The middle of starting over Chapter 4: World meets a mature Riley, a girl meets world fanfic

Friday afternoon Topanga asked Riley buying some groceries from a store a bit far away from home, where they were having some great discounts. Riley being bored out of her mind and wanting to become the independent woman she has been claiming to be, accepted. What she did not expect was to find not only her best friend Maya there, but also Lucas and his mom!

She was in complete disbelief, she could not process the idea of her Lighting betraying her like that. Riley could only gape and hide behind a gondola as they passed by. Maya and Lucas' mom chatting animatedly about the boy's favorite food and how Susan was going to teach the girl how to cook it for the future. How Maya blushed at that and Lucas... Lucas watched the blonde girl tenderly, smiling softly at the scene but not surprised- which meant it had happened many times before. It almost looked like... like Susan has taken Maya as her daughter-in-law already.

Riley felt her eyes prickle at the thought. Ever since meeting Lucas she dreamt of him looking at her with eyes filled with love as he gazed towards Maya and Susan acting towards her the way she was acting with Maya. Riley did not feel angry or vengeful, she could not feel like that towards her peaches, she loved Maya like the sister she never had. What she felt was guilty for taking another thing from her.

Riley was no dumb girl. She knew a lot of stuff. She might live in a fantasy world which she wished would become the real one, as it is much peaceful and kind. She might not be part of the world, like Maya was. But she did notice stuff. She noticed how Maya was always there protecting her and helping her continue living in her pink colored world. She noticed how Maya always stepped back whenever Riley wanted something that she also wanted. She noticed how Maya suffers from the poor conditions her family lives in.

So obviously when the new guy came and Maya noticed that Riley likes him she would step back and let her have him. But not this time! Riley was through with having people accommodate their lives for her own convenience. She might not be ready to be part of the world, but the least she could do is take the mature route and accept Lucas and Maya's relationship. It will be awkward at first, as she still liked Lucas, but she will get there on her own pace.

Decidedly, Riley was about to turn around and do her own shopping when she heard her best friend shriek in surprise. Worriedly, Riley whipped her head towards the horrendous scene behind her. A guy had her peaches cornered, looks like he did not like being rejected by Maya. As she was about to step, Lucas appeared out of nowhere and had the guys slammed against the gondola.

"Ma'am said no" Lucas seethed, with barely controlled anger "The next time I catch you making a move on my girl I will reap those nasty hands off, understood?"

The guy nodded his head rapidly and ran away as soon as Lucas let him go. The boy gathered his girlfriend on his arms and kissed her head softly. Riley was trembling in fear at what had just happened in front of her. That was not the Lucas she knew and like, that was the Texas Lucas that terrified her... but Maya seemed to like... a lot.

Did I ever really like Lucas? Riley asked herself as she walked away from that scene. Or was the Lucas facade the one I liked? Then if I liked the fake one, does that mean that I never really liked Lucas?

Riley continued her shopping quietly, her mind trying to process everything that she had just came into realization. One thing she knew for sure was that she needed advice from her parents, soon.

"Mom, dad, I need you!" Riley called out as soon as she entered her apartment.

"Riles, your mom went out" Cory answered his daughter's call of distress "Are you ok sweetheart? What happened?" he asked, worriedly.

"I... dad do I like Lucas? Or do I only like some part of him?" she asked, expression clearly showing how confused she was.

"Sit with me sweetie" Cory sighed, as he took a seat on the sofa. He knew this day would come as soon as he saw the way Riley looked at Lucas "I've known since the first day who Lucas Friar was and what he had done. He is a very sweet guy, a good boy... but he is very protective of the ones he loves. A kind of protection you would not appreciate. You would accept him of course, but... you could never see him as a boyfriend. Not knowing the fact that he might hurt boys that don't respect you" her father explained "You are a sweet girl, a very peaceful girl"

"But Maya is not" Riley commented, mostly to herself "She would appreciate that kind of protection, especially since her mother neglected her so much when she was young. Having that kind of absolute attention is a thrill for her not an oppression. They are so different, but they balance each other perfectly... that why they work so well together"

"So, you've noticed" Cory said with a soft smile "I am so proud of you for taking the mature route... but it is ok to cry too, you know?"

Riley could not contain it any longer. She cried in her dad's chest, she cried out of guilt, she cried her confusion, she cried mourning a love that never existed. But she cried knowing that tomorrow was going to be a better day.

"Riles!" Maya's voice startled Riley three days later, as she was waiting for the subway to go to school. The brunette turned to the side to find the golden couple, holding hands "I... we..."

