I'm going to let you guys in a little secret… I've never made it to 8 chapters in a story! I'm going to finish this story… I don't know when, but it will be completed! I appreciate all of you for reading.
violet1429: Thanks so much! 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is my FAVORITE play from William Shakespeare. I'm glad the boys are trying to fix their errors… but will they be able to gain Riley's trust? ;) We shall find out, haha. But don't worry, it won't take forever! I always love reading your reviews! Thank you for sticking with me. :)
nona0310: Lucas has been changing since he moved from Texas. Let's hope he can reach his full potential and be himself 100%! His note was my favorite part too. And trust me, I want to make Lucas suffer a bit ;D Aw, I love your reviews! You're so sweet. I hope you're enjoying your day in Peru!
Marissa Davis: I'm trying to involve presents Riley would like from Lucas. Gonna make him sweat, haha! He knows Riley wants him to do the right thing, not only with her, but with all their friends. Thanks for you review!
Discursus: Haha yes! They need to be united! Thanks for reviewing!
KillEmWithKindness02: Woo-hoo! :D Zay always speaks his mind! You know him, haha. Thank you so much for being a loyal reader! You're the best. :*
Also, for today's chapter I would recommend the following tunes: 'Outside' by Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris or 'This Is What You Came For' by Rihanna and Calvin Harris.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything you recognize.
…..
"He apologized? I can't believe he did that!" Riley's mouth was in an 'O' shape.
"You and me both, kid." Maya laughed. Both girls discussed about their day and what Lucas had done for each. "Riles, do you think it's wrong that I'm dating your uncle?"
The brunette looked at her best friend with confusion. "Look, if this is about Missy… You shouldn't pay her any mind. If she called you that horrible thing, it's because she has no kindness in her heart."
"But what about you? Do you, Riley Matthews, think it's wrong?" Maya questioned with gleamy eyes. "Your opinion matters so much to me."
Matthews gave the blonde a smile and a sideways hug. "I want you to be happy. You deserve to love whoever you love. Plus, you aren't doing anything illegal." Riley stood up from the bay window and stepped into her bathroom.
While the tough beauty waited for Riley, she checked her phone for any messages. "Huh, that's weird. Farkle wants to meet me at the park." Maya spoke to herself out loud. "I'm going to give him a second chance, just like Riles does."
…..
It was six in the afternoon when the basketball team finished practicing. Zay tried to escape without saying a word, but Lucas and Farkle ran behind him. They stopped him with unsteady breathes.
"Z-Zay, we n-need to apol… apologize!" Lucas rested his hands on his knees.
"We're sorry for the way we've been acting," Farkle stated exasperated. "We've been ditching our real friends for popularity." The intellect put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "We definitely let ourselves act like people we're not. I let my anger issues come out to play."
Their African-American friend smiled. "Thanks for being mature about it guys. Even though I just started to hang out with you guys in the beginning of the year, I know you both are great people." The three of them huddled into a group hug. "Let's go hit the plaza and eat some food!"
Farkle laughed. "Guys, I'm gonna have to take a rain check. I need to talk to Maya."
…..
Maya sat on the wooden park bench looking at the large trees. It was very chilly, so she wore a winter jacket on top of her cotton sweater, booties and thermal leggings. Maya's headphones hid under her beanie, and her mouth covered with a turquoise scarf.
"Hey." Farkle appeared from behind the blonde. He stared at the Central Park view and sighed. "Can I sit next to you?"
Hart nodded and moved slightly.
"Are you cold? Here, take my jacket."
"No, Farkle. I'm fine. Say what you need to say." Maya snapped at Farkle quickly. Her arms were crossed and her ears perked, ready to listen.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't the friend you knew since first grade. I've always been by your side and I didn't know I could be so mean. After being really focused in basketball, I forgot you and Riley were my focus as well." Farkle raked his hair with his hands. He nudged Maya which indicated her to look at him. He smiled sweetly at her and stared into her eyes.
All of a sudden, Maya's stomach was churning. She felt knots form and her heart pound.
Has Farkle always been this handsome?
"I accept your apology." She smiled at him and a blush crept on her face.
What the heck are you doing?! You're dating Joshua!
Maya shivered. "Let's go home. It's starting to get extremely cold." She rubbed her hands together.
"I'll buy you a cup of coffee." Farkle smiled once again and captured the blonde's gaze.
…..
"Are you crazy?! That sounded like a date!" Zay shook Farkle's shoulders. "You're dead, dude!"
Lucas shook his head in disapproval. "You know she's taken. Why did you play with her feelings?"
"I don't know! I've always loved Maya." Farkle paced back and forth inside Lucas' bedroom. "She's tough, and we have similar ideas."
"I thought you loved Maya and Riley equally?" Lucas furrowed his eyebrows, wondering.
"Don't worry, Ranger Rick. I won't steal your girl," Farkle paused. He glared at the Texas stud who smirked in response. "I guess I love Riley like a friend. I look out for her, but we would never be a great couple."
Zay sighed. "So what are you gonna do about these feelings you have?"
Farkle stood tall. "I'm going to be smart about it and tell her the truth. I'll let her choose who she wants to be with."
…..
"You what?!" Riley panicked as she heard Maya's words. "You think you like Farkle?!"
