#okay the first part of this was COMPLETELY about farkle | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

leaughrilke · 5 years ago

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we only know this light deep in the woodwork

find it on: ao3 ff.net

It starts with a party.

The invite comes on a Tuesday, during lunch, when Maya’s frowning and pushing her plate towards Riley because Riley’s only picking at her salad and Lucas is competing with himself to see how many tater tots he can manage to stuff his cheeks with and Zay’s keeping score while Farkle and Smackle argue about astrophysics.

Darby’s making the rounds in the cafeteria and sort of avoiding Yogi’s table near the food line, but not really because they broke up three weeks ago and this party is one of those carefully constructed events that are meant specifically to make an ex-partner know you’re doing just fine without them. Riley’s stealing a handful of fries off from Maya’s lunch when Darby makes it to them.

“Hey guys,” Darby greets, forcing a smile like she has been for the last twenty minutes. “My parents are going out of town this weekend and I’m throwing a party on Saturday. You all in?”

Lucas is the first to agree, nodding and saying around his mouthful of tater tots, “For sure.” Zay’s quick to follow, agreeing as he reaches across the table to try and snag a fry from Maya only to have his hand slapped in response. Farkle’s next, conferring with Smackle briefly before he agrees as well.

Maya leaves the decision to Riley, like always. She cedes it silently with a blind nod shot in Riley’s direction, with a quick squeeze of their joined fingers even as she continues staring Zay down, just daring him to try for her fries again.

“Why’d you let Riley steal some?” he finally asks, indignant.

“She’s prettier than you,” Maya deadpans.

Riley fights down a blush, a shiver. Maya says stuff like that all the time and she needs to just get over it; she locks it down, the wave of warmth at Maya’s words, and accepts Darby’s invitation with grace. “We’ll see you Saturday!” she chirps, offering Darby a bright smile that the other girl tries her best to match. She falls short, of course—Maya’s said on more than one occasion that the only thing that could outshine Riley was the sun and even then, she was doubtful.

And there it is again, that inconvenient flutter that starts in Riley’s stomach and spreads to her chest at the very thought of something sweet Maya’s said to her. She buries it again, shoves it away because Maya’s moving on to pregame plans, then to tagteaming with Zay to explain what pregaming is to Farkle and Smackle.

“—no, it’s like—?”

“—you drink to, like, prepare to get drunk—.”

“—it’s a tradition for dumbass teenagers!”

“Excuse me, I am not a dumbass!” Smackle snaps.

“No, you’re not,” Maya sighs, rolling her eyes fondly in Riley’s direction, oblivious to the way it sends her pulse racing. “But as a collective species, teenagers are dumbasses. Therefore, pregame.”

And then she’s smiling at her again, beaming at Riley the way that Maya reserves just for her – a little less guarded, a little less careful. Riley basks in it.

She’s not always able to name the feeling she gets when she’s the sole recipient of this version of Maya; honestly, she’s not sure if she needs to be able to. For now, Riley thinks it’s enough to press a kiss to Maya’s shoulder and grin at the way Maya relaxes under her touch.

. . .

There’s a slight chill in Riley’s room, cool October air blowing in the window that Maya left open when she slipped in. Riley wraps herself tighter in her comforter and watches with interest as Maya dumps out the contents of her backpack on her floor.

“Are you Kondo-ing your school supplies?” Riley asks blearily, having only woken up eleven minutes ago, when her phone went off with a series of texts from Maya, announcing her impending arrival.

“No,” Maya huffs, rolling her eyes half-heartedly. “Ah, fuck, I forgot it.”

“Forgot what?”

“I saved one of Jack’s origami dollars for you, but I think I left it in my room.”

Last night was the first Friday night in a while that they hadn’t spent together, Maya getting pulled into a Hunter Family Dinner and Riley electing to stay late to help finish the final layout for the school paper before it got sent to the printers.

It had been weird to be without her, set Riley’s teeth on edge the way they always were when Maya was gone, but there had been the string of snaps that Maya had sent – one of her and her new baby sister, one blurry shot of Maya sneaking a beer from the cooler on Jack’s patio, a blurrier shot of her running away from her laughing parents, beer in hand, and one of the moon, to wish Riley goodnight – and that had almost been as good.

And right now, Riley doesn’t want to examine why she felt so wrong without Maya or why she got all nervous before opening each snap. Right now, it’s ten thirty on a Saturday morning and all the new things she’s been feeling lately feel foreign and intimidating and Maya feels warm and familiar, always remembering how stupidly excited Riley gets over something as small as a dollar bill folded up into a butterfly or an owl or a sword.

And she’s not cuddling with Riley. That’s a travesty.

“Mayaaaaa,” Riley whines, opening up the side of her comforter cocoon.

Maya doesn’t even really look up before she’s moving, abandoning her backpack and her pile of notebooks and pens, answering Riley’s request before she’s even really made it.

And – there it is again: the swoop in Riley’s stomach when Maya crawls up beside her, the way her body warms to match the heat of Maya’s skin as she settles in beside her. Where once she was cold even under the comforter, she reaches an equilibrium – the cool of the room around them, the warmth between them. Riley thinks she’s about twenty seconds from falling asleep again, the world set to rights.

Maya shuffles up to rest her head on the pillow and Riley follows, tucking her head against Maya’s shoulder. Maya’s hand rests on her stomach and Riley reaches for her, lacing up their fingers together, finding some other point of contact.

“I missed you last night,” Riley hums, a little too sleepy to feel the normal hot flush of shame at how quiet the admission is or how she really, truly means it. Something’s shifted in the past few months, made it so that Riley gets a little off-kilter, a little wild-eyed when she’s left to her own devices. She can’t name what that is either, always struggling to put the creeping dread to words.

She thinks that maybe she shouldn’t depend so much on Maya, that she should be a little sturdier on her own feet. But Maya’s always so steady for her – well. Riley can’t help but lean on her.

