Chapter Twenty Nine: Girl Meets Lucas and Caroline
"Caroline, wake up!" Someone screamed. I jumped out of my bed and looked at the person who woe me up. "What do you want?" I asked my crazy sister. "I wanted you to wake up and this was the only way that worked. "Next time can you just find another way to wake me up without screaming at me?" I asked her. "Okay." She answered. "Now get dressed because you know we have to go to this place called school where we learn." "I know." I replied. I walked into my closet and quickly got dressed. After I was dressed I walked out of my closet and grabbed my bag before following Riley.
"What was that noise?" Mom asked when we walked into the kitchen. "That's was my wake up call." I answered as I sat down. "Caroline, hurry up." Riley said. "Fine." I grabbed a piece of toast before Riley pulled me out of the apartment. "Why couldn't I have ate something besides toast?" I asked. "Because we have things to do." Riley answered as she continued to drag me.
When we finally got to school, Riley stopped running and now she was just walking. "Can you tell me what was so important that I had to stop eating breakfast to come to school early?" I asked her. "Just wait. We have to find the others." She told me. We walked down the stairs and I saw Farkle, Maya, Zay, and Austin all sitting around Lucas. "I've got her." Riley called out. Everyone turned to look at us and Maya came over and pulled me towards everyone. "Can someone tell me what's going on?" I asked, but no one answered me. Instead they pushed me on to the bench next to Lucas.
"Do you know what going on?" I asked him, quietly. "No idea." He replied. "What's going on here." We asked together. "Yesterday Riley realized something." Maya said. "Yeah I realized that you never told us how you two met." Riley said. "Why does that matter?" I asked. "Because you know how Lucas and I met and how Austin and I met. But we've never known how you to met and it's not fair." Riley answered. "I don't think it's that big of a deal." Lucas pointed out. "Actually, it is a big deal." Maya retorted. "Yeah, it kind of is since Zay and I don't even know." Austin stated.
"Honestly guys, how Lucas and I met isn't that big of a deal." I told them. "But you know that it actually was." Lucas whispered to me. "I know, but I'm trying to get them off of our case." I whispered back. "You do know we can hear you." Farkle pointed out. I turned to look at my friends. "Can we not talk about that? Honestly, I don't see what's so special about Lucas and I meeting." I told them. "It's special because you never told us about what happened in the year that you were gone." Riley replied. "Well you see..." I stretched the sentence, before I grabbed my bag and Lucas' hand. We ran away from them and hid in the gym, hoping they wouldn't come in here.
"Where are they?" I heard Austin asked. "I don't know." Zay answered. "Do you think they're in the gym?" Farkle asked. "Nah, that would be to obvious." Maya answered. "We have to find them." Riley said and they ran off to go find us. I turned to look at Lucas. "Who would've thought that our history would cause this to happen?" I questioned. "I don't think anyone expected this." He replied. We sat down and cuddled until the first bell rang. "Well now we have to go to class." I stated. We stood up and he wrapped an arm around me as we walked to class. When we walked into the classroom everyone was already there. Lucas let go of me and we went to sit in our seats.
"Okay, history and fate." Dad said pointing towards the board. "History has a way of shaping what happens and when it may happen. Everything a person does will reflect on what happens in the future. Just like every story you can find in a textbook, there are stories in your lives that can do the same. Those stories can also shape your fate and will change how the rest of your story plays out." I looked at all of my friends before asking, "Who told him?" "I did." Riley answered. "I don't understand why you people care so much." I stated. "Because we want to know how you two met." She answered.
"Fine, if you want to know how we met. We will tell you after school." I told her finally giving in. "Okay." She agreed. I turned back around and tried to pay attention to class. Knowing that once school was over I was going to have to tell my friends how Lucas and I met. I still didn't understand why it was such a big deal to them, but since Riley and Maya are my best friends I think they are entitled to know. I was just surprised that Lucas didn't tell Zay, Austin, or Farkle, but I guess that's a good thing.
