L U C A S

I let out a big sigh, as I stared at the millions and millions of papers scattered across in front of me. My mind was puzzled and my head was pounding.

I still haven't been able to completely recover from my injuries, therefore the bills have been piling up through the last month. I didn't want to pour this on Zay and his dad last minute, and have them take me in and pay for me.

I can take care of myself, I didn't want to be a burden. Like I once was.

There is nowhere for me to get a job, I got fired from my coffee house job months ago. No one else on the south side will hire me, mostly because on this side of town they know who I am. And what I have done.

I can't go back to fighting, at least not here. Jermey won't let me come back. He wants me to quit, he says that if I try again I could end up losing my life if I ever got injured once more.

I don't think he realizes the shit I've fought through, and that I can take it. I've been trying to think of what to do for months, New York is a rough place. If only there was somewhere else, something else that was easier for once. But for me, I don't deserve easy. I never will get easy. Not after everything I've done and been through.

I ran my fingers through my disheveled hair, as I let out a frustrated sigh. It was 11:00pm, Sunday night, and I couldn't think of anything to calm my insanity right now. I looked over my desk, before I saw a picture peeking through. A tiny little picture, that I had managed to accidentally take home from a project. It was a picture, a picture of her. Her smiling, laughing, eyes bright and wide. The picture I took of her for the photography class project.

Her.

I frantically searched around for my phone, before I finally found it. Zay gave me his old phone a few weeks ago, considering I broke mine, and I couldn't afford to buy another.

I pulled up her contact, before I hit call.

Ring.

Ring.

Rin—

"Hello?" I heard a soft voice say. I suddenly felt all the nerves in my body release. All the stress instantly disappearing into thin air.

"Uh-hey, Riley.." I hesitantly said. I wasn't sure what to say, normally I would never have the guts to call her out of the blue but, I needed to talk to her.

I needed to hear her voice,

And know that she was right there.

"Yeah?" I could hear her gently chuckle. I bit the side of my lip, hesitating on whether or not I should of done this. I guess here goes nothing, right?

"I wanted to apologize for being a douche Thursday, it was wrong of me to be so rude when you afterall invited me over for dinner. I'm sorry, Riley." I whispered the last part.

It fell silent, and I could feel my chest rise higher and higher. I was holding my breath, why the hell was I holding my breath?

I could hear her soft breathing through the phone, before she replied.

"It's okay. I wasn't that upset anyway." She breathed. I finally let go of my breath in relief.

"Um, you sure?" I asked again. I could hear a muffled giggle. It was like music to my ears. I couldn't help but lightly smile, forgetting all the stress.

"Yes, I'm sure Friar. I mean, jealously does look good on you."

I could feel my cheeks instantly heat up in embarrassment. "Remember, I don't get jealous." I retorted. She laughed again which caused me to face palm myself.

"Whatever you say, Friar." She said, 'say' lingering long on her lips. I let out a sufficed chuckle. "Well, I'm certain that I'm not jealou— wait did you just say I looked good?" I asked, as a smirk came across my lips in realization. Her giggling had stopped,

She was probably blushing madly right now. She probably looked beautiful right now.

"I-I didn't mean it like that—" "Whatever you say, Riles." I swiftly cut her off, smirking.

"You're so full of yourself." She responded. I gasped in astonishment. "Me?!" I exclaimed.

She giggled. "Alright, well I better get to bed." She yawned. It was kind of adorable.

"Haha okay, sweet dreams Riles." I said softly into the phone.

"See you tomorrow, Friar. Goodnight." She whispered, before the phone beeped and the line went dead. I let out a murmured sigh.

I spun back around in my chair, to the mess of papers. Also homework, that I needed to finish. Sadly.

That's when I suddenly heard my phone ding. Automatically thinking that it was Riley, I quickly checked my phone.

But I regretted it immediately.

From: Unknown

'Im coming..'

>>>>>>

R I L E Y

I let out a slight yawn, as I waltzed into school.

