Chapter 6

Riley set down the empty plate and continued her new favorite past time of staring off into space. The brunette laid down but placed her head in his lap, and he instantly stroked her hair. "I know how you're feeling." A few minutes later she stood up and paced the room.

"How could you possibly know how i'm feeling?" It almost seemed like the brown eyed girl wanted to fight, Lucas rose from the ground. "You still have your little sister. You didn't see her suffer for years and years and then have your parents give up on her. You weren't told everyday that you have to be strong, be his rock, dry it up!" Riley stopped snapping for one second to cry and the quarterback interjected.

"You wanna see my little sister?" Lucas showed her his screensaver. "This was taken slightly over 2 years ago. The most recent, and the last picture there will ever be of her. I know exactly how you're feeling, you wanna punch something, and cry and scream. You go to bed praying to God that you won't wake up in the morning, just so you won't have to feel so awful. But you do, you wake up every day thinking how she could be gone and you still be here?" Riley stared into his eyes and saw the pain surface. "You're right, I didn't have to watch her suffer, but I had to live with the guilt that I was the driver." Lucas wiped his tear away.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know." The emerald eyed man shrugged his shoulders.

"I've made peace with it." Her chin shook.

"How? Do you have any pieces of advice? Because, I don't know-" She stopped and took several quick short breaths. "I don't know how much longer I can handle the pain." He was lost in her face, confused how someone who had cried for 3 days straight could still look so beautiful.

"For the first 2 months, I fought. I got mad and I gave in to my instinct of punching something. Not something, some people. Eventually I started relying on my mom, whenever i'd get angry i'd call her, when I wanted to cry i'd call her. She didn't always like it, but I did it anyways."

"I can't do that." Riley was still furious with her parents for signing that paperwork.

"You can rely on the people who love you. Me, Maya, Josh, your parents no matter how angry you are with them we all love you."

"They gave up on him so quickly!" Her hair dropped towards the floor.

"Riley, you're all they have left. Don't push them away your parents like you, couldn't stand seeing Auggie in pain anymore. He even said he was tired and ready." Her hands covered her face and she sobbed. "My dad pushed me away, he still can hardly stand the sight of me. So please, don't be mad at them. Don't take them for granted, they're amazing people." His arms opened up to her and she gratefully ran to them. "Rely on the people you love, that's the only advice I can give you."

"I'm sorry that happened to you." Her breathing like her voice was shaky, broken, and he kissed her head.

"I'm sorry this happened to you." The dance room door opened slightly revealing a pair of gorgeous blue eyes, Maya mouthed the words 'thank you'.

"I want some more strawberries." The dancer uttered, he chuckled lightly.

"That can be arranged." The blonde already left them alone to go get her snacks. The brunette sat down on the floor after releasing her hold on him.

"I read, that once you're cremated you can turn the ashes into a diamond." Lucas sat in front of her. "How expensive do you think that'd be?"

"Very."

"$5000 or less?"

He revealed his dimples. "I bet so." She dropped her head. "That'd be a nice way to always have him with you. That is, if he's being cremated."

"I don't know if I can dance though." He wiped the tears off of her cheek. "I can't do it."

"Don't worry about that right now. Right now you just-"

"Need to rely on the ones I love." The brunette interrupted, which Lucas was glad to hear. Just like she used to.

"And we love you very much." Maya, Josh, Cory and Topanga stepped into her sanctuary. Riley stood up fighting back the tears and anger she had towards her parents. "No matter how much you hate us right now, we can't lose another child. We can't lose you Riley."

She completely disregarded their statement. "Can they stay the night tonight?" The brunette mumbled.

"We have been." The quarterback rose beside her and smiled.

Maya cleared her throat. "I have a fun idea."

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"How you doin' in there honey?" The shower turned off and Riley stepped onto the mat, wrapping herself in a towel.

"Well, I feel cleaner. But, I can't take one alone. I could sit in there for hours." She exhaled and closed her eyes. "I miss him Maya." The blonde wrapped her short arms around her best friend. "I just want to get rid of some of this pain inside of me. My insides literally hurt."

"I can't even imagine. But, we're here, we all love you. And, I will sit in here with you while you shower everyday, until you can be alone." She chuckled and passed her some clothes. "No sweatpants, but the sweatshirt should be a nice filler. I'm gonna go check on the progress and i'll be back." The blue eyed girl left her alone in the bathroom. She hurriedly got dressed, ignoring the fact she had no idea where the sweatshirt came from. Riley put on face lotion and brushed her teeth, leaving her hair down to air dry. The bathroom door opened and she was across the hall from his room. Her dainty hand landed on the door, longing to open it and see his smiling face.

