Runaway [Rilaya AU]

Eighteen -- Maya.

So, this is the last chapter? Like wow?

Also to anyone who's read Mine: thank you so much!! It's hit 100k reads and that makes me so happy (my sister likes to say I'm Wattpad famous, but tbh I don't see it).

(What I'm listening to: The World Was Wide Enough -- Hamilton Cast)

~ Akita

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It's been years since the last time I ran away from home. It's been years since Riley Matthews proposed we take off together. And I know you're expecting me to tell you that we realized our love wasn't real and both regret running away that night.

But that's not true. Our love is real, and as strong as ever. Leaving was the best choice we've ever made. Who knows what would have happened had we stayed.

We've become skilled in the act of breaking in to motel rooms, apartments, and houses and taking just little enough that no one notices we were ever there. It may not be legal, but it's kept us fed over the years.

I'm twenty years old now. Riley just turned eighteen. We celebrated her growth into adulthood with a tiny cake that said "Happy first birthday, Nolan!" It was the only one i could get my hands on, and at first i was embarrassed by it, but Riley adored her miniature birthday cake.

That's the thing about Riley Matthews -- if she loves you, she's bound to love anything you give to her.

"Maya?"

I glance over at her, where she'd been quietly counting pebbles a moment before. "What is it, Riles?"

She holds two pebbles in her hand, gently shaking them, causing them to rattle.

"Do you think... do you think we can ever get married?"

Now she has my full attention. I look at her and simply stare for a few seconds. "Yes. Yes, I do."

"Really?" she asks, dropping the pebbles from her hand. "You think so?"

I nod, smiling. "There's not a doubt in my mind."

Riley seems a bit happier as she starts counting pebbles again, half a smile on her lips.

"I love you, Riley."

"I love you, Maya."

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*wedding bells*