Iridescence
Summary: AU, Riley/Lucas. On the night that Riley Matthews meets Lucas Friar, things are different than expected. Riley is fleeing a party her best friend dragged her in to. Her phone's battery is dead, so Riley decides to tempt fate and finally step out of her shell.
A/N: Hey guys, so this is just a little something I've put together and I had a lot of fun writing it. I know the characters are a little bit out of character, but just bear with me and try to go with it. In the next chapter I will explain a little bit of what has happened along the way for each character to become this way.
Disclaimer: I obviously do not own Girl Meets World, but this is my story.
Chapter 1: Frontiers
"Tell me again why we are going to this party," Seventeen year old Riley Matthews called to her best friend, Maya Hart.
"Because we want this year to be different. We want to be sociable so we can get a head start." The two girls sat in Maya's room, preparing for the evening's events.
"So we are going to this party, without permission might I add, just because you think we need to prove something?" Riley asked. "Why can't the world just be you and me? Like always?"
"The world isn't just you and me," Maya explained. "Never has been. I think we need to broaden our horizons."
Riley frowned, she didn't like where this night was heading. Somehow, she believed that this was only going to be the beginning of what could turn into a disaster of their friendship. Maya was branching out, and Riley, well she never did well with change.
Maya turned off the curling iron, and finished off her golden locks with hair spray, stiffening her hair. Riley couldn't figure out why Maya was trying so hard. All of their lives, Maya always managed to be cool, by just being herself, but now, it seemed that it only mattered what others thought of her.
Riley looked down at her simple red shirt and black skinny jeans. All she was going to do was put on her jean jacket afterwards to keep warm, but Maya was wearing a short black dress and heels.
It seemed that they both had very different interpretations of how the night was going to go.
X
Billy Ross's party was what most people would call a 'hit'. Riley walked around the large living room, squeezing in between people's conversations as she tried to navigate her way through his enormous house. People were so preoccupied with their fruity alcoholic beverages and beers that they hardly noticed Riley pushing her way through the crowd.
Riley knew most of the people, or rather, was acquainted with most of the people at the party, but somehow, seeing everybody like this in an out-of-school setting was making her feel uneasy.
She lost Maya about half an hour ago, five minutes into the party, and had been trying to spot her blonde hair ever since.
"Riley Matthews," a squeaky voice called from beside her as she found herself at the bottom of Billy's grand stairwell. She didn't even think a house in the middle of Manhattan could be big enough to have one of these. But people were laughing and dancing up and down them like it was a circus act.
Groaning, Riley faked a smile and turned her head.
"Missy Bradford," she mimicked. The shorter girl was wearing a skimpy pink dress, and holding a glass of wine in her hand.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" the girl continued. With Missy, it was always like this. She only talked to you with one purpose in mind; to get to her point. "Where is your blonde friend? I'm not sure I've ever seen you without her by your side."
Riley opened her mouth to object, but was cut off by Missy.
"Last I heard, she was busy talking to all my friends impressing them with her vast knowledge of music and how she knows a guy who could get them into a gig and whatnot."
"What's your point Missy?" Riley pressed on, wanting to get this conversation over with.
"My point is you seem to be here all alone, what fun is being at a party all alone?" she asked innocently.
Riley tried not to let Missy feign her attitude, and just shrug it off, walking the other way. But Missy was right, Riley always had a lot more fun when Maya was at her side and they walked around pretending nobody else mattered.
Finally, Riley spotted the short blonde girl on the other side of the room. She was preoccupied with one of the boys she recognized from the football team, they were talking and Maya was showing him something on her phone.
"Hey," Riley said weakly, tapping on Maya's shoulder.
"Oh hey!" Maya said cheerfully. "Are you having fun?" The football player eyed Riley carefully, making her feel naked and slightly uncomfortable.
"Yeah," Riley promised. "But I'm not feeling that great, so I was going to call my dad."
"Aw, Riley. That's too bad. Tell him I said hi," Maya told her, looking back at the boy beside her.
"Wait, you're not coming?"
"I'm having a great time. And you don't need my help calling your dad do you?" Maya asked her amused. Somehow, her words still managed to sting.
"No, I guess not. I just figured you wouldn't ditch me," Riley finished with a sour look on her face.
"Ditch you? Riley honey, you're a big girl. You can take care of yourself," Maya told her, shrugging her off like a fly had just landed on her arm.
Maybe Maya was right, Missy too. Maybe, the world wasn't just Maya and Riley anymore, maybe it never was. Maybe, Riley just finally had to accept that there was a lot more going on than she was letting on.
That didn't stop Riley was storming out of that party faster than Missy could find her next target. She shut the front door behind her and listening to the sounds of music and laughter fading from her ears.
Without looking back at the house, she heaved a sigh and pulled out her cellphone. She turned it on, only to see the low battery sigh flash and the device to die seconds later.
With a groan of frustration, she hit the power button. All she needed was for it to stay on long enough to make one tiny call. Otherwise, she'd be facing two equally unappealing options: walking home alone in the dark in a strange neighbourhood, or returning to the party to wait for Maya to finish up with her 'socializing'. "Come on, come on," she muttered. But though the screen did light up briefly, she couldn't make it dial before it died again. "Ugh, you've got to be kidding me." She shoved her phone in her back pocket and grimaced. Looks like she would have to go back into the party and search for Maya again.
