Chapter 7 - The Year is 2011
"So you told her Lucas and Zay had already left right?" Maya asked her boyfriend.
Josh nodded, "Yup. I even posted a fake photo of them leaving for the airport."
"See this is why I kept you around," Maya reached from across the table and took his hand. "This better work or else I am going to take this to the next level."
"Next level how?"
"I'm getting the authorities involved," Maya smirked.
"Okay babe let's relax now."
The two were out on a date at Topanga's devising a plan to make sure that Riley and Lucas are in the same city at the same time. Maya was fed up with fate-or as she believes,Riley-playing with Lucas and Riley's meeting. Lucas was in on the plan as well since he's been waiting for this day for forever.
"I bet you she's going to call me anytime soon saying she's coming back," Maya smiled proudly. She was not going to give up hope for Riley and Lucas. Riley always had hope for her and this time, it was time to give back. Just as she had predicted, Maya's phone rang. She checked the caller ID and it was Riley. "Oh would you look at that," Maya announced and Josh rolled her eyes. She tapped the 'ANSWER' button.
"Peaches! Guess what?," Riley's bubbly voice said.
"What?" Maya pretended not to be interested.
"I'll be going back there for a whole summer! I was able to figure things out with my internship and I won't need to start until mid August," Riley announced.
"Oh my god!" Maya screeched. "That's amazing Riles! When will you be coming? Josh and I can pick you up."
"Just you and Josh you say? My flight is tomorrow afternoon so I should be there around 6 pm," Riley responded.
"Yes sweetie," Maya smirked. "Just me and Josh. But I'll let your parents and Auggie know. They'll be so excited to see you!"
"No don't tell them! I want to surprise them this time."
"Okay Riles! Call me before you board your plane. Be safe!" Maya hung up the phone and started bouncing up and down on her seat.
"So what time are we picking her up tomorrow?" Josh laughed.
"She said around 6. I better call Lucas!"
"Wait, we can't take him with us when we're picking up Riley."
Maya raised her eyebrows, "I know that Joshua. I'm giving her a few days. And I think I just find a perfect way for them to meet."
Josh threw his head back, "Maya Penelope stop with your plans!"
She shook her head, "Nope. This is going to be amazing."
Tomorrow came around faster than expected. Josh and Maya were at the arrival gates waiting for Riley to come out of the double doors. Cory, Topanga and Auggie were at the movies per Maya's instructions. They would be arriving just in time as Riley would be back to their apartment.
"Oh here comes people!" Maya said excitedly.
A wave of people passed and the two were standing on their toes to search for Riley. A few moments have passed and the brunette they have been waiting for for almost half an hour walked through the double doors. Her hair was shorter now. She had gained some weight but all in the right places. But it was the same Riley Matthews who lugged around her purple carry on luggage. As soon as Riley saw her best friend and uncle, she ran straight for them and jumped into their arms.
"I missed you guys so much!" Riley cried out, letting both of them go. "I know I just saw you two for Spring Break but still!"
"We missed you too Riles," Josh laughed. He grabbed Riley's suitcase and motioned for the two girls to go ahead of him. "Let's go home."
The drive home was quick as Josh had the tendency to speed. It was already 7 o'clock pm. They passed by a Chinese restaurant to pick up food for dinner. Maya had called Topanga to asked where they were. It was perfect timing as they had just gotten out of the movies and they would be home just a few minutes later than Maya, Riley and Josh.
"So, everyone is out of town for the last summer before we graduate huh?" Riley asked. "Can you believe it? We're graduating!"
Maya knew exactly what Riley's question meant. Although to others it may seem like a normal question from an almost college senior, to Maya, she knew that her best friend was actually asking, So Lucas is out of town and I won't bump into him here right? Maya turned to look at her boyfriend and gave him a smirk, "Yes Riles, they're all out of town."
"Farkle is here though right? It was just Isadora that left?"
"Correct," Maya responded.
They were approaching the apartment and Josh parked on the side street. He unloaded Riley's luggage and turned to see the sight of the two girls that had already run off to go up to the apartment. He chuckled and shook his head, "No problem guys. I'll just carry this myself."
Maya opened the door to the Matthews' apartment and a brown puppy came running up to the girls. Riley crouched down and took the puppy in her arms. She looked at her best friend with a confused look.
"Oh yeah, your parents got a puppy."
"Well thanks for letting me know," Riley laughed. "What's its name?"
"Sprinkles. Your dad named him. I didn't ask any further questions," Josh announced barging through the door.
Riley gently placed Sprinkles on the floor, who then started to run around the apartment. "So where are my parents now?"
"They'll be here in about 45 seconds. I saw them just down the street," Josh claimed. Just as he said that, he heard the door know rattle. "Or now."
The door opened and Riley turned around to face her parents and brother, "Family! Surprise!" She yelled out.
"Riley!" Her family ran up to her and gave her a big squeeze.
Topanga broke away, "I thought you had your internship!"
