~Chapter 34~

Riley

We were all exhausted after dealing with Facilier. My ankle was sore from the rough landing from the ledge drop getting onto the boat and Lucas had been my mode of transport while I was a frog. So, Tiana suggested we take a day to rest up before heading out again. Though where we were heading to, I had no clue. Tiana had mentioned that dinner she had made those beignets for, so she suggested we come back to town just for the night to stay with the La Bouff's. After all, Tiana insisted that the Mayor would want to thank us for getting rid of Facilier's influence over the bayou and in town. Lucas and I agreed and we said our goodbyes to Ray since his home was in the bayou.

"Take care, cher. Hope you find your family." He told me.

Tiana led us back into town before midday.

The city seemed to be having a celebration of sorts upon our arrival into town. Listening to various passersby, apparently Doctor Facilier had come forward with all his crimes and sought authorities to pay for those crimes. If these rumors were true, I was stunned. Not only had I relieved Facilier of his dark powers, apparently he had undergone a change of heart as well. How was such a thing even possible? We walked down main street and it was just like stepping in the heart of Louisiana, though this wasn't in the United States. The bright vibrant lights of the city mixed with the live jazz music was brilliant.

"Yoo hoo, Tia!" A very boisterous voice called out.

We all turned and I saw Charlotte La Bouff herself running this way toward us. The blonde bombshell herself looked just as I figured she would. A young woman with a slender figure wearing a red dress and matching hat approached us.

"Afternoon Lottie!" Tia smiled as her friend threw her arms around her in a friendly hug.

"Big Daddy and I have been awaiting your arrival. Are these your friends?" She asked glancing at Lucas and I.

We introduced ourselves with a polite handshake, but Charlotte gave me a hug.

"I know what you did for us! Tia told me everything. Thank you, honey." She said.

As she pulled away, she took us away from main street and before too long we found ourselves in front of a large, colonial style mansion several blocks from the heart of the city.

"Welcome to La Bouff Manor!" Charlotte announced proudly, "You're welcome to stay for as long as you would like."

"We're leaving first thing in the morning." I replied, "Got things to sort out, ya know?"

"But we appreciate you putting us up, but rest is greatly needed. Could you show us our rooms, please?" Lucas urged.

One look at him and I could tell he was exhausted and not all there. Charlotte led us up the steps to the manor and through the front doors. My jaw practically hit the ground when we got inside. It seemed to grow bigger once we got in here. Wall to wall oil based paintings on the wall and striking chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The chandeliers looked to be made of gold and crystal. Peering through a couple of large windows leading outside to the back, I spotted a pool, tennis and basketball courts. Our shoes tapped against the hardwood floor until we got to the staircase that was covered in a crimson carpet. On the second floor, Charlotte showed us where to freshen up in the shower or jacuzzi tub in the bathrooms. There were three on this floor and each were as big as a bedroom. Finally, she gave us each a guest room with a large wardrobe, vanity, and queen-sized bed covered in pillows. Lucas was placed in the room across from mine and without a word, went inside and shut the door.

"Poor thing." Tiana commented.

"Sorry for his manners, he's just exhausted." I told Charlotte.

"Pay no mind, honey. I understand." She replied with a kind smile.

"Miss La Bouff, could you point me to your kitchen. I'm famished." Naveen said.

Tiana grabbed his arm playfully.

"Your mincing skills could use some brushing up…" She smirked, "And I can make more beignets, Lottie."

Charlotte squealed in delight as she gestured for the pair to follow her.

"I'll catch up in a bit." I waved.

Lucas had the right idea. Sleep is probably just what the doctor ordered. I went into my room and shut the door setting my backpack down on the bed and sat beside it thinking to myself. I yanked open the zipper and grabbed Nebula's card and summoned her forth.

"It's about time, master." she complained, "I thought I'd never get a chance to stretch my legs."

"Sorry Nebula, lots of people around and…"

"It's fine. I don't mind it that much, I'm just giving you a hard time." She winked.

I smiled faintly, but it soon faded off my face.

"Okay, what's wrong?" Nebula urged, "Does someone need to make a wish?"

"Wishes can't grant me what I want." I replied.

"You're worried about your stepdad, huh?"

I nodded.