"Someone tired?" Farkle questioned. I looked over to him, "Slighty." I murmured. "You look exhausted.." Maya commented, making me shoot daggers towards her. Last night, I couldn't sleep, all I could do was think about Lucas,

And then he called me...and well, I definitely couldn't barely sleep after that.

I looked around the hallway, cheesy 'Winter Dance' posters plastered everywhere. I couldn't believe that it was already December.

"The winter dance.." I trailed off, standing in front of the poster. I had never gone to a dance before. I wasn't able to go to my 8th grade formal, due to some circumstances..

"Yeah. It's a big deal, it's like the next thing to prom basically here at John Quincy High." Maya responded. I slightly smiled to myself. I've always dreamed of going to a dance, how cliche of me right? Oh well, I'm a girl so I totes have the right to. Wait, oh my God, did I just say 'totes'? Wow, too cliche Riley. Chill down a bit.

I shook my head, smiling at Maya. "You going to go to the dance?" I asked. Farkle gushed out in laughter. Maya glared towards him, pinching his arm slightly.

"Maya? A dance? That's funny." Farkle chuckled. "What's so funny about that?" I queried, adjusting the strap to my bag on my shoulder.

Maya let out a huff. "Dances are stupid, dumb, lame." Maya responded. Yeah, wasn't buying it.

"She hates dances because no guy has ever asked her before." Farkle smirked. Maya slapped his arm. I giggled.

"I asked her once, but she poured Mac n Cheese on my head. It was lovely." Farkle spoke staring at Maya. Maya covered his face with her hand.

"No boy in the world could ever convince me to go that stupid dance—" "Hey, Maya." Maya was suddenly cut off by a slightly tall, dark haired boy. She twirled her hair around her finger, smiling towards him.

"Hello, Josh." She said. "Yeah, hey. I was wondering if the beautiful Ms. Hart would like to accompany me to the winter dance?" Josh grinned. I tried holding back a laugh, as Farkle lightly hit his head against the lockers.

"I'd love too." She replied back.  Suddenly the bell rang. "Okay, great! So I'll catch you later beautiful." Josh winked. "Bye." Maya giggled, waving him off. Once he was out of sight, Maya slightly squealed.

I turned towards her with a smirk. "Dances are stupid huh? No boy could ever possibly change your stubborn mind?" I said sarcastically. Farkle closed his locker, giving Maya a victorious smirk.

"Oh shut up you guys! Besides, I bet if Lucas asked you, you would be falling all over the floor." Maya groaned, as we started walking towards our next class. I fell short of words for a moment.

"I-I would not! I'm not going with anyone to the dance. For your information. I don't need a boy to escort me." I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "Mhmm, we'll see about that honey." Maya winked at me, before her and Farkle stood in front of their next class.

"Okay, whatever. I'll catch you guys later." I said, before I swiftly turned around. "Have fun with dreamy boy." Maya called after me as I continued to walk.  "Which one!?" I called after her, turning around. She rolled her eyes, before walking into the classroom. I let out a victorious chuckle, before I headed into my photography class, aka Mrs. Lynn's home room.

With you know who.

Once I stepped foot into the room, all eyes fell on me. Or, two specific pair of eyes.

Daniels, and Lucas's. I saw that Daniel was partnered up with Liz, I never really talked to her much. She seemed like a huge bookworm. With her long red hair and glasses, she was actually really pretty. They'd be cute together.

"Riley! Take a seat." Mrs Lynn smiled brightly. I give her a slight nod, before I walked over towards Lucas. He now had his face buried down deep inside his notebook, as a pencil slowly moved its way across the paper. I wonder he's the was doing. I sat down next to him.

"Hey." I smiled. I could see something, he was writing. He quickly closed his notebook, before looking over to me, sort of cautiously. "Hey.." He replied.

I kind of gave him a funny look. "What was in your notebook?" I asked curiously. "Nothing important." He quickly replied. I raised my eyebrow. He was very quick to answer.

