Chapter three
Hey sorry for the late uploads like i've said before i'm swamped in work plus I've written bits of chapters for all my fanfics and i've got so many new ones in the work! Anyway thank you all for the positive reviews I'm Glad you like it!
*lucas pov*
So I sat in the passenger seat. Farkle, Zay, Riley, and Maya were squished in the back of my brother's sports car. There was music playing in the background and I could hear an intense argument going on in the back . Farkle versus Zay, as always, with Riley trying to calm them down. I wasn't really paying attention to the words of the argument, I was too focused on the thought of my sister's fiancee coming home.
"Jaz?"
"mh, yeah?" he answered back mindlessly as he took a right turn.
"Why don't you like Jason?"
"You know why."
"Cause they break up a lot?"
"Yeah. What are they going to do after getting married, get a divorce in two months and then remarry?"
"I don't think that's it." He sighed, shaking his head.
"You know what Lucas, let's not do this now. okay?"
"Well, we're going to have to do it sometime. If you don't trust Jason, I don't either and I don't want my sister to get hurt."
"And you think I do? We can have a chat after your exams. You think you're prepared enough for it?"
"Um yeah. They're next week and I only have two this semester. Math and chemistry."
"Good, good. Still want to become a vet?"
"I don't know anymore to be honest."
"And That's fine. Try things out Lucas, and know that no matter what I'm right here rooting for you."
"Thanks, man"
"Lucas what do you think? Am I right? or robot boy?"
"What's the argument about again?"
"Sports are all physics" Farkle answered, I chuckled turning around to face him.
"No, Farkle I'm with Zay on this one. If it was all physics you would be good at it."
"You don't know that I'm not good at it."
"Yes, we do." I heard Maya pipe up
"But we still love you no matter what Farkle." Riley added
"Why?" Zay asked with a chuckle. I watched as Maya punched Zay in the shoulder.
"OK guys we're here. This place is new… Supposed to be a Teen Club I think" Jasper said as he parked the car. We all got out and followed my brother into the place.
"Hi, um can we can get a booth for six?" He asked the hostess, who smiled and lead us all to a booth.
"I'll be back to take your orders." She told us. Jasper, Zay and Farkle were sitting on one side and I was sitting in between Riley and Maya on the other side.
"So, this is the crew eh? Lucas is always talking about you guys. Nice to finally meet you all"
"You've known me longer than you've known Lucas." Zay said with a chuckle. He was right, Zay was older than me by a month and our families have been friends long before we were born.
"Well, with that logic I've met all of you except Riley." I saw Riley smile and then her face scrunched up in confusion.
"When'd you meet Maya?" I felt my eyes widen, and Maya place her hand on my knee. I slightly shook my head at my brother, telling him not to answer with my eyes.
"umm… A while back, She's always at my house?" He half asked looking at me and Maya with confusion.
"Yup, Your house is more welcoming than mine. Plus, there is always baked goods." Maya said with a giggle, her hand still on my knee.
"I like your house, it's cozy" Zay said with a smirk
"Thank you Zay, and you're always welcome" she said with a laugh
" So, how bout we just order a couple pizzas and share? " Farkle asked
"That sounds like a good idea.. Are we all up for it?" My brother asked. We all nodded and I motioned for the waitress to come over.
"We'll just get two large Pizzas. And we can have our winners choose." I grinned at Zay
"Sweet heat" I said and Zay nodded
"and the Hot and Spicy" He added looking back at the waitress who smiled as she wrote our orders.
"So aren't we missing someone from the legendary squad?"Jasper asked looking at me confused and we technically were.
"Where's Smackle?" Zay said looking at Farkle who rolled his eyes
"Why do you keep asking me that ?" I looked at him with confusion
"Because she's kinda your girlfriend" I told him.
"Oh, and that means that I track her every move?" he asked harshly leaning back in his seat
"Ok guys, that's enough." Riley said sternly.
"Why the hell are you so defensive?" Zay mumbled
"Zay, Maybe she's sick or maybe she skipped. I don't know what the hell she's thinking" Farkle retorted sharply.
