AN: So I checked my Traffic Stats for this story and it hit a 1,000 views Sunday afternoon! Thank you all so much again for more fantastic reviews and favorites! I love all of you and your reviews and favorites are much appreciated!

I did get one review I wanted to address really quickly because I agree with it but I don't. It was a guest review that I chose not to show but I wanted to explain myself a bit because I'm sure this person isn't the only one who feels this way. They basically said this this gives off the vibe of more of a Lucaya fanfic than a Rucas one because of the way I'm writing Riley. I actually thought about that when I was writing this story and I was afraid of that so I understand what you are saying. The reason I'm writing Riley this way is because I think for the most part, whether we realize it or not, we all change at least a bit when we make the jump from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school and high school to college (or maybe that's just me.) I also really appreciate that the writers of GMW are making Riley and Lucas wait to start a relationship because I don't think they are ready yet. The whole point of this story is that maturity wise they are ready so that's why I'm writing Riley this way. It had very little to do with her new look, it's just what a semester of college turned her into and it may be for the better or it may be for the worse. That's for you, the reader, to decide. I'm not upset and I'm not trying to call you out or anything I just thought I should explain where I'm coming from because I'm not sure if I'm incorporating it into the story very well just because this is more about Lucas and Riley's relationship rather than how Riley has changed. Thank you!

I might post Chapter 4 before Friday just because I think this chapter is only here for fluff reasons. No promises but we'll see!

Like I said, none of the fabulous moments that have happened between Riley and Lucas in the series so far have happened in this story but this is kind of my take on what happened in Girl Meets Friendship.

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Lucas woke up bright and early the next morning, despite only getting a few hours of sleep. He didn't expect to get that much after his encounter with Riley. He didn't not enjoy the kiss but he just wished it wasn't her way of getting over him as a crush. He wished it would be the start of something new.

Honestly, if Lucas could draw up his dream girl, she wouldn't come close to Riley. Riley had always been kind and innocent to offset some of Lucas' anger and guilt. He buried it deep down inside himself a long time ago but it was still a part of him. She was always there to oppose it in high school. She was caring towards him and all her friends, whether it be someone in their close pack or somebody who sat in the background. She was selfless, even more so now. Last night, he was sure she asked more questions to him about his life than he had asked her. She was cute. She was really cute. She always had been but Lucas was convinced he wanted a girl that was hot or sexy, rather than cute. There was still something about her charm that could bring him to sit by her in class or at lunch that nobody else could do. The only thing missing from her was her looks but she had that now.

All he could think about was how big of an idiot he was. He could have been dating her since middle school but instead pushed her aside for his own selfish and shallow reasons. He was sure she could have been the best thing that ever happened to him but he was too busy checking out Missy Bradford and pining for her attention, only for her to stand him up on their one date than have Riley Matthews who was always sitting beside him. She was always there and he had the opportunity to see her at her rawest when she would profess her feelings for him and he had shut her down. Even when she would do this back then, it hurt her so it hurt him. Now, looking back, it hurt him because he couldn't see past every flaw she had, which wasn't much.

He was treated to a good breakfast by the Matthews' of bacon and eggs. Riley had come out of her room and sat beside him only ten minutes later. When her father was getting more orange juice and her mother was placing some bacon and eggs on a plate for her, Riley gently nudged Lucas' shoulder and gave him a tired smile. It made his heart skip a beat and he smiled back. He continued staring at her even after she stopped and took the plate of food from her mother. His thoughts were cut in by a question.

"So, did you sleep well, Lucas?" Cory had asked.

Lucas looked up at him as he fiddled with his fork to pick up some eggs.

"Yeah, I did," he lied. Cory and Topanga gave him a knowing look. "Well, for the first night back anyways."

"Not as loud in College Station as it is in the Big Apple, uh?" Cory asked.

"No, sir," Lucas said as he took a bite of eggs. "There's plenty to do, it's not exactly a small town but it's certainly not New York."

Lucas continued a conversation with Cory about his new college life and the veterinarian program at Texas A&M. Lucas knew Cory was hardly interested in anything related to veterinarian classes but he listened to Lucas and even asked a few questions about his classes and what he was planning on doing the following semesters. Lucas enjoyed this conversation with Cory and it was the longest conversation the two had had in the Matthews' apartment without Cory screaming 'No!' and throwing Lucas out. The main reason he did that was because he was overprotective of his daughter and didn't want her in a relationship with anybody and that he knew about her feelings towards Lucas. When he would come over after school, whether it would be to work on a project or just to hang out with Riley, Cory would keep a very close eye on him. When Lucas would talk to her, she would listen and give him a look that, even then, made him feel a bit funny. In fact, Lucas looked out of the corner of his eye to where Riley was sitting and saw that she was giving him that same look now. Why was Cory okay with this? Did he finally accept the fact that his little girl was growing up and bound to move on eventually? He doubted it. Cory was like Riley; stubborn as a mule. They wouldn't change their mind on something unless they, and only they, wanted to. No convincing from any outsider would fix anything. Believe him; Lucas had tried on both of them.

