Lie To Me

Riley’s P.O.V.

*1 week later*

I was soaking in the sun on the beach. It was the first time I felt at peace with everything and even invited the girls to come. I trusted none of them would tell their boyfriends who would tell Luke; or tell Luke upfront. I knew they just wanted to know I was okay. I flew across the world and cut off all communication, except to my parents.
“Ry?” Sarah called, my trance was broken as I got up to hug her and Emma.
“Where’s Crystal?”
“She had a festival to go to with Mikey, she sends her love and says she’ll see us soon.” Emma smiled.
“I want to go to a festival.” I sighed.
“We could always go to one of the old bonfires.” Sarah replied, “If I’m coming all the way down to Australia, I at least want to do it right.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Having these two here made things so much better. I chose to come to Australia because it was the last place that felt normal, but it felt empty without Luke.
“We should definitely go to one tonight.” I replied.
“I’m excited to see what this is.” Emma smiled.
“I forgot you haven’t been here! I wish Cal could’ve come to show you around.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure you two will tell me all of the embarrassing stories and show me all the cool places. We’re coming together soon so I can meet his family.” she blushed.
“Ooooh. Getting serious.” I joked.
“There’s only 16 years of things to show you here, we’ll have to show you Europe after this if you want the good stuff.” Sarah finished.
“Europe huh?” I smirked.
“It would be fun. We got to go once before senior year.”
“Once before everything changed.” I sighed. My own words stung.
“Think on it. I have plenty of miles to get us there if you need an out from Australia.”
“I’ll consider it. Now should we begin the embarrass Cal tour- Australia edition?”
They both nodded, so I gathered my things and began the walk to Calum’s old house.
*a few hours later*
“And that is Calum’s whole life.”
“Except Europe.” Sarah butt in.
“Except Europe, but apparently we’ll go there too.”
“Will we?” Emma beamed.
“Can we please just enjoy Australia right now?” I whined.
“Of course we can! We’re here for you.... And the bonfire.” Sarah exclaimed.
“We should head back to the beach. It’s almost sundown and that’s the best part.”
A short walk later we ended up at the beach where a large bonfire was being placed. People were joining from all over the place. Soon the beach was filled with music, people, and party favors. The girls and I grabbed a drink and sat in the sand.
“This is crazy!” Emma exclaimed, she was clearly excitedly overwhelmed.
“Just wait til they light the thing.” Sarah smiled, taking a swig.
I leaned back in the warm sand, taking in the beauty of the sunset on the water. My mind raced with thoughts of being here with Luke, running along the beach, surfing, tanning, laughing. I missed him now more than ever.
“You know... I could use a get away from this get away.” I sighed.
Sarah and Emma smiled, “Europe it is.”
“When?”
“Well, I knew you would say yes and have had it booked since you invited us out... So tomorrow.”
“Sarah!”
“Riley!” she smirked, throwing her hands in the air.
I couldn’t help but laugh and pull her into a hug.
“I love you.” We spoke at the same time.
“Guys! They’re lighting it!” Emma yelled, turning to the fire.
The large wood was quickly engulfed in flames, the music became louder, and people rushed into the water. It was one big party of strangers. We all stood up and began dancing the night away, things quickly became a blur.

Sarah’s P.O.V.

S: Plan Liley is a go.
A: She agreed to come?!
L: Does she know I’ll be there?
S: No idea of anything. She thinks we’re just going there to get away. We leave tomorrow morning.
L: You’re amazing.
A: See you then, babe!
L: Keep the couple stuff out of the group text.
A: Don’t be salty, Hemmings ;)
S: I have to get back to the bonfire. Behave yourselves.
A&L: You behave yourselves.
With that I threw my phone back in my pocket and joined the girls dancing near the fire.

***
Riley’s P.O.V.

I woke up the next morning in a familiar setting- my old house.
“Riley, dear. Are you okay?” Dad called.
“Shhhh. Am I dreaming?”
“No, love. We came down to visit the Hemmings.” Mom spoke.
“Hi, Riley.” Liz smiled.
The light burned my eyes and the room was spinning, “Hello.” I spoke groggily. “Where are Emma and Sarah?”
“Your old room.” Mom spoke. I nodded and slowly stumbled up the stairs.
“There you are.” Emma smiled.
“Even hung over you’re too perky.” I smiled.
“You don’t even know.” Sarah chuckled.
“Did you see Mrs. Hemmings?” Emma asked.
“Briefly. I came up here once my day woke me.”
“Is it weird?”
I chuckled, “Not really. I’ve known the Hemmings forever and Liz has been through it all with us.”
“Breakfast!” Mom called from downstairs.
“We should eat then pack. We have a flight to catch.” Sarah spoke, standing up slowly; Emma followed.
I took a look around my old room. I was so young when we moved everything was outdated. There wasn’t a single poster on the wall, just lots of pictures of the group pre-fame. I remember the summers we would come down here. We came one last time before high school started. Luke snuck up to my room with a pizza and ice cream. We sat all night on the balcony talking about how we would run away from the states and just stay here together.
“Riley!” Mom called.
“Coming!”
I turned and bumped an old shelf. A note fell to my foot.
‘Ry, you are my best friend and the coolest girl ever. -You’re best friend (I think) Lukas.’
I chuckled as a tear streamed down my face. That had to have been from middle school, Luke was really into notes that year. I tucked the note into my bag and ran downstairs.
Everyone hushed themselves as I walked into the kitchen.
“Don’t stop talking about me just ‘cause I’m here.” I joked.
“So you’re going to Europe?” Mom smiled.
“Yeah, I could use a change of scenery. There’s a lot of...” I looked to Liz, “Memories here.”
“We’re going to miss you baby doll.” Dad spoke, kissing my cheek.
“I’ll see you guys again soon. When will you be back in the states?”
“About that...” Mom trailed.
I smiled, “You’re staying here?”
“We are.” Mom smiled, “We miss our friends and you’re starting your own life, you don’t really need us anymore.”
“I’ll always need you guys.” I smiled, hugging them tightly.
“Think of all the vacations we can take with a place to stay!” Sarah exclaimed.
“And you are all always welcome.” Mom smiled, hugging Sarah as well. We had really taken her in since she lost her parents after college. “Now eat up, you have a plane to catch.”
We scarfed down the food and went to pack. As the girls went for the stairs I asked Liz to talk.
“Mrs. Hemmings-”
“Liz” she smiled.
“Liz... How is Luke?”
She smiled, “He’s hurting. This is the worst I’ve seen him in a while, if not ever. I’m sorry for what happened.”
“Me too.”
“Don’t apologize to me. You will always be the daughter I never had. I love you and Luke the same together or not. I just know you’re happier together.” she comforted.
“Maybe.” I sighed.
“It doesn’t have to be over if you don’t want it to be, you know?”
I smiled, “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” she embraced me before leaving.
I joined the girls in my room again, “What if we went back to the states instead?”
“What?!” Sarah practically yelled.
“I just-- I miss Luke.”
“Riley! No. We’re going to Europe. Please. Just trust me.”
“I don’t want him to move on or think I hate him.”
“Ry, we’ve been through this time and time again. Just come with us and I promise if after 24 hours you hate it and still want to go home, we will.”
I slumped into the bed, “Okay.” my stomach was uneasy, I just wanted to run home, burst in the door, hug Luke and feel okay again.
“We need to get going.” Em spoke.
We followed her out the door and to the airport. Next stop- Europe.
“Hey guys... Where exactly in Europe are we going?”
“Paris.” They spoke insync.
Oh good... The city of love.

Notes

What could they possibly be up to?