"Oh, you want to go get the drinks Farkle? Oh yea sure, of course I'll join you!" Maya said her expression telling Farkle to get up and follow her. He sighed getting up and walking behind her.
"What just happened?" Riley asked
"I don't know but he's been like that for the past few days." I told her.
*Maya's POV*
"What the hell was that?" I hissed at the brunette boy who was not meeting my gaze.
"Nothing" he mumbled
"Farkle?" We were standing near the bar waiting for our drinks ( that didn't have alcohol, don't really understand the point of this bar.)
"Isadora broke up with me." he said softly, my expression instantly softened.
"What? when? why?"
"Um Monday. so yesterday. She said something about me not loving her as much as she loved me."
"Oh Farkle."
"Who gave her the right to decide that?"
"Do you think it's true?"
"I don't know anymore Maya. She was my girlfriend since grade 8. She told me that it's been off for a while now. That we were too alike and like forces repel. that I-" He stopped talking and looked down.
"That you?"
"That I might love her but I'm in love with Riley." I looked at him with confusion
"But Smackle always knew you loved RIley"
"No Maya, she is implying that I love Riley in a way more than what we are right now." My eyes widen as I looked at Farkle.
"And do you?"
"I don't know. I don't know anything" I never thought I would hear Farkle say that.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because I didn't know how. Maya, I thought it was Smackle and me forever and now it's not. How are any of you supposed to sympathize? You never actually go past the second date because of your commitment issues.I'm pretty sure Lucas is in love with you. Riley is in love with him. They both went out once and decided to call it quits. And Zay is single always looking for a fling." I put my hand over Farkle's
"Okay, because you are hurt right now I'm going to ignore the commitment jab and Lucas is not in love with me but Farkle we are your best friends and we will always be there for you. No matter what. There is nothing you can do to change that, especially getting dumped. We will try to understand because we care for you. And if you really wanted someone to sympathize I'm sure Zay would be more than willing to talk to you and help you work things out. He went through a lot with Vanessa."
"I know. I'm sorry but me? In love with Riley?Am I?"
"I can't answer that Farkle."
"I know" we stood in silence for a bit.
"Maya?"
"Yea?"
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything you want."
"Don't tell Riley. Promise me you won't tell Riley." Another promise to keep something from Riley? I swear if Zay asks me to hide something I'm going to flip.
"Okay, Talk to Zay after?"
"Yea, that's probably a good idea. But if he calls himself the love doctor, do I have your permission to leave?" I smiled and pulled him into a hug
"I'm always here for you"
"I know, You're Canada." He said with a smile before taking the drinks that were on a tray and walking back to the table with me in tow.
*Lucas's POV*
I saw Farkle walk back with a tray of drinks with Maya following him. She plopped down next to me with a small smile
"So I guess I owe you lot an apology." he said with a sad smile
"Nah man, I'd rather you go freak out on us then someone who might actually beat you up" Zay said with a chuckle punching him in the shoulder.
"Smackle, you won't see her around for a while. She's not coming to school for the last few days because she wants to study and she has two exams on Monday and then she's flying out to Haiti to help build schools for the rest of summer. And I guess I'm not as okay with it as I'd like to be"
"Awh Farkle, you have all of us." Riley said with a comforting smile.
"Yea. You know Lucas, You should have your friends fly out with us to Texas." Jasper said
"That is a great idea!" Maya exclaimed, I turned to look at her in surprise. Maya, who seemed to find anything about Texas hilarious wanted to fly there?
"You want to go to Texas?" Riley asked her leaning forward in her seat to get a better look at Maya. Maya looked around the table before answering
"Um yea, I need more ammo" I chuckled
" And who knows maybe I can get Pappy Joe to help me with that."
"Don't call his grandfather Pappy Joe." Riley said in a disapproving tone, I sighed turning to look at her
"It actually is Pappy Joe" I said with a shrug, Riley looked at me with disbelief before returning her gaze back to Maya.
"You knew that?" Maya looked at me before running her hand through her hair, she took out of braids in the car.