"Yes I do but I don't have to start until mid-August!" Riley explained. "I would have to do some online readings and workshops but that's okay!"
"Oh honey this is such a wonderful surprise!" Cory kissed his daughter on the head. "Wait we don't have anything to eat!"
"No worries brother," Josh said. "We got take out."
"Let's go eat and catch up then!" Topanga announced leading her daughter towards the kitchen.
After dinner, the boys were plopped on the couch. The girls were in the kitchen washing the dishes, with Topanga on wash duty, Riley on dry duty and Maya on putting way the dishes duty.
"I cannot believe you guys bought a dog and didn't tell me!" Riley laughed. "I've been wanting one since forever!"
"Well, it got lonely around here." Topanga explained. "With Auggie in school all day and baseball practice in the afternoon, and your Uncle Josh in school and working part time, your dad and I felt it was too silent."
"I'm glad you finally gave in."
"Oh Riles, do you remember Lucas Friar?" Topanga asked her daughter, who froze and dropped the fork she was drying. "You okay honey?" Riley nodded. Maya smirked as she knows where this story was going. "Well, his father is a veterinarian. He transferred to a clinic here in New York last year so he could be closer to his son. He's Sprinkles' vet!"
"I'm sorry what?" Riley widened her eyes. How could this happen? Fate was telling her that they weren't meant to meet again. But then again, she tried so hard to avoid Lucas and she has succeeded for the past 3 years. But now, it seems like fate is bringing them together.
"Did you know Lucas wants to be a vet too? His family moved here but Lucas still goes back to Texas to visit is grandfather." Topanga continued and Riley breath a sigh of relief, confirming that Lucas did go back to Texas for the summer. "I took Sprinkles there one day and Lucas was there! He was asking about you. Oh what a sweet, handsome young man."
"WHO?" Cory yelled from the living room.
"Go back to your show," Topanga yelled back. "Anyways, his father was asking me about you! He remembered you back when you were in grammar school. How you would star in your school plays? I told him you were in Chicago. He said that if you were every back in New York, that I should tell him so you and Lucas can see each other again and maybe go out on a date!"
Maya burst out in laughter, which earned a towel smack from Riley. "This is just perfect."
"Ugh what a shame though since Lucas goes back to Texas every time you're back in the city!" Topanga furrowed her eyebrows. "Why is that?"
Riley faked a laugh, "Oh I don't know mom. What a big coincidence huh?"
"Yeah," Topanga responded. "Coincidence. Did he leave yet Maya?"
"Oh yes unfortunately," Maya shook her head and pouted. "Such a shame."
"You know what? I'm supposed to take Sprinkles back to the vet tomorrow," Topanga dried her hands off and walked over to her husband. "But I can't since I have to take your dad to the dentist. He still gets scared."
Cory's eyes widened, "He has a drill Topanga!"
"Yeah Matthews, he's going to drill up the roof of your mouth and into your brain." Maya laughed, causing panic in Cory's eyes.
"Maya!" Topanga warned. "Anyways, Riles I know you just got back but could you please take him to Dr. Friar tomorrow?"
"Why can't Auggie do it?" Riley whined. "He knows where it is right?"
"Sorry sis, I got baseball camp tomorrow."
"Uncle Josh?" Riley begged.
"Work."
Riley turned to her best friend, "Come with me?"
"Sure thing Riles," Maya patted her back. "I will be right here for you."
The next day, Maya and Riley took Sprinkles to the vet. It was just a few blocks away so the two of them decided to walk. Riley didn't want Maya to know but she was nervous. Although she knew that Lucas would not be there, she still felt nervous as she would be seeing his father. Not only that, Lucas' dad asked about her and basically trying to play cupid.
"Ready to meet your future father-in-law?" Maya smirked, nudging Riley on the side.
Riley glared at her best friend, "You are of no help."
"What?" Maya laughed. "You should be used to it. The whole me teasing you and Lucas together."
"Ugh I know that and I'm used to it," Riley sighed. "I just can't believe his father said that to my mom! It's like the universe is conniving against me."
"Oh you have no idea honey," Maya whispered to the side.
"What was that?"
"I said, you're just nervous."
"I am so not nervous!" Riley laughed, clearly nervous.
"Riles, your laugh is the most nervous sounding laugh I have ever heard."
FRIAR VETERINARY CLINIC. Riley read the sign above on the building that was to their right, "So here we are."
"Would you relax? It's just Mr. Friar. Not Lucas" Maya said.
"I am relaxed! Let's go! I'll show you just how relaxed I am!"
Riley scooped Sprinkles into her arms and walked up the steps towards the front door. She took a deep breath and opened the door. She walked inside and her body froze when she looked up at the front desk. Her heart started racing that she swore it was about to jump out of her chest. Maya, right behind her, started smiling so widely that her cheeks started hurting.
At that moment, Riley was too shocked that the only thing she could breathe out was, "Lucas, hello."
AT LAST! RILEY AND LUCAS FINALLY MEET. Only took a few years right?
Who's excited to see how this meeting will go down? Let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!
