So this chapter ended up longer than I planned, mainly cause I didn't want to cut the chapter in half or just cut anything out. For all non-Texas...I highly recommend looking up homecoming mums after you read this to really get what I'm talking about. They are ridiculous and to this day I hate that they aren't a thing anywhere else really. It was hard not to throw it in when I myself had a similar experience realizing I wasn't gonna get one when I finally went to Homecoming.

October

The bonus of art class was the freedom. Or at least that was the case for Maya. It really was true, when you tried in a class, teachers tended to appreciate it. Art was the one thing Maya would forever try in. Passion had that effect on a person. For Maya, freedom in art class meant she could find a place to draw outside the classroom during free draw days. Her drawing spot was the same for the past month and a half, the football field. The main reason was because Lucas had football practice for the last period of the day and it was one of the easiest ways to see him.

Sitting in the tow row of the bleachers, Maya watched the freshman football team practice. As she watched her hand aimlessly drew. Despite getting pens from the Matthews so long ago and always using oil paints in class, when she was drawing on her own free time she found out she much preferred charcoal pencils. Something about them was just…smooth. It was the best way to describe it. Sadly the pencils made for some difficulty when she wasn't paying too close attention to what she was doing, the smudging could be horrible. Glancing down at her paper though she was shocked to see she hadn't smudged a single line unintentionally. Then again, it was another drawing of Lucas' face, something she had gotten a little too good at over the months. Staring down at her portrait of her boyfriend Maya didn't look up again until she heard someone shouting something other than plays.

"FRIAR WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"

"It'll just be a moment Coach."

"Son you keep running up those stairs you can kiss that JV starting position goodbye."

"Come on Coach, I swear just a moment."

As the shouting continued Maya saw Lucas running on the bleachers toward her. Her eyes widened. What the hell was he doing? His coach was threatening to take JV away…not that Maya knew that that meant but by the look on the rest of the team's faces it was big deal to risk it. The rest of the freshmen team was all standing behind the coach, in dead silence. Catching Lucas' eye she started to shake her head as she stood up. What was he thinking? He was going to say hi and get kicked off the team based off the red on the coach's face. The two of them saw each other enough; he didn't need to do that at all. Since the shaking head wasn't working, Maya began to shoo him away too.

"Friar are you trying to tell me that girl is more important to you than football?

"Without a doubt Coach."

Maya's eyes widened and her whole body stood still.

"You know what you're doing Friar?"

Lucas was finally standing in front of Maya, a step down from her so they were nearly the same height. Sweat was dripping from his hair as he stood there. She could see beads on his neck as the slowly dripped down passed the collar of his shirt. Even like this Maya loved the way he looked. His was breathing deeply, enough to make his check lift noticeably with each breath. Now that he was standing there Maya just shook her head slowly. What was he doing risking something for her.

"I know exactly what I'm doing Coach."

"Clearly you don't Huckleberry."

"Will you shut up Shortstack, I want to ask you something."

A look of disbelief filled her eyes as she stared at her boyfriend. Really, that was it; he wanted to ask her something. They were going to see each other in 30 minutes when school was over. Now she was going to have to carry around the guilt of being the reason he got kicked off the team. There was no way in hell she was that important.

"Lucas please just go back down and make nice with your coach. Please. Whatever it is it can't be that important. I'll see you after school and you can talk to me then. Please, just go back."

"Maya you're always gonna be more important to me than anything, I hope you know that."

Despite the situation, she smiled. It was a sweet, and not something she often heard. But still he was being an idiot. He could easily make that sentiment in a way that was less detrimental to his sports career at school.

"Friar you sure?"

"Yes Coach."

Just as Maya opened her mouth again to protest someone else started to shout. Not just someone, many someones. An entire freshman football team of someones. Maya's mouth gaped as she listened to the shouting crowd.

"MAYA HART WILL YOU GO TO HOMECOMING WITH ME?!"

The shout seemed to echo through the field, and if she wasn't mistaken, throughout the school too. Glancing over Lucas shoulder she stared down at the team, and coach, all grinning as they lifted up the largest sign she had ever seen. The type of sign that football teams bust through at the start of a game. The message that was shouted was as also written out in large block letters. It wasn't the most artistically skilled poster in the world, but it didn't need to be. Pulling her attention back to Lucas, Maya met his bright grin with a look of annoyance.

"You ask me to homecoming by making me think you're gonna be kicked off the team."

"Yes ma'am."

"Alright Bucky McBoing Boing and that seemed like a good idea?"

