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fanficsbykay · 3 years

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Seven Days

Summary: The Clique's Six annual reunion is coming up and so are a lot of secrets and changes. Can one week bring friends closer together, or further apart? Find out in Seven Days, based on the Mary J Blige song. Rucas Centric. Joshaya; Smarkle;

Word Count: 2,190

Chapter 1: A Friend of Mine

MONDAY

She tossed the thin dark purple cardigan on and listened to Maya rant about the inconvenience of their impromptu reunion. Riley giggled as Maya waved off a euphemism about Farkle and Isadora flying in late that evening. Riley grabbed her keys and shuffled Maya towards the front door. Maya groaned and leaned back into Riley’s arms purposely making it hard for the bubbly brunette to move her.

“Maya,” Riley chastised and the blonde smirked.

“Oh come on Riles, do we really need to go get party supplies? It's just us six!” Maya groaned.

“Maya it's been a year since all six of us were together! Aren’t you excited to see our friends?” Riley pouted.

“Yeah, I guess,” Maya said and rolled her eyes.

Riley knew it was a front, and that Maya was just as excited as she was. Despite being close the clique six had spread out across the continent for college. Maya and Riley stayed true, and both got into NYU. While Riley went to Steinhardt for English Education, Maya found her calling at Tisch for Collaborative Art. Although in different programs, they became roommates in a cramped two-bedroom, a gift from their parents. Their friendship never wavered and if anything it got stronger over the last few years. As their junior year ended they wanted to celebrate with their best friends. In just mere months they would be college seniors, and then off to more school or careers.

“Farkle got us a suite,” Riley teased and Maya grinned.

“A suite? Okay, Minkus, guess that business degree is working after all,” Maya mused and stood up straight.

As the girls found their place at NYU, Farkle and Isadora found their place at Stanford University. Although Princeton University was their goal, they both realized the move across the country would do them good. It was no surprise that both of them had done well successfully that they were graduating before their friends. Farkle in the fall will be attending Stanford Graduate School of Business and Isadora will start her Ph.D. program in Neuroscience. Another reason for their motley crew of friends to come together.

“It's more like a graduation gift from his parents,” Riley said and led Maya out of their apartment.

“I can't believe those two geniuses are already going to their second degrees, I barely think I am going to make it out of my bachelor’s,” Maya groaned as Riley locked the door.

The two linked their arms together and Riley giggled.

“Maya you're doing great in school, As and Bs,” Riley exclaimed.

“It's only because I am actually interested in school now, why couldn't we just jump to college?” Maya asked as they walked down the stairs.

“That's not how life works,” Riley said as they left the apartment building.

Loud city noises blare down the streets and the crowds shuffled through masses of New Yorkers. Both girls leaped into the mass and followed the flow down the street.

“I hope Party City isn't crowded,” Maya said as Riley smiled brightly.

A benefit of having an apartment in Union Square was that everything was close by to them. They could pop in, get some supplies and grab lunch all within walking distance.

“I doubt it, no major holidays, just some graduations in a few weeks,” Riley said.

“So … we talked about Smarkle, is there a particular someone you would like to talk about before we see them?” Maya teased.

“Zay? I heard he might double major,” Riley shrugged.

“What is he? Can he?” Maya asked as Riley nodded.

“I mean he is a dance major, maybe he wants to do something in that field but more,” Riley said.

“Sounds like a lot,” Maya mused.

“I know but it's Zay, and Duke is letting him do it, why not take advantage?” Riley said

Zay’s college choice was a surprise to all of them. They knew Zay was eclectic and loved to do different things, but they all assumed he would go back to Texas. He threw them for a loop when he decided to go to Duke University in North Carolina for Dance. They knew he liked ballet but didn't think he would take it on as a major.

“Wait! You deflected! You know who I was talking about Riles. A certain cowboy down in Texas,” Maya teased.

Lucas.

Lucas’s choice was no surprise to Riley, she knew what he was interested in since they were in the seventh grade. So when he announced he was going to Texas A&M Riley was excited for him no matter what. They decided it was in their best interest to break up and stay as friends. Allowing one another to explore these new waters without being weighed down by a significant other. However, it didn't matter to Riley as she never found anyone to match Lucas on any level. Sure she went on dates and flirted around, but nothing was serious. No one was able to make her feel like he did.

“Lucas?” Riley asked.

“You said Huckleberry’s name, that's a big step for you,” Maya said with a grin.

“I always say his name, it's you who insist on these nicknames, Maya we’re twenty-one now. Don't you think it would be a good time to drop the nicknames?” Riley asked.

“What and miss out on annoying moral compass, do you know me Riles?” Maya fake gasped and Riley chuckled.

“Yes I do, and to answer your question, there’s nothing to talk about, Lucas and I are friends, with the exception of Smarkle, we are all friends,” Riley said and directed Maya into Party City.

“You two were always more than just friends,” Maya said as Riley dragged her towards balloons.

“Why are we getting party supplies again?” Maya groaned.

“Well while we are just becoming seniors, Farkle and Izzy are graduating. I thought it would be nice to have something like a little congratulations thing during our reunion,” Riley said as she perused gold and silver balloons.

“Do we have to get gifts?” Maya asked.

“I’m getting them cards, and I got them each something small, just a congrats thing. You don't have to, you know how I feel about gift-giving,” Riley said with a smile.

