Sorry for the late update, loves! This week will be a tough week for me to update but I will try.
violet1429: I know, it was A LOT of questions to answer XD… But you're definitely right with the doctor related answer. We'll see the consequences of Lucas playing in the next couple of chapters. NYU will be a complicated arc so get ready ;) Markle and Joshaya… who will win? XP
jaleftwich: RUCAS IS COMING! I just don't know when lol… And yes, the surgery thing is real! I did my research before I wrote Chapter 1. I'm not sure if I will write Maya's decision based on what you guys want or what I think is right so… AH I AM SO INDECISIVE.
rucasfaith: thank you for reading my story anyways! That means so much! Enjoy the rucas in this chapter, lovely!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything you recognize!
…..
Riley smiled as she watched Cuddle Bunnies on the living room television. It was a bright Friday morning and there was no school for Abigail Adams High. Outside, the streets were covered with a white blanket of snow. "This day is going to be my relaxing day."
Topanga raised an eyebrow. She walked from the kitchen to the couch. "By relax do you mean do absolutely nothing?" The responsible mother crossed her arms.
The pretty brunette nodded enthusiastically. "Yay!"
Her little brother, Auggie Matthews, appeared at the frame of the hallway. "Cuddle bunnies!" He ran to the couch and tackled his older sister. "6th grade is no match for this show!"
"You both realize this show is intended for six year old children, right?" Topanga laughed. Her two kids glared at her simultaneously. "Anyways, Riley, you haven't been helping me out with the store lately. Auggie has been helping me clean up in the mornings."
Riley disagreed passionately. "What about that time I- wait, no. How about yesterday when I-"
"You're coming with me. Final word. Get dressed comfortably. You'll be baking today." Topanga smirked and adjusted her pantsuit. "Have a good day, Auggie!"
The 11 year-old waved cheerfully while Riley rolled her eyes.
…..
"What a great day!" Mrs. Matthews grinned while she took off her jacket and shook her boots. "You okay, honey?"
Riley glared at her mother. "I'm frozen!" The brunette waddled inside the store and waited until the frostbite disappeared. She sighed. "What do I have to do?"
"Great question!" Topanga raced to the counter and grabbed an apron and a bowl. "Start making muffins and cookies. The recipe is on top of the back shelf. You'll be fine, Riles."
Not a minute too soon, Riley began to bake. She hummed to herself as she stirred the mixture of dry and wet ingredients. When making the cookies, she poured flour on her hands and began to knead the dough. The heat from the oven was hovering over her tauntingly, leaving Riley heated. She passed the back of her hand against her forehead and left a streak of white.
"Sweetie! Make sure you check on the oven! I'm making the sandwiches."
Ms. Matthews washed her hands as she transferred the cookie sheet into the oven. She took out the muffins that were now fully baked. The golden crust and delicious blueberries made Riley's stomach growl. "Just a few more hours left."
The front door opened with a gust of wind. Someone entered and stood in front of the cash register.
"Give me a second!" Riley shouted. She quickly put the muffins on display and ran to the customer. She wiped her hands on her apron. "Good morning! Welcome to Topanga's. What would y-" Riley looked up. "Lucas?"
The blond smiled. "I knew that voice was familiar! Are you working today?" He leaned on the counter.
"Y-Yeah, my mom needed my help so I came down. What would you like to order?" Riley blushed as she admired Lucas' charm. She put her palm on her forehead and felt the flour on her skin. "Oh my God!" The goofy teen laughed.
"What happened?" Lucas questioned.
"Nothing, I got baking flour on my face! It's embarrassing!" She wiped her face clean with a rag.
"I wish I could see that! You probably still look adorable." Friar winked at Riley and left her once again flushed. "I'll take a muffin, one ham and cheese sandwich, and a medium coffee."
"I'll be right back with your food in a minute!" Riley ran to the display cases and quickly grabbed the muffin and sandwich. She carefully poured some coffee and milk in a plastic cup and packed it neatly in a brown bag. "Done."