Maya twists to kiss Riley’s forehead. “I missed you too, honey.”

Half-asleep again – she’s always so tired now – Riley asks, “When’s pregame start?”

“Farkle said we could come over after five. He’s ordering dinner, I think.”

“M’kay,” Riley hums. “’m going back to bed.”

Maya tenses minutely beside her, beneath her, around her. They’re so tangled up, Riley’s not sure where exactly Maya is.

“Riles, it’s almost eleven. Don’t you want to grab lunch or something?” Her voice is gentle, but there’s miles of worry beneath the surface.

Riley’s too tired to prickle at the concern and the insinuation that she can’t just sometimes want to sleep in and – besides. It’s Maya. She’s always worried for Riley.

“In a bit,” Riley compromises. “I just want to stay here with you a little longer.”

She can feel the fight drain out of Maya, her resolve weakening as she settles in completely beside her. “Okay,” Maya says. “But just an hour or two.”

“Whatever you want, Peaches.”

. . .

“What are you wearing tonight?” Maya asks from the closet, rooting through the section that’s made up of more of her clothes than Riley’s.

“Probably a dress,” Riley tells her. “Maybe the gold one?”

“Oh, that’s a good one. I like that one.”

Which wasn’t the reason that Riley was planning on wearing it, but maybe it was a part of the reason she had chosen it – even now, she can feel her heart pound a little harder remembering how Maya’s face had lit up when Riley stepped out of the dressing room at Demolition in it.

Riley rolls onto her stomach, propping her chin on her arm. “What are you thinking for tonight?” she asks, gaze lazily tracing the curve of Maya’s jaw in the bright sunlight streaming in through the window beside her.

Maya hums in response, her thinking noise, and it warms Riley through that Maya brings her in for this, that she fills the silences out of instinct because she knows that Riley gets nervous when it’s quiet too long.

“Jeans, probably. Maybe my leather jacket?” Maya sets her hands on her hips and glances back at Riley. “Thoughts?”

Caught staring, Riley flicks her eyes back to the closet and hopes Maya can’t tell the difference between a late afternoon post-nap flush and an honest-to-god blush. “You should wear that shirt with it,” Riley points to a band shirt tossed on the window seat. She’s pretty sure it used to actually be Maya’s at some point, but Riley’s the one that’s worn it soft, washed so many times that the wording is faded and the hem is a little frayed.

Maya scoops it up and examines it quickly, smiling. “Good eye, thief,” she teases. “Do I get to keep it afterwards?”

“You can have it back if I can have my blue sweater back.”

“Touché,” Maya says, narrowing her eyes playfully. “You’ll get that sweater back when I’m dead.”

“Then I expect that shirt back tomorrow.”

Maya crosses over, hand held out to shake. “You drive a hard bargain, but deal,” she agrees easily, holding Riley’s hand just a minute too long.

Long enough to fluster her just the slightest. Long enough to draw heat to her cheeks. Long enough for Riley to feel like she’s burning from where Maya’s touching her, burning from the inside out.

Still – Riley doesn’t pull away. She doesn’t think she can, at least not anymore.

And then there’s something there, words poised on her tongue. She could say them if she knew what they were or what they meant or how they might change things. She could say them if only she were a bit braver, a bit bigger, a bit bolder. They’re words she knows, Riley thinks – words that she knows with some old familiarity, like the deep ache she feels sometimes when she watches Casablanca or wakes up in the middle of the night to see Maya beside her, silver in the moonlight.

In the daylight, Maya’s the sun, shining and burning up the world around her with joy, no matter how hard she might try to deny it. But at night, she’s something infinitely more precious to Riley, something only Riley gets to share in.

It hits then, all at once. God – it hits like a brick wall.

Riley loves Maya, that much she’s always known. How or why or when never mattered – they don’t matter now, not in the face of the sort of love she feels.

But maybe it does matter how, just a little.

Maybe if Riley can nail down the how of it, she can put a name to the possessive flare of anger she feels sometimes when she watches people at parties sidle up and try to get behind Maya’s walls. Or explain how her fingers will twitch when Maya’s nearby, already seeking out contact and comfort, or how it feels like something to mourn when Riley wakes up on mornings that Maya hasn’t slept over, when she can’t hide away from the rest of the world for just a minute longer, tucked into the safe circle of Maya’s arms.

“Okay,” Maya sighs, breaking Riley’s narrowing focus. She squeezes Riley’s hand gently before letting go. “We should eat.”

. . .

Riley’s not sure when it changed – when what she felt for Maya became something world shaking or when she started to chafe at the idea of ever loving someone else like she loved Maya. She’s not sure when the hazy vision of her future sharpened so clearly to show Maya in the bed beside her, soft and warm from sleep, automatically reaching out to pull Riley back to her.

They’re in their favorite spot at the café. Katy’s working the register today, filling in for one of the part-timers who called out, and she sends cursory concerned glances their way every once in a while, checking on the pair of them as they split a box of pastries and pass their respective drinks back and forth.

Riley wonders if she can tell something’s different or if it’s just normal mom worry that’s fueling Katy’s looks.

Maya starts in on a maple bear claw, her eyes drifting shut as she lets out a pleased hum. Riley takes the moment for all that it’s worth, leaning her head on the back of the couch and just studying Maya, mapping the slope of her shoulders and the curve of her jaw, wondering how she ever thought she could love someone else.

She’s been ruined from the start, Riley thinks. Ever since Maya came in through her window.

“You need to eat, too,” Maya hums, one eye cracked open to convey her playful disapproval. She opens both eyes, reaching out with her free hand to smooth the furrow of Riley’s brow. “What’s got you so serious, Riles?”

It’s weird, existing in a world with their positions reversed. Maya, always with a quick smile and careful hand, always trying to pick Riley up and set her to rights again. Riley, always a little off-kilter now, always stumbling to find her balance. It’s weird and foreign, unfamiliar in a way that slicks Riley’s chest with unease, but it’s also Maya. And Maya would never let Riley fall.

