Disclaimer: I do not own Girl Meets World but I wish I did.
Here is the first part of "Girl Meets Change" and this episode centers around Lucas after the gang takes a career aptitude test. We also begin to explore feelings, even feelings we didn't know were originally there. Here's the first part, so enjoy!
Maya stood in front of her locker that Monday morning as she held her text book close to her, looking at one sheet of paper and writing on another sheet of paper. Maya couldn't help but release a small smile as she continued jotting down her thoughts...or more accurately, copying Farkle's homework, but she sensed something was wrong when Riley entered school, looking around to make sure that she didn't see a specific person. Maya had to wonder what was bothering her friend, and that was when she decided to close her locker and walk over. She noticed that Riley was looking as if she was hiding something, but no one could get a secret past Maya Hart. She was just going to get it out of the person one way or another.
"Riley?" Maya simply questioned, but Riley put her hands in the air, Maya giving her friend a confused look.
"I haven't seen Lucas. If Lucas comes looking for me, tell him you haven't seen me! Tell him I went to New Orleans! New Orleans! Yeah, that's a good one..." Riley spoke in a rushed voice, which gave Maya the impression something was wrong.
"Okay, um...why would you want me to tell Lucas that you're in New Orleans?" Maya asked.
"Well for starters, they make really good gumbo there and it's where all the great food is." Riley gave her normal smile before she pursed her lips. "But if Lucas thinks I'm out of the state, then...he can't find me!"
"Riley, what is going on?" Maya asked. "What's going on with you and Lucas that you're so scared of?"
"I can't speak of it. I promised myself I wouldn't..." Riley spoke in a determined tone, but Maya simply held out her hand and showed Riley the ring on her finger.
"Friendship ring." Maya responded, Riley letting out a groan. She released a sigh before nodding her head, leaning against the locker and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Remember when I tried on makeup and I was in that terrible, terrible situation where it wouldn't come off and I looked like a clown?" Riley started to ask with Maya nodding her head in response. "Well...Lucas and I were talking in my bedroom afterwards and...he kissed me." Maya's eyes widened while Riley covered her eyes with her hands, Maya shaking her head and letting out a chuckle.
"You...you kissed Ranger Rick?" Maya was amused, but Riley was mostly embarrassed. "Wow...what was it like?"
"His lips felt like soft velvety pillows, like the ones that you find at Ikea. They're also the type of pillows you try to smuggle out of the store under your shirt with hopes no one notices you." Riley responded. "It's just ever since then, I've felt incredibly confused about my feelings for him."
"All right, I'll help you here..." Maya said before walking over towards Riley. "You can't date him."
"I can't?" Riley pondered. "Why not?"
"Because...you're still young and Lucas is still young and...you two dating would only break apart the friendship circle we have. If you and Lucas dated and then broke off your relationship, things would get extremely awkward." Maya told her. "You both aren't emotionally ready for the consequences of a relationship. And yes, the kiss was nice...but something tells me you were only kissing him because he listened to your problems."
"He told me I was beautiful though..." Riley said above a whisper, Maya placing a hand on Riley's shoulder.
"And you are beautiful, Riley." Maya answered. "Lucas wasn't wrong about that. But Lucas was only telling you that as his friend. I don't think he's expecting a relationship out of the words he tells you."
"Farkle's our friend and he never calls anyone beautiful...except for his science projects." Riley brought that up as Maya nodded her head.
"Farkle is...well...he's Farkle." That was the only answer Maya could come up with before she became serious again. "Riley, I'm telling you this as your best friend in the entire world...I think you and Lucas should just stay friends. You don't want to venture someplace where you both could eventually get hurt." Riley knew better than to disagree with Maya, so she simply nodded her head and put an arm around Maya's shoulder.
"You're right." Riley cleared her throat. "It was just a kiss and it's better Lucas and I stay friends..." Maya patted Riley on the shoulder and the two of them made it to their history class, where Riley noticed Lucas was looking up from his book to glance at her. The two of them felt their cheeks turn red, while Riley took her seat in the front of the classroom, but Maya clasped her hands together while slowly walking in Lucas's direction.
