Living for a minute
a/n soooooooo my Rory and Logan one shot got a lot of love and a couple of requests for more, so what better to do than write another one. I’ve been stuck for ideas for a while anyway and so I’m kind of taking the easy way out.
s5e7-you jump I jump jack. All credits to right full owners-Gilmore Girls and Warner Bros. Studio.
Riley stashed her notebook in her bag and looked around not really knowing what to do. She was all packed and ready to go, she just had no idea where it is she was going. Riley had been destined to be a reporter since she was younger, It’s all she had ever talked about around the house and to be honest it made her parents go insane. In saying that, it was her passion and when Riley Matthews had her mind set on something there was absolutely nothing you could do to stop her, well nothing short of distracting her with pie.
Today she was doing a story on one of the secret society’s of her university. It was called “The Death and Life Brigade” and what she could tell from reading about it is that it was basically rich people waving their hand at old films that make no sense.
She walked outside her tiny dorm, hoping to find some sort of clue out there. Riley turned her head to the left and just as she was about to turn her head to the right she suddenly couldn’t see anymore and she was being dragged away. Realising that this was probably just a part of their stupid game Riley calmed and went with it. After about a 3 minute walk Riley was being helped into what she could only assume was a car, but wouldn’t be surprised if it was a helicopter or plane of some sort. The people that were around her suddenly started talking and it took Riley less than two minutes to work out who they were. Driving was Isaiah Babineaux, a drunk rich person from Australia. In the back seat was Farkle Minkus, another drunk tool, In the front seat was a girl she didn’t know and next to her, holding her, was none other than her frenemie Lucas Friar, the most spoiled of all spoiled.
Riley butted into their conversation quickly getting lonely.
‘Farkle the 31 is the better highway.’ She settled and both the boys flipped there head to the supposedly blindfolded girl.
'Lucas we told you that the blindfold wasn’t good, she can see.’ Zay yelled from the front seat and Lucas rolled his eyes.
'No I just know your voices, expect for hers.’ Riley inquired to the girl in the front seat.
'I’ve been told we’ve met before.’ The girl responded and it clicked in Riley’s brain.
'Ahhh Gorilla mask I see.’ The girl was someone that Riley had ran into in the bathroom, she was wearing a ball gown and gorilla mask which prompted Riley to follow her outside. This sparked the whole article Riley was writing.
'Or Maya to few.’ The girl responded and Riley smiled slightly.
'Can I take the blindfold off now that I know who everyone is.’ Riley asked and everyone shook their heads, forgetting that she had a gorilla mask on.
'No, you have to remember ace that we also hiding our location. ’ Lucas spoke and Riley threw her arms to her chest and listened in to the bickering of Farkle and Zay.
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Riley was finally out of the car after what felt like forever and she couldn’t be happier. She could only deal with so much bickering and RnB. As Riley was being guided she realised that she could smell trees and the outdoors. She could only assume that she was at a campsite of some sort, considering that she didn’t even anticipate a hotel around.
'Can I take this thing off.’ Riley asked agitated. Lucas chuckled to himself and held her slightly tighter.
'Almost ace, very soon.’ Lucas patronised and continued to lead Riley through the several tree stumps.
Finally Lucas saw the check in point and picked up to of the candles for him and Riley.
'You can take your blindfold off now.’ He said and Riley smiled as she pulled off the silk fabric from her face. She was instantly handed a glowing candle in a olden times candle holder. Riley smiled at the cute knick knack and looked around at the scene in front of her.
'Oh my.’ She said.
Everything was white, white clothes, white table cloths, white hats, white ribbon hung from the trees and white tents scattered around. There was enough food to feed all of yale and it was all gourmet, of course. The people were conversing normally, some near a fire and some near the food. Everyone seemed to have a champagne glass in there hand and everything confused Riley deeply. She pulled out her notepad and started scribbling down her notes on her notebook. Once Riley was done filling out her basic and first impressions on the event she saw Lucas signalling here. She walked over to him and he pointed her in the direction of a tent.
'This one is yours.’ he said bringing her over to the tent. 'Festivities start in a half hour.’ He finished before leaving Riley to gather her thoughts.
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Riley left her tent in prompt time and walked out into old music playing and people eating by candlebras in their old timey clothes. People walked by here and would say things in an old fashioned voice but whenever she would try ask them anything about the event they would leave.
She walked over to a group of guys that seemed to be having a debate about something.
'Dubious logic if you ask this guy.’ One of the men said as Riley approached them.
'Hello everybody.’ Riley said approaching the group. All men suddenly snapped their heads to her.
'My god.’ Farkle gasped.
'Shocking little girl. Addressing to this proud point of ours.’ The man next to him added on.
