Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed this story! Please don't forget to REVIEW, it means a lot!

And I want to thank TreeHill5Ever and Eloi22 for continuing to review on each chapter, it is SO appreciated! I would also like to thank the guest who left the wonderful comment for last chapter, that's quite an accomplishment then-thank you!

As to the chapter itself, please give it a chance...everything will be explained in due time. That includes actions, thought processes, and decisions-good or bad. ;) Thank you!

UPDATED: 12-31-16

Disclaimer: I don't own Girl Meets World, just the story!

Chapter Fifteen: Caught In the Act

It was a cold, fall day, a good day to be inside, which is what the group of friends was doing. They sat around the small coffee table in Topanga's, enjoying the warmth of the cafe, and drinking ice cold smoothies. It was a tradition, so even if it was literally freezing outside, they would still be there with their cups full.

"What do you guys think? Do you wanna catch a movie or something?" Riley asked as she sipped her drink.

"I don't think so, Riles." Maya shook her head. "I have stuff going on, but you guys can still go. It's not a big deal."

"Can you just go today?" she pleaded. "There's this really good one that I wanted to go see."

"Actually, I can't go either," Lucas winced.

The brunette popped out her bottom lip, and stared at them adoringly with big, brown eyes.

"Not going to work, honey," Maya smirked. "I've been saying "no" to those for years."

Lucas hadn't though. He turned to the small girl, and looked at her with question in his eyes.

"NO!" she snapped.

"Oh, c'mon..."

"No."

"When does the movie start?" the boy asked, turning to the brunette.

"Um, well since it's already kind of late, there's only one more showing." Riley flipped through the information on her phone. "Wait. It starts at 10?!"

"Guess it's settled then," Zay spoke up. "We all know this girl can't stay up later than 9:30...maybe we should just take her home, and let the princess sleep."

The princess in question scowled, an expression they didn't see often on her face.

"Look, I may not stay up as late as you, but that doesn't mean that I can't."

"Prove it." Zay raised his eyebrows, and twirled his straw between his fingers.

"No, she won't do it." Farkle studied her. "My observations say she would either fall asleep around 10:30, or feel guilty 5 minutes later and run back home to tell her parents everything."

She slammed her smoothie down on the table, and folded her arms.

"Okay, I've had enough of this! You guys are always telling me I need protection from the world, that I'm immature, and dumb. Well, I'm changing that now."

"We don't say that, Riley," Lucas said, baffled by her sudden outburst.

"Yes, you do. All of you." She looked pointedly at each one of her friends.

"Riles, we're just trying to protect you...nothing wrong with that," Maya consoled.

"Ever think that maybe I don't want to be protected? Or I don't need to be?" The girl stood up, glaring angrily at everyone, or at least trying to.

"If we didn't do that, you wouldn't be who you are today," Farkle remarked. "I don't think you would be happy or optimistic at all."

"Fine. Now that I know who I am, will you stop treating me like a kid?"

"But, you can't even sneak out for longer than 10 minutes!" Maya exclaimed. "It isn't a bad thing, honey. It's just who you are."

"Yah," she said softly, sinking back down into the chair. "A happy-go-lucky girl, who can't do anything wrong, gets good grades, and is goofy and weird."

"I still don't see the problem."

"Maybe I want to grow up now," Riley commented, staring straight into their eyes.

The "Riley Committee" looked at each other, and made a unanimous decision. They were still going to shield her from the bigger things if they could, but they were willing to help her learn to stand on her own two feet.

"Okay, honey," Maya smiled at her friend. "Lets grow up."

"Not too much," she added.

"I'll try."

Lucas interrupted the moment, deciding it was time to move on. He wasn't sure how he felt about letting Riley go. That's basically what they were doing, watching her change from the sidelines. Not necessarily a bad thing, it just meant things might be a little different, and there sure was a lot of that happening lately.

"So, tell you what. Riley can prove her maturity by going out to this movie, and Maya and I will do whatever we have planned."

"Wait a minute," she narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean we? Are you guys doing something together?"

"No!" they immediately said in unison.

"Real convincing," Zay smirked from his spot.

"Shut up, Nutcracker," Maya scowled.

He grew defensive, coming up with a weak excuse. "For your information, I've never done "The Nutcracker"!"

"Can't say that, I was there, man." Lucas laughed.

