Chapter Thirteen: It's Time to Tell my Story.
(So last night I uploaded this chapter, but because I merged my two stories together I forgot that I didn't add the warnings to this story, while the deleted one had them. This was a mistake on my part and for it I'm sorry to those who were hurt or offended by the chapter. I have taken down the chapter and spent most of today re-writing it, while it has altered the direction of the story; I feel that is a necessary price to pay. Now while the incident has been removed in order to try and keep the story on it's course I've and address another sad, dark but very real aspect of our society/world. This aspect is one I've addressed previously and that is gun violence. So please consider this a warning before you continue and probably get a nice bowel of Ice cream for warning.)
They were having dinner in a restaurant in Paris, Farkle rested his forehead up against the window looking out.
"It's out there, in the distance" Farkle moaned,
"What is Farkle?" Lucas inquired,
"Belgium" Farkle moaned,
"What's so bad about Belgium?" Isadora asked, slowly and trembling Farkle turned and looked at her.
"Nothing is wrong with Belgium, it took me so long to find out what happened in 1831, and now I'm so close to being there yet still so far from it" Farkle insisted,
"Just hold on Farkle, We'll be there tomorrow" Maya assured him,
"Tomorrow couldn't get here any sooner" Farkle exhaled and the group chuckled,
"So it's Brussels then we come back here right?" Josh wondered,
"Yeah, we spend three days in Brussels, come back to Paris and spend a few more days here before going to Italy." Riley explained,
"Right okay," Josh whispered,
"Well is everyone ready to head off?" Lucas inquired and everyone except Farkle nodded their heads, and with Isadora's help Farkle stood up and walked off with the group. Out of the restaurant and into the vibrant streets of Paris, music played and people talked and smiled. Couples kissed and held hands, and the group made their way to the Eiffel Tower that stood illuminated with light and a sight of beauty for all those who looked upon it. Lucas gave Riley a piggy back, while Josh and Maya walked side by side with an arm each around one another, Isadora and Farkle held hands and Isaiah kept smiling and saying "hello" to each group or single good looking female he walked passed. The enjoyment and fun was as clear as day on their faces as they saw the Eiffel Tower, the climb up didn't take it away from them. They stood in absolute silence as the breath was taken from their lungs by the view,
"It's beautiful," Isaiah, whispered struggling to put more words together.
"That's an understatement," Isadora continued,
"We live in such a beautiful world" Riley insisted putting her arm around Lucas gently and resting her head on his shoulder.
"Yeah Riles, and we're lucky enough to see so much of it" Maya agreed with her,
"I don't know about all of you, I kind of just want to stay in every place we visit" Isaiah insisted,
"Yeah Zay, we all share that feeling" Josh assured him,
"Do we even have to go to Belgium tomorrow, can't we just stay here?" Isaiah asked and Farkle evilly turned and glared at Isaiah.
"Don't you even joke about that," Farkle hissed through his teeth. Isaiah stepped behind Isadora
"Belgium sounds like a lovely place to go, wish we were there already!" Isaiah coward, happily Farkle returned to looking out at the city of Paris.
Later that night the group relaxed in their hotel rooms, Isadora and Farkle locked in a heated debate about staying in Paris and going to Belgium, while Isaiah in his room had his feet up as he watched television. While Maya chased Josh around the hotel room,
"Love me!" Maya demanded,
"No, go get the city to love you!" Josh refused,
"I was joking when I said that I loved the city more then you!" Maya argued as they both continued to laugh and muck about. Meanwhile Lucas was on the ground attempting to do pushups but Riley was sitting on his back reading her entry to him from the day. Lucas collapsed, exhausted and unable to continue,
"I'm done" he sighed, laying on the ground and pretending to cry. Riley stood up, giggled and walked over to the balcony placing her diary on the table and looking around, she looked over at a small crowd of people who watched a man propose to whom Riley believed to be his girlfriend. She burst into tears and took a few moments but nodded her head, after he put the ring on her finger he stood up and kissed her.
"Lucas, would you ever want to marry me?" Riley curiously asked, Lucas' eyes shot open
"Of course Riles," Lucas insisted rolling over onto his back.
"You know my Mom proposed to my Father when they graduated High School"
"This isn't going to turn into a proposal is it Riley?"