"It would've been anything I said" She muttered. I grinned at her.
"So, how excited are you guys for the wedding!" Riley asked the table
"Very." I said with a smile. Riley was really was.
" I am!" Zay said with a smile
"I love weddings and I haven't been to Texas in forever." His grin widened and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of going back.
"I've never been to a wedding" Maya said as she took a sip of her drink.
"Never?" Jasper asked
"Nope, No one's to go to I guess. It's just me and my mom."
"You aren't missing much. I find weddings tiring" Jasper said with a sigh. Right about then the waitress brought our food to our table placing it down gently telling us to enjoy our meal before leaving. We all dug in.
"You still with your girl?" Zay asked my brother.
" ah yes, I am still with Casey."
"I hear a but coming along" Maya said. He chuckled
"But I don't know. I just I feel like everyone is either engaged, married, or having kids and I'm not ready for all that but I think she is." I looked at my brother nodding slowly at what he was saying.
"Do you feel like you need to be ready?" Farkle asked
"Yeah, I do. I think she's waiting for me to propose and My parents have been dropping hints and I don't know.I just I have so much school left and everything"
"Want to know what I think?" We all turned to look at Maya. My brother nodded.
"I think that if you aren't ready and you think she is. All you can really do is talk to her. Be blunt. Tell her you're not ready. Talk about the future. See if your paths align or if you an make them align. Be supportive of each other because isn't that all marriage really is, it's basically just a status. Show her you're worth it even without the ring. Communication is key." I looked at her and then turned to Zay who was chuckling
"what's so funny?" Jasper asked
"Maya Hart is a romantic" I said with a smile
"Not with this again."
"I'm sorry it's funny. I mean can you see Maya like crying over a sappy rom-com" Zay said shaking his head.
"She cried while watching Stuck on Love" Farkle said taking a bite of his pizza
"OW" he said looking at her, as she glared at him. I'm guessing she kicked him.
"Was I not supposed to say that?"
"Awh you cried peaches."
"It was touching, my eyes might have sweated a bit" I lost it along with Zay.
"yea, yea whatever. Laugh all you want.I like chick flicks deal with it." In about ten minutes I felt her hand on my knee again, so I turned to look at her with an eyebrow raised.
"Dance with me?" She said looking at me then the dance floor.
"I don't dance." She chuckled getting up and leaning in to me so her face was millimeters away from mine.
"I own you remember. I command you to dance with me." she said before leaning back and stretching her hand out for me to hold. I smiled shaking my head, before getting up and grabbing her hand, letting her lead me on to the dance floor. We jumped around for a bit and then after a while, somehow my hands were on her waist and she had her arms around my neck.
"Huckleberry?"
"mhm mm"
"Smackle broke up with Farkle because she thinks he's in love with Riley." I took a step closer to her.
"Is that why he was acting weird?" I whispered into her ear, she nodded
"Do you think it's true? Do you think that could happen?" she laughed her body moving against mine smoothly.
"I don't know, I mean Farkle and Riley? and she kinda likes you" She said slowly
"Well, I think Farkle would be good to her. She deserves better than me. She deserves someone who can give her the best, the world. And that's all Farkle knows how to do"
"and you can't?" I sighed. Maya just didn't get it. I really like Riley. I do. But lately I don't know I just wasn't feeling it. I don't know I just lately i find myself looking at the blonde in my arms instead on the pretty brunette I first looked at when I got to new york.
"I can't. Not for her." Maya bit her lip before sighing
"For who then?"
"I really don't know, all I know is I can't be whatever Riley wants me to be" I replied honestly
"How come? You're ." I frowned at her.
"Do you really think that?"
"No, no I don't."
" Then how can you think I can give her the world."
"God, Huckleberry why can't you tell me? That's what best friends are supposed to do." I chuckled.
"Oh, like you tell me when you have a crush."
"Well, that's because at the moment I don't have a crush and two, you never approve of any guy."
"Because you have terrible taste in guys."
"Shut up."
