Alex was leaving the classroom and heading on his way when he couldn't help but overhear the conversation between Riley and a guy he had yet to meet. He was about to approach them until he saw that Riley seemed distressed. From what he could gather it appeared there was or had been some sort of love triangle or, at least something along those lines. He frowned, sensing Riley's distress, he waited for the pair to go their separate ways before heading down the hallway.

---

The practice field, Alex was in the crowd with a the other boys from the school trying out. They were all stretching and preparing or mingling while Alex simply looked around the field and at all the others. He didn't really want to be on any team, rather he wanted to just have fun and that's what the point of today was, at least for him. He looked up in the bleachers and saw Riley, something he had learnt about her is that most of the time she was trustworthy. If she made a promise, she'd do what she could to follow through with it.

It came to Alex's turn, "Alright, Alex George, step on up." When being enrolled he had taken the last name of Riley's family, simply for the sake of convenience. Stepping up to the batting base, Alex looked at the umpire who was grinning behind his mask. It was known around the school that Alex was a bit of a brainiac and so most were snickering as he stepped up, even the coach looked on with a grin. Leaning down, Alex picked up the bat, he had changed from his jeans to black sweatpants, loose fitting, his jacket was on the bleachers, signalling to Riley that he was there and to sit by it. He stretched his neck before raising the bat and waiting for the pitcher to toss the ball.

It came at Alex fast but it was as if everything slowed down for a moment. He focused and swung when the time was right. The wooden bat connected with the ball with a satisfying crack Alex looked up with one hand at his brow protecting his eyes from the winter sun as he watched the ball fly. The other looked on as well, most with amazement some with jealousy. Alex dropped the bat and proceeded to run of course making it back with a home-run. The ball couldn't be found, by anyone and so another was thrown in. The coach by this point was of course shocked but also impressed, he asked Alex to pitch. Shrugging Alex approached the pitcher's mark and prepared while the coach got his best batter to stand up and ready.

He looked down at the batter with a competitive look. It was all about throwing the other player off but of course that didn't matter too much. Alex flicked an imaginary cap as a joke, raised one leg and pitched the ball. It happened so fast that it almost couldn't be seen, with aim so true that it landed right in the Umpire's glove, hurting him but he didn't show it. The coach shook his head in amazement.

Riley nodded when Alex directed her to sit by his jacket. She moved swiftly on the sidelines and sat down on the bench, taking his jacket and draping it across her lap for extra warmth. She grew bored watching the others take turns pitching and batting, none of them really that great, but she perked up when the coach called Alex's name. She shot him two thumbs up as he went up to bat. Riley crossed her fingers, hoping he could pull this off. She heard people talk about him, because he was so smart, and it made her mad. There was so much more to him then all that.

She stared in disbelief when the ball made direct contact with the bat, easily hitting a home run, but a lost ball. She stared over at Alex with disbelief. Where did he learn to play? She quickly regained composure. Beginners luck. She watched as the coach moved him to go pitch. It was harder then batting, or she just assumed. She watched, on the edge of her seat, as he took position, and once again a look of shock washed over her as he threw the ball perfectly, making direct contact with the umpires glove. She watched as the coach shook his hand, no doubt welcoming him to the team.

Riley grinned as she stood up, giving Alex a hug. "That was... it was amazing, Alex! Where did you learn to play like that? Did you use to play when you were younger?" She asked, handing him his jacket.

"That was... it was amazing, Alex! Where did you learn to play like that? Did you use to play when you were younger?"

"Ah no, I just got lucky there with that batting and the umpire did it all with the pitching." Alex replied, there was always a sense of modesty about him. "Not exactly, but I played something similar with a group of... close friends." He added, breaking the hug and taking his jacket, throwing in a thank-you as he slung it on over himself, sticking his hands in his pockets. His jeans were in his schoolbag but he didn't see the point in changing back into them, the sweatpants were both comfy and warm. He put his hands together and breathed into them, warming them up before sticking them into the pockets of his sweatpants, standing with his legs apart, just slightly wider than shoulder width.

Alex kicked the concrete step beneath him with the tip of his shoe gently a couple of times, scuffing the front a little. He swung down and picked up his bag from his feet slinging it over one shoulder he held the strap, keeping his free hand in his pocket. Riley and Alex began to walk down the bleachers and left the field, heading out the front gate of the school and on the way home. "Anything interesting with you today?" He yawned, "My day was pretty plain, the try-outs though were pretty fun, that's for sure."