After school, Lucas and I left before any of our friends could stop us, We were sitting in Topanga's deciding how we should tell them the story. "Are you sure you want to tell them?" I asked Lucas. "Why wouldn't I?" He questioned. "Do you really want to relive everything before we actually became friends?" I asked him. "Hey, you kept me on my feet it was fun." He told me. "Yeah, but still are you sure you want to tell them about how you acted?" I asked him. "They're my friends and one of them is my cousin. I think they deserve to know what happened between us in Texas." Lucas told me. "Okay."
We sat in silence until I saw Austin, Farkle, Maya, Riley, and Zay walk in. "There you are." Austin said. "Here we are." Lucas and I said. "So are you actually going to tell us or are you going to avoid the question?" Maya asked, getting straight to the point. "We decided that we are going to tell you the story." I told them. "Great!" Riley exclaimed as everyone sat down. "So who's starting?" Zay asked. "That would be me." I raised my hand. "So about two years ago, I left New York to go to Britain for a dance school. During that year in Britain, I was sent to Austin, Texas for a competition and a workshop that I was helping with." I started.
*Flashback*
"I can't wait for this workshop." I told my friend, Jenna. "Don't you mean you can't wait for this competition?" Jenna asked me. "No, I don't necessarily like competitions. I don't think people need to compete to find out who's the best. Dancing is supposed to be about expressing yourself, but how can you do that when you're too busy trying to beat someone in a pointless competition?" I asked her. "If only everyone thought like you." She told me. "Then the world would be so much better." I replied. "But if you didn't want to compete then why did you tell our teacher that you did?" She asked me. "Because they only way I could help with the workshop was if I competed." I explained to her.
"Aren't you a clever one." She commented. The rest of the plane ride was silent, until the plane finally landed. "Girls welcome to the great city of Austin, Texas." Our teacher, Mrs. Walker told us. "It's so sunny." Jenna commented. "I know and it's perfect." I stated. "Come we have to go to the hotel." Mrs. Walker told us. We walked through the airport to baggage claim. Once we got our luggage, Mrs. Walker started to explain things to us. "Okay, since we arrived today we have nothing, but tomorrow if the first day of the workshop. Also Caroline you are competing tomorrow and you are too, Jenna."
"So we have nothing to do today?" A girl named Chloe asked. "No, you are free to do whatever you want as long as you are back in your rooms by 9." Mrs. Walker answered. "Oh, look the van is here." We all got into the van and were on our way to the hotel.
*Flashback Interrupted*
"Can't you just get to the part where you and Lucas meet?" Riley asked, interrupting me. I turned to look at her. "Riley when you are telling a story you need background information to set the scene of the story or else it won't make sense to some people." I told her. "Just be patient, Riley. I mean we all want to know how they met, but we might need this info to make us understand." Austin told her. "Okay." She said. "Okay, get back to the story." Maya ordered.
*Back to Flashback*
Once we arrived at the hotel, Mrs. Walker got our key cards and told everyone their sleeping arrangements. I was lucky and I got to share a room with Jenna. We hurried to the elevator and got on before anyone else. We were on the fifth floor and I couldn't wait to see our room. Once the elevator stopped, we found our room and went in. The room was nice, but I didn't really care. I wanted to go see Austin, so I threw my luggage on my bed and turned to look at Jenna. "Ready to go see Austin?" I asked her. "Yes, but we have to change first." She said, looking at what she was wearing. "I have just the thing for that." I told her. I went in my bag and grabbed some clothes that were Texas material.
"These are nice." Jenna complimented, looking at herself in the mirror. "Well, I do have an amazing sense of style." I replied as I put a bow in my hair. "Now let's go." I said. I grabbed my over the shoulder bag and put the things that I would need in it. "I can't wait to go see Austin." Jenna told me. "Me either." I replied. We walked out of our room and got on to elevator. Austin here we come.