Lucas chuckled. "You didn't have to rush. I'm just like the other customers."
"You're my friend, Lucas. Besides, it helps me relax between orders."
"So you forgive me? We're friends again?"
Riley looked at him with worry.
Does he even like me?
She likes having friends, but she knows Lucas and her could never be just friends. That would crush her heart. "Of course. The food is on the house!"
Lucas furrowed his eyebrows in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? You worked too hard to just give me this." He shook his head. "When is your lunch break? Maybe I could return the favor. We could walk through the city." His winter jacket hung attractively on his broad shoulders.
Riley couldn't help but grin at the boy standing close to her. "I'd love that. My break is in an hour. Would you mind?"
"Not at all." Lucas dismissed her and he walked to a small corner of the shop.
Minutes quickly passed by for Riley while she served the customers. Every once in a while she would glance at Lucas and check on what he was doing. He had headphones inside his ears and it seemed like he was clearing his head of any stress. Riley admired his peaceful smile.
"So, seems like it wasn't such a bad idea you came, huh?" Topanga appeared suddenly next to her daughter.
"You knew he was coming?" The smaller Matthews was shocked. "Thanks, mom."
Her mother winked and walked to the register. "You can head out for an early lunch break. Don't make this gentleman wait anymore."
Riley nodded and quickly took out her apron. She let her hair down from the bun she previously wore and adjusted her long-sleeved dress. "Thanks again, mommy! I'll be back at 1!"
Topanga admired her daughter's love for her friends. She was mesmerized by the young love blooming from Riley and Lucas. The wise woman recalled her blooming romance with Cory. "It's not just a first crush. It's first love."
…..
Friar held onto Riley's shoulder while they walked the streets. "How are you handling the acceptance to NYU, Riles?"
She laughed. "I still can't believe it! I'm trying to find who sent that email. I have a hunch my parents know who did it, but they won't tell me." Riley turned onto an avenue filled with stores and restaurants. "Where do you want to go?"
"If you want, we could go to my favorite store." Lucas smirked.
"We are not going to Sport's Authority." Riley teased the Texas teen. "You sure love sports!"
"Oh come on! You're gonna tell me you don't like a single sport?" He tried to dig deep into Riley's personality. "Baseball? Soccer? Basketball?"
The brunette shrugged. "I guess I like soccer and basketball. My favorite team for the latter is the Knicks well, cause' we live in the Garden." She thought about the soccer games she has watched. "For soccer I think it's FC Barcelona."
"See! You do know about sports!" Lucas laughed and grinned at Riley. "But I'm not going to make you suffer at the store. Why don't I buy you lunch and we head back?"
Both high school seniors chatted with smiles on their faces. They had conversations similar to the one on his first day in the city. As they approached the store, the dialogue between them became more personal.
"Have your parents mentioned anything about the operation?"
Lucas remained silent for a few seconds. "They're having some doubts. I think the charity that supports me has the money, but my mom is worried the surgery will cause more damage." He stared at Riley's shoes. "I really want to see."
"Then you have to go for it! Tell your parents you're willing to plunge into the pool of uncertainty." Riley opened her arms.
Lucas chuckled. "You are certainly something special, Riles. You know, you should go to my practice next week." He slowly lowered his hand to where her small hand was. Lucas held it softly. "You're a great motivation."
The brunette blushed. "Sure. I'd like that a lot."
…..
The following afternoon, Riley walked into Maya's room with chocolate, popcorn, and movies. "Peaches, we have to make a decision right now. It's either Farkle or my uncle Josh."
Maya scowled at her friend. "You can't just force me to make a choice!"
Either fate or coincidence made Maya's phone ring with two text messages.
I hope you make your decision soon. It would help me clear my head. -Farkle
"Let me guess. Both of them texted you?" Riley smirked. "Tonight's the night!" Matthews hopped onto Maya's squeaky bed and flared her arms into the air.
