Hello my darlings! Thank you so much for your kind comments and reviews! Thanks to Sandy for getting me majorly un-stuck with this chapter.

I'm sorry the updates are coming along a little slow I'm starting a new job, and I also have to wait for the episodes to air before I write the chapters around them. I hope I can write a little bonus chapter soon, though. I got ideas!

Anyways, onto the chapter.

Walk Me Home

Chapter 9: No Reason Why

(Set around Semi-Formal)

Lucas knew he should have asked sooner, but he had simply assumed Riley and him would go together to the Semi Formal, since they had their 'unofficial' thing going on. As the date drew closer, though, Riley began to drop bigger and bigger hints about being asked.

But he had dragged his feet, put it off and he couldn't quite figure out why. It wasn't that he didn't want to go to the dance (or go to the dance with her), but the closer it got, the more he wished the four of them would go together as friends.

Plus, he knew no one had asked Maya yet. And Farkle was already planning on going alone, so it just made more sense to him.

But then Charlie Gardner had asked Riley to the dance. Hell he had done the BIG ASK with flowers and balloons and Yogi on skates. It was the Big Gesture a girl like Riley dreamed of, the kind Lucas hadn't been planning.

And it wasn't like Lucas was above the Big Gesture-thing, but it got so tiring after a while. He sometimes felt like he was always auditioning for the part of "official-unofficial Riley's Boyfriend."

In the end, it was moot point since Riley couldn't go. But Lucas had to admit he was a bit relieved – way deep down where he wasn't ready to wonder why – and decided to just tag along with Farkle and, surprisingly, Charlie.

Charlie who was a really good guy once you got him talking, as he was more on the quiet side. The two of them were having fun watching Farkle dance – alone and with as many girls as he could get close enough to – when Maya and Riley showed up.

That had been awkward to say the least.

In the end, he and Charlie decided to let Riley figure things out on her own and just have fun. He had danced a little with Riley and a little with Maya, and with Maya and Farkle at the same time, which was an experience all on its own, while Riley danced with Charlie.

Things got a little less awkward as the night progressed, and in the end he was almost sure he had had a good time.

Even when Maya decided to jump on his back…

The whole week had been stressful.

Ever since the yearbooks had been handed out, Maya's life had been stressful because she didn't know what to tell Riley anymore. Riley was still so caught up in what Lucas represented, rather than in her actual feelings for him, and Maya didn't know how to make Riley see it.

In the end, she'd convinced Riley to go to the dance, and she wanted to believe Riley had started to figure things out. Plus, Riley seemed to genuinely like Charlie the more time they spent together, so that was good.

"My feet are killing me," Maya complained as she dug inside her locker for the flats she had left there earlier in the day, in preparation for the dance.

"You shouldn't have worn such high heels to begin with," Riley said as she, Lucas, Farkle and Charlie waited for her.

The five of them were going to the Round The Clock Dinner for a Post-Semi-Formal snack before heading home. Because the awkward just wouldn't stop.

"Well, when you are a short, little stack of pancakes you don't have many options, do you Maya?" Lucas called out.

"Shut up, Sundance." Maya muttered as they all began walking toward the exit. "Hey!" she exclaimed as a thought came to mind and passed her heels to Riley with a: "Hold these, Riles!"

"Maya, what are you-" Riley cut herself off as she watched Maya take a running leap onto Lucas's back.

Lucas stumbled a little before reaching back to steady Maya, who was now clinging to him like a monkey. "What the...? This again?"

"Yup, this again." Maya said, arranging her skirt so it covered most of her legs. "I'm tired and it's your fault."

"How is it my fault?"

"Everything's your fault, Huckleberry." Maya said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "It makes my life easier."

Lucas laughed. "Okay, so how long do I have to carry you this time?"

"Forever. I'm not walking again."

"Good thing you are one small pancake."

"Shut up."

"You look very nice tonight, I don't think I told you when I first saw you."

"Aw, thanks Huckleberry. You clean up nice too." Maya said. "Though I kind of miss the hat."

"Want me to wear it on Monday?"

"Really?"

"Why not?"

Maya giggled. "Will you throw in the boots too?"

"Don't push it."

"But I thought you appreciated a nice, pointy boot in Texas."

"Shut up or I'll drop you."

"Nah, you won't. You're strong as a horse. Don't even work at it, just are." Maya mumbled.

"When did I say that?" Lucas asked, because it sounded like him.

"To Shack. Beginning of the year." She slurred.

"Are you asleep?" Lucas asked. "Is she asleep?" he added to Farkle, who was walking next to them. Riley and Charlie were up front.

"Looks like. I don't know how she does it," Farkle said. "Want me to wake her up?"

"It's fine. She wiggles less this way." Lucas shrugged.

"Did you enjoy the dance?"

"I'm not sure." Lucas said surprised by the statement.

"How come?"

"It wasn't what I expected." He admitted, "Maybe we should all just go as friends for the Christmas dance."

"Why? Afraid of a little competition?" Farkle asked, pointing ahead to where Riley and Charlie waited for them.

"Ranger Rick is afraid he won't get a date." Maya sing-songed.

"Weren't you asleep?"

"It comes and goes." Maya shrugged. "But don't worry, Huckleberry. Farkle and I will go with you if you want. Won't we Farkle?"

"I guess," Farkle answered before adding in a whisper to himself: "If nothing happens by Christmas."

Up ahead, Charlie looked back at Lucas and Maya.

"So, that happens often?" Charlie asked, pointing to Maya riding on Lucas' back.

"More often than you would think."

"Why?"

"Probably because Lucas lets her," Riley laughed. "We still don't know why he lets her."

"I think I know." Charlie said in a low voice that Riley didn't hear.

"Come on, guys! They are going to close the dinner!"

"It's called the "Round The Clock Dinner", Riley. I think we are fine." Farkle said.

"Do you want help with that?" Charlie asked Lucas, pointing toward Maya.

Lucas tensed, "It's fine."

"Strong as a horse. Doesn't even try!" Maya said in her the 'Best Gal Sally' accent she had been using for days, making everyone laugh.