'Excuse me, what did you just say?’ Riley asked humbly but the men seemed to ignore her.
'For my count is 6 I say.’ Farkle asked turning to the man beside him.
'Six, I do conquer.’ The boy responded and Farkle nodded and his head and proceeded to speak.
'Point of fact, daft lady, to catch on would prompt our congratulations.’ He said diminishing Riley.
'It’s a game?’ Riley asked and the taller man raised his glass and said.
'At which you totally fail.’ Riley furrowed her brows and Farkle yet again spoke.
'You want for instruction?’
'Indeed.’ Riley replied eagerly.
'Said gap between e and f should not slip from lips in any word this group allows.’ He responded and Riley thought for a moment before understanding.
'The gap between d and f, you’re not using the letter E?’ Riley confirmed and Farkle rolled his eyes.
'Says this thing our group did banish. He reponded.
'Loud for all to drink in.’ The usually silent boy spoke.
'Daft girl.’ The boy next to Farkle added on.
'So no one is supposed to say the letter E.’ Riley asked yet again , causing the boys to once again roll their eyes.
'My god, this women hounds us with this thing I banish.’ Farkle barked sipping his champagne.
'I’ll catch up with you guys later, have fun.’ Riley responded and walked off.
'Bloody horror that women.’ One of the boys said as she walked off.
Riley walked around the campsite and spotted a familiar face at one of the tables.
'Hey Maya.’ She greeted walking over to the blonde.
'Oh good someone who is using e’s, you want champagne.’ She praised and Riley smiled.
'No I’ll have a little later.’ Riley responded and Maya shrugged her shoulders and sipped hers down.
'Does Lucas run this group.’ Riley asked pointing to the blonde haired boy behind her chatting to two girls at a fire.
'There’s no head of the group. We’re an anarchy collective we don’t have leaders per say, but that’s a secret, I shouldn’t be talking to you.’ Maya whispered and went to turn away.
'The way that people act around him Lucas seems like a leader.’ Riley backed herself up and Riley looked over at the boy.
'That’s because he’s cute, you know that.’ Maya answered.
'No-'Riley started but was cut off.
'No?’ Maya questioned.
'Well I guess but-’
'There’s a line to get to him.’ Stephanie cut her off.
'No I don’t want to get into line. I’m trying to be a reporter.’ Riley recovered.
'I bet you’re a good reporter. I shouldn’t be talking to you. I have to die now, excuse me.’ Maya finished and walked off leaving Riley dumbfounded.
Riley gained her confidence again and walked over to another group.
'Hi’ She started, trying avoid e’s. All the men snapped their heads at her once again.
'Do you always have a theme or do you choose different themes.’ She asked politely.
'May I quote Max Ernst.’ A boy with glasses responded.
'Yes.’ Riley encouraged and all the boys turned away from Riley.
'Oh.’
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Riley was sitting under a tree writing everything she could down on a note pad when in her peripheral vision she saw Lucas Friar walking towards her.
'How goes it.’ He yells walking down the hill with a plate of food and a light.
'Word goes a bear had dragged you off he finished and Riley smiled.
'No bear, just collecting my thoughts.’ Riley responded and Lucas sat down next to her.
'Sorry the groups not giving you much, took a lot to even get you out here.’ Lucas offered and Riley smiled at him.
'It’s ok, I’ve already filled two notebooks without them. Half without using the letter e.’ Riley boasted to the frat boy.
'This has way too much salt.’ Lucas stated completely avoiding the topic.
'This is pretty cool but it’s just a pre party before the big stunt tomorrow.’ Riley continued to ask/ state to the eating male.
'It’s Zay, he’s Australian, they like salt.’ He responded avoiding her question.
'How do you guys pay for this? How is it organised and what is happening tomorrow, is it bigger?’ Riley bombarded to Logan, who put down his fork and really looked at her.
'Ok, I think it’s time to fill you in on the conditions of you being here.’ He replied moving himself to look at her even better.
'First no pictures.’ Lucas said taking her camera.
'You’ll get it back, second no names.’ Lucas said firmly.
'I’m not exactly getting them.’ Riley confirmed.
'Third no descriptions, some police are after us for bad stuff we did years ago.’ Lucas asked and Riley nodded.
'What number am I at?’ He asked staring deeply into her eyes.
'Four.’
'Fourth no saying our location.’
'I don’t know where we are.’ Riley yelled and Lucas laughed.
'Fifth.’ He emphasised.
'You’re gonna run out of “ths”’ Riley joked.
'You must not interfere with the integrity of the event.’ Logan finished and Riley waved her hands, because she had no idea what the integrity of the flipping event was.
'So you agree.’ Lucas asked smiling and Riley looked down at her hands.
