R I L E Y

I lied down in my bay window, with my head resting on my moms lap. I felt her stroke my hair as a tear rolled down my cheek.

"Why does life have to be so complicated, mom?" I asked. "Because that's how life goes, Riley. Sometimes things are complicated, but that doesn't always mean that they will be." She replied. I pursed my lips together and I shuffled, moving my hand underneath me.

"I broke up with Charlie Gardner. Because things are complicated, not him with, but—" "With someone else?" My mom cut me off. I bit the side of my cheek, thinking.

"How did you forgive dad, after all you guys went through?" I asked. I heard my mom lightly chuckle. "We both made mistakes. But we both decided to not forgive each other upon the mistakes we made, but forgive each other for the good things that we did do. I focused on the good things he had done." She smiled.

I just lied there, silent, confused, scared. I don't think I've ever felt this scared before in my entire life. Not even back in middle school.

"What do I do?" I ask quietly. I felt my mom hug me. "You listen to your heart." She responded.

I wiped the lonely tear that was rolling down my cheek.

"What if your heart is telling you two different things?" I whispered. "Then you hold on, and wait. One should be stronger than the other." She replied.

"Okay." I responded softly. We just lied there, before I heard a cluck on my window.

I sat up, rubbing the side of my cheek that was wet. Maya was now sitting down next to me.

"Hey Riles." She smiled, but I could tell that it was fake. I looked over to my mom.

"I have to get to work sweetie, I love you and I know you are in good hands." My mom kissed the temple of my forehead, before giving me a squeeze.

"Bye mom, thanks for everything." I softly smiled. She gave me a sad smile back. "I'll be back home soon okay?" She said. I nodded. She gave me another kiss on the forehead before rubbing my arm and walking out.

I took a deep breath, looking over to Maya. I smiled, rubbing my tears away. "Hi." I said. She didn't say anything, she just looked at me wide eyed.

"Who did this to you?" She asked. I looked down to my hands. She warned me about him, yet I still continued to wrap myself near him.

"Was it Missy?" She growled. I abruptly shook my head. "Then who the hell would—" She stopped herself from speaking. I looked back up to her.

"Lucas did this to you." She stated. I didn't know what to say. I should have listened to her, but I didn't.

"Lucas is making you feel like this?" She shouted, standing up. I stood up also.

"I didn't know what to do." I replied back. "Stay away from him! You should have stayed away from him in the first place, like I said!" She yelled. "He's a bad person! He's done so many bad things! Why the hell do you care so much for that asshole!"

I felt steam blow out of my ears. She doesn't know him, she doesn't know anything.

"Stop acting like you know everything! I'm sick of taking crap from you because of him!" I shouted loudly. Maya looked taken back. I don't know what has come over me lately.

"Why do you keep defending him!?" Maya spat. "I-I don't kno—" she abruptly cut me off. "Exactly! See he's twisting with your brain!" Maya yelled. "You're supposed to be my best friend, you're supposed to stand by me and help me not tell me what to do!" I said furiously.

"All I've done is try to help! But you don't listen." Maya threw her hands in the air. And that's when I was done. I just stood there, before I pointed towards my window.  She let out a fake chuckle. My blood was boiling with anger.

"You know what, fine. Make stupid decisions. Make the dumb decision to be near him and have him hurt you, I don't care then. Do whatever the hell you want, Riley. I'm done trying to help you." Maya hissed before climbing out of my window in a rush.

I felt all the stress, pain, and heartbreak rise and hit me at once. Suddenly I fell to the floor on my knees, crying. My best friends have turned against me, Charlie hates me, and the drama with Lucas.

I feel so alone.

It's like middle school happening allover again.

>>>>>>>>

L U C A S

'

My blood was boiling, as the anger rushed through my body.

Sludge was staring me straight in the eyes, gritting his ugly teeth.

I've never felt so furious, scared in my whole life. The whistle blew, and I could finally explode.

I took the first punch, slamming him down to the ground. I used all my anger against him, and he was practically done for. Before the thought crossed my mind, this is how it looked when he hit me.

When he, hit me.

When he, called today.

I felt a rush of panic, and fear come over me, before she crossed my mind. Before the memory of her and another guy together, kissing.

Suddenly I was pounced to the ground by Sludge. But the thought of Riley with someone else on my mind, I was incapable of doing anything.

Punch.

Kick.

Smack.

I tried fighting back but I was too weak. I could hear boo's in the crowd, before suddenly I was punched in the face, and everything was blurry. My mind was fuzzy and I couldn't hear anything, except for her voice, her voice calling my name.