Maya's whole face lit up, and her eyes held an evil twinkle. She burst out laughing, and almost spilled her smoothie all over the couch and herself. Zay was grumbling, but everyone else watched the small girl with amusement.

"This is like the best thing ever," she snorted.

Riley giggled at her best friend's reaction, and glancing over at Lucas, noted his expression with interest. He was completely fixed on Maya, a huge grin plastered on his face. To anyone else, it would've seemed like he was just laughing along with her, but their friends could read them much better. Farkle had noticed the same thing, and was exchanging silent conversation with Riley. This was very interesting, and he couldn't wait to discuss it once those two were gone.

"You know what?" Zay spoke up crossly. "Go ahead and do whatever you want. We're going to the movies."

"Okay," Maya shrugged, still smiling. "Thanks."

"You're not supposed to say that," he scowled.

"What can I say? I'm very unpredictable."

Lucas finished his smoothie, and checking the time on his watch, blinked in surprise.

"It's already that late?"

"How late, Huckleberry?" Maya leaned over his arm, to look at the time.

"Uh, around 9."

She glanced out the window, and seeing it was dark, started to gather her things along with everyone else.

"Seriously, where does the time go?" she muttered, shaking her head.

"Time flies by when you're having fun..." Riley beamed. "Or when you're with friends."

"Yah, it does," she gave her friend a quick hug.

"So, I guess we'll see you tomorrow." Farkle shrugged on his coat. "Hope you studied; there's a big pop quiz in science."

Maya groaned. "I'm pretty sure I'm still in the contagious stage, so I'll be calling in sick tomorrow."

Riley snorted. "Right, which is why you were hanging out with us all day...and you went to Thanksgiving dinner."

"You're losing your touch, Shortstack," Lucas taunted.

"No, you guys just know me too well," she groaned.

"That's true."

Everyone finished putting on whatever warm clothing they had brought, and stepped out into the chilly night air. It hit them with a shocking wave of wind, and everyone promptly shivered.

"Well, enjoy the movie, Riles." Maya rubbed her arms.

"Thanks, peaches. You enjoy—whatever you're doing," Riley said amicably, though obviously not approving of the fact that she didn't know.

"I'm sure I will." Maya forced a smile.

Farkle, Zay, and Riley waved goodbye, then headed down the sidewalk to their right. Lucas and Maya stood there for a minute, watching them leave, then turned in the opposite direction to do the same.

"You know you should've brought gloves or something," he remarked, watching the girl beside him breathe on her fingers.

"I'll live," Maya replied. "I just didn't think about it."

"But you have to be at least a little cold," he remarked. "Maybe no more skirts until spring?"

"What do you know about fashion, Ranger Rick?"

"I know that you don't wear heels, short skirts, and no gloves in November—almost December—weather."

She glanced down at her pale legs, and decided she should at least think about that suggestion. But, at least she had brought a coat, because her short-sleeves would have reduced her to a Popsicle.

"I guess, but who really needs a hat, gloves, and a scarf?"

"You should at least wear gloves."

"Why would I do that, when I can just steal yours?" she teased, her eyes twinkling again.

"Are you implying that you're going to—hey!" Lucas cried as Maya triumphantly pulled the gloves off of his hands.

"Give those back, Clutterbucket."

"Nah, I think I'll just wear them instead," she smiled sweetly, putting them on.

"But, now my hands are cold."

"You'll live. Consider it an initiation into New York winter weather...you have to get used to it sometime."

"I've lived here for like 3 years; and I'm still not used to it. There's no hope, so will you please give them back, now?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Because obviously my hands need to be warmer than yours, Sundance," she rolled her eyes.

"And why is that?" Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow, and crossing his arms.

"My hands freeze quicker."

"Right, because they're so small," the boy grinned.

"Shut up, Cowboy."

"You say that a lot."

"And yet you still don't take a hint."

"So, what do you guys think about all of that?" Riley asked, tying her scarf tighter around her neck.

"You mean Maya and Lucas?" Zay asked, perking up for the first time since the "Nutcracker" thing.

"Who else?"

"Well, I think it's about time," he snorted. "I've been watching them since you guys called it quits on the triangle."

"That's kind of creepy, dude," Farkle spoke up, glancing at the other boy.

"Why? We watch people's lives on television all the time."

"They're not on television," Riley reminded.

"They might as well be," Zay shrugged.

"But, you think they might like each other?" she asked, putting the conversation back on track.

