A/N: Hey, guys! Thanks to those who last reviewed and favorited this story. So proud of myself. Took me less than a month to update (lol). Your kind words and continued support is a true motivator for me so thanks a million! Without further ado, here's the latest chapter. It's not as long, but I had to get through this part to move further along into the story. Enjoy.

CHAPTER NINE

"So is it true?"

Lucas looked up from his Geometry textbook. Class was about to end as students slowly began to pack up, ignoring the teacher's final words in the lesson. "Is what true?"

Thor threw his messenger bag over his shoulder. "What everyone's saying." Lucas knitted his brows together, waiting for him to elaborate. "Rumor has it that you're back on the baseball team to play in the Championship game."

Lucas quietly chuckled at the thought. "Uh no. I won't be playing until next season."

"I heard it from Coach himself." His teammate, Dave who plays shortstop said next to him. "You're in, man."

Lucas gave a confused look and opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the sound of the bell, signaling that second period has ended. Students rushed out from the classrooms and scattered the hallways. Lucas walked through the rift of students and eventually found himself in the library during break period. They were nearing the end of the school year, which also meant finals were around the corner. It was expectantly full of anxious students cramming restlessly for finals week. He walked in further past the computer lab and up the stairs to the second floor, scanning a familiar face until he caught sight of Zay and Farkle at a corner table near the tutor center.

"Hey, guys." Lucas took his seat between the two of them, ignoring the stares and the giggles from his female classmates as he walked by. He looked over at Zay who stopped scribbling down notes and leaned back on his chair, shaking his head at him. "What?"

"All you have to do is sit there and look pretty, man." He remarked with a glare, gesturing over to a group of girls staring at their direction. "You don't even have to try. Girls just line up for you."

Zay continued his rant as Lucas idly gazed around the room. He was about to make a witty retort when someone from across the room caught his eye. She was sitting down a few tables away, chewing on her bottom lip—her brown eyes fixed on a novel she had lost her mind in. He found himself staring at her out in the open, trying not to be obvious about it. His palms began to sweat as he gingerly opened his notebook.

"Hey." Farkle broke him out of his trance, nudging his shoulder. Lucas jerked back, unaware. "Are you alright?" His voice had snapped Lucas out of his reverie. He rapidly blinked for a moment, and then came back to reality.

"Huh? Yeah." He murmured rather unconvincingly, absently twirling his pen between his fingers while trying to read his Biology notes. Farkle and Zay exchanged matching grins, realizing the reason for his odd behavior as they peeked at her direction.

"So…have you asked her to the dance yet?" Farkle could not resist asking the question that had bugged him since this morning. With the annual end of the Summer dance fast approaching, everyone seemed to be excited about it as the endless chatter of dresses and dates filled the school.

Lucas melodramatically fell back onto the chair and groaned inwardly. "How do I ask her to the dance?"

"How about, 'Riley, will you go to the dance with me?'" Zay suggested, his tone hinting slight sarcasm. Lucas sat up and glared at him.

He was not known for being an awkward guy. In fact, Lucas had a reputation for being quite the ladies' man—always getting the attention of girls with his dashing good looks and athletic abilities. It's not like he never asked a girl out before. He had dated girls in the past, took them out to see a movie and accompanied them to school dances. There wasn't much effort on his part. Girls did most of the asking. He was a smooth talker, he hardly ever had a problem picking out the right words. But with Riley, it was different.

"You better ask her or someone else will." Maya joined their table just moments later. He tried not to think about it, but the very thought of another boy asking her unsettled him.

"If you don't ask her then I will." Thor joked playfully as he grabbed a chair nearby and sat down between Lucas and Farkle. An uneasy silence filled the air for a few moments as the core four eyed him suspiciously. "What? She's quite a catch." He then turned to Lucas and whispered. "By the way, I was only kidding about the asking her part."

Zay's eyes furrowed and he gave Thor a puzzled look. "So…are we like supposed to be your friend again? Because I'm confused as to why you're sitting with us." He turned to Lucas questionably.

"It's okay, guys." He said, nodding reassuringly as he looked from Zay to Farkle, and then at Maya. "We're…we're okay."

Maya scoffed. "Well, I still don't like you." She retorted as Thor simply shrugged it off and flashed her a crooked smile.

A whole minute passed as a heavy silence fell upon them once more. Lucas swallowed hard as his nerves picked up again. The group eventually breaks into conversation, talking about the Baseball State Championship and Lucas being back on the team, which apparently the whole school knows about, but him. Lucas proceeded to tune them out, mentally reminding himself to talk to Mr. Matthews regarding the matter.

"Dude, why haven't you moved yet?" There was amusement in Thor's voice as it pulled Lucas from his thoughts. "Go ask her. She likes you."

"What makes you—"

"She likes you." Thor clarified with a knowing look.

Lucas bit the inside of his lip and felt a very nauseous feeling rise in his stomach.

"What's the harm in trying?" Maya asked, sensing his distress. "The worse she can say is no."

"Yeah, and you'd still have half of the girls in the school to choose from." Zay added bitterly.

