Hi again... after eternity again... I'm sorry again... I hope you guys are still around again...

I need to speak about this. This fanfic was started years and YEARS ago (2017!) and in those years I've changed, grown, and matured a lot as a person and as a writer. When I look back at the earlier chapters I really don't like the way I wrote it, how unrefined and unplanned it was. As a perfectionist, my urge is to go back and rewrite. But as a reader, I know how irritating it is to have the narrative you know change and have to go back and reread everything, and keep the two different storylines of the same story separate. Therefore, I have made the decision to keep everything as it is.

However, this is difficult for me as I now have to try to improve as best as I can and create an arc from what exists already. I am also older and a lot busier with school now, so finding time to write is even more difficult. As this chapter will show you, the direction that I'm steering in is kind of wrapping up this story so I can MAYBE start something new. At the same time, I want to end it well and smoothly and not do things half-assed. So I believe there will only be a few more chapters left in this journey.

Thank you all again so much for taking a chance on me, for sticking with me, for believing in the magic of writing. Enjoy the short chapter!

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"Okay, guys. Causation. What is the lead up to the things that happen? What makes them happen? Essentially, why do they happen as they do?"

"Decisions," said Lucas. "Decisions shape circumstance, which then cause... something... to happen."

"Very good, Lucas," Matthews said, pointing at him. "Decisions are key in shaping our future. The circumstance of a situation leads people to make decision, and these decisions determine the cause of something. Since we are still in history class and I am inclined to keep my job, let's talk about this in the context of war.

First, the circumstance of a situation. For example, the cracks and problems already present in the society or country. This leads people to the second phase; decisions.

People can decide what they want. 'The money isn't being used right, so I have decided that I am angry with the government!' Or, 'This half of society is against my half of society, so I have decided that we should fight to the death!' That becomes phase three; cause and event. These decisions cause something to happen, like an uprising or a civil war."

"Something as big as a civil war can happen because of that?" Maya asked.

"Yeah, Maya. It can." Matthews replied. Riley turned and looked at Maya in the eye for the first time in a while.

"There were cracks in our friendship?" It sounded confused. Bewildered by such a thought.

"I don't know, Riles," was all Maya could get out, a quiet sort of resign. A breath escaping silently, like hope leaving a soul. "I don't know." There was silence in the class as both looked at each other. Matthews looked between them both.

"Bay window."

"What?" Maya's body froze, recoiling into itself. The breath that had left sucked back in, as desperate and as necessary as a grasp for oxygen.

"Bay window right in five hours."

Lucas was watching Maya out of the corner of his eyes as they walked silently to the Matthews'.

"Quit staring, Huckleberry," she said quietly without changing her line of sight, the corners of her mouth turned up in an almost-smile.

"Sorry." Silence again. They walked another minute before she snapped.

"Just say something, okay?! Spit it out or just stop doing that and leave and we can leave all this mess behind! This all started with you anyways, why'd you have to show up here and mess us all up?" They had stopped walking. She closed her eyes and said quieter, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. You've done nothing wrong, Lucas. This whole thing just-"

"Maya." He put his hands against her arms and she finally looked up at him, but didn't pull away. "I just want you to be okay." She wrapped her arms around him and leaned into him, and Lucas realised that Maya was hugging him. He waited for her to pull away but she didn't, so he did the same and let her rest on him for a minute.

"I'm just scared."

"I know."

"...if you tell anyone I will skin you alive and make it into a fur coat for Ginger."

"Okay."

—

What did you guys think? I had to go back and get into the GMW vibe again, it's been so long. We have a sweet little Lucaya moment here. The next chapter will definitely be Riley+Maya! I hope you guys understand my reasoning and writers choice in the above author's note, but I think it's definitely time.

Comments

heidi0620: Thank you very much! I agree, I think something just changes in us with time and all and it's different for each person. I agree though, high school is much better. It's crazy to see all my readers being so different and of a wide range.

I hope everyone is staying safe in these times, no matter where we all are. Read the news, form an opinion, educate ourselves. Keep reading, keep rockin'.

xx,

Rocksrain