Lie To Me

Luke’s P.O.V.

I woke up to a note from Riley. ‘Went out for a much needed girls day. Lots of love. XOXO -Ry’
“Hmmm.” I grumbled, rolling over to my phone.
L: What are you guys up to today?
M: Come downstairs and find out.
C: There’s breakfast.
“Jesus. They never go home.” I grunted, pushing myself out of the bed. I groggily stumbled down the stairs into my kitchen.
“Hey buddy.” Ashton nudged, noticing I was still not fully awake.
“What are you guys doing here? Do you spend any time in your own homes?” I groaned.
“Sure we do! But you’re at your house, which makes it better.”
“Kiss ass.” I chuckled, taking a handful of bacon. “So, are all of our girls out together?”
The boys nodded.
“So what really happened last night?” Cal asked, taking another bite of his food.
“Riley really told Hunter off. He slept with Brittany while they were still engaged and now she’s pregnant.”
“What?!” they all gasped, but I had no shock empathy left My body let the anger run its course.
“Yeah.” I sighed.
“I want to kill the bastard for doing that to RIley.” Michael scowled.
“Me too.”
“You don’t seem very upset.” Michael paused.
“I’ve gotten a lot better about my anger issues. I know it would hurt Riley more to hurt him, unfortunately.”
“How do we get them out of the neighborhood?” Ash asked.
“Maybe we should all move.” Cal suggested.
“Uh no- the house cost me a small fortune and we will never find another four houses in a row.” I butt in.
“How do we get him out then?” Michael asked this time.
“You think we could really get them out?” I asked, intrigued.
“We can damn well try.” Ash added in.
“What if Riley finds out it’s us trying to get him out?”
“You think she’s going to speak to him after last night?” Michael asked.
“You right.” I spoke. “So what do we do?”

Riley’s P.O.V.

“So what’s changed since you and Cal became official? Have you gone all the way?” Crystal asked Emma. We all chuckled as Emma turned bright red.
“We- uh- we have.” she finally got out.
“Oooooh! Is he half as good as he says he is?” Sarah joked.
“Hey!” Emma jerked away from the pedicurist as she protested, “Sorry!” she exclaimed after.
“How’s living together?” Sarah asked.
“It is like every fan fiction I have ever read. We go on crazy adventures, he plays his guitar just for me, we have all of you as friends. I couldn’t ask for more.”
“You even get a little drama like the fictions.” I sighed.
“Last night was pretty crazy.” Emma chuckled. “I can’t believe he proposed to you.” she laughed harder, and we all joined in.
“Her slapping him was hands down my favorite part.” I let slip.
“You letting it slip that she’s pregnant is my favorite part.” Crystal replied.
My heart sank a bit thinking about him cheating on me and getting her pregnant. What if I hadn’t broke it off with him? What if we did get married? What would he have done then?
“I hope no one ever tells Ashton before I get the chance.” Sarah broke my daze.
“Trying to tell us something Sar?”
“Heck no! Just in the future. Michael and Crystal will definitely be the first to get married and have kids.”
“None of you better take the news away from me either.” Crystal smiled.
“What about you Ry?” Emma asked.
“Hmm?”
“You and Luke settling down.”
“Well we just got back together so--”
“What?!” They all yelled. “When?!” they quickly added.
“I asked him last night.” I blushed.
“You asked him?” Emma asked.
“Not everything is fan fiction esque.” I smiled.
“So, that’s it? You guys are really back together?” Sarah asked.
“I guess so.” I blushed again, “Wait, what about you and Ashton?”
She also turned red, “We may or may have made up.”
“Get it girl.” Crystal snapped.
“10 bucks Hunter and Brittany try to crash the party tonight.” I spoke.
“Hopefully they just get the fuck out.” Sarah grunted.
“Sick of your new bestie.” I smirked.
“Yes.” she crossed her arms.
“You know I’m just giving you a hard time.” I smiled, pulling her into a bear hug.
“You’re-- Suffo-cating--me.” she gasped.
“Good.” I spoke, releasing the hug.
We walked a few stores trying to find outfits for tonight. Not that it was really anything special, but we all had our hair and nails done, so why not?
“Ry, what about this one?” Sarah held up a short firetruck red dress, that had an open back, and beautiful lace detailing.
“It would contradict your hair too much, thanks.”
“Really?” she whined.
“Love you!” I yelled, throwing myself into the dressing room.
I slipped into the skin tight dress and took a moment to admire myself in the mirror. The dress was shorter than anything I had worn in a few years. I ran my fingers over the scars in my thigh. I felt a tear stream down my face.
“Riley! Let’s see it!” Sar called. I wiped the tear from my face as I opened the door.
“It’s just like your college graduation dress!” Her saying that really took me back.

