Episode 9 - Girl Meets the Problem with Dating


Maya learned in the seventh grade that Mr. Matthews worried the most about Riley dating Lucas, to the point where he had given her a cell phone just so she could send him messages about what the two of them were doing. He hadn't outright said it, but it was implied and she knew it. So every once and a while she'd send him a message, this is what going on… this is what they're talking about… don't worry too much.

Riley didn't know about this, it was the one thing that she had never told her best friend for life about because in the end Maya wanted someone to worry about her like that. Maya got her wish when her mother married Shawn, he worried and showed her that her mother worried as well. So when Riley took care of Maya's problems she didn't worry too much about it because it was Riley's way of helping her. So of course sending messages to Mr. Matthews was Maya's way of helping Riley.

Except she hadn't expected to keep doing it until the last year of high school, and she hadn't expected Josh to start helping her with it.

"I know my brother worries, it has a lot to do with Riley being born so close to when I was born, and how she was born right after September 11th, he worries too much," Josh said while they sat at a café not too far from the park that Riley and Lucas were having a picnic.

"What happened when you were born?" she asked not knowing the whole story and being curious about the guy she'd known almost all of her life, the one who she was falling deeply in love with.

"Well I almost died," he said with a sad look on his face that made her heart break just a little bit. "There were complications, and I was born premature… I'm amazed Shawn hasn't told you because he was there. He's a part of my family, him and his brother both, and in a way I'm the baby brother he never got to have even if we're not blood related and now he gives me the same look Cory gives Lucas."

Maya took him in her arms and hugged him tight, she realized at that moment that there could have been a million ways everything could have been different in their lives, but she was happy for the moment she had met Josh Matthews.

"You know I was under the impression that you were some hardcore bad girl, but I have a feeling that the older you get all there was… well it was just an act in a way."

"You're not allowed to tell anyone or I'll kick your ass," she said smiling.

Josh laughed before pulling away, "We're on recon today, but who said that this can't be a date," he smiled at her. "So if they notice us they'll just think it's a coincidence."

"That sounds like a plan," she said as the both went back to watching the couple across the street on a fall picnic. "You know I don't understand how they can have a picnic in November, it's cold out here."

"Well you know Riley she loves to do all kinds of things, plus if I had to think about it from Lucas's side in all of this well it just means more time to cuddle, I mean look at them," he said nodding his head towards the couple.

Maya watched as Riley snuggled up to Lucas's side and he put his arm around her, while all around them leaves fell in orange and red.

"They started dating in the fall, it could be why it's so special to them," Maya said smiling.

Josh took her hand in his and gently squeezed it, bringing her back to where she sat, she could have that, she could have it with Josh. Simple moments was all it took to make it real, and she hadn't even noticed how they were slowly making their way through her life.

"We started dating towards the end of winter so maybe we can do something then," he said pulling her hand towards his lips for a quick kiss. "Normal couple stuff."

"I'll be eighteen next year, so it wouldn't be so awkward for you to date me either," she said jokingly. "You know with that whole three years thing."

Josh laughed at her. "I know that I'm never going to live that down, seriously. But I also know that if that's what you want to remember when we have a fight in the future, for now though can we let it go."

"For now, but next big fight we have I'm going to bring it up and then laugh in your face."

"That's fine by me," he said as he leaned in to kiss her.

It was a quick peck on the lips, but the two of them had been so wrapped up in one another that they hadn't realized that Riley and Lucas had moved on from their spot. When Maya finally noticed she didn't know what to think about how they had gotten away.

"Don't worry too much, they're allowed to be alone," Josh said smiling.

"No they aren't, her father makes most of us watch them to make sure nothing happens, especially when they're supposed to be 'alone'," she said using air quotes with her fingers.

"Well maybe it's time that my brother learns to let go, I mean she's applying for colleges and you're all going to be gone next year, for all we know they could both end up in Texas, or Philly, or Canada."

Maya groaned before looking back at Josh. "This was not my fault, whatever he asks just say you distracted me because I'm not in the mood to deal with the wrath of your brother."

Josh laughed as he pulled her up, "Come on let's go on a real date."

"Are you sure they didn't see us?" Riley said as Lucas pulled her down the street. They had seen Maya and Josh hiding inside of the Starbucks across the street from the park when they decided to eat their lunch in the park.


Dates have never been easy for the two of them, mainly because Riley was almost certain that they were always being followed. The only time they had been left alone was for her sixteenth birthday and that was because they had planned a surprise party for her. Other than that day Riley would see Maya with Josh, or one of them, sometimes Zay, who brought Cassie with him when they started dating. Farkle and Smackle followed them sometimes but Riley was almost certain that they had done it so that they could understand normal couples. To Riley nothing about being followed was normal, nothing about her entire relationship with Lucas had been normal.

"Don't worry Riley, they didn't see us, now let go to the movies, and watch something until it's time to have dinner," he said pulling her away.

"I feel bad for them because my dad is going to freak but," she said as she pulled him closer to her and leaned against his arm. "I just want one date where we're not surrounded by people."

"Okay, so movie, then Dave and Busters then home," he said as they walked from Union Square Park all the way to Times Square. It was a long walk but they held hands the whole time and it made Riley smile.

She had wanted normal, but she couldn't help but worry what would happen the moment her father realized what had happened. She turned off her phone and just decided to live in the moment for once. When she had decided on turning her phone off Lucas had smiled before turning off his. This day was just for them and no one else.

The theater was empty when they had walked in so they picked seats in one of the corners near the exit, because as happy as she could be about being alone with Lucas, the seat also gave her the advantage if anyone had found them. When they sat down Lucas laughed before kissing her on the forehead before walking back out to get their snacks. When Lucas came back and sat down she was so happy that she was bouncing up and down.

