#smarkle

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.