She spun on her heal, and took another look at the house. She really didn't want to go back in.
"Hey, do I know you?"
Riley looked up in surprise; she'd thought there wasn't anyone else out here on this stretch of the road. There certainly hadn't been a moment ago, but now there was an unfamiliar boy standing a few yards in front of her, staring at her like he was trying to put together a puzzle. "Um…no, I," she said, frowning and looking around to check that he hadn't been talking to someone behind her, but there was no one. "I don't think so... I'm Riley."
Whoever this guy was, he was absolutely gorgeous. She guess he was probably her age, maybe a year or two older. He was taller than her, but with light brown hair, amazingly green eyes. It was clear that he had well-toned muscles underneath his well fitted shirt.
"Oh," he said, looking more confused than she felt. "Sorry… you just look… uh… familiar." He blinked and stepped closer into the light of the house. "I'm Lucas."
"Not to be rude or anything, Lucas," said Riley, shifting her weight uncomfortably, "but it's kind of creepy that you're out here in front of the party like this."
"You're one to talk," he said lightly. "You're out here all by yourself."
"I was just about to go back in," she gestured to the house.
He didn't reply to this, and expression was unreadable. She felt a sudden urge to explain what she was doing, so she jerked her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the party. "My best friend dragged me into this party. It's not really my scene," she explained.
"Why not?" asked Lucas with interest, but he seemed to realize that this was a more personal question for a complete stranger, as he immediately held up his hands and added, "May I ask?"
Riley shook her head. "I don't know these people; not really. They are all dancing around, drinking until they've forgotten why, and making fools out of themselves. This is going to be considered the best party of the entire semester. Why? I don't know."
He looked at her shrewdly. "So why did you come?"
She shrugged. "I don't know."
"Well that's not true," he said confidently. "You know exactly why you did."
Riley tilted her head and smiled a little. Was he flirting with her? "Oh yeah?" she replied, "A mysterious stranger who has all the answers?"
He chuckled and looked off to the side. "Well, let's just say that I think I can relate to how you're feeling."
Amused, she decided to play along. "Your best friend dragged you to this party as well? Do they have dreams of climbing the social ladder as well?"
"I used to play baseball with Billy when I was 10 back in Texas, and when I moved to New York two weeks ago, he invited me to his little party so I would be able to make some friends that I would be going to school with this year. But it's not as easy as it looks, you guys do things a little bit differently here than in Texas." He did look out of place now that she thought about it, dressing a little bit classier than all the other natives to New York.
"You're telling me," Riley scoffed in response.
"Why don't you call for a ride?"
Riley held up her dead cellphone in response. "Phone died before I could call for a ride."
"Ah."
Feeling bold for the first time that night, Riley grinned. "Do you have a car?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out where this conversation would be going. "Yes…"
"Look, neither of us want to go back into that party. Let's go get coffee and I'll show you New York like you've never seen it before."
He opened his mouth, then closed it again. She'd clearly taken him by surprise with her question. Heck, she'd even surprised herself. Soon enough, however, a charming smirk stole his features.
X
"What part of Texas did you live in?" Riley asked as the two sat across from each other at a small poetry slam lounge. Lucas had a coffee in between his hands, and Riley, a French Vanilla. They sat near the back of the room so that they would still be able to have a conversation without disturbing the poetry.
"My Dad had a ranch in the northern part of Texas and we had a lot of cattle and horses."
"Horses," Riley piped up, intrigued. "Racing, barreling, show, or just because?"
Impressed that he was actually able to have a conversation about his country lifestyle without feeling judged in the big city, Lucas moved forward in his seat.
"Mainly just because, but a few years ago I did lessons in the summer to make some extra cash and when I was probably 6 my dad had this beautiful race horse, but he got older and you know how that goes."
"I know how it goes," Riley replied genuinely.
"Did you ever ride?"
"I spent the summer in Philadelphia with my Grandparents when I was 12 and I took lessons. Nothing serious by any means, but I know my way around a horse."
Lucas nodded, he wouldn't admit it, but this city girl had him surprised.
"So why here?" he asked.
"Hmm?"
"Our first stop on this tour? Why here?" Lucas motioned to the stage at the front of the room and the interesting folk completely his poem about nightmares.
"When people come here, and they share their most honest, raw material with you. About simple things, or complex things, you just get to witness so much humanity and humility. These people they write from their heart, about love, hate, fears, life, everything. It's amazing."
Lucas smiled as Riley glanced between him and the stage that was currently empty.
"I've never been to a poetry slam before," he replied honestly.
"No? My dad brought me here for the first time when I was five. I try to come once a month now", Riley said. "What do you think of it? Be honest."
"It's amazing? I understand what you are talking about, about the honesty but what I love even more is the atmosphere. Nobody judges anybody, even when people are sharing the part of their lives when they felt most vulnerable, it's still a warm setting."
"Exactly, I'm glad you like it."
"Have you ever written a poem?"
