Chapter 4

I've been on a bit of a writing streak. Hope you enjoy :)

-One Year Ago-

Lucas wiped his brow as he took a seat on the porch of his grandfather's home. He'd been home for about a month, and Pappy Joe was keeping him busy with all the work he had around the farm. Not that Lucas was complaining. It was great to be spending time with his family again…and it was a great distraction from Riley.

Not that she wasn't on his mind constantly. They'd sent the odd text to each other here and there, but between working on the farm and catching up with all his family and old friends, Lucas had been busy. And he was sure Riley had a lot going on herself.

Lucas pulled out his phone, there was a text from Zay. He'd sent a picture of him and Farkle at the gym, flexing in the most ridiculous way. Miss ya buddy. Lucas laughed because that was so typical of Zay.

Although it was nice to catch up with some of his friends from high school, he had to admit he missed his friends from New York much more. They'd become like family in the almost five years he'd been living out there, and the few times he went out to a party or to hang out with some of his and Zay's old crew, he found that he didn't have as much in common with those guys anymore.

Lucas looked up and saw a familiar Volkswagen Bug zipping up Pappy Joe's driveway. He stood up just as the pretty blonde slammed her door and skipped up the porch. "Hey Lucas! Ma sent me over to invite you guys to our barbecue tomorrow night."

"Hey Sheila. That sounds awesome, Pappy Joe's out right now but I'll be sure to let him know."

"Great!" She smiled at him "Listen, a bunch of the old Renmore High crew are having a bonfire by the lake tonight. I don't want to hear any excuses this time. You're coming!"

Lucas laughed good naturedly. He hadn't realized people were picking up on the fact that he had mostly been avoiding his old school friends. The truth was, that was a part of his life that he'd grown out of. "Alright, Sheila. I'll drop by."

"Good. I'll see ya later!" She waved and got back into her car.

Sheila Johnson had been one of his casual friends from middle school and the start of high school. He remembered her as always being friendly and sweet, but they'd never been close. Still, Lucas thought, he should make the most of his time in Texas before he went back to school.

Lucas took a quick shower and settled down on the couch with an iced tea. He tried channel surfing, but nothing really interested him. After a while, he pulled out his phone to catch up on social media. After scrolling through his Facebook feed, without even thinking about it he landed on Riley's page. Sure, they hadn't been talking much, but he missed her like crazy and always wanted to know what she was up to.

Lucas stared at her photo for a moment. It was one of his favourite pictures of her, and he loved the fact that he'd been the one to take it. It was back from their freshman year of college, at a Halloween party. Riley had gone as a princess, complete with a little tiara. She was looking off at something in the distance and laughing, her eyes scrunched up and her head thrown back. Lucas had taken the photo on impulse, struck by how beautiful she'd looked in that moment.

What he saw when he scrolled down her page made him stop completely. Charlie Gardener had tagged her in a photo.

There he was with his arm around Riley's shoulder. Charlie was looking down at her, while Riley was looking off towards something behind the camera, a smile on her face. Thanks for coming out with me to the festival! he'd commented on the photo.

Lucas stared at it for a long while. Riley looked…happy. And they looked like a couple. He quelled his annoyance and jealousy as he closed the app. Lucas got up and scrawled a quick note for Pappy Joe before hopping in his truck and driving off. The bonfire was starting to sound pretty good.

"Sooo… how was the music festival thing with Charlie? I still can't believe you went." Maya asked Riley from across their kitchen table. Riley, having just woken up, was sipping on her coffee while Maya ate a bowl of cereal.

"It was fun. I'm glad he convinced me to go after all, it definitely beats staying at home all alone."

"Yeah, sorry about that Riles, but hanging out with your uncle is just so much more fun" She said with a wink.

"Maya!" Riley whined, "for the last time, can you not call him my uncle? That's weird. I'm still not used to the fact that you and Josh are dating. But you know I'm so happy for you."