'Yes, I agree.’ Riley responded. Suddenly they could both hear people singing at the campsite not to far from them.
'It’s pretty.’ Riley commented.
'They’re drunk.’ Lucas nonchalantly replied stuffing down his food.
'I like it.’ Riley defended and Lucas shook his head.
'I didn’t say I didn’t like it.’ Lucas said before spotting two girls.
'Night ace.’ He spoke before going up the hill and away again.
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Riley awoke from her slumber and pulled on her clothes from yesterday before leaving the tent and seeing Lucas standing there.
'Uh those clothes will interfere with the integrity of the event.’ Lucas replied as Riley walked out.
'This is all I have, I didn’t know about this event.’ Riley growled and Lucas shrugged.
'Check your tent.’ He calmly responded.
'All I have is a wash bowl, a toothbrush and a light.’ Riley replied her eyebrows raised.
'Check your tent.’ Lucas spoke once again and Riley stomped back into her tent. She looked around and then finally got on her knees and looked under her bed. She pulled out the white box with a bow on top and opened it to reveal a pale blue ball gown. Quickly changing Riley put on the dress, only occasionally falling over in the small space. Once she was down she smoothed out the skirt and looked down at it. It was all pale blue with a spot of dark blue roses at the bottom and the top. The strapless bodice was cut off above the hips by a light blue sash of the same material. The skirt fell into the loveliest shape with slight ruffles at the end. Attached to the top was a dark blue scarf the Riley pulled behind her neck.
Riley emerged from the tent smiling and Lucas smiled.
'Yep I have a knack for dress sizes, now lets go we’re late.’ He spoke and grabbed Riley’s hand and lead her. After about 30 seconds of running Riley saw the group all gathered in front of what seemed like a circus facing Farkle.
'Come on hurry.’ Lucas called walking closer to the group.
'You try running in this dress.’ Riley retorted.
'We’re late.'Lucas rushed
'For what the ritual sacrifice.’ Riley joked.
Upon arrival Riley and Lucas were handed champagne glasses which the rest of the group were already holding.
’-Gathered for the 108th annual ceremony of the death and life bridage.’ Farkle spoke as he held his glass high.
'He’s using e’s’ Riley joked as Lucas shushed her.
'Raise your glasses.’ Farkle commanded and everyone followed suit.
'In Omnia Paratus.’ Farkle chanted.
'In Omnia Paratus.’ The group if girls in ball gowns and well suited men responded easily and turned to face a person of the opposite gender. Riley turned to face Lucas and he put his champagne glass to her lips prompting her to do the same thing. Riley followed and watched all the dressed up members do the same.
'Cover your ears.’ Lucas suggested and Riley furrowed her brows.
'Why?’ She asked just as a loud gong went off behind her.
'That’s why.’ Lucas spoke as the whole group ran off screaming to the event behind her.
'And to think some groups just go bowling.’ Lucas finished and Riley laughed to herself looking at the packed paddock.
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In what felt like second the party was in full swing. Riley walked through what was made into a makeshift polo game. Two men would hold a carrier like horses as the women sat in it with a polo stick pushing the balls around what Riley assumed was a sport. Riley quickly took every detail down, almost getting hit ten times. She walked over to the other event that was happening nearby. From what she could tell, the male with a paint-gun would yell “pull” and another male would jump from a platform onto a mat as other men shot at him.
It was interesting and rather gruesome idea that intrigued Riley as she walked over.
'Good shot.’ One of the boys yelled at the shooter.
'Is this safe.’ Riley asked and all three boys stopped smoking their pipes and responding
'no.’ before continuing.
'Damn.’ the shooter said and the boys next to him responded with 'Blame the gun.’ and 'I would.’
Riley quickly grew tired of them and walked over to Lucas and Zay who was shooting.
'Pull, pull.’ He yelled nonchalantly like he done this one hundred times before. Lucas watched intensely as Zay put the gun down and said
'Ok I want to be a target now.’ Before walking off.
'If you wanna interview Zay ace you better do it quick. Lucas said as Zay walked off saying 'In Omnia Paratus’
'So is this your big stunt.’ Riley questioned Lucas as he shot at flying men.
'Big stunt?’ He feigned ignorance but Riley over looked it.
'According to my research you do one big stunt at each of these.’ Riley peeped lookign voer her notes.
'You’ll know it when you see it.’ Was all Lucas had in response.
Just as he finished Zay was carried by on a stretcher moaning in pain.
'I missed the mat.’ He whispered and Lucas rolled his eyes.
'Again?’ He laughed.
'I’ll be fine, don’t worry about em.’ Zay yelled while being carried off into the distance.