"Lucas!" I could faintly hear her yell. I was fighting against closing my eyes, before she appeared in front of me. She held my hand in hers.

"Why?" She cried.

'

I shifted awake, breathing heavily. The memory of two days ago still fresh in my mind.

I felt the sweat drip down my forehead, and I quickly looked over to my nightstand.

7:00am.

Monday.

School.

I groaned, before I felt a sharp pain arise on my side. I yelped, looking down at the cast on my body. I lost the match, I lost my strength, I lost the money. I don't know what I'm going to do now.

All I know right now is that I have to get to school.

I slowly got up, aching at the pain. But I didn't have a choice, I had to go to school. Even though I was completely dreading it.

Because she would be there.

And she hates me because of what I've done.

>>>>>>>

R I L E Y

I slowly walked into the school doors, and suddenly all eyes were on me. It was the first time I had ever walked into school without Maya by my side, other then when she was sick.

So why is everyone staring at me?

I awkwardly avoided eye contact, as I quickly rushed over to my locker. I heard whispers come from all around me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Charlie by his locker which was near mine. He was looking at his notebook, before he looked up to me. He had a furious looking expression. I quickly looked away.

Today is going to be terrible.

>>>>>>

I quietly walked down the hallway, checking my phone. It was lunch time.

I sighed, knowing that I wouldn't have anyone to sit with. Guess I will just have to eat it in the hallway. As I was walking I accidentally felt myself bump into someone.

"I'm sorry!" I said, putting my hands up in defense. Clearly I was paying more attention to my phone then where I was walking.

"Oh, no it's fine." The girl quietly said, then I realized who she was and I slightly backed up. She was one of Missy's friends.

"Umm, okay." I said unsurely. Why was she being nice to me?

"I was looking for you actually." She smiled. I raised my eyebrow, quickly shoving my phone into my pocket. "Why would you be looking for me?" I said, sounding ruder than I intended it to be. Her name is Valerie, we've never really talked but she has laughed at me. And besides, she's one of Missy's friend so therefore I don't trust her.

She was following me as we walked, and we were now in the doors of the cafeteria. I looked over to my side, and saw Maya and Farkle sitting at the lunch table. Maya caught me staring, and quickly looked away. I let out an abrupt sigh. Other people were staring at me, some laughing.

"I was actually wondering if you wanted to sit with us. Missy got kicked from our table, she's a bitch." Valerie said. I gave her a funny look. I need to be nice, kindness always, I told myself.

"Sure." I smiled. "Yay!" She clapped her hands with a giggle. She started walking towards her table, and I hesitantly followed, glancing around. I saw people with papers in their hands, and they were laughing hysterically.

Suddenly me and Valerie stood in front of her table, before I heard her gasp. I snapped my head towards her direction.

"Is this you?" She suddenly said. She turned a piece of paper around, holding it up to me.

I suddenly felt tears arise in my eyes. It was that picture of the half naked girl, with my face crabbily photoshopped onto it that Missy sent me the other night, saying 'Virgin Riley'. Suddenly Missy appeared.

"What a slut." Missy evilly laughed at me. Connor tilted back laughing. I felt my breathing increase as I looked around the cafeteria. Everyone was laughing and pointing at me, as they held up the papers. And that was all I could hear. I glanced at Maya and as she had a shocked expression.

I felt the tears rush down my face, before I quickly turned around to run off but my body collided with something else. I felt two hands grab me. "Whoa." I heard them quietly say as I tightly shut my eyes. I held onto them before I looked up, into Lucas's eyes. I was shocked.

He looked into my eyes and I could hear the laughter settle down. "This isn't about you, okay. This is me." He said. I just nodded, avoiding his eyes. He let go, before walking past me. The cafeteria was now dead silent, as everyone stared at Lucas. I swiftly turned around.

T H I R D P E R S O N P O V

Lucas angrily rushed past Riley, as he walked past Valerie and snatched the paper out of her hand. Conner laughed and walked up to the Lucas and took the paper from him.

"My oh my, now I see why you wanted to keep her locked up. Damn I didn't know this was under all that shit." Conner hysterically laughed, pointing towards Riley. Lucas let out a fake chuckle, turning to side his before turning back around and swinging a punch at Conners face. Conner fell back towards Valerie as she held his face. Everyone gasped. Riley was shocked, she didn't think that after the other night Lucas would have the strength to do that.

Lucas didn't know that he did either.

Lucas cringed at the sharp pain, but ignored it. He was pissed.

Conner snapped Valerie's hands away, before laughing. Lucas turned around, walking towards Riley.