"I know." Maya said, with a smile more genuine than Riley had seen on her best friend's face in a long time. Her and Josh had been seeing each other for about three months now, and it was going great.

"But enough about that…tell me about Charlie. Are you going to see him again?" Riley picked up on a hint of something in Maya's voice.

"He's really not that bad Maya, when you get to know him. He's been fun to hang out with this summer, especially with you being busy with Josh and my parents being in London… and Lucas being gone."

"Alright hun, but you didn't answer my question."

"I… I don't know if I'm going to see him again. I mean… he seems like he could be a good friend, you know? I just don't know yet."

"Hmm." Maya bit her tongue. Although she didn't think anyone would ever be good enough for her best friend, something about Charlie just rubbed her the wrong way. But Riley was an adult and she knew her best friend could make her own decisions. She just hoped that Riley's judgment was right about Charlie.

...

Riley sat on the couch with Jasper, watching one of her favourite cooking shows and scrolling through her Facebook feed, trying to decide on how to respond to Charlie's latest message. He'd asked her out again, and Riley wasn't sure what to say. She had fun hanging out with him, sure, but she didn't know if she had feelings for him in that way.

They'd hung out here and there over the last month. With Farkle and Smackle working on a new research project, and Zay and Maya busy with their own relationships, she had to admit she was lonely. But Charlie had started to call and message her more often, and sometimes Riley felt like they were moving too fast, or that she might be leading him on.

Riley's thoughts stopped in their tracks as she scrolled down to a picture of Lucas. A picture of Lucas with a beautiful girl.

He was at some bonfire, with his signature stoic smile on his face, looking into the camera. The girl, Sheila, Riley noticed from the profile who'd tagged Lucas in the photo, was standing behind the log that Lucas was sitting on. She had her arms draped intimately around his shoulders, as though she'd just leaned down to pose for the photo. She was also wearing Lucas's hoodie, Riley noticed with a jolt.

She stared at the photo, trying to stop the ache in her heart. Lucas had gone on a few dates here or there that Riley knew of, but it had never led to anything serious. This… this looked like something more, though. She wondered if this was some girl from his past, from before he'd moved to New York. They looked really comfortable with each other.

Was this why he was barely responding to her messages this summer? Because he was busy with his new girlfriend?

Riley hated the jealousy that rose up in her as she stared at the photo. She had no right to be jealous. She was the one who'd pushed Lucas away all those years ago. He was bound to start dating someone eventually.

Riley exited out of the app and opened her messages. Her finger hovered over Lucas's name for a minute, but she scrolled past him. She was done messaging him. She opened up the chat with Charlie instead.

Riley knew that what she was doing wasn't fair to Charlie. She knew that the only reason she was agreeing to the date was to try to protect her own heart from the heartbreak she was feeling right now. She ignored the fact that it was for all the wrong reasons as she hit send on her message.

She did like spending time with Charlie. No matter what anyone said, he had always been sweet to her in all the time they'd been talking. Maybe he would be exactly what it took to finally move on from Lucas Friar.

Lucas pulled his truck up to his best friend's uncle's house and tapped lightly on the horn. Unlike his own parents, Zay's family had decided to stay in New York, so Zay would only come back out to Texas for a couple weeks each summer to visit friends and family. He had gotten in that morning, and Lucas was excited to see him after six weeks.

Zay hopped into his truck and they did their signature handshake, the one they had perfected in third grade. "Sup my man?" Zay yelled.

"Not too much, what's up with you?"

"Same old. Gotta say, we miss you around the apartment. Farkle's pancakes just don't compare to yours."

Lucas laughed. "You know you could always make your own right?"

"Now why would I do that?"

Lucas smiled as he pulled out onto the road. He'd missed his best friend, and everyone back in New York.

...

"Damn. It's like they're all still in high school." Zay said, after he and Lucas got back in his truck a couple hours later. Zay had moved to New York about a year after Lucas had, when his mom had been transferred to the New York office of her company. And although he also didn't have a choice in the move, like Lucas, he fell into life in New York seamlessly.

