Lucas' Point of View.
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It's truly incredible how one person can occupy your thoughts so much. How one person can make you question every decision and look at everything differently. I have had that mentality since I realized I had feelings for Riley. At the time we were in middle school so I thought it was a stupid crush, I'd get over it and eventually find a girl-who as some of the snobbier girls at the time put it, 'my speed'. I didn't ever know what they meant though, even with braces and her 'baby fat' I thought she was beautiful. Her dimples, her big doe eyes that held so much innocence it was almost hard to swallow. And that smile even when filled with metal was quite honestly, a highlight of my day. I like to attribute that to one of my reasons for pranking her so much, because in the end she'd be laughing about it no matter how mad she was at me.

Even when I up and left New York, and up and left… Riley, she still preoccupied my mind. I'd see a lemonade and immediately think of her. She was never huge on sodas, but lemonade was according to her 'the perfect mixture of tart and sweet'. At least that's what she told her friends, I had a problem of eavesdropping. When I ate French fries I'd subconsciously remember how she'd take a bite of a fry, unknowingly it would be right in half and then she'd nibble on the rest of it like a rabbit munching on a carrot.

But, my favorite thing to look at whenever I wanted to remember her was trees. Before I started pranking her relentlessly and she'd tag along with Josh to hang out with all of us-she and I would spend time in the tree house. The same tree house that had given her, her fear of heights. Either way, we'd spend hours up there playing games, talking and eventually Josh would get bored out of his mind but Riley and I never left. I loved that tree house, I remember when my mom and dad had to tear it down because it wasn't safe anymore and it was beyond repair. In reality, my dad was just crappy with his hands-my mom was the one from Texas after all.

The day it got torn down, I was in the 7th grade. I remember watching as each piece of wood fell to the ground, my heart seemed to have shattered. My mom knew, she knew how I had felt about Riley before I did and each time she'd bring it up I'd deny it wholeheartedly. But her words had always stuck with me, 'it isn't the tree house your sad about. It's the memories that you've made up there. But let me tell you something my love, memories will always be with you. They will always be in your mind, and those of Riley will always be in your heart'. I didn't say anything after she told me that, because in all honesty that's whenever things started to make sense for me. That's whenever I had to work things out in my mind.

I may have been in the seventh grade.

I may have been young.

But it was then I realized I didn't just have a crush on little Riley Matthews who would constantly tag along with her uncle who would be utterly annoyed by her presence. No, it was something that could be classified as 'feelings', something deeper than a middle school boy should possibly feel and that terrified me. Looking back on it now, did I really ever try to get over Riley Matthews?

I'd like to say yes, I'd like to say 'yeah that's why I was gone so long because I needed to be. I had a lot of baggage and she didn't deserve the extra worry'. But then I'd be lying to myself and I'm so relieved I never tried to get over her. I didn't want and will never want to forget her, or fall out of love with that beautiful creature who had wiggled her way into my life. Oh who am I kidding? I let her walk in, I basically had my arms wide open begging her to move faster. When I saw her last summer walking to her mom's bakery, I knew I didn't have a choice. Not that I'd want one, I had to come back.

I had to come back for her.

It still astounded me how much she had changed, and in all honesty I was kind of upset. I always thought she was beautiful, but she never caught the eye of any other guys. Which subconsciously I loved because in the back of my mind I had labeled her as mine. I don't care if that sounds possessive, I'm a jealous man-everyone I love besides my aunt and uncle have wronged me in some way shape or form or left me. I refuse for Riley to be one of those people, so yes I'm equal parts protective and possessive over her. So when I saw that she lost the braces, and even under her non-form fitting clothes I could tell she lost a lot of weight I gripped my steering wheel tighter knowing she was being eyed by a few men. I hadn't seen her in so long, I'd occasionally Facebook stalk Josh but- pictures would never do her justice.

She was and still is completely oblivious to the glances made while in school or out in public. Again, a complete and resounding sense of innocence which is something I love about her. She has no idea when someone is flirting with her unless they are so blatantly obvious about it, it could be taken as sleazy. Hence why I flirted relentlessly for a full month before she straight up asked me if I was flirting. I don't mind the work, I welcome it. I will work for my Riley, no matter how long it takes. Though, I wouldn't be too terribly upset if she'd run up and kiss me and say she'd always secretly loved me. That was a long shot, a fantasy and a reoccurring dream.

