AN

I am so sorry this took so damn long. Someone told me the fandom was dead, but I'm still here. This was a hard one to write. You know what to do. Snacks for everyone. This is a good ole 25 page chapter. Maybe get a cookie.

Chapter 17 Shoot Me Straight

"What do you mean its the best you could do?" Josh sneered as he paced in the living room.

"Watch your tone…" Cory warned from the couch.

"It's okay Cor, he's just upset." Topanga said softly to her husband before addressing the quiet blonde sitting next to her, "Maya, honey, I'm so sorry about this. I promise you I was doing everything I could, but your mother took matters into her own hands and called Kermit."

Josh clenched his jaw and turned to face the window. He wanted nothing more than to pull Maya into his arms and keep her there until this nightmare was over. But he couldn't.

Not Yet.

Instead he could only hope his mom's comforting arm wrapped around her shoulders would help ease the pain.

Maya's voice was soft, yet strong as she spoke, "I understand Mrs. Matthews."

Josh scoffed, still facing the window. "Well I don't. How could you let her call that piece of shit? Was there really nothing you could do to keep him out of this?"

"Joshua Gabriel!" Cory scolded him again, "You will not disrespect your mother like that. Katy has a problem okay?"

Cory stood from the couch as his voice grew louder, "Do you see that? Your mother is doing everything she can to help, but she can't force Katy to make any decisions. It's not your mother's fault that Katy couldn't handle the detox process and it sure as hell wasn't her idea to call Kermit. Katy did that on her own. You think we don't understand the severity of the situation? Because we do. We're the adults Josh and despite what you think, we know a little bit more about how to handle this situation than you."

Josh bit the inside of his cheek and ran a hand through his hair. Headlights flashed through the front windows. He knew he was out of line. He knew he was taking out his anger at Kermit out on his family, but his parents had no idea how much this was killing him inside. No, as far as they knew, Maya asked him to drive her to her house to pick up some of her clothes, where they surprisingly found her mother and Kermit. They had no idea how Kermit had looked at Maya, how he spoke to her. They had no clue how badly Josh wanted to hit him. How much he wanted to make him hurt like he did his own daughter.

He had to do something. He couldn't take it anymore.

Quickly, Josh reached for the light switch and flicked the porch light a few times before turning to cross the room. His eyes caught Maya's for a split second, just long enough to see her unspoken thank you.

Without another word, he stomped out of the room and to the garage.

"So...Pretty dull night huh? Riley Offered

Maya laughed lightly and let her head fall onto Riley's shoulder.

"Ah, Riley Matthews you are hilarious."

Riley's shoulder shook with her own laughter. Maya sat up again and folded her legs under herself. Riley mimicked her position. They had no idea what time it was anymore, not that they cared. The idea of sleeping on a night as earth shattering as this was laughable.

Instead, the two girls sat in the bay window, their own little safe haven from the chaos of the world. A comfortable silence fell over them. After a few moments, Riley finally spoke.

"I'm really sor-"

Maya cut her off. "Don't be sorry. Because I'm sure as hell not."

Riley gave her a concerned look.

"Peaches, its okay to be upset about this. It's okay to feel. You don't have to lock this away in your dungeon of sadness."

Maya nodded, "I know. And I'm not. It's just…" She trailed off "...this sounds so stupid but…"

Maya let out a frustrated sigh, "It's like my whole life my Dad would come and go. And I thought somehow it was my fault. Why wouldn't he stay? What was wrong with me? I just wanted a dad like you had."

"Maya…"

She shook her had. "Shh, it's okay Riles. I wanted a normal family. So bad…" Maya looked up at the ceiling and added almost to herself, "god I wanted it so bad." She looked back at Riley, "I understand now. I overlooked the bad stuff when he was gone. Then he left for good. And I know it's so stupid, but a small part of me always wished he'd come back. Now, I realize the memories I had, were warped by what I wished for. I didn't know what love really was…"

Riley gave her a knowing look.

Maya rolled her eyes. "Stop it. I'm trying to have a moment here. When I saw my dad tonight I realized how much better off I was without him. I wasn't the reason he left all of those times and I was never the reason why he came back. He's selfish and a jerk. Maybe he loved my mom once, and maybe he tried his hardest to be a father to me when I was little, but it was never going to work. And I see that's okay now. I don't need him."

