Chapter 14
"So, since they're in a seperate cab what happens now?" Lucas asked.
"As the leading expert in dance competitions, i'll tackle that question." Everyone laughed at Mrs. Matthews. "Riley performs in 2 hours, she'll perform and they'll announce the finalists or semi finalists around 5. Last year they went straight into finals. So anyways, that usually is 10-15 people, but this is Nationals so it could be a pretty high number. Hillary said there is somewhere around 500 plus soloists this year. Anyways after they announce the finalists they'll be scheduled to perform them again, more than likely late tonight or early tomorrow."
"Does Riley know what you planned?" Maya questioned.
"No, not yet. She never asked, do y'all have everything?" The blonde unzipped a bag to answer Lucas' question. "We'll put on the shirts right before she goes on."
"Here you are." Cory passed the driver some money and everyone slid out.
Hillary gestured for them to follow. "We have to check in, stay close, it's busy." The family followed Riley and her coach to a table. "Riley Matthews, solo competitor checking in."
"Wonderful, thank you. Follow me, and i'll lead you to where you want to go." Everyone followed a short, petite woman to the arena. "Alright, this is where you'll be dancing." Riley glanced the arena and hastily looked back down towards the floor, 'competitors don't exist'. Lucas was shocked at how much stuff was going on. The amount of people, vendors, dancers was astounding. He wasn't sure what to expect, but it was not this. "Follow me this way." They were led to a large room with a stereo and lots of girls, looking extremely anxious. "This is solo room number 1, right next door is solo room number 2. Pick one, get comfy and be on the floor and ready 10 minutes before your routine. Good luck." Riley sauntered into the room and found the emptiest corner she could find.
"Riley, stretch." Hillary sat beside her, and everyone followed her lead. "Alright you guys. How was she last night?"
"Great." Topanga replied. "She was happy, twirling around with this guy. We came here and she went to Rileytown on her way back to the room." Riley slid into her splits and played with her iPod. "Are you okay Hillary?"
"I am. I don't know why i'm so nervous though, i've been here with her a million times it seems." Her coach glanced at her student. "She's never done something with emotion like this before so I guess i'm worried if she'll make it through the routine once her adrenaline gets pumping."
"She'll be great. She always is." Lucas responded with confidence and his sexy smirk.
"Yeah." Josh smiled. "She's won this before, 3 times actually. She can do it again."
"Things were different before." Everyone knew what she meant.
"He's still her motivation." The quarterback replied while Hillary checked her watch.
"1 hour." Lucas traced Riley's face and smiled. The brunette laid on her stomach in the straddle position and moved her eyes to look at him. She hadn't said a word to him all morning, and he missed her. His lips mouthed the words 'I love you'. A small smile approached her face and she winked, and was startled by a set of fingers snapping. "Riles, 20 minutes and we run it." The coach turned her attention back to her family. "I'm going to go scout a secluded area. I'll be back."
"Is she okay?" Riley removed her headphones and smiled, continuing to stretch.
"Are you supposed to take those out?" The green eyed man asked.
"She said as little as possible, but I have to let you all help me. I have to rely on the ones I love and the ones who love me. Right?" The dancer smiled. "Just know that I love you guys and I can't wait to see what you have planned."
"We love you too Riles." Her family mumbled.
"RILEY!"
"Oh crap." Hillary trudged towards her.
"Headphones stay in." The brunette put them back in. "Let's run it. I found a spot." Riley sauntered away and waved bye to her friends and family.
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"Good Riles, you look good." The dancer smiled and hugged Hillary. "This is your last competition with me."
"Yeah." She whispered.
"You're very talented Riles, i'm so proud of you. No matter what the outcome of today is."
"Thanks Hill." The coach escorted her back to the solo room.
"Alright you guys. We're heading out. Riley headphones out, cover ups off." Her family rose up from the hardwood while the dancer took off her pants and jacket. Lucas' heart fluttered, she looked gorgeous. Her skirt was pleated with a high waist, the top showed a little bit of her middrift with eggplant roses attached on the top.
