Lucas' Point of View
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" I roar, tackling Charlie to the ground. My fist is in the air and connects to his jaw in one fluid motion. My original intention was to beat the living shit out of him! Who the hell does he think he is?! Asking Riley out all the time! But, alas my plan was foiled by a former defensive tackle. Zay and I are sliding across the marble floor, his arms struggling to pull mine behind my back.
"WHAT THE HELL!?"
Charlie is situating his jaw, while I'm trying to get up on my own two feet with no hands. It takes a few moments going from lying down to standing, if you haven't already tried, it's pretty difficult. "Calm down, both of you!" Zay snaps, tightening his hold on my hands because I'm thrashing around and glaring heavily at Charlie. "If someone would like to calmly explain why the hell I was pulled out of my tutoring session with a girl I plan to –
"Zay!"
He flinches slightly before chuckling and waving it off, "Just tell me what the hell is going on."
Deciding that now is the appropriate time to get answers, I rip my wrists out of his hold and fixate my focus on my cousin. He's going to play dumb, but I can tell when a man has a guilty conscious. "Were you ever going to tell me?" I croak out. My anger subsiding for a few moments, sheer hurt that my cousin would do that is coming to light. "I thought we were good. Not great, but good enough."
"Luke –
"Don't play dumb with my boy Charlie." Zay interrupts with his heavy country accent before crossing his arms. His head tilts to the side, as if he already knows where this conversation is going. "He's like a damn lie detector."
On cue, Charlie's shoulders slump and his head drops. "I can't apologize." If I heard that right, I'm going to have to tip Gloria heavily for the blood she'll have to clean off the marble floors. "An apology means two things, first, it could have been an accident and you didn't know what you were doing. I knew." He lifts his focus off the ground and onto me, "I knew that I was asking her out when you still loved her. Secondly, I would have to regret it, and I don't."
"You are a real piece of shit!" I hiss and watch the outward flinch, "How could you not regret it?! We've haven't gotten a long for years but finally, when we are starting to get on good terms you want to ruin that by asking out the woman I love?" Please tell me I'm not overreacting. "I just – did you honestly think that this would be your big chance?" I humorlessly chuckle, "no let's be serious. Did you think that whenever this whole thing blew over that I wouldn't be back for her? Or were you in on the random drop-by's of Missy and a few others? WERE YOU?!" I take a step forward, but end up taking two back to try and calm myself. "Never in a million damn years would I give up Riley for anyone!"
"Just anything, right?"
I vaguely hear an 'oh shit' from Zay before I sprint towards him. "THIS WASN'T MY CHOICE!" I feel the bones of his orbital socket bang against my knuckles. "I WOULD GIVE UP EVERYTHING FOR HER!" And again. The third time I am the one who prevents my fists from flying, my best friend is watching utterly amused, he knows Charlie deserves this. Gripping the collar of his shirt, I bring him to my level. "You know nothing! Riley wants me to have everything, she wants me to have my father's company, go to college and her but that isn't possible! LOOK AT ME!" He lifts his gaze, regret flashing in them slightly, but I don't care, I'm on a damn roll. "I would be out on the streets, broke and penny less in a heartbeat if that meant having her right now." I'm aware we are incredibly dependent on one another, which isn't good for a relationship, and I think this time apart will help with that. "But that isn't an option for me, because for me, my girl is waiting patiently. She's waiting so that one day I can have it all! I'll have my father's legacy, the girl I love and a piece of my mother all at the same time." I drop the hold I have on him and fall to the side of his frame now that I'm somewhat calm. "Riley reminds me of my mom, mannerisms and such, it helps that she knew her but unless sweet cheeks asked me to, I couldn't just give up this company. I wouldn't think twice about leaving it behind if Riley requested that of me, but that won't ever happen because she understands what it means to me. My dad left it for me. You won't ever understand, not until you've lived through what I have and felt what I have. You'll never understand how much I miss my mom's voice, because you can call Charlotte on the phone if ever necessary. You'll never understand how much I miss the pride shining in my father's eyes whenever I would win a game or start my first day running his company, because on your first day of work, Brett will there."
I sigh and rise off the floor, this is a pointless conversation. "You'll never understand because you don't want to. You're a selfish and ignorant man, and if I find out that you so much as approach Riley again you'll end up in a damn hospital."
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Riley's Point of View.
Months have flown by.
It is now the end of May – also Prom is tonight.
I debated, going back and forth for a few weeks now on even going. I was asked by a few people but the only person I've considered – aside from Lucas – is Ryder. Yes, Ryder asked me to prom but not in a romantic way. He made a good point, since there are no romantic feelings for one another and we're friends it would be more fun, especially since we were able to get a table with all of our couple-y friends. And after a week of persuasion, I accepted his invitation even though I told him he could dance and leave with whoever he wanted. So, that's how Maya, Smackle, Darby and I ended up in this hotel room that we rented with our moms getting ready for prom.
I guess the big question of the night is, am I upset that Lucas isn't here? Yes. I mean that's pretty obvious but it will be 6 months in a week and I can't keep dwelling on it. So tonight, is just about having fun and in doing so, looking gorgeous.
