Chapter 5- New People, Old Issues

"So, Maya, how does it feel to be 16?" Shawn and Maya were sitting on the couch after everything had calmed down. They were enjoying some cake and ice cream while the rest of the family was conversating amongst themselves. "Do you feel old yet?" Maya laughed and playfully punched Shawn in the arm.

"Shawn!" she exclaimed. "16 is NOT old!" she winked at him. "Now 37 on the other hand…" she looked at Shawn, who looked back with mock offense.

"I am not old, missy!" Shawn retorted. "I am just getting started."

"I hate to break up a beautiful reunion," Topanga appeared in the living room, " but it is time for Maya to go home. School tomorrow." Maya looked up at Topanga, begging with her eyes.

"Please, just 10 more minutes, Mrs. Matthews." She pleaded. "It's been so long since I have seen Shawn. Please." Topanga gave a sympathetic sigh and looked at the wall clock. She nodded.

"All right, 10 more minutes." She agreed. "But that is it. Your mom will be getting worried. Its is already 10:30." Maya squealed and jumped up to give Topanga a hug.

"Thank you, Mrs. Matthews!" she exclaimed.

"Shawn," Topanga turned toward him, "Lock up when you leave please?" Shawn nodded in agreement. Topanga turned and left for her bedroom.

"Shawn, where have you been for so long?" Maya asked sadly. "I have really missed you."

"I have missed you, too but I have been working. I am trying to establish myself as a respected photographer, so I have to go where the work is, hon." Shawn replied, squeezing her hand, gently.

"I understand that, but when you adopted me," she paused to wipe away a tear that started to fall, "I thought that meant you would be around more. Now it seems like I see you less than I did before. What if I went with you, just to spend time together?"

"Maya," Shawn explained, "when they send me to a location for work, they don't give me a lot of time to plan ahead. And I am never in that location for more than a week or two. That life is not conducive to your educational needs, otherwise I would gladly take you with me. I would love for you to experience it, because the world just seems more beautiful through the lens of a camera." He stopped suddenly, and his eyes lit up. "What about over summer break? I will take you with me when school gets out." Maya gasped and tears formed in her eyes again, but she didn't bother wiping them away.

"Of course, we would have to get permission from Mom at first." Shawn continued. Maya jumped up and wrapped him in a hug.

"That sounds awesome! I am sure she would not have any issue with it!" Maya squealed with excitement. "Oh, I have to go before Topanga comes back out!" She looked at the clock. 10:45pm. As she zipped up her jacket and reached for the door handle, Shawn put his hand on her shoulder.

"Let me take you home, Maya." Shawn said. "It's late. It's cold. I don't feel right about you walking." She nodded in agreement and they made their way to Shawn's car after locking the apartment door.

Riley was excited to go to school the next day. She wanted to hear all about Maya's news. Maya had texted her after Shawn dropped her off at home. She said she had exciting news and Riley could not wait to hear it. She had never dressed and eaten so fast before. Practically tripped down a flight of stairs and literally running into the neighbor did not slow her down. She was out of breath when she reached Maya's house, but Maya did not seem to notice. She was ecstatic to the point of daydreaming.

"So," Riley asked when she caught her breath, "what is this life-changing news?" As they made the walk to school, Maya told Riley all about the conversation and about the plans for summer. Her eyes lit up at the mention of traveling. Riley looked her curiously. Maya reminded her so much of Shawn, they may as well have been related. How did she never notice that before? As they reached the school, Riley gasped and grabbed Maya's arm. Alarmed, Maya looked at Riley.

"What is it, Riles?" She looked in the direction of Riley's gaze. It was Evan. He actually did go to school here now.

"I am gonna go, talk to him and show him around. You know, welcoming committee." Riley said, coyly, skipping off to approach Evan. Maya just shook her head and smiled, continuing slowly up the walk to school.

Riley and Evan were still talking when Maya caught up with her. She gave Riley a quick hug and made her way to breakfast before school started, leaving Riley to her business.