"Duh...I just don't think they've either realized it themselves, or they're in denial."

"Huh." Farkle nodded in agreement. "I guess you're right...so what do we do about it?"

"Why does it matter so much? They can deal with it themselves," Riley said.

"Says Ms. Butt-Into-Everyone's-Business," Zay smirked. "That's all you do Riley, get involved in people's lives."

"Like I told you, I'm growing up," she said haughtily.

"That's the only reason?" he asked suspiciously.

"Yah, of course—oh! You think—no, I like Charlie, remember?"

"Okay," Farkle shot a warning glance at Zay; who was about to say something. "Let's just move on."

"Right." The girl leaned against the sharp wind. "When do you think they got so close? How could we have not seen it?"

"They don't even see it themselves," Farkle pointed out.

"Yah, but we're on the outside, and we're their friends. We should have seen it."

"I guess. But it's not our lives, you know."

"Yes, it is. Because they're a part of our lives." Riley made sure her friends were paying close attention to what she was saying. "And I'm not saying we need to necessarily know every little detail of their lives—even if we want to—but I know that once someone enters your life, they add to you. They impact you in some way good or bad, and shouldn't you know who you are, and what makes you, you?"

"Yes, but—"

"I don't think there are any buts on this one, Farkle," Riley stopped him. "People change people, and when they do, you should recognize those changes...you should know all about them, and the people who caused them. Because it's important, and it's just life."

Zay smiled at his friend. "So, you're saying we can still get involved? Did you just change your mind?"

"Yah, I guess I did," she stared up at the lights all around her. "Because I guess growing up doesn't mean stopping everything, it just means changing the way you see things and how you do them."

"So, does that also mean we get to play matchmaker?" he asked slyly.

"Zay," Farkle protested.

"No, I like that job," Riley smiled. "It might be fun, too."

"I still can't believe you actually showed up, Huckleberry," Maya shook her head, as she walked up to where he was waiting. "You could have just dropped me off, and not come back."

"I told you I would," Lucas said, and opened her car door for her.

"You don't have to do that," she said, as she climbed inside.

"I don't mind."

"You're making it way too easy for me," Maya warned.

"What? You mean being a southern gentleman?" he teased back, and then walking around to the driver's seat.

"Yah, that," she said, once he was inside. "You know, being a year older does have its perks."

"You mean because I can drive?"

"M-hmm."

"Yah, I guess it's nice," Lucas agreed, putting the keys in, and releasing the parking brake.

"Are you sure you're okay with driving your car there? Cause where we're meeting isn't exactly known for its safety."

"Maya, when I signed up for this, I knew not a single part of it was going to be safe," he said.

She sighed, and ran a hand through her hair. There was silence for awhile, and she found herself watching Lucas drive. Maya had never had the chance to start to learn, because her mom was always busy, and they usually used the subway or something. But, she was turning 16 next year so she'd like to learn soon. Technically she could get her learner's permit somewhere in the next couple of months, but then she'd have to actually study for that. And if that had to happen, she'd have to learn; which brought her back to square 1.

Lucas noticed her watching him, and he smiled at her.

"You know how to drive, Shortstack?"

She shook her head. "No, never really had any interest."

"Yah, right. You've been paying attention to me for the last 10 minutes." Lucas looked out the window, and even though he knew he was on the right road, he also knew he shouldn't be there. "I could teach you if you want, sometime."

"That's okay, Huckleberry," Maya smiled. "I don't really have any use for the knowledge anyway."

"Well, even if you don't use it for awhile, you're definitely going to need it someday," Lucas countered, turning down a dark, vacant road. "And I have a car you could use, so why not?"

"You really don't have to—"

"I don't mind, Maya," he interjected. "In fact, I want to. There; will that make you shut up, now?"

"Yah," she smirked, but was secretly pleased.

As he turned right, they found themselves in a vacant parking lot; in front of an abandoned grocery store. Lucas chose a spot near the front, parking perfectly in between the boundaries.

"Wow," Maya laughed. "There's no one else here, Sundance. You don't have to park nicely."

"Rule number one," Lucas held up a finger. "Always park nicely."

"Why?" she shook her head in disbelief, unbuckling her seat belt.

"Because that's what you do when you learn to drive, Clutterbucket," Lucas rolled his eyes, thinking the question didn't warrant an explanation.

A tap on the window caused a small shriek to escape Maya's lips, and for her to jump a little. After they got over the surprise, Lucas opened his door, and stepped out; with Maya doing the same on the other side.