"Would you say yes if I asked?" Riley inquired, Lucas was silent.
"Would you say yes if I asked?" Lucas mimicked, Riley turned around and leaned on the railing looking at Lucas who turned his head to see her properly.
"I asked first," Riley pointed out,
"And Ladies go first," Lucas smirked
"I don't know, it depends how you asked me,"
"I won't ambush you like your Mom did with your Father."
"How will you ask me?" Riley inquire curiously, Lucas took a few moments to think about it.
"What's brought this on Riley?" Lucas asked and slowly Riley walked over to him,
"Everything is going good, we are seeing this big beautiful world of ours and everything is going good. But I can't seem to shake this bad feeling I have because you and I both know how cruel life can be, how quickly everything can fall apart, how quickly life can be taken." Riley explained as Lucas rose to his knees and Riley stopped in front of him, Lucas could see the concern in her eyes and so he kissed her on the stomach before resting his forehead up against it.
"When we both have stable jobs, a lovely house and of course have a dog, when everything is still good and settled. Then I'll ask you."
"That sounds like I'm going to have to wait a while."
"Nope, because I'm going to work so very hard to get there as fast as possible; you'll be right there next to me, working just as hard because well this takes the two of us. I'll work hard because it's what I want. You Riley Matthews is who I want, who I want to spend the rest of my life with, who I love and who I want to see the world with. And who I'd like to please get my phone out of my jacket pocket because I forgot to call my Mom." Lucas insisted and Riley laughed before leaning down and kissing him on the forehead. She walked over to his jacket, which was covering a chair and put her hand into the pocket to get Lucas' phone but was stunned when she found something else inside the pocket and pulled it out. A small box, "the whole house thing was part of the speech I gave your parents, their story about how they got married was part of the lecture I got from your Father when I asked for their permission." Lucas revealed adding to Riley's shock, she turned to face him and found him on one knee with his left hand out, "could you pass me the box please, it's kind of important for this next part." Lucas insisted, slowly and gently Riley placed the box on his left hand. "Riley Matthews, I love you, and we are young, stupid, crazy and in love. And I don't want to wait, or to have a boring story, I want one like your parents, I know we're going to be together forever, I know you'll always make me laugh and smile, you'll always listen to my stories and have those deep conversations about ourselves and our futures together. I will always protect you from anything that would hurt you, I will always make you smile, and since you fell into my lap on the subway, you fell into my arms and into my heart and I want to keep you there. We have the rest of our lives together so I want to make it official, in saying that: Riley Matthews, will you do the honor of being my wife?" Lucas asked with tears welling in his eyes, the whole time Riley looked down at him with a great big smile on her face and both thumbs up. Riley was silent and Lucas grew nervous, "Riley?" Lucas whispered and she immediately came too.
"Sorry, I just saw our future together, we ended up on rocketing chairs, with a dog and children, and a bay window." Riley explained and Lucas laughed,
"That's all we had?" Lucas inquired smiling up at her;
"They were the important parts" Riley assured him
"Now what's the important thing here that isn't happening?" Lucas asked, and Riley looked at the little diamond ring in the box and looked at him
"Yes" Riley whispered warmly, happily Lucas took the ring from the box and put it on her finger. With haste he stood up putting his arms around Riley and kissed her on the lips, when the kiss was done they smiled warmly at one another before a look of horror overcame Riley.
"What's wrong?" Lucas asked concerned,
"I've got to tell…" Riley started when suddenly the door burst open and Maya bounced into the room,
"Have you asked her, have you asked her?" Maya repeated,
"Peaches!" Riley called out
"Riles!" Maya responded as they ran towards one another hugging tightly,
"I married Lucas!"
"Well not yet Pumpkin, but I know!"
"Wait, how do you know, it only just happened?" Riley inquired suspiciously looking at her then Lucas
"I had to run it by the Riley committee" Lucas explained. Riley turned to Maya
"Peaches I thought we agreed there weren't going to be anymore secrets between us?" Riley asked, and Maya looked at her nervously for a moment,
"It wasn't a secret Honey, it was a, umm, a surprise, surprise Riles!" Maya shouted
"Yay! I love surprises!" Riley shouted,
"I know you do sweetie" Maya assured her as she chuckled before they hugged again. A small party was held in Lucas and Riley's hotel room, the girls gathered around and studied the ring, while Farkle decided to bring the first difficult choice for Lucas to the fore front of the conversation.