That I want to make a reality.

Ever since I asked her on a date-which I'm still mad at my carelessness when I asked- It was like a switch flipped, like my flirting went from obvious to 'you'd be stupid not to see it'. Luckily Riley doesn't seem to mind, which is great because I love her little blush. Her cheeks tinging her own unique shade of pink, her hair falling in her face in a desperate attempt to hide it. Good God, I love her so damn much. "LUCAS!"

Crap.

My aunt didn't even bother knocking, my door was thrown open before I had even registered she was that close to my room. "WHY DOES MY SON HAVE A BLACK EYE!?"

Chuckling to myself I gave her a passing glance while replying back to Riley. "Why don't you tell me what he told you, I'd love to see what story he fabricated now?"

She huffed and sauntered towards my desk, "How about I'm your guardian and you tell me before I ground you and that includes not going on a date with the love of your life on Saturday."

Immediately I sit up straight, "You wouldn't." Her eyes were practically daring me to defy her again and I was not even remotely going to test her. I wasn't going to risk losing the opportunity to go on this date! If I had to cancel, I doubt I'd ever get the chance to do this again. I can't gamble losing the opportunity to be with her. "He hurt Riley, she has bruises on her wrist."

And now she's mad again. Flaring nostrils and a slightly red tinge to her face. "HE DID WHAT?!" I involuntarily wince at her shrill scream but quickly recovered my composure. I won't tell her that just like my mother, she scared me. Not in a way like she'd hurt me, more or less like stay clear of her when she's pissed off.

Nodding I look at my phone hoping she'd reply soon, I know she's with Maya and probably distracted but I don't like not being in contact with her. "He got mad apparently because she agreed to go on a date with me." A smile formed onto my lips. She said yes, she wanted to go on a date with me. And though she hasn't admitted to it, I know she likes me just a little. So I don't have to wait till our date to decide, I'm not going anywhere. "He gripped her wrist and drug her off. Riley wouldn't tell me where he was earlier so when I got home I took care of him."

Sighing she runs her hand through her long dark tresses, "that poor girl. You two are playing tug of war right now."

"But why!?" Staring into her green eyes that remind me so much of my mother, I miss her. "Why is that happening when he has Missy? Why is he preventing Riley from being with me when all I have ever wanted, ever since I was in the freaking 7th grade was her?" Softening eyes, she loves it when I start to ramble about the beautiful brunette… my beautiful brunette. "I was gone for 3 years! 3, and I still was dying to see her, to be near her and for her to want me as much as she wanted Charlie. Or as much as she thought she wanted Charlie. Do you know how much it sucked to see her fawning over him? To see her eyes brighten when she saw him or her smile widen-he didn't acknowledge it then so he doesn't get to now. All I've ever wanted is her, and I'm sick of him meddling. I love her, my mom loved her and you love her she's just… she's perfect." Rubbing my eyes, I inhale deeply trying to recover from the rambling. I tend to do that when it comes to her.

A little clicking on the hardwood and I'm embraced into a hug. "I don't know Lucas. And I'm sorry he keeps doing this to you. You do realize how much I want you two to be together, right?" Nodding, I give her a sheepish smile. Despite her son's valiant efforts his mom has always been on Team Lucas when it came to Riley. She doesn't understand why he's acting this way and I'm not going to ask her to get involved. "No more violence no matter the circumstances and I will hold a long conversation regarding the manhandling of my future daughter in law."

We both laugh, ever since freshman year I've been her son so it comes as no surprise to me that she'd consider Riley her daughter. Though she'd never call herself my mother, she knew she could never replace her no matter how similar they were and always made it clear she wouldn't try and couldn't replace my mom. "You don't think me being so in love with her for years is ridiculous?" I'm not an idiot, I know that society deems 'young love' as a simple infatuation. So me being a senior in high school and wholeheartedly believing that I will marry her one day was probably frowned upon. Not that I care, but I'm sure Riley would.