"Well, you scare easily, Hart," Coco smirked, hands on her hips.

She scowled. "No one asked you."

Suddenly she noticed Lucas, and looked at him in interest. "And who are you?"

"I'm Lucas." He held out a hand.

Coco raised an eyebrow, and crossed her arms. "Ah, one of those. Cute." She turned to Maya. "So, why's he here, Hart?"

"Oh, Huckleberry's my ride," she smirked at him. "And he's joining us for tonight."

"Really?" Coco narrowed her eyes at him as she looked him over.

Maya nodded, and the older girl grabbed her arm, and dragged her over to the side.

"Can we trust him, Hart? And you better be honest," she whispered.

She glanced over at Lucas, who had a concerned look on his face, and she smiled a little.

"Yah, we can...don't worry about it," Maya reassured her. "He's probably one of the best people to trust."

Coco smirked at her face, and leaned back. "So, you guys are a thing, huh?"

"What?" Maya looked completely baffled, and she could feel her face turning hot. "No, not at all. Ranger Rick is just a friend."

"Could've fooled me."

Maya ignored her, and they headed back to Lucas.

"By the way, what's up with all the nicknames?"

"Oh, that?" The boy answered for her, as they stopped in front of him. "Three words: I'm from Texas."

"That would explain the handshake," Coco said.

"What handshake?" Jazz stepped forward, the rest of the group collecting behind her.

"Oh, apparently that's how Mr. Texas greets people." She smirked.

"And who might you be?" Jazz appeared to be indifferent, but her eyes were dangerous.

"Lucas," he answered.

She pursed her lips, and looked from him to Maya, choosing not to discuss it. "Okay...I have stuff to destroy, so let's get going."

Lucas and Maya trailed behind a bit, and she could tell he was mentally noting each little thing about the group. So far, she had to admit, it didn't make for a great first impression.

"Let me guess, that was Jazz." He glanced at the tall girl at the front of the crowd.

"You're a genius, Sundance."

"What's up between you and her?"

"What do you mean?"

"There's some obvious tension there," Lucas remarked.

Maya faced forward, and bit her lip. "Maybe I'll tell you someday."

"Are you sure you can do this?"

"If you can do it, I definitely can."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Maya asked defensively.

Lucas cocked his head, and traced the frame with his finger.

"If you can destroy something so important to you, then I have no reason to doubt that I can too."

"It's not important."

"Oh, yah? Then tell me, what does this painting mean to you?" He pointed at the artwork.

"Nothing," she brushed him off.

"Give it your best shot, Penelope."

She rolled her eyes, and tried not to get too angry. It wouldn't end nicely, and they couldn't afford to be loud and obnoxious; not here.

So instead, she decided to oblige Ranger Rick, and dissect the painting a little bit. It pictured an ocean, and its waves crashing on the small shore. The name was "Ocean Under The Evening Glow".

"I see the calm before the storm," she spoke softly. "The waves look they're coming in bigger and bigger, and the clouds are crowding the sky; blocking the sun. Soon, it's going to turn dark and stormy."

"I don't see that," Lucas said thoughtfully.

"Then what could you possibly see besides that clear picture I just described to you?" Maya raised her eyebrows in interest.

"Something new and promising on the horizon." He pointed to the tiny patch of orange sunlight. "I don't think the clouds are closing in. I think they're leaving."

"That's predictability optimistic," she snorted.

"No, not necessarily. It doesn't mean there won't be some heavy waves, it just represents the hope that after it's all done, there's light that's ready to break through."

"Destroy it then," Maya said, her face dark.

Lucas gave her a hard, concerned look, then turned to the painting. Without hesitation, he pressed the nozzle, and a mist of colorful yellow covered the cresting waves. Maya's eyes widened, and she wasn't sure whether to be pleased or just plain scared.

"Did you hear something?"

She turned to Lucas with curiosity, but he shook his head to say that he hadn't spoken. Both of their eyes widened. They grabbed their things as quietly as possible, trying to run away from the approaching footsteps. They didn't even think about where they were running to. Just away. At some point they didn't even know where they were, because both of their minds were muddled, but it probably wouldn't have ended the way it did if they had been paying attention. Because just at that moment, a bright light shone in their eyes and they froze, not daring to move or make a single sound. The one thought that was going through both of their heads was; caught. Over and over and over.