Back To Basics

Chapter 8 - "Riley Can Speak For Herself"

Everything was slowly going back to normal. Riley was no longer grounded so she could see her friends again, her parents were finally in the know about what really went down with Sam and her and Josh were on good terms. Everything was looking up. Especially with Lucas.

It was simple, really. She liked Lucas. He liked her. The problem was she still wasn't allowed to see him. Her parents were still sensitive to the 'breaking curfew/spending the night with him' issue. They didn't want her dating anyone, let alone him. She understood their concerns but she didn't want to be crippled by 'what ifs' anymore. So she and Lucas started sneaking around.

The good news? Nobody knew but Josh. Which meant she had someone to cover for her if need be. After hearing about what Riley went through with Sam, Josh just wanted his sister to be happy and he could tell by the look on her face that Lucas was the one for the job.

The bad news? Nobody knew but Josh. It's hard enough to keep a secret from two people, let alone seven. Maya suspected it but never asked. They had this unspoken rule where the less they knew, the better.

Over these past three months, since their thanksgiving kiss, they've been doing everything in their power to keep their relationship under wraps. Lucas would spend the night over to "hang out with josh" but really once everyone went to sleep, he and Riley would cozy up on the couch and have whispered meaningful conversations. Riley would say she was going to see Maya but leave Maya's house earlier than said so she could see Lucas. That way she wasn't technically lying. They'd sit in his car parked behind the school's baseball field making out and talking about their day. They'd play footsies under the lab counter in Bio once he switched back to being her partner.
They were living in pure bliss...

At least for the moment.

♡♡♡♡

Riley woke up this morning in a great mood. She kissed her parents bye as she headed for school. She walks around the block to a great breakfast place where she buys two hot chocolates and two toasted bagels. As soon as she walks out, Lucas pulls up, and he drives them to school. It happens every day like clockwork.

"Good morning!" She happily greets him, leaning in to give him a kiss.

"Good morning to you too." He smiles through their kiss.

"I got us hot chocolate today." She wiggles her eyebrows in a playful manner as he takes the first sip.

"Before I forget, I'm not going to be able to see you today."

Riley pouts.

"Pouting is not going to change Valero's schedule." He laughs, "Baseball season starts next month and coach has decided to kill us during practice. I'm sorry."

"That's okay, I understand."

They pull up to school and Riley jumps out so Lucas can go park.

♡♡♡♡

Walking out of last period, Riley crashes straight into Charlie. She falls to the floor and the books that she was holding go flying.

"Oh my God Riley I'm so sorry I wasn't paying attention!" He shrieks when he realizes it's her.

"That's okay. I'm used to falling down." She jokes, adjusting her jeans as she stands.

Charlie runs over to pick up the books he made her drop.

"Sorry again." He hands them to her.

She notices his off put attitude. She's known him since they were little so she can always tell when something is bothering him. Especially since he won't look her in the eye.