Welcome To The Masquerade

- 12. please. -

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lucas
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I'm running to the bleachers.

Maya said that'd Riley would be there.

My heart is pounding.

"Riley..." I repeated in my head.

She's the girl I was looking for, she never spoke up.

Ugh, I hate her so much!

Nope, that's a lie.

She's the one who was able to make me feel different, as we talked and opened up.

I need her in my life.

She isn't a toy.

She's a girl.

A girl who's able to let me speak, not just to fuck.

She's a real girl.

I ran faster.

I'm going to talk to her.

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riley
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I hid in the bleachers.

I'm scared of him.

What if he thinks I'm lying?

What if... What if he hurts me?

Mentally and physically?

Ohhh, Riley, you're such a pessimist these days.

Shut up, mind.

I hear footsteps.

I pushed myself deeper into the bleachers.

I see blondish hair, blue shirt, cowboy looking type belt-

"Riley?"

I froze.

"Riley, please, can we talk?"

Oh damn.

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no pov
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Riley slowly got up from her hiding spot and walked a few feet away in front of Lucas.
She smiled sheepishly. "Hi."

Lucas scoffed. "You're such an idiot."

Riley backed up. "I-I'm sorry."

Lucas's eyes widened once he realized what he said. "Oh shit- Sorry."

He scratched the back of his head.

"What do you want, Friar?" Riley asked him sternly, trying hard to sound scary.

"I want to talk, Riles." Lucas said softly. He walked forward, and Riley walked back.

Lucas stressfully backed away.
He exploded. "Riley, just let me talk, dammit!"

Riley shook and walked back. She ran.

Lucas caught up to her, pulling her back by the arm. Riley was on the verge of crying.

"Riley, listen to me, please!"
Lucas was practically on his knees.

Riley sighed, letting a tear drip. "Fine. Just... yell at me. I don't care, just finish it. Finish it, and stop pretending to be the boy I met at the masquerade. Just... go."

Riley walked away.

Lucas ran a hand through his hair.

I have to say this, he thought. It's my last chance.

He inhaled. He finally said the words that hurt his head for days.

"Riley, please listen to me!

I've been looking for you for over a week, and you think its a fake?
Maya told me the details I know; it was you.
Riley, you made me feel like I was finally the kid who could prove people wrong. The kid who was also smart, also loving, also a lover. Riles, you made me feel like a different person! A better one!
The way we danced that night, the way we fit so well together, talking and dancing the night away! You can't tell me you didn't feel anything either!"

Riley stopped in her tracks.
He....

"Riley," Lucas walked over to her and turned her around to face him, "please, believe me."

He let go of her arm.
"Riley, I love you too much to let you get away again!"

She looked up at him. "And what? Then what? After you've had your fun, you'll leave me like you did with your other toys? No, Lucas, I want you to really love me like I do you, but how will I trust you won't leave me like another... another sex toy?"

Lucas's eyes stung with tears.
"Riley, you have to-"

"No, Lucas." Riley had tears falling from her eyes. "I can't believe a player."

Lucas's tears slipped out.

He cupped her face in his hands to do what he could only do now.
He smashed his lips against hers, into a soft kiss.

He wrapped his arms around her, and he let go.
He tipped his forehead against hers as she closed her eyes, tears flooding away.

"Riley..." he stuttered. "Riles, I love you."

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