Riley felt proud tears brim against her eyes, "Peaches…" She pulled Maya into a hug.

"Besides, He'll probably be gone again tomorrow."

Riley rubbed Maya's back. "You're gonna be okay."

"I know."

"So what about your mom?"

Maya let out another sigh. "Well, I guess your mom is trying to get her a rehab sentence. She wouldn't be like this if it weren't for those loser guys she dated."

"My mom will get it all figured out." Riley assured her. "So does this mean you're moving in?"

Maya grinned, "I don't know yet."

"I take it Josh handled all of this very well."

"He was, until we got here."

"Let's look on the bright side. You admitted your feelings to him…"

"Actually, he admitted his feelings first…"

Riley ignored her, "What color is my bridesmaid's dress? I'm thinking purple."

Maya covered her face in her hands. "We're not even officially dating Riles."

Riley waved her off, "Details details."

The floor outside of Riley's door creaked loudly, followed by the soft thud of Josh's door. Maya slowly sat up.

"I should go check on him."

Riley yawned and nodded. "Yeah. I need to get ready for bed it's only…" she stood up and checked the clock on her nightstand "...4:30 in the morning."

Maya laughed. "How are you still functioning?"

Riley shook her head while another yawn slipped from her lips.

"I'm not."

Reaching into her nightstand, she pulled out a small first aid kit and tossed it to Maya. "Take this with you. He's going to need it."

Maya looked down at the kit, "Thanks Riles. Goodnight Drama Department Hero."

Riley gave a dramatic bow as Maya left the room.

Maya slipped into Josh's room and found him sitting on the edge of his bed. His shirt was gone, probably discarded hours ago in the garage. His head hung in his blistered and raw hands.

He looked up at the sound of the lock clicking.

"I wasn't sure you'd come tonight." His voice was raspy, as if he hadn't spoken for hours.

Maya took a few steps toward him, "And I wasn't sure if you'd still have have hands by the time you came inside. And technically, it's morning."

Josh shook his head at her with an amused smirk.

"Come here."

Maya slid into his lap, his arm gently wrapped around her waist. He burrowed his face into her heck, and let the warm tingles soothe his aching muscles. Vaguely, registered the feeling of her holding his hand in both of hers.

Stinging pain radiated from his right knuckles.

Instinctively, he jerked his face from her neck. "Hey hey hey, ow! What are you…" But he already knew what she was doing. Her fingers gently massaged antibiotic into his near-bleeding knuckles.

Maya blew cool air onto his hand to ease the sing. Without asking, she pulled his other hand into hers and repeated the process.

Maya narrowed her eyes as she inspected his hand closer.

"Geez Josh. Were you even wearing gloves?"

"No. Just tape. It didn't hold up long."

"Clearly." Maya scoffed. "Why would you do this?"

"I didn't mean to. I was just frustrated."

Maya dropped his hand to cup his face.

"Why?"

Josh sighed and let himself lean into her touch. "Because, this wasn't how our night was supposed to end. And once we got home I knew you were in pain. God it killed me Maya, to see what you went through and not be able to hold you or comfort you."

"Josh," Maya whispered, but he kept talking.

"I hate to see you in pain."

"It's okay. You agreed, we don't want your parents to know about us. And we couldn't tell them what really happened."

Josh grumbled, "Yeah well that's a dumb idea."

"It was your idea." Maya leaned her forehead against his.

"Well I'm dumb."

"Uh huh."

Maya closed the distance between them. Josh let his arms tighten around her waist as he kissed her. Slowly he pulled away so their lips were barely touching.

"I love you."

Maya grinned against his lips as he pulled her to lay next to him.

"I love you too."

"I don't understand why we just can't adopt her." Cory huffed from his side of the bed.

Topanga let out a long sigh. "Cory she's not up for adoption. That's not our choice."

His legs rustled out of frustration under the sheets.

"She needs us. She needs a mom and a dad who love her."

"We have to do what's best for Maya."

Cory sat up. "What? Topanga? Are you seriously suggesting we're not what's best for her? A family who loves her? A family who will provide for her? Parents who will give her what she needs to be successful in life? A chance?"