"I went with purple." The brown eyed girl pinned the purple rose into her long curled hair and put on bright red lipstick. "Let's do this." Her army escorted her to the floor entrance, they could see Britney performing and Lucas immediately stood in front of the brunette. "Thank you." She whispered.
"Maya can you pull everything out please?" The butterflies in Riley's stomach were overwhelming, she kept picturing Auggie in her mind and a flood of relief erased the nerves. She knew it was her brother, he was there watching over her.
"Hey Aug." The dancer whispered. "I love you bubba." Her eyes opened and she saw the purple shirts, her chin started to tremble as she read the front of Lucas' shirt.
The bravest hero I ever knew, now watches over me everyday. Riley's dainty hand covered her mouth. The green eyed man spun around for her to see the back. Auggie's Army. Cystic Fibrosis Awareness.
Her tears were forced back by motivation. "I love them." Her arms wrapped around Lucas' neck.
"It wasn't me. Josh made them." Riley made her rounds, hugging everyone and just in time because Britney's music went off. "For Auggie." Her family and friends left the tunnel and walked to the back of the arena, straight across from the judges.
"UP NEXT IS RILEY MATTHEWS, FROM SPIRIT OF DANCE ACADEMY IN FLORIDA. MS. MATTHEWS TOOK HOME FIRST PLACE LAST YEAR IN THE SOLO COMPETITION." Riley sauntered to the middle of the floor, she saw her family working on something to her right but decided to stay focused. "SHE'D LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS ROUTINE TO HER BROTHER AUGUST MATTHEWS WHO PASSED AWAY A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO. HER COACH WOULD ALSO LIKE FOR YOU TO KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO DONATE TO THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION THERE ARE SPONSORS BY THE EXIT. WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, MS. RILEY MATTHEWS, YOUR MUSIC IS ON."
Riley took a deep breath and faced the back. Her brown eyes saw the picture that Topanga took right before he passed away. She was laying on his hospital bed with her arm around him, Auggie held a small smile. Her eyes locked on Lucas' to calm her down, to stop her from crying.
525,600 minutes. Riley stepped out and reached with her right hand.
525,000 moments so dear. She clutched her heart while doing a half turn to the front.
525,600 minutes.
How do you measure? Measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets. The dancer X jumped.
In midnights, in cups of coffee. She stag jumped.
In inches, in miles. Her legs went out in a jete.
In laughter, in strife. Lastly, she did a switch russian.
In 525,600 minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life? She prepped for her alesecondes, and Hillary clutched onto Maya's arm.
How about love? How about love? How about love?
Measure, in love. Riley performed a triple pirouette and did a calypso out. The audience exploded.
Seasons of love. Her hands ran through her hair and a few tears fell out.
Seasons of love.
525,600 minutes. Her leg slowly rose by her head as she spun.
525,000 journeys to plan.
525,600 minutes. How do you measure the life of a woman or man?
In truths that she learned? The brunette started her pique box.
Or in times that he cried?
In bridges he burned?
Or the way that she died? Riley cried again as she moved across the floor.
It's time now
To sing out
Though the story never ends. Hillary watched her high chaine, low chaine and throw a left double axle.
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends. Lucas' heart was so full, he was so proud of her. He could see she was crying and wanted to hold her tight.
Remember the love. Oh, you've got to, you've got to remember the love.
Remember the love. Oh, you know that love is a gift from above.
Remember the love. Share love, give love, spread love. Riley stood in the center of the floor with her arms open wide. Her right hand moved towards the ceiling, towards Auggie.
Measure in love. Measure, measure your life in love. Her open hand turned to a fist, her tears freely fell as she sunk to the ground.
Seasons of love.
Seasons of love. The brunette sat in the center of the floor with her hands on her heart, sobbing in silence. Lucas saw the judges and some of the audience wiping their tears. The quarterback lifted his hands and clapped, the rest of Riley's group followed. Soon the whole crowd was shouting, crying, clapping and cheering. Topanga nudged Lucas to go get her crying daughter off the floor.