"I think your love is pure." A quick peck to my cheek, she rests her head on my shoulder. "Yes you've been in love with her for years but I'm also married to my high school sweetheart. We didn't need to date anyone else to know we'd end up together and who is to say that you and Riley aren't the same way?"

I sure as hell hope so.

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So here I am in school, watching her animatedly talk to Darby about how she can babysit her brothers whenever necessary so Darby can go on a date with Yogi. I love it when she has her hair up, there's nothing to block her face. So now I have an excuse to stare at her all day, not like I'd need one. But I also love it down, the smell of strawberries and vanilla is stronger that way. Plus you know, I can play with it. "The twins would love that! Not just because Aug is there but they want to see you again."

"Twins?" I didn't mean to ask out loud, it just kind of happened. As soon as D said twins, I immediately remembered the boys from the park who were hanging all over Riley.

It was equal parts infuriating and adorable. They called her a princess, which she is but they don't need to call her that. That was infuriating, but the fact two boys under the age of 10 were doting on her was adorable. She can make anyone fall in love, "My brothers." Darby fills in for me.

Nodding my head I begin to make plans to be there when she does decide to babysit. Even though they're younger than 10 and I have nothing to worry about I still need to make my interest known. The next thing I need to worry about was the man who assaulted my girl. Her tear stained face will constantly haunt my mind until I figure it out, but even then-even when I figured out who hurt her I have no doubt that face will be etched into my mind for the rest of my life. She was terrified, her sobs and her shaking frame as she clung to me for dear life-God I hope I never see her like that again and as long as I have a say in her life which I will ensure I do, I won't have to.

I need to talk to her about it, I haven't wanted to pressure her to talk about what happened. And I really will not be looking forward to this conversation but for her safety-I need to know and I'll find out. I can ask some people at the party if I can so much as get a description of him. I just hope she didn't fully block out the memory. I don't miss how she slightly flinches if I sneak up on her hell I don't think she even realizes it to be honest. It's her bodies involuntary reaction from those events on Friday, man now I'm really freaking fired up.

I need to find this guy. It's decided I'll ask her after our date on Saturday, I don't want anything ruining my one shot.

"RILEY STOP IT!"

Throwing my head to the side, I stifle a laugh as swinging hands fly towards Farkle. Hurriedly, I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her away. "What's going on sweet cheeks?"

She doesn't answer me but continues her glare on Mr. Minkus who seems utterly confused, "I was gone yesterday and this is the greeting I get? I'm hurt Riley seriously hurt!"

"I'm being serious Farkle! You can't keep taking Smackle on dates, practically tell her she can't see anyone else and then not ask her to be your girlfriend. I should smack some more sense into you!" My girl, feisty as ever and incredibly passionate when it comes to people she cares about. She starts wiggling in my arms again, Farkle doesn't move once I give him a reassuring look. She isn't getting out of my grasp.

"That's what this is about?"

"DUH!"

Darby and I snicker to ourselves while Farkle's jaw drops, "Riley if you would have asked questions first and attacked later then I would have told you I'm asking her tonight. I would have asked her on our date on Friday but I was going out of town on Saturday and wouldn't be back till Monday night. I wanted to be with her after asking her to be mine, not just up and leave for a few days right after."

The wiggling came to an abrupt halt and Farkle's lips curved upwards. I admire Farkle, loyalty is hard to come by in friends and I've never met someone more loyal. Riley just full out attacked him without hesitation and he's smiling at her as if she could do no wrong. Side note: To me she can't. If I hadn't stupidly dated Missy that 1 month, well I'd hardly call it dating-but if I hadn't done that I would consider myself loyal to Riley. But I messed up and wanted a distraction, look where that got me. "Oh." Her voice is barely a whisper and she drops her head like a child in trouble.

"Is that true?" All heads snap to the raven haired petite girl behind Farkle. Well, all heads except Farkle. He didn't have to turn around to know it was Smackle, the woman of his affections and from the gargantuan smile on her face, she had heard everything.

Farkle glares at my girl and I immediately return it causing him to look away. "Farkle I'm so sorry." Riley face palms herself and without hesitation I place her hand back by her side.

"Bad sweet cheeks." I whisper in her ear, she doesn't need to hurt herself.