"Okay, then.." I responded in an awkward tone. He gave me a small smile, which made my worries flood away. He still had some scarring on his face, from the fights. Sometimes I would just have terrible nightmares of him constantly getting beat up, and It scares me.

Now, I don't honestly know what I would do if he wasn't here..

I just pray that he will never go back to that, I would never let him do that again.

"There's a camera right over there, you can take a picture to make it last longer." He grinned, making me trance out of my trail of thoughts and wonders.

"Oh. That's funny, but you see, I wouldn't want my camera lens to break. Too valuable." I smirked. He pretended to be taken back by my snarky sarcastic comment.

"I would label that comeback as rude, but I can't say the same thing back." Lucas smirked. I just gave him a look, a look that I give him quite often, confusion. "How so?" I pursed my lips, as I curiously set my fist underneath my chin.

"My lens would never break. Because not any camera in the world, could ever capture the beauty of what's right in front of me." He softly whispered. Our eyes were locked on each other, my cheeks vigorously turning a shade of magenta. I smiled. I felt the adrenaline rush through my body.. Everytime he looks at me, I feel alive.

"Okay students, I have a project for you." Mrs. Lynn suddenly exclaimed, making me jump slightly. Our gaze was torn apart from the sudden outburst. I frowned slightly, before focusing on Mrs. Lynn.

"I want you guys to paint a picture. Take a large canvas, some paint. And create something beautiful, and record while you're doing so." She says. I curiously tried understanding what she meant, before Daniel suddenly raised his hand.

"If you don't mind me asking, what does art have to do with photography class?" Daniel asked politely. He seemed to barely notice me, which I was fine with. Liz was too busy staring at him to care what Mrs. Lynn was saying.

"Great question, Mr. Young." Mrs. Lynn replied. "In art, you paint pictures, you draw pictures. In photography you take pictures. In both, you create. No matter the two differences some people or things may have, they can always come together as one, in common, in sync. Like art and photography do.

I want you all, to be as creative as possible. I want you guys to paint a picture of you two together, but as one. Come together as one, see what beautiful creations you can make together." Mrs. Lynn smiled.

I tried to process what she was saying, and I finally understood.

I felt my heart pump two times as fast, as I turned my head to look at Lucas, but he was already looking.

>>>>>>>>>

I sat outside of my bay window, on my fire escape. I had a blanket curled around me as the breeze brushed through my hair, calming my tingling skin. I watched from above as cars passed by and people walked down the street. I looked over to the lake, as the sun that was setting sparkled over it. I could hear faint quacks from ducks and birds, and the shuffling of leaves dusting on the sidewalk.

Times like these, were when I could just think for myself. And I've been doing a lot of thinking recently. I've been holding a lot in, not only from other people, but from myself. I've been keeping things from myself.

I bit the side of my lip, before I heard footsteps. I looked over to my side, to see my best friend.

"Hi." She softly spoke, with a light smile. I returned the gesture, before looking back in front of me. It was quiet, peacefully quiet.

"It's about him, isn't it." Maya said. I slowly looked at her, she just smiled. I didn't even have to say anything, she knew. I slightly choked up a little bit inside, it was emotional for me to talk about. Considering how long I've avoided my feelings.

"Maya, for so long. I've been trying to avoid it, because I've been so scared. Scared of falling for him, because I never wanted to get hurt. Not after everything I went through in middle school, I just didn't want to put myself through that pain again." I say, looking off into the distance.

"I know. You're not friends, you guys never will and could be friends. Friends don't look at each other the way you guys do." Maya replied, standing next to me. She patted my arm.

"You've had feelings for him, this whole time haven't you?" Maya asked. I tucked my lips together, as I looked down to my feet, a tear trailing from my eye down to the ground four stories below.

"Riley." Maya begged. I looked over to her, finally.

"I always have, ever since I looked into his eyes on the first day of school. I just, couldn't shake him. No matter what I did. It's different, with him, than it ever was with Charlie and Daniel. He makes me feel alive." I responded. Maya gave me a sympathetic glance, as she lightly hugged me.