"Just don't be late, Riles." Maya reminded her. " They won't let you be "welcoming committee" if you're late." She smiled at Riley and turned, continuing into the building.

"So, Evan." Riley continued. " What is your first class?" She looked at his schedule, furrowing her brow. "These are all AP and honors classes."

"Yah, I know." Evan lowered his voice to a whisper. "I am secretly a genius. Don't tell anyone. " He winked and laughed quietly. Riley rolled her eyes, and continued to study his schedule. She pointed to one of the classes.

"At least we have one class together." She tapped the schedule with a finger. "Study period, after lunch." She took his hand and led him up the walk into the school. "Come on, let's go introduce you to some people." With no choice but to follow behind, he let her lead him into the building.

"Lucas! Lucas!" Riley shouted. "Wait up!" Lucas turned and saw Riley coming at him from down the hall. He smiled broadly, but his smile faltered when he saw her holding the hand of some strange boy. Confused, he approached the two of them.

"What is this, couldn't wait for me to leave the state first?" he asked, accusingly. Riley was taken aback by this show of jealousy. She quickly let go of Evan's hand.

"Don't be like that, Lucas. He is new and I am just showing him around." She looked into his eyes with sincerity. "I love you." She pressed a finger into his chest. After a minute of awkward silence, Evan spoke.

"Hi. I am Evan. Since my tour guide forgot her manners." He playfully elbowed her in the ribs and winked at her. Lucas laughed and held out his hand for a handshake, which Evan returned.

"So, Evan," Lucas asked, "Where are you from?"

"I just moved from Illinois, where I was living with my dad. I got a call from my aunt, asking that I come down here to help with my mom, so here I am." Lucas was slightly confused.

"Help with your mom?" he asked, curious. "Is she sick?" Evan shook his head.

"Not exactly." He explained. "She was in some kind of accident. She hit her head or something and has trouble remembering and doing things." Riley and Lucas looked at Evan, sympathetically.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Lucas offered. "I hope she feels better soon." Evan nodded, fixing his eyes to the floor.

"Me too. Thanks for the support." There was another brief moment of awkward silence, then the first bell rang, causing all three to jump.

"Actually, Lucas," Riley said, "his first class is with you. So, can you take him?" She gently pushed him toward Lucas, smiling. Lucas nodded and gestured for Evan to follow. Riley waved at the two of them, and turned in the opposite direction to her first class.

After lunch, Riley waited for Evan, so she could show him to Study Period. She noticed him from across the cafeteria and excitedly waved him over, grinning widely.

"How was the first half of today?" Riley asked. "Did you find the rest of your classes?" Evan nodded.

"Yeah, it was okay. Lucas was nice for the first half of class, but then, he got really weird." Evan seemed to drift off for a moment, but snapped back. "When I started to talk about my family, he got distant and rude." Riley was confused.

"Lucas, rude and mean?" Riley asked, "That does not sound like him at all. What did you say to him?" Evan opened his mouth and started to speak, but at that moment, the bell rang and they rushed to class. Riley made a mental reminder to speak to him after class about it, because their seats were nowhere near each other.

The rest of the class period crawled by. When the bell rang, she headed in Evan's direction to continue their conversation, but he was already out the door to his next class. Frustrated, Riley headed off to find Lucas to question him about it. She found him at his locker, gathering his books for his next class.

"Lucas!" Riley shouted, approaching him. "What happened with Evan? He said you acted weird when he mentioned his family." Lucas looked up from his locker, concerned. Riley stopped short, noticing his demeanor.

"What?" she asked, alarmed.

"Riley, stay away from him." Lucas replied, curtly. Riley was shocked at his tone. "He is not who you think he is. Just please stay away from him." With that, he closed his locker and walked to class without another word.

Arthor's Note: hey guys, hope yall loved the new chapter. Wonder why Lucas wants Riley to stay away from him. Stay tuned to find out and one more thing guys. If yall didnt like how they flirted with him they were just being teenagers and doing what teenagers do. Thanks for sticking with us guys and happy reading. Love yall.