Chapter 1
"No peaches!" Riley slammed her locker door shut. "I've got regionals in 2 weeks Maya, I don't need to go to the party. I need to practice." Maya's blue eyes rolled.
"You've got this in the bag. Seriously, you stress too much." Riley disagreed, moving her brown hair.
"I'm only as good as what I put into practice. Nothing I did last year matters this year."
The girls sauntered down the busy hallway of their high school. "Except puts you as favorite to win. Besides, the studio is closed on Friday nights, where were you planning on practicing? You have a hard time focusing at home."
"Here, Ms. Rodgers said I could practice in the dance room."
"You have a problem, you need to seek help for your addiction." Maya stated.
"No, I don't. I have to get into Winwood, winning Nationals could help me do that. Not to mention the scholarship that comes along with it." The blue eyed girl stood in front of her and placed her small hands on Riley's shoulders.
"Seriously, Riles you wear sweats and a t-shirt almost daily to cover up your spandex and sports bra you practice in." The brunette sidestepped continuing to walk to class.
"And? It's comfortable Maya. I have no one to impress." She stopped walking and dropped her shoulders. "Ugh, I hate my horrible life."
"First, your life isn't horrible. You have me and that's all you'll ever need. Second, you don't need a guy, your talent is going to take you to places."
"Winwood."
"Exactly Winwood." Riley tried to hide her smile. "One year at Winwood and you can pretty much do anything in the dance world, or so you've told me."
"Thanks love." Maya's arm strung over Riley's shoulder.
"So, where did I land on you coming to this party?" Her brown eyes rolled.
"You didn't land. You didn't even find the landing strip."
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Riley's heel landed on the hardwood floor and she became extremely annoyed. She glanced at the mirror in front of her and saw the beads of sweat from 3 hours of continual practice. "What am I doing wrong?" The brunette took a deep breath and glanced at the window behind her, it was usually covered by curtains, but she opened them today, almost welcoming the outside world. Especially since she didn't let herself see it a whole lot. Riley prepped again for her 10 turn aleseconde.
Boy walk in the spot he's so fresh and, he know's he needs to impress.
Just look at the way that he's dressin'.
"Son of a- Damn it!" Granted she'd only been practicing this for a few days, but for whatever reason she couldn't get past 9 turns without her heel landing flat too long and knocking her off. She thought a little harder, 'maybe i'm getting to frustrated', the brown eyed girl sauntered towards the stereo and changed the song. One of her favorite songs to lyrically free style to.
It was 2 weeks after the day she turned 18, all dressed in white going to the church that night.
She had his box of letters in her passengers seat.
This song had so much power and emotion, she always felt inspired, no matter how terribly sad it was. Maybe that's why she felt like she could dance better. Riley always had a lot of 'maybe's' on her mind.
Preacher man said let us bow our heads and pray.
Lord please lift his soul, and heal this hurt.
Then the congregation all stood up and sang
The saddest song, that she ever heard.
Then they handed her a folded up flag, and she held on to all she had left of him.
Riley stopped dancing and realized this song hit a little too close to home these days and switched it off. She nonchalantly wiped the tear away from her eye and stood there trying to catch her breath. After a few minutes she clutched her bags and moved towards the door.
"What are you doing in here?"
"Holy Christ on a cracker." Her dainty hand flew to her chest. "What are you doing in here? Who are you? It doesn't really matter, i'm leaving now, I was just practicing."
"I was walking back from the locker room and heard the music, so I took a detour." Riley's brown eyes glanced upward to the unfamiliar emerald ones. "I saw you dancing, why'd you stop?"
"I've got somewhere to be." She tried to sidestep but was unsuccessful in her venture.
"Oh the party?"
"No." The brunette realized at that moment how bare she was.
"Too bad. It's my party."
"Is that supposed to impress me?" Riley pronounced with sarcasm.
"Impress, no. Persuade, maybe." They both laughed and she ducked underneath his arm when he wasn't paying attention. "Well, where are you going?" Riley dropped her head and spun to face him.
"I don't even know you."
"Then get to know me." He insisted and obviously wasn't used to getting turned down.
Riley sighed. "Family, i'm going to see family."
"At 9:30?"
"Is there a point to this conversation or do you just like to hinder people?"
"The latter, but i'll text you the address if you want to go. Can you give me your number?" She shook her head no.
"If I decide to go then i'll ask my friend Maya. She's going. Have a nice night." Riley pressed the handle of the heavy school doors, freeing her of the prison that was school.
