Chapter 26

2 months of smiles, kisses, dates at the dock and strawberries on the roof had passed. Neither one had been happier, even with Missy trying to break them apart. Riley and Lucas were talking in their desks when the PA system bell rang, making the entire class look towards the ceiling. Smackle's recognizable voice echoed throughout the room.

"Attention students! It is time for us to announce who our nominees are for homecoming king and queen!" The brunette looked at Lucas and pretended to throw up. The running back snickered at her, she couldn't care less about something like that and it was adorable. "Our 3 homecoming king nominees are, Josh Matthews." The cheerleader looked at her father and grinned. "Chase Burge." She rolled her eyes. "And, Lucas Friar." Riley's jaw dropped when she turned towards her boyfriend.

"Congratulations!" The green eyed man dropped his head, he didn't want any part of this. Unless, Riley was involved of course. "Come on, I guess it isn't so bad. At least I have someone to vote for now." He winked at her and clutched her hand.

"Our homecoming queen nominees are, Darby Cochran."

"Maybe i'll have 2 people to vote for!"

"Missy Bradford." Her eyes widened, how could someone vote for her? She had been campaigning for the last month, talk about over kill. "And, Riley Matthews. Congratulations to our prom court, the best of luck to you all and we will take the final vote in first period next week." The brunette dropped her head and sat forward in her desk trying to hide her face, when Mr. Matthews stood up to start class.

"First of all, congrats to 2 of our classmates. Lucas and Riley best of luck to y'all." Riley felt a nudge on the back of her arm, the running back passed her a note.

What's wrong?
-Too much attention for my taste.
I agree, but it would be pretty cool for us to be royalty for one night.
-It isn't just one night. Homecoming Parade, Homecoming dance and we get crowned officially at the game.
Okay, so it's a lot.
-We'll talk later xoxo.

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Riley sauntered into second period and sat down across from Maya who was clapping her hands. "Lucky me, I am around two homecoming nominees."

"I care about this as much as you do if not less than you do."

"I'm not being sarcastic. You or Darby has to win. We need to campaign!" Her brown eyes widened when she looked at Maya.

"Are you insane? I'm not campaigning."

"We can't let Missy win, especially because our boyfriends are 2 of the nominees for king." The brunette was facing her desk but turned her eyes to look at her best friend. "You know i'm right."

"Unfortunately I do. I hate it when you're right. Don't get used to me saying those words either." The brunette leaned back in her chair.

"I'll take care of everything."

"Hey babe, I don't know why but that caused me to get chills." The blue eyed girl blew a kiss to her boyfriend.

"Look Riles, one of our 2 guys is going to win we know that. I don't want to see your guy up there with Missy and I definitely don't want to see my guy with any one but you if I am not an option." Maya had her chin in her hand and elbow on her desk.

"Fine, but don't go crazy please."

The blonde bit her cheek. "Who? Me? I'd never."

Riley and Josh looked at each other and in unison mouthed. "She will."

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The cheerleader was walking towards the health building. "Hey Riley, you've got my vote." Riley grinned to be nice and continued to walk, she never realized that people actually liked her. She had been stopped several times through out the day by random people, she'd seen them before but never really had an actual conversation.

"Well, well, well if it isn't the most gorgeous girl in town." The green eyed man clutched her hand and spun her around. "Hi baby." Lucas leaned in and kissed her, melting all of the homecoming thoughts away.

"You're swingin' for the fence." She laughed. "How's your day been?"

"Interesting actually, i've talked to a lot of people that i've never met before." Her brown eyes widened.

"Me too! It's weird, I didn't know people actually knew who I was." He glanced at her, and the sun made her hair look lighter, angelic.

"Riley, you're a lot more popular than you realize. People look up to you." Her laugh made him smile, it was more of a scoff then a laugh. "I'm serious. Do you think we have a shot at winning?"

"I don't know. Maya says either you or Josh has it in the bag and she's campaigning for me. I appreciate the honor of being nominated but it isn't for me. Why? Do you want to win?"

"Just gives me another excuse to show you off in front of the whole town." He winked. "Plus, you'll get to buy yourself a pretty dress and I haven't had the opportunity to see you all dressed up yet." He opened the classroom door.

"First, i've already got the dress. I don't know, I kind of like the idea of being homecoming queen with you. But, I don't want it to change me."

"Change you?" He automatically discredited the notion that anything could change Riley but Riley.

"Groveling for votes, to get recognition that I don't want." He stared at her with a smirk on his face. "Someone probably went to bed last night hoping not to wake up, someone in that situation needs and deserves recognition like that."

