A/N: Okay, I originally intended for this fic to be a one shot and I was going to leave it at that. But after doing some thinking, and some people wanting more, I realized I could add one more chapter to it. Anyway, enjoy!
Lucas sat on the bench in the hallway long after everyone had left. He should be long gone from these halls, but his disgust had him glued to his current spot. For some reason, it hit him harder today than it did the previous day, which to him was ironic. If anything, Lucas would have thought almost going through the motions for the first time in nearly a year and a half, in front of his friends no less, would have knocked him onto the floor. But all he saw was red. Even after Maya tried to stop him, all he saw was red. Luckily he remembered to use his words, but it could have ended differently… badly. The color eased from his eyes as time passed, but it didn't clearly go away until Mr. Matthews told him people changed. That's when everything hit him. People change. He changed… and he almost went back.
He would never forget the look on Billy's face when he pushed him up against the wall. This was not the friend Billy had grown to know. It was someone Lucas had thought he had managed to leave behind; however, it was obvious that he hadn't. That other person was just below the surface, ready to strike whenever any harm, whether verbal or physical, happened to his friends.
I thought for sure I had it under control, he thought as he recalled his answer to Maya wanting him to 'take care of' whoever had done this to Farkle. What he thought in that moment came back to the front of his mind. Good people don't resort to the methods of their enemies… boy did I learn that firsthand. Guess I don't after all.
Lucas wiped his forehead at where his flaw was written earlier that day. Mr. Perfect… ironic, isn't it?
"Mr. Friar?"
Hearing his name being called caused Lucas to jump and look for the source, only to find Mr. Matthews standing nearby. He saw his history teacher grimace as he stepped closer.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Shouldn't you be home by now?"
Lucas nodded as he looked down at the floor and clasped his hands. "I should be, but something has been keeping me here."
Cory raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. "Oh? And what would that be?"
"I'm not exactly proud with the way I handled myself while trying to help out Farkle these past couple of days."
Mr. Matthews grew even more confused. From what he saw, Lucas did everything that was best for Farkle. "I'm not sure I understand, Mr. Friar. All I saw was someone trying to do his best in helping his best friend out."
Lucas closed his eyes for a moment in shame. "You didn't see what almost happened in gym class yesterday. I saw red, and I almost beat up one of my own friends because of it. The only reason why that didn't happen was because Maya jumped on me and repeated something I said to her not twenty four hours prior."
"And that would be?"
"I'm paraphrasing here, but good people don't resort to their enemies methods. Guess I'm no better than my enemies. I thought I had it under control, but I guess I don't."
Cory sighed as he took a step closer. "Lucas, I know it's been a while since the incident occurred, but it's still going to take some time before everything is sorted out. It's not like flipping a switch." Mr. Matthews paused and looked at Lucas. The young teen's expression hadn't changed at all. It was still full of disappointment and disgust of himself. "Look, it may not seem like it at the moment, but not taking a swing at Billy is a huge improvement. It's still going to take some time to be able to manage your anger, so don't take it out on yourself."
Silence fell over the two. The only things that Lucas heard were all the thoughts rattling around in his mind. What Mr. Matthews said was true. It was an improvement. But for some reason, Lucas thought he could do better. He thought he was doing better.
"If it's such an improvement, then why do I still feel so terrible about it?" Lucas asked.
Mr. Matthews shrugged. "The only person that can tell you that is you. It may be because you thought you were in control and found yourself regressing, or it could be for another reason entirely."
Lucas made eye contact with his teacher. "Aren't I? Regressing, that is?"
"Personally, I don't think so," Mr. Matthews responded. He saw confusion cloud over Lucas' eyes, so he continued. "You see, ever since you came here, you hadn't face a situation to test to see if you have indeed left behind the person you knew. And now you have. How often did you get into these situations back in Texas?"
Lucas looked back at the floor. "More than I'd care to admit, sir."
"And if there was a break in between scuffles, what would happen if you were faced with a similar condition a year ago?"
"I probably would have done what I always did."
Mr. Matthews smiled. "There's your answer, Lucas. You have changed. Maybe not as quickly as you would have liked; but you have."
Lucas mused over the history teacher's words, and realized that Mr. Matthews was right. How could he know for sure that he had changed if there was no one to test him? He still wasn't thrilled at how close he had come to being his old self again, but it was a step in the right direction.
"Thanks, Mr. Matthews."
"No problem. Now go on, get out of here," the teacher smiled.
"Actually, I'd like to stay here for a while," Lucas responded.
Mr. Matthews shrugged. "Suit yourself. I'll see you tomorrow," he responded, and then headed out of the building.
Lucas let out his breath as he looked around the hall. He had changed, and it wasn't just because he wanted to. All the people that were around him helped him become who he was now.
The people around you help to shape you into who you are.
Al fin.
A/N #2: Alright, that's it for this one! Let me know what you thought of it :) ~cowgirlangel95 out!