Which leads me to my dress, which is beautiful. It's actually two pieces so it shows a little bit of my midriff. The bottom half is a pastel pink high waisted tulle skirt... it's so fluffy I'm gonna die! Oh, come on you knew that was coming! Anyways, moving on. The top has a light pink bodice with a high neckline lace and floral overlay. I was the first one ready, leaving my hair down in curled tendrils and Darby's mom had done my makeup. She airbrushed me, then contoured and then proceeded to tell me she was going to make me look 'natural'. Once she was done, I understood what she meant, I had zero eye shadow on but eyeliner and mascara were prominent and my lips – well, Chap Stick is the way to go.
Everyone looked absolutely stunning; Maya's skin tight floor length black dress, Smackle's short fluffy floral mid-thigh dress and Darby's crimson red mermaid style gown. So many pictures were taken separately and together, I now know why we had to get ready an hour before prom started. And things only got worse when the guys came in with their black tuxes and matching ties to go with their dates. A small smile tugged at my lips and developed into full blown laughter whenever I see Ryder strutting through the door. "He would." I whisper to myself and watch as he twirls his white fedora on top of his walking stick. Yes, Ryder is wearing a white suit, there was no stopping him once he made up his mind, not like I even tried but what would be the point? His tie is as black as coal, I made it clear he didn't have to match me and I had no say in what it was he chose to wore, he took advantage of that.
We had used up the entire hour of taking pictures, I took a good portion of my 'couple' pictures alone and a few with Ryder. Some with my mom, the girls and even my dad and Auggie showed up so I was able to get a few with them. "Come on, kitten. Let's show you off!" I chuckle lightly while he's spinning me vicariously down the hall. I'm surprised I haven't spun into someone yet. Everyone else is walking hand in hand in front of us towards the ballroom. Subconsciously I was searching for Lucas, I guess it would be consciously since I am fully aware of what it is I'm doing. I'm hoping again and just like every day for the past 6 months it won't do any good.
Heaving a sigh, I begin averting my gaze back in front of me, stopping occasionally to gaze at the girls dresses. Everyone looks so beautiful, it isn't until we reach the door that I feel a pair of eyes quite literally burning a hole into the back of my head. Turning on my heels as quickly as allowed by nature and gravitational laws, the smile that has approached my lips falls... immediately. My entire body tenses but that doesn't stop me from retreating and bumping into Ryder's chest. "Kitten? What's wrong?" I can hear the worry in his voice as he gazes down at me.
Fear hammers within my chest, cold brown eyes stare down at me from several yards behind me. Why is he here? He graduated! We knew that he had graduated, he was a year older! "Riley?" I flip my focus towards the ballroom and back up to Ryder who is glancing at me, fear for me as bright as day. "You okay?"
I won't let him ruin my night, even though he shouldn't even be here since he graduated... unless he came with someone. But seriously, who would want to go with him? It could just be because I know what he's capable of doing, but anyone is better than him. "I'm fine. Thought I saw Lucas." I quip and breathe out a laugh. My arm loops through his and creates a hold that no one could pull me away from.
He gives me a sympathetic smirk before pulling me into his taut frame, "It's his loss kitten. You know that, right?" I'm about to correct him, because it is me who broke up with him but Ryder cuts me off before I have a chance, "I know what you're going to say, just try not to think about it and let's go have some fun."
And fun I was going to have.
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I had done well with sticking beside my friends, I didn't want Bentley to cross my path, accidentally or on purpose he is too much of a coward to approach me with my friends beside me. We already ate – even though the food wasn't good... at all – and now we're dancing like it is nobody's business. Ryder was able to hang with me for the first hour before finding a girl he had yet to conquer and seeing the way she visibly undressed him with her eyes, it wouldn't be long before he did.
That's how I ended up here, sitting at our table and smiling at my friends who are all staring lovingly into their significant others eyes while they slow danced. A twinge of jealousy makes itself known but as soon as I feel it, I push it away. I did this and I have no right to be jealous, stupid green monster. Although I will wait for him, 6 months is a long time. I know there was an issue last week with their stocks dropping and that's because an investment that Brett had gambled on, turned south. I can only imagine how stressed Lucas is. Deciding that I didn't want to stick around to watch everyone suck face, my feet carried me towards Maya. "Hey peaches, I'm going to the bathroom come and get me if I'm not back in like 10 minutes, okay?"
Her brows furrow slightly, but nonetheless accepts my request. Though he hasn't been seen tonight, and I hope it has something to do with him making himself scarce I can't say that definitively. I do my business and wash my hands before splashing water on the back of my neck, it is extremely hot in there. I'm about to step outside when the door swings open and knocks me in the face. I'm assuming from the scratching pain I felt against my cheek bone that there must have been some splintered wood on the door. My hand cups my cheek, already feeling the warm blood trickling slowly. I gulp soundlessly and prevent myself from crying, it was an accident. "I'm sorr –
"Missy." I whisper and work to create some distance between us.