Jenna and I have been walking around for half an hour. I just loved it here though, it wasn't like London and it wasn't like New York. It was so different and it felt good. For once there was a change in something I was doing. "Cutie at four o'clock." Jenna told me. I turned to where she was looking and I saw a blonde hair boy and two brunettes next to him. "You say that about every boy that you meet." I told her. "Yeah, but he is cute." She retorted. "He's okay." I told her. "Mmm hmm." Jenna hummed like she didn't believe me. I started to walk backwards while looking at her.
"Just because you find a boy attractive doesn't mean that I'm going to find him attractive too." I told her. "Caroline, be careful." Jenna told me. "Oh, come on we all know I am capable of walking backwards without hurting myself." I replied. "I know, but..." I cut her off, "But nothing. You are worrying for no reason." "Caroline, watch out." She told me, but I didn't listen to her. I should have because the next thing I know, I am bumping into someone. We fell back into some hay and I landed in the person's lap.
"Hey, watch where you're going." I told the person as I got up out of his lap. "You're the one who bumped into me." They retorted. I looked at them and saw that it was the guy that Jenna was talking about. "And you could have moved out of the way and I wouldn't have bumped you." I told him. "Maybe if you weren't walking backwards then I wouldn't even have to think about moving out of the way." He retorted.
"Hey Jenna, what did you say about Southern hospitality?" I asked Jenna. "All Southerners have it." She answered. "I guess you were wrong." I told her. "Why should I be nice to you when you bumped into me?" The boy asked. "Lucas, it's not that big of a deal." One of the other boys said. "Yeah Lucas, you should listen to your friend. Obviously he has common sense." I told Lucas. "He may have common sense, but you don't have any." Lucas told me. "How do I not have any common sense?" I asked him. "Because it you did then you would know not to walk around backwards in a crowded place." He answered.
"Well I thought that since I wasn't with my teachers I wouldn't have to listen to a lecture about what's right and what's wrong, but apparently everyone knows what I should and shouldn't do." I stated. "I mean honestly you should be more nice to me since I am a girl and obviously I wasn't purposely walking into you. Are you really that stupid?" "Caroline Howard." Jenna scolded me. "What?" I asked, innocently as I turned to look at her. "Don't you try to play that innocent card with me." She told me. I turned back around towards Lucas and his two friends.
"Though I don't see that point in asking, but what's your last name?" I asked Lucas. "Why should I tell you?" He asked. "His last name is Friar." Lucas' other friend answered. "Asher, why would you tell her that?" Lucas asked Asher. "Because she asked." Asher answered. "See, you're friend is nice, but you are something else." I told Lucas. "Well you can't say anything." He replied. "Whatever Friar, just watch your back." I told him. "Oh, I'm so scared." He stated, in mock fear. "Oh just you wait cowboy." I told him. "I can't wait mam'." He told me tipping his hat. "Ooh." I shuddered before storming off with Jenna behind me. "If I see him again, it will be too soon." I said. "Let's just go have some more fun." Jenna suggested. "Yeah, I shouldn't let that idiot ruin my good mood." I said and we continued to look around.
*End of Flashback*
"So that's how Lucas and I met." I stated. "Wait, so you hated each other?" Maya questioned. "When we met, we hated each other." I confirmed for her. "But then how did you guys become friends?" Austin asked. "That's another story." I told him. "Also Lucas, why were you such a jerk towards Caroline?" Riley asked. "No reason." Lucas answered. "Not so fast cowboy. Just tell them the real reason." I said. "Or Zay can just tell them." "Oh yeah, the Lucas you know now is not the Lucas he always was." Zay said. "He was kind of mean back then, but it kind of depended it for you weren't someone who had power over him."
"So what happened after you guys met?" Farkle asked. "Let me just say, getting on Caroline's bad side is not something you want to do." Lucas stated. "Is that why you came home covered in red, white, and blue paint?" Austin asked. "Oh, I remember that, but you never told us how that happened." Zay added. "I think it had to do with the fact that I was a girl and he couldn't handle me." I said. "That's not entirely true." Lucas stated. I quickly turned to look at him. "We will not speak of it." I told him.