Riley rolled her eyes. "You really are an ordinary joe, aren't you? Asking about my day." She said laughing. "But no, nothing worth talking about." She said with a shrug, glancing over at him. "I agree, the try outs had to be my highlight." She said as they got closer to home. "Are you going to tell mom and dad?" She asked, looking over at him. "I know they'll be super excited." She said, stopping to check the mail before heading inside. "I'm going up to my room, homework to do before dinner." She said, putting the mail down on the table and going upstairs. She let her bag drop to the ground and took out her cell phone, seeing a missed text from Rick. Sorry about earlier... do you want to hang tonight? Party at my brothers place.. be my date? Riley stared at that message for a good long fifteen minutes before deciding on a reply and sending it back. Yes.

Sighing, she turned her phone in silent and started on her homework, deciding on what she was going to wear that night.

It hit about six in the evening and Alex had finished his homework as well as having had a shower and was now sitting downstairs in the kitchen while Riley's mom was finishing up the cooking and her dad was preparing the table. Riley always mentioned "mom and dad" in a way that made it out like they were Alex's parents too. While, Alex knew it wasn't biological there was something comforting about having parents. He stayed in thought about this as his fingertips ran along his mug of coffee, the warmth travelling through his hands and up his arm.

"Riley!" Their mother called up the stairs, "Dinner! You too Alex." He stood and walked over towards the counter next to the cooker and took the plate that had been served up for him.

"Thanks... Mum." He told her, his familiar thin smile crossing his face, she smiled back at him.

"You're welcome... Son." She teased and made a face before bring Riley's and her father's plate to the table before bringing over her own. Alex sat and began eating the spaghetti bolognese instantly. It was a simple dish but it tasted so good, something Alex loved was definitely his new mother's cooking. "Anything interesting at school today?" She asked, while they were waiting for Riley to come down.

"There were try-outs for the baseball team..." Alex began, bringing Riley's father's interest to the table, "I did okay, the coach wants me on the team." He added, before putting another fork full of the dinner in his mouth.

Riley finished her homework pretty quick, and when she did she put on a short black shirt and a white top with ruffles that showed some midriff along with black heels. She ran a straightener through her hair and applied some make-up to her face. When she checked over herself, she grabbed her purse and opened the window, slipping out. She had become an expert at sneaking out from a couple years ago when she would all the time, and still did every now and then. She gracefully fell to the ground and headed out. Rick swung by in his car to pick her up and she jumped in, greeting him with a smile. "Hey, good lookin'." He said, winking at her. "Hello to yourself, now go before my parents see me." She said, giggling as he headed on out to the party.

When they go there, he helped her out and they headed inside. Several people were there, and several of them drinking beer. When Rick offered her a cup, she nodded her head. She only had beer once, or twice, and didn't like the taste of it, but she didn't want to seem like a downer but declining. When he came back with two plastic cups, she took one and took a small sip, grimacing at the taste of it. "Let's dance." He said, taking her by the hand after setting the two cups down and leading her to where there were other dancers. Thankfully dancing was one good thing she could do, so she moved to the beat, grinding against him.

"What on Earth is that girl doing?" Their mother asked, Alex looked up from his plate which was almost empty and shrugged. "Riley!?" Their mother called up the stairs once more, again in vain. Their father tutted and shook his head, "Teenagers." He teased and continued to eat his dinner. Alex's brow furrowed as he stood from the table, excusing himself he brought his dishes over to the sink and rinsed them off, leaving them in the basin.

"I'll go up and see what she's doing." He told them and left the kitchen heading up the stairs. Standing outside her door he raised his hand and knocked on the door, "Riley...?" He asked, creaking the door open when he got no response. Seeing the room was empty he took a step in and saw the open window, the curtains flapping in the breeze that came with it. Unfamiliar with the idea of sneaking away from home, despite having escaped from a facility in his own lifetime, he went back downstairs and informed his parents. "She's not in her room."

"What...?" Her mother asked, scowling, her father putting down his fork and finishing chewing his food also spoke up,

"Well, where is she?"

"I don't know maybe she's gone out." Alex suggested picking up on angry vibes coming from both parents at the moment. "I'll just..." He began but didn't finish as he found his way upstairs to his room. He rummaged around in his drawers until he pulled out an old phone, it was pretty much only good for calling and texting and Alex didn't have much use for it anyway so never really used it. Attempting to turn it on, the phone graciously informed him that it's battery had run dry. Alex sighed and rummaged through another drawer, this time taking out a charger for the phone and plugged it into the wall.