"Good morning, Maya." Lucas gave a polite smile, but when Maya gave a devilish grin, Lucas's face turned serious. "Oh no..."
"I could just say 'Good Morning, Lucas! Today is such a wonderful day!' But I think I have a better idea..." Maya cleared her throat as Lucas sat in his chair, glancing at Riley who was staring over at Maya with interest. Maya got into Lucas's face, him gripping onto the desk and his eyes widening. After a moment of silence, Maya and Lucas's foreheads were touching and Maya gave a haughty smirk. "HURR HURR, THERE!" Lucas cringed as Maya finally got out of his face, going into her seat and sitting down.
"If I wasn't awake before, I'm really awake now." Lucas shivered as Farkle and Cory entered the room, Farkle glancing at the board and seeing the words 'Career Aptitude Test'. Farkle's eyes widened and he went to his chair, immediately raising his hand as Cory put his binder down. Cory questioned whether he should encourage Farkle's odd behavior over the words on the board, but then he figured Farkle was just being...Farkle.
"Mr. Matthews! Mr. Matthews! Mr. Matthews!" Farkle kept raising his hand while Cory nodded his head and pointed at him.
"Yes, Mr. Minkus, Mr. Minkus, Mr, Minkus." Cory said, Farkle getting out of his chair and pointing to the board.
"I must be dreaming but i think there's something on the board that says 'Career Aptitude Test'." Farkle let out a nervous chuckle as Cory looked back at the board.
"It does say Career Aptitude Test?" Cory said, with Farkle immediately hugging himself as a coping mechanism. "That's right, today you're all going to take a career aptitude test."
"How are we supposed to take a test that we haven't studied for?!" Farkle panicked. "It's unethical, it's unheard of! It's insane, Matthews! Insane!" Farkle went over to Cory and grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him closer as Cory motioned for Farkle to take his seat. "Okay." Farkle walked over to his chair and sat behind Riley, everyone glancing at Cory with interest.
"Can anyone actually explain to me what a Career Aptitude test is?" Cory asked. Lucas raised his hand as Cory nodded his head, pointing to Lucas with hope he'd give an answer.
"It's a test that tells us what jobs we're most suited for in the real world." Lucas answered, Cory nodding his head at him.
"That's right, and today we're going to take a test to see what career you'd be destined for." Cory went to grab papers and placed one on each desk, but Farkle still seemed a little out of it. "Farkle...don't worry...this won't count for your grade."
"I still think you should be able to study for a test..." Farkle muttered as he grabbed the sheet of paper and started writing on it. Riley took one look at Lucas before staring down at her sheet of paper, writing her answers and trying to get rid of the idea of where her relationship with Lucas actually stood.
Topanga sat at the kitchen table that afternoon as she glanced at case files from her job. Being a lawyer was challenging, but it was also rewarding for her. She was able to make a difference in the community, and there was nothing that made her life more fulfilling. Well...there was being Riley and Auggie's mother, as well as Cory's wife when Cory wasn't busy being 'married' to his best friend Shawn Hunter. She heard a knock on the door which caused her to look up from her papers. She put them down as she went to get the door, her eyes widening when she noticed Shawn was on the other side. Topanga crossed her arms with an amused smirk, while Shawn continued to stare back at her.
"Topanga!' Shawn held his arms out, Topanga eventually relenting and hugging him.
"Shawn, how's it going?" Topanga chuckled, letting him in the house as Shawn made his way to the kitchen, opening the fridge and getting stuff to make a sandwich. "Come on in. Make yourself at home...and make yourself a sandwich." Topanga sardonically added.
"Sorry, but when I'm nervous, I'm usually hungry." Shawn explained, taking a bite out of the sandwich.
"Okay, what exactly are you nervous about?" Topanga wondered, Shawn looking around the house to make sure that no one was going to enter. "Shawn is everything okay?"
"Yeah, it's just that...I got Cory a surprise." Shawn whispered dramatically, Topanga leaning closer to him with interest.
"You got your luvah a surprise?" Topanga jested, Shawn putting his hand up.
