L U C A S

Everything was quiet for a moment, which was unusual.

I was sitting down at my window, staring out at the sun rising. I didn't get hardly any sleep, I couldn't, with the thought of him, his hands on her, what he did. I felt like I could only blame myself, the pain in her eyes, I couldn't tell her or hold in that moment and tell her that everything would have been alright. Because I wasn't there.

I suddenly heard the sweet sound of her breathing, and I turned my head to look over to my bed that was occupied by her.

She looked so beautiful when she was asleep, I thought.

I could only stare, I mean, she's my everything.

She's my light. And without that light, there's a whole lot of darkness.

Suddenly, I heard a light mumble.

"I..." Riley spoke, as she began to roll around. She must be dreaming. I lightly chuckled, as I smiled at her. She was cute.

"L-Love...." She suddenly said, and I immediately stopped breathing. W-What did she just say? I quickly stood up, as I gently sat on the bed next to her, trying to not wake her. No, Lucas... She's just dreaming, right?

"L-Lu.."

She suddenly stuttered, and my heart began to race. Was this actually happening? Her breathing suddenly increased, and she began to pace her breath. Oh no, what was wrong?

"L-L." She stuttered again shakily, as she shook her head. "Riley." I spoke, lightly holding onto her. She was rapidly breathing, so I shook her gently.

"Riley!" I spoke, and suddenly her eyes flew open. "Lucas." She breathed, immediately sitting up, pacing. I reluctantly took her hand.

I sat there, not even realizing that my other hand was on her leg. She stared at me with doe wide eyes, before she calmed herself down. She threw her hand over her forehead, before she let out a sigh of relief.

Did she just say what I think she said? No, it was a dream Lucas, she was asleep, it can't possibly be true..

"Where am I?" Riley hesitantly asked, as she looked around cautiously. I tilted my head, as I glanced at her.

"Last night... I took you here after, everything happened, I slept on the floor and I let you sleep in my bed." I replied softly, trying to make it sound as least uncomfortable as possible. My heart ached at the thought of last night.

Suddenly, the whole expression on her face changed. It was as if she was almost surprised. I felt a tight squeeze on my hand, so I looked down. She was holding on tighter. I looked up, and she gave me an innocent smile.

"You saved me, thank you.." She says softly. I pursed my lips, before nodding. "When you called me, I knew something was wrong. I left the second after." I responded. She bit the side of her lip, before nodding also.

"If only I didn't stay here to sort out my job then I-" Suddenly, I felt a warm hand hold onto the side of my face, a thumb lightly grazing over my jawline. My heart began to pitter-patter, before I felt my it stop beating as I looked into her eyes, it felt so electric.

"Yeah but if it wasn't for you.. I don't know what would have happened." She whispered, before lightly smiling. I felt my stomach flip, every inch of my body was screaming from the inside.

Kiss her,

Kiss her,

Kiss her!

My mind was shouting. I felt myself slowly lean inwards, but I quickly stopped myself. I had to make sure she was okay, I can't rush into this, not after everything that happened last night. It wasn't the right time, I need to wait for the perfect moment.

I breathed in slowly, before exhaling. I pulled my hand away from her leg, as I stared up into her eyes. She set her hand down, and my cheek instantly felt cold.

"How are you feeling?" I ask. She pursed her lips together tightly, as she looked down to her lap. "My minds clear. I can remember, everything..." She spoke quietly, as her lip quivered. It felt like a knife being stabbed into my chest.

"D-Did h..he?" I couldn't even finish my sentence, my heart broke instantly as I could feel my eyes tear up a little bit. But she knew what I meant. I felt her hold onto my hand even tighter, and I looked up into her eyes. "No, they didn't." She quickly replied. I felt the biggest sense of relief. He can't lay a finger on Riley. He won't ever lay a finger on my Riley, ever again.. I'll make sure of that.

"I want you to teach me how to fight." Riley suddenly said, and I quickly looked up to her. "What?" I asked, as I raised my eyebrow. She nodded her head instantly. "I want to be able to defend myself, self-defense. Will you please help me?" She asked quietly, but with hesitance in her tone. I gave her a light smile.

"Always." I said, and she curved her perfectly rosy pink lips upward. I just held onto her hand tighter.

....................

"30..." I whispered to myself in agony, as I pushed myself up off the basement floor. Thirty push-ups weren't as easy as you'd think.

