I'm so glad you liked the last chapter! I loved writing the last part with Rucas talking. I will definitely make mention to Riley/Rowan's views on the world (feminism). And updates won't be everyday, but I'll try to be quick.

Daghley: AW THANKS, LOVE!

KillEmWithKindness02: I agree. I love Sabrina, but I also believe Rowan should have some recognition in the media for her own show and her accomplishments as a role model. And yes! Lucas isn't afraid to speak about his blindness. He'll keep talking about it in the future.

Marilove24: Awwww thanks so much!

Discursus: I love writing the parts with him and Farkle. Their friendship is the best.

violet1429: I hope so! I want to write the spark between the two. Let me know if that spark dies down please!

HotXbun: YAY ;D

..

"Peaches, I honestly think we connected last night." Riley stood against her locker with a longing gaze. Her brown curls framed her doe eyes and pursed lips. "I've never had a conversation like that with anyone."

"Hey!" Maya gave her best friend a questioning look.

"Except with you, Maya. You're my partner in crime!" The brunette smiled and joked around playfully. "But it isn't like the conversations I have with Farkle. He and I have different beliefs. Lucas and I swam in the depths of each other."

The blonde raised an eyebrow. "That sounds inappropriate," she paused, "but I get what you mean. You got to know him in a day." Maya slammed her locker shut. With a sigh of exhaustion, she asked, "Are we still going to Demolition today? I need you to help me choose an outfit for the first basketball game of the season."

Riley gave her best friend a look of confusion. "The first game is in a month! Why so early?"

"Honey, your uncle Boing is going to be there! I need to look decent. He'll finally consider us being together after so many years." Maya twirled her hair and smirked. "I have a feeling he's gonna ask me out."

"I'm going to say something I've been wanting to say for a long time…" Riley stood straight and covered her face with her hands. "I don't want you to be my aunt!"

Hart laughed and pulled away Riley's hands from her face. "Sweetie, you don't make that choice. Your uncle does."

"Why don't you give Farkle a chance? I've always wanted you two to end up together." Riley grinned and clapped. "You'd be Maya Minkus! M and M! Like the chocolate!"

Maya narrowed her eyes at Riley. "Don't ever say that again."

With saucer eyes, Riley nodded. "Alright, Penelope. Let's head to chemistry."

…..

One Week Later:

"Napoleon Bonaparte. What do we know about him?" Cory Matthews began his history lesson.

"He conquered Mexico!" Maya exclaimed. She gave her teacher a goofy smile. "He was the dictator of Mexico."

"Nope. Another guess?" Mr. Matthews shook his head in disbelief. "Farkle!"

"Sir, he was a dictator from France who conquered many countries of Europe."

Everyone murmured in agreement.

"Thank you! Now, would you say this man was humble?" The teacher waited for a response but found none. "Being humble involves having little pride. No boasting. A right amount of confidence."

Riley raised her hand. "Nope. He was known for having no mercy. That's why he's called a military dictator. Napoleon probably had an immense ego."

A large portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte hung at the chalkboard. Mr. Matthews pointed towards it. "Many commentators joke around that he was a man of small stature but of big pride. Where does pride take you?"

"Sir, the right amount of pride can take you around the world," Farkle spoke confidently.

"And an excess amount of pride can destroy you," Maya responded softly.

"Correct, Maya! We don't want to have an excess amount of pride. Where did this ego lead Napoleon?" Matthews looked around and found Lucas raising his hand. "Mr. Friar?"

"Wasn't he locked up after the loss of a battle? And he died in jail, sir."

"Right again. We can learn a lot about this famous french man. Let's not allow our ego get to the best of us."

The bell rang a second later. Most of the students scurried out of the class but the four friends stayed behind to chat.

"Farkle! Lucas! Are you coming to tryouts after school?" Cory politely asked the two boys. "I could use your good sportsmanship."