They'd just spent the afternoon at Jackson Denner's farmhouse with all the guys from their old high school crew. It was like they'd been transported back in time. The guys still talked and joked about the same things, but Zay and Lucas had somehow…grown out of it.

Lucas nodded. "I mean, they're all nice guys, but I get so bored hanging out with them now."

"I feel ya. I'd rather play video games with Farkle or debate with Riley any day." Zay said with a laugh.

Lucas got quiet. He'd been wanting to ask about Riley for ages, but he didn't want Zay to think he was still into her. He'd told his friend that he was over her years ago.

"How is Riley doing, anyways?" He asked casually.

Zay looked at Lucas out of the corner of his eye. They had been friends since kindergarten, and he didn't know who Lucas thought he was fooling when he said he didn't have feelings for Riley. Still, this was something Zay kept to himself until his friend figured it out on his own. "She's been good. Haven't you talked to her?"

"I…I've been busy. Pappy Joe's been needing a lot of help around his farm, and with mom and dad in Europe for the month, I've been trying to help as much as possible, so…"

"Mmhmm. Well, she's been busy a lot lately, so I haven't seen her much. But you know Riley, she's always happy."

"Busy… with what?" Lucas tried to keep his casual tone as he put the truck into park in front of his grandfather's house.

"Well she's been seeing that guy Charlie a lot. Personally, I think he's a bit of a tool, but they seem to be getting along well." Zay was getting out of the truck, but he could imagine the look of jealousy that Lucas would be desperately trying to conceal from his face. A part of him hoped that this would be the kick in the pants his best friend needed to finally man up and confront his feelings.

"So… he makes her happy?" Lucas said, also getting out of the truck.

"Yeah. Yeah I think so." Zay jogged up the stairs, pulling open the screen door and walking in. "Pappy Joe! Where are you?!" Lucas heard his friend yell from inside the house, but he stayed where he was for a minute, collecting his thoughts.

...

Lucas and Zay were just clearing up their dishes from dinner, while Pappy Joe went out for a stroll. Zay loved Lucas's grandfather. His own grandparents lived in Florida, so he'd never seen them that often growing up, but he was always welcome at the Friars' place. Zay and Joe had had fun, reminiscing about when Lucas and him were kids, though Zay couldn't help but notice how Lucas had been quiet as he picked at his ribs.

"So… how's Sheila Johnson doing?" Zay asked, breaking Lucas out of his thoughts as they moved to catch the baseball game in the living room.

"What? Oh… she's good, I guess. Why?"

"Because that's her coming up the drive, isn't it?" Zay nodded out the open window, where, sure enough, Sheila was hopping out of her car. Zay remembered her from high school; she had always been pretty and popular, and nice enough, though they were never super close. He'd noticed her tag Lucas in some posts on Facebook, but he'd forgotten to ask his friend about her until that moment.

Sheila opened the screen door and walked into the living room, something Zay thought was sort of odd for just an acquaintance to do. "Zay Babineaux! In the flesh and blood!" She came over and gave him a hug, but she doubled back to sit down next to Lucas, who continued watching the game, Zay noticed.

"Hey Sheila, how have you been?" He asked politely.

"Good, good! I have to say, it's been great having all you boys come back into town!" She touched Lucas's arm briefly as she said this. Lucas didn't react at all as he kept his eyes on the TV.

"I was going to ask if you guys wanted to join me and Sarah for a milkshake at Rocko's?"

Zay's stomach grumbled in response. He'd been craving a chocolate milkshake from Rocko's since he'd gotten back, but he also had to get back home soon. His aunt had made his favourite peach cobbler and had invited him and Lucas over for some. "I'd love to, but I need to get back home soon."

Sheila pouted. "Aww. What about you, Lucas?"

Lucas turned to look at her briefly. "Oh… umm, I'm actually going to hang out at Zay's tonight. Sorry Sheila."

"So what's going on between you two?" Zay asked a few minutes later after Sheila had left.

