Thought I change up the story a little bit. Bare with me.
Honesty. That was all she asks for of her friends was a little honest. But what did she get? Nothing. A big ole nothing but hurt. She didn't mind the fact that even though they were suppose to be on a break from the triangle Lucas and Maya started dating. She didn't even mind that her friends knew for the past month and a half. No what hurt Riley the most was hearing the boy she thought liked her call her to much once again. It was like freshman year all over again. Sure she saw the irony in the fact she wanted honesty but doesn't give it. She would have if she didn't know how Lucas really felt.
Riley knew she would never forget those words spoken from the boy she shared a first kiss and date and crush with. "So much for being worth it." She thought gathering up their shared memories. She decided the day he text her and says he's made his decision and to meet at the bakery she decides going to the arcade with Auggie and Ava sounded like a better idea. She wasn't in the mood for him to tell her something she already knew. Of course he picked Maya. His blonde beauty just look at her she wasn't to much at all.
"Hey smiley you ready?" Auggie shouts from her doorway. Riley kicks the garbage bag with her feet out her closet and wipes her forehead. "Jeez this thing is heavy. Want to help me push it down the stairs?" She asks Auggie who looks at her with a confused expression. He shrugs and they half carry half drag the bag to the top of the steps and yell timber when they toss it down. "Riley what is this?" Her mom asks when Riley and Auggie make their way downstairs laughing at how fast the bag flew down.
Riley and Auggie drag it towards the front door and sit on the couch breathing heavy and fanning their redden cheeks. Her mom opens the bag and whispers oh seeing what was inside. She gives Riley a sad look which Riley was quick to make her laugh by crossing her eyes and pulling her ears to look like a monkey. Something she do for Auggie when he was a baby. Her mom knew the story and didn't question why she gathered all Lucas stolen boots in the bag. "Okay I'm here let's go people!" Ava shouts opening the door.
Riley and Auggie laugh while their mom rolls her eyes in disgust at the ten year old. "Riley what do you want me to do with this?" Topanga asks gesturing at the garbage bag. Riley shrugs and says "you won't have to worry to long mom, I'm sure the owner of its contents will arrive with his girlfriend in a few minutes." Riley tugs on her jacket and skips out the door with Auggie and Ava laughing at Riley making her monkey face at them.
Zay and the geniuses sat at the bakery staring at the door waiting the arrival of their bubbly friend who they knew would be heartbroken when she finds out Lucas chose Maya and not her. Every person that came through the door they thought was Riley but wasn't. Soon Maya and Lucas make their way in and see their friends minus the one they were hoping was there. "Where's Riley?" Farkle asks looking at the couple holding hands. Maya shrugs and says "ranger rick didn't you text her?" Lucas looks through his messages and seen he sent it and she read it.
They wait a couple of more minutes and try calling Riley but end up getting her voicemail. "Let's just go to her house?" Zay suggest getting tired of waiting around. They all agree and make the trek over to the Matthews. Since it was about ending the triangle Farkle suggest Maya climbs up the fire escape first. Maya exchanges a look with Lucas and begins to climb. Maya reaches the window only to find it locked and the curtains closed. "Huh that's weird she never closes them." Maya thought to herself knocking a couple of times before climbing down.
"What happen?" Lucas asks once Maya walks back to them. "The window closed and the curtains are too." They all look at each other and knew something was wrong if Riley closed the bay window. They make their way to the front of the building getting in when someone was coming out. They reach the Matthews apartment just as Josh is closing the front door. "Josh." Maya gasps dropping Lucas hand. Lucas looks at her and then back at Josh. Josh ignores them rolling his eyes and opens the door once more grabbing the garbage bag and shoving it at Lucas before locking the door and heading towards the elevator.
Once Josh leaves everyone looks at the bag in Lucas hands. Lucas puts it down and opens it making everyone gasps at the contents inside. Every boot Mr. Matthews ever stole and little stuffed animals Lucas ever won Riley with them. "She knows." Lucas whispers shoving the boot he was holding back in the bag. He grabs the bag and heads for the stairs slamming the door leaving his friends and girlfriend with puzzled expression.