The glint in her eyes makes me incredibly uneasy, mostly because I know what she's capable of, plus she was apologizing till she realized who it was she hit. However, she remains unaffected by the fear I am sure is evident within my own gaze. Deciding that this was silly, I take a step forward to get towards the door, but not before I trip because of the foot she stuck out. Because luck is on my side, I end up rolling my ankle. She giggles lightly at the fact I was whimpering from the pain in my ankle she locks the bathroom door, "Like my date?"
Yeah, I should have known that. "I asked Lucas, but he seems a little too preoccupied with you still." Inwardly, I smirk, if she's trying to make me feel bad then that just backfired entirely. "For some reason." Is that supposed to be insulting?
"He's preoccupied with his company and school." I reply in an effort to keep the air as relaxed as possible, "Now if you'll excuse me." I sidestep her again to get towards the door but a very distinct tear echoes against the tiled bathroom. Did I get caught on something? Please let it be Missy's incredibly inappropriate, skin tight black dress. I drop my gaze towards my skirt and whenever the side of my underwear is visible I want to cry. I didn't even know tulle was that easy to tear! "DAMN IT!"
"Oops."
"I'll give you an oops." With my hands firmly against her shoulders, I push her towards the sinks and hurriedly flip the water on. If I had enough strength I would dunk her underneath the flowing water, but I'll settle for ruining her makeup instead. While distracting her by running my fingers through her up-do, I cup water into my free hand and throw it at her face. Relentlessly, she tugs on my hair and I'm pretty sure pulls a chunk out. But I ignore it and after one more splash of water, I rub my hand over her face to smear the makeup.
Should have worn waterproof, jerk!
"YOU BITCH!" I chuckle lightly and back away, gathering up the tulle that's been torn. "I could ruin you!"
Enough is enough, eventually you just get tired of bullshit and after everything, I am so done with her petty high school, 'I need attention' drama. "Seriously! Ruin me? After we graduate I will do everything physically possible to stay as far away from you as I can, as will the rest of the school! It isn't my fault that neither Charlie nor Lucas likes you! Get over yourself, you aren't anything special." I feel bad for saying that, but to quote 'Mean Girls' I have word vomit so it just keeps coming out and it feels good. "And honestly, I have nothing to lose! I'm alone on prom night with a torn dress and a bleeding cheek." I suck in my trembling lip and try not to let my eyes brim with tears, unsuccessfully I might add. "I didn't even really want to come tonight and when I did he was here, and you are out to get me. So, you should be proud that I'm filled with a room full of people and a table full of friends, but I feel alone, and you are responsible for like 40 percent of that because I can't go back out there, and the rest is attributed to the fact that I am in love with a man I haven't seen or talked to in six months." My eyes flicker towards my ring finger, I got it cleaned for tonight specifically, it looks just as pretty as when I had received it. Deciding that I can't see and she'd probably use that to her advantage to attack me, my eyelids flutter closed to blink away the tears.
"I'll never understand what I did, but if you'll excuse me I'm going up to my room for the night since I can't –" I sigh and toss my hands up, gesturing towards my skirt, "I can't fix this."
My feet move on their own accord and rather fast I might add. Luckily this dress has pockets and since Maya has seem to have forgotten that ten minutes has passed, I send a mass text stating that I'm going to the room, so someone is bound to see it. They are taking a ton of selfie's anyways. I do really well with not crying, until I have limped my way to the elevator. The steel doors close, ultimately showing a reflection of myself and at that point I do cry. I look like a mess, my hair is disheveled since Missy was tugging at it while I splashed her face with water; my mascara is running and leaving black trails of tears behind, my eyes are red, and then there's my cheek that isn't gushing blood or anything but it's bleeding steadily enough where I need a band-aid or something.
But aside from my ankle, I'm crying about the dress. This was the one good thing about tonight, my dress and it's ruined. Whenever the elevator dings, I hold my skirt together and limp my way towards the hotel room after fiddling in my pocket for the room key. Once the green light dings and it indicates I'm free to enter, I abruptly open and shut the door behind me, locking both locks in the process. Hopefully no drama can seep through. Resting my forehead against the cool wood of the door, I start to cry again.
I just can't believe tonight turned out like this, call me crazy but I was kind of hoping Lucas would randomly show up, like a big surprise gesture so he can tell me that he wants me back. I miss him so much, his bright green eyes; and his lips, I really miss his laugh too. It was always so cheery and full of life, it brought a smile to my face always. "Sweet cheeks?"
My heart stopped beating for a second, only 1 person in this world calls me that. You'd think I'd be freaking out and spinning on my heels fast, but if this is a dream then I don't quite want it to end, which means no jostling. Slowly, I turn around – ignoring the pain in my ankle – my breath escapes me quickly. Lucas is standing there in a tux with a pastel pink tie and a corsage made of lilies in his hands. "Lucas?"
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Alright, I've finished writing this story.
There are a total of 3 chapters left – including the epilogue.
If I can I'll try and update daily.
Anyways, let me know what you think lovelies.