"Farkle?"

Slowly he turns and gives her a sheepish grin, "Good morning beautiful."

"It is indeed." A quick arch of the eyebrows and I glance at Darby. With Riley still in my arms, we begin to step backwards. Clearly they have some things to talk about. Neither one of them is very animated while speaking so I am not quite sure of the conversation but as we turn the corner into a hallway, all 3 of us laugh when we hear a loud and squealy 'yes'.

"If I hadn't ruined his asking her then I'd pat myself on the back for pushing them together."

Her feet touch the ground again, but instead of letting her go I spin her in my arms to face me. "Don't beat yourself up sweet cheeks. Farkle and Smackle won't be mad at you."

"Riley." Ah damn.

Blonde hair flies by us, and now Darby is gone. His blue eyes watch her every movement carefully as she turns to look at my cousin. A slight gasp reminds me, I didn't tell her about the black eye. "What happened to your face?" Oh come on Riley, face? I punched him once, it's just his eye. And he deserved a lot more than that, handling her that way.

"That's not important. I wanted to apologize for hurting you yesterday, I don't have any excuses and I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted." Of course she'd forgive him, well in all honesty she'd forgive anyone who asked for it. I am not sure if that's just her personality or if her constant presence and activities in her church have made her that way. I've not had great experiences with Christians and quite frankly that's why I haven't invited myself to join her on Sunday mornings. But when I meet people like her family, and more specifically her well that makes me realize maybe those Christians I've encountered were just judgmental assholes who are ruining the meaning of the word 'Christian'. What's that saying? One bad apple ruins the orchard? Hell I don't know but you get my point, there's bad people in every group that ruin 'titles' for everyone.

Snapping out of my trance I realize a pair of angry brown eyes are glaring at me. Oh no, she's mad at me. Where's a bag of Cheetos when you need one. "Lucas Gabriel Friar." I love it when she says my name, it's like it was made to roll off her tongue.

"Yes?" I question innocently and prepare for the worst.

"You punched Charlie didn't you?"

"I won't say yes, and I won't say no but if I did say yes-"

"THEN I'D BEAT YOU TO A BLOODY PULP!"

Smiling to myself I hold her closer, "Then no."

Smack!

Furrowed brows and crossing of the arms, I'm about to be scolded. "Don't you lie to me! Bad Lucas!" I see the corner of her lips curve upward, but it is immediately gone when she remembered to be 'mad' at me. "I told you to leave it alone. I told you to leave him alone." Nodding shamefully, I had only been thinking about getting Charlie back for bruising her perfect ivory skin and the thought of her being mad crossed my mind, but it sets a precedent if you mess with my girl-or to be specific my Riley you in turn mess with me. "Things are already bad enough between you two. So knock off the Neanderthal ideology and don't let me pry you two apart more than I already have."

Tilting my head to the side I lift her chin to look at me in the eyes. "Riley baby you didn't do anything. What's going on between Charlie and I is not your fault so go ahead and wipe that idea out of your head." I pepper feather light kisses on her face. Her forehead, cheeks, nose, ears and chin until she starts laughing and squirming to get out of my hold. "Better?"

Someone clearing their throat cuts her off, I know that sound all too well. "Oh Charlie, I forgot you were there. You can go now." Charlie stands there gazing at my girl and out of reaction I tighten my hold on her.

SLAP!

"Thank you for the apology Charlie. I appreciate it and trust me, Lucas will be buying lots of Cheetos to make up for punching you. So I'm sorry about that."

She's too nice for her own good. "It's alright Riles. I deserved it. I shouldn't have treated you that way." I want to scream at him, then why did you? I want to know why he's acting ridiculous whenever it comes to her but I don't. I keep my mouth shut. A small part of me still fears that Charlie might have feelings for her, and if Riley finds out then she may leave me.

And that small part of me destroys every hope inside of me.

But now as she stares up at me, her eyes are twinkling with something I've never seen before but damn do I love it. "I'm serious about those Cheetos."

Damn, do I love her.

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Thanks so much for reading guys! Love you all to itty bitty pieces.

Don't worry there will be more of Lucas' Point of View.

Date is coming up soon and 'I'm so excited, I just can't hide it'