Disclaimer: I do not own Girl Meets World or it's characters, I do own Zoe, Octavio, Lucy, and Mike but sadly they do not exist on the show.
Author's Notes: First off I'M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG! I had to wait to buy my anti virus so my computer was on lock down for over a month! But I just wanted to say thank you to all who read this story it means so much to me because I was so afraid to post this but everyone's kind reviews just gave me the biggest confidence boost. I am forever grateful to you all.
This is my RUCAS Ending (If you're not a Rucas fan you can skip and the previous chapter is the end) I hope you all enjoy.
XOXOX
(One Year Later)
Riley gives a warm smile as she watches some of the Juniors hanging up signs for the Homecoming Dance that was going to take place next Friday. She was super excited to go; not because she had a date, but because she knew she would be going with her friends and just having a good time. She went last year with Zoe and Lucy and had a blast but this year everyone agreed to go as a group.
She picks up her lunch tray, after thanking the nice elderly lunch aid Susan and makes her way to her table where some of her friends were waiting for her. Octavio and Zay were arguing over what their next marathon was going to be. Octavio wanted Hitchcock while Zay wanted a Mavel marathon.
"Adios Mio come on! All those movies are over rated! Alfred Hitchcock is a freaking legend! Psycho alone is a hell of a lot better than Iron Man 2!" Octavio protests and Zay just rolls his eyes at the Senior boy and starts to eat his lunch. As much as Zay liked to complain about book club, he became a big part of their group and all the original members thought very highly of him and his opinions.
Zoe was twirling her hair and reading a book, all while Mike and Farkle were talking about their upcoming English project they were partners on.
It warmed Riley's heart to think about how her older friends and her newer friends mostly blended together. Farkle, her oldest and best friend that has stood by her for so long quickly saw the good in her new friends and bonded with them. Mike became one of Farkle's closest friends, they had a lot in common when it came to school and interests; Farkle even became a good wing-man to Mike. When he came out to his friends six months ago that he was bi, Farkle started helping him get the scoop on some of the single boys and girls in school.
As Riley plops her tray next to Zoe, her friend looks up from her book with a giant smile. The Latina beauty closes her book and looks at her with an excited face. Zoe and her have only gotten closer since Freshmen year and it was nice to have a great friendship with someone and not be attached to the hip with them. They were amazing friends, but they didn't hang out with each other every second of everyday and that was great for both of them. Riley became a lot closer to her family and spends at least 4 days of the week with someone from her family while Zoe likes to spend time with her family but mostly likes her time for herself to read or do whatever she wants to.
"Mi vida, aren't you excited for the dance Friday?! You, me, Luce, and Smackle have to go shopping for the perfect dress!" She tells her in her usual fast pace with a beaming smile that always makes Riley happy.
"Sure, I think that would be a lot of fun!" Riley replies happily. Smackle, Lucas, and Lucy had lunch next period so they would have to talk to the girls during their gym class; the only class all the girls shared together. She was thinking Smackle would look good in an emerald dress but they were so hard to find.
"So do you think Lucas is going to ask you to the dance?" Zoe asks her after a couple minutes of silence. Riley looks up from her lunch confused.
"No. I told you so many times, the two of us are just friends! Even if we weren't I told you what happened when we were younger with the Semi-formal; I was dropping hints for months and he didn't ask me until someone else did." Riley recalls her eighth grade dance with a frown. While she did have a good time with her friends, that dance was one of the many times she was confused about how Lucas really felt about her.
"Excuses my love, that was two years ago! Anywho you and Lucas are definitely not friends anymore. You have been having 'friend dates' together every Wednesday for over a year." Zoe points out. She refuses to let Riley ignore what's right in front of her. Lucas is crazy about her, but Riley is always going to fear that she is not good enough for him.
It breaks her heart to see her best friend doubt herself so strongly. Lucas really grew on her; the good looking white boy truly had good intentions. He may have been a little naive but she knew he grew up a lot since he got to high school.
Riley looks at her and bites her lip nervously. While her feelings for Lucas have been resurfacing, she was still afraid that she was reading too much into Lucas' feelings for her. After all...he's never really made a move.
(Flash back to 2 weeks ago)
Lucas and Riley were sitting on her floor laughing while they both had both hands up. They were taking a break from their homework and decided to play Never have I Ever. Every Wednesday since last year's Christmas, Lucas would come over and the two of them would hang out. Sometimes they would just do homework, sometimes they would watch movies, but every time they would just enjoy each others company and get to know each other better.
"Okay my turn. Never have I ever...curled my hair." Lucas smirks as she sticks her tongue out at him and puts down one of her fingers.
"Oh that's how you wanna play? Alright well...never have I ever owned a horse!" She grinned and he laughed at her expression as he put down a finger.
