Author's Note: Enjoy, and please, please, please don't forget to REVIEW! And of course, thank you to those who have already favorited, followed, and reviewed for this story! (Edited by Chereche!)
Also regarding reviews...I know I haven't really responded to any, and I hope that won't discourage you guys from writing them. They are SO appreciated, and definitely help encourage me to keep writing this story! If any of you feel like you would really like me to respond or you think it's something an author should make an effort to do, let me know please. I really want you guys to feel like I care about your opinions, and that I'm trying to do my best with this whole publishing/writing thing! I am new to this, and a little concerned obviously with how well I'm doing. Thank you to those who read this all the way through! :) And...some of you won't like how Maya is acting in this chapter, but it has to happen.
UPDATED: 12/12/16
Disclaimer: I don't own Girl Meets World, just the story!
Chapter Ten: Change and Growth
They stood by the lockers, waiting for Maya to show up, just like they always did. Lucas and Riley were having some stupid conversation about horses, and Farkle was already reading the next chapter in their science book. Zay on the other hand, wasn't busy at all. He was remembering the time when Lucas had ridden Judy the sheep; a moment that he had claimed changed his life forever. What was bugging Zay about that memory, was that he had felt like something important was about to happen, just like now. He couldn't shake the feeling, and it was starting to make him nervous; something that didn't go unnoticed by his friends.
"Hey, are you okay?" Lucas glanced at his friend, just noticing his expression.
"Yah, I'm fine...but I can tell you today's going to be different." He met his friend's gaze.
"What do you mean?" Riley asked. "Nothing bad could ever happen to us, nothing scary or different."
"What makes you so sure, Riley?" Farkle looked up from his textbook. "Science dictates that everything is living, and therefore is never permanent and must change."
"But, our lives are exceptions!" she beamed. "We've always been the same, haven't we? Farkle has always been some little genius who wants to take over the world, Zay has never stopped joking around, Maya always gets into trouble, and Lucas is still as sweet and gentlemanly as when we first saw him."
Lucas clenched his jaw. "People change people though, remember?"
"Not everyone is the same since birth," Farkle added, glancing at him. "And that's science right there, too."
"Oh, you mean 'cause Lucas wasn't always a "Moral Compass", right?" Zay laughed.
"Zay, cut it out," he warned.
"Fine, man. But only because I want to...and because Maya's here now."
Everyone turned to look at their friend, who had seemed to appear from thin air. They were caught off guard by her sudden entrance, but more so by her startling appearance.
"Why is it that every time we see you, you look different?" Farkle groaned.
She shrugged, and ran a hand through her blue hair.
"Just trying things out, you know?"
Riley walked up to her best friend with confusion in her eyes.
"Peaches?"
"Yah, honey?"
"Why are you wearing makeup?"
"I always wear makeup, Riles." Maya rolled her eyes, and put her bag in her locker.
"But, this isn't makeup! What is that?" she exclaimed, pointing to her friend's lips.
Maya grabbed the taller girl's shoulders, and slowed down her speech; speaking as if her friend was a small child.
"This is called lipstick. You put it on your lips to give them color."
"I know what lipstick is," Riley protested, "I'm wearing some right now."
"Honey, that's lip gloss."
"Same thing! But, at least it's way lighter than yours."
"Is that what the problem is?" Maya huffed, and slammed the locker door. "My lipstick is too dark for you?"
"It's black," Riley cried, gesturing frantically.
"It's maroon," she shouted back.
"Whatever."
"It's like a purple isn't it?" Maya said slowly, changing tactics. "And you know what else is purple?"
"Cats?" Riley's eyes lit up.
"Yup, lots and lots of purple cats...can you imagine them?"
"Yes, I can!" She looked out into the distance, caught up in her vision of oddly colored cats.
"She is way too easy to fool," Zay whispered to Lucas and Farkle.
"Is anyone else feeling Deja vu?" Farkle asked.
