Everyday Riley Matthews made herself invisible. She tries to maintain her happy ray of sunshine attitude, but is rejected by most of her school. Often overlooked for her older brother Josh, Riley keeps to her small group of misfit friends and her rebel BFF Maya Hart. When Lucas Friar transfers to her school, everything changes. Riley must learn to overcome her deep-rooted insecurities and understand the secret of life.

I Know Somebody

Riley Matthews was many things; a dreamer, a nerd, a potterhead, a diligent member of Beyonce's beyhive, an enthusiast of all things sparkly, a smiling ray of sunshine if you asked her best friend Maya Hart, and apparently today she was a glutton for punishment.

"Peaches…" she sang. "Peaches, it's time to get up..."

Maya groaned. Riley rose from her spot next to her fluffy purple pillowed covered bed. She skipped over to the curtains covering her bay window and whipped them open.

"ARRRGGGHHHH!" Maya hid her face under a pillow.

Riley rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatics and walked back over the the bed. She quickly plucked the pillow out of Maya's hands.

"Hello!" She practically yelled, grinning.

"Ugh. Riley it's the last day of summer vacation. What the hell are you doing waking me at this ungodly hour?" Maya sat up and glared at her best friend.

"Maya it's like 12:30 in the afternoon and you are the one who said you'd sleep over and go to the school with me today." Riley neatly placed the pillow back in it's designated spot on her bed.

"Riles. Honey. I love you but I am also going to murder…"

"Josh is shirtless downstairs"

"I'M UP!" Maya shot out of the bed and over to the mirror. "How's my hair? Nevermind." Maya raced to the bathroom, Riley can only assume to give herself the perfect "I woke up like this" look. Riley went to her closet to find her sandals and made her way downstairs.

Sure enough her brother, Josh, was raiding the fridge in the kitchen, albeit with his shirt still on.

"Hey bro, how was the football tryout practice audition thing?"

"Pretty effing awesome. We got this new guy, he put us all to shame. This season we're going to straight to state, I can feel it!" Josh pulled the milk carton from the fridge and proceeded to drink straight from it. EW. Riley did not understand how her brother was so drooled over by the girls at school, especially Maya! Maybe it was the whole starting varsity football player thing. Josh let out a giant belch. Yupp. That's definitely it, Riley shuddered.

"I thought Maya was here?" he questioned, putting the milk away.

"Speak of the devil." Riley muttered as Maya sauntered down the stairs in full hair and makeup, coupled with a loose black tee tucked into the front of her black high waist shorts.

"Oh hello Boing. I had no idea you were here!" Maya fake gasped, glaring at Riley as she took in Josh's fully-clothed body.

"Hey Kitten, looking good!" Josh winked at her.

Riley actually gagged.

"What are you two up to today?" Josh asked and wrapped his arm around Maya's shoulders. Maya opened her mouth, but Riley cut her off.

"We're going to the school today. It's my student council member responsibility to show the new students around the school before it starts."

"I don't understand why we have to do this! It's the last day of summer!" Maya whinned.

Riley stood up and smoothed out her blue sleeveless collared top and her white skinny jeans. "WE don't have to do this, I am doing this because I enjoy making the new Abigail Adams High School students feel welcomed and comfortable; YOU are going because you want to get a head start on your canvases for art class. And besides this kind of stuff looks good on college applications."

"Oh are you painting today?" Josh asked Maya.

"No, I'm just getting my canvases all built" Maya gazed up at Josh flirtatiously

"Damn, I was going to offer to be your model." Josh rubbed Maya's shoulder and winked again.

"Ew. Okay on that note I'm outta here, come on Maya." Riley pulled Maya from Josh's arms and out the front door.

Riley and Maya climbed out of Riley's light blue convertible beetle and made their way into the school.

"I'm just saying Peaches, things are going to be different this year, dare I say great even! We're finally juniors! We practically run this place!"

Maya linked her arm with Riley's. "Uh huh. Except for everything that Missy controls which is let's see...oh yeah the whole damn school."

"Things are a-changin Maya. This year is going to be different. I can just feel it. So what if Missy runs the school?"

Maya laughed at her friend's enthusiasm. "Okay honey. Whatever you say."

