I tapped my fingers against my desk nervously, my eyes trained on the doorway in front of me. I was already seated in my father's classroom, feeling as nervous as a teenage girl could possibly feel. It was obvious that Farkle and Maya thought I was acting like a total lunatic, but it was shockingly easy not to focus on them at the moment. Because, unless I was a very creative dreamer, last night Lucas Friar had visited me in my bedroom. And we had said we loved each other.

I had no idea what this meant for our relationship. Before he said he loved me the first time, we had been somewhere between just friends and much more than friends. That had been a surprisingly comfortable place in linger in until a later date. But then everything went completely crazy and changed and now I had no idea what we were.

Which was positively terrifying.

I glanced down at my desk after a minute, deciding that I might as well get everything ready for class. It was supposed to start in no time at all, anyway. Sighing to myself, and vaguely wondering if Lucas was planning to ditch today, I pulled out my pencil and opened up my notebook. It was be entirely too awkward if I ended up failing the class my own father was teaching. Even if it was because I had relationship problems, or whatever the proper thing to call it was. I didn't think my dad would really understand if I had to explain it to him.

"Morning, sunshine."

I jerked my head up instinctively, smiling automatically. "Hey," I said softly. My dad, Farkle, and even Maya seemed a little surprised at our polite exchange, but fortunately didn't comment on it. Lucas took his usual seat right behind me and I fiddled with my fingers nervously, wondering what in the world I was planning on saying to him after class. How do you ask someone if you dreamed telling them you loved them in your bedroom in the middle of the night?

Why couldn't there be a WikiHow page for everything imaginable? It would make life so much easier for everybody.

If anyone could ever imagine a situation like this, of course.

"All right," my dad spoke up suddenly. "The French Revolution. Can anyone tell me what year it hap- Farkle?"

Farkle lowered his hand, grinning slightly. "The French Revolution began in 1789 and lasted until 1799. It was partially carried forward by Napoleon during the later expansion of the French Empire."

My father nodded, smiling almost to himself. He always loved it when people answered his questions. I was beginning to think this was what got him up in the mornings. "Correct. The Revolution ended up overthrowing the monarchy, established a republic, experienced violent periods of political turmoil-"

Maya feigned a yawn. "Shape up, Matthews, you're not only boring me but you're boring the entire class. I'd rather be right smack in the middle of the French Revo-whatever than hear you talk about it anymore."

My dad smiled sarcastically at her. "Thanks so much, future mini mart worker who will unfortunately get paid more than me. But how about this? The Revolution profoundly altered the course of , triggering the global decline of absolute monarchies. Can anybody here tell me what a monarchy is?"

Farkle raised his hand again, but spoke without being called on. "A monarchy is a state or nation in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a monarch." Maya rolled her eyes, but held back on her usual sarcastic remarks, which was fairly nice.

My dad nodded. "Correct again, Farkle. Now, can any of you human beings tell me the cause of the French Revolution?"

This time, I raised my hand. "Riley?" my dad asked, seeming shocked. I hadn't been raising my hand a lot in the past ... oh, four months?

"No one really knows. Even today, historians continue to debate its cause, because there are pretty much infinite possibilities. We can only guess."

My dad grinned widely. "That's my girl."

. . .

I stumbled out of the classroom once the bell rang, nervously twiddling my thumbs. Maya was standing besides me, grumbling on and on about how school was making her want to light herself on fire. I couldn't help but tune her out, prying open my locker (the door was starting to jam) and stuffing my history book in there. I vaguely heard a familiar laugh, and a glance around determined that it was Farkle. Well, at least I didn't have to feel guilty about tuning Maya out anymore.

"Hey there, sunshine."

I spun around reflexively, narrowly avoiding smashing right into him. Blushing furiously, I forced a shaky laugh. "Hi, Lucas." I was really going to have to get Maya to teach me how to act cool around people. She hid her feelings for Farkle for who knows how long, why couldn't she just teach me how to act cool around the guy I loved?

The guy I loved. It almost amused me, how casually I thought it even though I only accepted it last night. I wondered how long it would take until I started feeling terrified again.

"You know, all that talk about the French Revolution reminded me of something I've never told you," Lucas started, leaning against the lockers besides mine.

Maya snickered. "Oh, this should be funny."

I raised my eyebrows, smiling apologetically on behalf of my best friend. I loved her, I really did, but sometimes she took the whole teasing Lucas thing to absolute extremes. "Let's hear it."

"I speak French."

I laughed breathlessly, and I cringed internally when I realized it made it sound like I didn't believe him. "Seriously?" Okay, maybe I didn't believe him. But I haven't met too many people from Austin, Texas, who know how to speak French. Then again, he was the very first person I had ever met from Texas, so what did I know?

He nodded. "Mhm. My ... my mom taught me how to speak it when I was a little kid. I guess it kind of stuck with me, even now."

I didn't miss his hesitation when he mentioned his mother, but decided not to comment on it. Now was not the time, with Maya and Farkle hovering close by and all these teenagers crowding by the set of lockers. "Whoa, that's sort of amazing." Actually, it was incredible, but I didn't want to seem too impressed. After all, I was trying to give this "cool" facade a shot.

