Thank you guys so much for all of the reviews, favorites, and follows! I was literally bouncing around in my seat like a little child. But the thing that upset me was that a lot of the reviews were simply couple demands. I'm going to tell you all right now that this story is not about relationships. This story is about friendship and becoming a better person. In the future, I'll probably write stories about relationships, either Rucas or Lucaya, but if you came here for pairings, you're reading the wrong story. Btw, sorry for the wait. I know I promised to update again over the weekend, but I struggled to find inspiration and got a little busy with the school week and homework and whatnot. Okay, sorry about all of that, but now we get to the fun part- the story! Enjoy!
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"Alright, class. So today, we will finally learn about what happened in Belgium in 1831. Are you excited, Farkle?" Mr. Matthews asked as he finished writing the lesson topic on the board.
"No! I refuse to get my hopes up once again! Because something will happen to her," Farkle pointed to Riley.
"No changes for me." Riley smiled.
"Or to her." Farkle gestured to Maya, who was doodling in a small sketch pad.
"What would happen to me?" She retorted, before returning to her drawing.
Farkle began to bounce in his seat. "Ooh, this is really it!"
Mr. Matthews chuckled. "In 1831, Belgium-"
He was cut off as the door was kicked open by one Lucas Friar, Zay Babineaux following suit.
"Oh no." Maya groaned, banging her head on the desk.
"Well, lookie here, Zay. We already got ourselves some friends in this class! It's Princess, Blondie, and Geek!" Lucas teased.
"Matthews, please tell me that these idiots aren't going to be in our class." Maya pleaded.
"Sorry, blondie. But we've got our transcripts right here." Lucas held up two half sheets of paper, which he handed to Mr. Matthews afterwards.
"Alright boys, now please take a seat so that I may continue with my lesson." Mr. Matthews set the transcripts down on his desk.
"I think I'm gonna sit next to my new friend, Geek, here." Lucas announced.
"I'm not a geek." Farkle muttered to himself.
"I'm right behind ya, Luke." Zay plopped down in the desk behind Lucas.
"Back to my lesson; where was I? Oh right, Belgium 1831. Now are you ready, Farkle?" Mr. Matthews asked.
"I don't care anymore." Farkle mumbled.
"What?" Lucas exclaimed. "Geek doesn't want to learn? Oh, the sky is falling." He overdramatically fell out of his seat, earning laughs from a few of his fellow students.
"Do you ever give it up?" Riley spoke up for the first time since the boys entered the room.
"Give what up, princess?" Lucas questioned.
"Do you ever let your guard down, quit the bad boy act?" She asked.
"This is no act, doll. This is the real me. This is my life." Lucas shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Hm," Riley turned to her father. "Dad, what is the secret of life?"
"The secret of my life? Because you'll never know that, darling." Lucas said with a smirk.
Riley turned her head slowly to face him. "No, what is the secret of life?"
"That's a great question, Riley. Farkle?" Mr. Matthews looked to Farkle for confirmation.
"Go ahead." He rolled his eyes and opened up a new page in his notebook.
"Okay, Matthews. I'm gonna stop you right before you start. Instead of sending us on a wild goose chase or journey full of heartbreaks and disappointment, can't you just tell us the lesson from the jump? For once?" Maya asked, full of exasperation.
A smile formed on his face, but his eyes were full of thought. "Okay. You get your wish, Maya. I'll tell you all the secret of life right now."
"Wait, seriously?" Maya's face contorted into a look of confusion.
"Kate Winslet once said, 'The good and bad things are what form us as people… change makes us grow.' Mr. Matthews quoted.
"I love Kate Winslet." Riley said with a smile on her face.
"I know, sweetie. You've watched Titanic at least three times this week and it's Tuesday." Mr. Matthews sighed.
"But I don't like change. Especially bad change." Riley's eyes reduced to the size of slits as she glared at Lucas and Zay.
Zay cleared his throat uncomfortably as she held her gaze.
"Remember, Riley, change makes us grow. And you know what causes change? People. That's the secret of life. People change people." Mr. Matthews slowly walked around the front of his classroom.
"Let me get this straight. You're saying people change people, and change makes us grow. So in retrospect, people make us grow?" Lucas questioned. It seemed that for just a second he had let down his guard.
"Yes, Mr. Friar. You've just got to find the right people." A grin spread across Mr. Matthews' face. Lucas was picking things up quickly.
Lucas scoffed. "That's stupid." And the guard was back up.
Mr. Matthews frowned as the bell began to ring. Everyone picked up their bags and left, Lucas and Zay before anyone else.
Riley followed Lucas straight into the hallway. "What is your deal? I get that you want to keep up this whole bad boy façade, but you don't have to be rude to my father. And maybe if you listen, I mean really listen to his lessons; you could learn a thing or two, maybe even change for the better." Riley finished quietly, taking a deep breath. She had confronted the same person twice within the same hour, and she was hoping for a better outcome this time around.
"You're just like your father." Was all he could say in response.
"Thank you." A shy smile appeared on Riley's face.
"He didn't mean it as a compliment, sugar." Zay butted in.
The two boys turned the corner and headed off to find their next classes.
Riley wasn't entirely sure what they meant, but she was certain of one thing; she was going to change these boys for the better, and they were going to grow. They were going to know the true meaning behind the secret of life.
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And there's chapter two! I know that chapter was pretty short and it wasn't very great but I promise it will get better as the story progresses. I'm so excited for tonight's Girl Meets World. See you all next chapter my lovelies!