Girl meets The Lone Star State

Disclaimer : I do not own anything but this story and my pride .

Chapter One

"This is the begining of the end for us Maya," Riley Matthews stated as she spared a glance at her locker which was rapidly losing all trace of her her, " look at my locker look at the halls. It's the last day of school , our freshman year of high school, and the end of our educations as we know it. Over the break our brains will turn to mush and we'll slowly forget everything we've worked so hard to learn, its disgusting!" The brunette exclaimed, as she slammed her locker shut shoulders shaking in exertion.

"It's all over."

Light laughter filled the halls as her best friend Maya Hart stared up at her in amazement," Riley sweetie, this is the last day before fall break it's not the end of school, just the semester."

"It is?" She asked hopefully suspision lighting her eyes.

" Yes, " Maya reassured her slinging an arm around her best friends shoulders as they began walking , " and it's only a five day break then we'll be back and learn more things that we won't remember in ten years."

Riley beamed," Our brains won't turn to mush."

" Well no it's not likely." She teased, satisified that Riley had gotten the point and began walking towards the exit, "What would be the big deal if school was over anyway? It's nothing but a pain ." Despite her harsh words after years of the Mattthews constantly drilling the importance of education and hard work into her head Maya was starting to understand it's necessity; however that didn't mean she would ever enjoy school .

"Well I like school. " Riley reminded," it's where my dad works,where I can see my friends, and my..." The brunette trailed off developing a dremy expression as she gazed at Lucas Friar nearby talking with a few friends.

" Your Lucas?" Maya teased playfully nudging her best friend.

At the sound of his name Lucas glanced up quickly exchanging goodbyes with his frienda and happroached the pair.

"Speak of the cowboy."

"Hiya Riley, Maya."

Riley blushed while Maya merely nodded in response, " Hey Lucas, have any big plans for the break?"

The Texan smiled," Actually thats why I'm here, my family is hosting a rodeo back home so we're goin' back to Austin for the week-"

"What does that have to do with us Huckleberry ?" Maya interupted keeping her voice flat to hide her curiosity, Lucas wasn't one for dramtic flair and inside she was dying to know what was up.

" Well my parents said I could invite ya'll to spend the week with us, " Maya closed her eyes in disdain already knowing what her answer would be," if you don't have any plans that is." He added charmingly.

"Definitely!" Riley exclaimed," Maya we're going to Austin,Texas this is going to be great!"

The blonde shifted uncomfortably under her friends gaze, there was no way her mom had enough money to send her to Austin despite wha

Not exactly," she turned to Lucas," look thanks for the offer but I can't go."

" Maya what?-"

" I'll meet you later, kay? " Maya interupted sending her friends a smile that didn't quite meet her eyes.

"But Maya?"

" I gotta go." She said brushing past Lucas and speeding outside of the school towards the subway before anyone could argue.

As she walked the lonely route Maya let her mind wander to Austin. It was unknown territory for a self-proclaimed city girl like her, filled with intriguing new people and inspiration for her art,and a wonderful oppurtunity but what could she do? This was different than missing out on field trips or having to struggle with her homework alone every night. It was embarrassing to always miss out on the fun oppurtunities that her friends were offered a disadvantage that she feared would one day seprate her from her friend forever. At times she found ways around the cost or she would put on a brave face and her I-don't-care attitude, but this time she found herself reluctant to try. The petite girl groaned knowing that her outburst would prompt yet another heart to Hart with the Matthews but even worse was having Lucas of all people see her weakness . She could barely stand his confidence and the fact that he wasn't threatened by her both irritated and thrilled her. Maya liked it and unfortunately for her, she liked him. It was nice having someone on her level but Riley liked him and she deserved a guy like Lucas, Maya did not.

She slowed her stride as she finally approached the subway and prepared to enter when she heard a set of footsteps approaching knowing who they belonged to without having to turn around.

" Riley listen, I'm not changing my mind this isn't something your parents can fix with a talk and a hug, I'm just not going."

"Good thing I'm not Riley." The voice retorted, Maya froze in her tracks, feeling a multitude of feelings as she quickly identified the speaker.

" Lucas?"

" That is my name," he said gesturing at a nearby bench as she turned to face him," can we talk?"

" I have a feeling I don't really have a choice in this," she glanced towards the exit hopefully," or do I?"

" No." He said firmly patting the seat next to him," Be honest and you can leave, what's the real reason you can't go?"

Maya twiddled her thumbs while weighing her options, if she didn't fess up she'd miss the train and spend the next fifteen minutes stuck with him it would be torture.

" Ican'taffordit."

"Ok May that's a good start, now just say that again preferably in English," he teased.

"I can't afford to just go off to Austin with you guys. I know my mom has been trying alot harder lately and maybe I don't have the money to pay for nice trips like everyone else goes on but I'm okay with that. I'd love to go, but that's just not an option right now and I'm ok with that."

"Well I'm not." Lucas said firmly, green eye broing into Maya's.

" Excuse me?"

Lucas rolled his eyes," My family invited you all to the rodeo because you're my friend , we didn't expect you to pay your own way, I didn't even think about the cost." Before Maya could interupt he quickly continued," it's not a pity gift we are doing the same for Farkle and Riley. You three are my best friends and the first to make New York City feel like home to me, plus my family likes doing stuff like this." Seeing her shoulders relax Lucas continued .

"We leave early Sunday mornin' so hurry home and pack, ok?"

"Ok."

"Ok?"

Maya smiled down at her palms her train had finally arrived,"I'll be there Ranger Rick, can't let you have all the fun."

As he turned away Maya called him back before she could help herself.

" Hey Lucas, thanks."

"For what?"

She sighed and flashed a genuine smile his way," For being a friend."

AN: For those of you reading this chapter for the first time, or old reader wondering what the hecks going on I am back from a long hiatus and am rewriting older chapters to help my goal to close this story as naturally as possible, so expect many updates in the next few days. Thankyou for being so patient.