Icehale: Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter! Sorry I didn't update on Monday, but I wasn't feeling up to it, and then I was literally so busy getting ready for back to school yesterday and today. I don't really have much else to say today so let's just get right into the disclaimer. Mr. Isaiah Babineaux?
Zay: Icehale doesn't own Girl Meets World and isn't charging a dollar to read the story, apparently.
Icehale: Shush Zay, this is completely free so that the readers can enjoy it better. After all, you never turn down anything that's free. Anyway! On with the story!
—
Excerpt from Rosie McGee's Journal
I finally did it, journal! I finally got him to open up to me! It did take some time, but once he let his guard down, he started talking excessively, telling me everything I've wondered since the day we met. It's such a warm feeling I got when I understood his story, one that I've never experienced before. With him, I understand more all the time, more than I ever have in my life. Is this what it feels like to love someone with all your being and soul?
–March 22, 1962
—
"So you're meeting with him?" Maya asked cautiously.
"Yes," Riley repeated again. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Listen, Lucas seemed fine with the idea. And he seems like a nice guy inside. I'd like to see if my intuition is correct."
"I hope so too," Maya said, a worried expression obvious on her face. "But I don't want to get your hopes up. He seems like he'd snap at any given moment in time. I don't want you to be hurt by that."
"I swear I'll be fine Maya," Riley reassured. "Just trust my instincts. Please."
Maya looked at her doubtfully. Riley was known to always think on the bright side and be crushed when her beliefs were destroyed. This time though, Maya slightly agreed with her best friend. Every meeting, the Friar boy seemed to warm up a little more to Riley. Whether it was because of an attraction he felt or a part of his personality, Maya wasn't sure. But for now, she did have to trust that Riley knew what she was doing.
"Fine," Maya finally answered. "I want a full report when it's over though."
Riley laughed. She knew that Maya wouldn't be getting that recollection in the end.
—
"How have you been?" Riley asked, taking a small sip from her smoothie.
The day has finally come and secretly, Riley and Lucas were both immensely glad that it had. Whether it was because they longed to see each other or they were glad it was their last meeting was unclear, but the feeling still resided within them.
"Well enough," Lucas replied. "I finally finished packing last night, so I'm good to go for tomorrow's flight. What about you?"
"I'm doing fine, thanks," Riley answered, giving him a nod.
As they fell into a silence, she slanted a glance towards Lucas. Why was it that she felt this particular pull towards him?
He was different than all of the other men Riley knew, no doubt about it. But his differences were what drew her to him.
Across the table, Lucas was also inevitably stealing glances at Riley. He already knew what he was attracted by. It wasn't a matter of what, however, but more a matter of why.
The answer to the first question was her hopeful and optimistic nature. He had never known a girl who thought so highly of people.
The second was still an unsolved puzzle to him.
Clearing his throat, Lucas spoke up. "Did you know that it was actually my grandfather who first taught me about true love?" he asked, feeling the need to break the ice.
It worked as Riley looked straight at him, eyes shining curiously.
"Really?" she queried, interested in the story.
"Yeah," Lucas nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "He always told me stories of a city girl he fell in love with, one that he had hoped for a future with. They truly loved each other, y'know. They were together for three years, nearing four. My grandfather was looking for a ring to propose."
"But she left him due to her parents' wishes," he said. "According to what he said, she had to leave, and did so quietly, not leaving any message goodbye whatsoever when she originally left. He never really cared as she had managed to get in touch with him and tell him why, apologizing relentlessly. I think he must've really loved her. There wouldn't have been any way for him to forgive her if he didn't. I know I wouldn't have."
Riley smiled softly at him, reaching out to rub his shoulder. "They really did seem absolutely perfect for each other, didn't they?" she asked quietly. "I think that my grandma loved him just as much as he loved her, maybe even more. She did love my grandfather, yes, but she could never speak of her past before that. I think if circumstances were different, Rosie and Merlin really could have ended up together. We could even have been siblings or cousins in another world."
"It's astonishing how things can end up as different as they seemed," he agreed, inclining his head.
The pair fell silent once again, this time with a more comfortable air.
Riley looked at Lucas and Lucas looked at Riley, both intending to tell the other about the time they had seen each other a couple of weeks ago.
"Riley –" Lucas began.
"Lucas –" Riley spoke up.
Looking at each other, both let out an amused laugh. They hadn't meant to speak at the same time, but it had just happened that way.
"You first," Lucas offered, always the perfect gentleman.
Riley bit her lip for a moment. "Maybe mine can wait until later?" she asked, willing him to tell her what he was going to say. Mentally sighing, Riley berated herself for chickening out.
"Same for mine as well," Lucas stated awkwardly, standing up. "I have to get going to start packing."
Rising along with him, Riley inclined her head. "It was nice seeing you again," she said, extending her hand in farewell.
Lucas took it, shaking her hand and giving her a sincere smile. "I had a nice time, Riley," he told her genuinely. "Perhaps we could keep in touch?"
"I'd like that very much," Riley smiled, cheeks slightly turning pink.
"I'll call you when I arrive back in Texas, then," Lucas informed, nodding to her once again as he began to leave the vicinity. "Goodbye Riley Matthews."
"Goodbye Lucas Friar," she whispered, staring at the door Lucas had just disappeared through.
Icehale: And that's where we end. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed the story. You've helped me out so very much and guess what? I ain't ending the story here! What, do y'all really think I would? I haven't given them a happy ending yet! If I am giving them one, that is. But next week holds the last chapter. So we'll see what happens then...
As always, review with your opinion! And if you liked it, favorite and follow, maybe? If not, that's cool too! Until next week, my friends. Icehale out!
