"All right, guys, it's time to get your partner's for this semester's project." Mr. James, the Chemistry teacher said as he looked over his list of students.
Riley glanced over at Caprice, who gave her a small thumbs up; she had been nervous that she'd be paired with Lucas, seeing as they were both selected to take part in a higher chemistry class with the Juniors.
"Carey and Max." Mr. James began, reading the names one by one until… "Riley and Lucas."
"Uh, Mr. James." Riley's hand shot up to get her teacher's attention.
"Yes, Riley?"
"Is there any way I can request a new partner?" She asked nervously, chewing on her bottom lip while explaining, "Lucas lives across town and with my mom needing extra help at her bakery, it would be hard to work together."
"I have no problem with it." Lucas argued, watching her tense up at the sound of his voice.
"Well, we don't need students overexerting themselves or even staying out so late in the city." Mr. James nodded. "All right, Riley, you and Caprice can work together, since you two live in the same building."
"Thank you, sir." Caprice grinned as the bell rang and class was dismissed.
As the students piled out of class, Maya stood by the door and waited for Lucas. She was surprised when he came out without even noticing her.
"Riley." Lucas tugged on Riley's arm gently as they left the classroom.
Riley felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her arm and she had to jerk back a little. "Lucas?"
"Whoa, Friar." Charlie, who was also waiting by the door, was quick to react. He took Riley's hand and laced their fingers together. "We're friends, Friar, but not when it comes to my girl. That's a whole 'nother story."
A crowd had gathered and some students snickered at the possible fight they were readying their phones for.
Lucas tightened his grip without realizing or meaning to, glaring at Charlie. "Is it such a crime to want to talk to my friend, Charlie? Or does she need your permission?"
'Oh's!' erupted from around them and Riley could feel her cheeks heating up.
"Watch yourself, Friar," Charlie grit his teeth and came closer to Riley, "I trust Riley, I don't trust you. Now, let go."
"Make me." Lucas challenged; he had no idea why he was acting this way or why he even tried to pick a fight with Charlie.
"Lucas, stop." Riley tugged her arm free from him. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait. Just please…no fighting, okay?" She frowned and turned to follow Charlie and Caprice to the cafeteria.
Disappointed grumbling from their fellow classmates filled the halls as the crowd dispersed and it was then that Lucas noticed Maya.
"Hey," She walked up to him and put a comforting hand on his arm, "everything all right?"
"Fine, I just…" He reached up to take her hand in his, "Mr. James was assigning lab partners and when Riley got paired with me…she requested a new partner."
Maya huffed, "What? Why would she do that?"
"She said it's because I live across town." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I thought this could be our chance to ask her what's been going on. Guess not."
She leaned her head against his shoulder and began walking to the lunchroom. "We'll get our chance, like you said."
Freshman Year: First day
When lunchtime came around, Maya had expected Riley to join them. But then 10 minutes had gone by, then 15 minutes, and before she knew it lunch was already halfway over.
"I think we should find Riley and see if she's okay." She finally suggested. "Lunch is almost over and I haven't seen her once."
"She's fine." Farkle assured with a smile. "If she were having trouble, she'd come find us."
"Yeah." Maya nodded, still unconvinced. "Yeah, you're right."
"Hey, guys." Charlie had walked up to their table and put a hand Lucas' shoulder. "You haven't seen my girlfriend around, have you?"
"Not since this morning." Lucas tried to subtly shrug off Charlie's hand but failed when he saw Maya's eyes zero in on the gesture.
Charlie frowned as he scanned the cafeteria until the sound of the doors opening caught his attention and he smiled at the person he was looking for. Walking up to Riley, he took her hand in his. "There you are."
"Here I am." She beamed up at him. "You'll never believe what happened."
"Shoot." Charlie led her back to her table of friends.
"That cheerleader Caprice took me to the try-outs," Riley clung to him, ecstatic. "And I made the team!"