"I don't speak Russian, genius." Zay rolled his eyes.
Raising an eyebrow, Farkle explained the phrase. "It's French. It means feeling like you've already seen, or experienced something before."
"Oh...then yah, I do have French nostalgia."
The boy shook his head, and returned his attention to Maya.
"I'm not trying to be nosy, and please don't assume I have a death wish, but what's up with your appearance today?"
She scowled, and glared at her friends. "Can't I just do something different?"
"You already did that with your hair!" Riley pouted.
"And now I'm doing it with other things...this is ridiculous and I don't need to explain myself to you!"
"We're not trying to tell you that you can't try something new, but this is just so far out there...we're kind of just processing it," Lucas spoke up.
"What's so far out about it, Ranger Rick?" she snarled, treating the name like a weapon.
He took in the girl in front of him, while trying to come up with a decent answer, preferably one that didn't end up with her walking away. It was just so odd for Maya to act like this. Dyeing her hair blue was enough of a shock, but then today she came in with dark makeup, and everyone knew something was off. She was right about the maroon lipstick, but it still didn't make it any better. Her face had on what looked like a pound of layers; she had on a ton of stuff to make up a smokey eye and wore heavy mascara on top of it. Plus, she had heavily accented her cheekbones.
Her clothes were different too. Lucas hadn't really seen Maya in skirts besides dances, so this was definitely a new thing; especially since he recalled her saying she wasn't fond of them. She was wearing a plaid skirt, a black tank, and these ridiculously high heels, even for her. Topping it all off was her familiar leather jacket, which was comforting, but not at the same time. It was really weird because it looked like something Maya might wear, but maybe it was the combination of the clothing with the makeup that made it seem wrong and out of place.
"It looks like you're trying to be someone you're not," he whispered, regretting telling the truth, but not able to bring himself to lie.
She stared at him in a confusing mixture of disappointment, hurt, and anger; her blue eyes full of fire. Spinning on her heel she began to storm off, with Riley right on her tail. Just how he thought it was going to end.
Riley matched the shorter girl's pace easily, and tried to give her some comfort.
"I'm not saying I like the makeup, but I'm definitely into you trying skirts now."
Maya couldn't stay mad at Riley, she never had been able to anyway, so she allowed herself a small smile.
"Thanks, honey. I'm glad at least one person thinks so."
"I'm your best friend, Peaches. I'm going to try no matter what."
"There's no one quite like you, is there Riles?" Maya looked up at her.
"Nope. I'm unique...just like my purple cats."
"Do you have to bring that into every single conversation?" her friend groaned.
"It's gone, Ms. Matthews. Forever," Mr. Mendez said evenly, staring down at the bewildered girl.
"But, but—" Riley gaped. "The purple! I need purple, and this world just isn't right without it!"
"I would recommend a nice shade of green," he commented thoughtfully. "Try it, try anything. Just as long as it isn't purple."
Her jaw hung open, as she watched her teacher walk away triumphantly. Turning to Maya, she tried to form intelligent words, but nothing came.
"Close your mouth, Riles. You're going to catch flies," she said, not even looking at her.
She snapped it shut. "What am I going to do, Peaches?" the brunette wailed.
Turning to her friend, and shaking her head at her plain ridiculousness, Maya snatched a green paint bottle from an indignant classmate. He quickly shied away after receiving the full blown Maya Hart death glare.
"See this? This is the color green." She waved the bottle in front of Riley's face.
Her eyes filled with wonder. "There are other colors?"
"Yes, and you can use them."
Slowly taking the paint, Riley turned to her canvas and began to finger paint her first non-purple drawing since kindergarten. Grinning at the swipe of green, she glanced at her friend who gave her a cheesy thumbs up, and continued her masterpiece. Once her back was turned, Maya rolled her eyes and smiled at her innocent and naive friend. Sure, it was annoying sometimes, but she would protect that for as long as she could. After all, she was president of the "Riley Committee", and that was the group's whole purpose.