“I’m just thinking,” Riley answers. “Got a little distracted.”

By you, she tacks on silently.

Maya glances back at the counter, flashing her mother a smile before she lowers her voice and leans closer to Riley. “You’re my best friend and I love you,” she says seriously, oblivious to how Riley’s heart twists at the words. “But I will absolutely sideline you tonight if you don’t eat something.”

Riley can smell her conditioner at this distance, a warm and familiar scent that loosens the knot of nerves behind her sternum and distracts Riley even further, her eyes glazing over briefly before she remembers herself.

“I’ve been eating!” she protests weakly, flushing at Maya’s pointed look towards her half of the pastries, half-untouched.

Maya softens – though she’s never really anything but soft for Riley – and she shifts closer still, lining them up from shoulder to hip to knee, her ankle brushing against Riley’s. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks quietly, open concern in her eyes.

And there aren’t really enough words to explain this in any way that will matter, in any way that will make sense to someone that isn’t in Riley’s head. Riley thinks that even if she tried to string an answer together, it would ring hollow.

Riley also knows that no matter what, Maya would try to understand as best she could.

And maybe that’s enough? Maybe knowing how Riley loves Maya isn’t as important as knowing that Maya loves her back in whatever way she can. Maybe that could be enough to help patch up the pieces of Riley’s personality that are starting to rust, fracture. Maybe it doesn’t have to be so hard.

Instead of saying anything, Riley reaches for her half-finished croissant, eyebrows raised in challenge. She takes a bite.

“Better?” she asks around her mouthful, warmth spreading through her at Maya’s answering smile.

“Much.”

. . .

The sun is starting to set outside Riley’s room, the pink-orange light filtering through her window and setting Maya ablaze – Riley’s trying so hard not to look at her, trying so hard to just focus on finding her dress or brushing her hair or whatever it was that she was doing before she caught sight of Maya in the reflection of her mirror, but the line of her shoulders, the swell of her hips in the dusky light is almost too much to bear.

As it is, Riley finds herself transfixed. Finds herself wondering how she couldn’t have noticed this feeling before, how she couldn’t parse it out from the rest of the new things she’s felt bubble up within her.

A beat too late, she realizes that maybe the reason why she couldn’t separate it as something new is because it isn’t new at all.

Once, when they were small – maybe eight or nine or so – Maya was sleeping over. Riley, as tired as she was, couldn’t find rest. She remembers this part so clearly. It was like a lightning bolt, even if it shed light on something she wouldn’t be able to identify for years.

Maya had been asleep for hours, it had felt like. And there was this simmering, unmoored hurt that was born out of irrationality – Riley wasn’t mad at Maya necessarily, but being awake that late and being that young made her feel very alone.

Then she rolled onto her side and the moon caught Maya at the right angle and Riley was caught, trapped there, her hurt and her loneliness and her exhaustion set aside for a moment.

Oh, Riley had thought, caught halfway to wanting to reach out and touch her, brush her hair back. She was a child, wanting something she didn’t necessarily have words for – wanting the assurance, at least, that Maya was there. Oh, her husband is going to be so lucky to see her like this one day.

It feels silly and heteronormative now, but Riley was young when she thought that, young enough that she knew that there were girls that liked girls, but she didn’t think about it that much, content to flit from crush to crush, Maya always a steady presence beside her. She didn’t dare think that maybe – just maybe – girls that didn’t have crushes on their best friends may not have stared for the better part of the hour at their sleeping friend, memorizing her face in the moonlight, terrified that they might never see her like this again.

Looking back, it feels so obvious. But it was a slow-roll of a realization, even if it feels sudden now. Riley has been stumbling a little further into this sort of love each day, she thinks, letting it bleed into all the other ways she loves Maya accidentally until there’s no distinction between them all anymore.

She wants to tell her. Riley’s never kept many secrets from Maya – she can count them on one hand – and when she does try and hide things, they rarely stay hidden for long, her lips always a little too loose when Maya’s looking at her with those soft eyes, that unguarded little smile that’s reserved for Riley alone.

Riley wants to tell her, wants to share this with her because the promise of those eyes on her and that smile directed her way is almost enough to push past the fear that’s choking her.

Almost.

Because the other side of this is that it might ruin everything. It might mean that Riley doesn’t get those eyes or that smile anymore. It might mean that Maya will leave. That’s the worst-case scenario, Riley knows, and she knows that she’s catastrophizing because really – in what world would Maya just leave?

But the thought is there, lurking close by now that Riley’s acknowledged it. She wonders if maybe she’s always known it was there, if maybe its existence has anything to do with how long it took her to recognize what was staring her straight in the face.

Too late, Riley realizes she’s staring at Maya again, her eyes naturally settling on her even as she internally spirals through her own misgivings.

“Honey?” Maya calls.

Riley snaps her gaze away guiltily, focusing with a renewed intensity on – uh, something? “Yes, Peaches?” she answers, her voice reedy even to her own ears.

“Can I borrow some lip gloss?” Maya fluffs her hair and straightens her jacket in the full-length mirror hanging on the back of Riley’s door, oblivious to how Riley’s face heats up, her brain screaming secondhand kiss! like a feral preteen. “I’m just about ready, otherwise.”

“Uh – yeah, of course.” Riley pulls open a couple drawers of her vanity at random, blanking on where she keeps her lip products stashed. She can feel Maya’s eyes on her, can practically picture the raised brow. “Which one?”

And then Maya’s right there at Riley’s shoulder, leaning close with her hair slipping over her shoulder and brushing Riley’s back and arm, sweet-smelling and familiar. “Forget how you reorganized for the thousandth time?” she asks, a teasing edge to her tone as she reaches over Riley to open the far-left compartment.

She’s right, of course. About both the whereabouts of Riley’s lip products as well as her penchant to reorganize when she can’t sleep, and then her habit of promptly forgetting where she moved things after she eventually does sleep.