"I wouldn't." Lucas stood at the end of the hallway, he'd changed into his basketball shorts and a fitted t-shirt. "Not yet." He swallowed the lump. "You aren't going to find what you're wanting to see." Riley hated to admit he was right, and she realized he was going to be her biggest support system since he'd navigated these dangerous waters before. "Come on, we have something you might wanna see." His arm rose and she drug her feet towards him. "I like your sweatshirt." Her brown eyes glanced at the door one last time before she was pulled away.

"SURPRISE!" There were 2 huge air mattresses on the floor covered in an abundance of blankets. "Josh and Lucas moved your TV and DVD player in here so we can watch some of your favorite movies." Riley sauntered to the air mattress and laid down, she was so tired all the time. "All the Underworld's and of course Step Up. I put in the first Underworld for you." Lucas nonchalantly laid beside her on the air mattress.

"Hi." He whispered while gazing into her eyes.

"Hey."

"Once the lights go out you can lay on my chest." He revealed his seductive smile.

"You're really single?" He nodded and immediately her head landed on his muscular chest. "Thank you." Lucas smiled, she didn't need to thank him. He'd been wanting to hold her for a long time now.

Maya cleared her throat. "You know your father won't allow you to sleep like that, right?" All 3 of Riley's friends laughed, even if it was just a little, the blonde flipped the lights off and cuddled into Josh.

"Lucas?"

"Hmm?" He adjusted his chin to see her.

"When will I laugh again?" He kissed her head and lightly scratched her arm.

"When the time is right beautiful."

A few tears fell from her eyes. "You remind me of him." He closed his eyes trying not to cry, he had never been so flattered. "Please don't go anywhere, anytime soon." She wasn't quite sure why Lucas reminded her of Auggie, but for right now she didn't care. Riley clung to him, clung to the last piece of her brother she could, as if her life depended on it.

"I don't plan on it, and when i'm gone at school just hold onto that sweatshirt." She should've known.

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Riley woke up in the middle of the night crying, but quickly remembered there were other people sleeping and shut her mouth. She rolled on her side and saw Lucas, and her heart beat slowed to a steady pace. The visitation was tomorrow and the funeral the day after, she wasn't sure how she was going to get through it. "Bad dream?" His eyelids opened and even in the dark it was hard to miss his eyes. She shook her head and pictured it all over again, fighting the urge to sob. "It's okay to cry and be sad." He whispered.

"I don't know if i'll be able to stop if I willingly start." She rolled onto her stomach still staring at his beautiful eyes. "Will things go back to normal?"

He smirked but only slightly. "You'll eventually do the same things you did before but, if i'm being honest, you won't feel 'normal' again. For me, I just learned that she's in a better place and I picked up the pieces of what was left of myself." Her dainty hand reached for him and he intertwined their fingers.

She sniffled and her eyelids fluttered trying to stay silent. "I'm in a million pieces right now."

"It'll take awhile to pick them all up, but it'd be easier if you had some help." Riley knew he was flirting, but didn't really care. He offered her a comfort that no one else could, not even Maya or her parents.

"Are you going to the visitation?"

"Of course." He mumbled and rubbed her hand with his thumb.

"I don't know if I can." Riley's eyes filled with tears and she ran to her backyard. The brunette knew he was right behind her from past experiences, so she continued to talk. "The only reason I left him was because you and Josh pulled me off, and then I ran. I don't think I can see him again."

"You don't have to go up there to see him. I didn't with my sister, people understand."

"I don't give a damn what people think." She interrupted and turned around. "There was only one person who's opinion I cared about and I don't want to let him down."

"You could never let him down. He's still here, he's your angel. Remember? Just like Lily is mine, I feel her all the time. You remind me of her." She shook her head from left to right. "You're sweet and honest. Beautiful and smart. You don't put up with my bull shit, she was only 12 when she passed away but, I never could step out of line."

"You remind me of Auggie, you're sweet and funny. Handsome and smart, and you put up with my bull shit." He smiled and hugged her. "Plus, you follow me around everywhere like he did, especially when i'm upset."

"Riley, I won't leave until you're ready. Okay? I'll sleep on the mattress next to you, or on the couch. If your parents kick me out, well let's hope they don't do that." He laughed lightly, Riley couldn't. She felt like laughing or smiling at a time like this would be a disgrace to his name.

"I don't know what happens now."

"Neither do I." He continued to hold her in the still of the night. Occasionally she'd cry but other than that, it was silent.