"Go ahead, you can say it. I'll be right here no matter what." She says. I gave her a smile, as the tears flowed down my cheeks. Was I ready? Was I finally ready to let my walls break down, as I admit to myself what I've been trying to hide from myself forever?

Yes,

I was ready.

I am ready.

"I-I like him, I really really really, like Lucas Friar.. Wow. How crazy is that..?" I said, letting out a laugh and a smile at the same time I was crying. Maya smiled, rubbing my arm. "You like him." She giggled. I nodded my head,

"I do. I like his messy blonde hair, and bright green eyes. I like his smile that you see barely often, and the way he walks. The way he talks and notices things, and his leather jacket. His sarcastic comments and the sweet things that he does.. I do. I like Lucas." I smiled brightly,

I instantly felt the weight of the world lifting off of my chest,

I was scared,

But I'm not scared anymore.

How long have I wanted to say that?

I'm not scared, I'm not.

No more hiding or avoiding,

Because, I truly like Lucas Friar. Maybe something even deeper than that. And I admitted it to myself,

and I've never felt more alive.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

T H I R D * P O V

"This is where we're going to work on our photography project?" Riley questioned, as she blankly stared at the warehouse in front of her. Lucas let out a small chuckle.

"I used to go here all the time to clear my head, it's completely empty, no furniture or anything in there, nobody's ever here but oddly enough the electricity works. Its a large enough space for our huge canvas." Lucas spoke. Riley looked at him with wondering eyes, as butterflies twirled around in her stomach.

"I trust you." She said. Those few words, meant so much to Lucas. Even if they were little. But they both meant so much to each other.

Lucas gave her a small smile, before he opened up the door. He never broke into here, the doors are never locked. He's always wondered what this place was meant for, considering it's basically abandoned.

Lucas turned to his side, before he flipped on a light switch. Tall, lights hanging above flickered on. The light was dim, but it would work. After all, their canvas was the size of a gymnastics floor.

"So, what are we going to do for our project?" Riley asks, as she slips off her coat. Lucas shrugged. "Inspiration will come." He smiled, before setting up the tripod. Riley bit the side of her cheek, as she intently watched Lucas do so. She studied his every movement, as he does to her all the time. 

He had on a white t shirt, odd from his normal black ones. It was slightly tight around his torso, Riley could slightly see his muscles through them.

Lucas was completely oblivious to Riley's stare, as he set up the camera. Riley adjusted the shirt on her, before she walked over to Lucas.

"It amazes me of how you find these places." She said, looking around the place. Lucas smiled, as he sat down behind a brick wall. "New York's pretty big." He replied. Riley bit the side of her cheek, before she hesitantly sat next to him, plopping her arms in her lap, fiddling with her fingers. Something she did quite often.

They both sat that, trying to think of what to do. Riley couldn't think of anything, Lucas couldn't, until Riley went off into her own world and started humming along to a song by herself. It was Photograph, by Ed Sheeran.

Lucas looked at Riley in that moment as if she was the most beautiful thing in the world. And that's when Lucas thought of something.

"I have an idea." He grinned, quickly standing up. Riley furrowed her eyebrows.

"What is it?" She said.

"Take off your shoes." Lucas insisted. Riley's eyes went wide. "Why?" She asked again, rather confused. He looked at her. "Trust me." He said. Riley pursed her lips, before nodding. She took off her shoes, as Lucas took the canvas and spread it across the ground. It was almost as big as a gymnastics floor.

Lucas swiped out his phone,

Before he turned on photograph by Ed Sheeran and set his phone down on a box. Riley, still being confused, stood up, as the cold concrete floor sat beneath her feet.

"You're acting crazy." Riley giggled. Lucas bit the side of his lip, as he smiled at Riley. He took off his shoes, before he bent down into a bag and pulled out four different colored bottles of paint.

"Pick your colors." Lucas spoke. Riley waltzed up to him, glancing at the colors before her. She picked purple and yellow, that left Lucas with orange and blue. 