Buzz. Alex's phone vibrated and he instantly began texting one of the three contacts on his phone, Riley. "Where R You??? Alex."

Riley had retired to the sofa to sit down, already on her second cup of beer, when she felt a familiar vibration from her purse. She reached in and took out her phone, opening the message from Alex. She read through it and sent a quick reply before Rick came back over to dance some more. "Out with a friend- don't tell mom and dad. -Riley".

Riley started to feel a little fuzzy, and it intensified when she started on the third. "You know what," she paused to hiccup, "I'm going home." She said to Rick, feeling like she was tripping over everything. She knew he was in no position to drive, so she stumbled outside when he walked off and took out her phone. She squinted when trying to find Alex's number. Once she found it, Riley hit the call button, but someone bumped into her, causing her to drop her phone. "Darn it." She mumbled and turned to see who bumped into her. "Where are you going, gorgeous?" Rick said playfully, his arms wrapping around her waist.. "Home." She said, starting to feel a little sick. "Ah, not without my good-night kiss." He said, puckering his lips out. "No thank you." Riley said, trying to push him off her, but to no avail.

"Out with a friend- don't tell mom and dad. -Riley".

"Damn it." Alex muttered to himself. He found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Needless to say it certainly wasn't the hardest decision he had ever had to make in his life, but Alex did not like the idea of lying to the people who had taken him in. However, he also didn't love the idea of betraying the trust of the person to thank for that either. Thinking about what he was going to do and more importantly how he was going to do it, his phone began to ring. Riley's name popped up on the screen and Alex jumped to answer it. "Riley...? Riley...!?" He hissed down the phone in a whisper to avoid his parents hearing him. "Riley, where are you?" He asked, frustrated when there was no answer. The line was weak but Alex could make out the sounds of music and partying in the background, he smirked at her lie to him about being "out with a friend."

"Where are you going, gorgeous?" Alex's ears perked, especially when Riley replied, he recognized her voice and something, to him, sounded malicious about the tone of voice the male in this conversation was using. Alex sat there with the phone held to his ear, helpless at the fact that all he could without knowing where she was, was listen.

Riley tried to push Rick off her. "Rick, just get off me!" She yelled. No one inside would be able to hear them due to the loud music. Remembering her phone was on and Alex was on the other line, she stared at Rick who looked like he was trying to eat her face off. "You're brother lives on Clark Ave, right? The third house down?" She said, shouting loud enough so Alex could hear. Rick grinned. "Yeah, baby." He said, leaning in for a kiss. "No!" She yelled, desperately trying to get him off her. She tripped and fell to the ground, the wind getting knocked out of her. Rick laughed as he nudged her with the toe of his foot. "Not so defensive now, are you?" He asked, clearly drunk.

He brought his foot by and kicked her side, resulting in her letting out a shrill scream. Tears streamed down her face as pain shot up her side. Rick leaned down and grabbed a handful of her brunette hair, kissing her forcefully, then letting her go. "Now, was that so hard?" He laughed as he poured the rest of his beer on her, soaking her white shirt. Riley coughed, rolling over but winced as pain shot through her side, still lingering from his kick. Her phone had died and she groaned, grabbing it before falling back to the ground. "Come on, Alex..." She whispered, her vision fuzzy as she still felt the effects of the beer in her system.

"You're brother lives on Clark Ave, right? The third house down?"

Alex hung up the phone, he knew Clark Ave, he had passed it a couple of times on the walks he used to do, getting familiar with the area. He pulled on the closest jacket to him, a hooded black jacket with two pockets, one on either side of the chest. He pulled the hood up over his head and slipped on his black boots that had been issued when he was still back with the others. He looked like he was about to go break into a museum rather than go help someone, but he didn't have time and he couldn't go downstairs and grab what he had earlier.

As he hung from the window sill he sighed, Sorry mom, dad. He thought to himself as he dropped and rolled before checking his left and right and heading off to Clark Avenue.

---

Once he got to the general area, there was no hard time in finding the house, the music and cheers could be heard from where Alex was, he headed in the direction of the party noise and soon approached the house. He stood back and looked around to see where Riley was, it wasn't too long before he saw her and the boy, his age maybe a little older from earlier today. The boy was jeering, holding an empty cup in his hand and Riley was on the ground apparently writhing in pain. A couple of other of lads, presumably friends of the ringleader had began to surround Riley as well. "Now or never..." He whispered, walking towards the group.

