Riley remembered. She remembered falling. Not physically. She remembered waking up every day, feeling like she was farther away from the surface than she had been the night before.

Riley remembered the anguish. She remembered the fear. She remembered the pain. But she also remembered the hope, the determination. And with every stitch of hope that became, the closer she drifted to the surface.

When her mother finally apologized to her and told her the truth, that was the moment of truth. She breached the surface. She was finally able to breathe. She no longer worried about falling.

Now, all she had to worry about was soaring. Because there was nothing stopping her now.

"Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada," the airport speaker boomed.

Riley rolled her suitcase behind her, chatting eagerly with Lyla. The location of this year's Dance Factory Awards had been announced a week prior, exactly three weeks since Riley had left the hospital and Dr. Froese. She was ever so grateful that he'd been a part of her life, but she hoped that she'd never have to see him again.

"TDFA," Lyla said. "In it's most exotic location yet!"

"Well, you're right about that," Riley agreed. "Last year's was in North Dakota. There was literally nothing to do there, remember?"

"I know," Lyla said. "At least in South Dakota there's Mount Rushmore."

"All right Tandem Troupe, stick together!" Erica called. "There's a bus waiting outside to take us to our hotel. Please don't leave anyone behind!"

The teams all had to travel to Las Vegas a week before competition started to take part in pre-competition activities. Riley's friends and family would be flying in later.

"What do you think we're going to do first?" Lyla asked when they were on the bus en route to the hotel. "What did you guys do last year?"

"You remember, don't you? You did go," Riley said, confused.

"Yeah, but I wasn't chosen to compete, which means I wasn't allowed to partake in any of the Factory Activities," Lyla said. "This year, though."

"It's kind of a lot like what we're doing at the fundraiser," Riley said. "Dance-offs, team building, that kind of stuff."

"Flexibility competitions," Addie commented helpfully.

"Yes, Tandem Miss Flexible," Riley said sarcastically. Addie was so flexible, she could literally twist herself into a pretzel without using her hands. It was quite impressive. "We all know that's your favourite competition."

"All right, Miss Ballerina, we all know what your favourite contest is," Addie retorted.

Everyone on the bus shouted "TURNS!"

Riley groaned. "I wasn't entered in the turns contest this year though!"

"You weren't? Who was?" Kendall asked, shocked.

"I think it was Lyla," Emily said.

"Really? How do you guys know all this?" Lyla asked.

"I saw the list on Erica's desk," Emily replied.

"Yeah, I think because I won Nationals I wasn't allowed to be entered in any mini-competition," Riley said. "There's a dance-off for each Nationals winner to see who gets the Factory Awards title."

The chatter died down as the girls arrived at the hotel. They split up into their roommate groups. Riley was with Addie and Lyla, and the minute she opened the door the girls rushed to claim their beds. "Hey!" Riley said indignantly when she discovered there were only two beds. "Not fair."

"Sorry, Riles, you snooze you lose," Lyla grinned.

"I hate you all," Riley groaned, dragging her suitcase over to the pullout couch. She pulled out her phone. There were six unread messages, two from Maya, two from her parents, and two from Lucas, all asking if she'd gotten in all right. She texted them all back saying that she was at the hotel and heading to the festivities in about an hour.

Then her phone rang. She picked it up immediately. "Hey," she said.

"It's me," Lucas replied.

"Hey, Luke. What's up?" Riley asked, sitting down on the couch.

"Just checking in," Lucas said. "How was the flight?"

"Pretty good, I mean, I think Addie drooled on my shoulder but it's whatever, right?" Riley laughed.

"I heard that!" Addie shrieked. "And I did not!"

Riley laughed again, almost missing what Lucas said next. "I hope you know I'm missing school to come out and see you," he teased.

"You know you don't have to," Riley retorted.

"I really shouldn't, but I want to be there for you, Riles. You've had a tough year."

Riley leaned back. "I know."

"What's on tap for you today?" Lucas asked.

"I literally just texted you," Riley said.

"I know," Lucas said, "but you weren't very clear."

"I'm not really sure to be quite honest," Riley answered. "We'll find out when we get there."

"Listen, Riley," Lucas cut in. "Sorry. It's kind of the reason I called. Lately..." he stopped.

Riley pressed the phone closer to her ear.

"Remember back in middle school we tried to be brother and sister?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah," Riley said, rolling her eyes. "I was quite the idiot."

"Well, then we got to high school, and things got complicated." Lucas swallowed.

"Where are you going with this? You and Maya started dating, I was super hurt and offended, and then I met Blake and all's well that ended well." Riley hesitated. Was he thinking what she thought he was thinking?

"I've been thinking a lot lately about how much, or well, how important you are to me," Lucas tried.

"Luke, just spit it out," Riley groaned.

"I know it's really late, and we won't be anywhere near each other next year. But I was wondering how you would feel about going on a date with me when I get to Vegas." Lucas said the last part so quickly Riley almost didn't believe what she'd just heard.

"What?" she managed.

"It's okay if you don't, I just didn't want to end senior year regretting not doing the one thing I've really wanted to do these last few months," Lucas said.

Riley hesitated. "Um. Can you give me a day to think about it? I'll call you back."

"Okay," Lucas said. "Good luck."

"See you soon," Riley whispered, feeling immensely guilty about cutting him off like that. "Wait, Luke."

"Yeah?" Lucas hadn't expected her to say anything else.

Riley briefly thought about it. The thought of her getting back together with Lucas had been so preposterous in her mind that it hadn't even crossed her mind once since Maya and Lucas had broken up. But now that she thought about it, a smile spread across her face.

"Oooh," Lyla crooned from her bed. "Riley's in love!"

"I will go out with you," Riley told him.

Lucas grinned, from all the way back in New York. "Awesome. I can't wait."

"Me neither. See you soon," Riley repeated, and hung up. Then she squealed.

"Tell us everything!" Addie shrieked, jumping off the bed and rushing up to her.

"We have an event to get ready for, you're not getting anything out of me!" Riley tried.

"Shut up, you're telling us," Lyla said. "you can keep us entertained while we get ready."

Riley sighed. This was going to be a long day.

A/N: RUCAS3

Sorry this chapter was so bad. I just ran into writer's block and decided to throw Rucas back in there. Sorry for my Lucaya shippers. Please don't stop reading! A lot can happen within the next ten years...in which case I'm referring to the sequel.

Lauren.