A/N: It's been a long weekend, but I'm happy I found the time to write for you guys. Writing this chapter actually helped me stay sane. Enjoy!

Guest Reviewer Emily: Because I love your reactions to them, but sometimes it's because that's just the best place for me to stop so there aren't too many POV switches in one chapter. If I continued on in the last chapter it would have been difficult for me to write that, so it's here :)

Disclaimer: Won't ever own it

The bell rang, dismissing class. Lucas began to gather his papers and placed them inside his folder. Before he could rise from his seat along with his friends, the voice of Mr. Matthews reached his ears.

"Mr. Friar, would you mind staying behind for a moment?"

Lucas looked up at his teacher with confusion. He hadn't done anything that he was aware of. Maybe I forgot about a paper or something, he reasoned. Lucas gave Mr. Matthews a silent nod and watched the rest of his class walk into the hallway. Before Riley left, she looked back at Lucas, then walked just outside of the doorway to wait for him.

Knowing Riley would try and listen in, Mr. Matthews walked over to the door, closed it, returned to his desk, and sat on the edge of it. When he looked at Lucas, he could tell that the teen was confused on why he was asked to stay behind.

"Is everything alright with you, Lucas?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. What prompted this? he thought before replying, "Why wouldn't it be, sir?"

Cory crossed his arms. "That's not what I asked you. Are you okay?"

Lucas nodded. "Yeah."

Cory let out his breath. From what he had witnessed in the teen's recent behavior, he wasn't buying Lucas' answer. Either Lucas was trying to hide something that was bothering him (and doing a terrible job at it), or he didn't realize his actions were noticed.

He stood up and walked closer to the teen. "I'm not so sure that you are."

Lucas looked up at Mr. Matthews, now very confused at what his teacher was saying. "How do you mean?"

"You see, I know you would protect my daughter at all costs. However, I highly doubt any harm will come over her from food," he commented, trying to make a joke over what happened earlier. It didn't appear to work as he looked at Lucas' expression, so he continued on. "I know you wouldn't have reacted that way if it wasn't for a very good reason. Also, ever since you started coming over early, you seemed to have stayed by Riley as much as you can, as if you're trying to protect her from something. So I'm asking you again, are you alright? Is there something that needs to be brought to my attention?"

Lucas' face fell when he heard Mr. Matthews' words. Ever since the nightmare, he felt obligated to protect Riley, even more so than usual. He thought he found a way to protect her without anyone noticing. Clearly, he was wrong, and the dream had been governing his actions more than he thought.

He looked down at his hands. "No, sir… it's nothing," Lucas replied in a low tone. He wasn't even convinced with his own answer, so he highly doubted Mr. Matthews would accept it.

"If it involves Riley, I think it is something," Cory paused and gathered his thoughts. "Does it have to deal with the shooting?"

Lucas sighed. "You could say that." There was a brief silence before Lucas asked, "Is there anything else?"

Cory nodded. "Just one thing. I don't know if Riley's noticed this change at all. If she has she hasn't mentioned it to me. But I think you should tell her; she may be able to help."

Lucas gathered his books and nodded. "I will," he responded as he got up and headed out of the door. Once out in the hallway, he saw Riley standing just outside the doorway.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, her brown eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah, about that… I need to talk to you about what your father just spoke to me about after school. Don't worry, it's nothing bad."

Riley nodded. "Okay," she responded, but the concern still remained.

Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulder and the two headed to their next class.

There was silence between the two teens as Lucas walked Riley home. Lucas was trying to figure out how to tell Riley about the way he's been acting, but he couldn't figure out how to start off. Don't plan, just tell her, a voice said in his mind, so Lucas decided to listen to that voice.

"Riley, have you noticed anything… different in my behavior lately?"

"You mean regarding your reaction this morning?" she asked.

Lucas sighed and nodded. "Yeah."

Riley shrugged. "I mean I thought it was a bit extreme, but if you were caught more off guard than I was then it's understandable."

Lucas stopped walking and shook his head. "No… well, I mean I was caught off guard, but there's a better reason for the way I acted—or rather how I've been acting in the past few days."

She faced him. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Have I been missing something obvious? Riley couldn't help but think.

Lucas took Riley's hands in his. "Look, what I'm about to say may sound rather strange, but humor me, okay?" he asked.

Riley nodded. "Go on," she whispered.

"A few nights ago, I saw something that I hope I never have to live. It's my worst nightmare. I dreamed that I lost you in a much more painful way than if you lost me that night. And I felt that it happened because I wasn't protecting you like I should have been, hence my coming early to see you. Yes, I wanted to see you more since I've been busy trying to catch up on work, but I wanted to make sure you were okay. I needed to stay close by in case you needed me. I didn't want you getting hurt."

"I'm sorry that I didn't realize this sooner—"

Lucas shook his head. "Don't apologize. I was trying to hide it, but your dad caught on."

Riley inhaled deeply and gathered her thoughts. "Lucas, everything is going to be okay. It was just a dream; it's not going to happen."

"It's hard to think that when every time I close my eyes I see you bloodied and lifeless in my arms, Riley!" he exclaimed, trying to keep the tears from flowing.

Her eyes widened at Lucas' words. At first, she didn't know what to say. What could she say? But from somewhere inside her, Riley found the words. She didn't know where they came from, but that didn't matter. "Listen to me. What you saw in the nightmare isn't going to happen. It's expected to have some sort of aftershock following what you've been through. Besides, how many times have you told me that you would do anything to protect me? I don't know all of what happened, but I'm pretty sure you never would have let that happen."

What Riley said was true. He would never let that happen to her. That, and there were several things that were missing or were just out of whack in that dream to begin with.

"You're right… but I know it's going to be a while before my mind realizes that."

Riley released Lucas' hands and wrapped her arms around him. "That's what I'm here for."

Lucas returned the hug and kissed the top of her head. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too."

A/N #2: Hope you guys enjoyed the penultimate chapter! I was originally going to have the latter half be the final chapter, but I thought it fit better here, and now I have a great idea on how to wrap up this story. If you could leave a review on your way out that would be great :) Until next time!