A low groan escaped Lucas lips as his bright grinned turned into shy smile. It had been ages since she used that nickname, since he told her it was his least favorite. Which meant using it not was without a doubt a very specific thing. She was not pleased.

"About five minutes ago I did."

"You…stupid…dork."

The look of annoyance vanished instantly as Maya broke into a smile and laughed. Lucas eyes widened and he wrapped his arms around her waist. With easy he lifted her up and spun her off the bleacher so he was holding her tight against him, her feet dangling. Instinct kicked in and Maya wrapped her arms his neck, only to instantly regret the decision.

"Ew you're so sweaty."

"Yea but you're going with me to homecoming with me so who cares."

"I haven't said yes."

"But you will."

"You sure about that?"

"Absolutely."

With a kiss the football team began cheering loudly. Once Lucas placed her back on the bench so she could stand her eyes rolled as he turned around to face his team. A punch in the air for celebration just made his teammates scream even louder. Even the coach was clapping, for a moment.

"Alright Friar back to work."

"Yes sir."

After another peck on the lips Lucas turned back around and with light push from Maya he made his way back down the bleachers to practice. Truth be told she didn't need some elaborate way to get asked to homecoming, at all. The grand gestures had always been more of Riley's thing than Maya's, and it wasn't as if this was all that grand. Though as she sat back down and practice resumed, she couldn't get the smile off her face. It couldn't have been that easy to get the whole team and coach involved. But he did it for her.

"What the hell is this?"

"It's a mum."

"A what?"

"A mum."

"That is not an explanation Huckleberry."

Lucas glanced around at the rest of the group. Riley was happily playing with the bells and ribbons dangling from the mum that Lucas attached to Maya's locker. As people walked through the halls each of them took an extended glance at the group and the giant mum. After getting a shrug from Farkle, Lucas' face dropped.

"It's a tradition for homecoming. The guy makes his date a mum, personizes it with school colors and her interest with little dangling trinkets. Do people really not do that here at all? I know it's a bigger deal in Texas but…really nothing?"

There was a sincere sadness on Lucas' face as he continued to glance around his friends. He wished Zay was around, at least then he'd have someone that knew what he was doing. He'd been in New York for long enough to know it wasn't the same as Texas but there were traditions he was so excited about for high school it never hit him they wouldn't be the same. Lucas fell against the lockers next to the mum and swatted the ribbons causing the bells to chime. Despite his disappointment he looked over at Maya apologetically.

"I'm sorry. It's this huge thing in Texas and I probably should have realized it wasn't here. I'll take it down so you don't have to worry about it."

Maya stared at Lucas, and for once he had no idea how to decipher what she was thinking. Normally her mood was so easy to read. At least for him. Right now though, he just stared as she walked up to him. With Lucas slumped against the lockers, their height differences wasn't as intense at it normally was. Once she was right against his slumped form, she took another step forward forcing him to stand up straight. With a look of confusion Lucas stared down at the small blonde girl in front of him. He watched intently as she reached up grabbed his tie (why football players had to dress up for games never made sense to him but he did it anyways) and straightened it before tightening the knot.

"It's an intriguing tradition. It's just supposed to hang there on the locker…"

"You were it."

"I what?"

Maya shook her head clearing her thoughts.

"You made it for me. That's the second thing…third if you count the sign when you asked me to homecoming. So I'm gonna like it. I do like it, even if it's the weirdest tradition I know."

"So you'll…."

"Hold your horses Sundance, I'm not gonna wear it, but I'm keeping it there."

"Can I wear it?"

Turning their heads Maya and Lucas laughed as the watched Riley eye the mum. She seemed to having a little too much fun playing with all the string, bells, and trinkets attached. Glancing back at Lucas for a moment Maya nodded.

"It's all yours to wear if you want Peaches."

"YAAAAAAAAAY. It's so pretty!"

Shaking his head Lucas took a step around Maya and began to help Riley put on the mum, pinning it to her jacket since it was a bit too heavy for her shirt. With a grin she bound off to her classroom bells ringing as she walked down the hall. Lucas wrapped his arm around Maya, with Farkle in tow, the three walked Maya to her English classroom before the two boys made their way to Biology.

There was complete silence as Maya and Lucas just stared at each other. Once Shawn opened the door to let Lucas in there hadn't been a single word spoken. The last time there was a dance was the faithful night Riley found out, when they finally were honest with what they wanted. And that was nearly eight months ago. Now he was picking her up for their first big High School dance, and more importantly he was picking up his date. His date who was utterly beautiful. The royal blue dress was perfect on her, her hair was pulled up but there were wisps of blonde curls that brushed against her neck. A neck he so desperately wanted to kiss. In the distance someone cleared their throat and Lucas finally pulled his attention off of Maya to look at Shawn. Who happened to be far closer than either of them realized.