They entered the school and parted ways. Riley to the front office and Maya to the art department. As Riley turned the corner she collided with a solid mass. Oh here we go Riley Matthews humiliates herself once again. She braced herself for the ground. However, it never came.

"WHOAH!" An unknown voice exclaimed.

She felt two arms wrap around her waist preventing her fall, two very strong, built arms she thought. She finally looked up and felt her heart flutter. Her eyes met the most intense green eyes she'd ever seen. She felt her mouth drop open.

"I am so sorry! Are you alright?" The boy asked. After what felt like an eternity to Riley, her brain finally started working again.

"Uh….yes….fine….me Riley"

Okay maybe it wasn't working again.

The boy laughed and pulled Riley upright.

"I'm sorry, I mean I'm Riley." Her face turned pink.

"Lucas." He grinned.

"Love it."

Riley glanced around awkwardly as she was still wrapped in Lucas's arms.

"Oh um...sorry about that" Lucas reluctantly removed his arms from her soft figure. He was practically lost for words. He had never seen such a beautiful girl before. His heart was racing. Wait What? That's new. He thought.

"Um...I don't think I've met your before, are you a new student?" Riley's angelic voice brought Lucas back to reality.

"Yeah, I'm a junior, just moved here from Texas."

"I can tell"

Lucas furrowed his brow. Riley picked up on his facial expression and continued.

"Your accent. It's a dead giveaway. Too quick to be from the Georgia-Alabama region, but not twangy enough for Tennessee or Arkansas. Too much of a drawl to be considered cajun or midwestern. So Texas it is."

Lucas stood awe-struck. "What are you some kind of linguist or somethin'"

Riley smiled and Lucas felt his heart flutter again. "No, but I do love theater. Knowing accents is just part of the marvelous business we call show."

"Well Miss Riley, would you happen to know where the front office is? I''m a little turned around." Lucas's smile faltered slightly. He hadn't considered the fact that she could be a new student as well. Riley's smiled widened and Lucas felt himself at ease again.

"Of course, I'm heading there myself. You were almost on the right track, follow me!" Riley practically floated down the hall. Lucas followed, completely mesmerized by the brunette beauty. Riley lead Lucas to the office, blushing slightly as he sped up to open the door for her.

Meanwhile, Maya watched the scene hidden from view. She had heard the commotion and doubled back to check on Riley. Well I think she is in good hands. "What do ya know, maybe things are a-changin" she said aloud to no one in particular.

"Hello Miss Trollum!" Riley beamed at the old secretary. Lucas grinned to himself, the old woman was clearly not amused.

"Matthews. What do you want." The troll-like woman grouched.

Riley glanced at Lucas and whispered reassuringly to him, "she loves me...Miss Trollum..." she turned to address the secretary whose patients was clearly growing very thin. "...I'm here to give the orientation tour."

The woman's eyes slowly drifted to Lucas. He suddenly felt as if he was standing under a bright helicopter search light. "And who are you kid."

He cleared his throat. "Ma'am I'm Lucas Friar, the new transfer stu…"

"Perfect." Miss Trollum interrupted. "Here's your new student Matthews. Enjoy the tour." She slammed a packed of papers onto the counter and retreated out of sight.

"Thank you Miss Trollum, have a wonderful day!" Riley scooped up the papers into her arms and turned to Lucas. "Tour for one then? Follow me!"

Lucas stood slightly in shock for a moment, before reaching for the door handle. "After you." He motioned to the open door. Riley thanked him and lead him back out into the hallway.

"Are you sure that lady likes you?" He questioned skeptically.

"Yes, of course she does! What makes you think that? I'm practically her favorite!" Riley answered while shuffling through the papers.

"Yikes. If you're her favorite I'd hate to see how she treats students she doesn't like"

Riley laughed. "I'm with you on that one." She handed him the stack of papers. "Okay, here is your school map, we're at the entrance here" she pointed to their location with a pen. "And your locker is all the way over here in C hall." She drew a circle around the area. "Do you have a car?" She continued.

"Yeah, is that okay?"

"Of course it is," Riley smiled. "You'll probably want to park over here in the student lot and use this side door in the mornings, it's way closer to your locker." She drew a star on the map indicating the side doors. "We'll start at your locker and make our way through your class schedule, does that sound good?" Lucas felt Riley look up at him with her big brown eyes. Lucas had no idea what was coming over him but he felt he would follow this girl off a bridge if she asked him to.

