Disclaimer: I do not own Girl Meets World or any of the characters

Chapter 10

"Hey man," Zay said. He walked into the living room and saw his best friend sitting on the couch with a coffee mug in his hands and a blank look on his face.

"Hey," Lucas mumbled.

"How did you sleep?" Zay asked and then raised an eyebrow. "Did you sleep?"

"A little," Lucas shrugged. "My mind was going crazy all night and I could barely turn it off."

"So, you and Bridget broke up?" Zay asked. He sat on the chair next to the couch and raised an eyebrow at his best friend.

"Yeah," Lucas nodded. "I went to see her yesterday. I had every intention of trying to fix it but when I looked at her, I just knew that I was being unfair to her. I knew that I couldn't fully be with her while I was still so in love with Riley."

"Do you really want to give up on her man? Do you really just want to quit now?" Zay asked.

"She lied to me," Lucas said. "She broke up with me for reasons that I didn't even know."

"This is Riley we are talking about," Zay said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow at his best friend.

"Do you remember what happened when we were in middle school? Do you remember what sunshine did when she thought her best friend in the world had feelings for the boy she was completely smitten with?" Zay asked.

"Zay," Lucas shook his head but his best friend just ignored him.

"She is the kind of person that would do anything to make sure the ones she loves are happy. I'm not saying what she said was right but it's Riley," Zay said and then shook his head. "She was probably afraid that if she told you the truth then you would try to talk her out of it. She truly believed in her heart that she was doing the right thing at the time. It doesn't make sense but she wasn't trying to hurt anyone."

"I'm just so confused," Lucas sighed. "The two of us had our entire future planned out and then in one night it was completely torn apart. I thought she didn't love me anymore. I thought she had fallen out of love with me."

"If there is one thing I know, it is that Riley Matthews will always love you. That's why she did what she did man," Zay said. He patted his best friend on the shoulder and then left him alone with his thoughts. Lucas let out a long sigh before putting his cold coffee down. Everything was such a mess right now.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"Mom?" Riley called out after walking into her childhood apartment. "Mom, are you home?"

"Riley?" Topanga Matthews asked, walking into the living room and smiled sweetly at her daughter. "Hi honey."

"Mom," Riley smiled and walked over to hug her mom. Topanga held her daughter close and then kissed the top of her head.

"To what do I owe the surprise?" Topanga asked. She walked into the kitchen and poured the both of them a mug of coffee. She handed her daughter a mug and then joined her on the couch.

"Lucas and I had a horrible fight," Riley sighed.

"Uh oh," Topanga smiled sympathetically at her daughter. "What happened?"

"He found out the truth about our break-up," Riley said.

"What do you mean?" Topanga asked. Riley took a deep breath and then told her mom everything that happened. She told her the real reason behind their break-up and why she ended their relationship. "Oh honey."

"Did I make a mistake?" Riley asked. "Did I mess up by not giving him the chance to explain himself?"

"I don't think so," Topanga shook her head. "You truly believed in your heart that what you were doing was right. I think it's what you needed to do at the time."

"He looked so betrayed and heart broken when he found out," Riley said.

"He needs time, honey. This is all new to him and he needs time to process everything. You have had four years to come to terms with your break-up. Lucas thought you weren't in love with him but that wasn't the case and I think it took him by surprise," Topanga explained.

"Do you think he'll forgive me for lying to him?" Riley asked.

"Oh honey," Topanga scooted closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Of course he will forgive you. Lucas has always valued the relationship that you two have. Give him time."

"I miss him mom," Riley whispered. "I miss talking to him. I miss being able to spend time with him and it not feel weird or uncomfortable. I just really miss him."

"I know honey," Topanga brushed her daughter's hair. Riley rested a head on her mom's shoulder and let out a tired sigh. "I know."

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"When are they going to get here?" Maya asked. She checked her phone again and then let out a sigh.

"Relax babe," Josh laughed. "She's like a minute late."

"Is anyone else nervous?" Zay asked. "I'm kind of nervous."