“Which one do you want to borrow?” Riley asks, her focus narrowed down to the warmth of Maya against her, her hand on Riley’s shoulder, the ends of her hair brushing Riley’s cheek. Any free headspace is being funneled towards keeping her voice even, Riley thinks.

“Hmm,” she hums thoughtfully, the sound vibrating through Riley as Maya scans the contents of the drawer before finally pulling one out. “Okay?” she asks, showing Riley her choice – Nars, peachy and sun-warm, shimmering in the light of her bedroom.

Riley feels superheated, knowing exactly the shade, the name, remembers Maya painting the color onto her lips before turning her around in the mirror at Sephora, smiling softly at her and telling her that if she was going to buy anything, it should be this gloss. How something unreadable passed over Maya’s face as Riley preened under her praise, puckering her lips in the mirror, blowing playful kisses. It had been a good day at the end of a good week, a bright spot in a string of bad weeks.

“Okay,” Riley squeaks out before she ruins her own life in her panic, spilling out some secret or another if only to just keep Maya right there, warming Riley through with her nearness. “Sure, yeah, sounds good.” Don’t think about what that would look like on Maya, don’t think about what that would look like on Maya, don’t – !

“Riley.” Maya’s hand slides over her shoulder, resting on the nape of Riley’s neck, her thumb pressing in slightly to ease the tension held there. “Is there – is something going on? You’ve been kind of...out of it today.”

She’s so concerned, her worry written into every line of her body – worry for Riley, about Riley, worry over the thought that Riley’s keeping something from her. Riley so badly wants to tell her, assure her that it isn’t anything bad, at least Riley doesn’t think so. She wants to promise her that this is only a temporary weirdness, that once she internalizes this new – or old? – information, she’ll be fine. She’ll be fine, or at least as close to it as she’s ever been.

“Maya, I – !”

Both of their phones light up and sound off at the same time, texts from the group chat breaking the spell, the thread of tension that has wound its way around them, binding them together in this moment.

Riley turns away first, unable to hold Maya’s gaze in the mirror, mourning the warmth of her as she steps away, going for her own phone on the bed. Instead of focusing too much on how cold she feels now, how exposed, Riley swipes open the chat thread.

From: 2nd smartest person To: THE MOD SQUAD 5:23pm hey! you guys can come over whenever, Smackle and I are just hanging out. lmk when you’re close and I’ll head down to the lobby to let you in.

From: old town road To: THE MOD SQUAD 5:23pm z n i are heading into the subway now, eta abt 15?? maybe???

From: 2nd smartest person To: THE MOD SQUAD 5:24pm is that a NYC 15 or TX 15, cowboy

From: old town road To: THE MOD SQUAD 5:24pm RUDE

From: z-man To: THE MOD SQUAD 5:24pm he’s sad now, yall. you made my boy SAD

5:24pm you will PAY for your EVIL DOING

5:24pm (NYC 15, btw)

From: old town road To: THE MOD SQUAD 5:25pm [betrayal.gif]

From: [knife emoji] [blonde princess emoji] [knife emoji] To: THE MOD SQUAD 5:26pm we’ll be heading out in just a bit

5:26pm SOME of us are ready

From: z-man To: THE MOD SQUAD 5:26pm [eye emoji]

Riley looks up to see Maya on her phone, thumbs flying as she smirks down at her screen. Her phone buzzes in her hand again.

From: [knife emoji] [blonde princess emoji] [knife emoji] To: [bumblebee emoji] 5:27pm hurry up, slowpoke

5:27pm [kiss emoji]

. . .

Farkle’s home is huge, made bigger by the continual absence of his parents, and there’s more than enough space to sprawl out, enough couches and chairs that no one needs to share. Regardless, the whole group crams into the den, falling over each other like little kids. Maya takes up post at Riley’s side, squeezing into a single oversized armchair, legs tangled up.

It’s painfully normal for them, but now Riley’s excruciatingly aware of every place they’re touching, the warmth of Maya through her sleeves, the flutter of her pulse in her wrist beneath Riley’s fingertips. Every time Maya brings her beer to her lips, Riley can feel the movement telegraphed in the tense of her muscles.

In short – Riley’s in hell.

It shouldn’t be affecting her so much, not to this degree. Riley’s lost count of how many Saturday nights they’ve spent just like this, drinking and talking quietly, heads close together, sharing space and laughing with their friends around them. But now that she’s noticed how her heart stutters when Maya leans close or rests her head on Riley’s shoulder, she can’t ignore it. She wouldn’t want to.

“I’ve got shots!” Farkle crows, appearing in the doorway with a tray of colorful liquors. He must have worked his magic on them because some feature suspended gradients or shimmering something. Riley immediately zeroes in on one that glimmers gold in blue and purple.

Maya must notice – why is Riley surprised? – because she slaps Lucas’s hand away from it, snagging it and its neighbor, passing it off to Riley. She keeps the other one for herself, a bright orange concoction with a shock of deep green through it.

She holds her shot up to the light, eyeing it critically. “What experiment did these come from?” she asks suspiciously, only half joking.

“None,” Farkle answers, almost too quickly.

“So this isn’t going to be some horrifying flavor combo, like pumpkin and, like, broccoli?”

“It’s peach and mint! God, you serve a couple questionable pairings once – !”

“Twelve times,” the room choruses, cutting him off.

Grumbling sheepishly, he knocks back a turquoise shot rather than constructing a rebuttal.

Maya gives her shot a single cursory sniff, making a face. “What?” Riley asks, bringing her own up to smell – something vaguely floral, she thinks – “Is it not peach?”

“No, it’s just very peachy.” Maya shoots her a sharp smile, raising her glass. “Bombs away, babe.”

Struck speechless, Riley taps her glass against Maya’s and downs the shot, bright notes of lavender and berry bursting on her tongue, the sweetness chased by the burn of the liquor.

Eyes watering, Riley does her best not to cough. Farkle must have used absinthe or something equally strong and terrible. Vodka, Riley could handle. Absinthe? Not so much.