"Lucas, the first thing you have to do now is decide," Farkle stated,
"Decide what?" Lucas asked,
"Who is your best friend, I mean best man?" Farkle answered, Isaiah stood shoulder to shoulder with Farkle nudging him,
"I mean it's obviously me, isn't it Lucas?" Isaiah insisted, awkwardly Lucas stood still trying to figure out how he'd get through this problem. With a big creepy smile on his face he turned his head and looked at Josh,
"I choose Josh, my Uncle-in-law to be." Lucas stated, Josh quickly responded,
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm not an option on the table here" Josh argued to Lucas' disappointment,
"Naww, why not? You would be a life saver" Lucas stated,
"Yeah, I would be saving your life and dooming mine, I like living very much and wish to continue doing so" Josh assured Lucas who nervously laughed before trying to walk away but was stopped by Farkle and Isaiah. Later they called Lucas' Mom followed by Cory and Topanga followed to share the news with them. Cory was upset,
"No! I never gave you permission!" Cory cried,
"Yes we did" Topanga grunted,
"Okay, yes we did" Cory sighed before he really started to cry,
"Oh don't cry Dad, you're going to make me cry" Riley insisted already with tears in her eyes.
"How can I not? My baby girl is engaged and is currently holidaying around the world and when she gets home is going to get married, I'm going to have to walk her down the aisle. Then comes moving out and away from me" Cory cried,
"Dad we have to go to bed, and so we will talk to you later okay?" Riley assured him
"Okay goodnight guys love you both" Cory insisted
"Naww you love me Mr. Matthews, or should I start calling you Dad?" Lucas asked clearly touched
"No, I'm not ready" Cory shook his head,
"Goodnight you two, have fun on the rest of your holiday" Topanga wished warmly,
"Goodnight Mom" Riley said,
"Night Topanga" Lucas concluded before the Skype call was ended. As Lucas and Riley prepared to go to bed someone outside started playing slow music and Lucas chuckled, "what a way to end the night" Lucas insisted,
"How?" Riley asked turning to look at him as he stood in the middle of the lounge room,
"Dance with me?" Lucas asked politely offering out his hand, Riley blushed a little smiled and looked down at the ground gently brushing her hair behind her right ear. Softly she walked over to Lucas and took his hand, slowly they danced in the middle of the room to the music, and Riley buried her head into his chest closing her eyes. "Old age, rocking chairs, children, a dog and the bay window; you by my side the whole way, sounds perfect" Lucas whispered kissing Riley on the top of her head before resting his head on hers. This moment of safety and security, this moment of love, beauty and peace brought to Riley a feeling of protection where that bad feeling no longer caused her fear or to worry, as Lucas promised he protected her, he saved her and she couldn't be happier.
The following day the plane touched down in Brussels Belgium, after they checked into their hotels Farkle had them on their feet all day running around the city. They saw such places like: The Grand Palace, the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of Sablon, the Royal Palace of Brussels and the Brussels Palace of Justice. As the day came to an end and night fell over the city the group retired to the hotel, but Farkle still bounced around the room filed with excitement.
"Come on, we've had dinner now let's go, still more city to see!" Farkle quickly said,
"Farkle, man, come on, it's been a long day and isn't not like we're leaving tomorrow." Josh explained,
"Come on guys, you can rest when we're home" Farkle said,
"I wouldn't mind going for another walk" Riley insisted,
"Yes, that's what I'm talking about, thank you Riley, Smackle?" Farkle happily cheered,
"Sorry Dearest, but I'm tired I'm just going to stay here" Isadora sighed,
"Yeah you and Riley go" Isaiah insisted and Riley stood up and walked over to Lucas who was sitting on the ground leaning up against the wall,
"Do you mind if I go, or did you want me to stay here?" Riley inquired,
"You can go if you want Riley, you don't need my permission or anything, it's just if Farkle runs off with you I'll hunt him to the ends of the earth" Lucas glared at Farkle
"Well a best friend, I mean man wouldn't run off with the bride to be" Farkle insisted before he stuck his tongue out at him in response.
