucas cleared his throat, "There was also another reason why I wanted to come here. It kind of relates to everything we just talked about."
"What is it?"
"Well," Lucas reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened the box and in it was a silver necklace that had a double-heart pendant. "I wanted to ask you if you'd do me the honor of being my girlfriend."
Tears welled up in Riley's eyes, "Yes." It was short and simple, but was full of meaning. Lucas smiled and took the necklace out of the box to slip it around Riley's neck.
"Thank you for making me the happiest guy on earth," Lucas grinned. "I should probably let you get back to packing. And plus I don't want your parents to think bad of me that I'm here in your room so late at night."
"They'll get over it," Riley chuckled as both of them get up from Riley's bed and moved towards the bay window. "Thank you for coming Lucas."
"My pleasure," Lucas made his way out of the bay window and Riley sat down to see him off. He turned around and with his one knee on the ledge to support his weight, he peeked his head through the window, grabbing Riley's face in the process and giving her a long kiss on the lips. "Goodnight Riley."
"Goodnight Lucas," Riley smiled. Lucas finally left and she stayed at her bay window for a while. She brought her fingers to her lips, "Well that was an eventful summer."
This story is almost coming to an end!
Let me know what you think! Thank you to all of you readers! :)