Topanga didn't respond. Her heart ached with the same pain her husband felt. She wanted to do all of those things. She loved Maya like her own daughter, hell, she knew Maya like she knew her own kids. And more importantly, she knew her husband. Obvious and caring Cory Matthews.

"She's not Shawn."

Cory's body stiffened. "Of course she's not."

"I know a small part of you still resents your parents for not adopting Shawn, and you don't want to make that mistake again. I know you love Maya, but we have to do what's best for her and…" She trailed off.

"Riley." Cory finished for her.

Well, not exactly. Topanga thought to herself.

Cory continued. "Maya deserves a loving family and she's already a member of ours to me."

"I agree with you, and I'm not saying I don't want to adopt Maya, but even if the opportunity presented itself, it might not be what's truly best for her."

Cory let himself fall back against the pillows.

"I give up."

It was Topanga's turn so sit up this time.

"Cory. When have I ever been wrong?"

He mumbled under his breath.

"I'm sorry?" Topanga raised her eyebrows at him.

"I said never."

"That's right. I need you to trust me on this and remember, Maya is not Shawn. Her situation is more complicated than Shawn's and we are doing what's best for her."

"Fine. But I'm not happy about it."

Topanga rolled her eyes as she lay back down. Yeah, same old oblivious Cory.

Riley knew she shouldn't think about it. She knew she shouldn't let Missy in her head, but she couldn't help it. Dark hooded green eyes of a stranger haunted her dreams and consumed her thoughts. Doubt filled her mind, while insecurity rattled her nerves. She was so embarrassed she'd let Missy influence her thoughts like this, she couldn't bring herself to tell anyone about the confrontation at Chubby's. Not even Maya. Guilt washed over her, causing her to bite at the edge of her thumb.

"Hey, you alright?"

Lucas's smooth draw, eased her from her thoughts.

Instantly, Riley forced her thumb back down to her side.

"Um, yeah. I'm good." Wow. Really convincing Riley. Her mind taunted.

Lucas eyed her from the driver's seat of his truck, "You're not getting nervous on me are you, City Girl?"

Shake it off Riley. Just forget about Missy. Don't make things weird. Riley pleaded with herself.

Lucas let his hand drift from the steering wheel to gently brush his thumb against her knuckles. Goosebumps tingled up and down her arms at his touch.

"No, of course not." Riley winced at how unconvincing she sounded.

He gave her a quick glance before turning down a familiar unpaved road.

"Well, can I tell you a little secret?"

Riley nodded.

"I'm nervous."

"You are?"

Lucas's hand moved from hers to rub the back of his neck.

"Hell yeah. I want to make sure everything is perfect. You only get one shot at a first date you know."

Riley knew his words should have eased her nerves, but her body remained tense.

Lucas waited for her response, but it never came. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Did she find out I'm a fake? Surely not…. As much as he resented his pride, Lucas couldn't help but feel frustrated. He'd never put this much thought and effort into a date before. Not that Riley owed him anything, but he really wanted this night to be perfect for her.

Without another thought, Lucas pulled the truck over and threw it into park. Riley practically jumped out of her skin at the suddenness of his actions.

"Lucas?"

He turned to face her, his green eyes flashed in the darkness.

"Come back to me."

Riley's nose scrunched up in confusion. "What?"

Lucas leaned across the cab to cup her cheek.

"There's something on your mind. I can tell. It's like you're trapped up there, a million miles away. You don't have to tell me what it is, just please come back. I know it's selfish of me, but I want you to remember this moment."

Riley bit her lip. His thumb gently stroked her cheek. His soft touch relaxed her muscles with each stroke. She was afraid of letting her eyes drift to his. Afraid they'd be the eyes Missy plagued her with seeing, but as her body relaxed her eyes couldn't help but find his.

Soft meadow green instantly wiped the fear from her mind. She was letting Missy have too much control over her. This was her Lucas. She had nothing to fear.

"There she is." Lucas whispered to himself. "Hi, beautiful."

"Maybe we should start over?" Riley offered.

He laughed lightly, and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Anything you want."

"So...ding dong?"

Lucas laughed louder this time, but played along, "Hi."

"Hi."

"You look beautiful tonight."

Riley looked down at her outfit. Maya's doing, of course, a black and white thin striped loose button up shirt with flowy sleeves, unbuttoned just a little too much in Riley's opinion, tucked into a pair of cuffed denim shorts, thick strapped black platform heels and a chunky 90s belt cinched at her waist.