"Right then, ready?" Riley asked looking at Farkle,
"Of course!" Farkle assured her before they quickly ran out of the room letting the door slam shut behind them.
"I don't know how such a small guy can have such energy" Isaiah sighed,
"Shall I explain it to you Zay?" Isadora inquired,
"No thank you Smackle, I don't need an explanation" Isaiah assured her, Isadora looked over at Lucas and smiled,
"So Lucas, both of your partners are away, maybe we should hang out?" Isadora insisted,
"Huh Smackle?" Lucas said,
"Oh no, he and I are going to hang, since I'm his best friend and best man we need to talk about a few things" Isaiah insisted jumping down next to Lucas and putting his arm over his shoulder.
"No!" Lucas cried, "I told you I picked Josh!" Lucas continued,
"I told you, no sorry Lucas" Josh reminded,
"I still pick Josh" Lucas stated,
"I can't wait to help her plan it," Maya happily expressed,
"I too am looking forward to assisting her in planning the wedding, although I fear it is very much out of my area of expertise so I'm not sure how much help I shall be." Isadora explained and the group chuckled,
"Don't worry Smackle, you'll be a great help, I'm sure of it" Maya comforted her and Isadora smiled at Maya,
"What does it feel like Lucas?" Josh inquired, Lucas looked up at him as he was sitting on the arm of the lounge next to Maya.
"I'm not really sure yet, I mean nothing's changed we're still the same people. Why preparing yourself?" Lucas replied and quickly Maya's jaw dropped and she looked up at Josh with a big bright smile.
"No, no, no I, no, see, no, it's just not, no" Josh nervously stuttered shaking his head and Maya punched him in the thigh and everyone again laughed
"What about you and Farkle, Smackle?" Lucas inquired,
"Marriage?" Isadora asked,
"Yeah" Isaiah answered,
"We have talked about it, and both agreed that it is the next step in our relationship" Isadora explained,
"Is it really the next step though? I don't mean to cross any lines but, but relationships from my understand aren't simply intellectual conversations, and nicknames between two people." Isaiah awkwardly tried to explain,
"Zay you really aren't the one who should be giving relationship advice" Lucas stated,
"Yeah I know, and I realized that when I started talking." Isaiah said,
"Since we are among friends, if you are trying to imply the physicality of a relationship I can assure you Farkle and I have already explored that area, we've deemed that we see no need to constantly be showing the world our feelings for one another through the physical aspects of a relationship." Isadora explained and everyone was struggling to put words together not knowing where to draw a line in what Isadora had said.
"Just to clarify Smackle; when you say already explored, how much would you say has been explored?" Lucas awkwardly stuttered,
"Enough to agree that marriage is the next step in our relationship" Isadora answered stunning the group further into silence, as they were sure they understood what she was implying.
Farkle and Riley sat in a small café enjoying a nice snack before heading back to the hotel.
"To think at some point we have to go home" Farkle reminded,
"Yeah, I miss home, and I can't wait to go back but not yet" Riley agreed,
"Look at us, sitting in a café in Brussels, graduated High School, you now engaged and me in a relationship with a girl that isn't you or Maya" Farkle insisted,
"How far we've come"
"And you know what?"
"What?"
"That bad feeling is gone,"
"Mine too, I remember when we were planning our trip and saw all those warnings and cautions. I thought we'd get there and everyone would be hiding in their homes to afraid to come out, but look, people are talking, laughing, singing in the streets."
"Yeah, they don't let the fear dictate their lives, they probably know it could happen at any moment but they still enjoy life and every moment of it they have. Their defiant,"
"Their inspiring"
"Yeah, and you know what?"
"What Farkle?"
"I'm not even nervous for you and Lucas, not fearful just happy, overwhelmed."
"Naww Farkle."
"I'm glad I let you date him"
"I know it was difficult for you but thank you ha-ha"
"I know it might sound weird saying it, but I'm proud you Riley, and of Lucas."
"You're proud of me, of us?"