"It's true"
"Shut up, no it's not"
"It really is, like Matt and Brandon? What were you thinking?" I said scrunching my face up in disgust
"I was thinking that they were hot, and seemed to be interested." She said with a smirk
"Shut up and open your eyes I'm sure a nice guy would be interested in you"
"ha ok" I rolled my eyes
"So, You want to actually go to Texas?"
"Yea, do you have a problem with that?" her smirk still on her face.
"No, I would've brought you eventually to meet my family" She laughed
"This is ridiculous"
"Oh believe me I know. LIke this must be your longest relationship and it's not even real" Okay, maybe I shouldn't have said that because she used her arms that were still wrapped around my neck to push my face closer down to hers.
"Friar, You're the one who needs a fake girlfriend. and I'm pretty sure this is your longest too so shut up" I chuckled, leaning in closer pulling her against me.
"No, not my longest but definitely my best" I mumbled into her neck. She took a shaky breath. I'm not going to lie I loved being able to do that to her. I loved being able to break the cool, calm, collected Maya hart.
"I guess I'm going to have to say the same." I leaned away so I was looking at her eyes
"Wow, I'm touched shortstack! What about Brandon?" She groaned, resting her head on my chest.
"Why are you so obsessed with him?" she mumbled into chest
"I'm not. I'm obsessed with you." she looked up while rolling her eyes a playful smile resting on her face.
"You're so sappy "
"Isn't that your thing though, being a romantic and all?" She laughed, still swaying with me
"Shut up. I am not a romantic."
"I disagree"
"Don't you always?" she replied a with a smirk, repeating my line from before.
"What the hell? share her, Friar" Zay said as she gave him her hand and he twirled her away. I saw Riley holding Zay's other hand as he spun the girls around. My brother took one of Maya's hands and joined my friends and they're dancing. I smiled at the sight but I turned back to the booth to see Farkle just sitting there. I sighed walking up to him and sitting on the other side of the booth so I could face him.
"Buddy, You Okay?"
"No, I'm guessing she told you the truth."
"Uh yeah..."
"Don't tell Riley."
"I won't" I promised
" Do you want to talk?"
"Depends can you help me?"
"I can try" I told him truthfully
"I don't understand. I thought we were going to last."
"And you did. Four years is a long time Farkle"
"You know what I mean. I mean I never thought about me not being with her."
"Do you like Riley?" Farkle chuckled
"Do you like Maya?" I was taken aback, I turned to look at her dancing, lip syncing to the song that was currently playing.
"Not the way you're insinuating."
"Then I guess I don't like Riley."
"Farkle."
"Lucas. If you won't admit it why should I?"
"Because I have nothing to admit, but you just implied you did." He sighed
"I love her, I do. But I love Maya too. Always have. It never bothered Isadora before so why does it now?"
"How can you love two people who couldn't be more different the same?" I asked him Looking at the two girls dancing. They were complete opposites. One who likes to follow the rules. One who likes to break them. One very blonde. One very brunette. One who sees the good in everything. One who doesn't believe that good things last. One who builds her life around hope. One who is scared of letting hope in. One who lets her guard down too fast, and One that never lets it down. They were Night and Day.
"I don't 's the age old question. I always have before. I promised I always would. I will keep my word."
"Is it possible to love them both but love them differently?"
"I don't know Lucas. One thing I never understood were feelings" Farkle said with a sigh, he leaned on to his elbows and turned to look at the girls before groaning and resting his head on the table.
The girls came up to us,
"Come on Farkle, Dance with me!" Maya said reaching for his hand and dragging him on to the floor. Riley smiled at me shyly before reaching her hand at out her eyebrow raised. I smiled at her grabbing her hand and letting her lead me on to the dance floor to the rest of our friends. The night ended around nineish and my brother and I arrived at home at around 10 after dropping everyone at their house.
"Rose?Mom? Dad ? We're home." Jasper called out as we entered our house. A worried Rose came out of the kitchen and walked up to us with Jason following right behind her.
"Everything okay?" I asked
"Um yes but no, Dad's friend George just had a heart attack so they're at the hospital."
