Riley blew a loose strand of hair out of her face. "Okay Riley. You can do this….heave!" She yanked on the strap of Josh's large gym bag and attempted to pull it over her shoulder. In a rush to be on time to today's early morning football practice, Josh accidentally left his gym bag at their house. Riley managed to carry the dumb thing all they way from her father's car to edge of the athletics complex. This is pointless. Riley glanced at the distance left to the field, she had about 20 more feet. "I made it this far, it's Josh's problem now." She mumbled as she let the giant bag crash to the ground. Riley continued to the football practice field in search of Josh. She reached the sideline of the field and attempted to pick out her brother from the mass of helmeted boys. In need of a better vantage point, she climbed onto the second row of the metal bleachers along the sideline.

"Hey Cupcake, you lookin for someone?" Zay greeted as he approached the bottom of the bleachers.

"Good morning Zay. I'm looking for my brother." Riley continued to look out at the field, using her hands to block out the bright morning sun from her eyes.

"Lemme help you. HEY JOSH!" Zay shouted at the field.

Josh's head snapped to the direction of Zay's yell, along with a majority of the team, including Lucas. "Oh no. Not again" Josh groaned, taking off his helmet. Zay waved him over to the bleachers, pointing at Riley. Nearly all of the guys on the field laughed. Lucas looked closer to see what everyone was laughing at. He spotted a girl standing on the bleachers, his anger spiked slightly when he realized who it was; even more so when he realized the team was laughing at her.

"Riley. What have I told you about doing sunrise yoga on the bleachers?" Josh groaned.

"That was one time." Riley rolled her eyes.

Lucas couldn't hold back his grin, he could just barely overhear the siblings' voices.

"What do you want? Why are you even at the school this early?" Josh questioned.

"Dad and I wanted to get donuts this morning, so I rode with him. You left your gym bag at home, he asked me to bring it to you." Riley answered.

"Oh yeah! Thanks!" Josh looked around the bleachers. "Uh, where is it?"

Riley pointed to the spot where she dropped the bag. "Over there. It was too heavy for me. What do you have in there? A bunch of weights?"

Josh rolled his eyes. "Yes actually."

Oh. Well that explains a lot. Riley thought to herself.

"Thanks. You can leave now." Josh motioned for her to leave. Zay laughed at the two of them.

Riley didn't move from her spot.

"What else Riley?" Josh groaned, he was quickly growing frustrated with his little sister.

"Can you give me a ride home after school?" Riley asked patiently.

"Can't. I have to go straight to boxing after football practice, today is a two-a-day for football."

"Josh! Please!" Riley stomped her foot in frustration.

"Sorry Riley, but I can't. Just ride with Dad."

"He just found out he has a parent meeting at the district office that's going to run way late. He can't take me. Zay?" Riley turned her attention to the other boy who was observing their conversation purely for his own entertainment.

"Sorry Cupcake, I'm riding with Josh to the gym. What about Maya?" Zay offered.

"She doesn't have a car and she has to work at the diner tonight, she's taking the bus."

"Hold on Riley…" Josh turned to the field.

"LUCAS!"

Riley felt her face turn red. "Josh no!" But it was too late, Lucas had already taken off his helmet and was jogging over to the bleachers.

"What's going on?" Lucas asked as he reached the group.

"Hey man, this is my little sister Riley." Josh stated.

"Yeah, we've met." Lucas mumbled. He looked up at Riley and wished his heart would stop beating so fast. She looked adorable. Riley was wearing a bright blue tank top under a tight yellow halter top that came to a deep v just under her chest. The yellow top was tucked into dark green joggers paired with strappy sandals that Maya had named her "Jesus Sandals." Riley topped off the outfit with a loose sparkly sequined vest and two messy buns on the top of her head. Riley, still beet red, looked away from Lucas and mumbled something that sounded like "Hello."

"Oh good, you know each other. Lucas, can I ask you a huge favor? Riley needs a ride home after school, can you help her out?" Josh asked, ignoring Riley's protests.

Lucas paused for a moment. He didn't particularly want to help Riley after yesterday, but he was raised to be a gentleman...surely she could find another ride with Farkle! He thought bitterly.

"Sure no problem. You have to wait until after football practice though." Lucas finally looked into Riley's eyes. She looked nervous he noted. Maybe she feels guilty.

