Chapter 37

1 year later.

Riley stared down at the two acceptance letter in her hands trying to distract herself while she waited for the results of the tryout. Her fingers fidgeted with the ring Lucas got her last year, wanting desperately to call him and talk to him, knowing only he could calm her nerves right now. He was in Wisconsin though and she assumed busy, so the brunette didn't want to bother him. She stood up and slid her sweatpants on over her spandex and snatched her phone out of her bag, she didn't care about bothering him at this point.

Hello?
Hey beautiful.
You okay?
Just nervous, and just hearing your voice helps me relax.
Don't be nervous babe, you're an amazing dancer.
This is the decisive moment though.
I know but whatever happens we'll work it out. We always do.
I hate it when you're right. Enough about me, what are you doing?
A whole lot of nothing. So i'm glad you called.
I almost didn't, I assumed you would be busy.
You're so wonderfully weird. Even if I was busy i'd drop everything for you.
That's super sweet.
What can I say? I'm a romantic.
That, I did know.
You fly back tonight. Right?
Yes. I miss you.
I miss you too baby. I'm waiting for you though. And tomorrow we're going to prom together.
You're definitely going to win Prom King.
I don't really know how to respond to that.

Riley giggled and saw a crowd of girls rush to the board.

Hey baby, they just posted the results. I'll call you back once I catch a cab to the airport okay?
Okay beautiful. Good luck. I love you.

The dancer hung up the phone and meandered towards the cork board with her fingers crossed. This was it, this decided if she was going to be moving to New York or Texas. Riley had been accepted to both schools in the dance program, with scholarships. Texas had an extra plus that New York would never have, Lucas. The brunette hung back and waited for some girls to clear out of the way. Her boyfriend was coming home to Texas, his ranch was only 45 minutes away from the campus. Maya was staying in Wisconsin, which devestated them both but, they'd still keep in touch. Either way Riley wasn't staying in Wisconsin, which is what she wanted. Her brown eyes moved down the paper searching for her name and number. She stared for just a moment and put her bag over her shoulder lugging her suitcase behind her as she left the Performance Art building.

"YAAAAASSSS!" She made it, Riley was a Texas State Strutter and one happy girlfriend. Her fists were in the air and almost immediately started to fumble to get her phone.

"So, i'm going to assume you made it?" The dancer turned on her heels and widened her eyes at who she saw.

"Lucas?" The brunette jumped into his arms and hugged him tight. "I missed you. What are you doing here?"

"Please tell me you made it. Please tell me you're coming to this school. I know I said we'd figure it out and I sounded super calm but i'm a freaking ball of nerves. I even thought about going to NYU and majoring-" Riley leaned in for a kiss, the only thing she could think of to get him to stop talking.

"Shush." She kissed him again, sending tingles up both of their bodies. "Yes I made it! I made the team!"

"I'm so proud of you sweetheart!" The dancer spun around in circle several times before her feet slowly touched the ground.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in Wisconsin." He shrugged his shoulders and took her hand.

"I had some frequent flyer miles I needed to use since i'd be staying here for awhile starting August and I wanted to see you." He picked up her bags. "It's funny I just got here like 3 hours ago, and we leave in 2 hours. Talk about a long day."

"You're amazing, do you know that?" He chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"Tomorrow, tomorrow is going to be amazing." Lucas winked. "How's your dad handling the whole you moving away for school thing? Since he became principal I see him less and less."

"Um, he's not." Riley watched her feet as she walked. "He's kind of avoiding it, but my mom constantly reminds him so he doesn't become melodramatic when I leave."

He narrowed his eyes at her statement. "He's already melodramatic. You know, the whole homeless game you have."

"Wave down that cab please." The dancer inhaled deeply and clutched his hand just a little tighter. "Let's go home."

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"YOU MADE IT?" Topanga jumped up and down, trying to drag her husband to join her.

Cory stood up and walked towards his room. "Congratulations honey." Riley's bright eyes faded away as she watched her father leaving all 3 of them alone in the living room.

"I'll be right back." The mother whispered.