"Hey as long as you're with me, I'll go anywhere."

Riley blushed. "Well let the tour begin!"

"So you do miss Texas?" Riley asked. Typically her tours were for large groups rather than one-on-ones, this allowed her and Lucas to take their time leisurely strolling the halls.

"Yeah. It's definitely hard to leave behind the place where you grew up." Lucas felt more at ease with Riley than he had felt at home.

"I can't even imagine. What do you miss the most?"

Lucas thought for a moment. "I think I miss the open space the most. I lived on a ranch. There is no place to just breathe here, ya know?"

Riley stared off into the distance. "A ranch? With like horses and stuff?"

"Yes, we have over 30 horses and a few herds of cattle."

"30 horses!" Riley gasped. "That sounds amazing! I've always begged my dad for a pony. What's a herd?"

Lucas grinned at her curious nature. "A herd is when you have usually more ten cows and a few bulls." Riley nodded still staring off into the distance. Lucas could see the wheels turning in her head, like she was trying to create a visual of so many animals. Suddenly she was back.

"How did you end up in New York?"

Lucas hesitated, Riley noticed. "I'm sorry I shouldn't pry like that. You don't have to tell me anything." She quickly backtracked.

"No, no it's okay, it's just kind of personal." Lucas looked down and rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.

"That's okay. It gives you mystery. Cool, avant-garde." Riley cut her hands through the air. Lucas laughed. Way to go Riley, gee could you be any more of a dork.

"Ha, if you say so." Lucas shook his head. She's adorable.

"Moving on…this is the athletics area. The locker rooms are down these stairs and the main gym is on our left." Riley motioned to each side of the hall.

"Yeah, I know this area pretty well. We've been running the halls in here during football tryouts."

Riley's face fell. "Well, it was fun while it lasted."

"What's that supposed to me?" Lucas stopped walking.

"Nothing it's just…." Riley trailed off.

"What" Lucas took a step closer to her.

"You're from Texas." Riley stated.

"Yes?" Lucas questioned.

"It's obvious that you are going to be the school's new football star. I mean doesn't Texas like live and breathe football? And after today you'll forget all about me."

Lucas stared at her for a moment. "Why would that happen?"

"Because the jocks rule the school, well mainly Missy Bradford and her other cheerleaders. They don't particularly like the misfits and theater kids like me, especially me." Riley looked down at her sandals.

"Why don't they like you? I still don't see how this means I'd forget all about you. Hell, you even said we have like three classes together." Lucas stood with his hands on his hips.

"Because…." Riley sighed. "...look I don't know why but Missy hates me. And if Missy hates you, pretty much the whole school hates you. You are an extremely attractive football player. She's going to pounce on you the minute she sees you, and then she'll turn you against me."

Lucas grinned and took a step even closer. "So you think I'm extremely attractive?"

Riley took a step back and took in his appearance. He was very tall, with short messy blonde hair, amazing green eyes and strong jaw. He physique was clearly that of an athlete, his arms were very defined against his grey v-neck. Riley would be anything that he had a solid six-pack. Wait Riley stop it. Stop visualizing him without a shirt on. But it looks sooo good...NO!

"That's besides the point." She mumbled.

"But you didn't deny it…" another step.

Riley sidestepped him and continued down the hall. Lucas followed after her. "So the school misfit huh?" Lucas smiled down at her, "I've always considered myself to be a little bit a lost boy at heart" He winked at her. Riley blushed, looking down. Lucas fought the urge to link his hand with hers.

"Kind of. I mean my older brother looks out for me a lot. He's on the football team too. He's a spacious recipient, or something like that…"

"Wide receiver." Lucas laughed.

"Sure we'll go with that. Anyway he makes sure the jocks don't give me too much trouble. Same with his friend Zay. Zay tries to keep the team off of my back when he can."

"Zay? Like Isaiah Babineaux?" Lucas asked.

"The one and only."

"Zay is one of my good friends. We grew up together in Texas." Lucas exclaimed. "Your brother must be Josh?"

