Chapter 37
"Hello, can I speak to Adam or Devin the CCM's please? It's Riley." Lucas laid beside her on the brunette's bed. He was at her beck and call, constantly getting new bags of ice, elevating her knee and giving her lots of kisses. Josh and Maya sat at her bay window watching White Chicks. Hey Adam, how are you?
I've been better, because I have a feeling you're calling in?
Kind of, I strained my PCL in my knee i'll be on crutches for a few days so I can't work.
Have you posted your shifts?
No, I haven't. I will and send out a mass text. It's just like 3 days, I have a brace that i'm wearing so I can sit on a barstool and check.
Mhm, we'll see how that works out. Way to make things difficult Riles.
It's what I live for. Thanks Adam.
Riley hung up her phone and tossed it away. "What's wrong peaches?" Maya pulled her eyes away from the movie.
"I hate calling in, makes me seem lazy." All 3 of her friends glared at her.
"Sweetheart, you seriously injured your knee, again. I'm sure they'll understand." Lucas chuckled and kissed her head. Maya checked the time on her phone.
"Oh shoot, Josh we have work in an hour and we have to get changed." Josh stood up and intertwined their fingers.
"Maya, take one of my shirts. I have like a million, that way y'all will only have to make one stop." The blue eyed girl glanced at her shoes and had a pleading look. "And my tennis shoes."
"And a belt?" The guys started laughing.
"Yes, but I need to go through your closet one day. I'm missing a lot." 10 minutes later it was Lucas and Riley alone in her room watching White Chicks.
"How are you feelin'?" Riley shrugged her shoulders.
"Tired, which I guess is normal with all the medicine they've given me." The word medicine held a certain level of disgust when it escaped her mouth.
The running back cleared his throat. "Why don't you like taking pain medicine? When you're in pain?"
"I forget things, it makes me sleepy and if the pain is manageable then I don't see why I have to take it." He stroked her hair since it was obviously a sore subject.
"Easy sweetheart. Can I tell you why?" She rolled her head over to look at him. "Because people who love and care about you, don't want to see you in pain. So, if not for yourself than for us don't fight us too hard on taking it. Okay?"
"Bleh." There was a knock on the bedroom door and instantly it flung open revealing Topanga.
"Hi honey, are you okay? I'm so sorry I didn't come sooner i've been in court all day." The mother ran to her bedside.
"I'm fine momma, no worries." Mrs. Matthews gave her a once over.
"Clearly." Riley's hair was being stroked by both people and she was slowly falling asleep. "Your dad told me what happened." The brown eyed girl didn't say anything but Lucas did.
"I have a few choice words for Missy when I see her." Riley slowly shook her head.
"Everyone needs to drop it." She hadn't blinked for a minute. "There's no way to prove she did anything wrong, and personally i'd rather have this than continue to pointlessly argue with that female dog. Maybe, she got it all out of her system." The running back rolled his eyes while hers were closed. "I know you just rolled your eyes, but for me just drop it. Unless you have a taped confession there's not a whole lot that can be done."
"How did-"
"I know you Mr. Friar." Topanga started laughing, when Lucas' phone rang.
Hey momma.
Hey where are you? Did you pick up a shift?
No, i'm at Riley's she had to go to the ER today.
WHAT? Lucas inched the phone away from his ear while his mother screamed.
She was sabotaged by a teammate and landed on her knee when she flew, she strained her PCL.
Is she okay? He looked at her and grinned.
Yeah, I think so. She's got crutches for 2 days, brace for 2 weeks, no cheering for 2 months. So that's a tough break but, all in all she's okay.
Poor thing. Can we do anything?
Oh no momma that's okay. She's pretty much asleep right now, i'm probably going to wear out my welcome and once they kick me out i'll be home.
Well, if she wakes up B says hi. Tell her that we're thinkin' about her and hope she gets to feelin' better soon. Oh and we miss her and to call us if she needs anything.
I need a pen and paper.
Luke!
Kidding, i'll let her know. Love you.
There was another knock on the door and Mr. Matthews crept in, after realizing she was sleeping all 3 left the room at Cory's command. "Mr. Friar, I sent out a mass e-mail to your teachers and let them know that you left my class sick today. Excused absence, but let's not make this a weekly thing." Topanga poured 3 glasses of tea and everyone sat down at the rustic dining room table.