"Oh, this old thing?" She playfully waved him off. Out of the corner of her eye, she snuck a glance at him. His dark button up shirt fit like a glove. His sleeves were rolled up, giving Riley and excellent view of his forearm flexing as he moved. He does that on purpose right? How can just an arm make my heart race? Be cool.

"I like your shirt." Or not. Riley mentally face-palmed.

Lucas gave her a quick wink and her pulse quickened.

"Thanks Beautiful."

He put the truck in drive again and pulled back onto the road, "So you've probably figured out where we're going."

Riley nodded.

"I wanted to make this night special…" Lucas turned the truck down the hidden road to the canyon. "...So you have to close your eyes."

"You're not taking me out to the middle of nowhere to murder me, are you?"

Lucas laughed. "Not yet. Shut your eyes please."

Riley obliged him, and closed her eyes. She could tell by the movement of the truck they'd pulled onto the smooth rock clearing, the spot where she'd taken him on her tour of the town. The trucked slowed to a stop after a few minutes. Riley heard the engine turn off.

"Keep 'em closed!" Lucas called as he climbed out of the truck.

At the sound of the door slamming closed, Riley peeked her eyes open. She could see Lucas fiddling around with some cords along the ground.

"No peeking!" He yelled without looking at her.

Riley closed her eyes tight, and kept them closed as she felt her door open.

Lucas's hands moved to hers to help her down from the cab.

"Keep em closed just a little longer Beautiful." His soft whisper tickled her ears.

As soon as she was on the ground, his hands moved to her hips and spun her back into his chest. His lips brushed her ear as he finally whispered.

"Open."

Riley opened her eyes and gasped.

Soft lights hung from the trees, warming the scene around her in a golden glow. A giant projector screen stood along the edge of the canyon. The silver of the screen almost lost amongst the grey boulders. A small handmade marquee stood next to the screen, the words "Now Showing: Singing in the Rain" were illuminated with a strand of twinkling lights. Her eyes fell to the truck bed, filled with fluffy pillows and blankets.

"Lucas, this is amazing." Riley turned to face him.

His hand rubbed the back of his neck again. "You like it?"

"I love it! This is…" She turned to take in the view. "...this is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me."

"I'm glad you like it. I wanted to take you to an old theater to see Singing in the Rain, but it wasn't playing anywhere...so I decided to make you your own theater."

She flung her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

"Lucas, I don't know that to say. Thank you!"

"Well, I had a lot of help. Farkle helped me figure out the projector and lights."

Riley let her hand thread through his hair as she brought her lips to his. Lucas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him. Nerves he didn't realize he had, melted away as her soft lips moved against his.

The familiar heat rushed back to Riley's body, but she didn't care. Lucas's arms tightened around her and she let him lift her up, her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist as he held her against him. Riley giggled against his lips as he walked them toward the open tailgate and set her down on it.

"You know those moments you said you'd remember forever?" Riley whispered as he pulled away.

"Yeah?" Lucas breathed

"This is one of those moments." Riley pecked his lips again.

Lucas smiled up at her. Her bright eyes sparkled under the lights and her smile caused his heart to flutter.

Oh yeah. He knew those moments alright. Moments like these gave him hope. Hope that he could get rid of Texas Lucas forever. Hope that he could be the Lucas she brought out.

But on the other hand. Moments like these felt fleeting. Bittersweet. He had to stop kidding himself. Texas Lucas was brimming within him. Waiting for it to all fall apart. Waiting for an excuse to come out for good. Waiting for him to screw up. That's what he always did. That's who he was. A screw up.

Cloud nine. That was Riley's new address. She'd already told Maya to forward her mail.

After the success of the concert and her date with Lucas, nothing was going to bring her back down. She could not have dreamed of a better first date. A night so perfect, she almost couldn't bring herself to give Maya all of the details, out of fear that she'd realize it never really happened. She wanted to replay every little moment in her mind over and over again.

The way he held her as they laid in the bed of the truck. The tingling sensation of his fingers absentmindedly running up and down her arm. The sound of his deep laughter rustling through the trees. The moment when he looked at her then pointed to the screen and said, "That's you and Maya right there. Don and Cosmo."

