Lucas

Just the way Riley must have looked back, I did too. It hurt every cell in my body not to go after her. I told myself that she needs time and space to gather her thoughts. Now that I know that she loves me, I have faith that if we're meant to be together, we'll find our way back to each other. Maybe that will take seeing other people along the way but then so be it. I won't see others, but I'm willing to accept Riley doing so. I know that I'll wait for her. I know that I'll never love a girl the way I love Riley, I'm in too deep. She may not know it, but she's my world, my sunshine, my princess. I smiled at the last memory, reliving every second. Promising, that I wouldn't cut again, I now know that she loves me. I owe her that much, to not do it again. I ran home, and locked myself in my bedroom, awaiting the return of my mother. Every night at about nine, my mother comes home after a long day at the bar. She's a bartender at the Half Moon Bar, and she often comes home drunk and dragged by some odd man. Every single night, I can't fall asleep because of the noisy bed springs in her bedroom. I have to make my own dinner and hers. We had to move to New York because my parents got divorced. My mother had always been a stay-at-home mom, and now she had to provide, so she got a job at the bar. Tonight was different, she brought home the same man as the last night. "Lukey," my mother called, "Meet your new step-daddy!"

I was shocked, 'Step-daddy?!' Shocked, I exclaimed, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we're getting married."

The man spoke in a gruff voice, "Yeah, and I'm gonna put you back in your place." On that note, he took out his fist and connected it with my jaw. I felt a sparking pain, and I saw stars everywhere I looked. Groaning in pain, I tried straggling into my room.

He shouted once more, "Where are you going? I'm not done with you yet, this will be a daily appointment from now on. I'll teach you to be a man." I was pushed around until I reached the brink. Before long, I blacked out, with only the feel of Riley's lips as my last thought.

Riley

I sat there crying for a bit before I got a text that told me to go home. I ran to a water fountain, splashed water on my face, and tried to mask my crying eyes. Running home, I ate dinner and went straight to my room.

The next day, I did the best I could to avoid Lucas. I was able to accomplish my goal, for I only made eye contact with him once. That afternoon, Maya and I headed for Demolition to look for dresses. I went through rack after rack, trying on multiple dresses, unable to find which one was the one. Finally, my eyes fell on a gorgeous green dress that would surely bring out my brown eyes. With quick hands, I grabbed the dress and dashed to the dressing room. I changed into it and looked into the mirror. The green overlay started at the waist, and spilled over to the skirt. Bodice crawled up my torso, and the sweetheart neckline made me swoon. Only one thought came to mind, 'I can't wait to see Lucas look at me in this dress!' As soon as the thought came in my head, I banished it into the corners of my mind.

I came out, and twirled for Maya. I asked, "What do you think?"

She smiled before finally responding, "You look darling. I found a dress too."

"Ooo! Let me lookie!"

"Nope!" she said teasing me, "You'll see it at the dance! Well, when we get ready."

I laughed and paid for the dress. Together, we ran out of the store and headed home.

Maya

Jason and I set up a plan and I left. The next day after school, Riley and I went to Demolition searching for dresses for the Ball. After searching for seemingly forever, I found the perfect dress. I laughed and wouldn't show her, practically driving her crazy. After RIley's, I went home and was shocked to see that Josh called me. Nervously, I redialed, and heard his voice on the other end, "Hey, Maya."

I responded hesitantly, "Hey, Josh. What did you need?"

"Well, Riley called me up and told me that you didn't have a date to the dance just yet. I was wondering, if I should come up and be your date."

Breathlessly, I was able to reply, "Really?"

"Of course, Maya."

"Will you go with me. Well, I shouldn't have to ask that again should I? After all, you are smitten with me." There's that cocky arrogance that I love.

"I'd love to, but don't let that expand your ego even further, Matthew."

Josh laughed and we talked for a bit before hanging up. That night, I slept with a smile on my face.

Farkle

Taking a few deep breaths, I went to our local bakery to meet Smackle for our date. Before entering, I prepped myself to be my normal flirtatious self. With faked confidence, I stepped inside, and waited for Smackle. It was a few moments before she appeared. By God, she looked gorgeous. It took all of my self control not to break out and kiss her. She walked over, smiling and sat down. "Smackle," I said in a drawn out and almost sultry voice.

She laughed before mimicking my tone, "Farkle."

"How you doin' Smackle?"

"Please, call me Isadora."

"Alright, Isadora, how's Einstein Academy?"

"It's okay, how's John Quincy?"

"Same, old, same old, if I'm being honest. Well except all of the Riley and Lucas drama."

"Of course those too! But honestly, they're meant to be."

"I must agree with that." We talked for a good hour before parting ways. My heart felt light, and I felt like floating.