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"RILEY?" Maya ran out of the garage and saw her bestfriend and Lucas sleeping in the grass. Her shout roused them both, and the blonde snuck back inside, leaving them alone.

"Hey beautiful." She rolled into his chest, hoping to escape the sunlight.

"It's not today is it?" He closed his eyes and gently scratched her back.

"Unfortunately." Lucas truly enjoyed last night, and now he finally understood why he felt such a strong pull towards Riley since the day he met her. Lily. "Come on, let's lay you back down inside, where it's darker."

"I'm too tired to move. Is that normal?"

"More than normal. I'll carry you." He scooped her up off of the grass and she tucked her head into his neck. The jade eyed man opened the door and gently placed her on the air mattress, and as usual she was staring off into space. "Do you want me to pick you up? Or do you want me to meet you there?"

"Wait, where are you going?" The quarterback wanted to say school but after he saw the look of fear in her eyes, he couldn't leave her. He didn't want to anyways.

"Nowhere." Luckily Lucas packed some clothes on Sunday night, since he was not really sure how long he'd be here. "You hungry?"

"No." She whispered.

"You have to eat. Besides the full package of strawberries you ate last night." Maya and Josh got cozy on the other air matress so after inching backwards, she raised the comforter.

"Please?" He didn't hesitate and climbed in next to her.

"You don't have to ask, ever." The brunette quickly fell asleep on his chest.

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Riley stood in the line of family that was greeting guests, but instead of greeting she just stood there and fidgeted with her pearls. Occasionally turning around to ensure Lucas hadn't left her, and he never did. He'd hold a small smirk every time she moved to check on him. This was the first time she'd been out in public since that devastating day and somehow it made it easier to not burst out into tears every second. "Go on honey, you don't have to stand here." The brunette nodded and sunk into Lucas' lap.

"Why is everyone smiling?" Her brown eyes gazed across the room. "This isn't a happy gathering."

"Personally I hated it too. But, death can sometimes be a celebration." A flashback of Auggie saying that entered her mind. "He isn't in pain anymore, he's watching over you at all times, and he's in a better place." Riley released a small smirk. "There it is, it's been awhile." She automatically felt a wave of guilt. "Don't feel bad for smiling, knowing Auggie he wouldn't want you to stop living life."

"I just have to learn how to keep living."

"Yeah." Lucas whispered. "That's not too hard." He snickered and kissed her hand.

"Lucas, peaches." Maya hugged her best friend with Josh by her side. "How you feelin'?"

"It's a little easier now that i'm surrounded by a ton of people."

Josh cleared his throat. "Well, maybe soon we can all go out for dinner or to a movie. Distractions might help."

"Maybe." The dancer mumbled.

"It could be a double date." Riley immediately stood up at Josh's statement, and Lucas' smile disappeared.

"Peaches what's wrong?" The brunette hurriedly walked out to the parking lot, and she wasn't alone as usual, but she needed some air. "Riley?"

"Well, well, well. Hello Maya." Aiden exited his truck and slammed the door shut. "Long time no see."

"Not my fault." She snapped. "What the hell are you doing here? How did you know where we'd be?" Josh manuevered himself in front of her, but just slightly so she could still talk. Lucas saw one of Aiden's friends get out of the passengers seat and immediately grabbed Riley to protect her.

"I heard through the grapevine about that little punks passing, I figured you'd be here. I really just wanted to talk to you about that random text you sent the other day." Lucas jumped forward at the words 'little punk', but the look on Riley's face stopped him.

"There's nothing to talk about, you cheated I broke up with you, now i'm with Josh. And, this isn't the time or place." Riley placed her hand on Lucas' waist.

"I see that. Hello Josh, how long did it take for you two to get together?"

"1 minute after that text, more or less." She snapped. "More on the less side." Josh smirked remembering that night.

"Look Aiden, our family has taken a serious hit this week. Let's go our seperate ways and let bygons be bygons, clearly you're drunk and so is your friend." Josh was always level headed, he could fight but avoided it at all costs. "We're going to go back inside now and i'm hoping you'll head back to Merritime."

Aiden's laugh was menacing as he took a few steps forward. "I don't think so. This bitch thinks she can break up with me through a text message?"

"Don't talk about her like that man. I'm serious. Last chance, walk away." Riley and Maya both trembled, why now? Why today? Why at all?

"Or what?" His hand reached out for Josh's chest and pushed him. "Or you'll what Matthews?" Aiden's friend sauntered towards Lucas, and Riley saw his knuckles turning white. Josh gently pushed his girlfriend backwards to keep her out of harms way.

"Aiden, I gave you 2 chances."

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