"Hey, hey, hey. Cory is not my luvah." Shawn mocked Topanga's tone with the last part of his sentence before his face became curious. "I just have a close-knit bond with the guy, that's all. And sometimes I picture what a T.V. show would be like starring Cory and me where no one talked but us." Shawn stared out into space for a moment as he thought about what a T.V. show of him and Cory would be like, before his eyes went back to Topanga and he remembered what he was here for. "But honestly, I got him a surprise because I wasn't around for his birthday last month. I'm going to plan Cory a surprise party, and I think he's going to love it. I just need you to do me a favor and not tell Cory about it."
"Oh boy..." Topanga cleared her throat, going towards the couch. "Shawn, that's going to be really hard for me. I don't think I've lied to Cory about anything since we got married. Well, there was the one time where I told him I liked his tie when in reality I think it's the ugliest thing in the world. In fact, I think I told that lie this morning." It was Topanga's turn to stare into space before shaking her head, glancing back at Shawn who was giving her an amused look. "But the point is, I can't lie to Cory."
"Topanga, Topanga Topanga...I can tell you from experience that what you're doing is not lying." Shawn scoffed. "It's called keeping a secret."
"It's lying!" Topanga pointed a finger while hissing at him. "It's lying and it's against everything I stand for! I'm a lawyer for crying out loud."
"Lawyers lie. All the time in court." Shawn said, Topanga releasing a sigh. "Topanga, I just need you to keep it a secret until Saturday. That's all I ask." Topanaga seemed unsure before she cleared her throat.
"Until Saturday?" Topanga wondered, Shawn nodding his head. "All right...I think I can do that..."
"Thank you." Shawn sounded relieved. "I really owe you won."
"Well...anything for your luvah!" Topanga teased again before going back to her folder. She thought for a few minutes as her eyes widened, her glancing over at Shawn again and giving him a meek smile. Topanga had a hard time keeping anything from Cory, so this was gonna be a tough week for her. "Are you sure he's going to not notice my squirrely attitude? I mean, nothing gets by him." As if on cue, Cory entered the house and walked past Shawn, heading towards Topanga with a worried expression on his face.
"Topanga, you told me my tie was awesome this morning. Instead I was laughed at by the school crossing guard, the principal...and Farkle when he finally finished freaking out over a test he couldn't study for." Cory said, Shawn giving Topanga a smirk while crossing his arms.
"Yeah, you're right Topanga. Nothing gets by him." Shawn teased, but Cory turned around and hushed his best friend, still oblivious to the fact Shawn was there.
"Shawn, I'm having an important conversation with my wife about a tie here." Cory said before turning back to Topanga, noticing she was raising an eyebrow towards him. After a few moments he used his thumb to point behind him, Topanga giving her husband a smile. "Topanga? Shawn's right behind me, isn't he?"
"Yes, Cory. Yes he is. Go...go to your luvah..." Topanga couldn't help but laugh at the end of her sentence before heading back to do some work. Cory turned around and widened his arms, Shawn giving his best friend a smile.
"Shawny!" Cory exclaimed, going into Shawn's arms.
"Cory!" Shawn reciprocated, Topanga shaking her head and looking back at her folder. she didn't know how she came second to Shawn, but she got used to it. Cory and Shawn were always going to have a tight knit friendship, and maybe the fact Cory and Shawn had each other this week would help Topanga keep the surprise party a surprise. She just hoped she didn't blow it.
The next morning, Riley walked into the history classroom as she held her books close to her, jotting some things down from her math class and remembering that she had a science project due the next week. She also had to remember that the homecoming dance was at the end of the semester and she signed herself up to help with decorations. For a freshman in High School, Riley was really embracing being apart of the school community and she felt like she found her place in the world. As soon as she looked up from her sheet of paper, she noticed Lucas sitting in his chair, and Riley noticed they were the only two people in the classroom.
"Well..." Riley sheepishly said, with Lucas staring back at her. "This...isn't awkward at all." The problem was it was awkward...and Riley was sure that she should take Maya's advice and not risk jeopardizing her and Lucas's friendship. "Hi...Lucas."