"Riley?" He kneeled beside her and placed his large hand on her back. The dancer stood up at his touch and wrapped her arms around the green eyed man's neck. "That was beautiful, you were perfect." He carried her towards the picture and her hand touched Auggie's face. Riley's whole family was crying quietly, Maya looked out towards the audience and smiled.
"THAT WAS RILEY MATTHEWS FROM SPIRIT OF DANCE ACADEMY. AGAIN, IF YOU'D LIKE TO DONATE PLEASE SEE THE 2 WOMEN WEARING PURPLE SHIRTS AT THE DOUBLE DOORS." A flood of people stood up and moved towards the double doors while Riley's army escorted her out through the tunnel.
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"COME HERE!" Hillary hugged her dancer. "You were amazing, do you know that?" The brunette was still sobbing, but had a smile on her face. "That was perfect."
"Really beautiful honey, your mother and I are so proud of you." Mr. Matthews mumbled.
"And!" Exclaimed Topanga. "There were a ton of people walking to the double doors. Fingers crossed."
Josh and Maya gave her a group hug and when the dancer opened her eyes she saw the picture. After she was released from their grasp, the brown eyed girl sat in front of the canvas and sniffled. Again, the green eyed man was nudged by her mother, he sat beside her and she instantly laid her head on his shoulder, continuing to stare at her little brother. "He'd be so proud of you." He heard her take a few quick breaths before she let a few more tears fall.
"Hopefully I did good enough to stand out." His lips touched her temple.
"If you had seen the look on the judges and the audience faces, then you wouldn't have to worry about that. There's no way you won't make it into finals, and if I can be so bold there's no way you won't win." Topanga smiled at her husband, touched by Lucas' words.
"I love you." Her fathers eyes widened at her words, just like Lucas'. She plain as day said it, in front of everyone.
"I love you too beautiful girl." Mrs. Matthews glanced at her husband with her bottom lip out, the moment was so sweet and raw.
"I just said that, in front of everyone. Didn't I?" The quarterback chuckled lightly.
"You sure did." The brunette leaned forward and touched Auggie's face.
"How upset do you think my dad is?" Cory smiled towards the ground.
"I'm pretty sure he can hear you. But, would you like for me to ask him?" There was no answer. "Hey Mr. Matthews?"
"Yes Mr. Friar?"
Lucas rose off the ground. "How upset and, or mad are you?"Cory sauntered towards his daughter and sat beside her.
"I'm not mad. I'm very happy for you honey." His daughter began to hug him. "You've been through a lot this year, you deserve love. I would have preferred it if you got it from us, but Lucas is definitely the next best choice." Riley lightly laughed and opened her eyes to see Lucas, trying to hide his rosy cheeks.
Hillary cleared her throat. "Sorry to break up this moment but, I recommend Riley eat something before they announce the finalists in 3 hours." The brunette stood up. "Something light, salmon preferably."
"We can take her!" Maya announced. Hillary raised an eyebrow. "We'll have her back in 2 hours. Swear, everyone set your phone alarm. Peaches get dressed." The dancer threw on her cover ups and stood beside her best friend.
"Please Hillary!" Her big brown eyes were pleading.
"Go!" Josh and Maya led the way out of the soloist room, and out of the Staples Center.
"Riles, that was beautiful. Seriously, your absolute best solo ever!"
"Thanks Maya!" The brunette glanced at their shirts. "Did you happen to order one for me?"
Josh scoffed. "Of course we did. Lucas paid for them to be made, everything was his idea we just helped. You should uh, thank him." He winked and took his girlfriends hand who was a few feet ahead of them.
"That was subtle." Lucas joked.
"It was your idea?" Riley questioned. "All of it?" Her hand ran down his arm and intertwined their fingers.
"Yeah." His lips touched the top of her head.
"Thank you. For, everything you've done for me. I don't really know where to start but, just overall a huge thank you is in order." The quarterback opened the door for her, but not before kissing her lips.