The dancer put her hand up. "NO! Let me." She mumbled, Riley was still reluctant and spoke before her mind could catch up with her. Lucas kissed her hand and watched her leave the room, the long awaited talk that she had so desperately been trying to avoid was upon her. The brunette didn't know if she could handle it.

After taking a deep gulp she knocked on his door, since there was no response she cracked it open and peeked her head in. "Daddy."

"Yeah sweetheart." Cory sniffled and wiped a tear away.

"Can we talk?" Mr. Matthews nodded his head with a forced smile.

"Have a seat." The brown eyed girl sat next to her father and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Dad, are you mad at me for leaving?"

He sighed heavily. "I'm not mad at you, i'm scared to lose you." There was an awkward silence before he mumbled again. "Parents have a mental break down when their kids go to college in state and you're flying to Texas, and if it wasn't Texas it would've been New York. Why do you want to leave?"

Riley raised her head and forced back the tears. "Both NYU and TSU have great dance programs. This is what I want to do with my life and you have no idea how much i'm going to miss you." The dam of emotions started to crack under pressure as a tear fell from her cheek. "I haven't even thought about it a lot because I know how much it's going to hurt." Cory kissed his daughters head. "But you were always the one who taught me to go after my dreams, and make this life my own. First day of 7th grade, you said 'go ahead, make it yours' and that's what i'm doing."

He sniffled and rubbed her arm for comfort. "I hate my lessons sometimes."

She giggled. "I know."

"TSU wasn't even an option until Mr. Friar came along."

"You're right, it wasn't. But just like you'd do anything for mom, i'd do anything for him. I'm sorry daddy, I never meant to hurt you." He kissed her head again and swallowed back his tears.

"You didn't hurt me, i'm just really going to miss you and from now on I will try to be as supportive as I can. Probably not jumping up and down like your mother but, i'll try." Riley laughed lightly and kissed his cheek. "Will you and Mr. Friar switch places please?"

"Dad." She said in a warning tone.

"I'm not going to be mean I just want to talk to him." She narrowed her eyes before leaving and within 30 seconds Lucas was standing in front of him.

"Hi sir." Cory raised himself off the bed and grinned.

"Mr. Friar, my daughter is moving to Texas." The quarterback couldn't help the small grin that approached his face as he nodded. "And you're moving to Texas."

"Yes sir." His hands were pressed down in his pockets, trying to hide the fact that he was nervous.

"You will protect her." The green eyed man revealed his dimples.

Lucas stared into Cory's eyes to make it very clear how serious he was. "Of course sir, I love Riley and I will do everything in my power to keep her safe. I'd rather hurt myself, heck i'd rather die than hurt her." Mr. Matthews' facial expression lightened and shook his hand. "You like me." He shook his head in disagreement. "Come on, admit it. You like me." The quarterbacks tone was light hearted as he opened his arms for a hug.

"I tolerate you at best." Cory gave him a hug and they walked out of the room smiling. Riley watched the 2 men in her life and couldn't have felt better about her future.

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Riley slid on her two piece dress with help from her mother, Katy was arguing with Maya in the bathroom. "You look beautiful, Lucas won't know what to think."

Her hand touched the coral halter top that was adorned with sequins. The dancer's tone midrift was slightly visible when it turned into her long chiffon skirt. The brunette had her hair curled and pinned to the side with a smokey eye. "Thanks mom, I don't know why i'm nervous." She giggled hoping ot release the ball of energy in her stomach.

Maya stepped out of the bathroom and the brunette instantly covered her mouth. She looked gorgeous, the mint green chiffon dress was perfect for her, simple and elegant. "Riles, you look beautiful."

"PEACHES!" The girls hugged and the parents snapped a few candid pictures. "You look incredible." The dancer whispered.

"I'm gonna miss you." The brown eyed girl immediately shushed her.

"You're my sister Maya, even though we will be far away i'm always a phone call away. And there's video chatting and planes, i'll fly back all the time." The girls giggled, trying not to blink so they wouldn't ruin their makeup.

"Girls, picture." They posed for a few and inhaled deeply when their mothers left. They both squealed and decided to wait just a little longer, to make their men sweat a little bit.

