Lie To Me

Riley’s P.O.V.

The girls and I finished the picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower and soon took a sober up walk around Paris. We found ourselves walking around the Louvre and other famous pieces of architecture.
“Well ladies, I think we should get back to the hotel for the real sight to see tonight.” Crystal smiled.
“Maybe you’re right. It’s almost sunset.”
We made our way over to one of the ferry boats and on to the hotel.
“Hey, how are you holding up?” Sar asked as we got off the boat.
“I’m okay. It’s hard being in the city of love; a city Luke always said he would take me too, without him.”
“I’m sorry, I just thought it would be fun.”
“I’m having a bunch of fun! I’m just trying to-- heal.”
“I promise tonight will help.” she smiled, pulling me into the hotel.
“So what are we getting all dressed up for?” I asked.
“To feel good.” Emma replied, “This is a fashion capital of the world, we just have to look amazing.”
“I guess you do feel better if you dress up.”
“Exactly. Now, let’s get started.” Crystal smiled excitedly.
I let her start my hair and makeup. She curled my hair set it to my right side. For my makeup she did a matching, sparkling navy blue eyeshadow.
“Tada!” Crystal exclaimed.
“Wow, Ry... You look. Wow.”
“Breathtaking.” Emma smiled.
All the girls were ready as well, except Crystal. Emma was in her usual black attire, wearing a cocktail length dress the sparkled all over- her hair with a slight wave flowing down her right side.. Sarah was in a silver high-low dress with a gorgeous diamond necklace- her hair in a natural curl, all over the place.. “You guys look amazing too.” I blushed.
“Well, I need to get ready. I will be back shortly.” Crystal smiled.
Emma’s phone began ringing Cal’s tone. “I’ll be right back.” She beamed.
I deep sighed.
“So dramatic.” Sarah joked.
“I want to be that happy when someone calls. I want to be this dressed up for someone. I want someone to look at me and be in love with every piece of me. I don’t want to have to question why I’m never good enough anymore. I want to be happy again.”
Sarah just gave me a look, then put her hand on mine. “You will be.” she smiled.
“How do you know?”
“I just do.” I gave her a quick hug. “Now cheer up, we have an amazing night ahead.”
I smiled at her then stood up to leave.
“How do I look?” Crystal asked.
“Stunning.” We all spoke insync as Emma rejoined us too.
Crystal was in a floor length dress as I; an off white. She had her usual curl-waves flowing down both shoulders.
“We should get going. The sun is really setting now and we have few stops to make.” she spoke.
“We do?” I asked, confused.
“We do.” they all smiled.
“What is going on?”

Luke’s P.O.V.

I straightened out my white dress shirt and rolled the sleeves. “How do I look?” I asked the boys.
“You really have to figure out your hair, bro.” Mikey replied.
I rushed to the bathroom and lightly ran gel through my hair to slick it back. “What about now?” I popped back out to the boys.
“Better.” They all spoke.
“Are you nervous?” Cal asked.
“Extremely, yet I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“What if she--”
“Ash, don’t put that out there.” Mikey stopped him.
“Then I’ll know that it is really over.”
“Should we toast?” Ashton asked.
“Before we do, could someone call one of the other girls and make sure we’re on track?”
“Got it.” Cal quickly jumped.
He exited the room and I sat there with my head low as Michael and Ashton fixed themselves up. We all looked as though we were going to a gala or ball.
Cal came back a few minutes later, “Everything is still a go. Have your speech prepared?”
“I think so. I’m going to do what I do best and sing.” I blushed.
Cal gave me a pat on the back.
“Let’s have a drink and get this show on the road.” Ash smiled.
“To Liley.” They all cheered and clanked our glasses.
The drink burned the back of my throat, but eased my nerves. “Here we go.”

Riley’s P.O.V.

