THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FEEDBACK! I'M REALLY GLAD Y'ALL ARE LOVING THE STORY! I'M HAVING SO MUCH FUN WRITING THIS TOO! BUT ANYWAY HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER! DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GIRL MEETS WORLD OR THEIR CHARACTERS!

Chapter Eleven *Didn't We Almost Have It All?*

A warm blanket is wrapped around Riley's shoulders as she holds Lucas' hand. She had been shaking from how cold it was in the room, so Cory had grabbed it for her. She has hardly moved from the spot she is in. She has herself planted in the chair that sits in the corner, close enough to be able to be with him, but also out of the way for his parents and medical care.

It's been a couple days since his surgery. There has been no change. He is just lying there, eyes closed, with a tube sticking out of his mouth and wires surrounding his body. He hasn't moved. He hasn't showed one sign of waking up. Deep down Riley is struggling with the hope that he will indeed wake up.

She can't help but think that he is going to die.

Maya knocks on the hospital door before walking in. She sees her best friend holding the hand of the guy she has newly found feelings for. But instead of jealousy seeping through, it's guilt and worry for Riley. She can't help but think if she hadn't of gotten in the way, they would have been together. They would have been happy. He wouldn't have been driving and wrecked.

Maya walks to her, and wraps her arms around her. "You need to get some sleep." She had noticed the dark circles under her eyes and un kept hair. She can tell Riley has not slept at all. But she doesn't blame her. Maya had to take two sleeping pills just to get a few hours of sleep.

"I'm fine." Riley says back, her voice drained of the cheerfulness she usually has.

"I know that isn't true."

Riley squeezes his hand, almost expecting him to squeeze it back, almost. "I don't know how to handle this."

Maya nods her head. She kneels down on her knees and places her hand over Riley's and Lucas'. "This isn't something that can be easily handled. We just have to hope that he will be okay."

"I don't think I have any hope left."

Hearing the words come out of Riley's mouth brings tears to Maya's eyes. Riley of all people would be the one to have hope, but she doesn't. How can Maya find the hope if her best friend can't even find it? Instead of saying anything else, she falls silent. Maya lays her head on Riley's shoulder and stares at the boy who is meant to be with her best friend.

Maya came to the realization after the party. Instead of trying to get Lucas' attention at the party, she was trying to get Josh's. Josh was the one on her mind. Lucas hadn't really entered it.

But when it comes to Riley, Lucas is the only guy on her mind. She has known since the very first day that there is something between them.

Maya could never have with Lucas what she has. She wishes she would have realized all of this sooner. She would have saved everyone the heart ache.

Another knock sounds on the door before someone else walks in. A man with overalls, boots, and a hat to top it all off, walks to the hospital bed.

"Hi Pappy Joe." Riley says to him.

Pappy Joe stares down at his grandson and holds back his tears. His grandson, who was so full of life and had so much ahead of him, is lying there like that, makes him feel sick. "Hi there Riley. And hi Maya."

Maya nods at Lucas' grandpa.

Once again silence fills the room. What can be said when you are staring at someone you care about fighting for their life?

It took a lot of convincing, and a promise from Maya to call Riley if anything changes, for her to go outside and sit with Pappy Joe.

They are at a table, sipping on some coffee, his black, and hers filled with sugar and cream.

"Do you know what happened?" She finally asks him, wondering if he blames her just as much as she blames herself.

He peers over his coffee at her. "His parents mentioned he was taking you home after a late night study session. It was raining when he drove home, lost control, and then a vehicle ran into him at an intersection."

Riley shakes her head slightly, apparently the whole news hadn't gotten to him. After the surgery, her guilt became unbearable. She confessed to everyone about it. Her parents were upset, but considering the circumstances, they have held off from fussing at her. His parents don't blame her at all. They told her it wasn't her fault it was raining that night. It wasn't her fault someone ran into him. "That's not the whole story." She whispers into her cup.

Pappy Joe's furry eyebrow raises up. "What else happened?"

She starts from the beginning, so that the story makes complete sense. She tells the whole story about the triangle that began in Texas. Every detail from the start to now. Once she finishes, tears are streaking her face. Looking back on everything, she could have been happy with him a long time ago. She is always putting other people's happiness before her own.

"I'm guessin' you are sittin' there and blamin' yourself, am I right?"

She nods, still crying.

He places a hand on her arm and pats it softly. "You ain't to blame for all of this sweetheart. So you better stop that right now. I don't want to hear another word about blaming yourself." He hands her napkin to wipe up her tears.

She nods her head to his words. "Yes Pappy Joe. I won't blame myself."

"Good." He reaches into his overall pocket. He struggles for a moment to get what he wants out of it. A white piece of paper appears in his hand. "This is for you." He hands it over to her and slowly rises out of his chair.

"What is it?" She questions as she inspects the paper.

He gives her a sad smile. "A letter Lucas wrote to me before the accident. I had just received it before I got the phone call. You need to read it." He begins to walk away but turns around. "Please don't lose hope. I know there comes a point where it all becomes too much. When we get too tired to fight anymore. So we give up. But that's when the real work begins. To find hope where there seems to be none at all." He gives her another smile before heading back into the hospital.

Riley stares down at the paper, almost nervous to see what it says. She slowly opens the creases of the letter and begins to read the words of Lucas.

Dear Pappy Joe,

A lot has changed since the last time I saw you. I don't even know where to begin. Ever since Texas, I have been having a hard time. Maya and Riley both have feelings for me. At first I didn't know who to pick or what to do, but when it became clear, they were on the outs. They couldn't get along. I had to tell them I wanted to be just friends with both of them. I had to lie Pappy, their friendships were falling apart. I chose Riley though. There is no doubt in my mind she is the girl I want. When I'm with her, everything makes sense. She made moving to New York worth it. She makes everything worth it. I love her so much Pappy Joe. I just didn't want to hurt Maya. I remember you telling me when we were over at your place the last time that you thought me and Riley would end up together. You knew from just one look that that was the girl I was supposed to be with. You said you could see it in her eyes that she loved me. You were right. I just need your advice. How can I get Riley to be mine without making everything so complicated? How can I have the girl of my dreams?

Sorry for all the question askin',

Love, Lucas

More tears stream down Riley's face. He knew he wanted her the whole time. They could have been so happy. And they will be happy. Riley folds the letter and places it in her pocket. That is the hope she is going to hold in her heart. They are supposed to be together, and they will be.

As she thinks this, her phone begins to ring with Maya's ringtone. "Hello?"

Maya is crying on the other end. "Riley get up here! It's bad!"

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