Maya’s hand comes to rest between Riley’s shoulder blades, warm and heavy, smoothing down her spine in even, rhythmic strokes. Always keeping one eye on her, always ready to step in when needed, sometimes even before Riley can think to ask for her.

There’s something humbling about that sort of care and love, something heartrending. Riley’s not always sure what to do with it or how to respond in a way that gives Maya back even half of what she gives to Riley. It feels too big, too much. What Riley feels is too much to define entirely or make tangible. She thinks she could write a hundred thousand pages on it and barely scratch the surface. She thinks that she could spend the rest of her life trying to accurately show Maya all that she feels for her and still not have captured the breadth, the depth of it, still not be satisfied that she’s shown it all.

Riley stops half-choking, the burn subsiding, but Maya doesn’t move her hand away, instead letting it slide down, her arm slipping around Riley’s waist, keeping them close and connected. It’s very good that Riley’s already a couple drinks in – she can write off her blush as a response to the alcohol and not at all brought on by how she feels Maya’s hip pressed against hers or how Maya feels magnetized, drawing Riley in closer.

She mourns the contact when Maya pulls away, lunging playfully at Zay in response to his good-natured jibe. It must show on her face, no matter how quickly she tries to bury it. Riley feels Farkle’s eyes on her and when she looks up at him, she sees comprehension dawning on that too-clever face of his.

They lock eyes for a moment, Riley silently pleading that he keep his mouth shut, just this once.

Farkle glances at his phone, looking away first. “Food’s here,” he announces, catching Riley’s eyes once more when he looks back up. He jerks his head towards the open doorway of the den, the hall that lay beyond it. “Help me bring it in, Riley?”

She could pass it off to Lucas, Riley knows. Could say she’s comfortable or lie and say she’s not sure she’ll be steady on her feet. Farkle wouldn’t push the issue yet, she thinks, would probably let the night pass without incident.

But Riley is so full of something – love and longing and a dose of guilt or something unnamable for good measure – and she can’t talk to Maya about it, not yet and maybe not ever.

Besides – who better to talk to than someone else who knows how it burns to be in love with Maya Hart?

Heat creeps up her neck as she nods and stands, feeling Maya’s eyes on her back the whole way out of the room, conversations still flowing smoothly even as the intensity of Maya’s gaze feels as though it’s boring holes right through any front Riley could put up.

In the hall, out of the warm clutch of the den and out of Maya’s sight, it feels like someone’s doused Riley in cold water, leaving her shivering.

“So,” Farkle’s voice is low and gentle as he falls into step beside Riley. “Looks like you’ve finally figured it out,” he says, a teasing glint in his eyes.

“’Finally’?” Riley’s voice breaks over the word. How long has this been happening? How long has she been in the dark from her own heart? And, more importantly, how obvious has she been?

“You’re not, like, lit up billboard levels of obvious, but I’d recognize that –,” he widens his eyes for effect, “moon-eyed look anywhere. I’m pretty sure I lived in that expression for eight years.”

Riley can’t deny it, so she deflects, flexing a skill that she’s perfected over the last few years. “What expression did you have for me?” she asks sweetly, smiling at how the tips of Farkle’s ears burn.

She should have known better, though. Farkle recovers quickly, his smile sharpening. “The same as Maya’s, I think,” he tells her just as they reach the door. “Looking at you like you’re the sun.”

And what – god, what’s Riley supposed to do with that?

“That would blind you,” she says haltingly, almost tripping over her words as Farkle pats down his pockets for a tip for the delivery guy. “If I were the sun.”

Farkle shoots her a knowing look. “Ah,” he sighs, “but so worth it.”

Maya doesn’t look at her like that, does she? Wouldn’t Riley have noticed? Wouldn’t she have felt the difference in the way Maya looks at her or seen the change? Seen how her best friend, the person she knows better than anyone else, looked at her like she was something special?

Riley accepts the box of take-out that Farkle presses into her arms, accepts the look of smug satisfaction he has at figuring this out, at calling it before anyone else. He takes the second box, tips for delivery, and closes the door, starting back towards the den quickly.

Frozen, Riley asks, her voice small, “Do you –?”

Farkle stops in his tracks, turning back. He raises an eyebrow.

Riley swallows hard. “Do you really think that she – that we – how –?” She’s not even sure what question to ask or how to say it, how to get the smartest person she knows to assure her that he’s not lying or mistaken, that she won’t be way off base if she ever summons up the courage the tell Maya.

“If I gave you the whole list of reasons why I would be willing to bet my future Nobel on you and Maya being equally hopelessly smitten, the food would be cold by the time I finished,” Farkle tells her, his face softening. “But anyone can see it. Why do you think Zay stopped flirting with you?”

“I just – he was always joking.” Riley’s knuckles are white, the cardboard box’s sides buckling under her grip. There’s no way.

“I mean, yeah, sort of.” Farkle rolls his eyes. “Everyone’s a little bit in love with you, Riley, but that doesn’t matter. If looks could kill, Maya’d have had him six feet under by now. Same with Charlie. And Lucas, for that matter. Anyone that came within a twenty-foot radius with anything less than sterling intentions for you, really.”

“That’s just – she’s just protective.” There’s no way.

“Jealous, more like it. It’s funny because she thinks she hides it so well, but even Smackle’s brought it up by now.”

“You guys talk about us? When?”

“Oh, all the time.” Farkle adjusts his grip on his box of take-out and leans against the nearest wall, shoulders slumping in mock-exhaustion. “We have a whole group chat for it.”

They fall silent at that revelation, Riley finding herself less unsettled by the news than she thinks she out to be. If this were any other day, she would probably have a lecture ready about respecting boundaries and the benefits of transparency. Today, though –

“What if I ruin it, Farkle?” she asks, so quiet she thinks she might have to repeat herself to be heard. She’s not sure if she’d even be able to, at this point, too raw to really focus on any one thing, her gaze flitting from Farkle to the wall behind him, to the light spilling into the far end of the hall from the den, to the faint sound of Maya’s voice – siren call, pulling Riley back to her side.

