Chapter 17

Authors note: 

Hello! I can't believe it took 5 years for an update on this story. But I'm back for good this time and I'm planning to stay and to keep writing. I know no one would wait on a story for 5 years and I initially thought of just leaving it there but I figured it was best if I complete it. It's cool to be able to see the difference (and hopefully some improvements!) in my writing in one story. If you're new here and just started reading this - I wrote Chapter 1 - 16 in 2015 and I'm here today in 2020 continuing the chapters. I'm not as much of a fangirl as I was back then on this ship now but I still hope you enjoy the story!

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It was the morning of our presentation and the class seemed to be in an enthusiastic mood, that or they're frantically trying to finish up last-minute work. Riley was doodling in her notebook, Farkle was doodling over Riley's doodles and Lucas was going over our presentation slides for the tenth time.

"I told you, I double-checked the info already," I said as I closed his laptop.

"Yea and by double-check you mean you copy-pasted the info from Wikipedia?" He scoffed.

"Yea and what about it?"

"Mayaaaaaa, we can't be doing that."

"It'll be fine"

"Class!", Mr. Matthews called out as he cheerfully walked into the room.

Everyone hurried back to their seats and locked their eyes to the front of the class.

"Presentation day! Farkle, you're going last. Maya and Lucas, you're up first!" Mr. Matthews said as he tapped on my desk.

Lucas went over to the teacher's desk to set up the slides while I drew a chart on the board to explain the timeline of events regarding the topic we were going to present. Lucas looked at me confused and raised his eyebrow.

"This was not part of the plan." He whispered.

I smirked at him, "Just go with it."

We went on with our presentation and at the end of it, the class gave their applause. Mr. Matthews applauded us as he walked to the front of the class.

"Good work both of you! I'm finally seeing some effort from you Maya, that chart explanation was an excellent example of the timeline."

"Thank you teach, just doing my best." I gave a thumbs up.

The class went on and everyone completed their presentation. When it was lunch period, we all walked over to the cafeteria and got in line at the queue.

"I gotta say, you really had me there." Lucas turned around to face me.

"Sorry I didn't tell you. That's why I took off info from Wiki to the slides. I was so caught up planning the chart."

"Hey, you got us an A! I can't argue with that."

"WE got us an A. Good work Friar."

We both smiled at each other. I liked 'us' like this. Just normal friends hanging out, talking about school stuff with no romantic feelings hanging on the side. I know it wasn't going to last, we were bound to talk about what's happening between us sooner or later, but I'll take any chance I can get to act normal around him.

We sat at our usual seats and started talking about after school plans. I was starving so I ate without contributing to the conversation.

"You know the school dance is coming up!" Riley suddenly brought up the topic.

"Yea, do you already have a date?" Farkle asked Riley.

"No..." She paused and glanced at me.

I nodded my head at her.

"Um...I was hoping you'd ask me." Riley said, looking at Farkle with hopeful eyes.

Farkle's eyes lit up, "You want ME to ask YOU? Me?"

Riley nodded her head while looking down at her lunch.

"But of course, my fair lady!" He jumped up from his seat and swung his fork in the air like a knight's sword.

We all laughed as Lucas pulled Farkle by his shirt to get him to sit down. Farkle then paused and pointed his fork towards Lucas.

"But Lucas?" He asked as he turned his head to face Riley.

Lucas moved the fork away from his face with his finger.

"Don't worry about me buddy. Let's stop the whole Lucas and Riley thing. We both kinda agreed it's never happening. Fair lady is your lady if she so wishes to be" Lucas said as he ate a spoonful of mash potatoes and shot Riley a smile.

"Yea!" Riley chimed in. "I mean the whole Lucas and Riley thing...not at being your lady...I mean not that I don't want to...It's just that." Riley continued awkwardly.

Farkle cut her off as she was speaking, "Will you be my lady to the dance?"

"Yes!" Riley took a deep breath and took a sip at her lemonade.

We all shared a giggle and continued on with our lunches.

"And what about the other fair lady?" Farkle asked looking at me. Everyone turned their heads to me as if waiting for an answer.

"Me? I'm going with Lucas."

Lucas coughed in surprise, almost choking on his food. "I...I am?" He struggled to say out the words.

"Relax Ranger Rick." I laughed at him being nervous. "I mean if you wanna take me, it's fine if you don't. I was only..."

Lucas cut me off, "No, yeah, I do! I just wasn't expecting it. I thought Josh would mind if I asked."

"They've broken up!" Riley suddenly exclaimed.

"Riley!" I immediately kicked her feet from under the table.

Riley reacted to the kick and placed both her hands on her mouth. She opened them and mouthed the word 'sorry' as I looked at her in shock.

"Wait really?" Lucas asked, exchanging looks from everyone. "That means..." he tried to continue but I cut him off before he could finish.

"Let's just not talk about it for now. Everything's cool, we're still friends." I gave everyone a smile and got up from my seat to return the cafeteria tray. The three of them followed suit.