(Riley)

"I never thought high-school would be so nice, why did middle school even exist?" Maya said excitedly, bouncing up and down on Riley's bed.

"Don't have too much fun, our freshman year determines our place for the rest of our years in high-school." Riley told her. The school was way bigger and there was a mixture of classes. It kind of sucked to be a freshman, since most of the seniors and juniors make them sit in the front of the classroom.

"Nope, you can't do this," Maya says. "You're still worrying about grades, when you should be listening to what your mom said."

Riley agreed with what her mother told her about taking advantage of things, but she doesn't think she was referring to things academically.

"Things outside of the classroom are meant to be taken advantage of, Maya." Riley told her.

Maya snorted.

"Please remember that were are teenagers, acting irresponsible is our thing."

"Not everyone agrees with that, Maya."

Riley got out her work that she had for English. Their teacher, Ms. Leblanc was already giving out worksheets for them to work on and she found it completely ridiculous.

"Tell you what, how about we take a break and head down to the bakery to pick up a few pastries." Maya suggested.

"My parents would freak if I don't tell them how the first day was." Riley responded, scribbling a few answers down on her worksheet.

"Well, that's going to have to wait," A few seconds later her homework was snatched from her hands, Maya running to the other side of the room as Riley attempted to reach out for it. "I want this day to be ended nicely, not sit here and watch you do homework."

"Fine, I'll go." Riley went to her closet to grab her leather jacket as Maya pulled on her jean jacket, the both of them linking arms once they were ready.

"I could be fixing grammatical er-"

"La la la, I can't hear you."


(Lucas)

"Save the pictures for later, ladies." Farkle says. "I want to get to know all of you first."

Lucas shook his head as he watched a bunch of girls pile up at their booth. There were confessions and proposal being thrown all over the place and Lucas found the sight ridiculous. Some of the girls were ones that attended their middle school and were never acting this way towards Farkle years back. Its amazing how much uproar a haircut can cause.

He looked up to see that his friend was already looking at him with a concern face, Lucas quickly adverting his attention back to his feet.

"Ladies, I um..how about we talk tomorrow?" Farkle told them.

They responded with a bit of attitude before walking back over to their tables, leaving the both of them alone like they were earlier.

"What's going on with you, man? You've been acting weird ever since we arrived on campus this morning." Farkle asked.

"Nothing's going on, it's j-just been overwhelming going to such a big school now." Lucas said hesitantly, taking a sip of the water he brought when they walked in.

"That's crazy, Friar," Farkle leaned across the table and grinned. "Either you are really overwhelmed or someone is shaking your heart."

Lucas could feel his heart pounding in his chest at the latter. He was debating whether he should tell Farkle how he felt about Riley, but he wasn't that good at expressing himself. He never really had that much experience in the dating department but he never felt so strongly about someone.

"I'm fine, Farkle." He assured his friend, giving him a pat on the back.

Farkle was a bit hesitate at Lucas's response but decided not to cause a dispute over the topic. He was aware that his friend felt deeply about Riley, it was all in his face. Not that many people are good at expressing themselves; and he knew that Lucas was one of them, but there was nothing wrong with that. At least he's starting to realize what he wants now.

As soon as he was about to get up to buy a hot chocolate, the door to the bakery opened, Riley and Maya both stepping in. His eyes widened and he quickly turned to Lucas,

"Take a look who's here.." Farkle sung, moving to the side so Lucas can have a good view.

The minute he saw her he froze. She was wearing a black dress with a plaid shirt around her waist, a leather jacket wrapped around her body. He looked like she just stepped out of a photo shoot and Lucas couldn't stop himself from looking away.

"Lucas?"

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a feminine voice call out his name, his head shooting up to see Riley looking down at him. Lucas's mouth opened to speak, but nothing was coming out but jibberish.

"I u-um, you k-know I.." He was stuttering again, as Riley looked at his carefully to understand what he was trying to say. He knew he probably looked like a straight up idiot and couldn't be more grateful when Farkle spoke up.

"Lucas has been feeling a bit nervous about our new school, right Lucas?" Everyone's eyes were on him and he wished that he had the ability to make himself invisible. But even though he was freaking out in front of Riley, he managed to give them a nod.

"Okay, how about we stop being awkward and get something to eat? The usual Riles?" Riley gave Maya a nod and took the spot next to Lucas, leaving a good amount of space between them.

"I'll go help Maya.." Farkle told them before getting up from his seat and making his way to the front.

The minute Farkle left was when things started to get a bit weird. Riley was busy scrolling down her phone, as Lucas fidgeted with his hands. How did they get from being all friendly to each-other to feeling forced to interact when things were left rocky. He has practiced what he wanted to tell Riley in almost every mirror in his house, and got himself mentally prepare for when he sees her again. But now, he felt like it was all a big waste because he can't talk her like he practiced.

Come on, Lucas! You need to say something." He thought to himself.

"So, how was your summer?" Lucas asked.

Riley looked up from her phone and sent him a small smile.

"We visited Philly to see my grandparents and uncle, and spent the rest here in New York." She replied.

"Oh, did your uncle Shawn ever get his book published?" Lucas remembered Riley telling him that her uncle Shawn was a writer and had the goal to get his first book publish and judging by the various works he has seen, he sure was one hell of a writer.

"He's been talking to different people, mom said that he might get the opportunity this year."

"That's great!" Lucas exclaimed.

It quickly got quiet and Lucas was thinking about other things he could say, but it all led back to what happened when they were thirteen.

"Lucas.."

"Yeah?"

"Just to let you know, I'm not holding a grudge against you with what happened when we were in middle school," Their eyes met as they both looked up at the same time, the whole thing reminding him of the look they shared at the library in seventh grade. "Sometimes some people aren't meant to be with each-other and we just caught the hint early."

No, I was wrong..I think I like you.

"Thank god, we did." Lucas mumbled, keeping his head down.

"Absolutely, and now we can be happy that were both moving on and meeting new people."

But I don't want that, that's my biggest nightmare..

The minute his mouth opened to respond, Maya and Farkle popped back up.

"Sorry, Riles, the line was taking forever." She tossed Riley her muffin and walked over to her, the both of them standing up.

"Are we eating together for lunch tomorrow?" Maya asked them.

"Sure." Lucas and Farkle both replied.

"Great, we'll see you guys tomorrow!" Maya began to walk out and Riley followed behind her, but made sure to give them a small wave before exiting the bakery.

"Things are so different now, aren't they?" Farkle queried, taking a bite of his cinnamon roll.

"Yeah..things are different." Lucas stated.

My special spot in your heart vanished, and you were now jumbling up with everyone else. That value has lost its essential meaning and was now being given to someone else, and I couldn't help but feel selfish because I don't want to let go of something so vital to me, but that's the way life goes..

If I really feel this deeply about you..