Chapter 17

Hello my lovely readers,

so I am having an operation tomorrow and will be having a week of bed rest afterwards, I didn't want to leave without posting an update for you all as thanks for being so lovely and understanding. Hope you're all doing well and enjoy this chapter 3

After the eventful meeting at the rental house, everyone was more than happy to continue the ride to the lake, the tension drifting further away as they put Maya and Lucas in the distance. Their thoughts turned to swimming, s'mores and star gazing as the continued to chat amongst themselves.

"Hey Sugar." Zay started as he rode his horse alongside Riley. "You okay?" He asked, his eyes scanning her face as if it would give him an answer.

"I feel like I should be asking you the same question. You lost them as well." Riley reminded him softly, she had never expected Zay to choose her side over Lucas's to the point that he had just chosen Riley overall. He has stepped into a protective role that once upon a time was Lucas's.

"Honestly, I don't recognise that person anymore." Zay admitted, "the Lucas I knew would never of imagined hurting you in any way. I don't know who he is now." Riley gave him a sad smile and Zay knew even without words that she understood how he felt.

"Here we are!" Ryder called out from in front as he dismounted and led his horse one of the many trees that were sporadically spotted around, tying him up to the tree with enough rein so that the horse could graze easily as everyone followed suit. Once all the horses were sorted, Ryder, Ben and Zay began unloading the cart and setting up the camp. They had brought a large teepee tent that they were all going to sleep in. As the boys carried on, Riley, Vanessa, Kira and Farkle walked towards the lake and sat down.

"Wow." Farkle commented as he looked around. The water was still and an inviting cool blue, the trees that were around gave a perfect amount of shade in the Texas heat. The reeds that hugged the edge of the lake swayed slightly in the gentle breeze that occasionally made its presence known. "Not many places like this in New York." He commented softly.

"Not many indeed." Riley mumbled in agreement as she twisted her camera bag from her back onto her front and grabbed the familiar heavy camera that had almost become a comfort to her. She continued to admire the view as she brought the camera up to her eye, removing the cap and turning it on before she started to take pictures of their surroundings.

"I'm glad you and Riley could make up." Kira offered to Farkle as a sort of olive branch, he looked at her surprised before letting out a small smile.

"it shouldn't have taken me this long to apologise." He admitted shamefully, although he knew him and Riley were on better terms, the guilt of hurting her and abandoning her still made itself known front and centre in his mind.

"Maybe so, but you did apologise. You realised you weren't in the right and you are making the effort to put it right. That's more than what the other two are doing." Vanessa inputted as she placed a gentle hand on Farkle's shoulder and smiled at him with encouragement.

"Nah, we are fine. We don't need any help." Zay called out jokingly as he appeared from behind the large tent they had set up with sweat dripping down his forehead. Riley grinned softly as she handed her camera to Kira and stood up before placing a concerned look on her face.

"You boys are really sweating and in this heat it might be best you sit down." Riley suggested as she watched Ryder set up some camp chairs and towels.

"I'm boiling." Zay agreed as he made his way to the girls not seeing Ryder and Ben shaking their heads and holding back a grin. Riley watched as Zay placed his phone onto one of the chairs as he got ready to sit with the girls and Farkle, as he walked in front of them to sit in the spot Riley was offering him, his smiling face became one of confusion as suddenly he felt a light pressure on his chest and the ground being whipped away from him as he fell backwards with a loud splash into the lake.

There was silence as everyone registered what had just happened and their eyes went from Zay who was sat drenched in the lake and staring mouth open in shock to Riley who stood with a grin on her face and her arm still outstretched from pushing him in.

"Thought you could use a cool off." She teased as she sent a wink his way before everyone burst out laughing.

"oh Angel." Ryder tutted as he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, placing his head on her shoulders. "You play dirty." He whispered in her ear as he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Well I say, let's get into our swimwear and let's join him!" Vanessa cried as she wiped the tears of laughter away that had been falling prior. "Us girls will take the teepee to get changed in. You boys can change out here." With a giggle she grabbed Kira and Riley's arm before dragging them into the tent to change.

"Is no one going to help me out?" Zay called out in a mock offended tone as Ryders attention turned back to him.

"Nah, you look cooler there." Ben joked as Zay dramatically rolled his eyes before climbing out of the lake and joining the boys in changing into their trunks.