What if their friends are wrong? What if they’re right, but Riley says the wrong thing? What if it’s the wrong timing and Riley loses this – this comfort and security, this promise that Maya will always be there – forever? She doesn’t think she could survive it, not like this, not ever.

God – Riley’s on the verge of tears, she realizes belatedly. Too full up of feeling with nowhere to go but out.

“I think,” Farkle says after several quiet moments. He purses his lips, the wheels in that big, beautiful brain of his obviously turning. “I think that you two love each other enough to figure it out. I think that if anyone stands a chance to be understood, it’s you and Maya.”

And then, like she was summoned, Maya appears, glittering against the city lights streaming in through the wall of windows. “We started thinking that the delivery guy was an assassin or something, so I’m here for proof of life,” she says lightly, slipping over to Riley without hesitation. “You good?” she asks, gently hip-checking her, the warm length of her pressed against Riley’s side.

Her fingers brush Riley’s wrist and Riley responds instantly, freeing her hand and lacing their fingers together, her cheeks heating under Farkle’s knowing gaze. “I’m good,” she promises, leaning into Maya.

. . .

It takes them a few more hours of lazing around before the group actually makes it to Darby's, rolling up a bit past ten to find the party well underway. They separated quickly – Lucas and Zay to the keg stand, Smackle and Farkle to the backyard, and Riley and Maya orbiting the dance floor. Riley convinces her to dance for a bit, moving closer and closer until Riley can't take it, until she thinks she's about to die.

"I'm gonna get something else to drink," she yells over the music, nodding towards the kitchen. "I'll meet up later?"

Maya nods, already shifting away from the throng of the dance floor, scooping up her beer from where she stashed it behind a potted fern.

Riley heads for the kitchen, following the dull chant of shots shots shots! until she finds the doorway in the dim haze. If she gets another drink in her, she'll probably chill out, yeah? She'll calm down enough that it won't feel so much like her heart's about to dance out of her chest, dance right up to Maya with the truth of it written plainly for her to see.

And then she makes the mistake of looking up.

It’s sudden, all encompassing. One minute Riley’s taking a shot and the next she’s dropping the glass back to the countertop with a tiny bang, tequila sloshing over into her hands because Maya’s on the other side of the room, nursing the same beer Riley got her when they walked in and Riley – Riley can’t do anything but falter under the weight of all that she feels for Maya.

It’s a grounding force, cutting through the heady buzz between Riley’s ears, but it’s filling up all the space within her, pressing into the hollow spots between her ribs and at the base of her throat and in the spaces between her fingers that she has the awful privilege of knowing are perfectly spaced so that Maya’s fingers fit comfortably within them.

And it’s ruining her – she knows it, knows how she’s pulling back and hurting Maya because the weight of this is too much, is keeping her silent because good god, what if she ruins it, what if she loses out, loses Maya entirely?

She can’t bear that, knows she can’t, but she also can’t keep this inside any longer without just dropping dead. Today’s proven that a thousand times over, she thinks.

So she ditches the shot in the kitchen, pushes her way through the crowd. Maya’s obviously been keeping an eye on her because the moment Riley breaks through the final edge of the kitchen crowd, Maya’s carefully cultivated look of bored disinterest melts away, giving way to out and out concern, her brows drawing together as she tracks Riley’s movement through the throng in the living room.

It’s an ocean of bodies, everyone paired off and moving together to the thrumming bass line; Riley feels it echoing in her chest, through her veins. It feels like she’s vibrating, humming. She wonders if Maya can tell. She wonders if Maya thinks about how it might feel to be like that, moving together with the music, wonders if she thinks about it half as much as Riley does on nights like these – if she thinks about being pressed close, thinks about how sometimes it feels like their skin is magnetized, always seeking each other out.

God, she hopes she does.

Maya’s setting her beer down on the mantle when Riley finally reaches her, the low light of the living room throwing her face into shadows, sharpening the cut of her jaw, the furrow of her brow.

How the hell has Riley gone this long without kissing her? How on earth has she resisted the urge to cradle Maya’s face between her hands and throw caution to the wind and finally figure out whether her lips are really as soft as they look, as Riley remembers from when they were twelve and stupid and brave and Riley was so upset that she hadn’t had her first kiss yet and Maya fixed it, just like how she took it upon herself to try and fix everything for Riley?

Maya, with her warm hands and bright, guarded eyes, her lips pursed while she looked at Riley then and now, trying to gauge her reaction to what would come next. Always so gentle, so careful when it came to Riley.

Just like now. She’s already reaching for Riley when she gets to her and Riley thinks she was right about magnets under their skin because it’s instinct, primal; she doesn’t even have to look to know exactly where Maya’s hand will hover midway between them, a little closer to her own body because she’ll never take Riley’s affection for granted, still half-expecting to be shrugged off.

There have been so few moments that Riley’s done that, when she’s pulled away, but she knows each one hurts the same, scares Maya the same. She wishes she could take all those moments back.

She can’t. So, instead, she reaches up immediately, taking Maya’s hand in her own and marveling at the way their fingers slot together so practiced, so at ease. She steps closer, lets the motion of the crowd propel her forward. Jesus, they – they just fit, slipping into one another’s space so easily.

Riley’s heart is hammering and she wonders if Maya can feel it too, if she can tell. It’s a stupid question, because Maya always seems to tell, always knows before Riley says anything.

Another wave rolls through the crowd. They’re pressed so close and Riley feels like she’s burning up, set on fire; Maya’s staring up at her, half concern, half open awe and Riley can’t believe she’s convinced herself this wasn’t meant for them, can’t believe she ever saw Maya Hart looking at her like that and still thought they were just supposed to be friends.

She licks her lips, feels a thrill zip up her spine when Maya’s eyes drop, when she swallows hard, her fingers flexing briefly around Riley’s.