"Between me and Sheila Johnson? Nothing." Lucas said with surprise.

"Dude, she's totally into you."

"What? No she's not."

Zay laughed. Lucas had always been oblivious to the effect he had on girls, which usually only made them like him even more. The boy had game and he didn't even realize it.

"I mean…she did ask for my sweater at the bonfire that night." He could see the gears turning in Lucas's head. "And I thought that was pretty weird since it was crazy hot. But… I'm not interested in her in that way." He shrugged, turning back to the game.

-Three weeks later-

Lucas held the stack of papers in one hand, and his phone in the other for what felt like ages, his finger hovering over the Call button with uncertainty. He'd just come home to find the envelope, and in the weeks since he'd sent the application, he'd completely forgotten about it.

Lucas glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table. 9:16 pm. Meaning it was just after ten in New York. Remembering that he had to drop Zay off at the airport in just over half an hour, he sat down on his bed and hit the green button.

Lucas ignored the butterflies in his stomach as the phone rang.

"Hello?"

God he'd missed her voice. They never went a day or two without talking to each other, and now it had been most of the summer that he'd been avoiding her. He ignored the pang of guilt.

"Hey Riles."

"Lucas?" He heard the surprise in her voice. "Hi."

"Hey."

It was loud wherever she was, but he heard her shuffling and what sounded like a door closing before it got quieter.

"Hi…" She repeated. He could tell she sounded nervous.

"How have you been?"

"I… I've been okay. How about you?"

"Same. I've been busy at Pappy Joe's farm, and seeing everyone again. Sorry, am I interrupting something?"

"No. No you're not interrupting at all. How is Pappy Joe? And your parents?" She was starting to sound more like her old self, and Lucas felt himself smiling as he eased into his pillows.

"They're all great. Pappy Joe still has that picture you took with him when you guys came out here back in high school. Its hanging on his fridge actually."

He heard her laugh, and he could just picture her eyes scrunching up. "Oh no. I have a copy of that picture too. My hair was horrible in that."

"No. You looked beautiful, Riles." The words slipped out before he even realized and she fell silent on the other end of the line. That probably didn't come across as very… brotherly, he thought.

Suddenly, he heard another, more muffled voice in the background. Riley, there you are! I've been looking all over for you. He recognized it instantly as Charlie Gardener.

"Oh, I was just on the phone."

Yeah, well tell em you'll call them back. It's our turn in charades babe! The last word made Lucas's chest tighten.

"Okay, yeah I'll be there in a second." He heard her say, "Lucas are you still there?"

"Yeah… But you sound pretty busy, so I'll let you go."

"No, it's okay. I want to keep talking to you."

"Riley, don't worry about it."

"Okay." He could hear the uncertainty in her voice. "But you're back in a week, right? I'll see you then?"

Lucas looked down at the envelope, now weighing heavily in his hands. "Yeah."

...

Lucas had been pretty quiet on the drive to the airport, with Zay keeping up most of the chatter. It was only when they pulled up to the departures entrance and Lucas cut the engine that he really seemed to tune back in.

"So your flight lands at 4 next Thursday, right? I'll come grab you at the airport." Zay said as he lifted his luggage out of the back.

"Umm… about that." Lucas scratched the back of his neck, almost nervously. "I'm not coming back next Thursday."

"What? Are you taking a later flight? I mean that's cutting it pretty close to the start of semester, isn't it?"

Lucas sighed, "No. I mean I'm not going back to New York at all. I'm staying here."

Now Zay stopped and looked at him properly. "What?"

"Yeah. I applied for a transfer to Texas A&M earlier in the summer and sort of forgot about it, until I got the acceptance letter today. Pappy Joe's getting older, and he really needs my help. It just makes sense."

"Lucas, are you kidding me? What about your life in New York? All your friends?"

"Look, we'll always be best friends. The distance never changed that before, so why should it now? And I'll come visit. It just…it just feels like the right move for me right now."