"I just don't know where to go from here. We didn't find the djinn in the bayou. Someone paid Facilier off and I feel like a failure. I mean, I've faced low odds before, but this is by far the worst!" I groaned putting my face in my hands.

"I know what you could use…" Nebula said raising a finger in the air.

"What's that?"

"A clear head." She smirked, "You could wish for that."

"Ha ha, very funny." I replied crossing my arms feeling annoyed.

"No, I'm serious. It's hard to make a plan and know what to do next when your head is boggled up with too many troublesome thoughts. You can wish it."

"Maybe then I could get some sleep." I reasoned.

"Atta girl." Nebula replied, "So...what's the magic words?" She grinned.

Before I could say anything, there was a knock on my door and Nebula quickly poofed away.

"Ri?" Lucas spoke outside the door, "Can I come in for a minute?"

I agreed and Lucas walked in closing the door behind him.

"What's up?" I asked, "I thought you would be unconsciously sleeping right now."

"I tried, but there's too much on my mind." He said sitting on the bed next to me.

"I'm the queen of that club. Get in line." I smirked.

"Well, most of which, is regarding you." He said.

"What do you mean?" I urged.

"I'm referring to what you told me on the ferry…" He replied quietly almost as if he was trying to maintain the secrecy, "I mean we're best friends and I'm just wondering why you never told me about it."

"I dunno, I just don't like people knowing my weaknesses." I shrugged.

"You're human...it's kind of in our DNA." He smirked.

"I'm sorry if keeping it from you hurt you, but it's not a big deal." I reasoned.

"When we get home, we're gonna go up the Space Needle...even if I have to carry you on my back, we're going." He laughed.

"I'm glad you're amused." I said crossing my arms and Lucas grew serious again.

"Well, why don't I even the playing field a little."

"Your sports metaphors aren't helping." I said.

"Ri," Lucas paused searching my eyes looking serious, "I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't now share with you something I too had never shared."

My eyes narrowed as I leaned forward eagerly curious as to what he possibly had to share.

"Have you ever wondered why I don't invite you over much?"

"Well, you do ransack our kitchen, so I figured it was for the food." I teased.

"I'm being serious, Ri!" He snapped, "Just let me get this out."

"Okay, I'm sorry." I said putting my hand on top of his, "Go on." I urged.

"I never invited you over because I was embarrassed."

"Of what?"

"My parents…"

"Why?" I asked really noticing the hurt in his eyes.

"They yell at each other so much and when I'm home I lock myself in my room blasting music in my ears to drown out the noise as I work on my homework."

"Lucas...I'm so sorry. I wish you'd told me." I said putting my hand on his shoulder, "How long has it been going on?"

"I noticed it in junior high, but it's just gotten worse over the years and I just do my best to tune it out. I think they're on the brink of divorce."

"I-I don't know what to say just that I'm glad you decided to tell me." I nodded.

"That's why I love coming to your place. Not only to see you, but your family. They're so nice to each other and everyone gets along." He said.

"Well, you didn't know Noella and I in the early years. " I smirked.

"I wish I had siblings." He replied.

"This answers the question I had when we first left home to come here, what you told my mom about your parents not caring out our little trip together."

"In truth, they couldn't care less. When they're not at home screaming at each other, they're both on business trips across the country for work."

"Lucas, I'm sure they care." I insisted.

He shrugged.

"Well, there it is and now you know."

"Thank you. So we square now? No other skeletons in the closet?"

"We're square." He replied with a smile.

"Okay, well go get some sleep." I said gently pushing him out the door, "Tomorrow is a new day and djinn or no djinn we keep moving."

Lucas turned around looking at me seriously.

"We're going to find him, Ri." He nodded confidently.

I smiled weakly and closed the door as he left. I yawned heavily sitting on the bed fluffing up the various pillows and quickly laid down. Lucas always seemed to know how to comfort me, even in the slightest of ways. Ever since we had met, he's always had my back no questions asked. I don't know what changed, maybe opening up about my fear took down a wall that I had put up long ago. I wasn't sure exactly when, but all I knew now was that I cared for him on a deeper level. My mind was restless before, but just hearing from Lucas, just a simple conversation gave me the clarity I needed. I fell asleep moments later.

AN: Wow, it's been almost a week since my last update. Sorry about the delay, but here's the latest content hot off the presses. A nice "calm" before the adventure continues.

You readers rock! :D