Chapter 13
Riley was staring out the window, tapping her fingers on her legs, trying to fight off the nerves. She felt a pair of hands intertwine in hers. "You okay beautiful?"
The brunette smiled. "Yeah, I just am not a huge fan of flying. The ear popping, shaking, going a million miles per hour, being a million miles above the ground, all of it freaks me out."
Lucas grinned, knowing he needed to distract her. "So tell me about Winwood."
"It's one of the best contemporary dance schools in the country." The dancer tore her eyes away from the window and felt at ease when she saw his. "They choose 1 guy and 1 girl to intern with them and if you are one of those people you can pretty much do whatever you want in the dance world, including join their company if you want."
"What do you want to do in the dance world?"
"I'd love to work for a company that choreographs for dance teams, and drill teams. There's this one company called MA, Marching Auxilaries. They've worked with Disney, Miss USA pageants, the Florida capital one bowl, they're renowned. I'd love the opportunity to work with them." Her heart rate steadied.
"So you don't plan on going to college?" He questioned.
"If I get into Winwood then no, if I don't then yes and i'll major in dance. The auditions for Winwood are in March, so i'll apply to a few schools and accept an offer if the worst happens." Riley took a sip of water. "What about you? What are you going to do?"
"I hadn't thought about it. I always assumed i'd go back to Texas and work my father's ranch but that's out the window. I still love animals though, i've thought about being a vet before."
The brunette revealed her dimples. "Awe, Dr. Lucas."
"Yeah, I like the sound of that." He divulged.
"Thanks for coming with me. Everyone else is on a different flight."
"You're kidding right, you don't have to thank me. And yeah I know, I snagged the last seat on this one. Luckily the person sitting here didn't mind switching." He winked. "When is everyone else flying in?"
"Maya and Josh early tomorrow morning. My mom and dad are on the 4:25 I think. So we'll have to fend for ourselves for awhile. I should be able to check in as soon as we get there."
He raised his eyebrow. "You're telling me, we'll have a hotel room to ourselves for most of the day?" The plane shuddered causing Riley to clutch his wrist. "It's okay, just a little windy that's all."
"How much longer?"
"Ladies and gentleman we will be landing within the next 10 minutes. Please place everything in the upright position and fasten your seatbelts. Welcome to Los Angeles."
"Oh thank the Lord. I can do 10 minutes." The quarterback wanted to pry some more but decided to leave it alone, for now. The plane shook as it landed on the strip, the brunette was thrown forward, with the only thing stopping her being a piece of fabric that was buckled around her waist. Lucas' arm raised and pushed her back against the seat, the brunette turned her head to look at him and smiled.
"Ladies and Gentleman we have landed in the very beautiful Los Angeles, California. It is now 11:14 a.m. and it is 80 degrees with sunny skies. Please wait for the pilot to turn off the fasten seat belt sign before deboarding. Thank you for flying American Airlines, have a wonderful day." The intercom system clicked and the dancer was still clutching his hand.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"Of course, one of the many reasons i'm here is to protect you. Even if that means from flying out of your seat as we're landing." The fasten seatbelt light turned off and everyone on the plane hurried out of their seats. "Let's wait for everyone else to get off first." She nodded her head.
"Good idea."
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"Sheraton hotel please, Hope street." The taxi door slammed shut and the driver began the drive to their destination.
"Are you going to practice today?"
"Yes, i'll run it a few times. At this point for me, I can't overdo it, or overthink it, if I do i'll mess it up." She continued to look out the window.
"Where is the competition?"
"Staples Center. Oh my goodness, I didn't tell you a team from Africa is coming. Not to compete but they came last year and they were incredible. Super cool to watch." The green eyed man laughed and took her hand. "Even if I don't win this it will be a really cool thing for you to see." Her phone started to ring. "10 to 1 it's my father."
Hello?
Hey father, how are you?
You said you'd call when you landed, I got a notification that you landed 20 minutes ago.
I'm sorry we had to get off the plane, get our bags and get a taxi to the hotel.
Please be careful. You know what, pass the phone to Lucas.