Josh makes his way inside the arcade in search of his niece and nephew and much to the disgust of Topanga his future niece in law. Just thinking about it makes Josh chuckle to himself. He spots Ava first laughing at something he couldn't see. The closer he gets he's sees it's Riley and Auggie in a deep dance battle with no end in sight. He stands next to Ava who informs him Auggie challenge Riley and now regrets it seeing as how it's a dance game Riley knows well from playing with their mom to help unwind after a stressful day.
Josh can't help but smile and snap a few pictures of the dancing duo who both were red in the face but wore gigantic smiles. Once a panting Auggie finally admits defeat they find a table and chug the waters Ava and Josh bought them. "Thanks for bringing my phone uncle Josh. I thought I had it." Riley tells him fanning herself with her hand. "no problem. I did get rid of your trash by the front door." Josh tells her hoping she got the message. Riley gives him a small smile and looks away feeling like a weight has been lifted but still feeling the sting.
After a much needed breather Riley and Auggie are ready for more games. Auggie suggests laser tag so he have a fighting chance of winning a game against his big sister. Riley laughs and tells him loser buys pizza. They shake hands and head off even convincing Josh to join before heading back to college. The group play for about an hour and Auggie comes out the victor dancing around Riley with fist raised in the air shouting "I'm the laser tag champion!" At the top of his lungs causing Ava and Josh to laugh and Riley to playfully roll her eyes.
They spend another hour and a half at the arcade before finally deciding it was time to go home. After all they did have school in the morning. Josh offers them a ride since they were all tired from the long day. "Hey Riley, will you be okay going up there?" Josh asks her once they pull up to their apartment. Riley smiles and looks up at their building and says "I'll be fine uncle Josh. I highly doubt any of them are still here. Besides they probably confront me tomorrow at school." Josh gives her a look making Riley smile and shake her head at him. "Don't worry so much I'm going to be just fine. I feel like I'm finally free."
Josh looks at his smiling niece and couldn't help but smile too. He was afraid she was putting on a show and hiding her real feelings behind the mask she had perfected a long time ago. But that wasn't the case here sat a girl who genuinely looked free and happy making Josh just as happy. "Okay but I'm here to talk remember that." He tells her pinching her cheeks. Riley giggles bidding him goodnight and heads upstairs behind Ava and Auggie. "Hey did you guys have fun today?" Topanga asks when Riley and Auggie race inside the front door. They laugh throwing themselves on the couch and retell all about the fun day they had.
After telling her mom about their day Riley heads upstairs and takes a shower walking in her room and breathing a sigh of relief. She thought coming home knowing the boots were gone she feel sadden but she didn't. She looks around her room smiling noticing that everything looked the same but at the same time looked differently. Riley turns her phone on noticing all the missed calls and texts messages from her friends. She just deletes her missed calls and clicks on their messages without really reading any. Riley picks out her outfit for school the next day and goes to sleep with a smile on her face.
The next morning Riley stands in front of her mirror looking at her outfit. She smiles nodding her head and grabs her iPod and plugs in her headphones. She makes her way downstairs dancing and singing along to the music. Her parents give her a quizzical looks expecting a sadden version of Riley but this was something different she seemed so content and had a smile that they hadn't seen in a long time. She gives them a hug and dances her way to the front door saying she was heading to school. Riley makes her way to the subway dancing to the music as she waits for the train. So caught up in her own world Riley didn't realize the crowd she was drawing as she dances and sings along to the music.
The train comes and she stops and looks around at everyone surrounding her. Usually this kind of attention would embarrass Riley but finally feeling like herself she curtsy as everyone claps and heads for the train giggling as she finds a seat. Riley looks around once the train starts to move and wonders if Maya and Lucas were on it. Her phone starts to buzz in her pocket showing Maya name and she knew then they weren't. Riley ignores the call even though a small part of her feels bad but a bigger part shutting it down shouting she lied for months there's nothing to feel bad about.
Riley dances her way into school ignoring and leaping over the outstretched foot of a very shocked Missy. She make her way to her locker still singing along to her iPod she's caught up in it again she doesn't hear the boy behind her trying to grab her attention. Charlie watches as Riley sings along to her music and walks up talking to her noticing she doesn't respond he taps her shoulder making her jump. "Charlie you scared me." Riley shouts pulling her earbuds out and pausing her music. Charlie chuckles and says "well I tried calling your name but I guess the music had you in a different world?"
