Perfectly Imperfect

2 days later

Philadelphia

"Riley?"

"Yes, Aunt Morgan?"

"I'm heading out for a few appointments. Call me if you need anything."

"I will"

"See you later. Love you pretty girl!"

"Love you too Aunt Morgan!"

Riley is sitting on the couch attempting to read a book. Nothing has held her attention for more than a few minutes. Not reading, watching TV, video games, nothing. She knows that it's time she really takes a long hard look at herself. She has put it off long enough. She wants to be home and more importantly; she wants to stop hurting.

Her thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the front door. She rises from the couch and heads for the door. It's probably just a delivery she thinks to herself as she opens the door.

"Good Afternoon, Miss Matthews"

"Good Afternoon, Mr. Feeny. Please come in."

"Thank you. I'm sure you are wondering why I am here. Your father asked me to check in on you. He was afraid that you are not doing as well as he is being led to believe." Feeny explains as he sits down across from Riley.

She chuckles "That sounds like my dad. I'm still struggling but I am better than when I arrived."

"Miss Matthews, I have known your father and mother a very long time. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. I've been told that I am a very good listener." He offers with a soft smile in her direction.

"Thank you sir but you would probably find my situation silly…"

"Why would you think that? You don't strike me as the type of young woman to run from silly problems. This tells me that no matter what anyone else thinks, this situation is far from silly for you. You may find it easier to discuss this with me as I don't know any of the other parties involved."

Riley opens her mouth to thank him again for his offer but before she can, she finds herself telling him all about it.

She tells him about both situations with bullies, about trying to be all things to all people, she even touches on the "brother" fiasco in Middle School. She was able to retain her composure until she started to talk about Lucas.

During her disclosure, Feeny switches seats so he is sitting next to her. At one point, he grabs her hand and pats it consolingly. During her breakdown when discussing Lucas, he gathers her in his arms like a grandfather would and hugs her until she calms down. It only takes a minute for Riley to gather herself.

"Guess I needed to talk about it even more than I thought." Riley murmurs quietly.

"It's quite alright Miss Matthews, Riley. That's why your father asked me to check in on you. He felt that you might need a new ear. Are you feeling a little better now?"

"A little bit. Now that you know everything, do you think I'm being silly and overreacting?"

"Riley, you are far from being silly and you are not overreacting, besides who am I to decide how you should react to situations that concern you? We all handle things differently, that's one of the things that make us unique. I would like to ask you a few questions if that's permissible?"

"Of course sir."

"I want you to do something for me…Let's reimagine the bully situation, instead of everything happening to you, imagine it happened to Miss. Hart. What would you say to her?"

"I would tell her that the people who truly care about her know that what the bully is saying is wrong. That she needs to listen to her friends and family. That just because the bully says it, doesn't mean it's true. People often throw rocks at the things that shine."

"Perfect answer Riley. Let me ask you this, why do you let everyone's opinions matter when you would preach the opposite to your friend? You know what the bully said is a reflection of them, not a statement about you."

Riley is quiet, she's not sure why so she doesn't answer.

"Now, why do you think you need to be the perfect daughter, sister, student and friend?"

"Mr. Feeny, you know my parents. How could I not be? I am the daughter of the most epic duo. I hear the stories they tell, the ones that everyone else tells. How else am I supposed to live up to them?"

"Riley, do you think your parents would love you less if you weren't perfect? You have only heard the good stories. There were tears, fights and struggles. Anyone who tells you they never fight with their significant other is stretching the truth. Your parents weren't perfect then and they certainly aren't perfect now. Perfection does not exist in human form. It is a fallacy. I'm certain if she had been asked, even Mother Teresa would have said she was not perfect. Your parents and friends love you for you. Always trying your best, always treating others with respect, doing good… these are more important than any made up "status". You need to look yourself in the mirror every day and ask yourself if you tried your best. Did you try to be the best daughter, sister, student and friend you could possibly be? On the days the answer is no, forgive yourself and do better the next day. Riley, in your search for "perfection" you have done yourself a grave disservice, you lost something vitally important."