"No, Lucas you don't have to…" Riley was cut off by a booming voice.

"RILEY MATTHEWS! NO SUNRISE YOGA ON MY FIELD!" Coach Thompson bellowed from across the field.

"Sorry Coach!" Riley called. "...it was one time." she added quietly as an afterthought.

Lucas laughed. No. Stop it. You're mad at her. Remember?

"MATTHEWS! BABINEAUX! FRIAR! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? LET'S GO!" The football coach did not expect to enter the practice field that morning to find nearly half of his offense was missing.

"It's settled, thanks Lucas. Now get outta here Riley. Thanks for almost bringing me my bag." Josh put his helmet back on to return to the field.

Lucas moved to put his helmet on, but found himself holding out his hand to help Riley climb off the bleachers instead. He noticed Zay do the same.

"Thanks." Riley muttered to them, taking both of their hands and stepping down.

Lucas tried to ignore the bolts of electricity shooting through his hand at her touch.

"See you later Cupcake!" Zay called as he and Lucas returned to the field.

"Dude! What the hell was that?" Zay exclaimed in the locker room after practice.

"What?" Lucas asked taken aback by Zay's abrupt outburst.

"Don't say 'what' like that! You and Riley! You two could hardly look at each other back there! Hell, Riley was practically redder than a sinner in church! " Zay threw his arms into the air to emphasize his point.

Lucas ignored his friend and continued to shove his belongings in his locker, a little more violently than he probably should.

"What? Did you bang her or something!" Zay practically yelled.

Lucas froze. "Shut up Zay." He snapped.

"No way! You totally banged her! She must have given you a pretty damn good student tour. No wonder you were so happy afterwards!" Zay refused to let up.

Lucas tried to contain his anger. "Zay shut the hell up before someone hears your big fucking mouth. And for the record, I did not bang Riley."

Zay studied his best friend's behavior. "But you want to! Ha! I can't believe you're trying to knock boots with Josh's little sister! Man he's gonna kill you if he finds out."

Lucas slammed his locker shut. "It doesn't matter what I want, she has a boyfriend."

Zay burst out laughing.

"Oh really? And who exactly do you think Riley's boyfriend is?" he managed to ask in between laughs.

"That Farkle kid. I saw them together in first period yesterday."

Zay laughed even harder.

"What is so funny?" Josh rounded the corner to their lockers.

Lucas threw a sharp glare in Zay's direction, but it was too late.

"Lucas! He thought Riley and Farkle were dating." Zay wheezed through his laughter.

Josh laughed too. "Riley and Farkle! Now that is pretty funny."

Lucas felt his body weaken under a humongous wave of guilt. "So Riley's not dating anyone? He questioned.

Josh's laughter faded. "No…" his response came out as a question rather than an answer.

"No she is, or no she isn't?" Lucas pressed.

"No…" Josh repeated. Zay's laughter abruptly stopped.

"No?" Lucas echoed.

"No. No! NO!"

Before he could process what was happening, Lucas was being forcefully shoved into the wall of lockers. The thundering crash of his impact rang through the locker room. Josh gripped onto the front of Lucas's shirt. Lucas felt his anger take over, but Josh was fast to react, quickly dodging Lucas's attempted knee with his own. Josh slammed him back into the lockers.

"NO! YOU ARE NOT THE GUY! NO!" Josh yelled.

"Dude. Back the hell off." Lucas growled.

"Josh let him go, coach could walk in any moment." Zay chimed, attempting to pull Josh away before the situation got worse.

"You cannot be the guy my baby sister was talking about!" Josh snarled.

Lucas swung a fist, but again Josh was too quick and easily dodged the punch.

"JOSH!" Zay warned again. Josh finally released Lucas.

"Wait, she was talking about me?" Lucas's tone softened.

At this point Zay had no idea which one he should restrain. Instead he stood between both of them with his arms out, keeping them a safe distance from each other.

"What in the actual hell is going on in here?" Coach Thompson burst into the locker room, taking in the sight of his three potential star players.

"Nothing Coach. Just a little misunderstanding." Zay answered.

Lucas and Josh nodded in agreement.

