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malilimago · 7 years

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AU/Almost Missed a Good Thing: Prologue

Word Count: 1,838

The History Boys (2006): “The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - that you’d thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you’ve never met, maybe even someone long dead. And it’s as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.”

Author’s note: I just want to warn everyone that this one starts out with some heavier topics than Starry Nights! It’s AU where Riley’s parents and Lucas’ parents have passed away. There’s also bullying, harassment and fighting! I promise the actual story story is much lighter than this! Please stick with it and enjoy!

Prologue

Dear mom,

Here are some facts I’m still trying to wrap my head around:

1. Last year when you and dad died in that horrible car accident.

2. Me and Auggie becoming orphans.

3. Uncle Eric and Aunt Rachel moving into our apartment for mine and Auggie’s sake.

4. Aunt Rachel taking over Topanga’s.

5. Me missing you more today than I did yesterday.

NOW! Here are some new ones:

1.Aunt Rachel’s sister, Juniper, passing away from breast cancer last month.

2. Aunt Rachel getting custody of her two Nephews, Lucas and Levi.

3. Lucas and Levi leaving all their friends and family to live with strangers willingly.

4. Lucas birthing a horse.

5. The apartment being big enough for all 6 of us.

6. Auggie and Levi’s cuteness!

7. Me missing you more today than I did yesterday.

“Riley.” Rachel said, gently squeezing her hand. “Can you go to the corner store and pick up Levi’s medication? Mr. Camerieri called and said it’s ready.”

“Mmmhmm.” She replied with a smile, jamming her notepad into her bag.

“Thanks, hun.”

Suddenly, Eric, Levi and Auggie appeared next to Rachel, their clothing disheveled and their hair a mess.

“What happened-”

“No time woman!” Eric whisper shouted as he locked eyes with Riley. “We need tinfoil! Stat!”

Before she could respond a puff of smoke filled her vision. When it settled the three trouble makers were gone. In their place was a 5-dollar bill and a thank you note tapped to Rachel’s forehead. The two laughed as Rachel pulled off the note.

“I guess you’re getting tinfoil too!” She giggled, handing the money to her sweet niece.

“I guess so.” Riley replied with a smile.

Life had become a lot more whimsical with Uncle Eric around... She jumped off her stool and headed for the door when Rachel called her back.

“What’s up?”

“Could you take Lucas along with you.”

“What?!”

“It’s getting dark and I don’t want you out there on your own.”

“But-”

“But?”

Riley looked in to her Aunts gigantic blue eyes and panicked. She didn’t like being around Lucas. He was cold, distant and sarcastic, but she knew if she told her Aunt that she’d make them spend more time together. She debated the issue a few moments more before coming to an unwanted conclusion.

“Okay.”

“Thanks, hun!”

Riley weakly smiled then turned to face her long journey to Lucas’ booth of solitude.

“Desperado” blared in his ears as he watched the annoying Riley Matthews march toward him.

He didn’t much care for the brunette. From her cheery attitude to her obnoxiously bright clothing, it all seem to rub him the wrong way. Even so, he stayed cordial for his Aunt Rachel’s sake.

“Hey!” She said as she sat across from him.

Nothing.

Riley cleared her throat and tried again. “Hi!”

This time Lucas looked at her, eyes glazed over, and cranked his music to full volume.

“HEY!” She shouted, sharply yanking both earbuds out. She bit down on her lip as the realization of what she’d just done sunk in. Lucas looked just as rattled, but stayed eerily silent as he yanked them back. Once they were in place he shifted his attention to the bumbling girl once again.

“What.”

“Aunt Rachel wants you to accompany me to the store.” She replied, matching his monotone voice.

He glared at the bossy chipmunk then to Rachel, who looked anxious.

“Fine.”

A smile found its way to her face as she took in his response. He’d never agreed to do anything with her before! She opened her mouth to properly thank him, but found he was almost to the door. She groaned as she raced after him.

By time she caught up to him, he was standing in the candy aisle, blankly staring at gummies. She shook her head and let him stay there as she proceeded to the Pharmacy, alone and annoyed.

“Mr. Camerieri?” She called out to the empty station.

He shuffled in from a side door in a faded lab coat and smiled at the vibrant young lady.

“Well, hello there, Doll Face!”

“Hello!” She beamed! “How are you today?”

Mr. Camerieri shimmied his shoulders and replied, “Doin’ great! Doin’ great! And you?”

She replied in the same manner causing the two to burst out in laughter as they traded money for medicine. In the middle of the exchange she remembered her Uncle Eric’s strange request and asked that it and whatever candy Lucas was getting be added to her tab. Mr. Camerieri cheerfully obliged and chuckled as he watched Riley shimmy toward the aisle with Tinfoil. When she got there, she began to scan the shelves for the shiny item.

“Ha-HA!” She cheered as she picked it up.

“Well, if it isn’t little Miss Riley Matthews.” A voice chuckled from behind her. The hair on the back of her neck stood as she spun around to find the yucky Nick Parker.