"Today we will be starting a new project. It will be due sometime before winter break." Mr. Mendez announced, standing in the center of his classroom. "There is no pressure on you, as long as you try your hardest, so please don't groan and complain when I announce the assignment."
"How about we don't do it all, and then you'll never have to hear a complaint in your whole teaching experience?" Maya suggested.
"Hmm, tempting Ms. Hart. But, I'll have to pass." He looked around the room. "So, your Fall project is to draw, and eventually paint, a portrait. Now, for this you will need partners, because you will be sketching people in this room—"
An excited buzz filled the classroom as friends smirked at each other, and scooted closer to desired partners. Maya rolled her eyes at the immature actions of her fellow students, knowing how this would end.
"—which have already been chosen."
A collective sigh was heard throughout the room, and the art teacher shook his head. It happened with every single project assigned, so he should be used to it, but seriously did these kids need to be with their friends for every single assignment?
Riley turned to Maya, green paint already covering her arms and hands.
"Even if we get separated, Peaches, know that I will never forget you," she cried.
"Riley," Maya looked deep into her friend's eyes.
"Yes?"
"It's only one project. Calm down," she laughed.
"But, it always starts with one 'project'," Her friend began to ramble. "Then it turns into missing holidays, and friend outings, and then you stop sending texts, and the next thing you know you never see them again!"
"Breathe, Riley, breathe," Maya reminded.
"Right, that's important," she agreed.
Spotting the teacher headed their way, Riley immediately turned bright again, and presented her artwork.
"Ah, Ms. Matthews," Mr. Mendez stepped behind her, scrutinizing her painting. "A green…dog. How clever."
Not catching the sarcasm, Riley beamed.
"Thank you! I really like this color...in fact, I don't think I'm ever going back to purple!"
"Wonderful." He rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"And it's all thanks to you! You have showed me the wonderful world of green!" she continued, waving her stained hands in the air for him to see.
"Okay, Ms. Matthews. I understand that I am not as smart as I once thought; please stop talking now."
"So, Mr. Mendez, do I get a pass on this assignment?" Maya asked, interrupting their odd conversation.
Turning to the small girl, he raised an eyebrow.
"And why would you get a pass on a project?"
"Because I'm your favorite student?" she offered.
"Mm, that's an interesting statement, Ms. Hart. What brought you to this conclusion?"
"She's an artist! Isn't that reason enough?" Riley butted in.
"Unfortunately, not. Especially since I apparently need to remind her that she is failing art." He looked pointedly at the blue haired girl.
"She'll be better! I just need to work on being a great good influence!" she pleaded.
"That's something only she can decide for herself, Ms. Matthews." He cleared his throat. "But, on other matters, you are paired with Farkle Minkus for the project, and Ms. Hart is partnered with Lucas Friar."
"How come you call them by their first names?" Maya grumbled, still upset about not getting the free ride through art class. Which was of course unusual, but that's all that seemed to happen with her these days.
"Because they're boys," he replied sarcastically.
Again not catching the sarcasm, Riley jumped up to glare at her teacher.
"That's a terrible injustice against women everywhere! I will not stand for your sexist views!" she proclaimed angrily.
"Riley, I assure you that I have a very high respect for the women population," Mr. Mendez reassured her, shaking his head. "Please go and meet Mr. Minkus, now."
She stalked off, grumbling about feminism and male rights.
"And you..." Mr. Mendez turned back to Maya, and studied her. "I don't understand what's going on in your head, but you need to figure it out."
"Why?" She asked blankly.
"Because if you don't, you're going to lose a lot more than you think," he said softly.
Maya returned her gaze to her blank canvas, and watched Mr. Mendez leave out of the corner of her eye. In his place came Lucas, who slowly sat down on the stool next to her, preparing himself for the worst.