"Hey." He spoke in a friendly tone as he approached the group from behind. The ringleader turned around, just as he'd been hoping. Crack! With one fell swoop Alex had knocked Rick off his feet with a punch to the jaw. He hit the ground with a satisfying crunch as his friends began to act up.

"What the fuck do you think you're playing at, dickhead?"

"Yeah! Who do you think you are you cunt..."

Alex ignored them, turned Rick onto his stomach before twisting his arm up his back, causing the lad to literally cry out in pain. He firmly placed his booted foot down on his other wrist, twisting the rough rubber of the sole into Rick's skin. The restraint's he'd been taught for soldiering purposes apparently could come in useful in real life, Alex thought as he wrapped an open palm on Rick's forehead before pulling his head back, essentially having the boy in a position where he could snap his neck and break both his arms right now.

"Fight! Fight!" Someone cried from the doorway, dropping the cigarette he'd just lit. The windows filling up with observers as others filled the porch, pouring out through the wide-open door. In the process of restraining Rick, Alex's hood had come down and many were now looking at him in shock.

"Riley...?" He asked, looking at the girl her white top soaked through like some kind of pervert's dream. He grunted. Alex may not have known much about the outside world and the way teenage minds work but he knew this was perversion. He slammed Rick's head into the concrete, crimson soon poured from his broken nose and probably missing teeth too. "Scumbag,.." Alex muttered. The two friends who had been acting big towards Alex a few moments ago had stood down and joined the other party-goers at the porch.

Riley watched as some of Rick's crew gathered around her, she got a couple more kicks to her side. She coughed, a little blood coming up when she did, trickling down the corner of her mouth. Everything happened so fast, she didn't have time to react. Everyone gathered outside, she had scrambled to her knees, her arms crossed around her front, partially from the soaked white top, and partially from the pains in her sides. She looked up to see Alex, and she gasped softly. He had Rick on the ground, both arms behind his back crossed. She stood to her feet, finding it extremely hard to stand.

"Alex, let him go, please... I want to go home.." She said, her voice weak and pleading. She felt like her knees were going to give out on her any minute, but she had to keep standing. She didn't want to be made fun of for being 'that drunk girl' in school, she could already hear the rumors that she was outside alone with Rick screwing him. She looked at Alex with begging eyes, her own eyes red and bloodshot from crying, her cheeks stained with tears, and more that were still rolling down as well.

"Alex, let him go, please... I want to go home.."

Alex's rage subsided when he heard the cracking, croaky voice of Riley, he matched her begging eyes with eyes that showed confusion. He already knew the truth of the matter was he'd already inflicted a broken nose and shoulder and neck pain for days if not weeks, at the least. He sighed and released Rick, whom despite the pain scrambled back towards the house. Alex stood, watching Rick go back, desperately and stared at the onlookers, many of whom turned away or pretended they had seen nothing when Alex looked over.

"Okay..." He began in a calm, reassuring voice before facing Riley. He shook his head at the state she was in and removed his jacket, leaving him in an olive green t-shirt. Instantly Alex felt the cold embrace him with it's icy touch. Approaching Riley he laid the jacket over her shoulders. "Let's go home." He added squeezing her hand.

Riley nodded, relieved that he let Rick go. The fight was old news as everyone disappeared back in the house, returning to the party. She thanked him when he draped his jacket over her shoulder. He offered her his hand and she grabbed it. Taking a step, she stumbled a little, so she leaned against him for support.

When they got home, she stopped him. "Wait, before I get the third degree from the folks." She said, laughing, but winced in pain. She sat down on the porch swing, inviting him to sit down with her. "Thank you, for coming, and for rescuing me." She said with a small smile. "You know we're, or you should I say, will become insanely popular in school now for bringing the school's toughest guy down effortlessly." She said, turning to face him. She felt warmth in her eyes as tears started to build up.

"I've never had anyone stand up for me like that, Alex." She said. She moved a little closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I promise, Alex," She took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, "whenever you need someone, I'll be here, just like you were for me." She said, looking up at him. "Always." She said, then stood up, wincing. "Well, lets get this over with. You, my friend, are about to know the meaning of being grounded." She said, holding out her hand. "Let's do it together." She offered him a smile.

