Really long chapter! Hope you like it!

Lucas's POV continued

Half an hour after Lucas had informed Zay he was planning to go to Texas his room had suddenly become full of people. He watched as Maya paced nervously.

"We need to get her away from that Ryder guy if he's bad news. He could corrupt her and she doesn't have the Riley committee. She has no one." She rambled nervously as she thought of her little plant who was so naïve and trusting.

"So we are going?" Zay asked as he began to type a message to Vanessa.

"We are going." Lucas confirmed before walking downstairs to talk to his parents.

Ryder's POV

"Hey angel wanna go for a walk?" He asked Riley who was sitting beside him on the swinging seat, she looked up at him and smiled.

"I'd like that cowboy." She teased causing Ryder's heart to skip a beat, this girl had done something to him, one day he didn't have a care in the world and then she pulled up and all he wants is to make her smile, she was constantly on his mind. But he knew she was troubled by something and he wanted to know what. Standing up he took her hand and lead her off the porch keeping her hand in his they walked towards the lake that was placed in a field at the end of their road. He smiled as he realised Riley hadn't pulled her hand away from his and how natural it felt to have her soft hands in his rough ones.

"So tell me about yourself, about New York, everything." He watched as her smile turned sad for a minute as her eyes glazed over with a faraway look. "Angel?" He asked concerned not wanting to cause her pain.

"Sorry, was just thinking, let's see New York is big, loud and beautiful but a different kind of beautiful from here. I lived there all my life and had pretty much the same friend group, but the last two years have been hard. So my parents decided to move, I have a friend down here already so they thought it would do me good to have a fresh start you know?" She rambled slightly as they settled themselves down underneath a large willow tree.

"I'm sorry to hear that things were hard, but I must say I'm glad you moved here."

Ryder admitted as he nudged her shoulder with his own. Riley smiled and nudged him back, causing Ryder to grin like an idiot as he noticed her hand was still intertwined with his. "I bet your friends miss you." He stated before frowning as Riley's face fell.

"We didn't exactly leave on good terms, apart from with two of tbem, I really needed them over the two years and they forgot I existed." She admitted softly not wanting to delve into it anymore. Ryder looked at the lake trying to hide his anger at the thought that her friends could do that to her. He turned to talk to her before her phone went off, she scanned the message quickly and looked up laughing. "I think my dad is halfway to having a panic attack that I'm with you." She chuckled softly as Ryder joined in laughing. He loved the quirky family that have moved in next door.

No ones POV.

"Panga! He is a boy!" Cory yelled for the tenth time as Topanga rolled her eyes, he was like a dog with a bone.

"Yes he is a boy. Well done for stating the obvious. But this could be what Riley needs, new friends! After what happened with the old group it's good she is stepping out of her comfort zone, plus Ryder is nicer than Lucas! When he was over here helping yesterday he was willing to do anything we asked of him and then invited us over for a BBQ." Topanga argued in the voice that Cory knew meant there was no point in trying as she was going to win.

"Fine, but I don't like it." He shouted wagging his finger at her.

"Fine. Also I've invited them over for dinner tonight, seeing as Riley has been out with them all day it's the best way to say thank you." Topanga informed him before waking to the other room not allowing him any chance to argue.

Meanwhile underneath the willow tree by the lake, Ryder and Riley sat watching the sunset.

"Today has gone by so quick." Riley commented as she laid her head on Ryder's shoulder, she smiled as he wrapped his arm around her silently, knowing she needed a friend. They sighed as Ryder's phone buzzing ruined the tranquility they had found.

"My folks say we gotta head back, we are all having dinner round yours." Ryder read our before standing up and helping Riley up, he would've happily stayed there all night with her, not moving, just them two in their own world, but they were shaken into reality. They walked silently side by side through the large field, not rushing to get back.

"Thank you for today Ryder, for everything." Riley said shyly as they approached her house, she stopped just before the front and looked up into his grey eyes, after two years of not feeling anything romantic for anyone she was surprised by her heart thudding in her chest and the butterflies in her stomach that were causing her cheeks to blush a gentle red tinge, leaning up onto her tiptoes she kissed his cheek gently and briefly before smiling at him. Ryder held his cheek where she had kissed before taking her hand and walking into the house, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her but didn't want to rush her, he knew someone had caused her pain and he wanted to help her heal before he caused her any more confusion. He would have his moment when the time was right for both of them. They walked through the door and came face to face with both families, Kira stood by the doorway and smiled knowingly at their joined hands.

"Oh uh hey everyone." Ryder muttered shooting his sister a silent plea for help. But thankfully Topanga stepped in.

"I'm thinking of ordering Chinese, what does everyone want?" Topanga asked successfully diverting the attention away from the two teens as everyone began to shout out their orders whilst Kira approached the two her phone out as usual.

"Hey Ryder have you seen the new video Adam posted online?" She gushed before pressing play showing a guy the same age as them doing a handstand on a horse, Riley watched with wide eyes as the horse began to canter around the arena.

"What is he doing?" She asked in awe unable to look away.

"Trick riding. He is the best in the area." Kira replied with a slight blush creeping into her cheeks.

"He's also Kira's boyfriend." Ryder remarked rolling his eyes while smiling before noticing Riley was oblivious to their exchange her eyes still firmly glued to the screen. "Want him to teach you." He joked as he nudged Riley before his eyes widening as she stared up at him with excitement.

"Do you think he could? Could we try tomorrow? Please?" She asked her eyes shining with joy as Ryder stared at her before shrugging.