Riley did as instructed and started laughing.
Hey Mr. Matthews.
That's my daughter.
Yes sir.
You keep her safe, LA is a dangerous city with mobs running around everywhere.
I will absolutely keep her safe sir.
Good. Also, we're glad you both are on the ground safely. We'll see you both tonight.
"What'd he say?"
"There are lots of mobs running around and I have to keep you safe." They both laughed and he kissed her forehead. "There may not be mobs running around here but i'll definitely keep you safe."
"You're here." Riley moved to pull out her wallet but Lucas moved faster and passed him some cash. He grabbed their bags and escorted her inside.
"Hi, Riley Matthews checking in." She pulled out her credit card and driver's license.
"Ah, here you are Ms. Matthews. Just sign this for me, it gives us the right to charge you for any damages to the room." She did as instructed and turned around with 2 keys in her hand.
"Room 606. Ready?" Her smile faded when she saw Britney.
"Ignore her." The quarterback tried to usher her away but he wasn't fast enough.
"RILEY! You weren't trying to sneak away were you?" Her voice was so fake, it sickened Riley.
"Actually I was, too bad it didn't work." She divulged. "What do you want?"
"I heard about your combination." The brunette's heart sped up. "10 into a triple into a calypso. Very impressive."
"Is there a point you're trying to make?" Lucas sighed. "If not, i'd like to drop off these bags."
"Hello, you again. Couldn't stay away from me?" Her eyes were trying to be seductive.
"No, you I can stay away from. Her," he gestured toward Riley, "I can't. Come on beautiful." He placed his hand on the brunette's back.
"I'm doing 11." Riley's eyes widened as she continued to walk away. The dancer kept her composure until the doors closed.
"SHE'S DOING 11!" She let her head land onto the walls surrounding her.
"It doesn't matter what she's doing. That's not the only part of your routine." His hand intertwined with hers.
"That's my favorite though." His jade eyes saw her gears working.
"No, Riles you are overthinking it, that's what she wants." The elevator dinged and she didn't speak until they entered the hotel room. "Don't change it, it's perfect." Riley clicked her tongue several times, ignoring what he was saying. Lucas dropped the bags and stood behind her. "How about a massage?" His lips touched her neck.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to keep you from overthinking it. You said so yourself, she has arrogance you have emotion. You're such a beautiful dancer, and I don't want you to worry." His hands slid down her side to the end of her shirt.
"I'll cash in on that massage." He nodded with a sexy smirk. Riley took off her shirt and laid on the bed. Lucas' jaw was hanging open, she didn't even know how sexy she was. He sat down beside her and began massaging her back. "So I shouldn't change it?"
The quarterback held her curves and kissed her back dimples. "No. You know what you should change?" The dancer moved rolled over to face him. "You should change out of these jeans, let me help." His lips made their way down her stomach.
"What happened to no distractions?"
"Like I said it comes and goes." He whispered while unbuttoning her jeans. Riley smiled and rolled on top of him.
"Not until I win." She divulged and kissed his lips while climbing off.
"That's my girl. All work and no play." His green eyes smiled while removing his shirt. "Not even a little play?"
"Not even a little play. I have this room to myself though, maybe you can come visit me after the competition." Her lips touched his again.
"I like the sound of that." He picked her up. "But, we can makeout for a little bit can't we? I haven't gotten you to myself in awhile." She glanced at his abs and bit her lip.
"You took off your shirt to try and persuade me, didn't you?" The quarterback revealed his dimples. "Unfair." Riley's soft lips pressed against his. "I love you." Lucas' lips pulled away from her.
"I love you too beautiful girl."
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Hello.
We're here. What room number is Riley?
606. We just got back up here, she ran through her routine a few times in one of the conference rooms.
Wonderful, just in time to go out to dinner.
Yes! I'm starved.
Thanks Lucas, we'll be there in 10 minutes.
"Riles!" The green eyed man threw himself off of the bed and sauntered towards the bathroom. "Hey beautiful, your parents-" He stopped himself and smiled, she looked so gorgeous.
