A/N: Thank you for all the love I appreciate it.

"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength." - Charles Spurgeon

Riley sat in the stall with her knees to her chest. Her panic attack during Math made her run out of the class. The chest pain intensified and she tried to ground herself.

"Tile, toilet paper, door, waste bin, sneakers," she repeated as she listened to the dripping of the faucet.

She seized up when the door opened and could hear two girls giggling. She tried her best to stay shut as they began to talk about her of all things.

"Can you believe Riley is partnered with Lucas?"

Riley recognized the voices of Sarah and Yindra and froze with fear at the two girls.

"Yes I can," Sarah said and smacked her lips together.

Riley made a face as she realized that Sarah was fixing her makeup but also wanted to hear where she was going with this.

"I didn't, they haven't spoken in years, you know Lucas has been a grade-A dick to her," Yindra complained.

"Dick or not, you've heard the rumors right?" Sarah pestered.

"Riley did not sleep with Lucas behind Charlie's back," Yindra whined as Sarah sighed.

"Yin you cannot say it's weird that all of a sudden the two are working together, and she is pulling from Charlie, even Maya was whispering about it," Sarah said and Riley held back a gasp.

"What are you talking about?" Yindra asked.

Riley nodded as she silently agreed with Yindra for Sarah to continue to talk about Maya and the rumors. Instead, Riley heard shoes scuffling and Sarah opening some stall doors. Riley seized as Yindra groaned loudly. Sarah didn't continue her path of doors and walked back over to Yindra. Riley quietly let out a sigh and waited to listen to gossip.

"You didn't hear this from me but … I heard her and Zay talking about her catching Lucas in Riley's room, they were making out, now I know who Riley is but … if Maya her best friend is saying this why would she lie, something is fishy going," Sarah said and Yindra sighed.

"I liked Riley and Charlie together; they were cute," Yindra whined once more.

"How it's totally obvious how much Lucas is in love with Riley, I can't believe no one notices this, he is always staring at her like 24/7, he hasn't dated really anyone, and he's one of the popular guys, he's holding out for Riley, the boy had fallen deeply in love with our little Riley Matthews, and she finally sees it, so good for them," Sarah said.

"You're insane Sarah," Yindra said and Riley heard the door swing open and the two girls walk out.

Riley's knees dropped and plopped her feet onto the tiles. She couldn't believe Maya had discussed her kiss with Lucas at school. On top of it, everyone was going to keep spreading rumors about her and Lucas. She knew the best thing to do right now is to talk to Charlie and prove to him she didn't plan for this to happen. She walked over to the sink and began to wash her hands. Her panic attack had faded as she listened to the rumors, it was a good distraction but she knew she had to find a way to calm them at school. Upon returning to class, she saw Farkle holding her backpack and a frown on his face.

"Are you okay?" He asked as she hesitantly grabbed it from him.

She nodded to inform him that she is okay for the moment but she wasn't ready to talk. She slid into her seat and listened to the teacher drone on the importance of Calculus. Her mind swirled with thoughts of how she was going to talk to Charlie, to talk to Lucas, to figure things out. The bell rang and she sighed as students shuffled around her, finding their friends to talk to one another. Farkle watched her get up in a daze and follow her movements out of the classroom.

"Riles?" Farkle asked when they reached their lockers.

"Yeah?" Her voice was soft and floaty.

"Are you okay?" He asked and Riley shook her head no.

"People think I am sleeping with Lucas, Charlie won't talk to me and I might possibly kill Maya for talking to Zay at school about me," Riley said.

"Your friends know the truth to everything, don't worry Riles," Farkle offered and she smiled sadly.

"I know it's … just not easy," Riley mumbled and clutched her backpack straps.

"Life isn't easy ever," Farkle said and maneuvered his head towards their lockers.

"You can't help who you like," Farkle whispered as Riley didn't say a word.

She opened her locker and a note fluttered out onto the floor, and she picked it up. A smile graced her face as Lucas's sloppy handwriting asked her to meet him at the library after school. She folded the note back up gently and slid it into her textbook.

"However you could hide your face until you talk to your boyfriend," Farkle said and Riley rolled her eyes.

"I know, I know," Riley waved him off and placed the rest of her books away, and grabbed what she needed for her homework.

Maya, Zay, and Smackle had worked their way over to the twosome who were semi-jokingly arguing. Riley had relaxed with Farkle compared to the last few weeks and she couldn't help but think it was thanks to Lucas.

"Hey Honey," Maya cooed and Riley glared at her.

"What?" Maya asked as Riley raised her eyebrow.

"Riles?" Maya continued.

"Maya Penelope Hart Hunter!" Riley snapped.

Zay instinctively grabbed Farkle and Smackle away from the fuming brunette who had the blonde in her sight. Maya's eyes widened in shock and she raised her hands out in defense.

"What did I do?" Maya asked as Riley shoved her into an empty classroom.