I gave it five minutes until I started acting like a complete idiot again.

Lucas chuckled, before abruptly biting his bottom lip hard. Leaning towards me, he lightly brushed his lips against my ear. "Je t'aime, Riley," he whispered softly.

The first warning bell rang then, and he pulled away from me, smirking widely. "I'll catch up with you guys later," he said casually, winking at me before already heading off to his next class.

"Since when are you guys talking again?" Maya asked the second he was out of hearing range, her eyebrows raising expectantly.

I blinked a few times, somewhat frozen in place before reluctantly turning around to face her. "Huh?" Well, so much for five more minutes until I started acting like a complete idiot again. In my defense, the boy I was in love with had just murmured something in my ear, something that I didn't understand, and-

And it was very, very hot.

I blushed the second the thought crossed my mind, tugging out my textbook for my next class and shutting my locker door quickly. I unintentionally ended up slamming it, though, and everyone nearby winced from the loud noise. Laughing nervously, I swung my book bag over my shoulders and turned so I was facing Farkle and Maya again. They were both staring at me like I grew a second head, but I honestly couldn't blame them. I was acting much weirder than usual. "Um, since last night. We should probably get to class."

"You-" Maya started, before seemingly changing her mind, shaking her head to herself. "Sure, all right. But we're talking about this later."

Greeeat.

. . .

The cafeteria was already crowded by the time I entered; my last class had ended up running late. I exhaled, not looking forward to the inevitable long line, but stepped in line, anyway. Rocking back an forth on the heels of my feet, I looked around the large room. There were so many teenagers and kids, talking about a million different topics. There were so many things we all had in common: We were all most likely worrying about something or somebody, we all loved and cared for people, we all felt broken sometimes. Maybe more than we cared to admit. But it was as if everyone focused on the things that set us apart, and used that for excuses to hurt the people different from them.

I shook my head to myself, my thoughts wandering to a subject I had been avoiding thinking about. Farkle getting bullied, that is. I knew that it had probably been pretty hard on him, and I felt awful for not being there as much as I should have. We were supposed to be friends, but I hadn't been the greatest friend to him these past few months. I would have to find some way to make it up to him.

"Matthews," a familiar voice greeted me, traces of playfulness in his tone.I smiled, turning around a bit.

"Friar," I retorted, pleased that I wasn't acting as insane as I had been earlier. I had gotten the chance to translate what he said to me after my father's class, but I hoped it wasn't too important. Knowing me, it would end up slipping my mind and I would never find out what it meant.

Lucas pressed his forehead against mine, catching me off guard. No wonder I never knew what to expect from this boy, he was constantly doing or saying new, unexpected things. I assumed that was a small part of why I fell so hard for him. "I'm hoping we can resume our tradition of sitting together at lunch now?"

"If you want, sure." I sounded so nonchalant that it was actually funny. It made no sense to me, how I was acting so casual about whatever was going on between us when I felt lie a nervous wreck. Still, maybe this meant that all these years of hanging around Maya were finally beginning to rub off on me and I was "cool."

Or maybe everything that had been happening lately had finally crashed down on me and I had officially snapped. Either way, I wasn't complaining.

He chuckled lightly, almost as breathless as my laughter this morning. "Of course I do. Haven't I made that extremely clear lately? I've been trying to, at least. The little French bit outside of history class is a great example of that."

Someone behind us cleared their throat and I reluctantly pulled away from Lucas, stepping forward in line. He immediately followed me, wrapping his arms around my waist like it was completely natural. Like we had been together for months, instead of just friends. Which we technically still were. "You do realize what I said in French, right?"

I briefly considered lying through my teeth, before realizing that it would only backfire. Besides, wasn't I trying to look cool, thus avoiding seeming like a little weirdo? "No," I muttered honestly.

He leaned closer to me, his lips lightly brushing mine. I swallowed hard, raising my eyebrows slightly but not saying anything. I couldn't trust my voice enough, for my luck it would end up cracking. "It means, I love you, Riley," he mumbled, just loud enough for me to hear.

I swallowed hard, my nerves acting up again. It was a miracle I could manage to think somewhat coherently, even though it felt like I was about to start screaming. "Oh," I choked out at last, my traitor voice sounding as nervous as I felt.

He chuckled, gently nudging me forward so we were moving up in line. "I believe I already mentioned that a couple times last night, correct?"

"So it wasn't a dream." Well, so much for being subtle about my fears. I blushed lightly, reflexively starting to step away from him, but he pulled me even closer so there was barely any distance between us.

Nodding, he smirked. "It most definitely was not a dream. Neither was what you said to me the second time. You do recall that, right, sunshine?"

"I do."

"Did you mean it?"

I opened my mouth to tell him that I did, but it felt like I was paralyzed. A pointed cough behind us motivated me to tug away from Lucas, taking a few steps forward. Apparently we had been lingering in place for longer than I had originally thought. No wonder so many people were shooting us dirty looks.

