Sweet Cheeks. Rucas. GMW CHOICE AWARD WINNER!

Chapter.36.Ruining Friendships.<3

Please read A/N at the end.

To say I'm in love with her or to not say I'm in love with her? Pros, I'd be honest with her – since I've got a secret from her anyways. Con, it could terrify her and she won't say it back. I know she won't say it back, but even if she reciprocates a fraction of what I feel for her then I'd be the luckiest guy on this earth. Stroking her hair, tucking it behind her ear, I stare into her doe eyes. Yes my mom basically told me that I was in love with her, in her own weird way but she did. It took me a few days to acknowledge it. I was fighting it wholeheartedly, I mean what kind of 7th grader is in love with the girl that your mother loved. You're supposed to do the exact opposite. My mother had been planning our 'wedding' for as long as I can remember and I thought she was absolutely insane.

Yet here we are. Granted we aren't getting married, nowhere close but it's funny how it worked out. I know what you're thinking, but no I'm not in love with Riley because of my mother. But it helps to know that my mother loves her and more than approved, it's weird I kind of get a piece of my mother through Riley. I know I can't replace her or anything but Riley was close with my mom. It's just nice to have someone to talk to about my mom. Ever since she passed, my parents in general have been a taboo subject. I understood the first few months, I really did and I loved the fact that everyone was nice enough to walk on eggshells for a while. But even now, almost 3 years later I find myself wanting to acknowledge and talk about my mother.

I loved my dad, but he left me his legacy. My mom left me one thing, besides all the memories we have and all the time we spent together. I missed my mom and as previously mentioned, I find a little piece of my mom within Riley. Yet another reason I don't want to let this girl go. "Do you remember when you asked me what my first thought is when I wake up in the morning?"

"Yes." Her lips turned to a smile immediately, I remember how happy she was with my answer and I couldn't believe I made her smile like that.

It's now or never Lucas, get your life together as if that were humanely possible and tell her. "You've been my first and last thought every single day since 7th grade." Her beautiful orbs widened and I couldn't help but chuckle, "Probably longer than that. 7th grade was when I actually acknowledged and accepted the fact I liked you. Funny story, my mom made me open my eyes whenever we were watching the tree house get torn down."

"OH MY GOSH! The tree house!" Her eyes hold a sense of nostalgia and her smirk widened. "I loved that tree house. Do you remember the first time I went up there?"

"Of course I do. I wanted to punch Josh for being a jerk and I had to climb back up there to get you."

Nodding her head, her cheeks turned a slight pink. "Yeah I considered you my hero." She cooed and poked my dimple. Nibbling on her bottom lip, Riley's just now processing my earlier confession.

So I thought I'd continue, "I was really sad to see it being taken down so she told me it wasn't the tree house itself but the memories I made in it." I intertwine our fingers in her good hand and smile, "The memories I held onto were, coincidentally or not so coincidentally all the ones with you in them." God, I want to tell her I love her so damn bad.

But I hold my tongue, "So you have a little crush on me huh?" That's what she gets out of that whole conversation? A little crush? Understatement. God, she's adorable. Poking at my stomach, chewing on her lips nervously.

"I like you a lot. Like, a lot." I joke, "You could say that's the reason why I've been attached to your hip since I came back."

"That could be measured as an understatement." She mumbles to herself, but her smile remains on her face. "Not that I mind too terribly much. But, if you liked me why didn't you tell me? Why did you leave? And I think the big question is why did you prank me for years?"