"Try what tomorrow?" They looked down to see Auggie standing beside them his head tilted to the side slightly, Riley smiled and knelt down to his level.

"I'm going to try riding with a few tricks." She replied as Auggie smiled before taking Ryder's hand and dragging him away leaving Kira and Riley behind laughing. "I think my brother likes your brother." She smiled as she spoke to Kira.

"I think it's because he acts the same age as Auggie!" Kira joked causing the girls to break into a fit of giggles again.

Time hop: next day

No ones POV

Cory woke up to a text, opening his phone he saw that Riley had texted him at 8 in the morning.

Riley – Morning dad, am round Kira and Ryder's they are teaching me how to do trick riding! Don't worry I'll be careful! Love you.

Cory – okay have fun! Stay away from that boy!

Cory pressed send before looking at the time and realising it was nearly 11.30 jumping out of bed he ran down to see Topanga sitting at the table with a coffee and Auggie eating pancakes.

"Hey daddy." Auggie mumbled through a mouthful of food.

"Morning Augs, panga." He replied as he kissed each of them in turn on the foreheads before sitting down.

Ding dong.

"Cory that is probably Riley can you let her in." Topanga asked as she took another sip of coffee. Cory sighed before standing and walking to the door.

"I've told you, take a key!" He jokingly yelled as he opened the door before standing in shock. "Shawnie?"

Topanga frowned at the unmanly squeal she heard come from the door and stood up before walking over, she saw Cory standing still and looked over his shoulder with wide eyes as she saw Shawn, Maya, Lucas, Zay and Farkle.

"Shawn when we gave you our new address it didn't mean to bring the whole traveling circus." She snapped as her momma bear mode turned on.

"Panga I'm sorry they begged and pleaded and Lucas said he was gonna come and see his Pappy joe anyway." Shawn defended himself as he looked from the frowning Topanga to the shell shocked Cory. "Can we come in?" Growling softly Topanga pulled Cory out of the way allowing them to come in. Auggie looked up and saw everyone before running to hug Shawn and Zay. Maya opened her arms for a hug before her face fell as Auggie turned to her.

"I don't like you anymore. Dad can I go to see Riley?" Auggie asked as he stared at his dads face which hadn't changed before sighing and turning to Topanga. "Mum?" She nodded.

"I'll walk you." Zay offered as he smiled down at the little man.

"We will come with." Maya stated as she crossed her arms leaving no room for demand. Topanga glared at Maya and took a step forward.

"Listen here, you hurt MY daughter when you were meant to be HER best friend, then you turn up here uninvited and demand to see her. We moved away so she could have a fresh start without YOU. Now unfortunately I can't physically stop you from going over there but I will tell you this, you make her upset one more time and I will unleash all kinds of hell on you." She stated calmly as Maya watched with wide eyes, never had Topanga spoken to her like that and it hurt more than she'd like to admit.

"Let's go Zay." Auggie suggested as he took the older boys hand and left the house. Meanwhile across the road after nearly four hours of practising Riley had managed to master a few tricks, they weren't perfect and Adam was holding the horse on a lunge rope with Ryder running alongside the horse incase she fell off but she had managed. She knew her two years of throwing herself into gymnastics, cheerleading and dance had given her the muscles she needed to succeed.

"You're looking great Riley!" Kira yelled happily as she snapped pictures of Riley on the horse, Riley smiled over at her friend before looking down at Ryder.

"I want to try the apache hideaway." She stated, she had practised at standstill but she wanted to try at a canter. Ryder smiled and nodded knowing she could do anything.

"Okay but I'm right beside you in case you fall." He reassured her before she coaxed the horse into a trot.

"Hey Kira." Kira looked over her shoulder to see Auggie holding the hand of a guy she recognised but couldn't remember and three more teenagers. "Where's Riley?" Kira smiled before pointing to her on the horse.

They all watched in awe and fear as she eased the horse into a canter and looked down at the guy running beside her before smiling and swinging her leg over the saddle, she laid flat on the side of the horse with her hand still on the saddle as the horse continued to canter.

"I never knew she could do this." Farkle whispered in awe as they watched her.

"She learnt today." Kira replied as she cheered "that's it girl! You've got it!" She waves as Riley looked over and smiled before she noticed Riley's face freezing in shock, she watched with a scream in her throat as she lost balance and fell. Lucas lunged for the fence only to stop when he saw without an hesitation Ryder's arms swooping up and catching her bringing her into his chest as he tumbled backwards causing them both to fall onto the floor. Instantly Riley sat up and looked down at Ryder.

"Are you okay?" She asked quietly as he stared up at her.

"You're beautiful you know that." He muttered in awe as the sun seemed to halo around her head making her look even more like an angel. She blushed slightly before helping him up, he noticed her tense figure as she brushed off the dust. "What's wrong?" She nodded over to a group of teenagers who were with his sister and Auggie. "I'm gonna guess the friends you left on bad terms with?" He asked slinging his arm around her shoulder as they walked slowly over to the group.

"Sugar!" Zay yelled to the surprise of the group, their eyes widening as Riley rushed to hug him. "So this is why you haven't been texting me much the last few days." He teased before Farkle frowned.

"She has been texting you?" He asked quietly.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Lucas frowned at his best friend.

"She asked me not too when she left." Zay responded and watched as all three of their friends stared in disbelief.

"You knew she was leaving!" They yelled.

"We both knew" they all turned to see Vanessa standing with her hands on her hips glaring at Maya, Farkle and Lucas.