Chapter 24

The brunette was in her room and had her iPod on, while she worked on homework.

Pain without love, pain I can't get enough, pain I like it rough. Cause i'd rather feel pain then nothing at all.

Riley unplugged her headphones and turned it up. Lucas slowly opened her bay window and listened to her sing along.

Anger and agony, are better than misery. Trust me, i've gotta plan. When the lights go up you'll understand. Pain without love, pain I can't get enough, pain I like it rough. Cause i'd rather feel pain then nothing at all.

"What'd I tell you about locking this window?" The cheerleader smiled.

"Something about creepers. Funnily enough you're the only creeper that comes around." She walked towards the window. "So, what's the deal? Couldn't get enough of me."

"Never. But, I have something set up on the roof. Would you like to come look?"

"How do we not hear you running around up there?" Lucas completely avoided the question, she looked super hot. An oversized t-shirt and shorts, never looked so good.

"You comin'?" She rolled her eyes and followed him to the top of her house. Riley looked up after catching her footing and was speechless. He laid out a blanket for them to lay on, a thermos with tea and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. "Surprise date." The brunette still hadn't said anything, she didn't know what to say no one had done this for her before. "You don't like it? I was kind of on the fence about it. It really depends on your mood-" She kissed the running back to get him to stop talking.

"This is, incredible. Thank you." She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Can I lay down?"

"Yes, on my chest." Lucas patted his chest, inviting Riley in. "It's pretty comfortable. I keep it muscular for you." She rolled her eyes and strategically placed her head on him. His heavy bicep wrapped around her and Riley had never felt better, there were no words to describe how she was feeling. "I was worried you wouldn't like this."

"Why?"

"Well, you're tough to read. In some moods you'd love this in others you'd make fun of it. Either way though you'd still be up here with me." He moved his hand across her tricep gently scratching.

"I made fun of it because it never happened to me. Now i'd only make fun of it when it isn't happening to me." He was confused.

"Why is that?" The brunette closed her eyes.

"I don't know. You got any theories?"

"Because you've never had anything romantic happen to you? Until I came along of course." She blinked a few times.

"You tend to see right through me." Lucas reached over and grabbed a strawberry.

"I really take the time to figure you out. It doesn't just come to me, if that's what you think." He handed her a snack.

"Oh yeah. What else have you figured out?"

"Honestly?" She nodded. "I figured out that even though you know I won't hurt you, you're still scared. I know you use sarcasm as a shield, it turns a lot of people away. Which I think you don't mind turning people away, the less connections you have with people the better, but I haven't come up with a full proof reason why."

"Is this the part where I tell you." He chuckled.

"If you want." Riley looked towards the sky and tried to count all the stars.

"Well, Maya says that when people have been in a relationship like I was you tend to cut yourself off from people." Riley sat up. "I think that may have something to do with it. I also think I push people away because I expect them all to turn out like Charlie."

"You didn't push me away." Riley could see his beautiful eyes even though it was completely dark outside.

"I would've but after you defended me, I thought you'd be nice to have around." She exhaled and decided to lighten the moment. "Little did I know what I was gettin' myself into." Lucas pulled her back down to him.

"The greatest relationship of your life?"

"How am I supposed to know that? My only relationship has been with Charlie. It sounds like I need to go on a few dates with a few guys." He spanked her.

"No m'am. You aren't gonna do that." Lucas closed his eyes, he knew he had to ask her but hated it. "Hey, this is gonna be super awkward but I have a question."

"Is it about the pep rally tomorrow? You'd rather dance with Missy?" She giggled. "Go ahead."

He exhaled, disregarding her joke. "Are you a virgin?"

"No, i'm not. I did it one time and realized I wasn't ready." She wasn't scared to answer at all.

"You weren't afraid of the question?" He ate another strawberry and felt the chocolate melt in his mouth.

"Why would I be? If you didn't like what you heard you would either leave or stay. I'm not going to hide who I am or what i've done. And look you stayed."

He kissed her head. "You happy about that?"

"Relieved, slightly."

"Relieved? You thought i'd leave?" He sat up, bringing her with him.

"Yeah, since you are a virgin i thought it might turn you off." He had a grin on his face but his eyes were glaring.

"How are you so sure that i'm a virgin?"

