A/N: Sorry for the late post! I know I update on Friday, it's just been a crazy weekend. Glad you all enjoyed Joshaya!

SATURDAY

Riley stood in the doorway as Lucas smiled brightly. He held the rose out to her and she touched it to see if she was dreaming. As she grabbed the rose she jumped as a thorn stabbed her finger.

"Shit, you okay?" Lucas asked as Riley merely nodded.

"Riles?" He asked and Riley shook her head.

"Lucas?" Riley questioned.

"Can I come in?" Lucas asked and Riley pulled the door wide open.

Lucas walked in and Riley glanced down to her pajamas. She cursed herself for wearing her pajama set with rainbows and clouds with cloud slippers to match. She looked like a child and there was Lucas in her home.

"Um," Riley began and closed the door.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Lucas asked as he turned to her and grabbed her hand.

A small red mark was on her index finger and he rubbed it softly. She couldn't comprehend words and just let Lucas check her out. She wanted to know how he knew she was home, alone of all things but she just couldn't do it.

"Why are you here?" Riley asked as she could tell by Lucas's reaction it wasn't a good way to ask.

"I wanted to see you, I told you, I would be home soon," Lucas said.

"Yeah I know it's just … late," Riley said.

"I saw Maya's Instagram, I knew you would be awake. I could go if you want," Lucas said as she held her hand.

"No!" Riley exclaimed.

She looked past him at the time and saw it was well past midnight. She wasn't going to get any sleep if he disappeared on her again.

"It's just … is everything okay?" Riley asked.

"No," Lucas said and he pulled her towards the couch.

Riley tucked her legs underneath herself and sat next to Lucas on the couch. The Texan still had on his rugged jean jacket from high school and he leaned his head back onto the couch. He closed his eyes in exhaustion and Riley interlocked their fingers together. She followed his lead and leaned her head back. She stared at the ceiling and looked at where Maya had begun to sketch on the ceiling, it was the solar system, and Riley could see the scratches of pencil in the form of stars. Lucas sighed and then turned to Riley. She turned as well, and green melted into brown.

"Lucas, what is going on?" Riley whispered.

"Pappy Joe is sick," Lucas sighed.

Riley leaned up and her eyes watered at his news. After middle school, she had gone to Texas with Lucas and their friends every summer until their Freshman year of College. Their last trip was just the two of them, and Riley pretended that they were a married couple. Taking care of the farm together, sharing a room, helping Pappy Joe around town. It was a blissful time, a time that was remnant of a fairytale.

"What's wrong?" Riley whispered.

"Cancer," Lucas said numbly and he turned away from her.

She followed his gaze upon a painting Maya had done on the opposite wall. He squeezed her hand and she squeezed back to tell him she was there.

"Is that why you dropped out of school?" Riley asked.

Lucas let out a sigh and nodded.

"Is that the wisest choice?" Riley questioned.

"Neither of my parents can be there for him, I am an only child, I refuse to let him die … especially alone," Lucas gritted.

"Did they say it was terminal or-"

"He doesn't want the treatment, he said … if this is what God wants then let it be," Lucas said as he cracked at the last part.

Riley could see the tears stream down his face and she pulled his head onto her chest. As he sobbed in her arms, she whispered soothing sounds to him. She had never seen him break this way. Sure, she had seen the angry side, the funny side, even a sad side but a broken one? Never.

"Why doesn't he try?" Lucas asked although Riley knew he didn't want an answer.

"Pappy Joe has always seemed to know what's best for him. I know it may be hard to hear but … maybe it's what he truly wants?" Riley offered.

"I don't want him to be alone," Lucas sniffled.

"I understand but couldn't you take a leave of absence, not completely drop out?" Riley asked.

"What's the point? What is the point of going to college, if I can't save my most important people?" Lucas asked.

"Pappy Joe wouldn't want you to give up so close to the finish line," Riley pushed.

"He is," Lucas said bitterly.

Riley sighed and caressed the side of Lucas's head. She could hear the snippets of his temper through his words. She didn't want to argue with him but she didn't want to give up on him either. She had to swallow her pride and push for Lucas to finish school.

"He's not giving up, he's accepted his condition," Riley said.

"So am I," Lucas said.

"Luke," Riley sighed.