“You love it you fruit loop, I guess I’ll look for something here,” Maya sighed and followed Riley down the aisles.

As the girls scoured the store for supplies, they kept the conversation light about their friends. Catching one another up on information to prepare for the annual reunion. Maya laughed as she picked up small party favors and found two keychains for her friends.

“Look one for each of them, the dollar sign for Farkle, and the brain for Izzy,” Maya said as she jingled them.

Riley playfully rolled her eyes and smiled at her best friend. However, she knew the two would love Maya’s gift and treasure it because that is what friends do.

“I have a special order to pick up,” Riley said as she walked towards the counter.

“Special? Oh, Riles, what did you do?” Maya asked as Riley talked to the cashier.

Riley emptied her basket of balloons, candy, and streamers. She smiled as the cashier revealed a bag with Stanford University decorations.

“Of course,” Maya said.

“It's going to be so much fun,” Riley said as the cashier rang up her things.

“Fruit Loop, look I am going to the other cashier to pay for this, don't get any more supplies,” Maya chastised as she walked away.

Riley playfully rolled her eyes once more and smiled as the Cashier scanned the items. Riley’s eyes caught a glimmer of gold and she saw a gaudy gold plastic necklace with a horseshoe. She bit her bottom lip in complementation and took the plunge.

“Could I get that too?” Riley said as she pointed to the necklace.

The cashier rang it up and gave her the total. Riley swiped her card with no hesitation and smiled as she was handed the bags. Maya had sauntered over with her small bag and raised her eyebrows.

“Got everything?” Maya asked as Riley nodded.

Riley sat at her desk as she edited her final paper for class. One click and she would officially be done with her junior year. However, she couldn't stop herself from continuously changing the ending. Something felt off, and she didn't know what it was. She glanced at the clock and saw it was well past 11:00 PM, and she was exhausted. She rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn.

Her phone vibrated and she glanced at it. It was a text but who it was, surprised her. She didn't know why he would text her so late but he had to have a reason. Sure they chatted outside the group chat but it was mundane, and not so late.

Lucas: Hey you up?

Riley: Unfortunately, is everything ok?

Lucas: Yeah can I call?

Riley hesitated but ultimately confirmed that he could. Before she knew it, her phone was ringing in her hands. As she took a deep breath she picked up the call.

“Hey,” She whispered.

“Hey,” Lucas responded.

“Hey,” She repeated.

“I thought we grew out of that,” He chuckled.

“I thought so too,” Riley said as she leaned back in her seat.

“Sorry to call so late it's almost midnight over there right?” He asked.

“Yeah but it's fine I was up, I was working on my final paper,” Riley said as she scrolled through the document.

“Riley Matthews hasn’t finished her homework, oh no the world is ending,” He joked.

“Oh stop it, I have till tomorrow midnight to submit it but I wanted it done before … the reunion,” Riley said.

“That's the Riley I know, am I interrupting? Do you want to finish it?” Lucas asked as he cleared his throat.

Riley paused and leaned back in her chair. A part of her did want to finish the paper, but the other part of her wanted to know why he called, especially this late.

“I think my brain is fried, I know something is wrong, I just can't put my finger on it, I can talk. What's up?” Riley said as she tried to make her voice sound light.

“I kind of wanted to hear your voice,” Lucas said, his voice deepening.

“My voice?” Riley questioned.

“Yeah … I just needed to hear it. Talking to you has always been easy Riley, and I thought I would call one of my best friends,” Lucas said.

Riley could tell something was wrong, but just like her paper, she couldn't put her finger on it. She twirled some hair around her finger and listened to him.

“What did you want to talk about? Tomorrow?” Riley asked.

“I’m excited to come home,” Lucas said and Riley could feel her heart race slightly.

“Texas isn't home?” Riley asked.

“No it isn't, not when everything I love is back in New York,” Lucas said

“Like your friends,” Riley said.

“Yeah but a particular one in mind. Plus I wouldn't feel so lost, and I think … I need to be found” Lucas said his voice lofty and Riley bit her lip.

“Are you okay Lucas, you sound … off,” Riley asked as he chuckled.

“You definitely know me the best, yeah I’m good, I had a drink and I think … it's getting to me. Don't mind me, I’m sorry for interrupting. Goodnight Riley,” Lucas said and hung up the call before Riley could say anything.

Riley looked at the phone puzzled at what just happened. She thought about waking Maya but she decided against it. Instead, she crafted a long but well-intended text to the Texan. She needed him to know she wasn't judging him and that she was there for him.

Riley: Hey, you sounded off. I know you said you drank but, it didn't seem like that was what was going on? You know you can talk to me always if you want to call back we can talk about what's bothering you. I hope you're okay Lucas, I’m always here for you.

Riley sent the message and returned to her paper. She glanced at her phone every few seconds and waited to hear it vibrate back but it didn't. She sighed and started to type up her conclusion, so she could finally finish her paper. As she saved the document and uploaded it to her college portal, she checked her phone. Still nothing. As she submitted the paper, she got up from her seat and went to the bathroom to do her bedtime routine.

Lucas crossed her mind with each task, and she wondered if tomorrow it would be easier to talk. She hoped all was alright, and she wished he would have told her what's wrong. As she finished her routine she bounded for her room. She flicked her light off and crawled into bed exhausted from the day. She grabbed her phone to plug it in to charge when she saw a new alert. She swiped through to see a response from Lucas.

Lucas: I love you.