"If I'm not mistaken a hello is typically required at this moment."

As Shawn spoke he took a step behind Lucas and put his hands on the young boy's shoulders, squeezing a bit tighter than necessary. It was hard to believe it had already been so long since the two started dating. Because of how similar Shawn and Maya were, part of him was worried that she would be like him with everything, the opposite sex included. Luckily for him, that wasn't the case. At least he was able to keep a very close and threatening eye on the one boy that was keeping Maya's attention.

"Maya…you look beautiful."

Maya would never be a girly girl, whatever that actually meant. And there was nothing wrong with that in her mind. But if there was ever a moment for her to be that type of girl, the one that wants the frills and the sappy love story, this would be the time. Her cheeks flushed at the complement, her head tilting to the side slight. She desperately needed to get a hold of herself, especially with Shawn staring at her with that look and her mom emanating glee a few steps away.

"Thanks Huckleberry, you look pretty dashing yourself. And pleased you left the mum at home."

Lucas smirked as his mouth opened to give a snarky retort before grimacing. The hands on his shoulders squeezed tightly and he could feel Shawn's breath on his neck. A small voice in Lucas' head told him if he moved wrong the man behind him would have no problem killing him. This man was a bit more deadly to deal with than Mr. Matthews had been in regards to Riley.

"You loved it."

"I did."

The response was quick, it happened before she even thought about it. But there it was. Maya's stomach had this odd habit of fluttering whenever the word love was used in response to anything related to Lucas. It started happening months ago but she was so good at avoiding it. The silence between them fell again as they just smiled. While her eyes were locked on Lucas she could see in the corner her mom smiling brightly at Shawn. It was enough to pull Maya's attention away from Lucas and get her head on straight.

"Alright enough of the staring, we've got a dance to attend to. Think you could teach me a hoedown Hopalong?"

"Absolutely Shortstack."

With a nod, Maya walked over to her mom knowing full well there were a few last minute hair fluffs and wrinkles to smooth out. While Maya was with her mom, Shawn took the opportunity to forcibly turn Lucas around so they were facing each other. His hands kept a tight grip on the boy's shoulders. Shawn spoke quietly so the girls couldn't hear.

"I was a high school kid once."

"I would assume so Sir."

"I know."

"Know what Sir?"

"Just be aware I know. I will find out. I will hurt you."

Emphasizing the point Shawn gave Lucas' shoulders one last strong squeeze.

"I understand Sir."

"Good."

Maya grabbed Lucas' hand allowing him to finally escape Shawn's grasp and began to lead him out of the apartment. Shawn wrapped his arm around Katy's shoulder pulling her into him tightly as they waved goodbye to the young couple. Once the door was closed Lucas walked a few more feet before stopping, forcing Maya to stop as well.

"Everything okay Huckleberry?"

"Yea I just need to do something real fast."

Before Maya responded, Lucas turned to her. In an instant one arm was wrapped around her waist pulling her toward him. Her breath caught in her throat as his other hand brushed some of the blonde wisps behind her ear and landed at the base of her neck. Tilting her head back slightly his lips crashed against hers. As the kiss deepened he lifted her up with his arm and took a few steps back pinning her against the wall. A low moan escaped Lucas' lips as they parted. Maya' fingers entangled themselves in his hair as her legs started to lift up to wrap themselves around his waist. His hand around her waist moved down helping to steady her as her ankles linked together. Maya moaned softly as Lucas' lips moved from her lips to kiss her lightly on the corner of her mouth, her chin, and moving along her jawline before finding their way to her neck. A nearby door opened and they quickly tried to detangled themselves. Lucas lowered Maya down as she detached her legs from his waist. Stepping apart they watched each other attempt to catch their breaths. Cheeks were flushed, lips red, and their clothes looked completely disheveled. Biting her bottom lip Maya smirked.

"Real fast?"

"Well we do have someplace to be, can't get too carried away."

"Next time."

Lucas' eyes widened at the comment and the devilish smirk on Maya's face. The smirk turned into a deceivingly sweet smile. Instead of responding she just took the stunned unmoving Lucas by the hand and started dragging him along. As they walked she straightened up his shirt, sport coat, and her own dress.

"We do have to hurry. Riley will kill us if we are late meeting her and Charlie."

"Okay…but when is this next time?"