"You don't have to thank me."
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Riley was clutching onto Hillary's arm, with her family and friends behind her. It was 5 o'clock and time for the finalist results. "Don't stress out okay, and remember the names aren't in any particular order."
"Okay." Maya held Josh's hand, and then Lucas', until everyone was grasping onto one another.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN IF I COULD PLEASE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. THERE ARE 30 CONTESTANTS MOVING INTO THE SOLO COMPETITION TOMORROW MORNING. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THESE NAMES ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER."
The brunette closed her eyes and bit the inside of her cheek. Hillary smiled, "I'm pretty sure they're going in alphabetical order." Her eyes remained shut, ignoring every name besides her own.
"BRITNEY FREDRICK!"
The dancer smiled at Maya's sigh of disgust. Her stomach was flipping and her legs felt like they were going to give out.
"RILEY MATTHEWS!" Riley hugged Hillary and was scooped up into Lucas' arms. The brunette couldn't stop her smile, seeing everyone so happy for her.
"COACHES PLEASE COME GET A TIME SLOT." Hillary ran down the steps and jogged to the judge's table, with Cory and Topanga right on her heels.
"I'm so proud of you!" The jade eyed man swung her around in circles.
"Congratulations Riley! It seems as if someone underestimated you." Riley's eyes stared at the ground, 'no competitors'.
"Leave Britney. Don't ruin the moment." Maya demanded.
"I can't wait to see your routine, I didn't have time to see it today. I hear it's one of a kind." Britney raised her eyebrows while sauntering away, and her blue eyed best friend turned to her boyfriend.
"Was that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Yes." The brunette answered. "She's trying to make me cocky, arrogant. Like her."
"Alright kiddos. Riley, you dance tomorrow morning at 8 a.m." Riley hated that but, nodded her head in silence. "Go back to the hotel, relax, order in some dinner. I'll even allow you to have friends, but 9 o'clock they all need to leave. Got it?" Lucas picked up his love and placed her on his back.
"Then, we gots to go!" Maya exclaimed. The adults watched all of the kids leave and go back to the hotel.
"Good news you two." Hillary mumbled. "There's new judges for the solo competitors tomorrow, if she stays focused she can win."
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Riley stepped out of the shower and hurriedly got dressed to spend time with her friends. The door opened while she was towel drying her long locks. "Hey guys, i'm not super hungry right now-" The brunette moved her head from left to right, only finding Lucas. "Where is everyone?"
"I don't know, I wasn't paying that close of attention." He laughed and patted on the empty space beside him. "Kidding, they went to their room for a moment." The brunette crawled onto the bed and smiled. "Which, is fine with me. Means I get you to myself." His strong hands lifted her up and on top of him. The dancer smiled and leaned in for a kiss. "What's wrong beautiful?"
"What do you mean?"
"You kissed me weird and now you have your thinking eyes on. Talk to me." The brown eyed girl giggled and laid down.
"Can we just be together? Officially? Please?" Lucas' soft lips crashed onto hers.
"You have no idea how much I want to be." Her body tingled. "But you have to stay focused on the finals and on Auggie. As soon as the dance is done tomorrow you won't have to ask, we're together, i'll scream it from the rooftops." The quarterback moved some hair out of her face.
"We do everything that couples do anyways. Hold hands, and kiss, we say I love you."
"True, but just for me. So I know we did everything we were supposed to, to make sure you win tomorrow. Besides this weekend isn't about me. It's about you and it's about Auggie and that's what you need to focus on." Her hand caressed his cheek and she placed her lips on his. When they kissed it was almost as if she had an adrenaline rush. Her heart raced, Riley felt like she could do anything.
"Stay with me tonight?" She whispered.
"I can't. You know that." The dancer rolled off of him. "Oh don't go being all sad and adorable. I'll tell you what, i'll take you on a trip soon." A small smile approached her lips.
"Really?"
"Of course. I'll let you decide where we go."
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