Disclaimer: I do not own Girl Meets World or any of the characters

Chapter 7

Riley closed her eyes and stretched her legs out in front of her. She scooted closer to Lucas and then rested her head on his shoulder. She tried to fall asleep but it was no use. Her excitement was getting the best of her and she was feeling anxious. She and Lucas were headed to New York for a weekend trip with all of their friends. The trip was coming at a perfect time and she knew that this was exactly what she needed to get her mind off all the stress that she had been feeling recently. She felt Lucas wrap his arm around her shoulders and pull her closer to him.

"You excited?" Lucas asked. Riley smiled to herself and snuggled closer to her boyfriend.

"I'm so excited," Riley nodded. She opened her eyes and smiled up at Lucas. "Are you excited?"

"I am," Lucas nodded. "It will be nice to see everyone."

"I think we all need it," Riley said and then nudged his side as she sat up. "I bet you Zay is excited to see you."

"He is going to be all over Claire," Lucas smirked.

"I always forget that the two of them are apart," Riley said.

"He makes it impossible for me to forget," Lucas laughed.

"Oh stop," Riley laughed. "I think it's cute. They are clearly still so into each other."

"Are you excited to see your family?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah," Riley nodded with a wide smile. She had not seen her family since she moved into the dorms and she was really looking forward to getting to spend some time with them again. She was about to say something else when they heard the announcement for their stop. "We're here!" Riley exclaimed as she bounced in her seat in excitement. Lucas smirked as he watched his girlfriend. No matter how old they got, her positive attitude was one of the main things he loved most about her.

"Hey," Lucas reached out to grab her hand. Riley looked at him curiously and laced their fingers together. "I love you, princess."

"I love you too," Riley smiled sweetly and then leaned forward to kiss her boyfriend. The two shared a smile and then stood up from their seats. They were home.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"Riley!" Topanga exclaimed, the minute Riley walked through the front door of the apartment.

"Mom!" Riley shrieked. She dropped her bags by the door and rushed forward to hug her mom. The two held each other in a tight embrace that was both comforting and loving. "I missed you."

"Oh sweetheart," Topanga whispered and ran a hand over the back of her daughter's head. "I missed you so much."

"Where's dad?" Riley asked, pulling back and looking around the living room. "And Auggie?"

"They should be home from school any minute now. I took the day off so that I could be here when you got home," Topanga explained.

"It feels so good to be home," Riley sighed and then dropped onto the couch. Topanga took a seat next to her and smiled.

"I'm glad to have you home," Topanga said. "How's school going?"

"Stressful," Riley said and then explained everything she had been going through recently to her mom. Topanga listened to her patiently and then reached out to grab her hand. "I didn't think college was going to be this hard," Riley whispered once she finished her story.

"It's an adjustment honey," Topanga insisted. "You've been going through the same routine for the last four years. College is a whole new environment and it takes time to adjust to that. You have to give it time and keep being yourself. You can do anything that you put your mind to."

"You really think so?" Riley asked.

"I know so," Topanga nodded. "We are the Matthews girls. Quitting and failing are not in our vocabulary. We have always been able to do anything that we put our minds to."

"I love you mom," Riley smiled at her mom and scooted closer to rest her head on her mom's shoulder. Topanga wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her daughter close. The room fell silent but they were okay with that. They enjoyed the peace and just being together again.

"Riley!" Auggie exclaimed as he burst through the door and rushed over to hug his sister. Riley was barely on her feet before her younger brother tackled into her. She laughed and held him close.

"Hey Auggie," Riley squeezed his shoulders and then looked over his shoulder to smile at her dad. She squeezed her brother once more and then quickly walked over to hug her dad. "Hey daddy."

"Hey Riley," Cory hugged his daughter and then kissed the top of her head. "It's good to have you home."

"It feels good to be home," Riley said and then looked around the room with a smile. It all felt so familiar. It truly felt like home and she loved being back.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"Hello lady," Riley heard coming from her bay window. She quickly turned around and rushed over to hug Farkle.

"Farkle!" Riley exclaimed as she hugged her friend tight. "I'm so happy to see you."

"You're happy to see me? I'm happy to see you," Farkle insisted. The two pulled back from the hug and took a seat at the bay window.

"When did you and Smackle get back? Where is Smackle?" Riley asked.

"She's at her house," Farkle said. "She's going to meet us at Topanga's later. I wanted to come by and see you."

"Well I'm glad you did," Riley smiled and then crossed her legs underneath her. She grabbed one of the pillows and held it close to her.

"Uh oh," Farkle widened his eyes.

"What?" Riley asked, raising a confused eyebrow.

"You're doing that thing you always do when you're stressed or nervous," Farkle said as he gestured to the pillow.

"For the first time in a while, I'm finally not stressed," Riley admitted.

"Have things been getting better for you?" Farkle asked. He still remembered the teary phone call he had gotten from Riley after her impromptu trip to New York. She sounded defeated and scared.

"Yeah they have," Riley nodded. "I've been pacing myself and making sure to keep myself organized."