He hummed and thought about what he was going to ask her but was getting too distracted at the sound of her laugh. It sounded like soft bells and her eyes were shinning in happiness. It was a perfect look for Riley. For years she was a ray of sunshine but the more he got to know her, he realized she was like the twilight. She reminded him of the time of day when the sun was still out and yet the moon was visible as well. She was brighter than the sun or the moon. She was Riley and that was more than enough.
"Never have I ever...made out with a boy." He says softly waiting for her reaction. He knows that he was her first kiss and they never made out but he never knew what happened between her and Charlie.
Riley stopped laughing and gave him a little look but didn't let down one of her fingers.
"Never have I ever...made it past first base." She admits gently. It bothered her a little that no one ever showed any romantic interest in her since she got into high school. She wasn't looking for a relationship with just anybody, but it was nice to be noticed. However, she refused to change herself so people would notice her. She was over that.
Lucas nodded to himself and also didn't put a finger down. He knows she probably thinks something happened between him and Maya but to be honest, it just didn't feel right to either of them. They kissed once when Riley wasn't really talking to them Freshmen year but it just...lacked the chemistry they both thought would be there. As much as Maya wanted them to get together, it just wasn't in the stars for them.
He thinks about how things have changed so much between Maya and the rest of the group. She joined Art club after Christmas last year, and quickly made a bunch of friends within that group. She still spoke to them, but she after their first year ended, she stopped sitting with them at lunch and took more classes with her art friends. It was better for Maya, she genuinely seemed happier.
They all went to her mom's wedding to Shawn and her and Riley even suggested some group photos together. First was one of her, Riley, and Farkle; the original trio. Then it was them and Lucas, the new kid that spiced up their lives a little. After was them with Zay and Smackle, two friends that they couldn't imagine themselves without. Finally just one of Maya and Riley; the two that started it all. He knows the two of them still talk on occasions but they were no longer joined together for everything; they both wanted to experience their own things.
Lucas looks at Riley and gives her a sweet smile. He loves these days; the days where the two of them can get to know each other without the pressure of anyone or anything. They didn't have to pretend with each other on Wednesdays; they were just Lucas and Riley here.
He leans in a little closer to her and Riley's breath hitches in nervous anticipation. Was this really really happening? Was he finally making this his moment?!
Just when he is inches away from her, he pulls back a little.
"I should get going." He whispers and Riley can feel his hot breath tickling her cheek.
When he pulls away and stands up, she is just looking up at him with sadness in her eyes.
What just happened? She wants to ask him. She thought he was finally going to tell her how he felt about her. Was she not good enough? Was he thinking they would only lead to disaster? Was he wishing she was someone else?
She wants to ask him those things, but instead she just stands up and gives him a hug goodbye. Because Riley isn't sure she could handle another rejection from him; her heart wouldn't be able to take it.
(End Flashback)
"It doesn't matter. I'm excited for this dance because I'm going to be with my friends, not a date. I'm actually more excited Octavio agreed to go; this will be his last homecoming." She pouts and looks over to her friend who was still muttering about how Marvel movies were overrated.
"Oi, Octavio you're going to dance with me next Friday right?" She calls over to him and he looks up at her and smiles brightly.
"Of course my love. I'd be honored." He replies winking at her making her giggle. Riley quickly wormed her way into his heart and was grateful to have such an amazing girl in his life. She was like a little sister to him and he knew she thought of him as a big brother. He loves that she still wears the bag he gave her that he put hermana on the strap.
"See Zoe, I don't need a date, I got Octavio." She says and Zoe rolls her eyes at the exchange.
"Octavio doesn't count, he's your brother. He's not going to lead you behind the bleachers for some love." She shoots back making both cringe at her.
"As gorgeous as Riley is, she's mi hermana and you know I'd punch anyone who tried using her for a hook up." He points his finger at Zoe who holds her hand up in surrender.
"I'm just saying." She muttered and both Riley and Octavio rolled their eyes at her. Zoe loved to play match maker, but sometimes she trying to get things to play out like one of her books and most of the time that doesn't happen.
"So Farkle are you and Smackle doing anything special for the dance?" Riley asked trying to change the subject of her lack of a love life.
Farkle shrugs nochalantly. He knows something; well he's Farkle he knows a lot of things, but he knows something he can't tell Riley so he has to play it cool. Problem is, he's never been very cool.
"I think we are going to grab dinner before we go to the dance; you know the food is always horrible at these things." He stutters a little but Riley doesn't seem to notice how weird he's acting, Mike, Octavio, and Zay however did and give him a look.
"Yeah that's what we are planning on doing for prom! I figured if I don't get a girlfriend by then I'm dragging one of you with me so I don't have to suffer alone." Octavio says and Mike looks at him offended.