Riley shrugged slightly. "I've written a few, but I don't think I would ever share them."
"No?"
"Nah." Lucas chuckled at her indifferent attitude and took another sip of his scorching coffee.
X
It had to be close to ten o'clock at night when Riley pulled Lucas's arm towards Madison Square Gardens. Together they stood on the empty street, aside from a homeless man sleeping on a bench close by, as they stared at the large arena in front of them.
Riley grinned, as she felt excitement bubble inside of her. While there was obviously no game going on, she couldn't help but be reminded of the feelings she always got when her entire family watched a game court side.
"Well?" Riley asked, motioning to the gold cylinder building in front of her.
"You brought me to Madison Square Gardens?" Lucas watched Riley carefully, he didn't know many girls who would have brought him to the Gardens on a tour.
Riley frowned. "You don't like Basketball?" Maybe she should have asked him before they drove across the city to the next attraction. But in return, Lucas scoffed as if she just suggested that aliens were going to attack tomorrow morning.
"I love Basketball, I'm just surprised you do." Riley fell silent as she considered this. She could have been offended, but decided against it. She didn't know many girls herself who were diehard basketball fans.
"Well then I guess I am full of surprises, because I am the Knick's number one fan," she said finally.
"Oh, yeah?" Lucas still couldn't believe what his night had turned into. Along the way, Riley pointed out the best restaurants; ranging from authentic Chinese cuisine, to deep dished pizza. She told him which places to stay away from, and which ones would make him want to hurl. One thing Lucas was sure of, was that he had no idea what he was getting into the moment he agreed to their midnight escapade.
"Yeah," Riley replied confidently. "Did you ever go to games back in Texas?"
"I tried to. Everyone down south is more into football though."
"You play?" She wasn't completely surprised. He definitely had the body for it, he was tall, muscular and she knew he would be able to take down half the team at her school.
"Yup."
"What position?"
"Quarter-
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Riley replied before he could finish, rolling her eyes for effect.
"What?"
"And you were doing pretty well, too."
"What?" Lucas laughed this time at her sudden outburst.
"You better not turn out to be some overrated jock who never speaks to me again after tonight. Because let me tell you, I would be very disappointed in you if that was what our friendship turned into."
"Is that what you think of football players?"
"Yes."
"Who put that idea into your head?" Lucas laughed again, still finding the girl in front of him to be more than amusing.
"Every football player in all of history," Riley deadpanned.
"That's not me," Lucas replied.
"We'll see."
X
"So why did your family move to New York?" Riley asked Lucas as they rode the elevator of the Empire State Building.
Lucas watched the ascending New York Buildings, as they rose above the skyline.
"My Mom sells wedding dresses and wanted to expand her business. Dad wanted to take a break from the ranch as well, so my uncle bought out the farm, and we packed up all our things and moved to the big apple."
"Wow. And what do you think of the big move? Did you come kicking and screaming?" Riley's eyes wide with wonder. She couldn't imagine if her parents decided to move out of New York and across the country. Not like that, not with all of their family and friends here.
The elevator doors opened allowing them to walk onto the platform.
"I guess. It was hard saying goodbye to all my friends, and my girlfriend," Lucas said. Riley couldn't stop her heart from dropping at the sound of the word girlfriend. It would have been easy pretending that a guy like this wouldn't have a girlfriend though.
"Wow, Riley, this is an amazing view," Lucas looked astounded as they walked through yet another glass door displaying the entire city in front of them.
"Most tourists come here during the day, because I guess you can see farther, but what they don't know is how beautiful the city looks a night. And when the sky is clear of clouds, you can actually see a few stars."
Lucas and Riley admired the glowing city for a few quiet minutes. When Riley glanced over at Lucas to see his reaction, he was watching her, with a small smirk on his face.
Just the curve on his lips was enough to make her heart second guess itself.
"What?"
"You're a very complex girl Riley Matthews," Lucas told her. She shrugged and let a grin take over her face. "I'll have to repay the favour sometime."
"That's not necessary. You had a car, and I had the expertise of the city. I think it was a fair trade."
"And now I've seen New York like I've never seen it before."
"Yes, you have," Riley confirmed.
"So next time, it's my turn."
"What?" Riley laughed. What could this country boy possibly know about New York City?
"Next time I will show you a different side of New York City you've never seen."
"What if I've already seen all New York has to offer?" Riley insinuated.
"Not possible."
X
"So who did you think I was?" Riley asked as the car rolled to a stop outside her building.
"Sorry?" Lucas feigned confusion. Riley opened up the door of the car and prepared herself to leave.
"When you first saw me, you asked if we knew each other. Who did you think I was?"
A small smiled tugged at his lips, before he chuckled. "I just said that because I wanted to talk to you."
Riley felt herself blushing, and her smiled widened into a grin.
"Thanks for the ride. Have a good night, Lucas," Riley said as she shut the door of Lucas's car. She began walking into the building, when she heard the sound of his window rolling down.
"See you soon?" She stopped walking at the sound of his voice, and grinned to herself.
"It's a definite possibility," she replied, before letting him drive off into the night.
The night turned out to be not half bad.
(A/N: What did you think?)