"I'm sorry Mr. Matthews for the trouble i've caused." The teacher shook his head.
"Trust me, between Riley and Missy something like this was bound to happen sooner or later. I didn't think it would be to this extent but they've had a rivalry for years." He took a sip of tea and set it back on the table.
"Do you know why?" Topanga cleared her throat.
"No, we don't. We've only made assumptions." Lucas gestured for her to continue. "When Riley got hurt her freshman year she gained a lot of popularity. Which, I don't know if that's sad or not but everyone knew who she was." Mrs. Matthews giggled. "Um, anyways when she started cheering again her sophomore year, she was captain, top in her class and finally grew into those legs of hers. My guess, is Missy may have gotten slightly jealous."
"And it doesn't help that my daughter is very sarcastic." Cory's chin touched his chest.
"Either way, if there's anything else I can do to help please let me know. I'd love to."
"Thank you, that's very nice of you." Topanga sipped her drink and after a wry smile she spoke again. "I should warn you that when Riley can't do something that she wants to do she gets what's the right word, irritable?" The green eyed man laughed.
"Yeah, I could've guessed that. I have a feelin' she'll try to push herself before she's ready and when we try to stop her, she'll argue with us about it." Her parents nodded their heads. "Well, now she has one more person to argue with."
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"RILEY! Come on! We've gotta go!" Mr. Matthews heard crutches down the hallway.
"Sorry, it's these stupid crutches and brace. It's hard to find clothes to work with this." Cory finally saw her daughter and laughed.
"Clearly, you've made it work though."
"Workout shorts and a t-shirt. What else could I wear?" There was a knock at the front door and Mr. Matthews went to answer it.
"A dress?" He suggested.
"What's that?" She was trying to manuever herself down the step, when she heard his voice.
"Hello beautiful girl, how are you feeling?" Lucas lifted her off the step, and slowly, gently placed her back on the ground.
"I don't need these crutches i'm fine. The brace won't even let me bend my knee."
"And so it begins, yes you do sweetheart, it's one more day. That knee doesn't need any pressure on it." Lucas grabbed her back pack and put it on. "I'm taking you to school this morning, so right this way."
"You can get ice from the trainer through out the day and I have some ice packs in my fridge. Keep it elevated." Cory continued to talk with his back turned to his daughter, who was mimicking him. "You can stop mocking me now. I'm a father it's my right to worry." He turned on his heels and caught a glimpse of his doe eyed daughter. "You are allowed to use the elevator in school, and leave a few minutes early from each class. I've emailed your teachers."
"I remember dad. But, what about cheer? Am I just sitting out?"
"Yes m'am. Oh also, we have a meeting with the principal, Missy and Darby right after your last class. So, right after health come to the office."
"Why? I said I wanted to drop this."
"You're 17, so I still make the decisions." The brunette realized this day was already off to a bad start and with a strong exhale swung herself across the living room with Lucas following beside her.
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"Don't be angry sweetheart. He loves you and is doing what he thinks is best for someone seriously injuring his daughter." Riley continued to look out the window. "I'd do the same thing for my daughter." She grinned at the sound of him thinking about kids.
"I know, I just hate making a big deal of this. I want it to be over."
"Okay, but this is a big deal. You were in tears, slamming your hands on the hardwood floor, begging the trainer to stop." Lucas was angry just thinking about yesterday. "Not to mention the thousands of dollars that the doctor visit yesterday, crutches, brace, and rehab will cost." The cheerleader scoffed.
"Again, I know. Sorry i'm such a hassle." He rolled his eyes.
"That's not what I said, drama queen."
"Drama queen? I'm not the one who's making me go to the principal." He furrowed his brows at her agression.
"Can you take it down several notches? I'm just trying to help because I love you and hate seeing you this way. Just like your parents do. Do you realize that if you had rotated more or less it could've been a lot worse and you may not have been able to walk again?" The cheerleader felt guilty.
"Okay! Okay, i'm sorry. You're right, I understand why he's doing it. I just wish he wouldn't." He cleared his throat. "I love you too Lucas."