"Hey I thought I was going to be your date?" Mike glares at the senior and Octavio's eyes widen; he honestly forgot.
"Shit, sorry bro I forgot about that. Never mind." That's the thing their group loved about the older boy, he kept his word to everyone. He wasn't like most of the Senior class who went to parties every week, drank, did drugs, or used girls for his own needs. He just wanted to have real connections to people; that's why him and Riley got along so well. They were very similar.
She knows just by looking around there are some girls that would love to have Octavio's attention, but for some reason he never noticed the attention people besides his friends gave him.
"Well maybe we can meet at my mom's shop before the dance and grab some food?" Riley suggests and everyone thinks that would be a good idea.
After lunch, Octavio and Mike drag Farkle to a quiet area so he can spill whatever he knows.
XOXOXO
On the night of the dance, Riley was putting the finishing touches on her makeup. She looked at her reflection in her full length mirror and gave a small smile. Zoe and Lucy insisted on her buying this short deep red dress. The beautiful piece had a modest neckline but also showed how much she's been developing since she reached high school and had an open back. When she tried it on in the store, even Smackle said she had to buy it. She decided to put her hair up in a twisted bun with some hair framing her face, did her eye makeup dark and smokey, while she kept her lips neutral colored. It made Riley feel older, not just cute but maybe a little sexy for a fourteen year old. Not that she was looking to impress anyone (liar, she knows she's trying to impress Lucas).
She double checked that her eye liner wasn't running and took a deep breath. Out of habit, she glanced towards the most recent photo of her and Maya that was taken at last year's homecoming. Riley went with Zoe, and Maya went with her friends from her art class. When they ran into each other they both complimented how the other looked before posing for the photo with each other. As soon as the flash went off and they agreed the photo was a keeper, they wished each other a great night and went their own way. Even though Maya wasn't here, sometimes she thought about how she wished to be as strong as her.
It was strange how things changed for her and Maya. Friendships drift apart in high school; for Maya is a was a slow drift but it seemed to be for the better for her. Whenever Riley sees her in the halls she has a bright smile on her face and she still knew Maya well enough to know that her smile was a genuine one. They talk on occasion just to make sure the other was good but they don't really hang out much.
She hears a knock on her door and yells at whoever it is to come in and turns to see her mom peeking inside her room.
"Oh honey, you look gorgeous! Those girls were not lying when they said that dress was perfect for you." Topanga gushes when she sees her daughter looking so grown up. For the longest time, her and her only daughter didn't have the best relationship but now that was a distant memory. Her and Riley couldn't be closer now and it warmed her heart.
"Thanks mom! Can you actually take a photo of me so I can send it to Uncle Eric and Uncle Josh? I promised them I'd show them so they don't feel excluded." She jokes but her eyes light up when she talks about her uncles.
"Of course!" Topanga takes her phone and takes a couple of photos for her to send to her family including a silly picture where her eyes are crossed and her tongue is hanging out.
"Thanks mom! I should head downstairs, I'm sure the guys are waiting for me." She says before giving her a hug goodbye.
"Honey, I hope you have an amazing night." Her mom says to her seriously making Riley look at her confused.
"I'll be careful mom; I promise. I'll be with everyone the whole time and if anyone gives me trouble, Octavio, Lucas, Mike, and Farkle will have them running." She smiles happily thinking of her amazing friends.
Topanga smiles and nods before she places a kiss on the top of her head. When the older woman closes the door she breaks out in a giant grin thinking of the surprise that awaited her at her shop.
XOXOX
Riley happily walks down to her parent's shop, expecting to hear all her friends complaining how close she was to being late, but when she gets closer to the shop, she hears only silence. She's surprised when she sees the Closed sign on the door. Maybe Katy had to leave a little early.
She opens the door and looks around only to see Lucas standing on the side of the shop, dressed in a tux looking nervous. He was holding a bouquet of pink stargazer lilies, her favorite flowers in his hands but when he sees her he places them on a table.
"Hey Lucas. You look great." Riley breaths as she looks at his dashing appearance. Last year he couldn't go to the dance because he had to make a trip to Texas to visit his family so she only saw him in a tux at Katy and Shawn's wedding. He looked amazing. His hair was slicked back making him look a little older in his black suit and deep red tie.
"Wow...Riley you...you look gorgeous!" Lucas' eyes are wide as he takes in the beautiful woman before him. She looked like a goddess in her red dress; it was short enough to show off her long and slender legs but not short enough to look like she was trying too hard like most girls; she looked perfect in every way possible.
