Life 2.0
Things returned to semi-normal once Riley and Lucas got back from Philadelphia. Only semi-normal because now everyone was hyper-aware of Riley's moods and actions. It annoyed her at first but she soon realized that they all did it out of their love for her.
Lucas knew her insecurities were not going to go away overnight so he made sure that he paid particular attention to her when they were out in a group. Not that he needed a reason to focus on her, she was never really far from it any way, but he wanted to make sure there would be no more surprises.
There was a small hiccup about a month after they returned to school. Missy, in her never ending quest for Lucas' attention, decided to confront Riley in the hallway after school ended for the day. She knew that she would have a short window of time when Lucas would be on the field and Riley would be alone. Unfortunately for her, she miscalculated, greatly. Her plan was to tell Riley how Lucas would be better off with her instead of Riley, how after all these years, he knew how much she loved him, how she would do anything for him. What Missy didn't consider, in her calculations, was that Riley was much more secure in her relationship with Lucas, that Riley was no longer going to be pushed around and even more importantly, that she should not have tried to confront Riley at her locker, which was near the teachers' lounge. Imagine the look on Missy's face when she turned around after hearing "Ms. Bradford, why am I not surprised? You know we have a 0% tolerance policy for bullying. I heard everything you just said to Ms. Matthews. Please allow me to escort you to the principal's office. I'm sure they will want you present while they call your parents." Mr. Meyer explained as he stood there with his arms folded. Cory, standing just inside the lounge, had a huge grin on his face. He knows that as a teacher, he should be more stoic but as the dad of the "target" he was thrilled that she got caught. He knew she was behind the Twitter mess and so many other things that were done to Riley and Lucas. Since that confrontation was witnessed by a teacher, the punishment was harsh and swift. Missy, having been on the "watch list" for previous encounters was banned from attending all senior functions, including the prom, class trip and graduation. The principal knew the only way to really punish an "attention seeking repeat offender" was to remove them from all high-profile activities.
As graduation grew closer, Riley grew quieter. She assured everyone that she was fine and she was. She was just preparing herself for the inevitable. She knew that once they graduated, everything was going to change. She wasn't worried so much about her friendship with Maya or Farkle, but she was terrified about what was going to become of her relationship with Lucas. He was planning to attend college in Texas. She was convinced that he was going to meet someone and forget all about her but Riley, being Riley, was hesitant to mention the topic. Lucas knew something was on her mind and tried to get her to talk to him. She assured him that she was fine and would change the subject. Things came to a head one night while they were relaxing in Riley's room.
Riley was laying on her bed and Lucas was laying in the bay window. Moments like these would remind them how special their relationship was. How, at times, they didn't need to do or say anything, they were just happy to be in the presence of the other.
Lucas broke the silence, "Hey Riles?"
"Hmmm?"
"Are you ready to start the next phase of our lives? College is just around the corner."
"Umm…I guess….on second thought, no, not really" Riley replies quietly.
Lucas is shocked by her answer.
"What's wrong Princess? I thought you would be excited to be moving on to NYU. You, Maya, Josh and…."
Riley cuts him off mid-sentence "No you. Why would I be excited?" she replies glumly.
Lucas smiles "What if I told you that you should be excited because I WILL be there?"
Riley jumps off of her bed "Why?" "What?" "How?" she stutters
"Relax Princess! I got accepted to NYU too."
"But I thought Texas was your dream?"
"It was and then you fell in my lap. Now, my dreams all include you."
Riley is quiet for a moment and then bursts into tears.
"Riles! What's wrong? I thought this would make you happy!?" Lucas questions frantically as he jumps up from the bay window and attempts to take her in his arms.
"You thought it would make me happy? You big jerk! I'm over the moon. I've been preparing myself for our goodbye. You don't know how scared I've been knowing that I was going to lose you!" Riley yells back at him, flailing her arms.
Lucas finally succeeds in wrapping her in his arms.
"Riley, calm down. No matter what happened, there was never going to be a goodbye between us. It was never an option. At worst, it would have been an "I'll see you soon" followed by my racking up the frequent flier miles coming back here to see you."
"Is this what you really want? Lucas, I don't want to hold you back. Don't feel you have to do this" She nestles her head into his chest.
He lifts her head so that he is looking into her eyes. "Riley, I wasn't lying when I told you that you are my future. I decided to apply to NYU for both of us. I knew I wouldn't be happy being so far away from you. I am at my happiest when you are at my side. The programs are on par with each other. The deciding factor for me was knowing that I would be able to chase my career dreams without having to sacrifice my life dreams. One day, in the not so distant future, I will fulfill my dream of being a vet AND my dream of you being Mrs. Riley Friar. You think Maya was in it for the long game? I'm in it too but for…eternity. I love you Riley Matthews"
The smile that breaks out on Riley's face is bright enough to rival the brightest sun. "I love you too, Lucas Friar"
"I would like us to go to Texas during the summer and so I can intern with Doc Johnson. Pappy Joe has been begging me to bring you back for an extended visit."
"I would love to spend summers in Texas with you Lucas. I love spending time with your family. I love hearing all of their stories about you as a kid….but I have to earn my keep. I need to do something. I need to either get a job or be given chores to do around the house and the ranch. I don't want to take advantage of anyone."
"Well Princess, you can take advantage of me whenever you want." Lucas replies with a smirk. "You know I love it when you do."
"That's not quite what I had in mind Mr. Friar." Riley giggles in reply
"I know it's not but you presented me with an opportunity so I had to take it. So, we have a plan? We'll summer in Texas and go to NYU… together?"
"I think so but you have to promise me Lucas, that if you are not happy in NYU and want to go home, that you will."
"Riley, when I'm with you, I am home. But you have to promise me that if you are not happy in Texas, that you will tell me."
"I will, you are my future too Lucas and if we need to separate a little now to insure our future, I'll be OK with that"
"I wouldn't be OK with that but I will do whatever I have to, to make sure you stay my smiley, happy Riley."
"With you by my side…how can I be anything else?"
They stayed wrapped in each other's arms for a few more minutes and then went in search of her parents to tell them the news.
A/N: The next chapter will be the last. It will bring us back to the start of this story. There will be a companion piece tentatively titled "Girl Meets World 2.0". It is in Lucas' POV.
A/N2: Some of you have asked me if my faith in Rucas is shaken…. It is not. I refuse to think that clothing choices, food choices and other nonsensical things indicate which "ship" is endgame. It wouldn't make sense for the writers to give away anything at this point. At the end of the day, their jobs depend on ratings…to give away the ending this early, would only cause them to lose viewers.