"That's It! You'll regret that Friar! You and your chick and shit!" Conner screamed. Lucas walked up to Riley, holding her face in his hands.

"Let's get out of here." He whispered. Riley solemnly nodded, before Lucas took Riley out of the cafeteria.

They walked out of the school doors into the cool air. They walked down the school steps, before stopping. Riley held her arms close to her body, as a tear slipped down her cheek. Lucas stood close next to her.

"I'm-I'm sorry. They're terrible people. D-do you want me to take you home?" Lucas asked in a soft, yet worried tone. Riley just looked forward, before nodding. She didn't care how angry she was at him in that moment, she just wanted to go home. She wanted to be away from here.

"Okay." Lucas said quietly, before wrapping his arm around her and taking her to his truck.

>>>>>>>

Lucas pulled up in front of Riley's apartment building, before shutting of his truck. He just sat there, staring at Riley as she looked out the window.

"Are you okay." He asked quietly. Riley looked over at Lucas, before smiling. But he could tell that it was fake.

"I'm...I'm fine. Thank you for everything." She softly replied back. Lucas lightly smiled. "Well, no problem." He said. Riley pursed her lips, nodding, before pulling the car door lock. "Wait." Lucas suddenly said. Surprisingly Riley stopped, and looked at him.

"What?" She said. Lucas just sat there, staring into her eyes, debating whether or not he should speak.

"I-I can't stand you hating me." He hesitantly said. Riley just sat there, staring at him. She couldn't believe he would have the nerve to say that. It was dead silent before Lucas spoke.

"Now.. Would be a good time to say something." He chuckled, nervously.

Riley took a deep breath.

"I want answers." She bluntly said. Lucas sighed.

"I deserve to know." She said, in a slightly angry tone. Lucas looked over to her. He didn't want to tell her, that was the last thing he wanted to do. Was to trust someone else. But it seemed as if he didn't have a choice.

"I do illegal boxing, okay? It pays the bills. I don't have any other choice." He responded. Riley didn't look shocked, or petrified. Even though the bruises on his face scared her, she wasn't scared.

She suddenly let out a light chuckle. "I'm not surprised." She replied in annoyance. "You know you shouldn't judge me so harshly." Lucas murmured.

"You clearly don't know the first thing about being someone's friend, do you?" Riley spat back. Lucas was taken back. She is friend zoning me? Lucas thought.

"Trust, you have to give it to get it. That's one thing about being someone's friend. Second, is forgiveness. I'm here, trying to forgive you, but you're not making It easy! I'm willing to forgive you even after everything I saw last night." Riley yelled, as she felt more tears rise. She was choosing to forgive him, as she remembered what her mom said earlier about her dad. She chose the good things Lucas has done for her.

Lucas closed his eyes, as he gritted his teeth. He held onto his steering wheel, silently.

He looked back over to Riley.

"I don't deserve forgiveness." He said. Riley looked to her side, letting out a huff.

"You think you don't deserve something, so you ruin it." Riley looked into Lucas's eyes. Lucas didn't know what to say this time. He was utterly speechless. It got so quiet.

"Im not going to deal with this stuff, with your stuff. I'm either your friend, or nothing. That's how it's going to be." Riley stated. Lucas looked in front of him, out the window. Riley just stared at him, waiting for an answer. He looked over into her eyes.

She felt all her anger suddenly rush away.

"Friend it is." She said, with a light smile, before opening her door and getting out.

"Riley-" Lucas called after her, but she cut him off.

"Hate, is a strong word." Riley said, staring at him. Lucas just bluntly stared at her, as he felt his stomach twirl around.

"Goodbye, Lucas." Riley said quietly,

before she turned around and walked inside.

Leaving Lucas there,

heartbroken.

>>>>

Hunger - Ross Copperman

A/N:

HELLO MY BEAUTIFUL READERS! I'm sorry it's been too long since I've updated, but I'm only going to be able to update once a week. I need to focus on my school! But I'm here today with an update :) I hope you guys had a lovely Halloween! Who watched Forgivness last night? I loved it. One of my fave episodes. This chapter was sort of inspired by AWTR, I love that movie so much. Anyway, I hope you guys liked this one sorry it's so short. BUT WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK ABOUT;

LUCAS GETTING HUR BY THE THOUGHT OF RILEY.

RILEY AND MAYA FIGHTING.

LUCAS CARING FOR RILEY SO MUCH AWE MY RUCAS HEART.

RILEY FRIEND ZONING HIM!? WTF!?

Have a beautiful weekend my even more beautiful readers. <3 PEACE OUT!