Six Years Later

"Riley, where's the paperwork you filed yesterday?" The middle-aged woman dressed in a black pants suite called from over her desk. "Just a minute, Mrs. Montgomery!" Riley called from her cubicle. She walked over to the filing cabinets where they kept the important files and took out the one Mrs. Montgomery had asked for, bringing it to her. "Thank you. Go ahead and finish that small stack on your desk and you can leave for the day, I'll see you back here in the morning." Riley smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery. Have a great night." Riley said. She finished the last bit of work she had left quickly and once done, she grabbed her red leather jacket and headed out, making sure she had the keys to her Dodge Ram Pick-up truck.

She felt in the mood for coffee, so she headed to her favorite local hang-out, the coffee shop. It was five in the afternoon, so they weren't as busy as they were earlier in the day. She had on dark blue jeans and a black blouse, her hair was curled, left down. She had been keeping it cut just a little past her shoulders, finding it difficult to keep up with otherwise. Riley walked into the coffee shop after parking her truck and waited at the counter. When it was her time to order, she got herself a skinny latter with extra whip cream. She waited patiently as they prepared her coffee.

Ring. The bell above the door to the coffee shop rang as it opened. Alex, twenty-one years old was taller than he was when he was fifteen. Six years and reaching adulthood would do that to you. His chin was covered in a short but scruffy stubble, his hair also short but messy, a bedhead look as if he hadn't brushed it in a few days, however, it was clean and washed. He removed his motorcycle helmet, black with a tinted visor and held it under his right arm, slipping the keys he had in his right hand into his jacket pocket. It was a similar black jacket he had worn to when he was fifteen except in a larger size. He was also wearing a dark black cargo trousers and black boots. It was the general attire he wore while riding his bike, especially out on his day job as a package courier.

"Hey Alex! How are ya?" A chirpy barrista asked as she was preparing a cup of coffee for a lady with curled hair wearing jeans and a blouse.

"Hey Jess." He replied leaving his helmet down on the window table that was his usual spot.

"What can I get for ya?" She asked.

"Um... Just a black coffee, please."

"Sure thing, hun." The barrista replied turning her head with a wink. Alex smiled awkwardly, the woman had always made him slightly uncomfortable although he knew she meant well. Alex sat, looking down at his hands as he put them on the table, intertwining his fingers. He sighed before rubbing his brow with one hand.

Riley thanked the woman when she handed her the latte, but froze at the name she mentioned. Alex.. Turning, she noticed the man who just sat down, wearing a familiar black jacket. It had been a few years, three to be exact, since she last saw her friend, and in some ways a brother. Slowly she walked over to this man, curiosity getting the best of her. She knew deep down it was Alex. Her Alex. She smiled, lighting up inside. "Alex?" She said, grinning from ear to ear. Riley moved to the side, in disbelief who she saw. "Oh my god, Alex!" She exclaimed, setting her coffee down to give him a tight hug.

She sat down beside him. The barrista brought over his coffee, shooting Riley a glare as she did so before returning to work. "How have you been? It's been so long." Riley said. She took in his new look, and damn was it good. She knew she changed too, having finally developed her curves, filling out more. "I've missed you, Alex." She said with a sincere smile.

"Riley." Alex replied, wrapping his arms around her, returning the hug. "Hey." He added, with a sincere tone of happiness. "Thanks Jess." He smiled as the barrista brought his coffee over for him and placed it in front of him. He picked up the steaming cup and sipped on it. "Yeah, I've been good... Busy! Very busy." Alex explained to her as she took a seat beside him.

"I've missed you, Alex."

"I've missed you too." He replied, sincere in saying but still amazed that they were living in the same city and meeting at the same tiny coffee shop. "And how have you been? You've changed since I last saw you." As Riley began replying Alex's phone began to ring from his jacket pocket. "Oh, just hold on one sec there, Riley." He began as he whipped out his phone and checked the name, it was Archer. Archer was Alex's best friend in the city of Seattle, a real geek and computer whiz who was also very handy at hacking. Alex called him the "Hacking Houdini" and in return, Alex was "Action Man", like the action-figure. Archer knew everything about Alex's past. In fact he personally looked for and found Alex with a proposition, bring down the people who had done this and were, presumably still producing genetically modified soldiers.

"Hey. Archer, what's the story?" He asked. It was hard to make out what was being said on the other side of the phone because Alex only made noises of approval and acknowledging. The conversation went on for only two or three minutes before it ended. "Alright then. Well, we'll see what we can do about it later. Yep. Bye." Sliding his phone back into his pocket he averted his gaze back to Riley, "Sorry about that." He laughed, "This friend of mine helping me with some stuff and he thinks he's onto something." Adjusting himself in his seat Alex turned his body so one of his legs was crossed over the seat and he rested on the back of the chair with his arm.