"So, I hope you aren't mad at me—no, that's wrong. You're obviously mad at me, and I guess you have every right...but let's just do this project and try to be civil, okay?"
Maya swiveled to face Lucas, a calm and indifferent expression on her face. He should have seen it coming, but he was too focused on making sure she wasn't going to yell at him, that he totally lost his focus.
"So, we should be completely relaxed and not worry about anything else that's happened?" she blinked.
"Yah, I mean that sounds fair."
"Fair...what does that really mean, Huckleberry? Hmm?" she cocked her head.
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I guess it means giving and using equal and honest treatment...it means taking into consideration the actions of others, and even though it may be hard, making the right decision."
"Ah, making a hard decision..." Maya seemed to ponder on that, her dark lips pursed. "Well, this certainly isn't hard at all."
Snatching a tray full of purple paint, she dumped it over his head, as he winced from the coldness and acrid fumes. The room suddenly became deathly quiet, as even Mr. Mendez stood up and watched; not even making a move towards the two.
"That's right; I found the purple." Maya smirked.
Lucas debated what action to take next. What decided the decision was her triumphant expression, and the easily accessible bowl of glistening yellow paint by his left hand. Before she could react, he had poured the paint all over her, ruining her new clothes and makeup.
"You're going to regret that, Cowboy," she growled.
"Not as much as you're going to hate this," he grinned and proceeded to squirt a tube of bright red paint across her shirt and jacket.
From then on it was complete and full on war. Maya retaliated by smearing blue paint over his face, enjoying it especially when he had to squeeze his eyes shut to avoid getting paint in them.
"Not in the eyes, Penelope!" he protested.
Her eyes took on an evil glint at her middle name, and she grabbed a bowl of dirty water from behind her; splashing it onto him.
"Sorry, here's some water to wash it out with," she taunted.
Lucas stood up, still blinking the color out of his eyes, and began to attack her with random colors he had found on the tables. Screaming in annoyance, she slapped him with a handful of green, nearly tripping over an easel in the process.
"Okay, that's enough." Mr. Mendez strode towards them.
Lucas straightened, and lowered his arms, but Maya ignored their teacher and continued to assault him with colorful weapons. Not wanting to disregard his teacher's order, Lucas backed away from her in defensive, hoping she would get the hint and stop. She didn't. The small girl dropped the empty palette she had been holding, and walked to the art table, scooping up sharp pencils and markers in her stained hands.
"Maya," he warned.
"Grow a backbone, Sundance!" she cried, flinging the tools at him.
"Ms. Hart!" Their teacher said firmly, trying to get her attention.
Maya didn't even glance his way, as she knocked over stools and easels on her way to Lucas.
"You listen to me, and you listen good," she growled, jabbing at his chest. "You had no right to talk to me like that!"
"What?" He could feel his irritation rising. "Tell the truth? Because you haven't been yourself, and you're changing so quickly?"
Her response was to swiftly release all of the markers, seize a nearby pot, and attempt to smash it over his head, which Mr. Mendez quickly stopped. Snatching the ceramic from Maya's hand, he stepped in between the two students.
"That's enough!" he declared. "Lucas, you're in the community service class? Welcome to your new assignment; cleaning this room and paying for all the extra supplies you broke and wasted." He turned to the girl. "As for you, you get the pleasure of helping him as part of your punishment."
They stood in silence, taking in the shocked students scattered around the classroom and the damage they had created. Easels, canvases, and stools had fallen everywhere, empty glasses and bowls lay broken, and there were remnants of thrown objects across the floor. Additionally, there were smears of paint in the area in which they had fought and on the floor clearly marking out their paths of movement.
"Do I make myself clear?" Mr. Mendez asked sternly.
They both nodded, just as the school bell rang for the last class of the day.
"Have fun," he said, grabbing his coat, and exiting the room with the rest of his students.
Maya folded her arms and glared at a paintbrush, when Lucas interrupted her by picking it up.