Riley laughs taking out the books she will need and closing her locker leaning against it. "Yeah sometimes I let the music take the lead and just follow along." Riley tells him putting her iPod in her bag. Charlie laughs and glances to the left seeing Lucas walking towards them. "Well here comes Friar so I better run." He tells her mimicking like he is about to race. Riley giggles putting her hand on his shoulder and says "no need to worry about him he's Maya's problem. Besides your my friend Charlie." Lucas stops in his tracks taken aback by Riley's words. If he didn't know before Riley words just confirmed she did know about Maya and him dating.
Lucas turns around and walks the other way confusing Charlie who looks between Lucas and Riley who didn't seem to care he didn't come over. "So no more triangle then huh?" Charlie asks her hoping he was pouring salt on an open wound. Riley smiles shaking her head and says "nope." She links arms with him as they make their way to class and Charlie couldn't help but wonder what in the world happen to Riley.
Farkle watches as the girl he's known his whole life sits and talks with Sara in their math class smiling and laughing. He thought she would be heartbroken or at the very least sadden by who Lucas chose but this version of Riley seemed at peace. Like a weight has been lifted and she could breath. He wanted to talk to her and ask her about it but she chose to sit with Sara instead of him like she has all year. He wondered if she knew? If Riley knew everyone but her knew about Lucas choosing Maya and them secretly dating.
They make their way out of class and Farkle tries to catch up with a smiling Riley as she walks and laughs at something Sara was showing her on her phone. "Hey Riley!" He shouts trying to catch her attention before she rounded the corner. He pushes pass people turning the corner and finds neither Riley nor Sara there. He decides talking to her in history would be better. Mr. Matthews would help figuring out this new Riley. But he doesn't get a chance. Riley walks in right before the bell rings smiling brightly and sits down. The other members of the group minus Lucas all exchanged a look with each other.
"Hey riles." Maya hesitantly says tapping Riley on the shoulder. Riley turns around smiling and says "hey peaches." Maya looks to Farkle who gestures for her to keep talking. "How you been?" Maya asks clearing her throat. "I feel like we haven't talked in awhile." Riley giggles shaking her head and says "oh peaches I'm peachy." Giving Maya a little nose tap when she says peachy and turning back around to listen to her dad. Maya holds her nose and looks at Lucas who was staring so hard at his history book you would think he was trying to melt it.
The rest of class they are silent never saying a word just staring at the back of their bubbly brunette friend's head watching as she took notes and listened to her dad and wonder what was going on with her. Class ends and they all pack up waiting to see if Riley would say something to them. Riley gathers her bag and heads for the door when Lucas voice stops her. "Riley can we talk?" Lucas asks staring at the back of her head. Riley fights the eye roll threatening to spill and turns around with a smile.
"okay what's up?" She asks staring at all of them. They all exchanged looks trying to figure out what to say to her. "Well is someone going to say something?" Riley asks getting tired of the silence. Zay chuckles shaking his head and says "well I for one would like to say you look pretty today." Riley looks down at her light blue dress with pink flowers and back up at Zay. "Thank you." She says curiously. Riley looks at everyone and taps her foot. "Well this has been lovely but I'm going to be late for my next class." Maya looks at her and says "but riles we all have science next." She gestures at everyone.
Riley smiles looking at them and says "yeah well they have this photography class and Sara helped me get into it but it's only fourth period so." Everyone looked shocked that Riley switched classes without even letting them know. "Why didn't you tell us?" Maya questions with anger. Riley scoffs rolling her eyes and says "well I would have but all of you haven't been around so I'm telling you now." Before any of them can respond Sara pops back in. "Riley come on we can't be late. I grabbed your camera already." Riley smiles at Sara and looks back at the group and turns to leave with her.
At lunch the group silently pick at their food none of them actually talking or eating watching as Riley laughs at something Sara is telling her while they get there lunch. Riley grabs her lunch and makes her way over to the group sitting down next to Zay who was enjoying this new Riley. "Hey sugar how was photography class?" Zay asks chuckling as Riley eating her lunch not bothered by the silent. "It was amazing! Thank you for asking Zay." Riley cheerfully says going back to her lunch.