"Yeah, because I know the road that's been traveled, I know it began when you fell into his lap, I saw you two fall in love more and more every time you looked into one another's eyes, the hey and hi moments every time you saw each other. When you stepped aside because you thought Maya liked him despite your own feelings. And in High School when we nearly lost our friendship and now look where we are. I'm proud of you," Farkle expressed bringing a tear to Riley's eye,
"Farkle!" Riley whispered as she hugged him tightly, "I love you Farkle" Riley whispered,
"I love you too Riles." Farkle hugged back. "Now come on, let's get home, I don't have the energy to be chased to the ends of the earth." Farkle joked and they stood up, pushed their chairs in and walked out of the café, as they walked a man seemingly on a mission bumped into Riley and seemingly pushed them both towards an alleyway
"Get in there" the man whispered with a Dutch accent, Farkle looked down at his right hand which was rested in front of his stomach to see the man was holding a small fire arm his hand. He forced them into the alleyway "Wallets, jewelry, give me all of it." The man demanded angrily, Riley's heart sank and that bad feeling overwhelmed her. Farkle in his nervousness trembled with few so much so that he was slow in getting what the man demanded from them. He opened up his wallet and the man turned the gun on him making some sort of growling noise, time seemed to have slowed down as Riley reacted by pushing Farkle out of the line of fire startling the man,
"Farkle!" she screamed. There was silence followed by the sound of the man running away. Farkle had hit his head on the wall and was hazed and slid down it grazing his face a little; he opened his eyes feeling as one would if they were pushed into a wall. He looked around found Riley lying on the ground; quickly Farkle fell to her side and looked around analysing their situation. Farkle could see their wallets but no money, the man had also taken his phone, with his head throbbing, and still hazed Farkle struggled to process the situation and figuring out what to do, even when he tried to focus on Riley his vision was a little blurry.
"Riley?" he whispered, she lifted her head a little and looked him in the eyes with a bit of blood streaming down her face.
"Farkle, you're bleeding" Riley whispered, and Farkle smiled at her, "are you okay?" Riley asked
"Yeah, thanks to you"
"Well you've saved my life before, now I've paid you back" Riley insisted, Farkle smiled at her remembering when they were younger and he pulled her head from the water. He snapped back to reality and put his right hand on Riley's stomach and shock overcame him as her stomach felt drenched and when he lifted his hand he found it covered in blood; it was dark you see and Farkle never heard any gun shots which meant he had probably passed out for a short time. Tears welled up in his eyes as the situation dawned on him, he tried to stand up but immediately collapsed, and he leaned against the wall growing increasingly frustrated with his condition.
"You already paid me back, and you've done that every day by simply being my friend and everything you've done for me. It should have been me who saved you." Farkle cried,
"Farkle" Riley whispered,
"Yeah Riley?"
"I'm scared, do you think Murray was this scared?"
"Don't be okay, don't think about Murray, think about getting out of here, you're going to be just fine, you're going to marry Lucas have kids and life will be great…."
"Farkle…"
"Yeah?"
"You aren't a very good liar," Riley said faintly and Farkle's eyes shot open. "Call him, please," Riley requested as she pulled her phone out of her pocket, Farkle's eyes slowly closed as he fell out of consciousness just as he reached for the phone. In the hotel room Maya's phone, which was connected to a set of speakers started playing Skinny Love by Birdy when Lucas' phone rang. He quickly answered it,
"Hey Riley, what's happening?" Lucas asked casually, he waited for a response patiently looking awkwardly around at the others. "Riley I think you butt dialed me" Lucas insisted realising that if she had she probably wouldn't have heard that. "Ril…." he continued but was interrupted,
"Lucas" Riley said weakly, Lucas immediately knew something was wrong with her.
"Riley, where are you, what's happened?" he asked clearly concerned
"Lucas, it's okay" Riley assured him but it wasn't comforting him, Lucas put the call on loud speaker and Josh immediately knew something was wrong by the expression on Lucas' face.