"I will not tolerate fighting on my team. I'd hate to have to kick the two of you off the team before I even post the roster. Do I make myself clear?" Coach Thompson warned.

"Yes Coach." Josh mumbled.

"Lucas?" Coach Thompson turned to him.

"Yes Sir. It won't happen again." He answered.

"Good. Get out of here. All of you, get to class." Coach Thompson stormed into his office and slammed the door.

The three boys grabbed their bags and rushed into the hall.

Once outside, Josh quickly turned on Lucas again. ""I swear if you're playing some kind of game with her…"

Lucas held up his hands as a truce. "I swear I'm not man. I wouldn't do that."

"Did Missy or anyone put you up to this?" Josh snapped.

Lucas shook his head, slightly confused. "No honestly. This isn't some kind of prank, or game, or me trying to get in her pants, or anything like that."

Josh finally seemed to ease up. "If you hurt her…"

"...You'll send my ass back to Texas and make me wish I was never born. I know." Lucas finished for him.

"I second that." Zay added, slapping both boys on the back.

Lucas nodded and looked to Josh. "You're a boxer aren't you?" He thought back to their exchange in the locker room. Lucas hadn't met many guys he couldn't take down very quickly.

Josh, still mentally fuming was slightly thrown off. "Yeah. Pretty much all of my life. My grandfather was a boxer in the Navy. He got me started before I could talk." As much as Josh wanted to hate Lucas and beat his stupid face in, he still liked him. They had gotten along really well until today, he was pretty sure they could be really good friends. And besides, if I do anything to hurt him and make Riley upset, Maya without question will murder me.

"That's pretty cool." Lucas motioned to himself and Zay. "Our dads served in the Military too."

Josh nodded. The tension finally fading away. "That's what Zay told me. Zay started boxing at my gym too. You could come with us some time if you want to try it out." Josh offered.

Lucas shook his head. "Nah, that's probably not a good idea for me, but thanks though."

Josh smiled, "You know what Friar, you're alright." He threw a weak punch into his arm.

Lucas felt relieved. He probably should have talked to Josh about Riley from the beginning.

"Thanks, I just hope Riley isn't too upset with me. I was kind of a jerk to her yesterday when I thought Farkle was her boyfriend." Geez, Riley must think I'm the biggest ass ever.

"Aw you'll be fine, you used to have the rally girls back at home wrapped around your finger! Just pull out the Friar charm." Zay suggested.

"I do NOT want to be hearing this!" Josh moaned.

Lucas felt like an absolute ass. He rushed through the halls on his way to first period, in hopes of being able to talk to Riley before class started. If she's even in class yet, she could be avoiding you, moron. He felt a brief moment of relief, followed by a new rush of nerves as he saw her sitting at their table in the science lab, a book open on the desk in front of her. Riley was so enamoured in her reading, she didn't even notice Lucas sit down next to her, or at least that's what he hoped. She could be ignoring him, just like you did to her yesterday, his thoughts reprimanded him. No, I can do this. Zay was right, I can charm anyone...just put on the charm.

"Hey beautiful."

Nothing. Well that was short lived He thought.

"Riley…"

Nope. Still Nothing.

Man you really fucked this one up. Lucas hesitantly reached out and brushed this fingers across her shoulder. "Riley?"

She jumped. "Lucas!"

Hey remember when you thought you fucked up? Well you just did it again. "Sorry Riley, I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, no! It's okay, I'm sorry! I get so wrapped up in a book the building could literally be on fire and I wouldn't even notice." Riley closed the book and spun slightly in her seat to face him.

"Noted. Look, I think I owe you a huge apology." Lucas stated.

"Oh really?" Riley wondered where this was going. He's probably going to say sorry for leading you on...you're too much of a freak for a guy like me. The little voice in Riley's head taunted her.

"Yeah. About yesterday, I was way out of line, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been such a jerk to you. I thought…" he trailed off.

Riley felt her spirits lift a little. "You thought what?" She prompted him to continue.

Lucas rubbed the back of his neck slightly embarrassed. "I thought Farkle was your boyfriend or somethin'."

Riley laughed out loud at his statement.

"I really wish people would stop laughing at that." Lucas grumbled to himself.

"I'm sorry Lucas I shouldn't have laughed, it's just so…"

"Laughable?" Lucas suggested.