"I failed okay, that's part of the reason too," Lucas confessed.

"How?" Riley asked.

"As soon as he told me, it was like my world turned upside down, and for the last month, my mind has been on that. I basically flunked all my finals, even if I wanted to finish I'm behind now," Lucas said.

"Oh Lucas," Riley whispered.

She couldn't believe he had held this secret for a month and battled it alone. He didn't tell her or their friends. He was bottling it all up and now it was spilling over.

"Did you talk to your parents?" Riley asked.

"Yeah, they agree with his choices, and started arrangements, and that's it. No one is talking him out of it, and everyone is just accepting it. I can't, I refuse to," Lucas said angrily.

"What are you going to do?" Riley asked.

"I leave back to Texas tomorrow," Lucas said.

"So why did you even come here?" Riley asked incredulously.

Lucas lifted his head and their eyes connected once more. His nose nudges hers with a soft touch. His lips lightly brushed hers and she could feel her body light up at the action. His green eyes darken slightly and bore into her brown ones.

"For you,"

His voice was low and raspy but she could feel the intensity in his words. He leaned in and kissed her softly before applying pressure. Riley could feel herself slipping into the kiss as his hands snaked around her neck. He held her in place as they battled one another in the kiss. She could feel his fingers stroke her hair softly and she allowed herself to be swallowed completely into the kiss. He needed the distraction and she was more than willing to give it to him.

Riley groaned as the sunlight poked through the sheer curtains and on her face. She struggled to open her eyes and tried to move but she couldn't. She saw his arm snaked around her waist holding her in place and Riley knew Lucas was deep in sleep. She tried to pull his arm but he pulled her closer. He buried his face in her hair and sighed.

"Lucas it's morning," Riley whispered and she stroked his hand.

He groaned and grabbed her hand into his. He interlocked their fingers and squeezed her tightly against him.

"I know but … I'm not ready for it to be morning," Lucas mumbled.

He placed a kiss on her shoulder and Riley sighed. Although they spent half the night making out and the other in deep conversation, Riley knew nothing was fixed. As much as they could try to distract one another, reality found itself poking through the veil of their moment.

"Your flight?" Riley asked.

"I said tomorrow," Lucas whispered.

"Yeah, but it's-"

"It was well past midnight Riles, my flight is not till tomorrow, Sunday morning," Lucas whispered and Riley could feel his breath even out.

"Lucas wake up," Riley mumbled as she tried to raise his arms.

He tightened his grip and she yelped softly. He chuckled as she groaned and then he released her from his grip. She sat up and fluffed her hair out from its bedhead. She looked over her shoulder and saw Lucas staring at her sleepily but with a small smile.

"Thank you," He whispered and Riley placed her hand on his face and rubbed his stubble.

"You're welcome," Riley whispered back.

Riley was going to bring up Pappy Joe again when the house phone rang.

"Who is calling on that thing?" Riley questioned as she grabbed the cordless phone.

"Hello," Riley said, answering the phone but not looking at the caller id.

"So you are alive,"

Riley rolled her eyes as Maya's voice echoed on the phone.

"Good morning to you too Peaches," Riley sighed.

"I have been texting you for the past hour but no response, so I had to dig in my phone to find our house number, I'm surprised that it even works. What are you doing? Why aren't you answering me?" Maya rushed.

"Why? What's wrong?" Riley asked and Lucas sat up.

"Nothing wrong per say, I just wanted to grab brunch with everyone to celebrate before we scatter to our parts of the world," Maya said.

Riley rolled her eyes and leaned back on Lucas. Lucas trailed a finger from her neck down to her shoulder and hand. Riley stifled a giggle and settled for a sigh.

"That's it?" Riley asked.

"Well cranky pants, I thought you would be happier," Maya said.

"I am, I would love to get brunch it's just …" Riley trailed off.

Lucas buried his face in her neck and sighed.

"Let's go," Lucas whispered.

"I'll be there, um where are we going?" Riley asked as Lucas placed kisses on her neck.

"Cantina Rooftop, Zay and Charlie are going to swing by to get you," Maya said.

Riley jumped to her feet and Lucas groaned.

"I can get there on my own," Riley stammered.

"I know you can but Zay left a fresh change of clothes there," Maya said oblivious to Riley's mood.