"Relax, crazy. I'm not the bachelorette."
Call me when you can. I need to tell you something. -Joshua
"Uh oh. Josh wants me to call him!" The blonde hopped onto the bed with Riley. "No relaxing! No relaxing! I gotta call him right now." She quickly dialed her boyfriend's number and internal panicked. "Hello?"
"Hey, babe. I know you're deciding who you want to be with, but I just need to tell you… I love you."
Maya's jaw dropped along with her phone. She picked up the phone and responded, "I didn't know you felt that way. I thought you didn't take us seriously." Her eyes were becoming blurry with anxious tears.
"What? Of course I took us seriously. That's why I didn't want us to date earlier. I really think that the relationships that blossom come from mature people."
Riley pressed her ear against the small cell phone and cooed. "He's so sweet! You have to pick him!"
"Niece, I could hear you."
Maya rolled her eyes. "I'll talk to you as soon as I can with my decision. Thanks for letting me know how you feel." She hung up quickly and ran to her bed. "Can we go to Rileytown and forget about this?"
"Look, Penelope, think about this carefully. You've never liked Farkle! How do you like him now all of a sudden?!"
"Things suddenly changed. I don't know. We have always connected. And ever since he started to dress different and comb his hair a certain way, I find him attractive! Remember that assignment on beliefs? Him and I look at the world in a similar way."
Riley shook her head. "What about that thing I told you? Did you think about who makes you a better person?"
Maya sighed. "I think… Josh makes me want to be mature and responsible. At the same time, we have things in common but we're different. The best part about him is that he's part of your family. I know you're family would never hurt me."
The brunette grinned. "Alright then! Party at Rileytown! Josh is the winner."
"But," Maya paused, "Farkle makes me want to expand my education because he's really smart. He knows how to impress me in the weirdest ways." She laughed. "He's always had faith in me. Just like you have faith in me."
Riley banged her head across the wall. "I'm done. I'm going on a vacation to Rileytown alone!"
"Wait! I think I know who I love."
…..
Monday quickly rolled around the corner and introduced Maya with an immense obstacle. She tried to avoid Farkle at all costs because in her mind, she had a specific plan. The blonde was going to meet with the two young men after school.
Meanwhile, Riley was excited to accompany her favorite handsome teen at his basketball practice. They walked together to the gym.
"Wait for me right here! I'll leave my bag with you while I go change." Lucas smiled at Riley and put a hand on her shoulder. Afterwards he quickly ran to the locker rooms. However, he later realized he forgot his lucky jersey. "Hey Billy! Can you get me my jersey from my bag?"
"No can do, dude. I'm gonna get dressed."
Friar tried to get someone's attention but they were all too focused to do him a favor. He had no other choice then to go outside of the locker room and call Riley over. "Riley! Can you bring me my jersey?"
Riley was scrolling through her social media until she heard her name being yelled. She looked up and found a shirtless Lucas at the doorframe of the entrance. "Oh my God! Why aren't you wearing a shirt?" She blushed as she tried to look at anything but his sculpted form.
"I forgot my shirt. Can you give it to me so I could be fully dressed? If your dad sees me, he'll bench me!" Lucas panicked as well.
Quickly and swiftly, Riley gave Lucas his jersey. Even though she was as innocent as a white dove, she had to admit that it was hard to avoid his toned physique. As soon as he put on the jersey she exhaled in relief. "That was a close one."
"Oh come on! You enjoyed what you were seeing." Lucas smirked.
"Oh please. Don't flatter yourself! Start playing some b-ball, Friar." Riley rolled her eyes in annoyance as the teen flirted. She knew he was right, but she wasn't going to tell him that.
…..
Maya coughed. "I'm glad to see both of you. Now I'll tell you both how I feel. I love…"
…..
CLIFFHANGER! I'm sorry if this seems rushed, I've been busy with school work. Let me know what you guys want to see! xx