"Yes." Riley nodded still giggling. "Farkle has been my friend since like first grade. He's a drama nerd just like me, but him and I have never had like romantic feelings for eachother." Riley shuddered at the thought. "And I'm pretty sure he is majorly crushing on some girl from a private school nearby." She added.

"Oh thanks, way to make me feel even worse about it." Lucas groaned.

Riley giggled at again. Okay Riley be coy...you can do it…. "Um, why would the thought of me having a boyfriend make you upset?" She asked softly, looking up into his green eyes.

Lucas felt himself turn to mush. This girl is going to be the death of me. Here's your chance to turn on the charm again. Lucas leaned in closer and brought his hand up to run his fingers up and down her bare arm. Good god she is soft...focus! "I think you know why beautiful." Lucas murmured, his fingers continuing their motions.

Riley was sure her heart was going to beat straight out her chest. Stay calm Riley. You've got him right where you want him… "Why? Are you a little jealous?" She purred, using his own words against him.

Oh she is merciless. You want to play huh? Lucas brought his head down to rest against hers, their noses slightly bumping against each other. Riley's breath hitched in her throat. Breathe Riley. Breathe. She reminded herself.

"And if I was?" Lucas whispered. Riley could swear she felt his lips barely ghost against hers as he spoke. Nerves finally got the best of her, and she pulled away to face the front of the room.

"I would say next time consult with me before you act like a jerk."

Oh she took you down Friar. Lucas grinned. "So am I forgiven?" He questioned.

Riley glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "It depends."

"It depends huh? On what?" Lucas teased.

"On if you will still give me a ride home ." Riley turned to face him again.

"For you? I think I can make that happen." Lucas winked at her.

"Alright students settle down, today we are going to do a little experiment involving kinematics." Mr. Vector, the graying science teacher entered the room as the bell rang.

Maya sat with her head resting on her desk in second period. She was supposed to be working on her Algebra assignment, but she decided a quick nap would be a better use of her time instead.

"Psst. Hey Sugar." She felt a hand tickle the small of her back.

"No one's home." She groaned without lifting her head.

"Do you want to hear a funny Lucas story?"

"Huckleberry?" Maya's head snapped up and she turned around in her desk to face Zay. She somewhat met Lucas yesterday in history class. He sat in the back corner of the class next to Zay and remained silent the whole lesson, expect for his forced introduction from Mr. Matthews. Maya spent the class mercilessly giving him constant death glares on Riley's behalf.

"Yeah! It's hilarious. Apparently he thought Riley and Farkle were dating! Isn't that hilarious! That's why he was being such a little bitch yesterday." Zay laughed.

Maya narrowed her eyes. She was not about to let Lucas get away with upsetting Riley that easily. "And he told you this?"

"Well yeah, and then Josh overheard and almost beat the shit out of him! If I hadn't of been there they would probably both gotten kicked off the team!"

"Wait what?!" Maya whisper-yelled.

"Yeah, Josh shoved him around a bit but nothing else happened. Lucas was going to apologize to Riley in first period. I don't know how it went though." Zay offered.

"Oh really?" If Josh scared that boy away there will be hell to pay, Maya thought.

"Oh yeah! I think he's trying to knock boots with her!" Zay winked.

"Knock boots? Zay how many times do I have to tell you? This isn't Texas. What does that even mean?"

"How about I show you rather than tell you." Zay winked again.

Maya laughed. "Thanks handsome, but how about a rain check?"

Zay grinned. "I'll hold you to that!"

Oh my goodness! You guys are amazing! No really virtual cookies for all of you! Thank you so so much for the positive feedback! Please continue to review, like, follow, favorite, all the things! Don't be a silent reader, I love you to hear from you!

A few people reviewed asking if this is going to be a joshaya story or not, well to answer that honestly, I don't know yet! I like to write about 2-3 chapters ahead of my updates, but I'm still not sure what will be in store for Maya yet! Please keep reading to find out and let me know what you think! And thanks to those of you who gave me your thoughts on the rating, for now I'm thinking about keeping the story T, with warnings for any M sections? But we'll see, I will most likely end up bumping the rating up to M.

I think that's a long enough AN for now! Who's ready for some more rucas fluff? Cause I know I sure am….

Lilly.