*2 years ago*

“I just don’t understand why you can’t fly in and fly out.” I complained to Luke on facetime.
“It’s not that simple. Time difference is a thing.”
I shook my head, “When do I come first?”
“Riley, stop. I’ve seen you graduate before.”
“Yeah, Luke. High school. This took ten times more work. I’m graduating a year early.”
“Ry, I’m sorry. I can’t make it. I have to go.”
I didn’t say anything else before ending the facetime.
“You okay, Riley?” Sarah asked from the otherside of the dorm door.
“Yeah, you can come back.” I started crying. Sarah plopped on the bed and gave me a tight hug.
“It’s gonna be okay.” she comforted.
“I just want to know when I’ll matter enough.”
Sarah held me until she fell asleep. I slipped out of her grip without waking her. I stepped out of the dorm for some fresh air.
“Riley?”
“Brittany? What are you doing out so late?”
“Walk of shame.” she smiled.
“Uh-- Okay.”
“Had to have one last hoorah before we graduate tomorrow. OH! Is your totally famous boyfriend coming? I want a picture.”
“No, he’s not.”
“Oh... I’m sorry.”
“No worries. I should head back inside.”
“See you tomorrow!”
I grunted as I walked away from her. Brittany was never my favorite person, but Sarah liked her briefly. We almost joined a sorority with her. Luckily this last year I haven’t had too many classes with her since our majors are completely different. I stepped back into the dorm and the heat of it consumed me. The air outside had been much colder than this. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out the old handkerchief that held my guilty pleasure. “Hello old friend.” I whispered to myself, stepping into the bathroom. I let the tears stream down my face as I let the blade open my skin. The salt from my tears burned the cuts, but I didn’t mind. The pain took my mind off of Luke choosing fame over me again. After a few moments of watching the blood trail down my leg, I cleaned myself up. I crawled into the bed with Sarah and held her close. The fresh wounds stung, but I felt numb otherwise.
**
“Riley!” Get up! We’re graduating today!” Sarah exclaimed, jumping out of bed.
I got up, showered, did my hair and make up, then tried to slip into my skin tight red dress that covered everything but my arms and cuts. I tugged at the bottom of the dress until I got to my cap and gown.
“Ready?” Sarah asked, ready to run out of the room. I nodded and quickly followed her to the courtyard.
For how big the graduating class was, graduation went by quickly. I was startled out of my daze when they called my name and promptly walked the stage and took the necessary pictures, then walked back to my seat. As we all walked out Sarah found me again. I was unzipping the quite warm gown and walking outside to meet our parents for more pictures.
“Guess what.” Sarah beamed.
“What?”
“Riley.”
“Luke.” I jumped. His eyes quickly fell to my now exposed leg, and his expression was no longer joy, but anger.

*Present Day*

We pulled back up to the house and stepped out in our new looks. As the girls walked to my door, Hunter stopped me.
“What do you want?” I crossed my arms.
“I just wanted to let you know we’re moving, it’s probably for the best.” Hunter looked down at the ground.
“Okay.” I replied.
“Look, I know you don’t care ‘cause you’re mad and hurt--”
“Don’t tell me how I’m feeling. You don’t know. Good for you both. You deserve each other.”
“Riley.”
“Goodbye, Hunter. Have a good life.”
I turned on my heels and walked for my front door, where I was greeted by Luke.
“Everything okay?”
“Perfect.”
“You look stunning.” he breathed.
“Thank you.” I smiled, walking inside with him around my waist.
“So, don’t be mad, but we were thinking of ways to get rid of Hunter.” Cal spoke.
“Well, it worked. They’re moving out as we speak.” I replied, grabbing food.
“What?” everyone gasped.
“Was that not you’re doing? Damn.” I continued, with a full mouth.
“So, he’s just up and leaving?” Ash asked.
“Uh- yeah.” I swallowed. “Problem?”
Everyone looked at me in shock, then settled in.
“More to celebrate!” Mikey exclaimed.
“What are we celebrating?” Luke asked cluelessly.
“We’re all with the girls of our dreams... again... And now Hunter and Brittany are moving far, far away!”
We all cheered grabbing drinks and heading for the backyard. Luke pulled me back.
“So you told them?” he chuckled.
“They are very persistent.” I smiled.
“I would tell thee whole world if I could.” he blushed, turning me around and holding my hips. I stood on my tip toes and kissed him softly, “You can.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded, “Definitely.” I kissed him again, then rested on my heels, taking his hand.
We stepped out to join everyone and I couldn’t keep my hands off of Luke. It was like the minute I knew he was mine, and so did everyone else, I wanted to go back to the way we were. Hopefully it will all be different this time around.

Luke’s P.O.V.

As the party wind down, I carried Ry up to our room and gently set her on the bed. As I ran my hands up her legs to pull her dress off and get her into pajamas I traced her scars. Whenever we’re intimate I tend to not notice, but tonight I couldn’t help but stare. I hadn’t seen them since they were fresh. I was so mad at her for hurting herself, but even more mad that I couldn’t just tell her I was coming to her graduation to stop her from even considering it. The only other time she had cut was with Corey. I always told myself I’d never hurt her like that, yet here we are. I gently kissed the scars, before continuing to change her. I slipped on one of my shirts and some of her sweatpants.
“I’m sorry for ever hurting you.” I whispered, “I promise this time will be different.”
Riley unconsciously rolled into me and fell asleep on my chest. “I love you, Riley Ann.”

Notes

Guys, I've been home sick for two days with an awful cold. All I can do is write. Take advantage. Give me ideas! XOXO