Summer Love

Chapter 19

A/N: A new chapter for Sabrina's birthday and the season 2 premiere! Be prepared for a more serious chapter...

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Lucas's POV

Mr. Matthews walks in, his face sad and ashen.

"Kids, I have some news for you," he says.

He's dead, I think to myself. My dad is dead.

"Your dad is getting better."

I open my eyes. When did I close them? I can't believe it. "What did you say, sir?" I ask. It's just too unreal.

"Lucas, your dad is eating again. He's talking. It might not seem like much but it is."

Maya smiles at me and gives this sort of sideways-hug. I literally can't speak.

We sit in shock for a moment. Riley's the first to break the silence.

"So we'll get to see him then?" she asks.

"Yes," Mr. Matthews replies. "I'm going to do everything I can to get you guys there in the next few hours.

"Thank you, sir," I say. The next few hours. The next few hours. The next few hours. I can hardly contain my excitement. But at the same time I can't help but be a little scared. I haven't seen my dad in a year, and never like this. We talk on the phone and face time and stuff like that, but it's not the same as seeing someone in person. What if he's not the same as he was when I last saw him?

I push the thoughts out of my head. It might not be the same, but I'll get to have him in my life again. At least for a few days, until we head back to New York.

Maya pokes my arm. "So, cowboy, what do you want to do?" she asks.

"I honestly don't know," I reply. "I just can't believe this is real."

"Me neither," she says. We sit for a moment in silence, together. Riley and Farkle have already gone to the kitchen to get a snack, so it's just the two of us.

"I've imagined this before," she whispers.

"Imagined what?" I ask.

"This. Just sitting with each other. Not minding whatever's going on around us because at least we're together."

I smile.

Riley and Farkle walk back in. They move their hands apart. I think they were holding them before they walked in.

They make such a cute couple.

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"Lucas!" I hear a voice next to me.

I rub my eyes sleepily.

"Lucas, it's an emergency," the voice shakes me awake. I open my eyes to find it's Maya.

"What is it, Maya?" I ask. Did Farkle or Riley get hurt? Did I get hurt and I just don't know it yet?

"Well," she takes a deep breath. "Your father's heart rate is getting slower and slower. It's only a matter of time until-"

"Until what?" I ask. Her expression gives me a clear answer.

"I have to see him." I demand. Maya silently opens the door and I climb out of the RV. We walk down the steps and into the hospital, where we're interrupted by a frantic nurse.

"Name?" she asks.

"Lucas Friar," I reply.

"Right this way," she says. Then she turns to Maya and stops. "Family only."

"She is family," I say. "Or she will be someday," I whisper under my breath. The nurse looks at me skeptically but leads us over anyways. We pass the Matthews Family, who are sitting in the waiting room.

Mrs. Matthews stands up. "How is he?" she asks.

I shrug. "Haven't seen him yet."

Maya and I continue down the hall until we reach my father's room; 815 N. I knock, which causes the door to swing open easily.

"I'll just wait outside," Maya says. I nod.

Medical equipment is everywhere. But all I'm focused on is my dad, lying in a hospital gown in the bed.

"Son," he says as I approach. I hug him, crying.

"Lucas, come here."

I do. "Don't ever lose sight of the right path," he says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

But he doesn't answer. His head sinks back into his pillow.

And he's gone.