"I thought you were the one who wanted Farkle and I to end up together!" Maya looked at her brunette friend, frustrated. "You said it yourself, Riles!"
"Yeah, I said that if my uncle Josh wasn't totally interested in you!" Riley fell onto her bed. She looked at the ceiling. "Tell me specifically what you're thinking."
Hart quickly followed Matthews and fell on top of the bed next to the brunette. "For the first time, I noticed how much Farkle cares about us. When he said he had to focus on us, I felt so protected. And I kinda started to think he's cute." She bit her lip. "I feel so guilty."
Both girls stared at the ceiling in silence. A few moments later, Riley spoke up. "You can't play with both of their emotions. You have to define your emotions and relationships once and for all."
"You say it like it's easy." Maya rolled her eyes. "How do I choose?"
Riley chuckled. "I think you should pick whoever makes you a better person. The guy that'll help you grow, not bring you down." The brunette realized her own words applied to her situation too. "I need to make that clear to Lucas." With those final words, the brunette stood up and went to her living room.
"Sweetie, I have to tell you something!" Topanga grinned while sitting on the couch. "You won't believe the email I just read."
"What's it say? Is it my confirmation for the concert tickets I bought?!" Riley jumped up and down, excitedly.
Her mother shook her head in disagreement. "No, it's a reply from NYU! They received your essay on Woman's Rights and want you to attend the school starting next year!" She flailed her arms in excitement.
"What? I never sent them an essay? How can they enroll me if I never applied?" Riley's mind was completely lost in thought. "Are you sure it's not a spam?"
Topanga narrowed her eyes at her daughter. "Love, I'm a lawyer. Best student in my classes. Seven-hundred 'A's. You're asking me if I'm sure?" She laughed. "That's like asking Einstein what's 2 plus 2."
Riley rolled her eyes. "I'm going to find out how they got my essay in the first place."
…..
"Hey Riles." Lucas smiled at the happy teenage girl. "How are you?"
One step at a time, Lucas and Riley began to talk more. At first it was just a greeting. Now, she's speaking to him for longer periods of time.
"I'm great! I found out I got into NYU, without even applying! Would you know anything about that?" Riley raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
Friar laughed. "Who wouldn't love you? You're Riley Matthews." He grinned and walked into Cory's class. Riley was left without words.
As soon as Lucas arrived inside the classroom, he walked up to Mr. Matthews' desk. "Thank you, sir, for the help. She doesn't suspect a thing." The handsome young man gave the older man a thumbs up.
"You've done a good thing, Lucas. Thank you." Cory was grateful for the teen's actions. Don't mistaken him, he was aware of what Lucas had done to Riley. However, as his teacher and coach, he knew that Friar was a smart guy.
Riley walked into the classroom and handed her father in a report on Napoleon Bonaparte. "Here, dad! I hope it's just as insightful as the way you teach!" She grinned and folded her hands across her desk.
"Your flattery isn't going to get you extra credit, sweetie." Cory playfully shook his head. He put the report on his desk and walked to the chalkboard. "What did you guys learn from the infamous dictator?"
Farkle raised his hand. "Sir, he was known as the emperor of France from 1804 to 1814 and then once more in 1815. He was also the King of Italy from 1805 to 1814. His first wife, Josephine, cheated on him and he still managed to love her after her divorce. His final words were actually a remembrance of Josephine."
Cory nodded in agreement. "What else?"
Maya spoke up without raising her hand. "There's a great controversy that Napoleon wasn't a dictator at all. Writers speak about how it dishonors Napoleon, to be compared to dictator's like Hitler."
Cory smiled. "Good job, Maya. I know you worked hard on that paper, even though you didn't have the same access to computers as the rest of us." Maya spoke to him about the need of a computer and a printer in her home. "Although, I want to know… what did you guys learn from Napoleon that could be useful for you?"
"You could still love someone, even though they've hurt you," Farkle responded.
"Right!" Mr. Matthews exclaimed. "What else?"
Lucas raised his hand. "He had a large amount of pride. Even though this pride helped him conquer lots of land, at the end he lost the battle of Waterloo." The blond thought of Riley and gave the class a sad smile. "We have to be careful that our pride doesn't get the best of us or we'll lose what's important to us."
Riley turned around and glanced at Lucas. She realized what he was trying to say. The apology hidden in that comment warmed her heart. Her hand went up in the air. "Napoleon left his legacy upon the entire world. To make big changes in our lives, we have to take chances." Internally, she had forgiven Lucas. It was a big risk that she hoped would change her life for the better.
…..
Awww I hope you guys liked this chapter! Before you leave this chapter… it's time to ponder.
If you recall the previous chapter with Lucas in the hospital, you might remember the doctor encouraging the family to arrange plans for the eye surgery. He strongly disapproved Lucas playing basketball. And yet, he's still playing basketball! Will there be any consequences for that?
Why do you think the surgery hasn't happened?
Now that Riley has forgiven Lucas, what is going to happen with their relationship?
Riley has been accepted in NYU… But Lucas planned on going back to Texas after his surgery… What will he do?
Who do you guys think deserves to be with Maya?
SO MANY QUESTIONS. EVEN I AM CONFUSED AND I KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN… (I think XD). I won't update until Sunday, so reread if you have to! :P :)