"Oh no. Is he going to be okay?" Jasper asked
"Um yea, I hope so. but they won't be home till later." I nodded. Then there was this awkward pause that seemed to happen often when the three of us were together.
"Um hey Jason! Glad to see you again!" I said to break the awkward silence. I saw him shift nervously.
"Hey Luke, Jasper. how have y'all been."
"Great. Just peachy." Jasper muttered as he walked past him.
"Okay, um Jason and I are going to be in living room. We have a lot of planning to do. If you need something holler." and with that they were gone. I went upstairs to change out of my clothes. I put on a pair of light grey sweatpants and decided not to put a shirt was to hot for it now. I went downstairs to see that my sister changed into her pjs and my brother was wearing black sweatpants and a white undershirt. Jason though was dressed fully in his dress pants and shirt.
"You're not changing?" I asked him
"No, I'm leaving soon. I have a hotel booked. I just want to wait till your parents get home" I smiled and course he wasn't going to spend the night here.
"So, Rose tells me you're quite the quarterback?" I grin.
"I'm alright."
"Think you can take me in an arm wrestling match?" I nodded
"you're on!"Jason wasn't exactly small. He was tall and had an athletic body. A track star I think.
The hour went by Jason beat me once. Jasper beat him twice. I beat Jason once. While Rose played ref. When I was versing Jasper the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Rose said, bouncing up running to the door.
"Hey!" I heard her exclaim
"Hey, I'm sorry. I know it's late. I hope I'm not interrupting anything" I heard the familiar voice say. I turned to face the voice as Jasper smashed my hand into the table.
"Not at all, come on in Maya!" Rose said inviting her in.
"I am undefeated!" Jasper said standing up. I groaned.
"That's not fair. I was distracted"
"By the girlfriend?" Rose asked with a smirk. I nodded
"By the girlfriend" I muttered. Maya smiled.
"You missed me so much you showed up at my house?" I asked as I walked up to her. She scrunched her nose up as she put a hand on my torso stopping me from coming any closer. And a shiver shot up with the direct physical contact. My skin felt like it was buzzing under her touch.
"No, I just wanted to talk to you, and I was on my way to Riley's so I thought I would stop by."
"You saw me like two hours ago. You so missed me." She rolled her eyes
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
"You do." her eyes and grin widened.
"Were you always sap?"
"Just for you." I said with a shit eating grin.
"Do you want to go to my room?" I asked her.
"Um, yea no I don't think mom would appreciate that. Like please I know the drill. Teens in a bedroom-" Rose began, I interrupted quickly shuddering at what she was going to say.
"Second thought we'll sit outside.I don't want hear whatever you were going to say" I said grabbing Maya's hand and pulling her outside to sit on the porch. I've gotten the sex talk multiple times. Twice from my mother, once from Shawn, Once from Cory, once from my dad and brother. I think I get it. We sat in silence for a bit
"So?"
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For barging in like this."
"you weren't ruining anything." she bit her lip and nodded slowly
"Maya, what's wrong?"
"What makes you think something is wrong?"
"Because it's 11:30 on a Tuesday night and you're sitting on my porch without saying anything." She looked at me, sighed and then looked at her feet.
"My mom kicked Shawn out."
"What?"
"My mother kicked Shawn out of my house."
"Seriously? They were so-"
"Yea, I know " she interrupted
" Is it cause he wants to live together?" She nodded
"I don't blame her though. She doesn't want me to believe in something that isn't certain" I sighed. That was the thing about these Hart's they never let anyone in.
" This is Shawn were talking about. He's one of you 's been left one too many times to do anything to hurt your mom. He's not going to leave. Did you talk to him?"
"I haven't heard from him and I'm scared to message or call him" she said moving closer into me resting her on my chest. I wrapped an arm around her rubbing her shoulder soothingly.
"Maya. I don't know why you don't believe me when I tell you, you're worth it and you deserve the best in the world. Let good things happen to you. Let yourself be loved. You deserve a place in this world. You deserve happiness."
"Don't say that."
"Why?"