"LUCAS!" He shouted. "My name's Lucas Friar, since you asked." The brunette continued to walk away but put her thumb up in the air, indicating she heard him. "WHAT'S YOURS?" Again, there was no reply from the mysterious girl. "Mystery girl you shall be!" He exclaimed and trotted back inside with a smile plastered on his face.
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Damn, who knew all the planes we flew.
The things we've been through.
That i'd be standing right here talking to you.
Lucas kept an eye out for the mysterious girl from before, hoping she'd show up and she wasn't playing hard to get. "I think I can help you find whoever it is you're looking for!" A confident voice uttered.
"Really?" His heart sped up but he tried to contain his enthusiasm.
"Yes, i'll just make it easy for you and stand right in front of you." He bit his bottom lip, depicting he got his hopes up. "Missy, Missy Bradford."
"Hi, i'm-"
"Lucas Friar, I did some asking around. You moved here about a month ago." Missy was beautiful and only slightly shorter than the girl from before. Her eyes were a pretty deep blue, but not near as captivating as the doe eyed brown ones. Why was he comparing her to a girl he'd known for a total of 4 minutes? The green eyed man didn't even know her name. "We have 3rd period together."
"Oh I must've forgot. Do you know a girl named Maya?" Her blue eyes glared, not afraid to hide her disdain for the name.
"No." Lying through her teeth. "Why?" He shrugged his shoulders and caught up with Josh, mostly to pull himself out of the conversation. "I'll see you later Lucas." She wasn't used to being turned down either, which was noticeable from her awkward demeanor.
"Hey man, do you know a girl named Maya?" Lucas uttered with hope in his tone.
"Yeah. Why?" He seemed to have struck a nerve.
"It isn't what you think, if she's your girl or something. I met someone today, she wouldn't give me her name, and when I invited her to my party she mentioned that her friend Maya was going. I was hoping Maya could at least give me her name." Josh's stare softened.
"Maya isn't my girl. But," He pulled out his phone and scrolled to a picture of his niece. "Is this perhaps the 'someone' you met?" Lucas' jaw dropped, the picture was older but it was definitely her.
"Yes!" He exclaimed. "Crap, she's your girlfriend isn't she?"
"No, she isn't. She's my niece. Sorry about the dated picture, that's from the banquet last year." Josh mumbled and put his phone back in his pocket.
"Oh, okay. I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"No problem, but trust me man, she isn't interested. Even if she is interested, she's not going to date anyone, she has more than enough on her plate right now." Lucas' brows furrowed. "She's favorite to win National's in competetive dance this year, and then her brother, my nephew." Josh took a drink of beer, trying to swallow his feelings and hurriedly changed the subject. "Just, I wouldn't even try dude. Many a man have tried and failed, my niece is known for being pretty ruthless." Lucas chuckled lightly.
"Hey Josh." Maya's heels clacked against the hardwood, and she landed only a few inches away from him. "What are you two talking about?" Her blue eyes glanced at Lucas.
Josh had a huge smile. "Maya, this is Lucas. Lucas this is Maya, the girl you were looking for." The green eyed man stuck his hand out and the blonde accepted the act of kindness.
"You were looking for me? Flattered, honestly but taken. Sorry." Josh immediately looked disappointed and again, swallowed his emotions.
"No it isn't like that." He fumbled with his words, trying to make this sound as far from creepy as possible. "I met a girl today and she said she'd call you if she decided to come to the party-" He cut himself off realizing he still didn't know her name. "Josh, what's her name?"
"Riley." The dark haired man mumbled.
"Riley?!" The blonde automatically started laughing. "I'm sorry, but I just wouldn't even go barking up that tree." Lucas was genuinely confused why people kept telling him not to try. Maya's phone dinged and she slid her thumb across the screen to get a look at the message. "Hmm, congratulations seems as if she's decided to stop by for a few minutes." He automatically perked up. "Easy killer. Knowing her she'll be wearing sweats and avoiding everyone, besides us." She gestured to her and Josh.
"So, where's your lovely boyfriend tonight Maya? Thought he was coming into town." Her blue eyes glared at his uncovered sarcasm.
"He had to stay at Merritime this weekend. Said he was busy studying." The blue eyed girl turned to Lucas. "My boyfriend is in college at Merritime Florida." Josh chuckled lightly.
"Maya, school started just a few days ago." Josh hated to point out the obvious but he'd had a crush on her since well, forever.