Except there was no one else he would want to go to the dance with.

"Oh what the hell." Lucas stood up abruptly, his courage found finally after a whole week of contemplating as he grabbed his belongings and forged ahead. He knew that he must seem calm on the outside, but his mind was racing, and so was his heartbeat. His hands were sweating more than ever as he clenched his fists and unclenched them, making an indirect route to her table until he finally stopped behind the seat in front of her.

"Hey." He breathed nervously. Lucas felt his heart skipped a beat or two when she looked up and smiled brightly at him.

"Hi, Lucas."

"Um…may I sit here?"

She blinked after a few seconds and replied quietly. "Yes. Yes of course."

He sat down across from her as they fell into a comfortable silence with only the sounds of pages turning and chairs squeaking with their occupants' shifting.

"What are you reading?" He asked, genuinely curious and happy to have time to speak to her.

"Me before You." She replied enthusiastically as she showed him the book cover.

"Sounds…romantic."

She closed the book, marking her spot between the pages with a pen. "It's tragic really. I read it like three times, hoping for a different and happier ending." Lucas raised a curious brow. Riley tensed up a bit and blushed in embarrassment as his green eyes focused on her. "You must think I'm weird."

His smile crossed his face before he could stop himself. "Not at all."

Lucas felt like he was flying just talking to her. It has become one of his favorite feelings in the world. Once he got pass the initial awkwardness, the conversation flowed seamlessly. They talked about the upcoming finals week, her favorite novels, little league baseball, and their plans for summer break. Then after a few moments of silence, Lucas watched her pull out her Physiology textbook and flipped through the pages while occasionally writing down notes.

Then he remembered why he was there in the first place as he frantically rehearsed in his head on how to broach the subject. "So…are you going to the dance?" He asked softly, his heart thumping wildly in his chest.

Riley shrugged. "I don't know. I guess if someone ask me."

He took a deep breath and readied himself for either answer, and promised that if she rejected him he wouldn't react.

"Will you go to the dance with me?"

His reply had been instantaneous and right to the point as he tried not to cringe under her disbelieving stare. He felt more self-conscious than he'd ever felt before in his entire life. His heart started to beat faster and faster with each passing moment. What was she going to say? Yes? No? His mind raced, and he was sure that he was going to have a heart attack if she didn't answer soon.

"Y-you're asking me to the dance?" She mumbled faintly, blushing nearly as deeply as he was.

He swallowed and his heart was sinking fast. She was going to reject him. He was sure she was going to say no, and he was never going to be able to look at her again. "Yes, I am."

Lucas stiffened as Riley opened her mouth again, and he was clutching the sides of his chair so tightly his knuckles turned white. The dread was already settling in his stomach as he agonized through five more excruciating seconds.

"I'd love to."

Riley rushed back home from school with a flurry of excitement. The absolute glee on her face and her carefree posture made it feel like her heart was soaring high in the clouds.

She was going to the dance.

And she was going with Lucas Friar.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. At least not how she imagined her high school life would be. Riley tried to tell herself she wasn't exactly Lucas' type. She wasn't the type of girl guys like him would notice. She was just…Riley. Because really, why would a handsome and most popular guy in school go after a clumsy, over-the-top, average nobody like her?

Riley shook her head vigorously, trying to expel such thoughts. She had no idea when it had started, or how it began. Sure, he was quite a vision to look at, but she didn't expect to enjoy talking to him. He made her smile, laugh, and even just feel good about herself. But the one thing that the girl with long, brunette locks couldn't deny was that she was falling for him.

Riley was still beaming joyously by the time she arrived at the doorstep that led to the apartment. A few quiet murmurs could be heard from behind the door as she opened it and stepped inside.

A completely unpleasant silence filled the room. The kind of silence that her well-trained instinct tells her something was wrong. Her parents, her brother Auggie and her Uncle Josh were all in the living room, facing each other as they turned to look at her as she entered. Suddenly her excitement from earlier had dissipated, and anxiety coursed right through her when she noticed their somber expressions.

What's going on?"

"Honey, come sit down. We have something to discuss with you." There was a mixture of restrained anger and sadness in her mother's voice as she patted the empty seat on the couch beside her.

"What is it?" Riley asked as she slumped down onto the couch, seeing the look of disbelief on her mother's face.

"There was a School Board meeting today." Her father began, reaching over to grab his wife's hand. Riley shifted her eyes to their joined hands and watched as her mother gave his a squeeze. She looked up and frowned as a pained expression began to dawn upon his face. "There were parents who shared their concerns about how I run things at the school. Particularly, the disciplinary action I imposed on one of the students." Riley simply nodded, her silence prompting him to continue. "I have always taught you and your brother to stand up to what you believe is right even if faced with opposition."

"I know..." Her mind was still wrapping around his words, trying to understanding the meaning of all this. "What are you saying, Dad?" Riley's breath hitched and worry flooded her voice.

"I was let go, Riley. I am no longer the Dean at the school."

To be continued…

A/N: Let me know what you guys think! Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more.