"That's all you can do," Farkle said. "I believe in you, Riley. I believe that you can do anything you want. All you can do is take it one day at a time."

"That means a lot Farkle," Riley smiled. "How are you doing?"

"College is no joke," Farkle shook his head and then ran his fingers through his hair. "There are some days I'm not sure I'm not going to get through it."

"If there is anyone in this world that can do it, it's you. That I have no doubt of," Riley insisted.

"You have always believed in me far more than I have ever believed in myself," Farkle laughed.

"That's what best friends are for," Riley smiled.

"I really missed you Riley," Farkle said. Riley scooted closer and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"I missed you too Farkle," Riley smiled at her friend. He nudged her side and she laughed. No matter how much time they spent apart, their bond always remained the same. They had a friendship that could never change with time.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"It's like nothing has even changed," Maya smiled as she looked around Topanga's at all of her friends. After about ten minutes of hugs filled with excitement and shrieks, the group had finally settled down and got themselves comfortable. They knew that they were going to be together for a while catching up, but none of them really cared. They just wanted to spend as much together as they could before they had to go back to school.

"Well except for your hair," Zay smirked at the blonde.

"I cut like two inches off!" Maya laughed.

"That's a big change for us to deal with," Farkle teased.

"Oh whatever," Maya playfully rolled her eyes. "At least I didn't dye it purple."

"Now that I would pay to see," Riley laughed at her best friend.

"It would really add to the whole artsy side of you," Claire agreed.

"Now that I think about it more," Maya brushed through the ends of her hair and looked at the blonde locks. "That may be cool."

"Oh boy," Josh mumbled. Maya nudged his shoulder and laughed. "My girlfriend, the one with the purple hair. That's a new introduction."

"Don't way babe, I'm going to stick with the blonde hair. I've always been the blonde one," Maya rested a hand on his arm and smiled sweetly at him. Josh could not resist and leaned down to kiss her.

"Gross," Zay stuck his tongue out. "When did you two become the gross couple?"

"Yeah, that was always our thing!" Riley protested, leaning into Lucas's side.

"I think adorable is the correct term for us," Lucas smirked.

"Always," Riley smiled up at him and he leaned down to kiss her.

"Jeez," Zay shook his head. "Nothing really has changed."

"Aw honey," Claire ran her hand down his arm and kissed his cheek.

"Now who is the gross one," Maya teased.

"Kiss me, Farkle!" Smackle exclaimed.

"What?" Farkle laughed.

"We are the only couple who hasn't kissed," Smackle said. Farkle laughed and leaned down to kiss his fiancée.

"I need coffee desperately," Maya said. She jumped up, grabbed Riley's hand and dragged her to the counter with her.

"What?" Riley asked, feeling herself get dragged towards the counter.

"You and Huckleberry seem happy," Maya raised an eyebrow at her best friend as she leaned into the counter.

"We are," Riley nodded. She looked over at her boyfriend, who was laughing at something Zay just said. He looked so happy and peaceful.

"What happened after you got back?" Maya asked.

"I explained everything to him. I told him how I had been feeling and what I was going through. He completely understood and was super supportive. He was just hurt because I ran away and didn't tell him," Riley explained.

"So he didn't stay mad for long?" Maya asked.

"Not at all," Riley shook her head. "He forgave me pretty fast. As soon as I finally talked to him, everything worked itself out."

"I told you," Maya nudged her shoulder and Riley laughed.

"I feel so silly for running away from him," Riley said and then looked over at him again. This time he looked up and the two locked eyes. Lucas sent her a smile that filled her stomach with butterflies. She should have never shut him out. She would never make that mistake again. She then looked back at her best friend and smiled. "You and Josh seem really happy."

"We are," Maya nodded. She bit her lip and then smiled wide. "I fall a little more in love with him every day."

"Aw Peaches," Riley gushed.

"I never thought it was possible for me to love someone this much," Maya admitted. "Now I can't imagine a life without him."

"I don't think you will have to. I know my uncle pretty well and he seems just as crazy about you," Riley promised.

"I hope so," Maya smiled. She saw Josh look over at her and send her a wink. She giggled and blushed. Riley smiled at the couple because she loved seeing the two of them so happy. They both deserved happiness and she was glad that they found it with each other. She was glad that all of her friends found happiness and love.

"I swear! She ate my cookie! For no reason!" Zay insisted and Riley laughed.

"It was one time! I have apologized so many times!" Riley exclaimed as she grabbed her coffee and headed back towards the group. "I thought we were past this!"

"Never sugar!" Zay smirked. Pretty soon the group was reminiscing about the crazy things they all went through growing up and laughter was filling Topanga's.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"So a summer wedding?" Maya asked. She, Smackle, and Claire were over at Riley's apartment for a sleepover and a much needed girl's night.

"Yeah," Smackle nodded. "Something simple and sweet."

"What made you decide on a summer wedding?" Claire asked, tossing a potato chip into her mouth.

"It's probably the only time we can actually have a wedding and go on a honeymoon without worrying about school," Smackle said as she picked at her brownie.

"What's wrong?" Riley asked, noticing how off her engaged friend was.

