The Busted Bubble
Disclaimer: I own nothing but what you see here. And warning, this one does not put Riley in a good light at all. And no, before anyone says it, I am NOT a Riley hater. This is just one way I could see things going even though its not likely too on the show.
Summary: The years of the Riley Committee and its effects on Riley herself finally explodes out into the open.
For years, there had been a thing known as the Riley Committee. A group made up mostly of Farkle Minkus and Maya Hart to help protect Riley Matthews' innocence and happiness. Later on Lucas and Zay would join it even though they really didn't think it was needed. Of course had Maya herself known how out of hand things would get she likely wouldn't have kept the damn thing going for very long. And she wasn't the only one who suffered from its effects either. It'd be the Summer after their final year of high school when things would pretty much go to Hell in a handbasket when Maya finally had enough of Riley's spoiled crap and let loose on the girl. Something that had pretty much been years in the making since Lucas had come into their lives for that matter.
Not to say that it was primarily his fault as it wasn't as he was just one part of the catalyst of the issues regarding Riley and the Committee. It'd be a particularly warm day in New York when it all went down at the popular hang out known as Topanga's as Maya had told everyone to meet there as she had some great news to share while knowing it was going to cause Hell to happen from Riley as she knew the girl had been expecting her to come along to NYU with her. The fact Riley had openly scoffed and whined over the idea of Maya going anywhere else had been a big clue to what the brunette's way of thinking was. About two months before they all graduated, Maya had received an art scholarship thanks to her paintings, Ms. Kossal, and Mr. Gerdi.
Who had been Maya's teacher in the arts for the entire four years of high school with some additional input from Ms. Kossal from time to time. And with guidance and encouragement from both Mr. Matthews and Shawn Hunter, Maya applied to her choice of college that she felt would fit best for her advancement in the ways of art. And today she finally got a letter in the mail that she prayed had good news for her and wanted to open it up at Topanga's with her friends and family. Once everyone was there, it'd be Shawn who would speak up. "Well here we all are Kiddo! What's up?"
One of the things about Shawn is that he'd never outgrown calling her that nickname and she honestly had grown to love it and she had a feeling he knew that too. Despite things not working out like she hoped between him and her mom, the fact they turned into great friends had made the blonde artist pretty darn happy. Of course she had a feeling things were about to go into a more than friendly way wit those two considering how they'd been acting around one another lately. Smling at him in appreciation, she got down to business. "As you guys know, about two months before we graduated I won an art scholarship that I decided to use and today I got a little something in the mail!"
"That's great to hear Shortstack!" Commented Lucas 'Huckleberry' Friar happily as he never stopped encouraging her when it came to her passion for the arts.
Despite the fact the two were never able to really and truly come together thanks to a certain brunette, the two had developed a fairly solid friendship that Riley often felt jealous of but neither of the two had really given a damn about it since she'd already done so much as it is that wasn't agreeable on. "Now we can go to NYU together!" Squealed Riley happily and making Farkle cringe at the volume of the squeal due to his being near her.
Maya laughed but didn't say anything in response to her friend's words. "Don't keep us waiting baby girl, open the letter!" Spoke up Katy Hart excitedly.
Something a certain Blonde Beauty was all too happy to comply with. Opening it up, she pulled out the letter inside and quietly read it while trying not to show any reaction in order to mess with everyone. "Hey now girlie, don't keep us in suspense!" Called out a blue haired girl named Shelly who had originally been from Kentucky but had moved to New York during the kids' sophomore year.
And Lucas Friar had wound up instantly smitten with her and she him. Something Riley had and still does to this day hates a great deal since it meant the blue haired girl had his attention instead of her having it. The daughter of Cory and Topanga had honestly thought she'd have an ally in Maya but had been proven to be very wrong when the blonde wound up coming to like the girl and even being friends with her. "Ok! Calm down Shells!" Maya replied with a laugh.