Maya playfully snapped her fingers in front of Riley's eyes.

"Alright, time to come back to reality."

Riley playfully shoved her hand away and moved to open the passenger door of her car. She paused as her eyes fell on a dirty blonde across the parking lot.

Maya followed her gaze.

"We need to be on the lookout. She's going to be so pissed after the whole saving the musical thing."

Riley nodded in agreement and willed the nerves that started twisting in her stomach to go away.

The energy inside the school felt different today. Riley immediately noticed the change as she walked through the front doors. The air was statically charged, just waiting for the right spark to explode.

Maya linked her arm through Riley's as they made their way through the halls. She was on edge. Something didn't feel right.

"Morning Beautiful."

Lucas greeted Riley with a hug from behind and a soft kiss on her cheek.

Maya looked past the two lovebirds. Missy was glaring at them from the end of the hall. If looks could kill...she watched Missy turn to her fellow she-devils.

"Peaches?"

Riley's voice pulled Maya's attention away from Missy.

"Go ahead Riles. I want to talk to Ranger Rick for a second."

Riley narrowed her eyes at her. Maya rolled her eyes in response.

"I'll play nice. I promise. Go."

She gently pushed Riley in the direction of Mr. Vector's classroom. Once she was out of sight, she turned to Lucas.

"Maya what's-"

"She's up to something."

"Riley?"

Maya let her head fall back in frustration. "No! Missy. Keep up Hop-along."

Lucas's body stiffened. "How do you know?"

"I can just tell. Whatever she's up to is not good. I know you and Riley are all kiss in the woods run towards each other in slow motion, but if you want to keep her, you have to tell her the truth."

Maya paused for a moment. As much as she hated the thought she had to say it aloud.

"If you don't tell her. I will."

Lucas's face turned cold. His eyes narrowed to slits.

"That's not fair." He growled.

"No!" Maya snapped and took a bold step toward him. Her blazing eyes more than made up for their height difference.

"Lying to her is what's not fair. This has gone on for too long."

Lucas's eyes softened. "I don't want her to get hurt."

"It's too late for that. It's you or me pal. What's it gonna be?"

A deep voice broke their glaring contest.

"Hey guys, what's going on here?" Josh's eyes flicked between the two of them, both of which completely oblivious to the scene they were causing, Lucas's tall frame towering over Maya's petite, but feisty five feet.

"Lucas? You good man?"

"Fine." Lucas snapped at him.

Josh nodded, understandingly. "Cool. Good. Great."

In an instant his tone filled with venom.

"Mind stepping the hell away from my girl then?" His arm roughly shoved Lucas's shoulders away from Maya.

"Sorry." Lucas muttered.

Josh turned to Maya. "You better have a good reason for riling him all up like that. You can't just do that for fun you know. Unless you're just trying to rile me up ...in which case it's working."

Lucas groaned. "Gross…"

Maya's cat-like grin fell to Josh.

"I happen to have an excellent reason to rile him up. And if me riling him up, ruffles your little feathers, well…" She trailed off playfully. "That's your problem."

She sauntered away, leaving the two boys next to the lockers with a knowing look.

"Damn she's hot." Josh moaned as he watched her walk away.

Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Why me?"

"What did she say to you?" Josh asked, turning back to Lucas.

"She said Missy is up to something."

Josh thought for a moment. "Yeah, I figured she would be after the concert and all. I'll keep an eye out, you do the same."

The warning bell rang through the halls.

"Ah shit. Better get going, coach will give us hell if we're tardy." Josh took off in the direction of his first class.

Lucas watched Riley through the open door to Mr. Vector's room. She was sitting at their lab table animatedly talking to Farkle. Maybe he should just leave? Maybe he should just get in his truck and drive all the way back to Texas.

"Please, please, please Riles! It's the first cookie day of the year and you know how much I love cookie day."

Maya pleaded with Riley outside of the cafeteria. Cookie day was held once a week by the business club. During the lunch period, the business club members took turns running a small snack shop, the Cat's Meow, to raise money for the club. Once a week, they baked fresh made to order cookies in a small oven and sold them for two dollars. Cookie day was easily the best day of the week, and looked forward to by almost all students. In fact, the cookie oven broke the year before, causing cookie day to be cancelled for nearly two weeks. Students almost rioted. Cookie day was so beloved, it sparked a trail of cookie contraband throughout the school. So many students would sneak out of class early, or sneak cookies to class from the cafeteria, the Principal was forced to create a "no cookies outside of the cafeteria" rule. A hard enforced rule that ignited the very negotiations Riley and Maya were stuck in.