"I'm gonna walk away now. I don't know why you hate him so much." Josh's eyebrows wiggled as she sauntered towards another group of people that Lucas didn't know.
"I do." Lucas chuckled. "She doesn't know you like her does she?"
"No. Like I couldn't be more obvious. She really is a blonde sometimes." Both the guys chuckled lightly.
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"Hey Riles, there you are." Her blue eyes glanced over her attire. "In your sweatpants." Maya's shoulders dropped.
"Is there like anyway you could not rag on me tonight? I just came from seeing Auggie." Her arms wrapped around Riley.
"I'm sorry honey. I just assumed you were practicing." The blonde whispered, as she pulled away. "How is he?"
"Good not great. He's put on the list but, there's no guarantee he'll get it quick enough." Out of nowhere the brunette fell down.
"HOW DID YOU DO THAT?" The blue eyed girl helped her up. "You were standing there. Literally, you weren't moving." Both girls giggled.
"Sorry."
"So, what made you wanna come out tonight? You were pretty adamant on not earlier." Maya's eyebrows raised as she took a sip, having an idea why.
"I don't know. I didn't want to go home and see my parents sitting on the couch, makes me even more depressed." The blonde clutched her hand.
"Wanna drink?"
"Water, would be great thank you." Her blue eyes rolled and the brunette followed her into the kitchen.
"You sure you don't want a real drink?" Riley scoffed and snatched the water bottle away.
"Water is probably the 'realest' drink you can find here. You can literally dig it up out of the earth. Plus, I don't need to bloat. It'll throw off my equilibrium and i'll fall out of my turns."
"You know what I mean Riles, don't be silly." She took a sip of beer. "6So, there was a man asking about you." Riley widened her eyes and tucked in her lips while she swallowed.
"I'm sure there was, probably talking mess because I turned his football buddy down again, or I turned him down. Their egos are almost too much to handle." Riley, always the one with an innocent mind completely forgetting about the stranger from earlier.
"He said his name was Lucas." A look of realization washed over her best friends face. "Ah, ding, ding, ding."
"I'm gonna head out." The brunette turned around and tripped, of course.
"Leaving so soon?" The green eyed man bent down and helped her stand back up.
"I have practice in the morning. Sorry." Riley sidestepped again and walked towards the foyer with her hands in her sweatpant pockets. Lucas watched her leave, with Maya right behind him.
"Hate to say I told you so." Maya giggled and was surprised to see him follow her bestfriend.
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"Damn it!" Riley's hand slammed against the steering wheel and immediately moved to pop the hood. "What now?" The wind blew her hair as she stepped out of the vehicle. Her eyes moved quickly underneath the hood and she glanced at her battery. The brown eyed girl stripped her shirt and covered her hand to remove the battery cover.
"Didn't realize I could get you out of your clothes so quickly." Her eyes rolled. "You need a ride?"
"No, I need a soda." His eyes glared from confusion.
"Why?"
"My battery is corroded, you see right there all that white stuff." Lucas still seemed confused. "The carbonation from the soda will get rid of the corrosion and allow my car to start."
"You know cars?" She shrugged her shoulders, he was still impressed.
"I know a little. Can you get me a soda?"
"Please?" He insisted.
"Please, Lucas will you get me a soda?" 2 minutes later Riley popped the top of a Coca Cola and poured it on top of her battery. "I need to put some water in it too, or one of my cells will go out. Knowing my luck. I hate cars." The green eyed man felt that, she spoke with such disdain.
"Why's that?" She didn't answer and continued her work till the can was empty. "So um, what are you doing-"
"No." He laughed and leaned against her car.
"Why do you hate me?" The soda can landed in his stomach, and she slammed the hood down.
"I don't hate you, I don't know you. For the record, I don't hate anyone, hate's a strong word. I don't have the time or want to date right now. There's a lot going on." Riley placed her hand on her hip and leaned on her right leg. "Don't take it personally, a good portion of the football team hates me." She giggled. Lucas admired the fact she wasn't cocky about it, she was just being honest.
"I didn't realize until I learned your name that you were the 'Riley' they talked about. Trust me, they do not hate you. They just want what they can't have."
"Clearly you do too." She turned around, to avoid eye contact and went to start her car.
"Who says I can't have you as a friend?" The engine lagged but it did start.
"A friend?" He agreed with a smug look on his face. "You football players aren't looking for friends, except perhaps Josh. You all look for one day rentals, if you know what I mean." The brunette rose from the car and slid her shirt back on.
"You can't compare me to them, you don't know me. I just moved here." She glared her eyes and bit the inside of her cheek.