"Yupp." Riley answered. "Josh and Zay take care of the jocks for me. My best friend Maya takes care of everyone else."

"Ah, the infamous blonde bombshell Maya. I look forward to finally meeting her."

Riley felt a slight pang of jealousy in her chest and immediately felt guilty. I have no right to feel jealous, geez keep it together Riley! "Finally meet her?" Riley questioned.

"Yeah, Zay told me all about her."

Riley nodded. Lucas glanced at her sudden silence. "Why? Are you a little jealous?" He smirked.

Riley felt her face turn beet red. He could already read her like a book.

"No! No!" She squeaked. Lucas stopped walking and again took another step closer.

Oh great this again. Riley thought to herself.

Lucas smirked. "Do you want to know a little secret?" His voice was low. He stepped even closer and brought his lips down to her ear.

She nodded.

"I've always prefered brunettes over blondes." His voice was husky in her ear.

Riley thought she might faint. His lips ever so slightly brushed against her cheek.

Yupp. Definitely going to faint.

Maya sang quietly to herself. The art room was her sanctuary. Her artwork was her church, a place where she could escape her thoughts and simply live, floating as a tiny spec in the universe. She continued to assemble her first batch of canvases for the semester, letting her frustrations out on the fabric as she stretched and pulled, then finally using a staple gun to attach it to the wooden bars. A sharp low whistle tore her from her work.

"If I woulda known I'd be in the presence of an angel today, I would have worn my Sunday best."

Maya dropped the staple gun and turned the canvas over to inspect the front. "What do you want Zay?"

"Just to say hello. How you doin Sugar?"

Maya felt Zay leave the doorway and crouch next to her spot on the floor. She placed the canvas in a pile with the rest of her completed ones and grabbed four more wooden stretching bars.

"Wonderful."

She began cutting more canvas fabric. "How was football?"

"Good. My buddy from Texas started with us today. Do you want a hand?"

"Nope" Maya declared, popping the "p", she began stretching the fresh fabric. Zay watched her small hands work the stiff material.

"You stayed with Riley again last night didn't you?"

Maya's hands froze. "Does it matter?" She felt his fingers brush her bare arm.

"You know if you want to talk about it, I'm always here for you Maya."

Maya finally looked up into his dark eyes. "You hold the fabric. I'll staple."

"And that concludes our tour, any questions?"

Lucas grinned and began clapping. Riley smile widened and she gave a small bow. "Thank you! Thank you! I'll be here Monday through Friday for the next two years."

Lucas laughed.

"But seriously, do you have any questions?"

Lucas smiled down at her, "yeah actually…"

Riley's grin caused him to trail off. "Really? There are never actually any questions!" She excitedly interjected, "please continue."

Lucas shook his head. He could not get enough of her. "What if I need somebody to show me around the town?"

Riley glanced down slightly embarrassed. Now is your chance Riley! Be cool. Don't make it weird! Riley glanced back up at him through her long eyelashes.

Yupp. I'm a gonner. Lucas thought

"I know somebody…"

"Oh yeah?" Lucas raised his eyebrows.

Riley stepped closer and quickly scribbled her number on his school map. "Have a good first day at school Lucas." She smiled at him and skipped down the hall. Lucas looked down at the paper and felt his heart soar.

Riley skipped all the way to the art classroom, not looking back once. If this were a dream, she never wanted to wake up. Her phone chirped with a new message just as she approached the doorway.

"For the record Riley, nobody could ever make me forget about you."

*Starts to play Let Me Clear My Throat by DJ Kool*

Welcome Back! I'm back at it again with a new GMW multi-chapter series! I enjoyed writing my my oneshot Girl Meets Change so much and you guys gave me such positive feedback! Thank you so much! I've taken a major career change and I'm going to be focusing much more on my writing full time. Please review, favorite, like follow, all the things! Don't be a silent reader! Again this is going to be a multi-chapter series, but I won't post the next chapter if people don't show some interest. What do you think so far? Questions? Concerns? Guesses? What the hell is going on with Maya? Leave some reviews to find out ;) Also if you enjoyed this story and haven't done so already, head over to my oneshot Girl Meets Change, I might be posting more post episode stories there, but we'll see how much you guys enjoy this story first.

Thanks for reading!

Lilly.