Riley avoid the cafeteria as much as she could. There were too many people. Too much pressure. Too many of Missy's henchmen. But, Maya was making a pretty convincing argument. It was tough to pass up cookie day.

"We'll sit with Lucas, see he's right there!" Maya pointed through the small window of the cafeteria door.

"Fine." Riley finally caved, "But you have to stand in line for the cookies."

"Yes!" Maya pumped her fist in the air. "Deal."

Maya flung the cafeteria door open and pulled Riley in behind her. She practically shoved Riley into the chair next to Lucas.

"Can't talk Huckleberry. Cookie Day."

Riley watched helplessly as Maya bolted in the direction of the long cookie line.

"Hey there Beautiful. Didn't expect to see you here."

The entire football team turned to look at the new arrival to the table. Riley felt her throat tighten.

"Yeah, well it's cookie day so…"

"Right…" Lucas grinned and lazily threw his arm around the back of her chair. "Guys you know Riley right?"

"Josh's little sister?" Jake, a running back with sandy blonde hair, grinned at her. "Nice you have you around! Your concert was awesome by the way."

Across the cafeteria, Missy slammed her palms against the table.

"Is she serious right now?"

Bianca and McKenzie jumped at her sudden outburst. The two cheerleaders glanced at each other, trying to figure out who should speak first.

"Who?" Bianca finally asked.

Missy rolled her eyes at them. "Who do you think Bianca? Stupid Smiley Matthews. "

"What did she do now?"

"She's sitting with him. At lunch. At the football table. The nerve." Missy practically growled.

"Wow. How dare she." McKenzie deadpanned.

Missy shifted her glare from Riley to McKenzie. "Drop the 'tude Kenz, or else I'll everyone about your lip injections."

McKenzie subconsciously rubbed her lips together. "I didn't get lip injections. I told you I got stung by a bee over the summer."

Missy rolled her eyes again. "Right."

Her mouth dropped as she watched Lucas whisper in Riley's ear. Riley giggled and leaned up to whisper back. That stupid slut. She has to be sleeping with him. That's the only way he's still hanging on to her. I would know. Lucas's fingers stroked Riley's shoulder as he whispered to her again.

"That's it!"

Missy slapped her hand on the table again.

"Somebody give me a notebook. Now!" She demanded.

Bianca fumbled to pull a small notebook out of her purse. Missy snatched it out of her hand and snapped her fingers.

"The file. I need it now."

Bianca paused. "Are you sure. I thought you wanted to wait until the pep rally on Friday?"

Missy pondered for a minute. That was the plan. Wait until the pep rally to expose him. That way Smiley would be running for the hills and, distraught, Lucas would lose the football game, leaving her in a perfect position to give him some serious cheering up at the after party in the form of body shots. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Wait until the pep rally? This isn't the year 2004 Bianca. Give me the file."

Hesitantly Bianca handed over the pale manilla folder. "Are you sure they can't trace this back to us?"

Missy glanced through the pages again, looking for the ones she wanted.

"Of course not, unless Maddie's stupid boyfriend wants to get expelled for stealing the file, no one will know how we got it. Kenz did you already get what you needed from this?"

McKenzie nodded.

"Good. Where are the guard dogs?"

Bianca glanced around the cafeteria, looking for a sign of Maya or Josh, then finally spotting them.

"They're in the cookie line...but" she glanced around again, "Zay is sitting like a table away from the team."

Missy scoffed. "Puh-lease. Maya already chewed him up and spit him out last week. He won't be a problem anymore." She snapped the file shut and stood from the table.

"Now watch and learn ladies."

The energy in the cafeteria shifted. Vines of nerves creeped along Riley's spine. She turned to warn Lucas, but it was too late.

"Lucas, hello." Missy slyly slid into the open seat next to him.

Riley felt his arm tense on the back of her chair.

"What do you want?" He growled.

Missy tossed her hair over her shoulder and gave her infamous breathy laugh.