"Hello, Riley." Lucas smiled, but Riley figured Lucas was trying to pretend the kiss between them never happened. "How are you today?"
"How are you doing that?" Riley wondered, her walking towards his desk and sitting in the seat across from him. "How are you just pretending that everything is normal when it's not? It's not normal, I tell you. It's just not!" Lucas innocently blinked at Riley before leaning back in his chair, wondering what exactly he should tell her.
"Everything is normal, Riley." Lucas said. "I mean, why would there be a reason that nothing is normal?"
"Because we kissed, remember?" Riley asked, Lucas furrowing his eyebrows. "It was kind of a heat of the moment thing and we just kissed. And now I'm conflicted and I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean you're conflicted?" Lucas asked, Riley running a hand through her hair. "It was a kiss between two people who like each other. What's so conflicting about a kiss between two people that like each other?"
"I don't know, I..." Riley didn't get a chance to finish her sentence when Farkle and Maya entered the room, Riley leaning back in her chair and letting out a sigh. "Don't think this conversation isn't over."
"I wouldn't have dreamed it any other way." Lucas gave a smile as Maya walked towards Lucas's desk, ruffling his hair and going to her desk. "Maya...do you know how long it takes for me to do my hair?"
"Were you going for the Justin Bieber look because you're like ten years from that actually happening." Maya teased, but she noticed Riley was sitting next to Lucas, placing her hands on her hips. "Okay, what are you doing sitting there? You're supposed to be up here...with me. Not with Ranger Rick, okay?" Riley nodded her head and went to her original seat, Lucas staring at Maya sadly. He wanted Riley to sit with him so they could talk about the kiss, but none of that talk was going to happen once Cory came into the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen..." Cory held the stack of papers before placing it on his desk. "Let's start this class off with a question. What job do you see yourself having in ten years?"
"Bunny farmer." Riley blurted out.
"Dictator." Farkle added.
"Engineer." Lucas raised his hand after Farkle's response.
"Making bumpers in prison after I egg your car following graduation?" Maya smirked before she cleared her throat at Cory's unamused face expression. "The answers were supposed to be serious?"
"Yes...yes they were." Cory slapped his hand on his forehead before his gaze went to his daughter. "And being a bunny farmer isn't a real job, honey."
"Then don't go in my room." Riley's eyes widened, Cory ignoring that for a moment and writing the jobs everyone listed on the board.
"Yesterday, I asked you all to take career aptitude tests, so you can see where you find yourselves in ten years. Today, I have the results." Cory gave half of the papers to Maya and the other half to Riley, instructing them to hand out the test results. "After you get your results, share it amongst your friends. The answers may surprise you." As soon as Riley and Maya handed out the test results, the two of them went to their seats and stared at what their careers would be according to the test. Maya raised an eyebrow while Farkle furrowed his, but Riley seemed rather pleased with her results.
"Veterinarian. I'm going to care for lots of baby bunnies!" Riley giggled, Maya staring over at her with a smile.
"Yeah, you were always a bubbly little nugget, weren't you?" Maya asked, staring at her sheet of paper again. "I'm supposed to be a...a world leader."
"A world leader?" Farkle sounded outraged, but Riley had to wonder why Farkle sounded upset. "That's preposterous!"
"What did you get?" Maya asked.
"A scientist." Farkle seethed, but Maya didn't see the issue with Farkle's answer. "I wanted to rule the world, and I can't rule the world if I'm stuck in the lab all day!"
"I didn't ask to be a world leader." Maya responded, but she stared over at Lucas, seeing he was extremely quiet. "What did you get Ranger Rick? You're the only one who didn't share." Lucas stared at his friends before running a hand through his hair, Riley immediately becoming concerned.
"Um, Mr. Matthews?" Lucas asked, completely ignoring Maya's question. "Can I be excused for a moment?" Cory didn't know what was wrong with Lucas, but he nodded his head, motioning towards the door and Lucas getting out of his seat in a hurry. He left the classroom while Maya stared at the test results in front of her, prompting her to grab it and stare at what Lucas had got on his test.