"So yeah... What's new with you?"

Riley smiled, feeling his arms around her waist. "I've been... great, actually." She said, that same goody smile still plastered on her face. She nodded as he answered the phone. She sat there patiently, sipping on her latte, as he had a conversation with someone on the other line he called 'Archer'. When Alex finished his conversation and went to explain, Riley waved her hand. "No need to explain." She said with a laugh. When he asked her what was new, she just shrugged. "Well, I'm an intern at an accounting business, making pretty good money. I started there last year, and I love my boss, Elizabeth Montgomery. She's like, in her early 40's, but she's pretty cool." Riley said, shrugging. "I've got my own apartment, well it's more like a loft, really. I also have," she paused to flash him her keys, "my own truck. I've had it two years now, and it's my baby." She said and frowned, noticing his motorcycle helmet. "Well not as cool as that." She pouted. "You have to beat me in everything." She joked, playfully nudging him. "Oh, and-" Before she could finish a man dressed in a nice suit entered the coffee shop, walking towards her.

Riley leaped out of her chair and met the man as he approached the table. "Hey, babe." He said, giving her a gentle kiss. "Hey." She said, smiling up at him. "Alex, this is Oliver Queen." She said and held up her hand to show a beautiful engagement ring. "My fiance." She said, beaming. "Oliver, this is an old friend, and my brother I guess you can say, Alex." She said.

"Nice to meet you, Alex. Riley has talked quite a bit about you." He said, smiling at Alex. "I just wanted to let you know I'll be working late tonight, maybe you two can do some catching up. I love you and I'll see you later." He said, kissing Riley's forehead. "Okay, love you too." She said, smiling as he walked off. "Isn't he great?" She asked, sitting back down. "So, how about it? Dinner tonight? Do some catching up?" She asked hopefully.

"Gee that all sounds so... Great!" Alex feigned excitement. It wasn't that he wasn't happy for her, because on the contrary, he was. He just found it hard to get truly excited over things so trivial as a job and a truck. However, he played along. "Well I wouldn't say I beat you in everything..." Alex told her, "I mean I'm a courier who lives in a quaint little place on the wrong side of town." He laughed, covering how true it all really was. "The motorcycle is about the only valuable thing I own, I mean I don't use TV or whatever." Alex paused and looked at her pouting with one raised eyebrow, "But yeah, I suppose it is pretty cool." He teased her before his attention turned to where Riley's was going.

Alex sat back and watched as Riley greeted the man in the suit and he to her, he smiled and nodded at Oliver when she introduced Alex to him.

"Nice to meet you, Alex. Riley has talked quite a bit about you."

"You too." Alex agreed, smiling back at Oliver. Once Oliver had left and Riley sat back down he answered her with a, "Sure!" When Riley suggested dinner, Alex smirked, "As long as you don't force us to go to my place, I mean seriously... It's bad."

Riley laughed and shook her head. "I'll take your word for it." She said. "Well, I really should be going. Here's my address, come on over and I'll cook you dinner. I've turned into quite the chef- and by that I mean take out." She said, laughing. "I'll see you later, say around 7-is?" She said, giving him a peck on the cheek. "We'll catch up tonight." She said, throwing her cup away. "Bye!" She said, waving at him as she walked out of the coffee shop and getting in her truck, she started it up and headed to her loft. She lived alone, after making an agreement with Oliver to not live with each other until they were married. She smiled to herself thinking about the engagment. They set the wedding date for spring, only four months away. The closer it got to her wedding day, the more nervous Riley got.

When she got to the loft, she parked and got out, going inside. It was spacious, and sometimes lonely. She kept it clean, not a thing out of place. Sighing, she hung up her keys on the hanger and took off the jacket, hanging it up on the hanger as well. She pulled her hair in a messy bun and headed to the kitchen. She wasn't lying, she could cook out a little, her best dish being spaghetti, her mom's special recipe, so she started preparing everything. While the noodles were boiling she went into her bedroom to change into a blue dress, it stopped at her knees and had thin straps. It was plain and looked both casual and classy, she topped it off by letting her hair down and running a straightener through it and black heels.

It was almost seven and she quickly finished setting the table and serving dinner, now all she had to do was wait for her guest of honor.