"Well, as you know, I'm in the journalism class and we're working on the next edition of the school paper. Mrs. Grunding assigned me the annual new student profile, and as luck would have it, that's you."

"Lucky me." Lucas rolled his eyes.

"Is it alright if I ask you a few questions? Oh hi Smiley, I mean, Riley. Didn't see you there."

Lucas adjusted his arm on the back of Riley's chair.

"I really don't want to be in the school paper."

Missy slithered her chair closer to him. "If now's not a good time, I could stop by your house later."

Lucas gave Riley an apologetic glance. "Now's fine. Just ask me the questions and get this over with."

"Right…" Missy placed the file on the table and opened it for everyone to see. "It says here that you were the starting quarterback for your old high school? In Texas?"

Lucas narrowed his eyes at her, "Yes that's correct."

"And, oh wow…" She faked a surprised gasp. "Oh my gosh this is so embarrassing, I didn't realize you'd been kicked out of the school?"

Riley's ears perked up. Her body tensed. She watched Lucas's hand ball into a fist on the table.

Missy kept talking, "Oh wow yeah it's all right here. You are quite the trouble maker Lucas. Suspended for, excuse me I'm paraphrasing now, hooking up with the principal's daughter on school property, hooking up with the head cheerleader, wow also on school property."

"Shut up Missy. Riley come on let's go."

Lucas stood up from the table, but Riley didn't budge. She couldn't, she was frozen. Forced to listen to Missy continue to crumble the world around her. The cafeteria fell deadly silent as everyone's attention fell on Lucas.

"Lucas, didn't know you had such a thing for doing it at the school?" Missy laughed to herself.

She continued to read the list louder, "Underage drinking, caught on school grounds with illegal substances, attending class under the influence."

Riley's heart pounded in her chest. Each beat becoming more and more shallow and stabbing, a victim to an ice cold vice like grip.

"Missy shut the hell up. Riley please, let's go." Lucas pleaded with her, but Riley shook her head at him. Her eyes were transfixed on the file. On the face of the green eyed stranger she hoped to never see again.

"But most intriguing, is this last bit here…." Missy pretended to look closer at the paper. "Suspended multiple times for fighting and violent behavior. Finally expelled after getting arrested for assault and battery. And look there's even a copy of your mugshot. You want to see Smiley? Oh wait that's right, you already have."

The world seemed to be stuck in slow motion, seconds stretched into minutes before the cafeteria finally exploded with the spark it had been waiting for.

"You fucking bitch!" Maya yelled as she tore across the cafeteria. She launched herself across the table, but Zay's arms quickly caught her around the waist.

Riley couldn't breathe. Air was coming out, but nothing was coming in. Her lungs burned. The walls were closing in on her. The room vibrated beneath her feet. She had to get out of there.

Chaos continued to surround her like flames. Maya was screaming at Zay to let her go, people were yelling and laughing. Phones from every direction were pointed at them. Lucas was trying to talk to her, but his words wouldn't register. Unable to take anymore, Riley sprinted for the doors.

"Riley wait! WAIT!" Lucas tore out after her.

She flung herself against the wall of the hallway, trying to catch her breath. Her brain spiraled in a millions tangled thoughts.

Lucas finally caught up to her.

"Riley wait please…"

Riley put both of her hands up to keep him away.

"Stay away from me."

"Please, just let explain."

Riley lowered her hands. Every possible emotion whipped through her at the same time like a continuous roller coaster.

"Tell me she's lying. Tell me she made it all up."

Lucas's face fell. His eyes filled with fear.

"I can't."

Riley thought she was strong. But two words. Those two measly words shattered her heart into a million pieces. Her body was heavy, so heavy it couldn't possibly be hers.

"You lied to me."

Lucas shook his head at her. "Please, Riley just let me explain."

"There's nothing to explain! You lied to me Lucas!" Tears began to form in her eyes.

"Sweetheart, please lis-"

"Don't you dare! You lied to me Lucas. There's nothing to explain. You used me! I'm such an idiot. Was this some kind of sick game to you? I trusted you." Her voice grew to a yell.

"Riley I would never do that to you! Please just listen." Lucas pleaded with her. His hands reached for her waist, but Riley slapped them away.

"Don't touch me! Stay the hell away from me! I don't even know who you are!"

Her words stabbed him like a knife. Over and over again.