"Yeah, my mom texted me about dinner once they landed. I'm almost ready." Her dress was gold and completely covered in sequins, the fabric stopped several inches above her knee and created half sleeves. The dancer walked out of the bathroom to get her heels, revealing a low back. "What are you staring at?"
"You look gorgeous. Wow." The quarterback sighed heavily and kissed her lips. "I mean, I haven't seen you like this in a long time. It's a huge shock."
"I'm going to ignore that last part. I just figured we're in LA, mine as well get dressed up a little bit. So, thank you baby."
"Hey, you called me baby." Lucas pronounced with a grin.
"Oh sorry, Lucas. Now get dressed, my dad will die of a heart attack if he sees your shirtless." Lucas dug through his bag. "Hell, I almost die when I see you shirtless."
"You know I love that you called me baby. You can do it more often if you'd like." She chuckled and snatched her purse off the table.
"If you're lucky." The jade eyed man stepped into his dress shoes and buttoned up his shirt after rolling up the sleeves.
"I don't have anything to look as good as you." The brunette clutched his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss.
"You always look good. You don't have to worry about that, when we finally do date starting in 2 days i'll have to fight the girls off of you." She giggled and moved to open the door.
"2 days?"
"Yeah, I perform tomorrow. Then go into finals tomorrow evening or Sunday morning, everything will be announced on Sunday." Riley opened the door and hugged her parents.
"YOU HAVE TO CHANGE!" Commanded Cory. "Dad law is going into effect."
"Honey, stop it." Topanga ran towards Lucas after kissing her daughter and hugged him. "Hey sweetheart, both of you kids look great."
"But, I envoked dad law!" Everyone ignored him.
"Thanks Mrs. Matthews, you look beautiful as well." Topanga's bottom lip came out.
"So sweet, you two ready?"
"Yes m'am." Lucas exclaimed. "Where are we going?"
Cory checked his watch. "Faith and Flower. It's a new restaurant, and pretty upscale so you're dressed perfectly Riles. Let's go." Lucas placed his hand on Riley's back and escorted her out of the room.
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"Then she says she's going to do 11." Riley took a sip of water.
"I told her not to change it." Lucas placed his arm on the back of her chair.
"I agree with Mr. Friar, besides the competition is tomorrow she may just be trying to psych you out." The dancer slowly nodded her head at her father. "Don't stress honey, this is going to be great. You're going to do great no matter what the outcome, you always do."
"Just don't watch her routine." The quarterback suggested.
"I don't. I don't watch any other soloists. That does nothing for me."
Cory glanced at the table. "You guys ready to go?"
"Sure, where?" Questioned Topanga.
"I figured we could just walk around the town a little bit. Staples center is just a few blocks away." The dancer nodded and entered the bustling streets of Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews stood back watching the kids from afar. "Are they dating?"
His wife laughed. "Hard to tell. I don't think so, knowing Riley she's waiting till after the competition." Riley and Lucas began swinging their intertwined hands. "But, that doesn't mean she doesn't like him."
"Boys. Ew."
"You know honey, you're a boy. Besides, you like Lucas. You couldn't find anyone better for her, look at them." Riley was watching her feet and his green eyes were staring right at her. "He really cares for her, he was there for her when she needed him. That's the way you look at me when you think i'm not paying attention." Cory smiled watching Mr. Friar spin Riley in circles.
"I guess so. Did we make a mistake letting him move in with us?"
Topanga's jaw dropped. "No, absolutely not. He's an amazing addition to the family, I love him."
"What if they break up?" Cory glanced at his wife.
"Then they'll hate each other just like normal brother and sisters." She mumbled.
Cory bit his cheek, "honey, you know he's not Auggie right?" Topanga's smile disappeared. "I'm not saying that to upset you I swear, i'm glad you are so happy, it makes me happy i'm just afraid you're getting confused."
"I know he's not Auggie. There's only one Auggie Matthews, just like there's only one Lucas Friar."