"Because you don't know that."
"I do. You're wonderful and god I don't know what I would have to do make you believe but if you would tell me I would do it." she sighed
"Drop it." I sighed
"Why'd you come here?"
" I don't know. should I leave?"
"No. I didn't mean it like that. Isn't this a Riley baywindow thing?" she smiled
"I started walking and I ended up here. I just, I can't go to Riley she doesn't get it. She doesn't get why and she always tries to fix everything and sometimes I don't want to be fixed sometimes I just want to sit and I just want to sit and feel secure. I just want to know i'm not insane." I nodded. I understood that, It's hard fighting yourself.
"Well, I'm glad you thought of me. I'll be here whenever you need me." we sunk back into a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"Lucas?"
"Mhm hmm"
"Tell me a story."
"A story?"
"Yeah, Tell me about Texas."
"You want to hear about Texas?" She nodded
"So I know that y'all think that my family is perfect but it's not. Anything but perfect actually. Sure from the outside it looks that way. The successful business man with his perfect super wife, who manages her own job plus raised three kids. The oldest son who came back from the military, in school to join the FBI and was drafted early and let's not forget the beautiful smart young forensic anthropologist who is getting married to the love of her life, and the straight- A, star athlete high schooler. Perfect." I scoffed,
" My dad and my brother don't see eye to eye. They used to get in a lot of fights. I think one of the reasons he joined the military was to get away from my dad. When we all lived in Texas it was loud. My mom and sister holding my dad back or my brother, breaking things, running away in the middle of the night cause he hated my dad, And I understood why and honestly I used to hate him too. He didn't treat my mother right. He favoured Rose over Jasper. And it was because she was perfect. Rosalie doesn't have flaws. She never talked back, did whatever he told her too. She was smart, she athletic, well-mannered. His pride and joy. He treated me like crap. Always pushing me to be perfect like her. I don't even think that it's possible to be like Rosalie, sure she was perfect but she didn't have her own identity. He was always telling me I wasn't good enough. That I had to be smarter and stronger and just more. I guess that's why I lashed out, why I was so angry."
"Lucas." She said softly reaching up to caress my cheek with her hand.
"It's gonna get happy, don't worry" I said with a chuckle
"I followed in Jasper's footsteps, I fought with all I could but not just against my dad, I fought with kids down the streets. Kids who looked at me wrong, teachers, my sister, my mother, cousins. Everyone. It got really bad, so bad I would get kicked out of the house by dinnertime. They always knew I would be back and if I wasn't home I was sleeping at Zay's. But on my way to my grandfather's one day I took a wrong turn in the forest I think and I found this meadow. It was one of the most wonderful sights I have ever the sun set there was this shimmer across the field of flowers. It was breathtaking. I went there whenever I could. It was the only thing that kept me sane, that made me keep hope. Maya the field had a river and this big tree and it was quiet and the best place to be alone with your thoughts. It was the one place i was completely myself. I would lie there for hours. Oh man and the night transformed the place. It was riot of colour. I can still smell the sickly sweet scent of the flowers and the soft scent of morning dew." Her eyes were closed and I think she is trying to imagine the place. I've never told anyone about the place. And I'm not sure why I told her about it when I could've said anything.
"Take me there?"
"You're serious about going Texas with my family"
"Well, yeah. I mean Farkle and Zay are going and Riley's going on a road trip to Miami with her family and I'm here so I might as well."
"You're not going with them?"
"Nah,maybe not this year." I smiled at her
"Ok I'll take you there. It really is beautiful."
"I'll be the judge of that" she said with a smirk before placing a small kiss on the end of my jawline. I looked at her with raised eyebrows
"Thank you." I just smiled back in response
"Um your sister keeps looking through the blinds so I'm going to head to Riley's" she said with a chuckle.
"It's so dark. Let me drive you."
"I can handle myself ranger Rick"
"Never said you couldn't. Wait here let me get my keys and a shirt" I popped up from my seat and walked inside. I grabbed a sweater from the closet and got my keys.