We walked to streets of Paris to the Eiffel Tower. Along the way I lost everyone but Sarah.
“Please tell me what the hell is going on.” I whined.
“I’ll just show you instead.”
“What?” I asked, but she handed me a red rose with a note. ‘Every moment spent, I wish I was with you. And every night I slept, I dreamt I was with you.’
“Is this from--?” I lost my breath. As much as I wanted to be in Luke’s arms, the thought of it finally being true made me uneasy. “You can’t be serious. That’s what this is all about?”
Sarah smiled, “There’s more. C’mon.” A few minutes later we ran into Emma by a fountain with another red rose and a map. I opened the map as she handed it to me; another note. ‘No matter where you go, you know I'd wait for you...’
“Guys, I’m going to cry. Where is he?”
“Follow the map.” Emma spoke.
I looked closely at the map and it lead to the cafe we had breakfast at. Crystal was there waiting with another rose and another map with a note. ‘So you go your way and I'll go mine. And if we're meant to, I'll meet you there.’ The map showed the Eiffel Tower this time.
“You guys all knew, didn’t you?” Tears were welling in my eyes this time.
They all nodded.
“So what are you going to do?” Crystal asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m gonna get Luke back.” I spoke, picking up my dress and practically running to the tower.
“What’s the rush?” Cal stopped me. I pulled him into a hug, completely out of breath.
“I have never been happier to see you in my entire life.” I gasped for air.
“I missed you too.” He smiled, handing me yet another rose, ‘We can't speed up the hands of time.’
“Clever way of saying slow down.” I chuckled. “Who do I run into next?”
Cal pointed over to Michael. I picked up my dress again and walked over to him, not knowing where everyone else went.
“Let me guess, you have a rose with a note for me too.”
“I do.” Michael smiled, handing them both to me. ‘But if we're meant to, I'll meet you there.’
“There was a note like that already.” I rolled my eyes, Michael laughed.
“One more of us to get to.” He spoke, pointing to Ashton.
I walked over to Ash who was already holding out the rose and note. ‘I love the light in your eyes and the dark in your heart. You love our permanent chase and the bite of our bark. We know we're classic together like Egyptian gold. We love us... Got nothing but love for you, fall more in love every day.’
“This is it, isn’t it?” I choked up.
“It is.” Ashton smiled pulling me into a tight. “The tower is about to light up and your prince charming is waiting for you.”
I released the hug and turned to the tower taking it all in. I didn’t see Luke in sight, but I knew he’d show up like he always does. I thought of the harsh words I said earlier about wanting to be happy. No matter what Luke and I have gone through, I have never been happier than when I am with him. I walked slowly up to the tower with none of my friends in sight.

Luke’s P.O.V.

I hid under the tower until I could see RIley getting closer. This is it. The moment is here. Riley came into my view, about to approach the spot just in front of the tower where I would begin my forgiveness speech. She took my breath away in the navy blue dress that shimmered in the sunset. The slit of the dress on her thigh made me weak. I could imagine the lavender scent of her hair from her favorite shampoo. The butterflies filled my stomach. Here goes nothing.
“Riley.” I choked out, stepping out right in front of the tower.
“Luke.” she smiled. “What is this all about?”
I handed her the final rose and cleared my throat. “I saw you looking brand new overnight I caught you looking too but you didn't look twice. You look happy. You look happy. Flashing back to New York City. Changing flights so you'd stay with me. Remember thinking that I got this right. Now I wish we'd never met ‘cause you're too hard to forget. -- I know I’m the stupid one who ended it and now I'm the stupid one regretting it. It took me a couple drinks to admit it. I know I’m the stupid one -- Oh, the stupid truth is I'm so bad for you. Oh-no-no-no, I can't take it. Oh-no-no-no, I won't break your heart again. I don't wanna be a monster among men -- With your love, I'm a better man. Darling, all of my wrongs, they led me right to you. Wrapped in your arms, I swear I'd die for your love, I'm a better man. Thought I'd found the highest of highs. You came and topped them all. You shine in the dead of the night. And I was the first to fall. --” I took a breathe at the end of my medley.
“Luke,” Riley chuckled, “You literally just combined most of Youngblood together. What are you doing?”
“Ry, you know I’ve never been good with words unless it’s in song.” I smiled, then took a deep breathe, “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I knew you were the one from the first time you came up to my room and told me to follow my dreams. You gave me the push I needed and I can never thank you enough. Since that day you have made me a better man with all of your support and love. You have made me see the world in a different point of view. I can’t take away any of the pain I have caused, but I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I love you. If you will let me, there is nothing I won’t do to continue making you laugh, smile, and be your best you... Riley Ann... Will you marry me?” I finished, getting on one knee and holding out the ring. The sun set and the lights on the tower popped on, right on que. The ring shimmered with the lights. My heart raced as Riley’s eyes filled with tears and she didn’t answer. She speechlessly began nodding her head.
“Yes.” she replied. I didn’t hesitate to get up and pull her into my arms.
“I love you so much, Riley!”
“I love you too, Luke!” She replied, and my heart was whole again.
I slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her in for the best kiss we have ever shared. It wasn’t broken until the group practically tackled us in a cheering hug. For the first time in a long time I cried and held Riley close. I finally feel complete.

Notes

I'm feeling super insecure about this story, and kind of trying to just close it out without rushing, yet so many things are coming to mind; but who reads these notes anyway.