Obscurity. Rucas. GMW CHOICE AWARD WINNER!

Why?!

Please read Author's Note at the bottom!

Chapter 42

Riley stared at herself in the mirror preparing for today. It was her first day back at school since 'The Incident' as she so graciously coined the awful day. Instead of wearing her flared skirts and ankle boots that could possibly draw attention she downplayed herself, the brunette was rocking them converse and jeans with a Black Sabbath tee shirt. She'd be lying to herself and to everyone if she said she wasn't nervous, but as she studied her reflection in the mirror she focused on what the day could bring. Hopefully there wouldn't be stares or whispers to avoid and that's when her eyes trailed to the note Lucas wrote with dry erase marker on the glass.

'Smile and let everyone know that today, you're a lot stronger than yesterday.
I love you Princess Riley!'

Her lips tugged upward and she pictured his smiling face which seemed to relax her and speed up her heart beat all at the same time. Maya had called her last night but whenever she answered there was nobody on the other line. She was ready to make things right, and concluded that the blonde could get over her stubborn self. Riley understood why her peaches was upset, her mother was always working and never really had time for her. Her father had abandoned her growing up, and the brunette came to the conclusion that her best friend assumed the worst. It was an emotional day for everyone, including Maya.

Lucas<3
I'm outside princess. I have your tea.

And with that she was out the door. Lucas had insisted on driving her to school, and though she loved her Nissan and told him consistently it wasn't necessary he had bribed her. With tea. No one besides their close personal friends new what had occurred between 'Rucas' and she was sure the quarterback wanted to keep it that way. "Hey beautiful girl." The green eyed man leaned over the console and pecked her cheek, effectively creating a deep blush against her ivory skin. "Your tea my lady." He passed her the steaming cup of tea and she grinned.

"Thank you for the ride though again-"

"It wasn't necessary. Blah, blah, blah." He interrupted and drove to school, "How are you feeling?"

The brunette took a sip and nodded, "I'm going to do my best to avoid the stares and the whispers. Well actually I'm hoping there are none to avoid. I'm going to stop thinking of what could go wrong and start thinking of what could go right."

"That's a wonderful motto to live by." He snatched her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Always inspiring Riley Matthews."

Riley couldn't suppress her smile, "Yoda I am."

Lucas' jaw dropped as he hurriedly flipped his head to the right, "You- Did you?"

"That I did." She replied in her best Yoda voice she could muster, the brunette enjoyed the light hearted humor. It had been so intense with whoever and wherever she went. "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

Without a warning Lucas pulled over on the side of the road and threw his truck into park. "Riley do you have any idea how amazing you are?" And when she parted her lips to respond he crashed his mouth upon hers. "So incredible." Their lips moved in sync with one another and his love for her somehow grew. The brunette pulled away in a small daze and grinned furiously. "School."

"School." She repeated without thinking. As they drove the rest of the way in silence she took the opportunity to check him out. He wore his letterman today which somehow made him sexier, surprising. His grey v-neck hugged his core and chest to let the world know that he was a Greek God. Her chocolate orbs shifted to his face where his sun kissed skin wrapped around his tight jawline which caused her to gulp. He was clean shaven and baby faced, with a small smile that consistently rested upon those voluptuous lips. Riley more than anything was happy to see the color back in Lucas' eyes. Her favorite emerald eyes had disappeared during the incident and were slowly creeping back to normal.