"Thank you. Now, should I expect this level of sassiness the rest of the day? Should I up my sass game or are we going to be polite to each other like normal couples are?" The green eyed man put his truck into park.
"I'll get back to you on that. In all honesty we're never like 'normal couples' we're pretty mean to each other sometimes." After grabbing her crutches and backpack he gently helped her out of his truck.
"Yeah, but that's what I love about us. We don't take it personally, in fact I think we thrive on it." She chuckled.
"Ah, the key to every healthy relationship, irritability."
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Riley and Lucas exited the elevator and sauntered towards first period. She had finally started remembering how to use her crutches and was able to keep up with her 6'2" boyfriend. "Just like riding a bike!"
"Yeah, it seems to be a little easier for you. Congratulations." She glared.
"Excuse me sir, i'm allowed to be a smart alec to you not you to me, that isn't how our relationship works."
Lucas laughed. "Easy killer." A few students walked by and came to a halt when they saw the brunette.
"Riley, we heard i'm so sorry are you okay?"
"Peachy king. Thank you for asking. What do you mean, you heard?"
"There was an announcement yesterday during 3rd period." Riley glanced at her boyfriend and he had the word confused written across his head too.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better. We have to go." The group of 3 girls left the couple standing in the middle of the hallway.
Lucas immediately defended himself. "I don't know. Don't look at me." The brunette looked towards the ground and continued to crutch her way to class. The pair meandered into first period and all eyes were on her, she huffed and cleared her throat.
"Attention classmates, please stop staring at me. I'm fine, and will be off these crutches tomorrow and walking in 2 weeks." Her classmates continued to stare, so she cleared her throat again. "Attention, please STOP staring at me!" Lucas giggled and helped her into her seat. Cory propped her foot up and grabbed an ice pack from his fridge.
"Well, this should be an interesting day." He clutched her hand and kissed it to console her. "I hate having all eyes on me, it's invasive? Is that right?"
"I'm assuming so, you're 3rd in our class i'll trust your judgement." She rolled her eyes and hardly smiled all morning. "Hey cranky?"
"Yes stinky?"
"Smile, it lights up a room." Her vacant expression left her face and a grin approached her face, unwillingly. "There it is, I love seeing that." Her grin approached a smile, and her shoulders visibly relaxed. "I love you, let's make this day a good one. You woke up, and that's all that really matters."
"Okay confuscious." The couple laughed and started paying attention to what her father was teaching.
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Lucas walked in to 2nd period late and passed his teacher a note from Mr. Matthews. "Thank you please have a seat." He took his assigned seat and didn't make eye contact with Missy who couldn't pull her eyes off of him. After several minutes of ignoring her a note landed on his desk. The green eyed man picked up the note and after grinning at Missy tore it in half, then continued his book work. Another note landed on his desk again, this time he read it.
What's your deal? He replied vigrorously.
Oh, just the fact that my girlfriend seriously damaged her knee because 'someone' didn't catch her, on purpose. In case you didn't know that 'someone' is you.
There's no proof. Cheers a scary sport.
You're right there isn't. Which is unfortunate.
Why is that unfortunate? Innocent until proven guilty.
Because Missy, if i'm going to be honest you're the worst person i've ever met to do that to someone. No matter what the circumstance. The sound of your name makes me sick. Literally.
That's harsh.
You'll get over it and live.
The rest of the class Lucas continued to avoid her, he wanted the time to speed up so he could more easily keep his word to Riley, to 'just drop it'. He was interested to see how the meeting with the principal would go.
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"Seriously, all these eyes watching me makes me feel like i'm walking around school naked." Maya and Josh laughed. "It was so weird this morning, a group of girls stopped me and said they 'heard' about what happened. How?" Maya eyed Josh. The blonde deciphered her tone and knew she may not like what she was about to hear.
"I texted Smackle to make an announcement, to send good thoughts your way." Riley's jaw clenched and eyed her best friend. "I thought it'd get under Missy's skin."
"Maya! You know I don't like the attention, what could possibly make you think that was a good idea?"