Riley stopped laughing for a second and looked at her hand wrapped up with Lucas'. "Do you think my dad is dying right now?" Lucas continued to stare at her with a smile on his face, day dreaming. "Day dreams are for alone time Mr. Friar."
"Sorry." He giggled and squeezed her hand.
"What were you day dreaming about?" The wind blew her hair, making her even more captivating.
"I'm still in awe of how incredible you look tonight. I love you in dresses." Her eyes glared. "I love you in everything else as well but your body was made for that dress."
"Thank you that was very sweet. Do you think my dad is freaking out?"
The green eyed man chuckled. "You're really worried about him. Uh, I think he likes me, secretly. Though he'd never outright admit it."
"KIDS CROSS THE STREET AND GO LEFT!" The family ran across the street and moved down the block of Figueroa.
"Whoa." Riley found herself staring at the huge Staples Center, the blue lights that shone brightly from the building almost hurt her eyes.
"Welcome to Staples Center kids. Our home for the next two days." Cory joked and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
Riley bit her lip and tried to contain a nervous smile. The butterflies in her stomach flew like crazy. "Go on honey." Topanga nudged the brunette forward and held Lucas back. "Give her a minute." The dancer stepped forward and put her hand on the handle of the arena door.
"What's she doing?" The quarterback looked at her mom.
"She's taking a second. I don't really know what happens when she takes those moments. But, I don't ask. It's become tradition." Topanga mumbled.
"Here we are again. This is extremely awkward with a bunch of people staring at me, so don't make me regret this, it's a tradition now." Her eyes moved to the sky. "Auggie you there?" A gust of wind blew, making the dancer smile. "Of course you are. Will you be there tomorrow?" A wave of tingles overwhelmed her body. "Good. You know, i'm done competing with others Auggie, it doesn't push me any harder. I'm going to start competing with myself, so tomorrow i'm going to go out there and be better than I was today. This win will be for you." Riley pulled her iPod out of the purse, plugged in her earphones and walked away.
"Now, she's gone for the night." Cory explained.
"What do you mean, she's gone?" Lucas' brows furrowed.
"She's in her own little world now, listening to her competition song. We call it Rileytown." Cory and Topanga held hands and followed the dancer back to the hotel, but they still sensed the confusion from the quarterback. "Rileytown is the place she goes where reality fades away, she's at ease and relaxed and she goes there before every competition." The light hit her hair just right bringing out the red undertones, the green eyed man's lip curved upwards.
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Riley woke up the next morning still listening to her solo song. The brunette curled her hair and put on her solo costume, she put on her coverups and snatched her bag off of the floor before she answered the knock on her door. The dancer smiled when she opened her door. Hillary; Maya, Josh, Cory, Topanga, and Lucas were in a small huddle. Hillary stepped forward, "You ready?" She nodded.
"There's one more thing to add to your outfit Riles." Her best friend pulled out a synthetic purple rose and placed it in her hair. "For CF, for Auggie." Riley closed her eyes slowly and touched the rose.
"We love you Riles, you're going to do amazing." The dancer smiled at Lucas and adjusted her bag.
"Ready for the bubble?" The brown eyed girl nodded and her family backed away. Hillary placed her hands on Riley's shoulders and gave her the same pep talk she'd given her, through every competition for the past 13 years. Besides the last one, since she didn't want to hear it. "You will not watch anyone else, you will not hear anyone else, you will focus on you, and you alone. Judges don't exist, competitors don't exist, you see these people?" Her coach pointed to her friends and family, Riley nodded. "They exist, you feel Auggie?" The brunette was caught off guard, that was new. Her eyes turned red as she nodded. "Do this for him, do this for you. These headphones come out as little as possible till your routine." Lucas took the bag away from Riley and she put her headphones in.
"Matthews, Friar, Hart family let's kick some ass." Hillary led the way downstairs and out the door where Britney was waiting to leave. The brunette kept her eyes on the floor, left her hands in her pockets and ignored her, even when her archnmesis tried to talk to her. "Good girl."
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Riley's dress: promgirl .com search for 'short gold sequin dress by ruby rox' it's the first one that pops up.