"Why are you nervous?" Farkle raised an eyebrow at his friend.

"Because we are meeting Riley's boyfriend," Zay said. "I feel like this is a big moment for the group."

"I'm sure he is going to be really nice," Smackle insisted. "This is Riley we are talking about. She wouldn't fall for a jerk."

"Where's Lucas tonight?" Josh asked.

"He was at the apartment when I left," Zay sighed. He noticed his best friend walk into Topanga's at that exact moment. "Or not."

"Lucas!" Smackle exclaimed.

"Hey guys," Lucas waved at his friends and then walked to sit with them.

"What are you doing here?" Zay asked.

"You said you were meeting up with everyone so I figured I would join. I needed to get out of the apartment," Lucas explained.

"Uh," Maya scratched the back of her neck and then looked at Lucas nervously.

"What?" Lucas asked. He noticed his friends looking at him anxiously and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"Did you not tell him what we were doing here?" Maya whispered to her friend.

"I didn't want to upset him," Zay winced.

"Is something going on that I should know about?" Lucas asked.

"It's just that Riley is bringing Will for us all to meet," Farkle said.

"Oh," Lucas mumbled. "Maybe I should just go then." He stood up to leave but stopped in his tracks when he saw Riley standing there with her boyfriend.

"Lucas," Riley whispered.

"I was just leaving," Lucas pointed at the door and then quickly left.

"I got this," Smackle said and then rushed out of Topanga's.

"Smackle's going to give a pep talk?" Zay raised an eyebrow.

"Shut up Zay," Farkle glared at his friend.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"Lucas!" Smackle called. She watched as he stopped walking and turned around to face her.

"Hey Smackle," Lucas half smiled.

"Are you okay?" Smackle asked. She walked over and the two took a seat on the steps outside of Topanga's.

"I don't know," Lucas shook his head. "Everything has completely been flipped upside down in the last twenty-four hours and I'm just so confused."

"Do you remember in high school when the three of you were in that horrific love triangle? How Riley said you were her brother and everything felt like the end of the world?" Smackle asked.

"I do," Lucas nodded. He raised an eyebrow, confused with where she was taking this. This was the second time today that the love triangle from high school was being mentioned and it surprised him.

"Well it wasn't," Smackle said. "That was one minor setback that only helped to remind you just how much Riley meant to you. When you thought you had lost any chance with her, it made you realize just how much you wanted to be her. It showed you what your love for Riley was capable of. You were willing to go through all of the hardships to get to where you two eventually ended up."

"What does that have to do with our situation now?" Lucas asked.

"When Riley thought you were scared, she stepped back. She stepped back so that the two of you could find where you needed to be. She stepped back and sacrificed your love so that you could find in your heart just how much she always meant to you," Smackle explained. "She wanted you to have the chance to find the real Lucas. She wanted to make sure that you had no doubts for a future together."

"How do you know all of this?" Lucas asked. "Did she say that?"

"She didn't have to," Smackle shook her head. "It's Riley. She's the girl that would step back for anyone she loves. She does what she thinks will protect other people first."

"So what am I supposed to do?" Lucas asked, letting out a long sigh.

"I can't tell you that," Smackle shrugged. "Only you know what you want in your heart."

"I guess," Lucas mumbled.

"I think it would be a mistake to give up on her though," Smackle said. "You'd be lying to everyone if you said you were done with her. Especially yourself."

"Thanks Smackle," Lucas smiled at his friend.

"Hey, what are friends for?" Smackle shrugged.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"Riley?" Will nudged her side. Riley blinked and then turned back to face her boyfriend.

"Sorry about that," Riley said. She grabbed her boyfriend's hand and then turned to smile at her friends, who were watching her intently. "Everyone I would like to introduce you to my boyfriend. This is Will. Will, this is everyone." Riley introduced and then pointed out each of her friend's to him.

"It's nice to meet all of you," Will nodded and smiled at each of her friends.

"Do I know you?" Farkle suddenly asked. Everyone turned to look at him like he was crazy.