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The group started to stop their activities and started to gather in a particular place. Riley followed them and almost fell over when she saw an almost seven story construction of scaffolding with the death and life brigade crest hanging on a banner on top. On the top of the scaffolding was what Rory made out as people in suits and ballgowns, presumably from the group, holding onto umbrellas that had some wire stemming from it. Riley looked up in awe as the other chatted as if nothing was happening.
'Taking up superlatives.’ Lucas spoke as he walked past Riley.
'What are they gonna do.’ Riley asked running after him.
'What do you think they’re gonna do.’ He responded over riding her question.
'They’re not gonna jump.’ Riley stated not believing herself.
'Of course they gonna jump.’ Lucas happily yelled back.
'But that’s like seven stories, they could die.’ Riley responded frantically.
'We’re all gonna die one day.’ Lucas said casually.
'But those four are gonna die today.’ Riley yelled in awe as Lucas laughed at her.
'Six.’
'But I only see 4.’ Riley pointed.
'I’m heading up.’ Lucas smiled.
'Of course you are.’ Riley remarked.
'And Zay was supposed to do it, but few of us figured he’d make it this far. So there’s an extra space.’ Lucas spoke hoping Riley would catch on. Riley hmmed and looked around for a moment before looking at Lucas in fear.
'No.’ She said quickly.
'Hey we’re not gonna die, no one in the Death and Life brigade had ever died, old ones have.’ Lucas soothed her but Riley still stressed.
'I am not going to jump.’ Riley said with her hand over her heart. A man walked up behind Lucas and told him that everything was set.
'This is Seth, he’s the genius behind this.’ Logan introduced and the sharp man named Seth waved.
'it’s very safe, we did a dozen test drops and every potato came through fine.’ Seth assured and Riley looked at him like he was crazy.
'Potato?’ She gaped.
'We can’t test on humans that’s not safe.’ Lucas joked as Seth ran off.
'Thanks, but I’m here as a journalists, journalists don’t participate.’ Riley replied and regretted it.
'George Plimpton never participated? His best was in the thick of it, quarterbacking for the Lions.’ Lucas started and Riley interrupted.
'So he was an exception.’
'Bill Buford lived in amongst the thugs, Hunter Thompson lived with the Hells Angels he got into the thick of it and he put you in their heads, that’s what drove him.’ Lucas lectured and Riley was dumbfounded.
'Ok so those guys participated but I-’ Riley stressed but was interrupted by Farkle telling jumpers to go their places.
'You’re scared.’ Lucas stated.
'Well yeah.’ Riley mumbled.
'And that stops the greats.’ Lucas inspired.
'It stops this great.’ Riley sarcastically replied.
'Come on you look like you need adventure, you’re a little sheltered.’ Lucas spoke honestly and Riley didn’t know what to think.
'It’ll be fun, it’ll be stupid, it’ll be something sun for you. Isn’t this the point of being young.’ Lucas continued moving to hold Riley’s back.
'It’s your choice. People can live a hundred years without really living for a minute, you climb up there with me it’s one less minute you haven’t lived.’ Lucas spoke into Riley’s ear as she contemplated things.
'Let’s go.’ She finally said.
'Let’s go.’ Lucas yelled excitedly and led Riley to the ladder.
'I am not a fan of ladders.’ Riley complained.
'I’m not a fan either.’ Lucas responded as he climbed up behind her.
Once they reached the top Riley looked down stressed.
'High this is very high.’ Riley mumbled.
'I’ve been higher.’ Lucas responded.
'I meant distance from the ground.’ Riley joked.
'That too.’ Logan responded.
Riley walked over to Seth and he assured it was safe while adding a gold ribbon that went with her outfit. She took the umbrella she was handed and looked over at the calm Lucas.
'In Omnia Paratus.’ Farkle yelled from the back.
'Why do they look so worried.’ Riley asked.
'We’re low on champagne.’ Lucas responded.
'You trust me.’ Lucas asked.’
'You jump, I jump jack.’ Riley responded.
'In Omnia Paratus.’ The rest of the group from the ground yelled.
'I should’ve confirmed those potatoes were ok.’ Logan said before grabbing Riley’s hand and jumping.
The wind carried the group perfectly as the crowd cheered. Seth and Farkle gleamed as the whole group made it down perfectly fine. Lucas kept a hold of Riley’s hand as he looked at her.
'You did good ace.’ He beamed looking into her eyes.
'A once in a lifetime experience.’ She cheered smiling at him.
'Only if you want it to be.’ He replied still looking at her.
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The next day just as Riley was about tot head to class she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to see that no one was there, looking down she saw a bottle of champagne, her camera and a gorilla mask. She opened up her camera roll to see several pictures of her and Lucas jumping and smiled to herself.