"This is all your fault, Ranger Rick," she growled.
"You know it takes two to tango," he said calmly from the floor.
"What the heck is that supposed to mean?" she demanded.
"It means we both made this mess, and now we both get to clean it up."
Maya scowled, and kicked a half-broken jar with her black and green foot.
"Watch it," Lucas warned. "Why don't you actually just pick it up instead of making it worse?"
"Shut up, Hop a' long."
"You know what?" He stood up, and faced Maya. "I've had enough."
She raised an eyebrow, and tapped her foot, interested to see where this was going. He walked over to her, and looked her dead in the eye.
"We are going to play a game," he said, all seriousness.
"What?" She was caught completely off guard.
"Yah, just a little one. And you have no choice, seeing as you got me in trouble."
"Wait, you just said it takes—"
"And that's the end of the conversation." Lucas spoke over her. "Now, the game is this: every time you see a color—which there is plenty of—you have to tell me a memory associated with that specific color. In turn, I will tell you one of mine."
"Who would want to do something like that?" Maya rolled her eyes.
"You. Because you have no choice," He smirked.
"Fine." She conceded, much to his surprise. It usually took longer than that.
Bending down, and retrieving a purple marker, she rolled it around in her fingers for a while. Lucas went back to his cleaning, and Maya joined him, after taking a deep breath.
"The first time I saw Riley," she spoke up, even as she found a broom in the corner. "She was wearing purple, ironically. I know you've heard this story, but that's what you get for making me do this. Anyway, I was running away, which was probably the stupidest thing for a 6-year-old to do. I was walking out on the streets, and I felt compelled to check out this apartment building; so I did. At first, when I got to the top of the fire escape, I started to turn back because there was nothing there. But then I heard her singing, and it was like a magical force pulling me in. She wasn't even scared when I climbed in through the window, and plopped myself down on the cushions of her seat. Riley just stopped singing, and asked me who I was, with this big, goofy grin. I didn't even know her, and I felt the safest I ever had in her bay window..."
Maya swept the broken glass into the dustpan. "And gosh, her whole room was purple!"
Lucas chuckled. "Well, at least she's into green now, right?"
"Ugh, that's going to get old quick," she sighed. "Okay, let's hear your purple story."
"Well, there was this one time where I had to do this silly school project. We had to paint a picture, but we could only use paint or dye we had made ourselves. So, I was doing great, probably drawing something like cars; I can't really remember, when my dad walks in. He watched me for a while, and then I say something about needing purple, and he laughed. I asked him what was so funny, and he told me there was no way I could make purple out of anything we had. I knew that he wasn't right, and I wanted to prove him wrong, so I asked my mama and we started working on it right away. I think we tried blueberries, grapes, blackberries...lots of different things to see how many ways we could make purple. Afterwards, we showed it to my dad, who smiled and told me he was proud of me. I didn't know it then, but he was just trying to get me to work hard at something, to experiment with something new and unfamiliar. Realizing it now, makes it a really special memory."
Maya leaned on the broom handle, and blew a strand of blue hair out of her face.
"It must have been nice to have your dad around for stuff like that, huh?"
Lucas looked at her, and studied her expression. Her face was teasing, but her eyes betrayed the bitterness and hurt she felt. And there was something else too; something like longing.
"Yah, it was. But, you don't need a father to grow and change and become a better person. You do that on your own."
"Bet it helps," she said, and then ducked her head to continue her task.
He watched as she bit her lip, and tried to keep on her ever persistent mask. Lucas didn't understand that; why she couldn't open herself up. Well, he knew why, but he didn't know how it had affected her so badly...it hurt him to watch her go through pain. Every time something bad happened, he had always checked to see how she was dealing with it, and it was always the same; she never dropped her defensive walls.
And why did he care so much? Because she was his friend, right? And he would do anything to protect his friends...so why did helping Maya feel different?