"Riley," he said laughing at her. "Stop jumping up and down."

"I can't I'm so excited to see this movie," she said smiling as he handed her the popcorn and set the drink down between them. One drink with two straws, and Riley knew that it was lemonade because they had drunk soda with their lunch.

They mixed their snacks, and Lucas put the popcorn bag between them with the soda on Riley's side. He always put it there because he knew she would put too much popcorn in her mouth and almost choke on it, it was something that happened whenever they went on their dates and she smiled every time. She put her head on his shoulder as the previews started and they watched the movie in silence, laughing when something funny happened. Every once and a while Lucas would watch her as she laughed at the screen and she looked back at him smiling before he would give her a quick kiss.

Making out was never on the agenda when they went to the movies, and it wasn't because they hadn't wanted to, it was mostly because they truly enjoyed watching movies together. With the price of going they had to enjoy every minute of the movie. When the credits began to roll they waited as everyone slowly made their way out of the theater. That was when Lucas leaned in and gave her a soft kiss, it tasted like butter and chocolate, and those were two things that she would always associate with Lucas Friar.

The rest of the day was spent paying games at Dave and Busters, and eating dinner. Riley was so full when she was finished and so happy that she knew it had been a good day.

"Come on, we'll walk home to burn off all that food we ate," Lucas said taking her hand and pulling her down the street.

"This day was so perfect, and it's all going to end the moment you get me to my front stoop because my dad is probably having a coronary right now from the fact that my phone's been off this entire time."

"Yeah well it's the price we pay for trying to date like normal people."

"Normal, what exactly is normal? I swear I wouldn't be surprised if he transferred to teach wherever I go to college."

Lucas laughed and then stopped walking to look at her. "Please tell me you're kidding."

"I do not kid when it comes to my father's need make sure I don't do anything normal."

They kept walking while Riley thought and hoped that her father wouldn't go that far, especially since he had become more and more protective the older she got. Sighing as they walked to her front door she knew what was coming before they made it up the stairs.

Her father ran out the door and grabbed her just as her mother walked out from behind him and glared at him.

"Cory I knew where they were going, Lucas sent me a list of everything that they were going to do, and honestly most boys wouldn't do that, so if you don't stop acting unreasonable, I swear I'm going to divorce you."

"But Topanga she turned off her phone," he whined to her mother. "That's against the rules."

"Cory there are no rules, except in that thick head of yours," her mother sighed. "Riley say goodnight to Lucas and fast."

Her father was being dragged away by his collar, while he whined about the rules that everyone but him swore didn't exist.

"Goodnight Riley," Lucas said kissing her quickly. "Go upstairs before your dad fakes a heart attack."

"Okay," she said smiling. "Night Lucas."

She watched him walk away before going upstairs to face the meltdown of the century, well at least one of them. When she walked through the door to see her father pacing back and forth while her mother set a bowl of ice cream in front of Auggie.

"How was your date sweetie," her mother said but the minute Riley tried to say anything her father made a noise.

'Fine,' she thought to herself. 'Two can play that game.'

"Well let's see, it started with a picnic in the park, because of course we had to give Maya and Josh something to report, which will all be on dad's phone," she said smiling while her mother just looked shocked. "When they were distracted Lucas and I rushed off so that we could make it to the movie without being followed."

"Cory you were having them followed?" her mother said her eyes wide. "How many times has this happened."

"This was the…" he started but Riley interrupted.

"It's been going on since seventh grade, except back then it was just reports on how me and Lucas were talking to one another," she said before continuing. "Then when we started officially dating it was always double dates, or hanging out with friends because of course everyone was always around… well except on my sixteenth birthday. Lately when we're actually alone, someone is usually at a nearby café, or a few rows behind us at the movies, and sometimes at a nearby table talking about how much of a coincidence it was that they were there."

"Cory," her mother said but Riley held up her hand.

"Dad, I love you but you have to stop, if it wasn't Lucas, it would be someone else, dating is normal and honestly I would like to go out on more dates that didn't involve chaperones following me around."

"Sorry," he said as he sat down on the couch. "I may worry a little too much."

"It's okay, but maybe step back just a little, I don't mind doubling up or going out with everyone else, but once and a while, I want it to be just me and Lucas. I mean I know you and mom didn't have grandpa following you around. He trusted you, so maybe you should put a little of that same trust in Lucas."

"You grandfather trusted me because he was afraid of Shawn, only to tell me that I was the one he should have worried about… but I guess I took his words to heart."

"My dad loved me," her mother said. "But he also trusted my judgement and I know you trust Riley's, Cory… sweetheart it's time to let go."

Her father sighed. "Fine, two dates a month alone, other than that you have someone close by, or you hang out at the café or here."

"Deal," Riley said smiling.

"And you can't turn off your phone… ever."

"I won't I only did it today because mom told me to, but she didn't know that I get followed around."

"I'm still made about that," her mother said. "Cory, Riley and Lucas are allowed one extra date a month for the next three months for that stunt."

"Are you reverse grounding me?" he said looking shocked at what was happening. "But I'm an adult."

"Yes you are and you should act like one," she said.

Riley sat next to her brother and put some ice cream in a bowl as the two of them watched their parents arguing about being adults.

"So Lucas said we could go to the basketball game, Knicks versus Mavs, can we still go?" Auggie said scooping up some more ice cream into his bowl.

"Yup we have the tickets and we're going so you better be ready for my epic freak outs," she said smiling before hugging her brother.

"It'll be a double date,' he smiled at her.

"Yes it will be."