"What is it?" Maya asked. "What could ranger Rick possibly do that was so bad that you don't want to talk about it?" "I refuse to talk about it." I told her. "Oh come on it wasn't that bad." Lucas said. I turned to look at my boyfriend in disbelief. "Not that bad. I bet if I looked it up on the internet it would still be there." I retorted. "What are you two talking about?" Riley asked. I pulled out my phone and looked at the time. "Oh would you look at the time. Lucas and I have to go to the library to study." I said. I grabbed my bag and Lucas' hand and ran out of the shop.
When we were far enough I stopped running. I turned to Lucas and saw that he was laughing. "It's not funny." I whined with a pout. "You're cute when you pout." Lucas told me as he wrapped an arm around me. "I told you we were to never talk about that thing again." I said. "I know, but they should know, since that was one of the things that helped us become friends." Lucas replied. "Yeah, I guess you're right." I said. "Of course I am." He said. "Let's just go." I told him and we continued walking.
After the library, Lucas walked me home. I gave him a kiss on the cheek and watched him leave before I walked into the apartment. "There she is." Riley said. "Hi." I greeted my family with a wave. I put my bag down and walked over to the table so I could eat dinner. "So we learned something interesting today." Mom told me. "Oh really." I said taking a bite of my dinner. "Yeah, it was about the reason why I had the lesson plan that I had today." Dad told me and I stopped eating.
I turned to look at Riley. "You told them?" I asked her. "Yeah, I mean they have a right to know." Riley answered. "I agree with you, but don't you think I should've done that instead of you?" I questioned. "Yeah, but you were avoiding me so I decided to tell them." Riley explained. "But I couldn't find the video that you and Lucas were talking about." "Good, that means only people who knew about it when he posted it know about it." I muttered to myself. "But you're going to show me right?" Riley asked. "No, I am not going to show you." I told her. "Why not?" She asked. "Because I don't need to relive it and I don't think you need to see it." I answered.
"So if that is all I'm going to bed because today has been longer than I expected." I said before getting up and walking towards my room so I could get ready for bed then go to sleep.
"Will you please show me the video?" Riley asked me the next day at school. Riley had been asking me the same question since I woke up this morning. I stopped and looked at her. "If Lucas still has the video then I will let you see the video." I told her. "Then let's go find Lucas." Riley declared and she pulled me along. It didn't take that long to find Lucas, but sadly everyone was there. "Let's do this in the classroom." I stated. I walked into the classroom and made sure no one was there. Everyone followed after me and I sat down on top of my desk.
"Do you still have the video?" I asked my boyfriend. "Yes." He answered and I glared at him. "Hey, I never found a reason to delete it and I think you look cute when you're angry." "Fine, pull up the video and show it to them." I told him. "Are you sure?" Lucas asked. "Show it to them before I change my mind." I told him. Lucas took his phone out and looked for the video. The video he was finding was a video of him embarrassing me during one of the workshops I did in Austin.
"I found it." Lucas stated. "I change my mind I don't want them to see it." I told him. I got up to take the phone away from me, but Maya stopped me. "It's too late for that and we want to see the video." She told me. She walked over to Lucas and he started to video. I blocked out the sound and turned my head away from them. When I knew the video was over I could still hear them laughing. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up." I told them. "How did that make you become friends?" Farkle asked. "It was the fight we had after he posted the video." I explained. "Wow, your meeting with Lucas is way more interesting than mine." Riley said. "And Maya's is second."
"How did Maya meets Lucas?" I asked. "She asked him out, they dated, and then she broke up with him in I think five minutes." Riley explained. "Aw, you couldn't keep a girlfriend for even more than five seconds." I teased Lucas. "What about you?" Zay asked. "I'm something more special than just being a girlfriend." I retorted. "Thank you very much." "Yes you are." Lucas told me. He walked over to me and gave me a hug. "I'm very lucky to have you." "As am I." I replied. "Aw." Everyone, even Maya said.