A/N: I am sorry if you do not like Markle, but this story features it and will continue to have it. I am sorry but you will not bully me off this site nor make me change couples. If you really want Joshaya my other GMW fic features it. Otherwise enjoy this Rucas, story!

Chapter 4 - Tension

Riley slid down the wall and collapsed into pure exhaustion. She couldn't breathe and tried her best not to have a panic attack. It was about Josh right now, and he needed to see that she wasn't weak but strong. She wiped her face with the sleeve of her jacket and stood on her feet. As she took in a deep breath and walked back over to Josh's room. Her hand trembled as she shoved the door open and looked at the sight before her as Josh turned to her.

"Hey there niece," He coughed as he sat up.

Riley studied his face for a while before she moved from the doorway. She drank in his appearance from his thinned coal colored hair to the gray rings under his eyes. He still had his famous smile, but it drooped slightly as he cringed through the pain. Riley didn't understand, she couldn't understand, why him?

Growing up she viewed him as a superhero, one of her greatest friends, someone that no matter what she would have till death. Now, life was trying to take that away from her. She tried to wipe the tears before he saw but the faltering smile dropped.

"Riles-" He began.

"You are dying, and I am just selfishly thinking how unfair it is you're leaving me," She cried.

Her face flooded with tears and she turned from him to soften the sobs.

"Riley, please look at me," He begged as Riley turned to him.

"I love you." He stated and Riley rushed over to his side.

Riley buried her head into his chest as she sobbed His fingers tangled in her hair and his voice broke slightly as he cooed her name. She pulled away and met his eyes, full of fear and sadness. He knew it was almost time, and she knew he was okay with it.

"Riles you have to tell him," Josh began and Riley jumped back.

She would try to deny that she even heard him but he cleared his throat. Her body trembled as she met his eyes and raised his hand out to her. She clutched his hand and he smiled.

"He deserves to know, please it's my dying wish," Josh said and tried to smirk.

"Joshua Matthews!" Riley scolded and he chuckled.

Before Riley could continue scolding him, the door opened again. Riley feared that Maya was back and try to yell at her again, well deserve yelling, but unnecessary at the moment. She froze in her spot, and wished the person she stared at the moment was Maya, or Farkle, anyone but him.

"Sorry man … we … will … come back, Riley?"

The lump stopped in her throat and the words could not come out her mouth. Shaken with fear of even hearing his voice sent shivers down her body. She tried to move, break the intense stare the two were having, but neither did. His mouth gaped open as he tried to say something but nothing came out but a burst of air.

He looked completely different to her, and in a way it broke her heart. He had let his hair get a bit longer, shaggier, and as well let his facial grow out. He didn't dress in his usual jeans and flannels, instead he was dressed in an all-black business suit under a trench coat. It wasn't until someone else cleared their throat that she saw a beautiful petite blonde on his arm.

"Hello," She greeted with a bright smile and walked over to Josh.

Her accent indicated that she was British, and close enough to Josh to kiss his cheek warmly. Lucas still stared at her, his eyes swirled with different emotions, sadness, anger, confusion and pure shock.

"Riley?" He repeated.

"Hey what about me, the sick man?" Josh joked and coughed.

The blonde muttered and took off her jacket. Riley could just tell that like Lucas, she was dripped in the latest fashion from her black dress, to her jewelry, especially the beautiful diamond ring on her left hand.

"Oh Joshua you're silly, even now! Well I am Allison," The blonde said as she stuck out her left hand to Riley.

Even up close it was clear that it was a beautiful but expensive engagement ring. It was real, it was beyond real, and this wasn't a dream. Riley shook her hand but her eyes never left Lucas's.

"That's Riley, my niece," Josh said as Allison gasped happily.

"The famous Riley! Oh my I hear stories from Joshua about you all the time," Allison exclaimed and pulled Riley into a tight hug.

Although meaning well Riley felt her heart shatter completely into pieces. Allison pulled away and smiled at Riley warmly. She smoothed Riley's outfit and reached out for Lucas's hand.

"You two must know each other right? Oh please say you do! Everyone has such charming stories about this cowboy I need some juicy tidbit," Allison cooed and leaned into the shocked Lucas.

"Yes," Riley whispered and broke the heavy eye contact.

"Finally! Between Isaiah and this one here, it's great to hear something other than Lucas is perfect," Allison rambled and Riley shot a look over to Josh who turned away.