"Rose! Jaz! I'm just going to drop Maya home I'll be back soon"
"Get home before mom and dad get home!" Rose called out
"Yea or you're in deep shit" Jasper added
I chuckled walking out.
"Let's go" I climbed into my car and turned on the music. Our ride to Rileys was mainly just small talk or Maya singing along to the song playing on the radio. Once we got there, I parked near the fire escape.
"I have your jersey at home. I'll wash it and give it to you on friday."
"Nah keep look much better in it anyway." She smiled
"So I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Um yea, do you want me to give Riley and a you ride in?"
"You're actually going to use your car?" She asked with a playful smirk
"Ah yea, I got a lecture the other day about appreciating what I have." She giggled leaning into me.
"You should, this car is great. I would kill for a car in general." I shrugged my shoulders
"I think it's pointless showing off your wealth. "
"Forever a moral compass." I flashed her a winning grin
"I'll see you tomorrow Maya." She nodded pulling me down to give her a hug
"Thank you." She mumbled into my neck
"Always" I said as I kissed her forehead and she sighed and nodded and walked up the fire escape and went into Riley's room. I drove back and braced myself for whatever shit I was going to get into for coming home at one am on a school night.
"Back!"
"Lucky mom and dad aren't home yet. Jordon left though and I think Jasper sleeping."
"I'm going to hit the sack too I'm tired, night Rose" I gave my sister a kiss on the cheek and walked up to my room closing the door behind me. I stripped out of my sweats and hoodie and went into bed still on a high from winning the game.
*the next day*
" Wow, Lucas I didn't know you had a car" Riley said getting into the back of my car.
"I haven't had it for too long."
"It's nice."
"Did you two sleep well?" Maya nodded, flipping through the radio stations
"Your family is sweet Lucas" I chuckled
"Thanks Riley." My phone rang and Maya answered it and put it on speaker
"Hello!"
"Maya? Where's Lucas?"
"Driving, What'd you want Zay?"
"Nothing, Why are you with him?"
"He offered to pick Riley and Me up last night."
"Finally driving that car eh?"
"Yeah.."
"Okay, well if you three can stop by starbucks and get me some breakfast."
"That's why you called? You wanted him to get you food."
"Yup, Bye Hart!
Once we arrived to school Riley took Zay's breakfast and offered to give it to him because she had first period with him and walked off in the opposite direction as Maya. I'm assuming that Maya was going to her locker and decided to follow.
"Shawn called me this morning." She told me as we walked side by side down the hall.
"Did he?"
"Yeah, he um apologized for not calling earlier and complained about the airport."
"Yeah, airports suck sometimes."
"He acted as if nothing was wrong."
"Why does something have to be wrong? Maybe nothing is wrong." I said with a shrug
"She kicked him out."
"It's not like they broke up."
"She kicked him out!" She repeated
"Yeah, I know but maybe it's not a big deal."
"If I kicked you out of my house Lucas would you not be offended?"
"It's not the same thing."
"It is!"
"Maya, they're adults. Maybe they sat down and had intelligent mature conversation about the pros and cons of moving in together and decided the cons overpower the pros." She looked at me with annoyance. Then stopped in front of her locker, and began to open it
"You're such a huckleberry. This is my mom and Shawn we're talking about. They did not sit down and have a mature conversation." I chuckled
"You should have more faith in people." She looked at me with a smirk.
"Why? So they can let me down once more?" She shoved her textbook in her bag and switched her binders.
"How can they let you down if you don't believe in them in the first place?"
"Exactly. Don't believe, don't get hurt!"
"That's a terrible motto."
"It's worked for me so far."
"I don't think it has."
"What do you know cowboy?" She said shutting her locker.
"I know a lot more than you give me credit for. I know you Maya."
"You do? That's interesting Hop along!" She said her voice dripping with sarcasm
" I do. You know I do."
"Do we need to stop by your locker?" She asked changing the topic effectively
"No, I have everything I need."
"I'll see you at lunch Huckleberry!" She turned walking away from me her blonde bouncing with each step.
*At lunch*
I looked down to see my phone buzzing with a number I wasn't familiar with.