"Dear Miss Hart, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the University of California, Los Angeles. It is our hope that your passion for the Arts will be made stronger with the classes UCLA has to offer you. If financial aide is required we are most happy to provide any assistance you may need and we look forward to having you on campus in the coming year."
Loud cheering erupted as everyone crowded Maya in absolute happiness aside from Riley who was just honestly shocked as can be. As this was NOT in the plans at all and she was about to make her feelings on this known very quickly. "I'm sorry… BUT WHAT!?"
The cheering died down at that and Maya rolled her eyes at the reaction from the girl she once considered to be her best friend and sister in all but blood. "You're not going right? We're supposed to go to NYU together remember?"
Lucas, Farkle, and Zay all groaned and got frowns for it from Riley. Course for Farkle, that was nothing new lately since he came out as Bi earlier in the year and she was always frowning at him and or making remarks. Which was odd since otherwise she was pretty damned open minded with anything else. Well, aside from Shelly anyway even though Riley thought she was keeping that little fact a secret. "Umm… Of course I'm going. I'd be stupid to not do it after getting accepted. And I'm sorry but I never intended to go to NYU with you. Hell I even said as much but as always you didn't listen!"
Riley had become the kind of person who heard one thing and did another entirely since she felt she was in the right as it had to be a certain way. Something her parents had tried to get through to her about but she'd proven to be difficult on it. "You know I don't like cussing! And of course I listen but I thought you were joking! We're sisters and going to NYU is what we should do together."
Honestly, why didn't Maya see that!? Would a newer pair of glasses somehow help with that any? I should bring that up!
During their Freshman year of high school Maya had wound up needing to have eye glasses and it had done a lot to improve things for her and her studies. It also attracted even more guys to her since they all felt her having the glasses added another level of hotness. The thought of contact lenses didn't sit well with the blonde either as something that darn close to her eye ball just didn't seem right at all. "Aww… Riley… You're pretty much an adult now and you need to learn how to deal with cussing as its gonna happen whether you like it or not."
Even Mr. Matthews knew that and had even used a cuss word a time or two. "And secondly, I don't want to do that. Something I've been pretty clear on awhile now. Even our friends are going to other colleges to pursue their dreams!"
Lucas and Shelly were going to one of the best Vet schools outside of New York in Colorado, Zay was actually headed to California himself to further his dance skills, and Farkle and Isadora were going to MIT in Boston. A few facts that had yet to be told to Riley as they all knew she wasn't going to be very happy about it since she had a very, very clear view of how things would be for their college years since she wanted to repeat how things had been for her parents and their friends. While the thought was a nice one, it wasn't practical for what any of them wanted for their lives. That and they were all tired of Riley's attitude and had been slowly defying her desires. Shelly and Farkle had even teamed up during Junior year and sabotaged Riley's spot on the Cheerleading Squad. An event that prevented her from re-joining the following year much to her disappointment.
It had been hoped it would help improve her attitude but sadly it didn't work in the end. "WHAT!? No they aren't! It was agreed that we'd all go to the same college together so that we wouldn't lose sight of our friendships!"
"Actually Riley we agreed it was a nice thought to have. Nothing more." Remarked Farkle.
"Well that's just ridiculous!"
"No, what's ridiculous is us doing what you want in order to keep you happy which only served to make you spoiled and expectant. A fact I sure as Hell regret being part of. Hell I gave up what could have been a damn good thing with Lucas in order to please you! I gave up trips with mom and Shawn and only went when you decided to go, I gave up a lot and I am 100 percent DONE with that garbage."
And if Riley thought Maya was done, she would soon be proven very wrong. "You know how I claimed I had to go visit my dad and his family for a bit? I actually lied, I was with mom and Shawn that time. Your uncle Josh was one the reason that one time I was walking around a bit sore and tired and I don't think I need to say why that is!" It was a risk to even mention losing her virginity like that since she knew Cory and Shawn would go into over protective father mode and she'd be proven right in that when the two men simultaneously shouted out 'WHAT!?'