"Riley this is Josh, as your Uncle I demand you tell us where you and Farkle are…" Josh emotionally demanded but was also interrupted,
"I'm not, not sure, we were in a café at the end of the street, but I think we're in an alley." Riley said Lucas immediately jumped from his seat and ran out of the room,
"Lucas!" Josh called out,
"Josh?" Riley said
"Riley?" Josh responded,
"Love Maya for me,"
"No, Riley, you're saying goodbye, you don't get to say goodbye, this isn't a goodbye"
"Take care of her, stay with her and help her Josh because I won't be able to anymore." Riley began and Josh bit his lip trying to stop himself from crying, Lucas was paralysed by shock simply looking down at his phone. "Tell Mom, Dad and Auggie I love them okay, tell all of our family I love them so much, will you do that for me Uncle Josh?" Riley asked and Josh tightly closed his eyes and clenched his fists, when she called him Uncle Josh suddenly she was a little innocent girl again, the one he'd give piggy backs to around the house at family gatherings, the one he'd sneak snacks to when the adults weren't looking. His little niece that would smile and call out 'Uncle Josh' every time he walked into the room.
"I promise," He grunted his struggle to mask his emotions and to stay strong rendering him near speechless. A feeling of love and determination overcame Josh giving him to the strength to lift himself to his feet and run out of the room.
"Maya?" Riley continued,
"Yeah Riles?" Maya responded leaning in.
"Take care of my Uncle Josh for me please Peaches, and become my Aunt one day, and believe in yourself, have faith and hope that good things happen even though it may seem like they don't. And go become a famous painter, one that everybody will be talking about okay Peaches?" Riley instructed,
"I don't think I'll be able to do that Riles, not without you, my Sister" Maya cried,
"You're your own person Maya, and if you're the Maya that is my best friend, my Sister, than I know you can do anything." Riley encouraged,
"Okay Riles, I'll try…" Maya insisted as tears flowed down her red cheeks,
"I'm glad you crawled through my window that first time all of those years ago, and every time afterwards." Riley admitted,
"Thank you for having it open, for singing, and for having it open ever since for me!" Maya concluded.
"Smackle, don't worry Farkle is right here and he's okay, I know you'll take care of each other because together you'll take over the world and do some amazing things for it, I just wish I could see them." Riley insisted
"Don't worry Riley we will and you'll be right there by our side, you all will be just wait and see" Isadora tried to comfort her but was hugged by Isaiah who could see the struggle she was having trying to speak clearly and properly.
"Zay, you're a great guy, funny, kind and caring; I know you'll meet a beautiful girl who deserves you. I want you to take care of Lucas for me, keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't do anything." Riley requested,
"Like a hawk Riley" Isaiah softly promised, and then all fell silent.
"Riley, Farkle!" Lucas called out as he arrived in the alleyway and immediately ran dropping to her side. He saw how pale she was, how much blood was lost, felt how cold she had become,
"Lucas?" Riley said faintly trying her best to smile up at him as tears uncontrollably streamed down his face.
"Ri…. Ley" Lucas whispered,
"It's okay" she assured him,
"No, please, hold on I'm going to take care of you, save you,"
"You already did. We saved each other, we all did."
"This isn't…. how it's supposed to end."
"There are just something's we can't control"
"But, what about growing old together, the rocking chairs, children and a dog, and the bay window; what about the future you saw us have?"
"We don't always get what we wished for. I want to ask you to do something Lucas, and it's going to be the hardest thing you've ever done: I want you to live" Riley requested and Lucas' eyes shot open both glassy and red tears still out of his control. He tried to put words together,
"But, but what is the day without the sun, the night without the moon, the sky without it's stars, what is my life without you?"
"Your life, remember, what Murray said? We're all stories in the end, and one day we will have to tell them, make it a story that you'll be proud of, one that will make you happy and smile; it's time to tell my story, I'm proud of it, happy for the one I have. I, I love you Lucas Friar, I'm happy I fell into your lap on the subway, I'm glad I became your friend, I'm glad that I loved you" Riley insisted as she burst into tears and it felt like a knife had been forced into Lucas' heart. "I love all of you, and I'm so grateful that I got to spend all this time and make these memories with you all." Riley admitted,
"I love you, Riley!" Lucas said through his teeth as he now cradled her in his arms his tears falling from his face and onto hers', Josh could be heard running down the street calling out for help. Farkle opened his eyes and immediately felt improved, he saw Lucas and then to Riley.
"Riley" he whispered reaching out for her,
"Farkle" Riley whispered her eyes struggling to stay open,
"Yeah Riley?" Farkle insisted laying down on his side.
"Hold my hand please?" Riley softly asked and Farkle immediately held her hand tightly.
