Lucas was never too fond of parties, he had had a few drinks here and there and mostly danced alone. He made a promise to himself when he moved to New York that he wouldn't distract himself with parties and instead with work and school, a lot of it. That's why he took 4 APs freshman year and now, as a senior all APs and one study hall. But so far, AP Experimentation was his favorite.
"Sure," he replied. "I'll be there. Do you mind if I come over early- for the assignment."
"You can come to my house it's right upstairs, Apartment 26. How about around 5?," she smiled, he nodded. The rest of the school day flew by Lucas was planning everything in his head, about the assignment. Lucas came home and quickly showered got dressed, ate a snack and started walking to Riley's. It was about twenty minutes by car but only ten by foot, so he walked in the lush New York air. It was fall so the leaves filled the street and every step a crunch or crackle cake from underneath his feet. Finally, he reached her building and buzzed to apartment 26, a burly yet gentle voice replied to his call up. Must be her dad he thought to himself, the history teacher everyone wanted from seventh grade to senior year. It seemed every year Riley aged, Mr. Matthews aged with her.
"Hello sir, I'm Lucas, Riley's partner for the AP Experimentation class. I'm here to work on our project," he said politely.
"Riley! Some boy is here to see you!" Mr. Matthews yelled over his shoulder. After that the gate buzzed and Lucas went up. He knocked and the girl with the cascading brown hair answered with the brightest smile. She wore a purple dress, he wondered what her favorite color, he wanted to know everything about her. Luckily, he had the chance to.
She led Lucas to her room and then to her bay window he sat on the right side, as Riley claimed the left side. He looked over his shoulder and saw the fire escape. He unpacked his book bag and started to fill out the work sheet with the basics, Name, Date, Teacher. Riley already had all hers out, she always did, she loved school.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Yea, who's the most influential person in your life?" he read off.
"My dad, he's the best. He's taught me almost everything—mostly history though," she giggled.
They asked and asked. It took a whole four hours. One hour before the party and Lucas didn't know if he was prepared or not. He never partied, what is he doing here? Why did he say yes? It was her charms that made him lose his conscious...
"Uhm, I'm going to get ready, my best friend Maya is coming so if you want you can hangout in the kitchen or stay here then we can go to my party, together," said Riley.
"I can just stay here, I'll turn around whenever...you know," he trailed off. "Maybe I should just stay in the kitchen. Are you sure your parents won't mind?"
"We just spent four hours talking about them, and you didn't pick up they would be? You're going to fail this class," she teased.
"Sassy, didn't notice that before, maybe I will. Maybe the master could tutor me," he laughed.
He waited in the kitchen looking at the table then the floor then back at the table until...
"Woah," his eyes widened. Riley walked out in the most beautiful purple dress, even though it was the same as earlier.
"Who's the dude, why is he drooling. Hey bud, stop drooling at Peaches," the blonde said.
"Maya, don't be rude. Maya this is Lucas, my partner for AP Experimentation, he did the assignment with me and is going to come to the party at Topanga's. Lucas this is my best friend, Maya," Riley replied.
"It's fine and I'm sorry I was drooling, it's just you look, you look—amazing," Lucas replied in awe. He smiled the fool's smile.
She felt like blushing, a handsome boy who didn't say 'hot' or 'sexy' and didn't catcall him even though it was in her own house. He wasn't like the others.
"Well are you ready to go," Maya scanned him up and down, "cowboy."
"Yea, uhm I just need to get my jacket," Lucas replied, nervously.
They walked to Topanga's a few times he thought she'd reach for his hand and a few times she thought he'd reach for hers.
They setup and turned on the music, Riley started dancing, her crazy dance. Pointing at Lucas, and she hadn't even drank yet. Lucas never danced but that night he did, only with Riley though. They jumped around and were inseparable the entire night. She didn't drink that night, only because she didn't want to do something she'd regret.
The party came to a close and Riley helped Maya drunken self into an Uber and started to clean up. Lucas helped, he always looked over at her and watched the way she concentrated and loved every moment of it.
"Okay, I think we're done. Thanks for helping me clean up, I'm sorry it took so long," Riley smiled.
"It's fine. Can I stop by your house and get my stuff," he smiled back.
"Sure," he held out his hand and she took it, proudly. They talked the whole way home but this time about more than themselves, the world around them and Lucas learned just how cynical he had been and how she was just a ball of sunshine. They got to the outside step with just the ceiling light that hung over the door was on. She turned and faced him.
"Thanks for walking me home and holding my hand. My brother and mom and dad will be sleeping, so if you could be a little quiet," Riley said.
"I'm only getting my backpack," Lucas laughed at her.
"Who said you were just getting your backpack?" Riley but her lip and then leaned in and kissed him. He was taken aback, but quickly the two became in sync. She jumped and wrapped her legs around him until she jossled around and got her keys and stumbled in until they reached her bed.
The sun streamed in and Riley's head rested on his chest and he played with her hair. He finally found something that made him happy...