"Well anybody would be sore and tired after helping out someone." Riley replied in an unhappy tone and completely missing what Maya meant.
The fact she had lied to her about a few things did not please the brunette one bit. Lying was not good at all darn it! "Ugh! That's not what she meant you naive ass little girl!" Threw in Shelly with a face palm.
"They failed you horribly by keeping you ignorant of a lot of things." She added seconds later in an annoyed tone.
"Yeah, trust me Shells, we're all regretting that now."
"I am not naive! And if that's not what she meant, then what did she mean!?" As really, what else could have happened!?
"If my theory is correct, I believe Maya is referring to losing her virginity to your uncle."
Riley looked at Isadora in wide eyed shock and growls could be heard from Cory and Shawn over that as both envisioned a sit down with the boy in question in the very near future. "Ding ding! She wins a prize!" Called out Maya in her Gal Sally voice.
"How could you do something like that Maya? You're going to forever regret doing that!"
"Actually Honey, I'm not ever gonna regret it. It was a really good time between him and I." Said the Blonde Beauty with a pleased smile on her lips and she certainly wouldn't turn down Josh if he wanted another go. They might not be together anymore but they still cared a lot for one another.
Now Riley had done a few things with boys over the years but she had never gone that far as she wanted to be just like her parents and wait til marriage. As that was the proper thing to do when it came to your own virginity. And the fact Maya refused to see that was just appalling for the brunette. "I don't even get how you are going to be able to afford UCLA since going to NYU would be much cheaper and I could keep an eye on you to make sure you don't sleep with anybody else until you get married!"
An urge to slap the crap out of the girl was very high in Maya now after that. Remarks about her home life had never stopped coming out of Riley's mouth despite the fact things weren't even bad anymore. But she somehow failed to see that and had broken promises to stop doing it. That was also a factor that had been leading to friction between the two girls and everyone else had already chosen sides when it came to the two. And I don't think it needs to be said where the most support is either. "Okay, way to slap me in the face there Riles. I'm not a slut and I'm honestly offended you would think I'd just open my legs up to any guy. Secondly, HELLO! Financial aid? My art scholarship? Your dad and Shawn helping me out if needed? Any of that ring a bell in that little head of yours?"
"Why would they help you out? They don't want you to leave anymore than I do!" Plus they were her dad and uncle thank you very much!
Maya and everybody else knew what else she hadn't said with those words. "They are actually ENCOURAGING her to pursue what she wants Riley. And them two have been more like fathers to her then ol' Kermit ever was." Broke in Lucas before Maya could reply in what he figured might be an unpleasant response judging by the annoyance radiating from her.
The last time Kermit had rolled into town wound up being an outright disaster when he brought along his daughter and Maya did not get along well with her at all. Lucas had wound up with a black eye, Farkle got his pinkie broken, and Zay suffered a mild concussion when the three tried to get in between the two girls and Shawn had told Kermit the next time he decided to try and visit he'd best come alone to prevent another problem like the one he'd caused without meaning too. Nina seemed to have a stick up her butt and felt she was better than Maya cause she had Kermit in her life where as the Blonde Beauty didn't. Shelly and Isadora surprisingly enough had helped put the girl in her place
Naturally that had led to a little teasing for the boys since they weren't able to handle two girls but Riley had quickly put a stop to it since she felt it wasn't nice to do. There was the theory it had a lot to do with the time she got bullied in the eighth grade more than it being some naive nice girl thing on her part. "Hmmph! Well I just don't like it and don't want it to happen."
"Folks in Hell want ice water but it ain't happenin'." Threw out the Huckleberry from Texas and getting a mild glare from Riley afterwards.