I felt the swept drip down from my forehead, as I breathed out deeply. I could feel the sharp pain in my side, I still haven't completely healed from my boxing. But all the anger that was building up in my veins because of Conner, I could feel the rage igniting in my chest. I felt like I could do push ups for hours out of anger and fury.

Suddenly, I heard a door creep open, which made me stop.

I quickly stood up, to see Riley standing there by the basement door. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, and she wore black leggings with a black tank top and nikes'. She looked absolutely perfect.

She stared at me for a moment, as she tilted her head to the side. I could feel the sweat build up even more, as it slightly dripped down my bare torso. Her cheeks suddenly flushed pink.

"Take a picture, it will last longer." I winked, before I grabbed a towel and wiped my forehead. She began to giggle, that was one of the first things I had ever said to her when we first met.

"Just curious." She said, before smiling. I bit the side of my lip, as I smiled at the same time. "Are you ready to start?" I asked, before I trotted over to a table that had some boxing equipment. I worked out, and or practiced in Zay's basement a lot, his dad's a fitness trainer so he has all of the equipment.

"Yeah." She suddenly replied, before I heard her walk over to me. I handed her a pair of gloves, and she slipped them on, before I smirked at her.

"What?" She asked bluntly. I chuckled, before shaking my head. "Nothing...you're just cute." I said, whispering the last part so she wouldn't hear. I walked over to the mat, "Heard that." She suddenly said, and I looked over to her, slightly blushing. Oh my God, was I seriously blushing?

She gave me a light smirk, before she put up her arms in defense. "Don't go easy on me." Riley said, sternly. I let a small chuckle, before I reached my hand over to the table and turned on some music.

"Don't worry, Riles." I smirked, and she rolled her eyes. I'm sure she was used to me calling her that by now.

"So you always want make sure that you weary of every part of your body, by that I mean make sure you have one hand defending the top of your body, the other defending the bottom." I told her, as I lifted up my arms. She nodded her head, before we began to walk in circles around each other. "Then what?" She said, before putting her arms into position, as she copied me.

I gave her some tips, telling her what to try and aim for first, and where the weakest parts of the body were.

She came towards me, as she tried to punch near my face, but I grabbed her hand and spun her around. She giggled. "Out." I said, before smiling. She turned around and gave me a devious smirk.

"Really?" She said, and suddenly I felt myself get swept from underneath my feet, as I was now laying flat on my back, staring up at Riley who now looked tall. She looked down at me, as she slightly chuckled.

"Sneaky." I smirked, before I stood up. She smiled victoriously. "Okay, let's practice kicks." I said. "Sure all this stuff is legit?" She asked, and I pretended to set my hand on my hip. She giggled. "I mean, it's not like i've been boxing for the past three years." I replied, with a slight smirk and suddenly her smile dropped.

"You've been boxing for that long?" She asked, in a worried tone. Oh shit, I worried her. You're so dumb, Lucas!

"W-Well.. I-I-" "Are you still?" She asked again. I looked at her, before pursing my lips. "No." I said honestly.

She stared at me for a moment, before she nodded her head.

"Okay." She said softly, before she came towards me, as she began to swing around and kick. I luckily dodged it, slightly laughing, before I turned around and grabbed her waist, spinning her around as if I was going to drop her but caught her instantly. She took her hand, punching it into my stomach as I tumbled backwards.

Her hair became messy, eyes wide. She smirked slightly, as if she was saying bring it on. Alright, let's do this Matthews.

I bolted forward, kicking my leg towards her face but she ducked, before she suddenly turned around to punch towards my face, but I grabbed her wrist.

She began to struggle, as she tried to forcefully punch forward, but I held a tight grasp around her fist. My hand began to get closer and closer towards her face, as she groaned, trying to push forward but gave up.

Our faces were inches away from each other, and I looked down to her lips, before looking back up into her eyes.

"First rule in fighting, don't ever turn around in a fight. Also, don't punch your fist forward if someone else is doing the same, block it." I spoke, before letting go. She held her wrist, before she shook her arm.

"Alright, then show me how." She said sternly. I nodded my head, before I walked over. Bloodstream by Stateless began to play, and I felt the goosebumps rise on my arms.

I stood behind Riley, as she was silent, but I could hear her breathing rapidly.

"Like this." I whispered, as I set my chest to her back. I took my hand, trailing it down her arm, over to her hand. I could feel her began to slightly stutter her breathing.