"Hey guys, I'm going to take this."
"Who is it?" Riley asked
"I don't know." I said getting up from my table and walking out of the caf.
"Um hello?"
"Hey Lucas! It's Shawn Hunter!"
"Oh. Um hey Shawn?!" Why would Shawn call me?
"Are you busy after school today?" Okay so now I was worried. This wouldn't of been weird if it was anyone but Shawn.
"No, I'm not busy."
"Okay great! I was wondering if you could help me."
"Um with what Shawn?"
" shopping"
"You want me to help you shop?"
"Yes, should I pick you up from school or can you drive to the Rainwld mall?" The Rainwld mall was at least an hour from here. Shawn was a good man so he wouldn't call me if he didn't need me.
" I can drive there. I'll call you when I get there. "
"Thank you so much. I owe you one kid." I chuckled
"Anytime sir."
"Oh and don't tell Maya or anyone you're with me or anything okay?"
"Um yes sir "
"Okay bye kid, have a good lunch"
"You too bye"
Shawn hunter just asked me to go shopping with him and I have to hide that from my friends... Okay that's weird.
"Who was it?" Riley asked me after I sat down
"My future brother in law" I lied
"Why would Jason call you?" Farkle asked with an eyebrow raised
"To tell me I have plans this afternoon" I said with a dry chuckle
"Sounds like him" zay said with a small nod. Maya came in plopping down in between Riley and Zay.
"I am starving!"
"We know " Farkle said handing over the extra drink that was on his tray. Riley had an extra burger, Zay an extra side of fries and I passed over the extra plate of pie I bought for her. Maya often spent most of her lunch in be art room painting away. She also skipped breakfast and by the time she came down to join us she would be famished.
She smiled at all of us shaking her head.
"I love you all very much. But you need to stop buying me food. I brought a sandwich."
"That's not a sandwich hart please don't insult sandwiches. That's toast with butter on it." Zay replied. As Maya took a bite into her burger.
*skip to after school*
"Hey Shawn!"
"Hey Lucas thanks a lot for coming. I was going to call Cory but Cory would tell Topanga who would tell Riley who would tell Maya who would tell her mom. I needed a guy but a guy that wasn't going to blab. I also heard your sister was getting married so I thought you would have some clue to what's happening. " he rambled on.
"Um Shawn what do you need my help for?"
He took a deep breath.
"Let's go to the food court and get some food I'll explain while we eat. He payed for my sub as well as his own and we found a table to talk at.
"Okay, so I know that Maya came to your house last night before going to Rileys and I'm guessing that you know about how Katy panicked and accidentally kicked me out of her apartment." I smiled at him sheepishly
"Um yea, Maya might have mentioned that."
"At first I thought it was odd that she went to you instead of Riley but I've seen the way you two are so I guess it makes a bit of sense" I nodded... The way we are what is that supposed to mean?
"I know how Katy feels right now and asking her to move in with me was a big thing and an unstable thing." I nodded slowly
"She needs reassurance that I'm here to stay for the long term. So I decided I'm going to make a promise to her."I looked at him with confusion
"Um sir, I don't think a promise is going to reassure her..." He chuckled
"Son, I love Katy, with all my being. I love Maya as if she was my own. By promise I don't mean with words I mean with a ring" my eyes widen
"Propose? You're going to propose?"
"Yeah... Do you think it's a bad idea?"
I looked at the man sitting in front of me. He was asking a seventeen year old with a fake girlfriend for advice.
"No. I think it's a great idea. Katy deserves to be happy and she's always happy with you. And Maya deserves a father." He smiled and nodded
"Okay, so here's the plan. We get the ring today. Katy doesn't work on Thursday, I have three tickets to the new McKay art gallery for tommorrow so I'm going to give you the tickets you're going to take Maya and Katy to the gallery. Than you're going to bring them out for dinner at the French restaurant down the street. I'll be waiting there for you. Be there at 9. Can you do that?" I smiled
"I'd be honoured"
"Great! Let's go shopping kid!"