Riley blushed at the compliment. "Thank you. Where is everyone?" She asked looking around for her group of friends. They said they would be here and if they weren't here soon Riley knew she would make a fool of herself and tell Lucas she still had feelings for him; how she's always had feelings for him.
Lucas took a deep breath as if he was preparing to say something very important.
"I asked them if we could meet them at the dance because I wanted to talk to you." He says walking a little closer to her.
Riley's eyes widen as he walks closer to her but she doesn't move. She's not sure what she's expecting but she's going to prepare herself for anything.
Lucas takes her hands in his and looks her deep in the eyes.
"Riley, this past year I feel like you and I have gotten closer than we ever have before. Before we got to 8th grade, before that stupid semi-formal messed us up, before we went to Texas, before we went to high school and you started broadening your horizons to the world. We got to know things about each other no one else knew and I don't think you realize it, but Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I know I get to spend those couple hours with just you. You have always been important to me Riley, I hope you know that. " He starts and Riley smiles at him thinking about how their friendship has grown so much since they started having their Wednesday hang outs together. It was true, she told him things she never told anyone before. She learned to trust him in a way she was always afraid to before.
" In the past year, my feelings for you have only gotten stronger. It was almost six months ago I realized how hard I fell for you. The more I got to know you, the more I realized that it was always you Riley. You have always been the one for me. I was so afraid of my feelings for you because I didn't want to lose you. I cherish the time we have together. You make me laugh when I have horrible days, you believe in me when no one else does. You are not only beautiful, smart, funny, and an amazing person but you are my best friend. I was so afraid to tell you my feelings because no matter what I want you to be in my life. I don't know what I would do without you." His hands are gripping hers tighter as if he's holding onto her for dear life, afraid she was going to walk out the door and never come back.
"Lucas..." Riley starts to say as tears well up in her eyes but he shakes his head.
"Please...just let me get this out?" He asks and she nods her head.
"I told you so long ago that my moment will be my moment. I will never be able to express how sorry I am for making you wait so long but if you let me..." He says before letting go of her hands and getting down on his knees before her. She was full out crying now but promised to let him finish.
He takes a black velvet box from his pocket and opens it up. Inside was a stunning ruby red heart necklace.
"If you let me, I will spend the rest of our lives making you know I AM worth it. I will spend everyday showing you how loved you are; how amazing I think you are. I love you Riley Mathews, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?" He asks her patiently waiting for her answer.
Riley lets out a cry before she jumps into his arms so forcefully they both fall on the floor. Before Lucas can apologize, she crushes her lips on his and kisses him like she's wanted to since she turned twelve. All the emotions she's been bottling up were let out in their kiss.
Lucas kisses her back with just as much fever. Their first kiss was chaste at best; both too nervous and not ready to express their feelings anyway else. This time, however, they were more than ready. He wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her closer to him.
They kiss until they couldn't breathe and reluctantly pull away. They are both breathing heavily but have giant smiles on their faces.
"For the record...that was a yes right?" Lucas has to ask and she just laughs and gives him a hug.
"That is a definite yes." She whispers before giving him another quick kiss. They both stand up and fix themselves up before they hear a very familiar voice calling their names.
"Please tell me you both are NOT decent!" Zoe yells from the back room making them both laugh.
"We are decent you goof! Now come out here." Riley yells happily and before she even finishes Zoe runs out and gives them both bone crushing hugs.
"Ah! I'm so happy for you guys I knew it was only a matter of time." Zoe says happily before Riley sees Octavio, Lucy, Mike, Farkle, Zay, and Smackle come out all smiles.
"Finally!" They all yell happily before giving Riley hugs of congratulations.
"Did you guys help him set this up?" She asked them and they all give little smirks.
"Not exactly! Prince Charming here, asked not only your parent's permission to ask you to be his girlfriend, but he asked your uncles, and all of us!" Lucy says happily making Lucas start blushing heavily.
Riley goes over to him and kisses him again. She doesn't think she can get enough of him.
"I can't believe you did that for me." She whispers into his lips making him give her a tender smile.
"You are worth so much more." He whispers back at her.
When they break up, they finally are able to make their way to Mike and Octavio's cars so they can head to the dance.
"Don't worry hermana, everyone already threatened to kill him if he hurt you again." Octavio says as him, Riley, Lucas, and Zoe get inside.
Zoe turns to them from the front seat and gives a serious nod.
"That's right cowboy, if I hear one serious bad thing, you're done with me." Zoe threatens and Lucas nods in understanding.
"Don't worry guys, I'm never letting her go again."
Riley looks at him and knows this time will be different. They weren't twelve, thirteen years old anymore. They have grown so much since then and she knows he wouldn't hurt her. He loves her.
"I know you won't. And for the record...I love you too." She tells him making him smile brighter than the sun.
THE END!