I held onto both of her hands, that were on either sides of her body as mine was pressed up against behind her so I could help.

"If someone's punching forward, you want to step back, and use your main arm to block." I whispered, my lips setting close to her ear. I could feel her body tense up, as my finger trailed across her arms, as I moved her arms into a proper blocking position.

"O-okay." She stuttered, as my breathing began to pace, the tension rising in the air by the second.

"And if someone's trying to kick you.." I said softly, as I hesitantly reached over to her leg, and I felt my heart pound ten times faster instantly. Her back tensed up, and I could hear her breathing unsteadily.

"You take your leg, and block like this." I whispered against her ear, as I took her leg and moved it into a block, as my chin almost sat on top of her shoulder.

She stopped breathing for a moment, and I felt my heart stop. I couldn't move my hand, It was almost impossible. I grazed it lightly against her thigh near her knee, before I moved it away, and I grabbed her wrists lightly.

"And the weakest part, is at the heart." I say in a whisper, before I turned her around, and set her hand against my bare chest, right where my heart was.

She stared at my heart, before looking up into my eyes. It's always belonged to you, Riley.

My heart began to beat faster as she stared up into my eyes. Her chocolate eyes sparkled with light, curiosity, they were hypnotizing.

She didn't say a word, she looked breathless. I knew she could feel the way my heart was beating, how it was beating because of her, for her.

I suddenly spun her around again, my chest setting against her back. With one hand I held her hand up, but with the other, I took my two fingers and pressed them lightly at her waist, my lips pressing against her ears.

"And that's your way to a fighters heart." I whisperedquietly. I could feel her heart beating from the front of my chest, as she breathed.

She finally found the strength to turn around to look at me on her own, as she lightly smiled. I grinned, before I took my hand and placed it at the small of her back, kicking my foot behind hers as i tripped her backwards, but I set her lightly down on the mat, as I used my other hand to hold myself up from above her, which there was barely no space, but enough so I didn't let all my weight pounce against her fragile body.

Riley began to laugh slightly, and it sounded like angels. I smiled down at her, as I began to chuckle.

"Real smooth, Friar, I think I need some practice." She spoke, before she innocently smiled. I bit the side of my lip, before I returned the gesture. "You'll get it down in no time." I said quietly, before her smiled suddenly faded away.

The tension was rising,

My heart began to beat faster

and faster,

faster.

I was right above her, and my arms began to crumble from underneath me.

I couldn't do this any longer.

My body began to inch down closer to hers, as my face fell closer, and closer,

closer.

Our lips were centimeters apart,

and right before they met,

"RILEY! LUCAS!-" Someone suddenly shouted, and I jumped back in fright. Riley closed her eyes, as I let out a frustrated sigh.

Zay suddenly busted through the basement door, panting. "I've been looking everywhere for you guys- OH DAMN." Zay exclaimed, and I quickly moved off of Riley.

Really, Zay? Perfect timing, seriously..

"I'm sorry, did I interrupt something?" Zay spoke, before slightly backing up, but I could see a sly smirk across his face. I'm going to kill him.

I set my hand out, to help Riley up. "No, you didn't interrupt anything, I was actually about to go get something to drink." Riley said in a distressed tone, and I gave Zay a glare. He slapped himself lightly.

Riley looked over to me, as she stared in my eyes before she pursed her lips. She tore her gaze away before she walked past Zay, and up the stairs.

Once I knew she was out of earshot, I punched Zay in the arm. "OW!" Zay shouted, as he held his arm. I glared at him again, before I sat down in a chair.

"You seriously had to come in right at that moment?" I sighed, as I squirted some gatorade in my mouth. We were so close.

"I'm sorry man, I didn't know. I was just coming to tell you that I ordered pizza." Zay responded, as he walked over to me. I looked up to him, trying to keep my expression stern, but Zay gave me a stupid face. I let out a laugh.

"It's alright. I just can't believe... It almost happened, almost k-kissed." I whispered, as I looked down to the floor, remembering what had just happened a few moments ago. I felt Zay pat my shoulder.

"I could feel the sexual tension all the way from upstairs." Zay said, and I looked to him. He was smirking. I lightly hit his stomach and we both laughed.

"You almost got the girl, dude." Zay said. I gave him a light smile, before I looked back down to the ground.

"Almost." I whispered.

....................