Now, Riley wasn’t the kind of person to us the term “yucky” loosely. He was a sinister boy who bullied her and Farkle for most of their elementary careers until Maya found out about it and beat him senseless in front of their whole class. After that horrific event, he vowed to one day have his revenge on each of them when they least expected it. He’d already gotten his on Farkle a couple years back and she had a sinking feeling her day had finally come.

“Now, what is a delicate lamb like you doin’ out without ya guard dog?” He said as he began to circle the poor girl.

“Don’t call her that!” She replied with haste as she took a few steps in the opposite direction.

“Wow, wow, wow.” He said, slamming his hand into the shelf in front of her. “What’s your hurry little lamb?”

Lucas’ brows scrunch up with confusion as he watched the candies shake.

“What the?” He muttered as he pulled out one of his earbuds.

“I just wanna know how you are and if you gotta boyfriend.” Nick said with a pouted lip as he played with a piece of her hair.

“That’s none of your business!” She shot back. “Now, let me pass!”

“OH, COME ON! You can’t tell me a pretty little thing like you ain’t got no one to keep her warm at night?” He said, slowly pulling up her skirt.

“Stop that!” She cried as she fought his repulsive touch.

“Oh, come on Matthews you know you like it.”

“I said stop it!” She shouted again.

When he didn’t, she mustered all the strength she could and kneed him in the “unmentionables”, but it had no effect on him.

“It’s called a cup, sweetheart.” He said with a menacing cackle that hissed through the gap in his teeth. She felt her body shrink backwards as he firmly placed his hands on either side of her. She squeezed her eyes shut and said a prayer for the strength to fight when a gust of air and a banging sound forced her eyes open. It was Lucas!

His eyes burned with rage as he slammed Nick into the shelves. Disrespecting a woman like that was a death sentence where he came from and having it be someone he knew only boiled his blood even more! He wanted so badly to choke him out, but he made a promise to his momma to never resort to violence again, so instead he dragged the filthy animal to Mr. Camerieri.

“Tell him what you did!” He shouted as he pushed the disgusting boy into the counter. “Tell him!”

“I was just messin’ around.” He replied, keeping his gaze on the floor.

“Why you little-”

“Lucas.” Riley whispered, placing her hand in the middle of his chest. “He’s not worth it.”

To Lucas great surprise he found his anger melting away under Riley’s tender touch, a thing only his momma could do.

“Okay.” He replied as he backed away. Riley sighed with relief.

“Doll Face?” Mr. Camerieri questioned as he stared at the tense teens.

“Yes.” She said in an octave higher than she usually used.

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.” She smiled.

Mr. Camerieri examined the motley crew one more time then ordered them to go home immediately. The kids did as they were told and quietly moved to the exit. When they reached outside the tension returned.

“This ain’t over, pretty boy.” Nick said as his small gang of brothers rounded the corner.

“Oh yes, it is!” Lucas replied.

“Excuse me?!”

A tiny hand slipped into Lucas’ as Nick stormed towards them. He looked down at it then to Riley and smirked.

“Don’t worry.” He whispered.

She gulped hard, not out of fear he'd do something brash, but out of awe. His eyes that once were dull and unfriendly were now lively and warm! He gave her a hand a reassuring squeeze then let it go as Nick pointed at him and then to the spot in front of him. Lucas rolled his eyes and stepped forward.

“Look-”

“No, you look!” Nick shouted as he got into his face. “I say when things are over around here! Not you!”

He then swung at Lucas face. Riley quickly covered her eyes before he connected. She didn’t want to see the blood bath, but just like a train wreck, she couldn’t look away and found herself peeking through her fingers.

Lucas was okay?!

Nick and his brothers were shocked. No one had ever been fast enough to dodge one of his punches, so Nick swung again and rendered the same results. Enraged at the turn of events Nick charged for him and without warning Lucas swiftly countered his attack with a chokehold. Nick’s brothers gasped! Their big brother was being owned by a 20-year-old!

“I’m gonna say something and you need to hear this.” Lucas grunted as he tightened his grip on Nick’s neck. “If I fight you, in the end you’re gonna be the one on the floor and I’m gonna be the one that walks away. So, I’m going to do you a favor and let you keep your reputation just so long as you leave me, Riley and anyone else she associates with, alone. Deal?”

“Deal.” Nick wheezed.

“Thank ya kindly.” Lucas replied as he threw the rat-faced boy back into the streets. His brothers swooped in to make sure he was okay, but Nick wasn’t having it.

“Get off me!” He shouted, swatting away their hands. “I got it!”

He straightened up then eyed Lucas as he walked away. His brothers followed suit and soon the Parker boys were out of sight.

Lucas walked up to Riley, who was trying to keep a brave face and patted he shoulder.

“You okay?” He asked.

She flew into his arms and whispered. “Yes, because of you.”

He was taken aback, but stayed still. She was his new priority, now and forever.

#rucas #rucas fanfic #rucas fandom #rucas au #liley fanfic #liley au #liley

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