And then Riley blinks and it seems to happen too fast and in slow motion, all at once. The crowd pushes them again and Riley feels like she’s going to die if she doesn’t do something, if she doesn’t get closer, somehow, someway.

She kisses Maya.

And it’s – it’s terrifying and exhilarating, the even press of Maya’s lips against hers, the steady pressure until it’s like her body catches up and she starts kissing back, moving against Riley, her hands on Riley’s hips flexing, fingers digging through the fabric of Riley’s dress.

It’s nothing like Riley remembers; when they were twelve, it had been a peck, a quick press of their lips, close mouthed – nothing at all like this, like sharing a breath, like feeling how hard Maya’s chest is heaving against her. She wants to stay like this forever, wants to keep kissing Maya like this until she dies or the world ends or Maya walks away.

The thought is sobering. Maya walking away, Maya getting scared, Maya thinking that Riley doesn’t mean this, that she’s drunk, that she’s just messing around. Riley knows – Riley figured it out finally, but this is one of the few things she hasn’t shared with Maya. She wanted the right words for it, wanted to make sure she could say it the right way, a careful and steady way that wouldn’t spook her, this golden girl. Maya doesn’t know.

Shit.

Riley pulls away first, staring down at Maya and cradling her face in her hands. She wants to say something. Wants to make sure Maya knows, is assured, but can’t quite find the words for it.

“Honey—?” Maya whispers, voice breaking. The room floods with light for a beat – it takes Riley much longer than usual to realize it’s a strobe light – and she sees Maya’s face then, sees the raw fear, the hurt and the wonder, the anger and the awe. It breaks her heart and remakes it again.

“I’m completely in love with you,” Riley blurts out, winces at her bluntness, hurries to follow it. “If you – if you don’t feel the same way—.” She breaks off, terrified by the prospect. God, it’ll kill her. She shouldn’t have said – shouldn’t have done anything.

The party is still going strong around them, oblivious in all the right ways, but all Riley hears is a dull roar and that small voice in the back of her head telling her that she’s ruined everything. The crowd pushes them closer, close enough that Riley can see Maya’s pupils dilate and can see, in agonizingly perfect detail, her bitten lip, her heaving chest.

Riley thinks she might be suffocating.

The crowd surges again, driving them even closer, so that Riley has to feel every agonizing point of contact between them multiplied. Maya’s still stunned, still staring at Riley with wide eyes. This might be the only time that Riley can remember when Maya didn’t have something to say.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, because this is Maya and Maya’s never really needed words to know what Riley means. “I couldn’t keep – Maya, I couldn’t—.”

“Riley.” Maya’s voice cuts through the noise around them, the noise in Riley’s head. She’s staring up at her, this painful, unreadable look in her eyes as she studies Riley.

And then she’s in her space, even more so than before, leaning up on heeled tip toes that nearly bring her to Riley’s height, close enough to look her in the eyes, her arms coming up around Riley’s shoulders. Her expression shifts, evolves into something like wonder, something like awe. Something an awful lot like relief.

She kisses Riley.

And it’s – better? Somehow? Maya’s arms tighten around Riley’s shoulders, holding her close – as if there were anything on earth that could convince Riley to not be right here – and this kiss is smoother, better choreography now that Maya’s in on it. God, Riley could die happy, right here, right now.

No one pays them much attention – people make out at parties all the time, and the lack of prying eyes allows some sense of privacy. Riley wraps her arms around Maya’s waist, letting her lean into her even more, letting what minute space that remained between them melt away.

“I love you,” Maya murmurs, pulling back just enough to be heard rather than felt. “I love you so much, Riley, god—.”

The pleasant warmth in her chest has spread and now her fingertips are buzzing, dying to find a home tangled in Maya’s hair. Riley feels like she’s staring at the sun. Riley feels like everything is fallen into place, at least for a moment. She pulls Maya into another kiss, and then another.

Some kid bumps into them, sending them stumbling. Maya actually growls and the kid – some sophomore that Riley vaguely recognizes from passing periods at school – goes running, eyes wide and face pale.

There’s a break in the music finally, the crowd dispersing enough that the girls can slip into the study down the hall without bumping into someone every few steps. The partiers haven’t made it quite this far into the house yet, so it’s calm when Maya says, grinning, “So – I mean, I was planning on just swallowing my feelings forever, but I guess we’re doing this?”

Riley answers with a kiss. God, she gets to kiss Maya now. She’s not sure she’s ever going to stop.

“We—,” Maya starts in between kisses. “We should—,” she hums, “we should leave.”

Riley nods, pulling away before leaning back in to kiss the tip of Maya’s nose, just because she can. “Yeah,” she agrees, enjoying the adorable scrunched up face that Maya makes as she pulls back again. “Let’s get out of here.”

. . .

They wind up at Denny’s, because that’s where you go for late night love confession fallout. Maya stumbles over her order – two eggs sunny side up, sourdough toast; Riley steps in to fill in the blanks – and she blinks at Riley like she doesn’t quite believe this, doesn’t half-trust it. Like she expects Riley to take it back.

Riley orders pancakes, a side of hash browns. Kicks out and hooks her ankle around Maya’s. Slides her hand across and covers Maya’s as she passes their menus to the waitress.

“I love you,” Riley says, full of the same wonder, the same awe as when she said it an hour ago, the same as every time she’s thought it or whispered it when she’s alone. She gets to say it out loud now, gets to mean it the way she means it.

“You love me,” Maya repeats. “And I love you.” She squeezes Riley’s hand. “Holy shit.”

Riley can’t help it, a helpless, hysterical giggle bubbling up from her chest, her wonder and joy making a goner of her yet. “Yeah,” she breathes, happy and warm, the frantic flutter of Maya’s pulse beneath her fingers. “Ditto.”