Just after the four and Auggie, who had joined his family a little later, had finished their breakfast, the buzzer started going as family member after family member poured in from their various locations to open presents under the tree. Lucas could only watch along as everybody opened multiple presents from everybody except for him. He couldn't help but feel a little excluded but the love that was searing through the room was enough to keep him happy. The family was finally done opening presents at around noon and scattered around the living room into various pods and began having conversations like the night before. Lucas was about to go talk to Farkle, thinking he might tell his best buddy what happened between him and Riley last night, when he felt a tug on his hand. He turned around to see Riley smiling up at him.

"Come here," she said as she tugged on his hand and pulled him back to her room. Lucas couldn't conceal a smile as they walked under the doorway where they had shared a kiss the previous night, the mistletoe now gone. He wondered for a brief moment where it had disappeared to but was soon climbing up a flight of stairs to Riley's room. He had no idea what she wanted with him up here. As they entered, she closed the door behind them and locked it. She then walked to her window to make sure that too was locked and shut the curtains. He began to think that she was going to finish what they started last night, until she turned on a few lights in her room and looked under her bed for something.

"What are you doing?" Lucas asked.

No later had he asked when Riley returned to the surface with a box wrapped in paper with lots of cowboy hats and lassos.

"It's your present," She said handing it to him.

"Gee, I never would have guessed." He said as he took the medium sized box.

"Oh, shut up," She said as she gently shoved his shoulder. "I was going to send it to you but I completely forgot and figured it would be best to do after the New Year, but you're here now so I guess it was a happy accident."

Lucas smiled as he started to unwrap the present. Finally, he reached inside the brown box to retrieve what was inside. It was a small figurine of a horse with what looked like a prince and a princess on it. His eyes widened as he looked at the intricate and expensive looking gift and remembered a conversation he had with Riley in this very room not one year ago.

June 5, 2020

Today was the day of Lucas' high school graduation. He had just finished dressing up in a pair of nice brown loafers, khaki dress pants, a belt that matched his shoes and a baby blue collared button down when he got a text from Riley Matthews.

I need to talk to you. Come to my window as soon as you can. And don't bring anybody else.

He was a tad worried as to what this might mean. He hoped it wasn't another profession of love for him because he didn't want to be thinking about that all day and didn't want to ruin her graduation day. He knew when she did that and he said no, it ruined her whole day, sometimes her whole week.

Lucas left his apartment with his cap and gown after a few pictures his mom insisted on taking and headed over to Riley's apartment. Once he had climbed up the fire escape, he tapped on her window and a few seconds later, it flew open. He stepped inside to see her wearing a purple dress with sequins all over it and a pair of tan high heeled sandals that actually matched her dress pretty well.

"Hey, what's up?" He asked as he stepped into the room.

"Are you really going back to Texas?" She asked as she sat down by her desk. She looked sad and small.

"Yeah," Lucas said. "I am."

"Well, then," she started as she brushed some of her long brown hair back with her hand. "It looks like I've failed to woo you."

"I'm sorry, Riley," he said. "I really am. I hate saying 'no'."

"Then why say it?"

This was the most observant Lucas had ever seen her. Typically he would say no and then she'd say something along the lines of 'that's all right', laugh and walk away. He felt like he at least owed her an explanation.

"Do you remember in seventh grade when you, Farkle and I all ran for class president?" He asked.

"You ran for president," she corrected. "Farkle was a dictator and I was a princess."

"Yeah, that's right," Lucas said. "You were a princess. You are a princess. But I'm not a prince. I'm a far cry from it. You need to find yourself a prince."

"Why don't you think you're a prince? Lucas, you're wonderful."

"I'm not looking for a princess," he said.

"Maybe I'm not a princess anymore."

"But you are! It's who you are, Riley. You shouldn't change who you are for me. Maybe one day you won't be any more but right now you are. And that's great because you are doing what you want to do."

Riley was silent for a long time and Lucas felt like he had crushed her even harder than he ever had. He could literally feel his heart shatter beneath him and didn't know how she couldn't have heard it.

"You're a great friend, Riley. I don't want to lose our friendship because of a petty argument. That's why."

Lucas stood up and pulled her window back open before he finally heard her speak.

"You're wrong, you know."

"Am I?" He asked before she started nodding.

"You are a prince," she said as she stood up and hugged him. "To me."

"And to me, you're a princess."

Present Day

"I know it's lame but it's just kind of my way of showing you that you are a prince." Riley told him. "And I'll always be a princess and we will always be friends."

Lucas didn't notice until he felt her hands around his that she had walked over from the other side of her bed to stand in front of him. He looked up at her and felt his breath hitch. He hadn't been this close to her since last night and he desperately wanted to kiss her but as she had said, she was over him now. He at least wanted to be friends and kissing is not for friends.

"You're wrong, you know." He breathed as she looked up at him, slightly startled.

"What?" She breathed back, her eyes narrowed.

"You aren't a princess." He wasn't positive but he was pretty sure he felt her breathing hitch like his had moments ago. "At least, not anymore."

"What am I?" She asked. Was it just him or was she getting closer?

"You are a queen," He said. "To me."

"And to me, you're a king."