When You Find Me...

Five - Riley

     So, I actually do know Lucas. Well I don't know, know him, but I kind of know him. He came to my elementary school for a year. But he was one of the sporty kids, you know? Like the ones that can run a mile in five and a half minutes even though they are only 9 years old. And I'm pretty sure we had like zero communication during that year. But he's kinda a big deal. I mean he has straight A's he plays baseball, and, let's face it, he's hot. So girls basically flock to him. Even guys do really. (Not even kidding.) 

     So why would Maya think that being friends with this guy could help me? He's just another popular. Popular people don't really have feelings like us normals do they? Why would I even like him? I mean I don't really get why everyone likes him. Besides his looks and brains, I don't see anything good about him. Although, I haven't even talked to him yet. Maybe I should give him a chance.

                                                                                               ---

      "Good afternoon students. Welcome to film club. Go ahead and sign in and then sit down wherever you'd like." I sign my name and then take a seat by Maya. We are using the 9th grade computer lab, so we are surrounded by technology to make videos. 

     First we watch a few sample videos from last year and then the teacher sponsoring the club lets us make our own groups of three. Obviously I'm with Maya. Maya seems hesitant. Lucas is standing in a corner. He doesn't have any partners yet, which is weird, because I thought he would be everyone's first pick. Maya walks up to Lucas, but she doesn't seem as confident as she usually is. Lucas catches a glimpse of Maya, and immediately seems shocked, but hides it under his handsome smirk he always has plastered on his face. "Maya?" "Hi Lucas." He stands. "I-I-" "You wanna be in my group Lucas?" Maya interrupts. "Umm.. Yeah sure. Who's this?" Lucas asks. "This is Riley, she's my best friend. I would do anything for her. Riley can Lucas join our group?" Her question caught me by surprise. "Oh umm yeah sure! We needed one more anyway so yeah!" That came out so weird. Why did I seem nervous? 

     A few minutes later, Maya, Lucas and I had talked for a while and I found out that Lucas was actually a pretty cool guy. Behind his rough, smart, handsome, exterior, was a kind and somewhat shy heart. But I knew I wouldn't let myself fall for him. Even if he did treat me nicer than most boys at this school did. 

     Lucas hands me his phone. "Wait, umm, what, why did you give me your phone?" I asked. I was seriously confused. Was this some kind of popular people custom? "So that you can put your number in it." Still confused. He continued, "So I can text you." "Ohhhhh. Okay cool." I put my number in quickly and handed his phone back. No one's ever done that to me. I've never even texted a boy before exept for my dad of course. And Lucas had only know me for a few minutes besides awkward "hi"s in the hallway. What made him so nice?

     What really surprised me is that he barely talked to Maya. He didn't get her phone number, or anyone else's for that matter. He spent most of his time just kind of silently watching Maya and I plan out our next film, and imputed a few things here and there. He definitely was not what I expected him to be.

      "Okay so here's the plan for our first film," Maya said,"It's a modern take on Romeo and Juliet." Oh no. "Where there will be two college students studying as friends, but then everyone else will try to tear them apart." Uh oh. "Riley, can you play the college girl?" Maya asked. I knew where this was going. "Umm I don't think my parents will aprove of the whole 'relationship' thing." I said, which was half true. "Oh come on Riley you're just acting! Live a little huh?" Maya teased. "Alright, ok." "So that makes me the college boy I assume? Unless you're going to dress up as Riley's love interest yourself Maya." Maya giggled a little. "Yeah you'll play the guy Lucas. I'll play the girl trying to separate you two." "Okay, sound good!" Lucas inched closer to me. He was practically breathing on my neck. But I mean I didn't really mind. 

      That is until Maya chimed in, "AWW! I SHIP IT SO MUCH! Wait what would be your ship name umm... Rucas...RUCAS! There we go! Aww you two would be a perfect couple." Just as she started that sentence Lucas wrapped his arms around my waist. I tried to make a "what the heck is going on right now?!" face at Maya, but honestly I ended up just laughing like crazy. I don't even know why. I just felt like I  that moment, I could just let go. I was safe now. It was all going to be okay.