Riley looked around before placing her hand on her hips. Maya, confused and a bit scared took a step back from Riley.

"You talked about my kiss with Zay?" Riley whispered.

Maya confusedly sat on top of a desk and scrunched her face. She couldn't understand why Riley was so pissed about that?

"The one I had with Lucas! You talked about it at school! Sarah overheard you and told Yindra!" Riley whispered.

Maya's eyes widened and she jumped from the desk with fear. She hadn't meant for anyone to overhear her. She was sure it was just the two of them in the classroom, but she hadn't thought to close the door. Sarah overhearing that was one of the worst things to happen to Riley right now.

"Shit! Riles, I am so sorry, I was just worried about you, I swear I didn't know anyone was around" Maya said and pouted.

"I get it but … now I have to talk to Charlie, way before I am ready," Riley said and Maya sighed.

"Honey, I think this was a long time coming," Maya said and Riley sighed.

Once Maya got the okay from Riley she was safe from her wrath the two sauntered out of the classroom. Zay, Smackle, and Farkle had found themselves sitting on the bench with Charlie, Billy, and Yogi.

"Hey guys," Yogi greeted as Riley and Maya walked up to the group.

"Hey Yogi," Maya said with the same energy as Riley stared at Charlie.

"As I was saying! The car is black with amazing trim, I cannot wait to get it!" Billy exclaimed as Charlie nodded.

"I told you, man, we're riding in style," Billy said and slapped Charlie on the shoulder.

"That's great Billy, I don't even have my license yet!" Riley chimed in as Charlie smiled.

"Ok," Billy said as Riley jutted her head for Charlie to follow her.

"Charlie!" Billy called.

"I'm only borrowing him," Riley giggled.

"To make out," Yogi chimed in as Riley gasped.

Charlie chuckled and pulled Riley slightly away from the gossiping crew of friends. He let out a sigh and then a bright smile.

"Hey babe," He said softly.

Riley could feel her stomach flipping with nerves and could feel her palms getting sweaty. She knew she had to break up with him, and not because of anything he had done. She just knew that she couldn't string him along if she knew she loved someone else. So why were the words not coming out?

"Date? Later after school at the cafe?" Riley asked and regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth.

However, Charlie's face lit up and he grinned brightly at her.

"Yeah that would be great we need some much needed us time," Charlie said and kissed her forehead.

She slightly seized but he didn't notice and instead he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I'm sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to get frustrated it's just I feel like you are pulling away, I don't want to lose you Ri" Charlie whispered as Riley tried her best to keep her emotions in check.

"Yeah," She choked and he took a step back and studied her face.

"You okay?" He asked.

Before she could come up with an excuse Lucas strolled over. He was clenching his backpack strap and stopped short in front of the two.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Riley said with her eyes locked on Lucas.

"Friar," Charlie said with a slight groan.

"Gardner," Lucas said politely and smiled at Riley.

Riley tried to stop herself from smiling and looked at Charlie whose eyes never tore from Lucas.

"Afterschool?" Charlie asked as he turned to Riley who nodded.

Charlie rubbed her shoulders and walked away from the two without a goodbye to either. Riley shifted her weight as she glanced at the awkward Lucas. She couldn't figure out how to start a conversation, especially after hearing the rumors.

"Uh, so you and Gardner have a date later?" Lucas and Riley instantly felt accused of something.

"He's my boyfriend," She answered plainly and Lucas's shoulders deflated.

"I just wanted to know when you wanted to work on the project?" Lucas asked as Riley's face flushed with embarrassment.

"Oh um you can stop by at my place, after dinner," Riley said.

"Or before, is your mom cooking again, that chicken was amazing," Lucas said and Riley stared at him with suspicion.

"My mom is in Texas visiting Pappy Joe, my dad has me eating pizza, it's been a week, I don't think one person should be eating that much oil," Lucas lied and Riley giggled.

It amazed him how easy it was to come up with a lie to her. It made him feel guilty but hearing her giggle brought a big smile on his face. Riley rolled her eyes playfully and smacked Lucas's arm in fake annoyance.

"Mom's making spaghetti and meatballs, dinner is at six, if you're late Auggie will eat your meatballs," Riley said and fluttered past him.

He could feel his heartbeat hammering in his chest and tried the best to shove down his feelings. He wasn't sure how he was going to handle a year of this interaction between them. He didn't know how he was going to stop himself from falling deeper in love with her.

"Pick your jaw off the floor," Farkle said and placed his hand on Lucas's shoulder.

"What?" Lucas asked.

"He's basically saying your drooling," Zay said as he sauntered up to the two of them.

"What are you guys up to?" Lucas groaned.

"I was over there … watching all of that, this is a trainwreck waiting to happen," Zay mumbled and Lucas sighed.

"I am just being a friend," Lucas said as Farkle and Zay shared a look.

"Well don't get too friendly," Zay said and smacked Lucas with a textbook jokingly.

Farkle laughed as Lucas threw his head back in slight frustration.

A friend.