Fight to the top

Chapter 4: Reunited

Riley's POV:
For the past week, I've been somewhat nice to Lucas. I mean, I haven't yelled at him or been rude, I just haven't been the friendliest person. Its kind of hard to, but oh well. I'm currently in my office, sorting papers for an upcoming meeting when I get a knock at the door. "Riley, its Lucas. Can I come in?" It takes me a few seconds to actually respond. "Of course. The door should be open." I stand up and watch as he walks in. "Did you need something?"

"Um yes, well, kind of. I was wondering if you'd like to get some coffee for lunch with me today? We can catch up and talk outside of work." I'm not sure why I'm nervous about saying yes, but I am horrible at lying and I have no excuse as to why I cant't. "Sure," I say with a smile.

I could tell that he was relieved because of how his facial expressions changed. "That's great, well, I'll see you in a bit then," he told me with an excited grin as he exited my office.

I sit down slowly, realizing what I just agreed to. I'm going to get coffee with Lucas Friar. I know that this doesn't seem like a big deal, but before last week, I haven't talked to him as a friend (I guess you can say), since our high school graduation. So of course I'm nervous. I'm not even sure what we're even going to talk about and how awkward things will be, but I guess I luckily get to find the answers to both of those in an hour. Yay me..

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I check my clock and see that its time for our lunch break so I brush off my dress and grab my purse before leaving my study. I don't even get the chance to open my door all the way because it hits a large figure. I push my door back to see Lucas on the floor, eyes blinking rapidly. "Oh my god, Lucas! Are you okay? I'm so sorry, I was heading to our office and then that happened and I- sorry," I rambled, kneeling down to touch his forehead. He looks up at me and smiles, of course making me blush, causing me to look down.

"It's okay Riley. I'll be fine." I bite my lip, feeling so bad for hitting him. "Are you sure? We can skip on coffee if-" "No, no. We need to start talking to each other again. My forehead will be fine."

I smile and help him up. "In that case, ready for some coffee?" I ask with a genuine smile. He smiles back and nods.

We walk across the street to Starbucks and order before taking a seat in the middle of the cafe. "So, how's everything been?" he questions. "My life has been doing pretty well. I have my own apartment thats a good distance from my parents, I'm getting a dog next week, and my job has been doing great. Oh, and theres this promotion that Johnny thinks I'm probably getting which is definitely a plus."

"What kind of promotion?" "Its for the manager position," I tell him. "Interesting..well its great to hear that. I'm happy for you." "Thanks Lucas. So what about you? How's your life been?"

"Well, I just moved back to New York which is a city with a lot of, um..interesting memories. But it feels great to be back and to see you and Maya again. A few years ago, Aubrey wanted to get married but I was too young for commitment so..yea. Thats my life."

"Who's Aubrey?" "She's uh- she's the one you caught me with.." he says as he puts his head down slowly. "Oh," is all that I'm able to say. A wave of hurt washes over me and all I want to do is leave. "You really liked her huh?" I asked with a sniffle following. "Riley I-" "No. I get what happened. You were young, you didn't know what was happening. You said things, I said things, that stuff..it happens, you know?"

"Yea..I'm sorry, I really am. I was just hoping that us being older, we can be adults and put this aside maybe?" He was right. We're older now and that was the past. I shouldn't hold on to that, and from now on I won't. I embrace him in a hug. "Of course. Let's not let this mistake hurt the present. I'm glad your here Lucas."

"I am too. I missed you Riles. I'm really glad that you, me and maya are working together." I smile, hearing him gappcall me Riles.

"Riley? Lucas?" I hear from behind me. I turn around and I smile from ear to ear, rushing over to Farkle, giving him a tight squeeze. Lucas follows, "Farkle! I haven't seen you in years, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to Harvard?" I asked. "Well, I decided to take a break from school and come back to New York for a while. Is Maya here too? It'd be great to get the gang back together."

"Yea, Maya works with me and Riley right across the street," Lucas told him. Without another word, we all rushed to our office building and spot maya behind the front desk as usual. "Now I really thought that you'd be excited to see all of us together Maya," Farkle said.

Maya looked up and immediately gave Farkle a hug. "Farkle, long time no see!" "I know, its been way too long." I look between the four of us. "I hope that this doesn't change," I said with a cheesy smile. "Never," Lucas replied as we all had a group hug. It feels great to have all of these guys with me again. Maybe this is start of something good.

Just maybe..