"Mrs. Matthews, are they almost ready?" Lucas stood up from the couch with a corsage in his hand. Topanga grinned, he was clearly nervous.

"Yes they are. And you look very handsome Lucas, so do you Josh." The green eyed man turned towards his best friend.

"Are you as nervous as me?" Josh nodded his head in silence. "I just don't know how she's gonna look and just catch me if I start to fall. Deal?"

Josh's mouth opened slightly. "Who's gonna catch me?"

"Why is anyone catching anyone?" Lucas heard his girlfriend utter and was afraid to turn around. "Lucas?"

"Yes?" He was still facing away from her. Josh grinned and sauntered away. He felt her hand on his shoulder as she helped him turn around. "Oh my God." The strong hand of the quarterback wiped his face as he sat down on the couch staring at her. "I'm sorry, just give me a minute." Riley giggled. Lucas looked at her mother and father, "seriously how can someone be this beautiful?" He rose from the couch now that he felt like he got his legs back. "You look amazing. And I don't think that does it justice."

Her cheeks turned red. "You look great, super handsome." The dancers lips touched his, and he visibly relaxed.

Shawn cleared his throat, seeing his niece and future daughter all dressed up, must've gotten to him. "Alright, we need to get some pictures out by the limo." The green eyed man slipped on the corsage and kissed her hand.

"Seperate and together." Katy corrected. "Alan and Amy wanted some of them alone."

"That's fine, Dan and Holly did too." Cory pronounced and smiled at his daughter. "Outside everyone."

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A feeling, woohoo, that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night
Tonight's the night, let's live it up
I got my money, let's spend it up
Go out and smash it like oh my God
Jump off that sofa, let's get, get off

Riley and Lucas were all over each other while dancing, actually the entire night. If he sat down she was in his lap, if she wanted a drink he'd finish it off with her hand in his. His strong hands held her waist as she rocked from side to side with a huge smile on her face. "You're so gorgeous." He whispered.

"Thank you baby." The brunette spun on her heels to face him and touch foreheads. "You look very handsome." Her chestnut eyes moved towards the dance floor. "What'd you and my dad talk about?"

He chuckled lightly. "To protect you in Texas and I sure as hell will."

"I know you will. I'd hate for anyone to trifle with you, you've gotten stronger since your last fight." He snickered. "I don't like it when you fight but I love the notion that you would for me."

"Riley i'd do anything for you." His green eyes met her. "Literally anything."

The dancer cleared her throat, taking him off the dance floor back to her table where her clutch sat. "Really?"

"Yes. Even though this conversation is becoming incredibly cryptic." Riley giggled and opened her clutch, pulling out a room key. "What's that?" She cocked her head to the side hoping she wouldn't have to spell it out for him. "Is that a room key." Lucas inched closer.

"Yeah. Is that bad?" He could tell she was nervous, her gorgeous eyes could hardly make eye contact and she fidgeted with her fingernails.

His strong finger lifted her chin to stare into her eyes. "No, as long as you're ready. I've waited going on 2 years I don't mind."

The dancer gulped. "I'm more than ready." Lucas' lips crashed onto her.

"IT'S TIME TO ANNOUNCE PROM KING AND QUEEN!"

"Come on baby, win Prom King first and we'll go upstairs after." The brunette uttered dragging him back towards the floor.

"Why do you think i'm going to win, there wasn't like a list that came out with nominees." Riley stopped in front of him and wrapped his arms around her.

"I just know, you're the sexiest and most popular guy in school. That's usually a requirement when being prom king." She looked up at him as he kissed her forehead.

"I love you."

She giggled. "Even when you become King?"

"You're my queen." The brunette's cheeks instantly turned red.

"ALRIGHT, WE'LL START OFF WITH THE PROM COURT! MISSY BRADFORD, AND MAYA HART!" Riley released a scream and shouted her name as the blonde walked on stage. "GENTLEMAN, CHARLIE GARDNER AND JOSHUA MATTHEWS!"

"We know two people in the prom court, we're pretty popular." The brown eyed girl joked.