There was a watery gleam to be seen in Riley's eyes along with the glare and perhaps once upon a time Lucas would have been bothered by it but the way she had become over the years just didn't make him care anymore. Her judgemental attitude and actions towards Shelly, Farkle, and himself at times was not the way to be all that endearing to someone. And it was high time she got put in her place as was happening now. "So there's nothing I can say or do to make you guys see that going elsewhere is the wrong thing to do? Does the years of friendship between us all mean nothing to any of you!?"
Farkle sighed as he knew what the girl was trying to do with the guilt trip but it wasn't going to work. Not this time. "The fact you don't care about what we want to do with our lives tells us a lot Riley. It shows us that you only care about you and nothing else. And perhaps if you were still the old you we all knew and loved, this wouldn't be an issue. We screwed up in keeping you in a bubble and now we're paying for it." His younger self would probably be appalled by his older self for going against the Beloved Riley in the fashion he was.
Maya decided to do something then and there that she'd been wanting to do a long while and walked up to Lucas. "Shells, I hope you'll forgive me for this one girl." Shelly raised an eyebrow at that while wondering what the blonde was talking about. Something everyone else was wondering as well.
They'd all get their answer when she pulled Lucas to her and laid one on him. "Oh, well, that explains that." Remarked Shelly glibly and not at all bothered by the fact the two were pretty much making out now.
She had long been aware of how the two felt about one another, even if the feelings weren't as strong as they used to be. "Aren't you going to make her stop!? Cause that's just not right at all!" Protested Riley unhappily as in her mind the only girl who should be kissing him was her!
But he had long refused her on anything much to her annoyance. Lucas had also been the one to start encouraging the others to do what made them happy and not worry about Riley's jealousy and spoiled habits. Shelly just looked at Riley and shrugged at her. "Nope, I'm completely fine with it. Besides, its not like the two are gonna run off or anything and hump like bunnies."
Although… The blue haired girl would be totally open to the idea of a threesome if Maya was willing. Hell, its not like Farkle was the only one of their group who was doing a little exploring and the like. After several minutes had passed between the two making out teens, they finally parted. "Hot damn!" Got out Lucas stunnedly. As that was perhaps one of the best damned kisses he'd ever had!
"I'll say." Breathed out a blushing but very happy Maya Hart.
Shelly leaned over with a smirk to her blonde friend. "If you ever want to go further than that, I'm totally open to a few things."
Riley gasped in indignation over that as Maya turned to look at the blue haired girl in mild surprise. And if she was honest with herself, the idea was pretty appealing. "I'll uhh… I'll definitely keep that in mind." Replied the blushing blonde and actually being serious about it.
Had Lucas not been off in la la land he would have been surprised his girlfriend was suggesting what she did and would have been more then happy to go for the idea too. As it was he wasn't ever really quite sure if there was ever any jealousy on her end due to how he and Maya acted at times. But then again, since she liked girls herself that probably should have been a clue for him. Riley could honestly think of nothing to say that would help her cause in all this and promptly ran out of her mother's bakery. If they wanted to leave her behind then that was on them but she knew they would come crawling back sooner or later once they realized the huge mistake they made.
She'd later learn how very wrong she would be and it'd prove to be one Hell of a hard ass time for her during the next four years of college. The experience would prove to be a learning experience that turned Riley into a better person and quite ashamed of herself for how she'd been. And what she and everybody else didn't know is that Maya did in fact take Shelly up on a certain offer a few days before she left for California via Shawn and her mother. That night would prove to be a whole lot of fun and somewhat emotional since it finally allowed Maya and Lucas to be together, even if only for a short time. It'd also bring Shelly and Maya closer together and the Blonde Beauty would be forever thankful for what the girl had allowed to happen.
Author's Notes: I think this turned out a little differently then what I had envisioned in my head but I like what I wound up doing here regardless. Normally I would steer clear of turning straight characters (males mostly) gay or bi unless its been shown to be canon so me having Farkle as Bi in this was me attempting to expand my horizons a little. Even though I didn't exactly touch on it too much. R and R!