Riley stirred softly and frowned as a cold breeze whipped around her body, opening her eyes she looked for her duvet and stared in shock as she realised she was still outside in Ryders arms.

"Ryder, Ryder wake up! We fell asleep." She whispered yelled as the boy who was holding her began to stir.

"Hmm? Oh hey Angel." He muttered sleepily as he drew her closer to his body, causing her to smile.

"Ryder." She giggled as she tried to escape his embrace before he finally woke up.

"Oh.. I guess we fell asleep huh?" He muttered sheepishly. "At least you're folks know you're with me?" He offered as reassurance.

"Have you met my dad?" Riley asked with a pointed look, causing them both to giggle again.

"You two are lucky I love you." A feminine voice came from behind them, causing them to turn in shock as Kira stood with her torch pinned on the couple. "I asked your mum if you could stay the night Riles, as far as she knows you're at mine and not asleep in my brothers arms." Kira winked before offering her hand to Riley to help her stand up.

"Thank you! I owe you one." Riley exclaimed in relief as she brushed down her trousers and began to gather her things.

"So wait, she gets a helping hand up but what about me?" Ryder asked in mock horror as he pouted at the two girls causing them to giggle.

"Don't be so dramatic Ryder." Kira rolled her eyes as he stood up. "How are you feeling Riley?" She asked as she turned to the brunette she had grown very protective of.

"Umm. Im not sure if I am honest.. I knew I would have to see them at some point I just didn't expect it to be so soon." Riley admitted as she looked down at the ground trying to ignore the waves or anxiety that was filling up her body, she could hear the blood rushing around her body in her ears as she tried to take a deep breath. Without a moment of hesitation Ryder took her into his arms and held her close to his chest.

"Deep breaths angel, I won't let anything happen to you." Ryder whispered against her hair as he swayed with her slightly, he knew from how she danced at the bbq they had the other night that she loved music. Kira watched with soft eyes before turning away not wanting to intrude on their moment, walking to the tree that sat a bit away she leaned against the trunk and smiled at her brother and new best friend.

"They look good together." A voice beside her spoke causing Kira to jump slightly as she turned to see one of the boys from New York. "I'm Farkle, I was friends with Riley in New York." He spoke softly almost not wanting to alert Riley to his presence.

"Kira." Kira replied curtly, she was never normally one to be unfriendly, that title belonged to Ryder but after hearing what Riley had been through she couldn't help but want to protect the girl that had lit up her brothers world.

"I know you probably don't like me and I can't say I blame you. I haven't been the best of friends to Riley. But I'm glad to see her happy and it seems he brings out the best in her, she never teased any of us the way she teases him, that was always maya or zay." He rambled as he watched Riley continue to sway with Ryder.

"She brings out a side to my brother I didn't think would ever show. He is always lovely to me but to everyone else he is tough and a dangerous boy, even tho he is just a big teddy bear really. But Riley, she makes him less angry, less tough and he acts like he does in the family but even more do with Riley." She spoke softly before turning on Farkle, seeing that Maya and Lucas had joined while she was talking. "Listen to me closely because I will only say this once. Hurt Riley and you will not only have me to deal with by Ryder as well. Believe me my brother wouldn't hurt a fly normally, but hurt someone he cares about and hunny you might as well dig your own grave." She spoke calmly but the anger that flared up in her eyes betrayed her calm voice.

"We would nev.." Maya started out

"Save it blondie, i heard what Riley said, I saw the pain in her eyes." Kira snapped as she cut maya off. "You're from round here Lucas, you know Ryder isn't one to be messed with." Kira watched as the reality of the situation finally sank into the trio. "Now excuse me." Kira pushed off the trunk and ran to where her brother and Riley were dancing in their own world before jumping on them causing them to topple to the ground, their laughter echoing.

"Have we really lost her?" Maya whispered as the boys stood either side of her watching the happy trio in from of them. Riley had always been the one to make them smile but now she had people making her smile.

"I don't think we deserved to have her in the first place maya." Farkle admitted softly. "When she wanted to do cheerleading we told her not to, but look at what she did on that horse. We haven't helped her grow like she has us." His words hung over the group as they watched Ryder stand up and look over to the group, his body tensed as he assessed the situation, before Riley could look at what he was looking at, he swiftly lent down and picked her up carrying her princess style towards his house, ensuring to keep her back to the group. Kira looked over once more before following.

"Why don't I get carried!" She shouted playfully as she chased her brother into the house, the door slamming shut behind them.

"If we want Riley back we are really going to have to work for it." Lucas stated as the other two nodded, none of them wanting to peel their eyes away from the house Riley had disappeared into.

"Wait.. that wasn't Riley's house was it?" Maya asked confused

"No.. that was Ryders." Lucas responded quietly.