"It's just that Farkle hasn't really wanted to talk about the wedding since we decided on a summer wedding," Smackle admitted. "I'm just scared that he is having second thoughts about getting married."

"I don't think so," Riley shook her head. "He seems so excited about getting married to you and being your husband."

"Maybe school is just occupying his mind and he needed this break to really start thinking about the wedding," Claire suggested.

"Farkle has been so in love with your forever. He wouldn't agree to marry you this summer and then completely change his mind. That's just not Farkle at all," Maya insisted.

"I don't know why I still get so insecure about our relationship. We're engaged and have been together forever. You would think I'd be confident in our relationship by now," Smackle sighed.

"Everyone always gets insecure," Riley promised. "You just have to trust Farkle and always remember that he loves you so much."

"And remember that you're going to make a gorgeous bride," Maya added.

"She's completely right," Claire nodded in agreement.

"You guys are the best," Smackle smiled at her three best girlfriends.

"Now let's put on facemask, take out some magazines and find out which celebrity we are totally meant to be with!" Riley exclaimed. The other three girls clapped in excitement and soon the room was filled with excited chatter and laughter.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"Are these good?" Zay asked, lifting the pancake and inspecting it. Everyone was gathered in Riley's kitchen the next morning and Riley had cooked them all breakfast.

"Of course they are good! Why wouldn't they be?" Riley asked, raising an eyebrow in question.

"I didn't think you could cook," Zay narrowed his eyes at the brunette.

"I'm learning how to!" Riley said.

"So we are your taste testers?" Farkle asked, looking at her skeptically.

"It's pancakes," Riley rolled her eyes. "How bad could I possibly mess them up?"

"One never knows," Maya said.

"Peaches!" Riley protested.

"Well I say we give them a try," Lucas encouraged.

"Of course you do. You're dating her," Smackle said.

"Smackle!" Riley exclaimed.

"She is right," Claire laughed.

"Are you going to try them or not?" Riley asked, placing her hands on her hips and raising an eyebrow.

"Wow," Josh widened his eyes.

"What?" Riley asked.

"You really looked like your mom just then," Josh said. Riley shot him a look and he laughed. "It's freaky how similar you two are."

"Just eat your pancakes!" Riley exclaimed. Everyone shared a laugh and then started to eat the pancakes. Riley waited eagerly and tried to gauge their faces for a reaction.

"They're actually really good," Claire was the first to say as she went for another pancake.

"They are," Zay nodded eagerly and continued to stuff his face with pancakes. Everyone else nodded in agreement and Riley smiled in satisfaction.

"Told you," Riley smirked. She sat down next to Lucas and looked around at her friends. Maya was trying to steal a piece of pancake off Josh's plate but he kept pushing her fork away. Zay and Claire looked like they were trying to see who could eat more pancakes the fastest. Smackle was whispering to Farkle and he was smiling wide. It looked like he was hanging on to every single word she was saying and he was looking at her with complete concentration and admiration.

"I never doubted your pancake making ability," Lucas whispered to his girlfriend.

"You have always had faith in me," Riley leaned into his side and stole a pancake from his plate. "My next goal is to make you a full dinner."

"I have complete confidence in you," Lucas insisted.

"Maybe you should wait until I cook it for you first," Riley teased.

"Food poisoning or not, I will still love you," Lucas promised.

"You're smooth Friar," Riley laughed. "I love you too for the record."

"You better," Lucas kissed the top of her head and she smiled at him.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"Lucas! What are you doing here?" Riley asked, getting out of bed and walking over to sit at the bay window with her boyfriend.

"I just wanted to say good night," Lucas shrugged.

"You could have called," Riley smiled because she secretly loved that he chose to come over and see her.

"I don't get many chances to come crawling through your bay window anymore. I had to take advantage of the opportunity," Lucas smirked.

"Like old times?" Riley asked.

"Just like old times," Lucas nodded. "But even better."

"Oh yeah?" Riley asked, a teasing eyebrow raised.

"Yeah," Lucas smiled. Riley stretched out her legs and rested them in his lap.

"Do you remember all the times we just sat here, talking about our future and how college was going to be for us?" Riley asked.

"And you were so sure that I was going to Fordham," Lucas laughed.

"How was I supposed to know?" Riley asked. "You gave me no indication that you were going to Yale with me!"

"It defeats the concept of a surprise," Lucas pointed out. Riley scooted closer, leaving her legs on his lap, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"My favorite surprise ever," Riley whispered.

"Are you having fun this weekend?" Lucas asked. Riley nodded and rested her head against his.

"I am having fun with our friends and we still have a whole day to go with them," Riley nodded. "I'm glad that I'm with you right now though."

"Yeah?" Lucas asked, a smile on his face.

"There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be," Riley insisted. Lucas answered her by leaning forward and kissing her. He pulled her closer and Riley kissed him back with all the love she felt for him. Four years of kisses and they still left her breathless. She would never get tired of kissing her boyfriend. He pulled back and smiled at her. She cuddled into his side and Lucas held his girlfriend close. Everything always felt better when they were together.