For this chapter, I suggest you listen to 'Needed Me' by Rihanna and 'No Role Modelz' by J. Cole.
It hurt me to write such a negative dialogue between Lucas and Farkle in the last chapter. Keep reviewing with your thoughts! xx
violet1429: I'm glad you understood the connection! We'll be expanding on that subject.
Marilove24: Thanks, lovely! Keep your eyes peeled for updates!
KillEmWithKindness02: You're not wrong with the connect between Napoleon and that character! Keep reading to find the reason for the separation of friends. Farkle DID interpret the saying as an insult which is what you will see in this chapter. I live for your reviews! THANKS.
nona0310: I'm partially hispanic so I'm better than Roberta ;D XP But YOU'RE freaking cute! We'll be touching on Riley's mental health and her relationship with Lucas. I love that you're a peruvian fan! And don't worry about spelling mistakes… we all make those!
Discursus: Missy is the worst in GMW! I feel like she has no good side. Hope you like this new update!
rebeccas1016: Thank you! I'll be trying to make it a bit more angsty.
rocker: Patience is a great virtue. Keep reading to find about Lucas!
jaleftwicih: You'll love the rest (hopefully)!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything you recognize.
…..
Lucas felt a large weight on his eyelids. He heard beeps around him, but he couldn't quite put together why his body ached.
"Doc, we got here as soon as we could. What happened?" The injured teen recognized his father's voice. "He fell?"
"It seems like he was running on the bleachers and missed a step. He fell face first onto the school's gym floor. Your boy is lucky he didn't receive a concussion, but the hit was so strong that he was unconscious for a long time." The doctor touched Lucas' wrist. "He's doing fine but he's extremely tired. I strongly recommend he has an eye surgery to gain his sight back. If he doesn't, I'm afraid he won't be able to participate in sports."
That last sentence ran on in Lucas' mind. Basketball was the only hobby that made him feel normal in school. He knew he was good and could be even greater.
As soon as he heard the doctor step out of the hospital room, his mother asked, "Can you hear us, son?"
"Yeah, mama. I'm just really weak. My head is pounding." Lucas winced as he opened his eyelids. Even though he couldn't see anything like the bright hospital lights, he was irritated by the machines surrounding him.
"We're glad you're okay. One of your friends called us and the ambulance. We're really grateful they knew your speed dial numbers."
Lucas began to wonder who had called his parents. It surely wasn't anyone from the basketball team… Except Farkle and Zay. "Was it one of my buddies?"
His dad shook his head 'no'. "I think it was a girl. Her name was Miley Cashews? I think?" He put a finger to his chin and adjusted his belt.
Lucas' mother laughed. "Riley Matthews, honey. Your coach's daughter found you unconscious and knew that I was number four on your flip phone." His mom stood up and walked to a table near the window. "A few of your friends left some presents. Zay left a CD from the Arctic Monkeys and Billy brought food. Someone even brought you a bouquet of red roses and cherry blossoms! They left a note signed 'Hermia'." She giggled. "I guess someone has an admirer."
Hermia. Shakespeare. Riley. Lucas felt guilt consume him entirely. Reality punched him in the face and spat on him. What would he do to gain Riley's trust once again? How would he show his face after almost hitting Maya? "We were just friends."
Lucas' mom shrugged. "Farkle also left you a message on your phone. You should listen to it." She handed her son the phone.
"Hey buddy. I'm sorry I said those things before. I sounded like the huge jerk I've become. I hope I wasn't the cause of your accident. I'm going to try to make things right between you and me. Talk to me whenever you need me."
A small smile formed on Lucas' face. He was grateful that Farkle apologized for his attitude. Now, the Texas teen knew he had to clean his reputation. He dialed Farkle's number. "Hi, buddy. I need you to do me a favor…"
…..
"He deserves the injuries!" Maya couldn't believe that Riley helped Lucas after the pain he caused her.
"I know he wasn't a good friend, but he needed me. Missy wasn't going to help him." Riley rolled her eyes annoyingly and sat at the cafeteria table. She smoothed down her floral dress and crossed her legs. "I'm glad I did what a good person does."
"On top of it all you sent him a gift! What was that bouquet for?!"
Riley tried to dodge the question but knew she couldn't escape it. "I felt bad. Deep inside I still love the guy I met on the first day."
In the distance, the two friends watched as Zay approached them. He smiled at them but received no grin in return.
"I deserve being ignored. Can you hear me out?" He scratched the back of his neck and gave the girls an apologetic smile.
"Out of the three idiots, you're the one that hurt us the least," Maya paused. "Speak."
"I was an idiot to stop talking to you gals. After the first win, I guess I thought I could only hang out with basketball players. But not being with you both made me realize how awful everyone else is. They don't care about their friends as much you two do. Please, forgive me."
Riley stood up and ran to hug Zay. She grinned as she felt him become comfortable. "Of course. I'm glad to have you back!"
Maya gave him a small smile. "It's good to talk to you once again, dude." She stood up and joined the group hug. "Now," she pinched his arm, "Explain this Missy and Lucas situation."
…..
Farkle cautiously entered the hospital room and found Lucas listening to the radio. "Good afternoon, Lucas." He smiled and sat next to his friend. "Mr. Matthews let me skip History to come visit you."
Friar indicated Farkle to give him a fist bump. "I'm glad to hear from you."
"I'm sorry again, for that nasty comment I said. I shouldn't have used your blindness against you. I guess I let my ego get the best of me." Farkle looked down at his feet. "We've both been really cruel. Especially to Maya and Riley."