Students began trickling into the hall from the cafeteria, cell phones in hand ready to send the latest drama to everyone on social media.

"I'm sorry! I know I should have told you, everyone warned me to tell you…"

Just as Lucas uttered the words, Maya, Josh and Zay burst into the hallway.

Riley locked eyes with Maya. "You knew?"

Maya's mouth fell open, unable to form a reply.

Lucas tried to reach for Riley's hand.

"I said don't touch me!" She screamed. Tears steadily fell down her cheeks.

Josh finally stepped forward.

"Okay that's enough."

Riley locked eyes with Maya one last time, before fleeing away from the crowd.

Maya instantly ran after her. "Riley wait! Please!"

Lucas moved to follow them, but Josh held him back.

"Just let her go. Lucas Please."

Toward the edge of the crowd Lucas spotted Missy, laughing next to Peter. Pure unadulterated rage consumed him. Texas Lucas was out and there was no going back now.

Zay leapt forward as Lucas made a break for Peter.

"Keep him back Josh!"

Both Josh and Zay grabbed Lucas by the arms and attempted to pull him back.

"Don't do this man," Zay warned while Lucas tried to fight them off, "Don't do it. Don't be Texas Lucas. Prove to her who you really are. It's not this. I know it's not this." Zay pleaded with him. Lucas quit fighting against them as Maya rounded the corner again.

Tears flooded her face. "Josh please. I need you. She needs you."

"Go on Matthews." Coach Thompson's gruff voice answered as he pushed his way through the crowd of students.

Josh waited until Coach Thompson was holding Lucas's arm, before running after Maya.

"Come on Lucas. We're going to my office right now." Coach Thompson pulled Lucas down the hall until they were in the safety of his office. Zay stood quietly by the door as Lucas paced back and forth.

"I fucked it up. I fucked it all up." Lucas muttered to himself. Unable to control his anger, he kicked the metal desk, causing a nice dent in the front. He flung himself into a chair and covered his face with his hands. His shoulders shook as tears began to trace his cheeks.

"I didn't want to hurt her. God I'm so stupid." His hands pulled at his hair.

Coach Thompson sat down in the chair next to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay Lucas. Riley Matthews is the most caring, kind, and understanding person I have ever met. Just give her some time."

"You don't get it. I ruined everything. She's going to hate me. She already hates me. Hell, I hate myself."

Zay shook his head and knelt down next to his best friend. "Don't say that man. Riley didn't magically make you a better person. You did that because you wanted to change. You can be that guy on your own. I know you can. Riley doesn't hate anyone. It's not possible. But you have to prove to her you're not Texas Lucas anymore. Don't use this as an excuse to slip back into your old ways."

Coach Thomposon stood and walked over to his desk.

"I'll write you both a note for the rest of the day, but this is a one time thing, got it?"

"Yes Sir." Zay nodded.

"Lucas I have to call your father to let him know about this. It's part of the deal."

Lucas sighed with his head still in his hands. "Yes sir."

Lucas didn't care what his dad thought. He didn't do anything to get kicked off the football team, so it didn't really matter. His dad would probably be glad that Riley was out of the picture. He always thought girls were the problem.

Lucas's heart ached and it was his own damn fault. He shouldn't have lied to her. He deserved the pain. But she didn't. He had to talk to her. If he could just explain...but really what was he supposed to say? Hey, sorry I didn't tell you about my past, but I was falling in love you and thought it would….wait falling in love? I have to be. Otherwise this wouldn't hurt so bad.

"Come on man, let's get out of here." Zay bumped Lucas's shoulder.

Lucas rubbed his hands on his face and finally stood up.

"You gonna be okay?" Zay eyed him

Lucas shook his head. "No. Only if she is."

Zay nodded understandingly, "Riley's strong. She'll be okay."

AN

Welp. That was fun. Everything burning in a dumpster fire of hell, but I'm fine. Totally fine.

I am not fine.

A lot to take in from that chapter. And it killed me to write, but it had to happen. We all knew it had to happen. But where do we go from here? UP! The answer is up.

What did you think? What was your favorite part? As always please review, follow, favorite, like, do all the things. I love to read your reviews so much, and I love to reply to them!

Lilly.

PS The song for this chapter is Shoot Me Straight by Brothers Osborne