Riley cleared her throat. " Well I met Bailey. 'I love it when he wears slacks so I bugged him until he changed'." Lucas cracked up. "Correct me if i'm wrong." He didn't say anything. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, own it."

"An 18 year old guy being a virgin. Not just a guy, a very handsome gentleman who just so happens to be the star running back isn't something to brag about."

"Don't forget to add arrogance to that list. No girl can resist that." She laughed. "Now the big question, is it because you didn't want to or because you were with a girl who didn't want to?" He was reluctant to answer. "Both, that's what I thought. It's okay, relax." She shook out his arms. "You're talking with your girlfriend."

"How do you know what i'm gonna say before I say it?" He stroked her hair and twirled it around his finger.

"Well, I don't sit up thinking about it at night. Let's call it a gift." She winked, causing his butterflies to fly. "If it helps, I wish I was a virgin. I regret not waiting for the right guy. Now you'll get to wait for the right girl." He pulled her in by her chin and kissed her. Lucas ran his fingers through her hair and it caused her to tingle all over. The running back didn't want to say that he may have found 'the right girl'.

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Good morning. Your eyes, make the stars look like their not shinin'. Your hair falls perfectly without you tryin'. You're so beautiful, and i'll tell you everyday. I know you don't believe me, but you don't see what I see. I can't wait to see you.

Riley loved getting his good morning texts, after dealing with Missy all morning it was nice to hear. She smiled seeing his name on the back of her jersey, she adjusted her denim skirt and black rhinestoned belt and left the locker room after double checking that her high pony was truly high. "Wow, Riley you look amazing."

"Charlie, that's probably the nicest thing you've said to me. Which is sad considering we dated for a year." She walked up the stairs. "What do you want? Why do you keep doing this? To get under my skin? I feel like my mornings are on repeat."

"I need you back in my life."

She scoffed. "I only exist when you need something. You know what you need, is to understand that I can't have you in my life." She adjusted her book bag now that she reached the top of the stairs.

"You're being difficult. I apologized. And i'll do it again."

"Charlie, you don't get it." She was only a few steps away from her locker but ended up turning around to face him. "You can apologize until your blue in the face, it won't change a thing. You've ruined a lot of things for me. Not anymore, Lucas means a lot to me, and you're only acting this way so i'll break up with him and be waiting in the wind whenever you're ready to come back to me. Now, would you kindly shut your noise hole?"

"I just think you don't know enough about Lucas to get into a relationship with him." Riley raised her eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were an expert on my life. Please slow down so I can take notes."

"He scares you and you know it."

"No, you scare me, scared me. Lucas would never hurt me but-"

"I'd hurt anyone who went after her. What's your problem with me Charlie?" Lucas rolled around the corner and stared him down. "Is it just because i'm dating Riley? The fact we fought a time or 2?"

"No one is as perfect as you're making yourself out to be."

"I'm not making myself out to be anything. You're the one saying i'm perfect." Riley stood by his side.

"I'll see you later Riles." Charlie walked away and the running back looked at his girlfriend.

"You okay?"

She hugged him. "Yeah, I am. But, seriously that was like the 3rd time this week. He said I was being difficult. I don't know where that came from, i'm a freaking delight." He tried to kiss her but was laughing too hard. "He has a point though, you are pretty perfect what's wrong with you?"

"I'll have to think about that." She lightly hit his chest.

"You ready?" They interlocked their fingers and after pulling a flower he picked from his back pocket the couple walked to class.

"You look beautiful. I didn't think i'd ever see you in a skirt." She took a seat.

"Why? Did you think I wasn't girly enough?"

"And if I said yes?"

"Then you'd be right. I haven't done laundry in like 2 weeks. I was down to the bare minimum" She blew a kiss and turned around in her seat.

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"WOW! You did awesome!" The pep rally had just ended and the brunette had her arms around his neck.

"We did awesome!" She rolled her eyes. 5 minutes had passed since the rally ended and the couple had already received 3 compliments. Lucas looked her up and down. "Can you like change?"

Riley looked at her outfit and laughed. "It's exactly the same thing I wore last Friday."

"Yeah, but last Friday we weren't together and I wasn't able to act upon it." She rolled her eyes when Maya hopped on her back.