Lucas smiled. "I'd love to join, sir!" He ran his hand behind his chair and grabbed his messenger bag. "I'm going to be late to class so I gotta go but I hope Farkle says yes!" The Texas-born teen ran off to his next subject and left behind a confused Minkus.

"I've never seen you so confused, Farkle. Are you doubting your athletic abilities?" Mr. Matthews crossed his arms.

"I don't know, sir. Intellectually, I know I'm superior. But athletically…"

"Don't doubt yourself, Farkle. Come to the gym and we'll see what you're capable of."

…..

"Alright! I want you all to get in pairs and start the drills. After that, we'll play a game with everyone trying out. I'll decide who is accepted by tomorrow morning." Cory held his clipboard with a firm grip and picked up his whistle with the other. "Let's go!" The whistle blew and everyone began their exercises.

Without a doubt, Farkle and Lucas were paired up and began to dribble the ball back and forth. Both of them did a great job working as a team.

"You're doing great Lucas! Just hear the sound of where the ball hits the floor." Farkle breathed in and out heavily. "We got to make it on the team."

Cory smiled with pride as he saw Farkle and Lucas putting in effort. He knew what the boys were capable of, but he wasn't sure if they would put themselves out there. "Good job, you two! Keep it up!"

The comment didn't help Charlie Gardener. His dislike towards Lucas kept growing as the days went by. "I hope the blind guy doesn't make it in because he's friends with Farkle! That's favoritism."

Lucas became furious but ignored the blood running to his head. He counted to ten and relaxed. There was no retaliation in success. "Let's keep it up, Farkle."

After the sound of a second whistle, all the guys lined up in front of Cory. "Same teams as last week. Game starts in a minute! Get a game plan and go, go, go."

…..

"That was tiring." Lucas rested his hands on his knees. "I've never had such a rush." He turned his gaze to the right, expecting to see an equally exhausted Farkle. However, he found the genius lying on the floor with his eyes closed.

"Wh-What did you say?" Farkle lifted his head slightly. "I couldn't hear you over the sound of my heart pounding."

Friar chuckled. "Let's go buddy. We should go get some water before we leave."

Zay Babineaux looked from afar and felt a bit envious of the friendship. He decided to walk up to the pair of pals and smile. "Hey guys, I was wondering… Can I hang out with your group of friends during lunch?"

Lucas and Farkle looked at each other and nodded. "Absolutely."

"So, Zay, tell us about yourself." Riley crossed her hands and waited for a response.

"Well aren't you cute?" Zay chuckled. "I'm a senior like y'all. I was born in Houston, Texas and moved to the city when I was 5. I've been playing basketball ever since I was a kid. I like cheerleaders. That's pretty much it."

Lucas teased him playfully. "Alright, jocky. We have an initiation here. You gotta drink the spoiled milk from the cafeteria."

"Are you serious?!"

"Nah, I'm kidding. I'm just as new to the group as you are. There is no initiation." Lucas hit Zay's shoulder jokingly.

Maya put a finger on her chin. "We should've done that initiation to you, Ranger Rick." She shook her head. "Damn it."

Riley rolled her eyes. "Did you guys find out who made the team?" She looked at all three boys with excitement. "Did ya? Did ya?"

"Calm down, sweetie." Maya held the brunette's shoulders down. "Tell us."

Farkle smiled. "All three of us made the team! Although, Mr. Matthews also added Charlie to the team." He gave Riley a knowing look.

Riley's jaw dropped. "I'm so happy for you! I didn't know you guys made it!" Meanwhile, she replayed her dinner last night.

"Pick Lucas! Pick Lucas! Pick Farkle! Pick Farkle!"

"Honey, you can't force me to pick someone." Cory responded, raising an eyebrow.

Maya smirked. "We totally didn't know." She continued to chew on her tater tots.

"First game is on October 4th, so we'll totally be ready to destroy." Zay put his hand in a fist and threw it in the air. "Patriots rule!" He gave Farkle and Lucas a high-five.

…..

Foreshadowing. Read & Review. ;)