reach for the stars
Summary: When Lucas Friar first got accepted into Carrington Performing Arts High School, he thought it would be a good way to get away from the craziness of his home life. But upon meeting the eccentric Carrington students, it almost makes him want to go back to his family. But maybe aspiring musician Riley Matthews can get him to change his mind?
Genres: Romance, Drama, Family, Humor.
Warnings: Roofies, Underage Drinking, Suggestive Language, Attempted Sexual Assault.
Chapter One
Lucas leans his head against the window of his uncle's car, and watches the buildings and trees pass by. They would be arriving at Carrington any moment now. He wanted to be there already. Carrington was his chance to finally get away from his crazy family. From his father's disapproving stares, his sisters' antics, and the judging looks from people. Then a video of him dancing had gone viral, and Carrington had seen it. One thing led to another, and he was accepted into Carrington. He could still remember his family's reaction. Abby had squealed so loud that he went deaf for a couple moments. His mother had flashed him the strained smile that he had grown used to in the last few years. Melanie had patted him on the back, a proud smile on his face. Then there was his father's reaction, by far the most memorable reaction of them all. He had simply stared for several moments before walking out of the room.
His father didn't approve of Lucas' passion for dance. He had two daughters, both of which also had a passion for the performing arts. Abby had been in a band since freshman year of high school. Melanie had been in four theater productions in the last three years. Then there was Lucas. He wasn't a singer like his sister's but he was a dancer. His father didn't like that. He didn't support him. He didn't pay for classes, and instead pushed Lucas towards other things. Lucas liked sports, and he did good (he did better than good actually). What he didn't like was that his father kept pushing him in that direction to pursue sports just like his father did. His father wanted Lucas to be just like him. To follow in his footsteps, and take over his business. But Lucas didn't want to take over the business. He didn't want to be like his father. He didn't want to be attached to his father and his father's name. And Carrington… was a place where no one knew who his father was. No one knew who he was. This was a fresh start for him.
The car comes to a stop, and Lucas gets out of the car. His uncle helps him get his things out of the trunk before they make their way to the office. The next several minutes pass by in a blur as the next thing he remembers is a girl walking into the office. His breath catches in his throat as he stares at her. She has brown hair with pink streaks that's pulled into pigtail buns. She smiles brightly at him, waving at him.
"Hi, I'm Riley Matthews. One of your new roommates. I'll be showing you around." She offers him a hand, and he takes it. His hand is bigger than hers but it still somehow feels like her hand belongs in his. They shake hands before she pulls her hand away. "We should probably get going."
"Right." Lucas clears his throat then turns around to face his uncle.
"Take care of yourself, kid." The two hug, and then Lucas turns back around to face Riley.
"Why don't I help you with your things?"
"Oh no, it's fine. I got-"
"No, I insist. And do not mistake my outward appearance for lack of physical strength." She grabs one of his bags, and starts to walk out of the office. Lucas follows after her. The school had a notable color scheme of pink, white and silver. He could see several students in pink and white jackets with CPAHS printed on the back. He could only assume these were school jackets. "Like what you see?"
"What?"
"The jackets. You were looking at them." Riley explains, that bright smile still on her face.
"Oh yeah. I mean, I'm not a big fan of pink but they're cool."
"Yeah. My best friend Maya, your other roommate, came up with the design. Not everyone felt the pink but it is one of our school colors." Lucas simply nods. His dad would probably kill him if he saw him in one. His dad was already freaking out over the fact his son, his only son, was at a 'gay school'. It had taken weeks to get him to agree to let Lucas go. It was only after his father's old friend (who lived near Carrington and was apparently best friends with one of the teachers) promised to keep an eye on him that his father started to come around to the idea. "So what brings you to Carrington? We don't get transfers often."
"Oh, a video of me dancing went viral. I guess someone at Carrington saw it, and-" he shrugs his shoulders. Riley gasps.
"Are you the Stitches guy?"
"Uh, y-yeah. You saw my video?" He didn't know why the idea of Riley seeing a low quality video of him dancing in an alleyway in clothes that had seen far better days was such a horrifying thought. Not quite as horrifying as his father watching the video but… horrifying.
"Well, yeah. I thought it was great. Sure, the video quality could've been better but that's kind of a downside of having a director for a roommate."
"Yeah, I guess. So you're from around here, I'm guessing?"
"Yeah, my family lives here in the city. My dad's actually a teacher here. This is his classroom." Riley points to a room, and he can a plaque next to the door with the words:
Mr. Matthews
History.
"So where are you from?"
"Austin, Texas."
"Oh… my friend Zay is from there too. He's in our dormitory so you might run into him." They walk outside to the quad, and Riley leads him to what he assumes is their dormitory. "Welcome to McKenzie Hall."
He can see students in the halls, taking things into rooms. They make their way upstairs, and Riley leads him down the hallway to a room with the number 33 on the door. Riley opens the door to reveal a living room of sorts. Based on the school, he had expected the rooms to have a several feel and color scheme. But the room had a rustic feel to it. There's a green couch in the room, and two matching chairs. A girl is sitting in one of the chairs. She has headphones on, and is holding a phone in her hands. He can hear thumping house music faintly coming through the headphones. Her foot is bopping slightly in the air.
"This is our roommate, Maya." Lucas looks around the room, and sees a kitchenette of sorts. It had a fridge, a kitchen bar and a bench against the bar. "I know the room is a little bare right now. Mostly because Maya refused to help me decorate our new room."
"I don't decorate, Honey." Maya deadpans. Lucas is surprised she even heard them with her headphones on.
"You forget we were roommates last year too. You painted your entire side of the room yellow, and almost got kicked out of school." Maya snorts.
"Good times." Riley sighs exasperatedly. Maya continues, still not looking up from her phone. "You must be our new roommate."
"Yeah. Lucas Friar." He offers his hand, but she doesn't react. He clears his throat, and puts his hand back down.
"I'm sorry about her. She's not a people person. Here are bedrooms." Riley leads him down a small hallway with two rooms opposite each other. "This is mine and Maya's room on the left. Then here's your room."
Riley opens the door, and places the bag in her hand on the floor. "Once you get settled in, I'll give you the tour. I'll leave you alone now."
Riley walks back into the living room, and Lucas steps into his new bedroom. There's a dresser and a twin bed in the room. Lucas sighs, and sets to work unpacking his things. And he's in the middle of putting up his photos when there's a knock at the door. "Come in."
The door opens, and Riley walks into the room. "Oh, you work fast."
"Yeah, well, I didn't really have that much stuff contrary to how many bags I had. I'm almost done."
"Oh well… how do you know Shawn?"
"He's my dad's friend. He promised to keep an eye on me while I was here. Wait, how do you know Shawn?"
"He's my dad's friend too. He's kind of distant to me though. Is this your family?" She points to the photo he had just put up. He decides not to call her out on her change of subject.
"Yeah. These are my sisters, Abby and Melanie. This is my mom. And this is my dad."
"Wait, your sister is Abby Friar? The front woman of The Stars?"
"Yeah. You know my sister's band?"
"Know it? I love them! And so does my friend Zay. He's going to freak out when he finds out."
"Yeah." He stops, and stares at her for several moments. There's an unreadable expression on her face. His palms are sweaty and his heart is pounding. He never wants to look away. The entire world seems to have faded away. Then someone clears their throat, and they both look at Maya in the doorway.
"Looks like someone has a crush."
"Maya. Which one of us almost faints whenever they see a certain drummer?" Maya's eyes go wide before she scowls and backs away.
"So that tour?"
"Yeah. Let's go." Riley laughs awkwardly, and they both walk out of the room.