"What did I lose?"

"Yourself. You have put everyone's needs before yours. You are just as important as everyone else. You have spent so much time and energy on everyone else, there is nothing left for you. You need to stop treating yourself as an afterthought. You need to put yourself on the top of your priority list. Now on to the subject of Mr. Friar. During your re-telling of the situation, not once did you mention that HE said the things you heard/saw. You have only shared assumptions. Has he ever told you that you weren't good enough for him? I'm sure he hasn't. Do you think you would have fallen in love with someone who could intentionally hurt you like that?"

Riley shakes her head no, her mind and heart are racing.

"If you love Lucas, flaws and all, why can't you accept that he loves you the same way? Consider everything that he has gone through with your dad. Young men these days do not seek parental permission before asking someone on a date. Your father has told me, on more than one occasion that young Mr. Friar is a respectful young man, that he has accepted Lucas' place in your life and he knows that you are in good hands when you are with him. Riley, you need to have more faith in yourself and the people that are important to you. Considering everything we just discussed, do you honestly think HE had anything negative to say?"

"No, I don't think he did. You are right, Mr. Feeny. Lucas would never intentionally hurt me. He has never once indicated that I wasn't everything he wanted."

"I didn't think so. Now, you need to stop trying to recreate the "epic" story of Cory and Topanga and create your own epic story. The story of Miss Matthews and Mr. Friar. I venture to guess; that one day you will realize that your story is as "epic" as theirs." Mr. Feeny rises to his feet and prepares to leave.

"Thank you Mr. Feeny. Thank you for taking the time to make me realize how important I need to be, to myself. For making me see things through another set of eyes." Riley reaches up and gives him the biggest hug she can.

Riley escorts him to the door

"Riley, please consider everything we discussed today. Then please consider going home. Your life is there. I'm sure your family and friends are anxiously awaiting your return."

"I will Mr. Feeny"

"One final thing before I go… Rucas?" Mr. Feeny questions with a knowing smile

"Yes?" She is taken aback when she hears that name.

"I ship it" He winks at her as he opens the door. Riley shakes her head in wonder. Her parents were right; he is an amazing person.

Standing on the front step about to knock is Lucas.

"Ahh, young Mr. Friar I presume?"

"Yes sir. I am Lucas Friar" Lucas offers his hand in greeting.

"Now I understand why her dad was so nervous about you." Mr. Feeny grins as he shakes his hand.

"Until we see each other again, Miss Matthews & Mr. Friar, continue to write your story." Mr. Feeny steps out of the house and slowly makes his way to his car.

After being certain that Mr. Feeny has made it to his car safely, Riley turns to look at Lucas. He is standing there, just staring at her.

"Lucas?" Riley questions in an effort to bring him back to the present.

"Yeah Riles?" He is still staring at her. He is certain that she can hear his heart pounding where she stands. He realizes that the knot in his stomach is gone. He feels himself relaxing now that he has seen her. He is afraid to make a move, lest he be rejected. He has no idea where they stand

"Lucas?" She questions again.

This time, he drags himself back to the present and when he focuses on her, she opens her arms.

He closes the short distance between them and gathers her in his arms.

"I've missed you Lucas."

"Me too. Riley about what happ…" Lucas starts to say but Riley puts her hand over his mouth to silence him.

"I love you Lucas. We have a lot to discuss but for right now, will you just hold me?"

"Don't you know that I would do anything for you Princess?" He picks her up and carries her to the couch. He sits down on the cushion, still holding her in his arms. She shifts a little to get comfortable.

"Riles?" Lucas asks quietly.

"Lucas?" comes the quiet reply.

"I love you too." He tells her as he leans down and gives her a soft kiss.

"I'm glad. We will talk everything through later. Is that OK?"

"That is absolutely OK." Riley looks at him with her trademark grin and her eyes are sparkling with happiness. For the first time in what feels like forever, he feels like he is whole again.

A/N: I struggled a little bit with this chapter. Mr. Feeny is a daunting figure to write. I hope I have portrayed him well.