"What?" Will asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You look really familiar," Farkle said and then raised an eyebrow. "Did you go to Yale?"

"No," Will shook his head. "I went to Brown."

"Impressive," Josh nodded.

"Well sit down," Maya gestured towards the couches. She noticed Smackle walk back in and take a seat next to Farkle, without Lucas.

"Smackle," Riley smiled at her friend and then gestured to her boyfriend. "This is my boyfriend, Will."

"It's nice to meet you," Smackle smiled back kindly.

"Are you sure I don't know you?" Farkle asked.

"Dude," Zay narrowed his eyes at his friend. "What is wrong with you?"

"You just look so familiar and I can't place where I know you from," Farkle said.

"I'm sorry," Will shook his head and smiled. "I wish I could help but I don't remember you."

"I must be mistaken," Farkle shrugged. He decided to let it go but he knew that he knew Riley's boyfriend from somewhere. He was just having a hard time figuring out from where.

Riley raised an eyebrow at her friend but was grateful when Maya changed the subject. She watched her friends start to get to know the guy she was dating. She smiled at her boyfriend and leaned into his side. Will seemed to be fitting in comfortably and was politely answering all of their questions. She looked around and could not stop herself from feeling like something was missing. More like someone was missing.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

After his talk with Smackle, Lucas decided to head home and do some thinking. He wanted to clear his mind and really just think about everything. He found himself in the apartment and locked the door behind him. He headed straight for his bedroom and started to look through his dresser for a change of clothes. He was about to grab a pair of sweat pants when his hand hit something. He looked down and saw a little piece of paper with the words forever in my heart and a purple cat scribbled on it. He smiled and his mind flashed back to that day.

"I can't believe we are graduating in a month," Riley said. She took a seat on the couch in Lucas's apartment and looked over at her boyfriend.

"It's crazy," Lucas agreed. "I feel like high school has flown by."

"Does the future scare you?" Riley asked.

"Sometimes," Lucas shrugged. "The uncertainty of not knowing what's next scares me."

"Me too," Riley sighed. "But there is one thing I will always be certain of."

"Oh yeah?" Lucas raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"My love for you," Riley smiled. "There will never be a time or a place where I'm not in love with you, Lucas Friar."

"I feel the exact same way princess," Lucas promised.

"Here," Riley took out one of her notebooks and ripped out a piece of paper. She scribbled something on it and then handed it to her boyfriend. He raised an eyebrow and read the words forever in my heart and smirked when he saw the purple cat.

"What's this?" Lucas asked.

"Whenever you doubt us or are worried that I have given up on you, read this. This is my reminder and promise to you that you will forever be in my heart," Riley explained.

"I don't need a reminder as long as I have you close," Lucas said and then pulled her close. Riley smiled as she leaned in to kiss her boyfriend.

Lucas held the paper in his hand and closed his eyes. He always carried this paper with him and would look it at during the hardest of times. It helped him through the break-up to remember that he was always in her heart. She would always occupy the biggest part of his heart. He knew that he was far from over her. He also knew that it was time to finally go after what he really wanted in life.

GirlMeetWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .

"Coming!" Riley called and then rushed to open her apartment door. She swung the door open and was surprised when she saw Lucas standing on the other side. "Lucas," she whispered and widened her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I understand now why you did what you did," Lucas said. "I don't necessarily agree with it but I can understand why you did it."

"I'm sorry," Riley whispered because she was not sure what else to say.

"I'm not giving up Riley," Lucas said.

"What?" Riley scrunched her eyebrows together.

"On us," Lucas gestured between the two of them. "I thought I wanted to stop fighting for you. I thought I wanted to give up on us but I was so wrong. I'm in love with you and I probably always will be."

"Lucas," Riley whispered. Her eyes filled with tears and she stared at the boy in front of her.

"I'm going to fight for you. I'm going to fight for us," Lucas promised. He gave her one last look before turning and leaving. Riley watched him go and widened her eyes in surprise