"Correct me if i'm wrong. You say you play football, i'm going to assume quarterback since you're tall and have large hands." Lucas released a light laugh. "You aren't a complete animal which means you probably have a girlfriend wherever you are from or a little sister. I'm going to go with the first one, and lastly you're incredibly indecisive about your future."
"I am a quarterback, I have both a girlfriend and a little sister. But, i'm not indecisive about my future, what makes you think that?" His forearm landed on her car door.
"Because you have a girlfriend but you can't seem to quit flirting with me." Her brown eyes held a smug expression, and the green eyed man closed his mouth. "So, that tells me one of two things. Either you want a side chick, which from first glance you don't seem like the type that could juggle, or want to juggle 2 girls. Or you want out of that relationship." Lucas didn't say anything, his eyes touched the ground. She could read him like a book. "I'm gonna go with the latter." They both sighed heavily before Riley continued. "Look, no offense. I really didn't mean to upset you, I just kind of keep rambling. However, I don't have time for indecisiveness."
"Yeah, I heard you're a lock in to win Nationals." She tried to hide her blush.
"Like I keep telling people, i'm only as good as what happens on the floor the day of the competition and how hard I practice." The brunette sunk into her car. "Goodbye Mr. Friar, have a nice night." Lucas' big hands stopped the door from shutting.
"Friends, let me take you out for coffee. I found this place called Topanga's it's really great. You interested?" She bit the inside of her cheek and stared at him.
"Friends, i'll pay for my own coffee. I'll be there tomorrow at 2. Be there or be square." He chuckled and slammed the door.
"You got it."
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"STICK IT!" The music flipped off and her dance instructor stood in silence. "What's the problem?"
"It's better than last night. I only got to 9, i'm doing 9 and a half this morning." Riley tousled her hair.
"Regionals is in 2 weeks Riley. We should be perfecting it right now and running it over and over until it is muscle memory." Her brown eyes scraped the floor. "Would you rather do forte's?"
"No, it isn't as technically difficult." She hated fortes, for whatever reason she felt like it was a cheat to an aleseconde, since you use your leg to whip you around. "I think i'm anticipating the illusion out of it too quickly."
"Okay, do the 10 and double pirouette out. Don't do the illusion, let's see." Hillary pressed play on the stereo.
Bye, baby, they ain't fly, baby
Looking at the whip frame, that's a nice 'Cedez
You should throw it to me, like Tom Brady
With the long blonde hair, that's Marcia Brady
I'm all about your Lately Chelsea High handler, handle her
Got your legs racing hard on vacation
No exaggeration, said you amazing
Moving too fast, can't pace it
"7 8." Riley mumbled and she started turning, continuing to spot and keep her abs tight. Hillary watched her and tried to hide her smile, she was only hard on Riley because she had unlocked potential. Outside of the dance room, Riley and Hillary were pretty close, despite the 10 year age difference.
"Good." Hillary stopped the music and thought for a moment. "Continue to do that. Over and over for 30 minutes. Then we'll add the illusion, they are 2 seperate movements and I think you're scared you'll mess it up.
"30 minutes?" Riley glanced at the clock and saw it was 1:30.
"Yep. Did you have somewhere to be?" The brunette glanced at the ground. "You never have somewhere to be."
"I just scheduled coffee with a friend, we normally end around 1:30 so I thought 2 would be safe. But, it's no big deal let me just tell them."
"Good girl. 10 minutes and we're getting back at it." The brown eyed girl jogged to her bag and pulled out her phone. Who was she going to text? She didn't have his number, Maya wouldn't have it. Josh!
-Josh, I was supposed to meet Lucas for a friend coffee thing at 2, can you let him know I can't make it? I'm practicing.
Ding Ding
Sure, i'll give him a call.
-You're a lifesaver. Love you.
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Hey man, how are you?
Good. Luke, I just got a text from Riley.
Oh no.
Yeah, she's stuck at practice. She wanted me to let you know before you got there.
Okay. How long are her practices normally?
On Saturday's 8 to 1:30 on average. But, she's been pushing herself pretty hard lately. Listen, don't take it personally.
I'm not.
At least, you aren't waiting for her at the coffee shop. I caught you before you had to leave.
Hey man, I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow?
Yeah, the barbecue is at my brother's house. He has a huge backyard and a pool, it should be a lot of fun.
Okay. Bye.
Lucas hung up and stared at the wooden table that had 2 cups resting on it. "Check please."
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