"NOW FOR OUR PROM KING!" The teacher peeled the envelope open and grinned. "LUCAS FRIAR!"

His lips touched her forehead again before he sauntered up the stage. "I TOLD YOU!" Riley clapped her hands and smiled at him. "GO LUCAS!"

"LASTLY OUR PROM QUEEN! DRUM ROLL PLEASE!" The senior class patted their legs. "RILEY MATTHEWS!" Her eyes widened and jaw dropped. Everyone clapped while she stood still, Lucas stared at his girlfriend and realized she wasn't going to move on her own. He jumped off the stage and took her hand.

"Come on baby, you're my queen." Her eyes narrowed and looked at him.

"Did you know?" She uttered as she tried not to fall.

"Me? No." He was lying. "How would I have known?" The crown was placed on her head, and she turned to the right hearing her best friend shout her name.

"CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SPOT ON THE FLOOR."

I could stay away awake just to hear you breathing.
Watch you smile while you are sleeping.
While you're far away and dreaming.
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender.
I could stay lost in this moment forever.
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure.

"You are absolutely beautiful." He whispered. All eyes were on them as the couple spun across the floor. "Do you remember this song." Riley nodded.

"At your parents anniversary party you took me to the gazebo out back and played this on your phone while we danced."

Don't wanna close my eyes.
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause i'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

"Yes m'am." His lips touched her forehead.

"Wait, so you did know?" Lucas had a mischevious grin while he spun her.

'Cause even when I dream of you.
The sweetest dream would never do.
I'd still miss you, baby.
And I don't want to miss a thing.
Lying close to you feeling your heart beating.
And i'm wondering what you're dreaming.
Wondering if it's me you're seeing.
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together.
And I just wanna stay with you.
In this moment forever, forever and ever.

"I had an inside track with the principal." He winked which caused her heart to flutter. The brunette laid on his chest.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Don't wanna close my eyes.
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause i'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

'Cause even when I dream of you.
The sweetest dream would never do.
I'd still miss you, baby.
And I don't want to miss a thing.

"That's funny, I was going to say the same thing about you." He whispered.

I don't wanna miss one smile.
I don't wanna miss one kiss.
Well, I just wanna be with you.
Right here with you, just like this.

He sighed, revealing a smile. "This song is everything I feel about you baby."

I just wanna hold you close.
I feel your heart so close to mine.
And just stay here in this moment.
For all the rest of time, yeah, yeah, yeah!

A small tear left her eye. Riley was pretty positive he could feel her shaking.

Don't wanna close my eyes.
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause i'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

'Cause even when I dream of you.
The sweetest dream would never do.
I'd still miss you, baby.
And I don't want to miss a thing.

The song slowly came to a stop while he spun her around one more time. "I love you Riley."

"I love you too baby." The senior class exploded with applause, they continued to stare into each other's eyes. She gulped and licked her lips, "would you like to go upstairs?"

"Oh yeah." He hit the elevator button and kissed her hand.

"Hey, so you know that since i'm moving to Texas you can't break up with me now." His green eyes brightened.

"I never planned on breaking up with you, I never plan to." They stepped into the elevator. "I would be stupid to do that."

"Oh good, I was hoping that wouldn't put to much pressure on you." His hand held the back of her head as they kissed.

"No pressure at all, especially since I made it very clear we were going to be married one day." She giggled as they stepped out of the elevator and sauntered down the hallway.

"I want to marry you one day. I'd be honored." She inserted the key card still looking at him. His lips touched hers again, they deepened their kiss with every step inside of the room. Lucas' foot held the door open while he grabbed a door tag. "I love you Lucas."

"I love you Riley." He hung the tag on the handle and shut the door. It swung from left to right from the force of the door closing and read,

Do not disturb.

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The end. Thanks for reading. I really hope you enjoyed this story!

A huge thank you to my husband who really did take me to a gazebo at his parent's anniversary party and danced with me to that song.

Riley's Dress: promgirl .com and search 'BL-9935'

Maya's Dress: promgirl .com and search 'BL-IN-152'