"Zay …" Riley trailed off and her jaw clenched.

"Right that's what you lot call him, he is a riot, right boo bear?" Allison said and patted Lucas's chest.

"Zay is annoying Ali," Lucas said and pulled away from Allison.

Allison had noticed to the tension turned her head to the side and then clasped her hand together. She pointed to the double chairs and Riley tried her best to figure out an excuse. It was obvious Allison knew nothing of their six year relationship, or that Lucas hated Riley's guts. Lucas sauntered over Josh and gripped his shoulder.

"How you doing man?" Lucas asked.

"How are you doing?" Josh whispered.

He motioned to the two ladies who were in conversation, or more so Allison. Riley had her arms crossed and nodded at most of Allison's tidbit. Allison would speak animatedly and Riley tried her best to not look uncomfortable. Riley could see some of her old self in Allison, friendly, kind, dramatic. She could feel his eyes on him and she turned to him. Lucas turned away as soon as she did and Riley tried to find her way out.

"Hey Riles you … in … here?" Zay said as he walked into the room.

Riley's eyes zoned on Zay and he could see her nose flares in anger. Zay tried to decipher what was going on but the pain in Riley's eyes told enough. He could feel his own heart starting to strain from her look of disappointment.

"Isaiah!" Allison announced and walked over to Zay.

In fear, he took her welcoming arms into an uncomfortable handshake.

"Hey! Um Riley can I talk to you?" Zay said as Allison sputtered a laugh.

"Yes you can Isaiah, hey Josh, I will see you tomorrow? Okay?" Riley said and Josh moved his eyes to Lucas.

"Allison, it was so nice to meet you, thank you for being a good friend to Josh," Riley said and Allison gasped.

"Oh my why don't we all get dinner in Joshua's honor! We can get your whole gang together, it would be like a reunion with Maya, Farkle, and Isaiah of course you're invited," Allison began.

"Alli baby, I don't think Riley will be here that long," Lucas interrupted.

Riley could feel him cut into her with his words. Allison oblivious to what he was really saying and groaned in annoyance. Josh and Zay both sighed for two different but similar reasons.

"He's right," Riley said and just waved before pacing out the room.

Riley tried her best not to cry but as soon as Zay touched her back she bursted.

"How could you not tell me?" Riley cried as her body trembled.

"I couldn't … they weren't supposed to be serious, none of them were but Allison she's different," Zay started.

"I have no right to feel this way, so why does this hurt?" Riley said and crumbled into Zay's arms.

"You love him,

"No I did love him, I haven't loved him like that in a while Zay," Riley whispered and Zay sighed.

His hands trembled as he gripped her waist. He wanted to lean down, he wanted to kiss her but they heard someone clear their throat. They turned to see Lucas intense look on their moment. Zay's hands were on her hips, their bodies pressed together, a flush look across their faces.

"I need to talk to you," Lucas gritted.

"Sure, uh Riles I'll walk you to your parents," Zay began.

"No, to you," Lucas said and pointed at Riley.

"Why?" Her tone harsher than it needed to be surprising both guys.

"Riley," Lucas gritted and Riley sighed.

Zay dropped his hands and Riley moved from him and followed Lucas a few feet from Zay.

"Look Alli won't drop this dinner-"

"I won't be going don't worry," Riley said as cut him off and crossed her arms.

"She's begging for you to come," Lucas mumbled.

"Maya doesn't like me, Farkle it's awkward and Zay is …

"Your boyfriend?"

"No!" Riley said and Lucas raised his eyebrows.

"Lucas what do you want from me," Riley mumbled and rubbed her head.

"Don't tell Alli about us please," Lucas said and his voice cracked slightly.

"Yeah I get it," Riley mumbled and turned away.

"I miss the long hair," Lucas mumbled as he passed by her and his arms grazed hers.

Riley could feel the goosebumps rise on her body and she tried not to smile at the feeling. Her fingers tangled in her shoulder length locks and her eyes met Zay's. Their moment long gone, and now simmered into an awkward moment. Lucas walked back into the room but stayed by the doorway.

"We should check on Izzy," Zay whispered as he walked over to her.

Riley nodded as he placed his hand on the small of her back. She removed it and interlocked their fingers. The small movement surprised Zay but he squeezed her hand and grinned. Riley didn't confirm anything but just smiled at him, hoping that he would just accept the moment. As the two turned the corner, she could feel his green eyes on the back of head and she released the breathe she had held in.