"Oh, Riles, that's great!" Maya got out of her seat to give her friend a hug, but simply smiled sadly as she noticed that Charlie had wrapped his arms around her and spun her around.
"That's amazing, Riley, I'm so proud of you." Charlie had settled her back on the ground.
"Oh, Ms. Matthews." Caprice's voice sang as she practically bounced up to their table. "We have a special seat reserved for you if you'd like."
Riley followed the direction that Caprice had nodded and noticed most of the cheerleading team was gathered around at least two tables with the football players. "Oh, uh…" She looked back at her friends. "I think I'll pass for today, but thank you."
"Well, you're welcome any time." Caprice patted her arm and turned to make her way to the team.
"You should go, Riles." Maya stepped up beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Really?" Riley looked at Lucas, Farkle, and Zay. "You think I should?"
"Absolutely." Maya pulled her close. "Have fun."
"Just for today." Riley promised with a squeal as she hugged Maya and ran off to join Caprice, pulling Charlie along with her.
Maya nodded and laughed lightly at how happy Riley was compared to the last few months. 'Just for today.' She thought as she took a seat next to Lucas and tried to pick off his plate of food.
Sophomore Year: Present Day
"Charlie, please don't fight Lucas." Riley squeezed his hand and pleaded. "Please?"
"I promise." Charlie kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry, Riley, really. I just…I don't trust him."
"Why not?"
"Because of your guys' history." He pulled her in front of him so she could grab her lunch before he could. "Because you liked him a lot in eighth grade and he liked you a lot."
"Things change." She grabbed a bowl of salad and pushed a fruit cup onto his tray. "You know that. And I know you're still worried because things started off awkward between us on our first date, but I'm just an awkward person."
"I know, I know." Charlie put the fruit cup back on her tray and placed a pudding cup on his own along with a pizza slice. "I was just jealous. And I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted." Riley turned to smile at him, once again replacing his pudding for fruit and laughing at the grimace on his face.
"You're a serious health nut, you know that?" He joked as he paid for their lunch and led them to their usual table.
"Leave Riley alone." Caprice sat next to her. "I think it's charming."
Riley turned to Charlie with a smirk and he rolled his eyes with a smile.
Lucas and Maya watched Riley talk and compare notes with Caprice and Charlie, both frowning at the irony of her being just a few feet away physically, but a whole world away from them emotionally.
"Hey, you okay?" Zay asked when him and Farkle walked up to them. "I heard what happened and got here as fast as I could."
"Did you guys fight?" Farkle questioned as he sat next to Zay.
"No." Lucas shook his head and picked at his lunch. "It just got a little complicated."
Maya leaned her head against his shoulder. "More than a little. But we'll figure it out, all of us, like we always do."
"Caprice." Riley sighed heavily. "Promise me you won't get into any fights either with Maya."
"What?" Caprice looked at her like she was crazy. "Are you kidding me? Riles, a) you've branched out socially and she can't see that, b) you have new friends that you've been spending time with, why is that a crime? And c)…" She glanced in Lucas' direction before looking back at Charlie to see that he was talking to a fellow teammate. "C) Why is it okay for her to hurt you like that?"
"I'm not hurt." Riley insisted and plucked at her fruit. "Lucas never felt for me what he feels for Maya, that's no one's fault."
"That still doesn't give them the right."
"Who am I to say that?" Riley whispered. "Who am I to stand in the way of them being happy, which they are. Maya always puts me first in our friendship and it's time I return the favor."
"Not if you're miserable." Caprice put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Of course Maya put you first, I don't doubt that, but the one time it counts…the one time it really matters…she didn't. You're so amazing, Riley, to sit through it like it doesn't bother you, but anyone with eyes can see it. Only those who know it's wrong refuse to believe it."
"You're a Junior in high school." Riley smiled. "How the heck are you so wise?"
"My mom's a therapist, it's kind of what I do whether I mean to or not." Caprice shrugged and laughed with her friend.