"Fuck," Riley whispered.

"Riley Matthews, did you just curse?" Maya teased.

"No, not at all," Riley lied and Lucas smirked.

"It's just I am surprised that Zay and his boyfriend are coming here," Riley said and Lucas caught on to her mood.

"Hi Maya," Lucas yelled and Riley yelped.

"Wait, who was that?" Maya asked as her tone got serious.

"Lucas!" Riley scolded and Maya gasped.

"Wait Huckleberry is at our apartment? It's early …. Or did he never leave! Oh my God Riles!" Maya yelled.

"I can't do this right now, bye," Riley said and hung up the phone.

Lucas chuckled as Riley's face reddened. He stretched and got up to his feet. He easily towered over Riley and she bit her lip in annoyance.

"Ashamed of me?" Lucas asked.

"What! Of course not, I just wasn't sure if you were ready to see anyone and I didn't want Maya making assumptions," Riley grumbled.

"I can play the happy guy for a few hours, I already missed out on one brunch and besides … I want to spend time with you before I go," Lucas said and moved some hair out of her face.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead softly. They both heard a knock on the door and Riley groaned.

"Of course when Maya tells me Zay is on his way, she meant he was just a few minutes away," Riley groaned.

"I'll get it, I think I owe Zay an explanation and it gives you time to get ready," Lucas whispered.

"You're going to tell him?" Riley asked.

"No," Lucas sighed.

"I will tell him I'm leaving school and meet his mysterious boyfriend," Lucas said.

"It's not a big mystery," Riley teased.

"You know, don't you?" Lucas asked.

"Just get the door," Riley said as they heard knocking again.

Lucas walked around Riley and walked towards the door. He swung the door open and saw Zay with a grin that faltered at his sight. Charlie seized up at the sight of Lucas and Riley crossed her arms.

"Luke?" Zay asked.

"Gardner?" Lucas responded.

"Guess we need to catch up," Zay said.

"Definitely," Lucas said as Zay and Charlie walked in.

Zay glanced over to Riley who waved awkwardly to the two. Zay raised an eyebrow knowingly and Riley scurried out the room to avoid the questions. She just had to make it through brunch.

Riley gripped the menu tightly as everyone mumbled to one another. Lucas had chosen the seat next to her and she could feel Maya's eyes on her. Across from Riley sat Maya and Josh, who were next to Farkle and Isadora. On Riley's side of the table, next to Lucas was Zay and Charlie. For once she wasn't the odd woman out, but she could feel the eyes of her friends.

"Okay, I'll say it, where the hell did you go, Huckleberry?" Maya asked as she placed the menu down.

Riley gripped the menu tighter and stared at the words. They began to blur as she lost focus and could feel Lucas seize up. He grabbed his glass of water and took a long sip. Riley had heard him earlier tell Zay he was leaving school but he didn't give his childhood best friend a chance to speak. He quickly segued into Charlie and their relationship.

"I had to handle something," Lucas said.

"Why were you at our apartment so early, … or late?" Maya teased.

"You were at the girls?" Farkle asked.

Lucas coughed as Riley stared at the specials.

"Riles, stare any harder and you'll burn a hole into the menu," Maya teased.

"Riley let me spend the night Maya," Lucas said.

"I bet," Maya teased.

"Oh my god," Riley mumbled.

"Nothing looked out of place," Zay added and Riley glared at him.

"Et Tu Brutus?" Riley asked.

"We're just teasing Riles," Maya said.

Zay laughed and Lucas placed his hand on Riley's lower back to calm her.

"Is everything okay Lucas?" Farkle asked.

"It will be," Lucas said.

"You okay Bubbles?" Isadora asked as Riley merely nodded.

"Well as much as I don't believe that I do want to take a moment to thank you all for being here, and celebrating Maya and I's engagement. Although the eight of us haven't always been the eight of us, we are still a family," Josh said as he raised his glass of water.

"Here, here," Zay said and Maya smiled brightly.

"I agree with everything Boing has said but honestly thanks guys for last night, if I had known I would have been ... a little less of a sourpuss okay that's a lie but thank you! I was so surprised and extremely happy that you guys were part of it," Maya said and Riley could see the tears in her eyes.

"Of course Maya, any moment we would love to be a part of, it's all thanks to Josh who allowed us to be part of it," Farkle said.