I risked a glimpse at Lucas, lacing my fingers together instinctively. It was as if I always did this whenever I wasn't around Maya, and I wasn't quite sure why. "Are you sure our middle school cafeteria is the most incredible place to discuss this personal subject?"

He shrugged simply, sliding his hands into his pockets. "I guess it's better than nowhere. Besides, it isn't like we can just pretend it never happened, because it did."

He was throwing my won words in my face. Cringing slightly, I took another step forward in line, picking up one of the bright red trays and flashing Geralyn a wide smile. "Hi, Geralyn."

"Riley," she greeted brightly. "How are you this afternoon?" she asked, loading my tray up with mashed potatoes. My dad's favorite, he was going to be so ecstatic.

I smiled somehow wider. "I'm fine, thanks. And you?"

"I'm good."

The person who had been standing behind Lucas and I in line coughed fakely again. My annoyance finally getting the best of me, I spun around. "Okay, what is you-?" The rest of my question fell flat when I realized who the person was.

Missy Bradford.

She smiled innocently, twirling a strand of her light brown hair around her pointer finger. But of course, there was nothing innocent about Missy Bradford. I vaguely wondered if there ever was any innocence in her life. "Aww, I'm sorry. My throat is just so sore lately! But- oh. Lucas, Riley! It's so fabulous to see you two. It's been awhile since we've gotten a chance to talk."

"I thought you two were friends," I said unthinkingly, gesturing between Lucas and Missy.

The brunette girl's expression hardened, but only long enough for me to see. "Oh, we are. but friends drift sometimes. I remember the same exact thing occurring with you and that blond friend of yours. Not that I see anything wrong with that. She seems pretty cruel."

A sarcastic laugh slipped from my lips, but I couldn't bring myself to feel any remorse. "Trust me, Maya Hart isn't cruel at all. She's amazing."

Missy's eyebrows furrowed together in false confusion. "Are you sure about that, Riley? All those nicknames she's given Lucas ... you know, I would have expected you to mind those, considering how close your friendship with Lucas is." Then, turning to Lucas, she continued, "or is already something more? Personally, I think you two would be awful together, but-"

"No offense, but I really don't care about your opinion," I interrupted quickly. Things were finally going fine, I wasn't going to let anyone mess it up. It was like Lucas and I were standing on a fragile line - it would only take the slightest bit of conflict to throw us off balance. And I wasn't sure I could handle going through anything like that again.

She raised a single eyebrow, seemingly offended. But I knew better. Missy couldn't care less what I thought, it was only an excuse to use her acting skills and try to make me look bad. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You heard the girl," Maya said, coming up to us. She glanced between me and Lucas before exhaling, grabbing our wrists. "Come on, let's get you two seated before anymore drama happens. That's the last thing either of you need right now," she added, flashing Missy a sarcastic smile before dragging Lucas and I out of line, our full trays still in our hands.

She stopped abruptly, releasing us both and spinning around. Her blond hair practically danced with the movement, catching the attention of quite a few teenage guys. Maya didn't even spare them a single look, her attention fixated on Missy. "By the way, I loathe you. So it's pretty meaningless to me if you think I'm 'cruel' or vicious or whatever," she said, still grinning sarcastically before latching onto Lucas and I again, literally pulling us to our usual lunch table.

We sat besides each other, and Maya plopped down in the seat across from me. "Riley, honey, not to sound rude, but are you out of your mind? That's freaking Missy Bradford! She's been trying to start a fight with you for the past two months!"

"Really?" I asked quietly, surprised. I was well aware of the fact that Missy didn't like me at all, but this was news to me.

"Doesn't Farkle usually sit with you guys? Lucas asked, subtly changing the subject.

Maya waved her hand dismissively. "Emergency debate club meeting. Riles, honestly, what were you thinking? You can't let her get to you."

"I didn't, not really," I mumbled.

My best friend heaved a quiet sigh, slumping her shoulders. "I know, I know. You wouldn't have said it if you didn't think it was best, et cetera, et cetera. But just try to avoid her, okay? She's sly, cunning, and she can get you into big trouble without even trying. You, too, Sundance," she added halfheartedly.

"Noted," Lucas muttered.

Avoiding Missy Bradford was going to work out a lot better than trying to avoid Lucas had in January. For starters, I wasn't completely infatuated with her. And I didn't exactly want anything to do with her.

So what could possibly go wrong?

. . .

A/N: Well, this chapter was a lot longer than I had originally planned, haha. So this chapter was mainly Rucas fluff and a brief encounter with Missy Bradford ... hmm. But anyways, thank you guys so much for all your reviews! We already have 119 and it's so amazing! I absolutely love hearing what you guys think, you're all very intelligent and nice and just asdfghjkl. Thank you.

So, thoughts on Lucas and Riley? Lucas speaking French? Missy trying to antagonize Riley? Anything at all? It's great to read what you think! :D Thanks for reading!

(I don't own Girl Meets World. I'm literally too tired to even think of adding a sarcastic remark. Sigh.)