"I'm here Riley, like I've always been and always will be" Farkle comforted while he tried to stay conscious for her.
"Thank you Farkle. Take care of each other, okay, I'll be patient" Riley whispered. While Farkle and Lucas shared a tear filled glance. Josh ran down the alleyway falling to his knees just in front of them; tears streaming down his face overcome by a feeling of failure.
"Come on skinny love just last year,
Pour a little salt we were never here,
My-my-my, my-my-my, my-my-my, my-my-my…
Staring at the sink of blood and crashed veneer.
As they cried, in the alleyway or in the hotel room, they all fell deep into memory. Remembering the time they climbed through her bedroom window to be met by Riley and her big warm, friendly smile. Always getting a hug and a friend to talk to, to help them.
Tell my love to wreck it all,
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall,
My-my-my, my-my-my, my-my-my, my-my-my…
Right in the moment this order's tall.
Remembering watching her grow up, as uncle or as friend, falling in love with her from the moment they met her, wanting to take care of her and protect her. How they formed the Riley committee to do just that. How she was the sun on a cloudy day, and one smile would brighten your entire day. How she was a light in their darkest times.
And I told you to be patient,
And I told you to be fine,
And I told you to be balanced,
And I told you to be kind,
And in the morning I'll be with you,
But it will be a different kind,
'Cause I'll be holding all the tickets,
And you'll be owning all the fines.
Remembering her traveling the subway for the first time, and how she fell into the lap of some random guy. How that random guy chose them over some girl, how that random guy became Lucas Friar their friend. Each moment Riley and Lucas would look into one another's eyes falling in love, or in the library what seems like a lifetime ago telling stories and getting to know each other. They remembered her going on her first date with Lucas, and their first kiss after she fell into his lap.
Come on skinny love, what happened here?
Suckle on the hope in the light brassieres,
My-my-my, my-my-my, my-my-my…
Sullen load is full, so slow on the split.
Those times when she'd always have to fix things, and help people: like when Farkle was being bullied, and when something had to be done to help Billy. How she would always make them laugh and smile, always go above and beyond to help them. Always being there to take care of them, how she always was filled with hope and faith and never not believing that they couldn't do everything and anything.
And I told you to be patient,
And I told you to be fine,
And I told you to be balanced,
And I told you to be kind,
And now all your love is wasted,
Then who the hell was I?
'Cause now I'm breaking at the bridges,
And at the end of all your lights.
They remembered how Riley would do anything for her friends, she stepped aside for Maya when she liked Lucas, and when she was being bullied she didn't want to worry them with her problems. She was always there for them never wanting to cause them pain or hard ache. She supported them through everything they did, debates, and science awards. Art shows, family problems, bull riding, and in life. They remembered what they went through with Murray, how broke Riley and their friendship were. The story telling, the sessions in his classroom, they remember them all coming back together, healing and when Lucas finally picked Riley and asked her to be his girlfriend.
Who will love you?
Who will fight?
And who will fall far behind?
Their memories played like a movie in their minds, they remembered their lives together with Riley; believing that it would never be over, and yet now, they will not forget, how it all came, to an end.
Come on skinny love,
My-my-my, my-my-my, my-my-my, my-my…
My-my-my, my-my-my, my-my-my, my-my…"
Riley still cradled n Lucas' arms smiling up at him, gripping tightly onto Farkle's hand; all until a single breath left her mouth and her grip loosened her eyes gently closing and Lucas watched and it reminded him of the times he'd watch her fall to sleep. Knowing that this time was the last time. He kissed her on the forehead before resting his down on hers'; he closed his eyes and began sobbing uncontrollably. Farkle picked up her phone and ended the call, softly letting go of her hand and placing it down before leaning back up against the wall; while Josh simply dropped his head, both of them succumbing to their overwhelming emotions. As Riley Matthews went from being a: friend, niece, sister, and fiancé; to a memory.
Author's Notes: Did this character's death hurt you as much as it hurt me? I again am deeply sorry for those whom were offended by yesterday's version, I hope you were all able to read this and get the full experience. Please leave a review/comment, or feel free to message me your thoughts and stuff I'd love to hear them all. I love you all, thank you so much for your support and understanding through yesterday's mishap.