Riley chuckled slightly at her best friend's babbling. It was so uncharacteristically but kind of cute too. It looks like she is finally ready to tell her the truth.

"How long?" asked the brunette.

"A month" responded Lucas, surprised by the collected manner Riley was taking things "You knew?"

"Of course I knew! Maya is my best friend since we were kids! I will totally notice if she got herself a boyfriend" Riley scoffed "And I am very happy for her!" she exclaimed, hugging the blonde tightly before glaring to the guy- or as close as a glare Riley could ever get "You better treat her right or you will have the power of thunder and lightening after you, got it?"

"Got it" Lucas answered with a smile, relief clear on his face "What about us? Are we all right?"

"We are, but next time do not keep secrets from me" Riley answered "Then peaches, what else is new?"

"Mom got a principle role in a new ABC comedy show" Maya told her friends, proud smile on her face.

"That's amazing! We all have to go out an celebrate!" Riley exclaimed excitedly.

Her friend's mom was going to be a star!

"I also started singing at a bar/restaurant once a month, playing my own original songs" the blonde continued sharing excitedly with her friend, who she had missed so much- the forgotten boy watching from a far amusedly at the girls.

"That's great! I have to come see you perform! The whole family should! Maybe we could write a song together! What about singing it together?!" Riley rambled excitedly, Maya nodding along with an amused smile "Talking about family, who is telling uncle Shawn that you are dating Lucas? You know he has taken you as his daughter" she looked at Lucas with a mischievous glint in her eyes, as the boy gulped nervously "This is going to be so much fun!"

One month later, and the almost death of Lucas by the hands of an overprotective Shawn, the Mathews, the Friar, Shawn and Katy were sitting at the Clover waiting to see the girls perform.

"Cory, there they are! Look at our girls!" Topanga pointed excitedly at the beautiful pair of girls on the stage.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'm Maya Hart and today I am with my best friend Riley Mathews. We are going to perform a song we wrote together called: Take on the world. I hope you'll enjoy it"

I've been waitin'

For a day like this to come

Struck like lightnin'

My heart's beating like a drum

On the edge of something wonderful

Katy, Topanga and Susan could only smile in pide at their little girls, so grown up. Admiring the friendship they hold, not even a guy could get between them. They only wished they've had a friend like that when they were young.

Face to face with changes

What's it all about?

Life is crazy

But I know I can work it out

Cause' I got you to live it with me

Cory and Shawn smiled at the lyrics, those words were so Riley and Maya but also so them. The second generation of the Matthew-Hunter friendship duo. An external friendship that will never be broken.

I feel all right, I'm gonna take on the world

Light up the stars, I've got some pages to turn

I'm singing oh oh oh

Oh oh oh ooh

I've got a ticket to the top of the sky

I'm comin' up, I'm on the ride of my life

I'm singing oh oh oh

Oh oh oh ooh

Lucas laughed slightly. He could never stop himself no matter how many times he had heard them rehearse. If anyone could take on the world were those two girls... of course with the help of Farkle, Zay and I.

Take on the world

The same thoughts of Lucas were running through the minds of all the present parents.

Puzzle pieces, throw them up into the air

Taking chances

Moments happen everywhere

I got you to live them with me

Riley and Maya looked at each other, this song was their song and did not only represent their friendship but their path from kids to young adults as well.

I feel all right, I'm gonna take on the world

Light up the stars, I've got some pages to turn

I'm singing oh oh oh

Oh oh oh ooh

I've got a ticket to the top of the sky

I'm comin' up, I'm on the ride of my life

I'm singing oh oh oh

Oh oh oh ooh

The girls recalled all their adventures while singing and smiled, yearning to what is to come.

Take on the world

They will take on the world... or at least try. Why not? It will be fun.

Flyin' high

I won't look down

Let my fears fall to the ground

Nothing was going to hold them down. And if they had chains, they will help each other out of them. Just like friends really do.

I feel all right, I'm gonna take on the world

Light up the stars, I've got some pages to turn

I've got a ticket to the top of the sky

I'm comin' up, I'm on the ride of my life

Not only the girls, but Farkle, Lucas and even Zay too. Their gang will not be divided or conquered by the world.

I feel all right, I'm gonna take on the world

Light up the stars, I've got some pages to turn

I'm singing oh oh oh

Oh oh oh ooh

I've got a ticket to the top of the sky

I'm comin' up, I'm on the ride of my life

I'm singing oh oh oh

Oh oh oh ooh

As long as they have each other, they had nothing to fear.

Take on the world