"Hi pretty!" Riley giggled.

"What up?"

"Would you two like to grab a bite to eat?" Josh and Lucas were congratulating each other on the dance.

"Yeah. But, I need to change. Is that okay babe?" Lucas turned his attention back to his girlfriend.

"What's that?"

"Dinner with these two hoodlums?"

"Yeah sounds great. How are you holding her up?"

"I like to call them leg muscles." The cheerleader glanced at his legs. "You want some tips?" Maya slid off knowing where this was headed. The brunette took off running with Lucas right on her heels. He picked her up with ease and put her over his shoulder.

"Y'all ready?" Lucas asked. She started slapping his back and laughing because he'd tickle her right above her hip bone.

"Doesn't she need to change?" Maya was laughing as she wrapped her arm around Josh.

"Nope, she's going just like this."

"I can walk!" He tickled her again.

"Shh. Let's go." Lucas ran, skipped and walked to his truck with Riley on his shoulder. "Now, you wanna tell me to work on my legs?" He set her down in his truck and she didn't say a thing. "That's what I thought. Diner here we come."

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The girls had their backs up against the wall with their knees tucked in and their boyfriends were sitting on the outside. "Oh please Maya, you were just as drunk if not more than me."

"No. You shotgunned a beer, drank a few more and combine that with several jello-o shots."

"Well, either way i'm not drinking tonight. But I will say at least, I can remember my night." She cocked her head and stared at her blonde best friend.

"You aren't?" Lucas had his hand on her knee.

"Nope, now that I can drive your truck i'll be the DD. If you wanted."

"We'll see." He turned to Josh who was staring at Maya.

"Are you not going to offer the same thing?" Riley interrupted before Maya had a chance.

"Let's just all drive out there together. And, I will be the DD." Everyone nodded their heads. "I'm gonna assume that means, 'yeah Riles, that sounds good'." She stood up in the booth to get out when Lucas stopped her.

"Where you going?"

"I'm just going to get a refill." He gently lowered her back down.

"I'll get it." He winked and waited in line to get to the register, when Chase entered the diner.

"Hey Riley." The brunette lifted her head. "Do your legs hurt?" She furrowed her brows. "I only ask because you've been runnin' through my dreams." Josh and Maya lowered their heads.

"No, they hurt from dodging terrible pick up lines like that." Chase started to obnoxiously laugh, which made Josh and Maya join in.

"Yeah that was pretty bad." He continued to stare at her until Maya snapped her fingers. "Sorry Riles, something must be wrong with my eyes, I just can't take them off of you." Lucas had walked up behind him, unannounced.

"Oh it's okay, I have a problem with mine too."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I can't see you getting anywhere with me." The running back started laughing, startling Chase.

"Excuse me. I'm just gonna squeeze in here." Chase realized he should probably go.

"I'll see you tonight." She widened her eyes and grabbed her drink from the table.

"Wow, that was terrible." Maya laid her head on Josh's shoulder. "I wish I was as quick with my words as you." The green eyed boy placed his forearm back on her knee.

"Was it that bad?"

Josh nodded his head. "Obviously he doesn't care how mean Riley is."

"I'm not mean, i've just been in a bad mood for awhile." Lucas kissed her hand.

"Speaking from experience, it can only make you try harder when someone's sarcastic." She tilted her head.

"So, what i'm supposed to be sweet? And like, friendly? Yuck!" The running back chuckled, everything she did was funny. "Hey, is Zay still planning on coming back down? Or up?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I need to apologize to him." Riley saw some big blue eyes widen at the sound of the word 'apology'. "What?"

"If i'm not around can you record it? I haven't heard that before."

She threw her arms up. "If i'm so mean why do y'all hang out with me? There's obviously something about me that y'all enjoy." All of her friends pretended to think, and Riley watched with an unexplained expression.

"I'm in it for the clothes."

"I'm your uncle." The cheerleader turned to her boyfriend.

"I actually enjoy the blind hatred." She started laughing and he leaned in for a kiss that she turned away from.

"Alright, I hate to leave the sacrifical burning of my self esteem but I need to get back. Everyone meet at Lucas' truck? Does that work?" After she said goodbye the cheerleader and her boyfriend went back to the highschool it was going to be a busy night.

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