"Now what?" Riley questioned, curiosity getting the best of her. Lucas gave her a slight smirk, before he turned the record button on the camera.

"Dance with me." He smiled.

Riley stared at Lucas, not knowing what to say.

Lucas smiled at her, before she smiled back.

The music started to play again, Ed Sheerans soothing voice echoing throughout the empty warehouse. The sun was just setting, making beams of light shine through the large glass windows, and onto the canvas and them.

Riley still just stared at Lucas, as he walked to the center of the large white canvas.

"Take my hand, I got you.." He softly spoke, staring into her beautiful eyes.

Riley's heart pounced, as she walked over. They opened up the caps of paint, before the tempo came, and that was it. They were lost in each other's eyes, in each other's presence and souls.

He wrapped his arms around her, as their bodies flowed along to the music. Paint was drizzling everywhere, in between their toes and ankles. He spun her around as she giggled, paint flew everywhere, in their hair, on there shirts. But they didn't care, they just danced together and that's all they cared about. As the chorus came, Lucas held Riley as close to him, closer than he ever has before. Paint never stopped flowing out of their bottles, as it basically become one.

As they become one with each other.

Riley let go, twirling around as she danced on her own for a moment. Lucas just stared at her, the beauty of how she danced along. It was mesmerizing for him.

He walked closer to her, before she gave him a smile. She walked back to him, before he took her in his arms again and spun her around, they both laughed loudly, paint covering their faces and body.

Lucas would tickle her sides every now and then, making her giggle uncontrollably. Their bodies swayed together, as Lucas stared down into her eyes, before suddenly he felt his feet slip from underneath him, making them tumble down onto the wet canvas.

Lucas quickly put his arms out, so his full body weight wouldn't fall down onto Riley's precious small, breakable body.

Riley eyes were forcefully shut, before she opened them. They both started laughing uncontrollably, chests rising against each other's. Hearts racing to the same beat and rhythm.

"Are you okay?" Lucas chuckled. Riley laughed. "I'm fine." She smiled, reassuring him. Lucas let out another embarrassed laugh, before they basically realized how close they were, foreheads almost touching, lips centimeters away from each other.

Lucas stared down into Riley's eyes, as he took his hand and gently brushed a piece of hair out of her face. Multi colors were splattered across her face, but he thought she still looked beautiful.

That's when the song ended, and Lucas came to a realization. He couldn't do it, he couldn't kiss Riley.

Not yet.

He pushed himself off of her, taking her hand and gently pulling her up with him. Riley was trying to wipe the paint off of her shirt, before she felt Lucas softly spoke her.

"Look." Lucas said, almost speechless.

Riley turned her head, to look at the canvas. Her breath was suddenly taken away.

There were various colorful circles, perfectly rounded all across the canvas. The lines were perfect, and fluently flowing. Never disconnecting. The art, the splotches and lines and marks all across it, were all connected. It was all one.

Which meant, that Riley and Lucas were one together. They never let go.

Riley looked up into Lucas's eye in astonishment at what they had just created together.

"We created that?" Riley whispered, barely able to speak. Lucas looked down at Riley.

"Yeah, we did." He spoke, looking back at the canvas.

Riley turned around, and went and sat down against the brick wall, as she continued to stare at the art.

Lucas hit end on the record button, before he sat close next to Riley, following her eyes.

They just sat their for awhile, listening to the soft music as they sat there together, admiring what they had just created as one,

Together.

>>>>>

Photograph - Ed Sheeran

A/N: I cannot even CONTAIN my excitement for this chapter!!! Things are about to get interesting ya'll you best hang on ;). Also, I want to clarify that Josh is NOT Riley's uncle in this, he goes to her school and is the same age as Lucas, 16. Okay, that's all. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you thought about it <3 until next chapter fam bam ily guys so much. <3 thank you for reading my story, I would have never had to the confidence to finish it without you guys. SO THANK YOU! <3