Farkle watches as Riley smiles eating her lunch and kicks Lucas under the table. Lucas lifts up his head and glares at the genius boy who motions his head at Riley. Lucas sighs knowing it should be him who tells her something she already knew. He clears his throat and looks up at the girl who owns his heart or did until he chose Maya. "Hey Riley?" Lucas says softly. Riley looks at him and says "yes?" He couldn't do it. He couldn't tell her something she obviously knew already. "I.." Lucas stutters rubbing his neck.
Zay shakes his head and groans "cotton candy face Luke chose Maya and they're dating. Have been for a couple of months." Everyone gasps as they look at Riley who still wore her same smile. "Zay what the hell!" Maya shouts throwing her apple at him which he catches and takes a bite of. "Riles I'm so sorry I wanted to tell you.." Maya starts but stops when Riley looks at her holding up her hand. "Maya I already know you two are dating. I've known for the past month about it." Maya looks at Lucas and then back at Riley and says "so why haven't you said anything to me?"
Riley starts laughing and gathers her lunch. "I could ask you the same Maya. Actually I could ask all of you that question?" Looking at everyone who lower their heads avoiding her stare. "But you want to know something? After all this time I'm not mad. I was in the beginning I'll admit I was pretty devastated but.." she takes a breath looking directly at Lucas who never took his eyes off her. "I'm finally over you. I didn't think I would since you were my first crush but I am. And honestly its amazing not to have to share my "boyfriend" with someone again." Maya starts to tear up at the fact Riley called her just someone and not her best friend.
Riley stands up slinging her bag over her body and grabbing her lunch tray and smiles. "But I will apologize for one thing." Still looking at Lucas she continues "I'm sorry if you think I'm to much for you." His eyes widen at the realization that she knew everything. He looks at Zay and Farkle and back at Riley. Riley shrugs and says "but I can't change who I am and I love me even if you can't." With that she walks away. "What does she mean to much for you ranger rick?" Maya yells with anger at her boyfriend yanking his shirt pulling him towards her.
Lucas ignores her taking his shirt out her hands and running out the cafeteria in search of Riley. He spots her once again with Gardner and feels the anger boiling inside of him. "Riley we need to talk?" He says through gritted teeth and clenched fist. Charlie touches Riley's arm and whispers something in her ear making her giggle and pissing off Lucas even more. "Riley I need to talk to you?" Lucas says again pulling her away from Charlie. Riley yanks her arm away and looks at Charlie "Charlie let's meet after school?" Charlie nods smiling suggesting they could meet at her place.
She agrees and he walks away whistling making Lucas angrier by the second. "Look Riley..." Lucas starts to say but finds she's already walking away from him. He runs up standing in front of her holding onto her arms. "Riley I need to talk to you? Can you please give me a minute?" Riley sighs and gestures to the hole and Lucas shakes his head knowing that's where he first said she was to much for him. "Can we go somewhere else anywhere but down there?" He asks hoping she say yes.
"Lucas you wanted to talk so let's talk my next class is right next door and the bell is going to ring any second." He rubs his neck wishing her class wasn't near here but agrees to going down there. Riley sits on the top step watching as Lucas paces in front of her rubbing his neck. He stops in front of her and says "Riley you aren't to much for me. You never were. Those were just stupid words I wish I could take back. I.." he's interrupted by the sound of Riley trying to stifle her laughter. He looks at her and Riley shakes her head and stands up facing him.
"is that why you wanted to talk? Seriously Lucas?" He nods and Riley starts to laugh all over again. "Why are you laughing I'm trying to apologize." Riley looks at him with a look he's never seen before and feels himself shrinking under her intense gaze. "I'm laughing because you think apologizing to me three months after you said it and started dating Maya would get me to what? Forgive you tell you I still like you?" Lucas lowers his head and knows in that moment she was right he did want those things. "Unbelievable! Lucas the triangle over. You chose Maya. I chose to move on and I'm happy now. For the first time I'm truly happy."
The bell rings and Riley walks off to her next class without a second look at him and he feels a part of him is gone. School ends and the group gather letting the silence fill the air as they walk out and see Riley with Sara and Charlie laughing and looking truly at peace never looking their way. They watch as she walks away with them and they wonder have they lost the one that brought them all together forever.