"You continue to surprise me. Even after almost 2 months of being together." She smiled and the whole class went outside to go on their walk. They were walking hand in hand when a girl from Riley's squad walked up.

"Hey Riles, party at my place on Saturday. Parents are gone!"

"Oh, okay thanks Jess. I'll let you know." Jess hurriedly walked to the next group to invite them. "What do you think?"

"We haven't gone to a party in awhile. Ice cream and movies have been our friend." He laughed.

"A lot less drama that way. We haven't had to deal with Chase and Missy as much or Charlie. And, I get you to myself."

"Yeah, we've had it pretty easy haven't we?"

"Don't jinx it! I like drama free, it's my favorite!"

"It could be fun. It's up to you." He twirled her around.

"You know what, yeah let's go. Bev picked up my shift on Sunday and you don't work till later. We'll just stick together." He kissed the top of her head.

"I love the sound of that."

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"VOTE FOR RILEY! VOTE FOR RILEY MATTHEWS FOR HOMECOMING QUEEN!" The next morning Maya was sitting at a table by the Elk at the center of the school. Riley walked by on the way to her locker and had to stop.

"Maya, what on earth-"

"I told you I was going to campaign for you." She looked at the table that was covered in pictures of her and buttons for people to wear.

"I remember that, I don't remember having a conversation about all of this. This is like prom queen level." She gestured to the table and looked into the eyes of her best friend. "I mean I love it, thank you Maya. You're the best, best friend ever."

"I know!" Riley's phone dinged and seeing it was from Lucas she ran to her locker.

"I'll see you in 2nd period." The brunette ran up the stairs.

"Hey babe, i'm sorry. I got caught up in the booth that Maya put up." The brown eyed girl entered her locker combination.

"Booth? She was serious?" She looked at him and with wide eyes nodded her head.

"She's got flyers, and buttons with my picture on them. I didn't even ask how she was able to get all of that made so quickly, and quite frankly i'm a little scared to know." He chuckled and kissed her.

"Well, i've heard from several people that they were voting for you." She rolled her eyes.

"Missy's been telling people to vote for her for a month. I wouldn't be surprised if she won, she's also going to be at the party on Saturday, which made me rethink everything." She clutched his hand.

"So we aren't going?"

"No, we are. I told Jess we would, and I don't want to be rude." Riley stopped in her tracks and with wide eyes looked at her boyfriend. "What have you done to me? I care about being rude? What is this?"

"You're just now noticing? Josh, Maya and I had a full blown conversation about how you were getting nice. Don't get me wrong, you are still sassy pants but you care about people's feelings a little more." The green eyed boy laughed whenever he realized she still didn't move. "I thought for sure you'd know whenever we were talking about campaigning yesterday in health."

"Come on. I have to sit down and contemplate life." He chuckled and escorted her to class. For the first time in a long time Missy was in their way.

"Hello Riley, I saw the booth downstairs."

"Is there a question? Or is that a general statement?" The frenemy pursed her lips and raised her brow.

"Why is it there?"

"Maya put it together. Since I decided not to campaign, she's doing it for me."

Missy's hand was on her hip. "I'd give up if I were you."

"If that line were remotely threatening than I would do that." Lucas turned his head to giggle. "Missy, I really don't care about winning. So let's not argue about something else."

"Good because i've been campaigning for the past month and I am not going to let you ruin it. It's a terrible waste of time."

Apparently Missy didn't get the memo that Riley didn't want to fight about this. "It isn't my time being wasted, wanna know another terrible thing to waste? A mind. I'm just glad one wasn't wasted on you." She smiled. "Besides, Darby could win and to be honest i'll probably vote for her myself."

"I know you can get your friend to stop. I suggest you do that."

"First, you have to quit using those worn out threats, they aren't working and make you seem unoriginal. Secondly, you're right I could get her to stop. But, that would require an effort i'm really not willing to make. Again, I could care less about winning, so good luck." Riley grinned and shrugged her shoulders. "Ready babe?"

"I'll see you at the party on Saturday Lucas." Missy bit her lip and the couple walked away. They sat down at their desks and Riley looked at him with her head tilted.

"You've got some 'splanin to do Mr. Friar."

"She pryed in 2nd period. I caved."

"What about our agreement to not tell the connivers about us going so they wouldn't have time to plot?!"

"I'm sorry." He dropped his head and with his gorgeous eyes made Riley feel bad.

"It's okay, technically we didn't pinky promise and let's be honest that's really the only contract that is binding."

"You're too cute!" He kissed her hand and even after 2 months of dating he still gave her butterflies. Riley was starting to fall for him, but she was afraid to be the first to admit it.

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