I lied down on my bed, as I scrolled through Instagram on my phone. Riley said she would come up in a few after she got pizza, and it's already been almost 20 minutes, not to mention that It was nine at night already.

I stood up, as I began to walk towards my door, but she suddenly walked in. My eyes widened slightly, as she gave me a distressed look. She was holding her hand against her cheek, and I gave her a odd look, before I chuckled slightly.

"What are you doing? What took so long?" I ask. Riley pursed her lips, before she moved her hand. "I bumped my face on the cabinet and cut my cheek, not to mention the pizza was cold and they have no microwave." She grumbled, and I bit the inside of my cheek to hold myself back from lightly laughing, but failed.

She gave me a soft smile, before she chuckled to herself. She had a bloody cut on her cheek, and I bit my lip, it looked painful. "I better clean my clumsy self up, do you have any band aids?" She asked, as she began to walk towards the bathroom but I trotted in front of her.

"You aided me once, let me help you this time." I said, before smiling as we walked into my bathroom. She shook her head, before smiling lightly. I patted the counter for her to sit, and she hopped up onto it.

I shuffled through my cabinet, as I found a q-tip. I ran it under some water, before I looked up into Riley's eyes.

They were sparkling, it was like I could see the stars in her eyes. Her lips curved upwards lightly.

I took the q-tip, and lightly set it against her cut, making sure to be careful.

"Thank you, for helping me. Thank you for everything." She said, as she gestured to around the room. I smiled. "It's nothing, really." I said, as I looked down to my feet. I could hear her press a soft laugh.

"It is, you've always saved me." She whispered, and I looked back up into her eyes again. We both smiled.

I wet the q-tip again, before I set it against her cut once more, turning it around. "So you trust me again?" I ask, hesitantly. She furrowed her eyebrows, before she pressed her lips together tightly, as her cheeks turned a shade of magenta.

"I trust you more than anyone." She whispered.

We gazed into each others eyes, and I could feel my heart beat faster. Riley Matthews, what are you doing to me?

I felt myself get closer to her again, as I looked up into her hopeful eyes.

Suddenly, we heard a door creak, and I moved my head away slightly. Why..?

"Riley?" A semi-familiar higher pitched voice called out, It definitely wasn't Zay or his dad.

Me and Riley's head turned towards the doorway, and suddenly Maya Hart appeared. I let out a silent sigh. She must be here to pick up Riley.

"There you are.. Are you ready to go?" Maya asked, as she fumbled with her fingers. Her voice was hesitant, as I could tell that she sensed that she walked in on a moment.

"Y-Yeah.." Riley lightly stuttered, before I looked over into her eyes. My heart sunk a little bit, before I moved over for her to hop off of the counter. "Thank you." She lightly whispered to me, before looking up at me one last time before pushing past, and over to Maya.

"I'll grab my bag downstairs, then I'll be in the car." I could hear Riley speak over to Maya. Maya nodded her head, before Riley disappeared.

I let out a sigh.

Maya stood there, not moving. She was staring at the place where Riley once stood, before she looked over to me.

"What are you doing?" She asked, as she lightly crossed her arms over her chest. I ran my finger through my hair, as I let out a distant sigh.

"I'm better... because of her, Maya. I can't ever stop thinking about her. I didn't know who I was, awhile ago, without her..." I spoke gently, not wanting to step on sacred ground. Maya was Riley's best friend, after all. I didn't want to say anything that she might leak to Riley.

Maya expression was stern, angry almost. Until she smiled.

She's actually smiling at me? Wow, this was odd. I stiffened up a bit.

"Well maybe this is who you are now.. Love does that to us, Lucas. It changes us." Maya spoke, and I felt myself go speechless, and she knew.

"Don't wait any longer." She said quietly, before giving me one last small smile. I stood there frozen, not knowing what to say.

She turned to her side, before giving me one last look, before she walked out.

She was right,

what was I waiting for?

I love Riley Matthews.

More than anyone in this world,

Because she is my world,

She's my life,

She's my light.

And I can't ever live without her.

.......

A/N: EXCUSE ME WHILE I SILENTLY CRY. okay, okay. HEHE HERE'S ANOTHER UPDATE! I bet ya'll weren't expecting that. ;) Sneaky sneaky. Honestly this is my favorite chapter by far.. Like I just only wish this would actually happen. I hope you guys liked it!! :) Have a lovely day, night, or whenever you are reading this! Haha, until next chapter, goodbye my beautiful cupcakes!! <33