"You knew Riley called my parents and the ambulance?"
Minkus shook his head. "I found out you were hurt after the ambulance arrived. If I would've seen you injured first, I would've definitely speed dialed your dad."
"Thanks, Farkle. But I gotta tell you, I didn't do anything with Missy." Lucas was embarrassed of everyone's reaction. "She made that up. She tried to take me out on a date and I told her 'no'. That tweet she posted was probably her revenge."
The intellect nodded. "I'm sure Riley will be happy when she finds out." He frowned. "That is, if she ever talks to us again."
"That's another reason why I wanted to talk to you. How are we going to get her and Maya's trust back?"
"It's not gonna be easy. That's for sure. We'll brainstorm, but I gotta go. Seems like the doctor is coming in with your parents."
…..
"I don't know anything! I was just as grossed out as you! Missy was dating Charlie." Zay winced as he put a hand on his arm. "You pinch like my grandma!"
Maya ignored his last comment. "Of course Ranger Rick would get involved with that skank."
"Peaches, it's fine. He's making his own choices. Even if they are the absolute worst." Riley intended to maintain her cool but her mind took a detour. She began to freak out. "They're probably gonna run away together and have babies and die!"
"Well that went dark." Maya shrugged, "I think we could survive without them."
"Are you gonna visit Lucas at the hospital?" Riley asked Zay.
"I kinda don't want to see him. I'm glad he's okay, but I'm not cool with what he's been doing." Zay checked his phone. "Farkle keeps texting me but I don't want to talk to him either."
"What happened?" Maya asked.
Babineaux looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"We know why you left us, but what happened with Lucas and Farkle?" Riley clarified.
Zay shrugged. "I guess you'd have to ask them… But my conclusion is that they both became extremely conceited. Farkle started to think he could do whatever he wanted, and Lucas thought he was the toughest guy on the team." He chuckled, "They began to act just like the rest of the basketball team. I may love basketball but that doesn't mean I enjoy playing with those douches."
…..
After speaking to their zany friend, Riley was reminded of the handsome Texas boy. She had a civil war in her conscious.
Just go.
Don't go! He hurt your heart!
Everyone deserves a second chance!
You're naive and stupid.
A doorbell interrupted her thoughts. She wasn't expecting anyone, so opening the door to a delivery man was a surprise. "Um, hi?"
The man pulled a bouquet of daises and yellow tulips from his messenger bag. "Delivery for Riley Matthews. A note from the sender is between the stems."
The brunette furrowed her eyebrows with concern. "Uh, thank you! I guess?" She quickly accepted the flowers and shut the door. Her hands fiddled with the flowers until the note was between her fingers.
"Or if there were a sympathy in choice,
War, death, or sickness did lay siege to it,
Making it momentary as a sound."
The young woman's jaw dropped and her hand flew to cover her mouth. She read out loud the note once more and read the signature. "Lysander." She grinned from ear to ear and squealed towards her room. Her head was in the clouds when Maya entered her room.
"Sunshine, I've been in the room for 5 minutes. Where did you get those flowers?"
Riley was in a dream state. "He basically said that anything that separates us will be temporarily."
"Are you hearing yourself?! It's Lucas! Ranger Rick! He left us! He doesn't even have the guts to speak to you to your face?" Maya's face was red with fury. "You need to ignore him."
Matthews chuckled. "Don't worry, Peaches. Even though this makes me really happy, I'm going to make him work to get my trust back." She stood up and smelled her flowers. "In the meantime, I'll be watering my flowers."
…..
The following day, Lucas returned to school. He knew he had to start over with Riley and Maya. Above all, he had to win Riley's trust back. As he walked through the halls, he arrived to the locker he had memorized on the first day. "Hey, Riles."
The goofy brunette slightly smiled. "Hi." She barely acknowledged him and continued to pick up her books.
"Did you like the flowers?" Lucas asked. He felt his neck begin to heat up.
"Yes. They were beautiful." Riley looked at him for a few seconds before returning her attention to her folders and notes.
Friar sighed. "It's gonna take more than flowers to gain your friendship, right?" He put a hand to his temple.
Riley nodded. "You're smart, Lucas. I have faith that you'll do what's right." The brunette smiled and began to walk towards her next class.
When she disappeared from the hallway, Lucas bang his head against the metal locker. "I think I know what I have to do."
…..
Maya rolled her eyes with irritation as she whiffed Missy's perfume. Missy acknowledged the reaction and snickered. "How's your older boyfriend, hoe?" She sprayed on more of her scent. "You're dating an older guy cause' you don't have a dad right?"
Even though she was strong as a bull, Maya began to weaken right before Bradford's eyes.
"You should check yourself before you start calling other girls 'hoe', Missy." Lucas stepped in front of Maya and stared at where he supposed Missy was standing. "Why don't you tell everyone how you're tweet about you and me is fake."
Missy scoffed. "You're going to regret trying to confront me."
Lucas rolled his eyes in disbelief. "Who do you think you are?"
The bully with high heels ran away and left the blonde beauty with the tough teen.
Maya narrowed her eyes at Lucas. "What do you want… A 'thank you' from me?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "You're probably trying to be nice so you could use Riley."
Friar shook his head in disagreement. "I owe you a sincere apology for threatening you. I let my anger and pride get the best of me." He bowed his head towards his feet in disappointment. "I want to gain back your trust."
Hart reluctantly nodded. "You're gonna have to keep trying to win us back, especially after everything you did to Riley." She cracked a small smile. "But I don't hate you anymore."