Maya squeezed Josh's shoulder with love and then met everyone else's eyes.

"Thank you, I love you all, and hope isn't for suckers," Maya said as Riley smiled brightly.

The group clinked their water glasses together and Maya grinned.

"Let's get drunk!" Maya cheered as she waved the waiter over.

As Maya talked animatedly to the waiter about ordering their drinks, and some appetizers for the table. Lucas casually turned towards Riley and glanced over his shoulder. He glanced around but leaned down towards Riley.

"Thank you," Lucas whispered.

Riley casually flipped her hair and whispered back to him.

"For what?"

"Being there," Lucas whispered.

"You should tell them," Riley pushed and Lucas sighed.

He leaned closer and kissed her hair quickly but not quick enough.

"Oh hello there," Maya teased.

"Maya," Riley warned.

"Fine," Maya said with a gleam in her eyes.

"Oh Lucas you are not slick we can see the flirting a mile away," Isadora added.

Riley's mouth dropped open and Isadora laughed.

"You miss it, Smackle?" Lucas teased.

"You wish pretty boy," Farkle jokes.

Everyone laughed and Lucas placed his hand higher and wrapped it around Riley's shoulder. Maya raised an eyebrow at the two and Riley raised one back.

"You two seem extra chummy," Maya mused as the waiter came over with drinks.

"What are you up to short stack?" Lucas asked as he grabbed his much-needed beer.

"You tell me," Maya pushed.

Zay and Charlie had captivated Isadora and Farkle in a conversation. Leaving Maya to interrogate the two in front of her. Before she could say anything Josh had whispered something in her ear. She sighed dejectedly and sunk in her seat as Riley gave Josh a thankful look.

"You're lucky," Maya threatened.

"Lucky?" Lucas questioned.

"That I can't interrogate you and my best friend, or at least someone who I thought was my best friend, because best friends don't keep secrets," Maya said offhandedly.

"You're moving in with Josh, and I found out from truth or dare," Riley accused.

"Semantics?" Maya said.

"Kettle calling the pot what?" Lucas joked.

"I just want to know what's going on with you two, are you guys back together?" Maya asked outrightly and Riley froze.

She knew she wasn't back together with Lucas. However, she didn't want the Texan to burst her bubble just yet, the reality of those words would smack her back into reality that she was alone.

"Maya," Josh warned.

"Maya," Lucas started.

"Things are complicated right now, but know I would never hurt Riley okay?" Lucas offered.

Maya took a long sip of her champagne and smiled slyly. She looked over to Riley whose attention was perked but she kept her gaze on the table.

"You better not," Maya responded and Lucas nodded in agreement.

Before Maya could continue her tirade, Lucas's phone went off. Riley watched him glance at it and got up to his feet. He excused himself quickly and walked away as he answered the phone. Riley watched him and then felt Maya kick her underneath the table.

"Ow!" Riley groaned.

"Are you back together?" Maya rushed as Josh tried to calm down the blonde.

"Maya no," Riley sighed.

"How the hell not! He's all over you! He spent the night!" Maya exclaimed, getting quite loud.

"She's still my niece Maya," Josh groaned.

"We didn't sleep together," Riley said with an eye roll.

"Why not?" Zay said and Riley realized they caught the others' attention.

"You're on thin ice, Zay," Riley threatened.

"It's obvious something is going on," Farkle added.

"It is Riley," Charlie said.

"We're just friends," Riley said and glanced over to Lucas who was deep in a conversation and his face steely cold.

"Tell him that," Maya huffed.

"Maya he knows," Riley said but her gaze was not off the Texan.

"Do you?" Maya asked.

Before Riley could object Lucas had stalked over. He didn't sit and Riley searched his face for some answer.

"I have to go, I'm sorry, congrats you two, and you guys too," Lucas said as he looked at Maya then Farkle.

"Luke," Riley began.

"I'm sorry," Lucas apologized and took out his wallet.

"Huckleberry," Maya began but Lucas placed a few twenties where he was sitting.

"Lucas," Riley started.

He grabbed her hand, and they stared at one another.

"I wish we could have had more time," Lucas said and pulled his hand away.

He walked away from her in a flash and Riley could feel her heartbreak.

He was gone.