"Maya, what are you doing?" Riley questioned. "Lucas, obviously was upset with his career..., and you're not letting him tell you like a real friend would."
"Riley..." Maya's face became serious, with her, Farkle and now Riley becoming curious. "There's no career here on Lucas's sheet of paper. The result was N/A, not applicable."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Riley wondered.
"It means Lucas pretty much isn't destined for anything." Maya answered, with Riley feeling saddened. Riley had never seen Lucas so bummed out about anything...and this was the first time she had really seen Lucas in a vulnerable state. She wondered if everything was going to be okay with him, and she was determined to find out.
"Daddy?" Riley raised her hand, Cory staring at her with interest. "May I be excused?"
"Where you going?" Cory couldn't help but ask, Riley standing up from her seat.
"I know what's bothering Lucas." Riley answered. "May I?" Cory hesitated for a moment before nodding his head, Riley going past him and heading towards the atrium where she saw Lucas sitting on the stairs with an upset expression on his face. "Lucas?" Lucas looked up and saw Riley staring back at him, but he wasn't interested in being told that he wasn't good enough. Instead, he got up from the stairs and started walking up them, away from Riley.
"Riley, I don't really feel like talking right now." Lucas huffed, him letting his anger get the best of him with him eventually kicking the wall next to the stairs. He took a couple of deep breaths, but it was evident that there were tears in his eyes. That test basically told him he was a nobody...and he wasn't ever going to find a career that was right for him.
"Lucas...you know that test isn't accurate." Riley tried to reason, walking up the stairs and seeing he was sitting down, rubbing his temples and glancing away from her. "You can't take what that test says to heart."
"I can't take the test to heart, you say? Let me ask you something; what did you get on that test?" Lucas questioned, but his voice was gruff. Riley was taken aback by his question for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"It told me I was going to be a veterinarian...and Farkle was going to be a scientist...and Maya was going to be a world leader." Riley said, but Lucas sniffled, keeping his eyes away from Riley and putting his hand on his forehead.
"See? If that test told said Maya was going to be a world leader and that Farkle was going to be a scientist and that you were going to be a vet...then what I got must be true..." Lucas got up from the stairs, as Riley gave him a saddened look. "Riley...let's face it...I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough for this school...I'm not good enough for myself...and I'm not good enough for you." Riley innocently blinked at the last part before Lucas started walking away, Riley turning around and noticing he was out of her sight.
"Lucas!" Riley started to go after him, but then just stopped. She figured Lucas wasn't going to listen to her right now, especially since he was vulnerable right now. All she could do was make her trudge back to the classroom, and tell Maya and Farkle everything Lucas had told her.
"Wait, so let me get this straight." Maya said as she, Farkle and Riley sat by the bay window that afternoon in Riley's room. Riley had told them everything Lucas said to her after their conversation in the hallway, and Riley knew she needed her trusted best friends to be with her during this trying situation. "Lucas thinks he's not good enough for anyone or anything because of that career test? That's stupid. He's one of the smartest guys I know. Why would he take what a stupid test says to heart?"
"Maybe he's taking it to heart because it's what someone told him?" Farkle suggested. "When someone tells you something about you, even if it isn't true, you start believing it, because it's how you think the world perceives you."
"But I don't see him that way." Riley shook her head. "And neither do you guys. He's kind and compassionate and sweet...and we need to figure out a way to get through Lucas that he is special and he's worth anyone's time."
"Even yours?" Farkle wondered, Riley staring at Farkle while her cheeks turned red. "He likes you, you like him. It's not a secret."
"We're not talking about me and Lucas." Riley said. "We're talking about how he thinks the test he took was right. It's only going to be right if he lets it...and he needs to see the truth about himself." As if on cue, Topanga entered the room to spot the three friends sitting by the bay window, but they couldn't help but notice that Topanga looked extremely fidgety.
"Truth? What truth? I'm telling the truth! There's lots of truth in this house because Cory knows everything that goes on! What could he not know the truth about/" Topanga let out a nervous chuckle before walking out of the room, Maya and Farkle giving Riley a muddled look.