Zay stared at his best friend for a moment. He knew there was no changing Lucas's mind once he'd decided something. And he knew that this decision had nothing to do with Pappy Joe, who was doing just fine. "Alright man." He said, after a while, giving his best friend a hug. "You're going to be missed."

Riley bounced into Farkle, Zay and Lucas's apartment as Farkle opened the door for her. She'd been so busy with Charlie, and with her summer tutoring job at the rec centre that she'd barely seen them over the past few weeks. Zay was looking into the fridge, his back to Riley, which is why she almost knocked him over when she pulled him into a big bear hug.

"Zay! I missed you! You have to tell me all about Texas!" She practically squealed.

Zay couldn't help smiling as he turned around and hugged her properly. Riley's bubbly personality was infectious. "Well hey there cutie. I missed you too!"

"So Mark is ragging on us, acting all cocky like he thinks we're going to forget how to ride just because we live in the city now. But you know Lucas, nobody can question whether he's a true cowboy. So he challenges Mark right there. We drive back to Pappy Joe's and Lucas smokes Mark in a race." Zay could barely keep the laughter from his voice as he, Farkle and Riley sat on the couch and he relayed stories about his time in Texas.

"Mark should've known better. Lucas is amazing with animals." Riley laughed.

"I would've liked to see the look on this Mark guy's face. He sounds like a piece of work," Farkle chimed in.

"I can't wait to hear this story again from Lucas when he's back next week." Riley said, as she continued to channel surf, looking for something they could watch. She didn't notice the look Zay and Farkle exchanged behind her back.

"Uhh Riles. About that." Zay started, almost losing his nerve as she turned to look at him curiously. "Lucas isn't coming back. He transferred to Texas A&M and he's going to stay there."

Farkle watched one of his oldest friends in the world try to process the news that the guy she loved wouldn't be coming back to the city. He'd known Riley since he could barely talk, and he knew she would do anything for anyone. Which is why she'd stepped back from Lucas almost four years ago in high school. She'd distanced herself from him because she'd thought that was what would be best for everyone, as wrong as she was.

But she'd never stopped loving him.

It had taken them a while to get back to their strong friendship, but he had thought Lucas and Riley were better than ever. He would have bet money on them getting together any day now if you'd asked him at the start of the summer, because he also knew something about one of his other best friends, Lucas.

Lucas had never stopped loving Riley either.

He'd seen the heartbreak on his friend's face when Riley had decided that they were nothing more than friends, that he was like a brother to her, all those years ago. He'd seen that same heartbreak again when Riley danced with Charlie Gardener at that party before the start of the summer, and he'd heard that same heartbreak in Lucas's voice when he'd called him that morning, after finding out Lucas wasn't coming back to the city.

Farkle wanted to scream at both of them. It was so clear that they were meant to be, but neither of them seemed to get the memo. Still, he bit his tongue. He'd tried to meddle once before, and everyone involved had ended up getting hurt because of it. He'd promised Riley that day that he would never say anything again, not to her, Lucas, or anyone else. And he was pretty sure that Riley thought she had him convinced, like everyone else, that she didn't have feelings for Lucas anymore.

"Oh." Riley said, turning to look back at the TV. "Do you… Do you know when he decided that?"

Farkle could see how she was working so hard to keep the tears from her voice.

"He told me about it last night when he dropped me off."

"Oh. Okay." She pasted a half-hearted smile on her face that fooled no one. "Well I'm happy for him. I know how much he always missed home. I just wish he'd said goodbye." She whispered the last part, almost as if just to herself.

Riley stood up with a sudden burst of energy. "Oh! I just remembered I was supposed to take Auggie for back to school shopping. I should get going. I'll see you guys later!" And she hastily left.

Farkle and Zay turned to look at each other, neither of them having to say the words to know how much this news had hurt her.

It killed him to know how much both of his friends were hurting, and all because neither of them could realize the other's feelings. But if there was one more thing that Farkle knew, it was that Riley and Lucas's story was nowhere near over.

Thanks for reading, reviews are really appreciated!