Boy meets Girl

Breathe

Riley's POV         

"Are you sure that's what happened?" Maya asked. She and I were on the phone. Lucas had only left a little over an hour ago. Smackle had called a little while later saying she was going to walk him back to talk things out with us.

"That's what Smackle said. Lucas called sounding upset and she left to meet him halfway through their conversation and she found him like that." I said sitting back down on my bed next to her. I had been pacing my bedroom while on the phone and I needed to rest my legs.

"He was sitting on the sidewalk just staring at the road?" Charlie asked. I know he and Lucas didn't exactly like each other back in middle school but now they really don't have a problem with one another. They mostly keep to themselves.

"I can believe that." Farkle said. He got up and made his way to the bay window. "He didn't sound okay when he was here earlier."

"We should had walked him home Farkle." Maya said. "Something was definitely wrong and we shrugged it off." 

"Maya, it's not like Lucas is hurt or anything. Smackle just said he didn't seem like himself." Charlie said trying to clear the obvious tension. Lucas didn't want company but it was clear to all of us something was wrong when he left in a hurry. The entire time he was here he just talked about how his night babysitting with Dylan was. However, before he left he started talking about how Uncle Josh and him agreed to get along from now on. 

I don't know why I didn't pick up on this before. Lucas shaking my Uncle's hand was him surrendering his feelings for Dylan over to him. Agreeing that he was Uncle Josh's to keep.  I gasped. 

Everyone turned to look at me. "What is it Riles?" Maya asked. I sighed and climbed off my bed. "Farkle, will you come with me? I can't wait for them any longer."

Farkle agreed and the both of us headed out the window without another word.

We walked down the street looking at both sides of the road. H e wasn't too far from here. That's what Smackle said. 

"Why are we in a hurry Riley?" Farkle asked. I forgot that I hadn't really said much other than I couldn't wait for Lucas to come to us. "Remember in middle school when Lucas and I dated?" 

"Yeah?" Farkle said. 

"Well, we learned a lot about one another. How one another reacts to certain situations."

I glanced over at Farkle and he nodded. 

"Lucas has a big heart." I said. "I know. He always has from the looks of it." Farkle responded. I looked up and we both stopped in our tracks. Lucas was in fact sitting on the sidewalk. His face buried in his hands. Smackle had her hand on his back trying to comfort him. It was clear to the both of us why he wanted to leave earlier now. 

Farkle and I slowly walked over to the two of them. 

"Hey.." Smackle said. Lucas slowly looked up and just stared at the street. "You called them?"

"I didn't know what else to do. We're worried Lucas." Smackle said shaking her head. Her worried expression said it all.

Farkle and I sat down on the side walk. "What really happened Lucas?" Asked Farkle.

Lucas opened his mouth to protest without looking away from the street. "Don't say anything. We are sitting inches away from the New York street and your face is soaked. Smackle had to call us, so you can't say there's nothing wrong."

"Just breathe, Lucas." I said. I reached up and ran my fingers through his hair. "Breathe."

We spent a few moments in silence while Lucas took the time to inhale and exhale. Finally, Lucas took my hand and faced me. "I don't think I'm going to NYU for college anymore." 

We all sat in silence. The only noise was from the cars driving by. "Why?" Farkle asked.

"I think I'm going to go back home to Texas instead." Lucas answered. I looked into his eyes. And then I sighed. I pulled Lucas into a hug and he accepted. "Do what feels right Lucas." 

"Riley, are you really just going to let him make a big decision like that? He would be leaving you, leaving us behind." Farkle said. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Smackle had stood up. She mumbled something to Farkle and he too stood up. They then started walking down the street in the direction of my house. 

"It's not like that Riley. I just don't think New York is the place for me anymore." Lucas said. He gave me a small smile. One that if you didn't know him you wouldn't notice it at all. I laid my forehead on his shoulder. "I know." 

"I'm not happy."

"Then, do what makes you happy."

"I.. I don't want to be alone."

"You are never alone Lucas. I'll always be here for you."

"Always?"

"Mhm."

I pulled my head away. Lucas sighed. He then had an expression that I couldn't really read. "What is it?" I asked. 

"Would you come with me?"