"Uncle Shawn is throwing my dad a late surprise birthday party and I'm guessing my mom has to keep it from him." Riley answered, Farkle and Maya nodding their heads in understanding. "The point is, Lucas is a wonderful person..., and we need to tell him that. Tomorrow at school, we're going to make it a point to let Lucas know that we're his friends and we're going to stick by him no matter what that stupid test says."
"Great idea." Farkle agreed, although Maya still appeared confused.
"What kind of cake is going to be at that party?" Maya questioned, Riley putting a hand on Maya's shoulder and giving her a smile.
"I was told there might be chocolate." Riley saw Maya's face light up, pointing a finger at Riley with excitement.
"I do love chocolate." Maya admitted, with Farkle agreeing to the same thing. Riley knew that Lucas was going to be his loveable self in the morning, because he had friends that believed in him no matter what. She just hoped he knew that.
The next morning, Riley, Maya and Farkle got to school early, just so they could catch Lucas and give him an intervention. They weren't going to let their friend mope around and believe in a sheet of paper. Not on their watch.
"Okay, so does everyone know what they have to do?" Riley questioned, Maya and Farkle nodding their heads in unison. "We grab Lucas, bring him to the history room and tell him that he's destined for great things."
"And if that doesn't work, can we go get some chocolate cake?" Maya asked, Farkle and Riley giving her a perplexed look. "What? Interventions make me hangry...it means hungry and angry at the same time..." Riley and Farkle heard the doors to the school open, with Riley's eyes locking with Farkle.
"Is that Lucas behind us?" Riley wondered, but as Farkle eyed the person behind them, his face softened and even turned dejected. "Farkle?"
"You might want to turn around to see this..." Farkle said, Riley and Maya turning around and noticing Lucas was wearing a black leather jacket with a skull t-shirt underneath. What happened to Lucas over night? It was as if he was a new person...
"Riley?" Maya whispered, with Riley staring over at Maya for a split second.
"Yes, Maya?" Riley responded.
"What the what happened to 'Lucas The Good'?" Maya questioned, although Riley wasn't sure of that answer. She wished she knew what happened to him.
"I'm not exactly sure..." Riley walked over to Lucas as he stared at her, but he wasn't smiling. Instead, his face was firm and he was taking out a stick of cinnamon gum. Riley's eyes bulged open as she stared at the 'No Gum' sign above Lucas's head. Lucas was going to break a school rule? "Lucas...you're not supposed to be chewing gum in the atrium. You can get caught and sent to detention for that." Instead of listening to Riley, Lucas unwrapped the gum and popped it in his mouth, Riley turning towards Maya and Farkle and pointing towards their friend.
"He's eating gum in the atrium!" Riley dramatically whispered to them. "He's being a very bad boy!"
"That's right...I changed myself and I kind of like it..." Lucas said, but he didn't sound like Lucas. Instead, he sounded like he had an Italian accent.
"All right. Lucas...what's with the clothes change?" Farkle couldn't help but wonder.
"And why do you sound like you're from a knockoff of The Real Housewives of New Jersey?" Maya added. Lucas gave them a glare before his eyes went to Riley, keeping the same emotionless expression he gave Maya and Farkle.
"Because this is who I am now. The old Lucas is gone...and the new Lucas is here to stay" Lucas declared, moving Riley to the side before heading to the bathroom. "Now if you'll excuse me...bad boy Lucas is gonna cut class...and there's nothing you guys can do about it." Lucas walked away as Riley stood there brokenhearted. This wasn't the Lucas she liked...if anything, she wasn't liking this Lucas at all. Farkle walked over and put an arm around Riley's shoulder, Riley leaning her head on Farkle's shoulder and trying her hardest not to cry. Maya glanced towards the bathroom before staring at her friends, using her thumb to point in the direction Lucas previously went to.
"Am I the only one that sort of likes 'Bad Boy Lucas'?" Maya questioned while getting a stern look from Farkle. "Yeah, I'm the only...okay." Maya sheepishly looked away as Farkle looked down at Riley, with Riley sadly staring out into the atrium and wondering why Lucas had changed so much. This wasn't the Lucas that Riley fell in love with. This wasn't Lucas at all.