"It was in the heat of the moment kind of thing." The cheerleader dropped her chin and held her head up with her right hand. "Don't be mad at me. Remember we skipped school yesterday to come see you!" Her brown eyes rolled.
"I get 10 minutes of angry time. Leave me be." The blue eyed girl leaned back in her desk and dropped her tense shoulders. Josh winked at his girlfriend and smiled. 4 minutes had passed in silence when the brunette turned to face her friends. "Has it been 10 minutes yet?" Josh eyed the clock on the wall.
"Nope, 4." She huffed.
"I take it back 4 is long enough." Maya sat up out of her desk and hugged Riley. "I can't be mad at you!"
"I wasn't even thinking when I did it, the only thing I thought was getting back at Missy. Which was dumb, because I wasn't even here to see if it worked." The blonde admitted.
"There will be no getting back at anyone. I'm hoping she got all of her hatred out of her system, and this 3 year long feud will end." Josh's jaw dropped.
"I thought you were messed up on meds yesterday, but you were serious?" She nodded her head.
"Dixie Chick serious." Her friends inhaled with open mouths. "Yeah and I mean it. If this is what it took to get her to leave Lucas and I alone then so be it, i'll take it. If she continues to bother me that's when the gloves will come off." Maya evily chuckled and raised her eyebrow.
"Let me know when that happens." The brunette adjusted her ice pouch and sat back up.
"I'm hoping I won't have to. You remember, Missy and I used to be friends. We don't have to be attached at the hip or anything but corgial is all i'm asking for."
"Boring."
"I'm not going to get caught up in her drama, and neither should you. At the end of this school year we'll all be in Austin going to college away from everyone." Her friends smiled at the thought. "Lucas and Josh will share a dorm and Maya will be in my dorm."
"Easy, we have to get in first." The blonde's fingers started braiding her hair.
"Which reminds me, January 2nd take off so you can fill out FAFSA. Come over to my house and we will have a scholarship, FAFSA, school application day of fun!" Josh rolled his eyes.
"How can I be so awesome, and my niece try to make a party of filling out applications?" He questioned.
"Because, your more awesome niece is throwing a New Years Eve slash birthday party and for you to be invited you have to go on the 2nd." She raised her eyebrow when her blue eyed friend interjected.
"Your lying." Maya whispered. The friends had a stare down.
"Ugh, fine." Riley snapped. "You win, but it'll be more fun doing it together than it would be seperately."
"Fine we're in!" Maya exclaimed.
Josh sighed. "Apparently, i'm in!" Riley clapped and continued her bookwork.
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The brunette was dreading going into the arena for cheer practice. She hated that she couldn't cheer and it was harder having to sit out and watch her friends do so. "Alright peaches, this is where I leave you. D is going to walk you to Lucas after class." Maya opened up the double doors to the arena and blew a kiss as the cheerleader sauntered in. There was no one in the gym yet, everyone was changing. After dropping her backpack on the ground she sat down in the plastic blue chair that filled her school and waited. Riley scrolled through her phone looking at pictures of her and Lucas when the arena doors opened.
"RILES!" Darby ran towards her friend and squeezed her tight. "How are you? What's the damage?"
"PCL sprain, grade 2. Can't cheer for 2 months." The captain saw the sadness in her eyes and a sympathetic smirk appeared.
"I should let you know. Missy is still on the team, she complained to Coach Stratford."
"I figured." The arena door opened and the squad silenced as she walked through the door. "I should let you know, you'll be called into the office after 5th." Darby shook her head and started stretching.
"Hey Riley, how are you feeling?" Her frenemy tried to put on a look of sadness, but it was too fake to take seriously.
"If I said terribly can we call a truce?" Missy cocked her head to the side.
"I don't believe I understand what you're saying." Her face was confused, which was familiar to her and Riley exhaled.
"I'm tired of fighting all the time. Truce, i'll even say you win. This," The brunette gestured to her knee, "was my final straw."
"Riley, I know you may find this hard to believe but I didn't do that on-"
"Correction, I find it extremely hard to believe that you didn't do this on purpose. I'm wanting to put all of this behind us. Are you?" Missy looked up to the ceiling and after a fake grin she waltzed away. "Gloves are off."
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