#girl meets world #gmw #rilaya #riley matthews #maya hart #happy birthday to me lmao

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ambitionsource · 5 years ago

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AMBITION Season 2 ♫ “Contingency Plan” [ 2.07 ]

CREATED BY Esther (rapunzles) & Maggie (quincywillows) || S2 Tag || Official Page

JUST IN CASE – In preparation for the looming pressure of senior year, Eric meets with each junior for a mandatory check-in. Unwanted attention sheds light on areas of weakness. Contents under pressure can only bend so much before they break.

70 Minutes (20K words) || CONTENT WARNING: suicide attempt (not shown); suicidal ideation; depictions of anxiety. Take care of yourselves and read with discretion.

[ ← Trapped ] [ S2 Synopsis ] [ Got A Lotta Livin’ To Do → ]

( Follow along with the music on Spotify here! )

INT. AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “A Million Dreams” as performed by The Greatest Showman Original Cast || Performed by Eric Matthews (feat. Angela Moore)

From the back, we open on a young student sitting backwards on a chair underneath a gleaming spotlight. As they launch into the opening notes of the number, something about the voice is vaguely familiar albeit a much higher tenor than we’re used to. As the camera eases in a circle around them…

We come to face YOUNG ERIC MATTHEWS (16). He’s fresh-faced, excited, sporting his ridiculously good ‘90s hair and with a layer of baby fat on his cheeks. He’s in the role all of our protagonists are in now, the world he once occupied -- a hopeful performing arts student, dizzyingly proclaiming all of the dreams he’s going to accomplish.

There’s something truly charming about his youthful performance. An unwavering belief in his passion, an electric energy as he dances across the stage that has matured into something deeper as he’s gotten older. Undoubtedly, he’s also good, really good -- just as good as any of the students at AAA despite not attending some fancy academy for the arts.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

When the vocal tenor shifts in the middle of the song, younger Eric spins and the camera goes with him, transforming into ERIC MATTHEWS in present day. He’s still singing the same song, reprising the number on the AAA stage. The junior A class sits scattered in the audience, visible mostly from the back of their heads like how young Eric was first viewed.

A surprise guest joins in, ANGELA MOORE floating onto the stage with gusto. The A class performers react accordingly to this, excitement in their features at their former coach making a grand return. On the line “share your dreams with me,” she smiles and holds her hands to her heart -- MAYA HART emulates the gesture in the audience, obviously so happy she’s back.

Angela and Eric finish out the duet impressively, reminding us that the faculty at AAA certainly hold an understanding of what their students are currently living through. They round out a spin together and fall into a hug as the piano takes the song out, before walking to the front of the stage and clasping their hands together in front of themselves.

HARPER BURGESS jogs onto the stage to join them as the A class applauds, completing the trio and matching their stance.

Harper: Welcome to check-in week.

As they go on to explain, this is the annual week in the midst of each class’ junior year during which they meet with Eric -- and this time, maybe Angela! -- to discuss what their current goals and plans for the future are. Colleges, auditions, the real world is just around the corner, and it’s time for them to start preparing for it.

The response to this impending reality is decidedly mixed. Some seem excited, invigorated, whereas others look reluctant or just plain scared. Off these varied emotions --

Cue title sequence.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

The diva crop of performers are together again, Maya leading the discussion as she, ZAY BABINEAUX, NIGEL CHEY, YINDRA AMINO, and ISADORA DE LA CRUZ eagerly discuss the content of the week. Maya has every detail of her life seemingly planned down to the wire, more than prepared to chase that elusive dream by every single choreographed move.

Yindra and Nigel add in their two cents, the former claiming she wants to jet-set straight to Los Angeles to start trying to break into the music industry. Maya scoffs at this, claiming that’s a pretty risky business venture. Nigel notes that he wants to attend one of the theater schools in New York before jumping the ocean to study / start up some roles in London at the West End. Every great actor gets their start in the West End.

Zay and Isadora are particularly quiet. As Zay listens to his friends verbally shoot for the stars, he contemplates that maybe he’s selling himself too short or approaching his future too modestly. Isadora feels totally lost, way behind on the performer uptake and not even sure what she wants to pursue once they graduate.

Nigel: Well, better to have many talents you can’t choose between than be tethered to one that may or may not pan out.

Maybe so, Nigel. Maybe so. Isadora smiles half-heartedly, averting her gaze as they jump back into daydreaming. She notices FARKLE MINKUS seated a couple tables away by himself, excusing herself softly.

Oddly enough, Farkle is suddenly… looking and acting a lot more like his former self. He’s back in his more polished fashion from season one, despite how it doesn’t fit right anymore with his height gain and weight loss. His hair has been swept back off his forehead into what could be considered a coiff… if you squint.

More than that, what’s so jarring about it is the fervor that seems to have taken him over. He’s spent much of the school year being uncharacteristically listless unless provoked, and now he’s suddenly back to work at a ferocious pace. He’s bent over his laptop and a notebook, meticulously crafting his “future” presentation for Eric.

Isadora raises her eyebrows as she approaches, keeping the table safely between them.

Isadora: Well, didn’t realize future week meant we were throwing back to the past.

Farkle: [ lifting his head, glaring ] What?

Isadora: I’m just… you’re looking…

[ She isn’t sure what to say. Communicating is hard. ]

Isadora: You’ve certainly made a return to form, that’s all.

Farkle: Well, if nothing else is going to change then I don’t see why I should. The assignment for the week reminded me that nothing is more important than our goals -- that’s the only reason we’re at this school in the first place. And I guess something just… came over me.

Isadora: Yes, the ghost of Farkles past.

Farkle, unamused: Are you done wasting my time? And yours. Surely you would be better off spending your energy trying to figure out your paradoxical existence and decide which part of yourself you’re going to cut out to fully devote yourself to a set future at the age of sixteen.

Isadora honestly has no idea what to say. Partially because Farkle is being so waspish, and also because he sort of hit the nail on the head. She backs off without further comment, only glancing back over her shoulder once before marching away.

INT. AAA - CORY’S CLASSROOM - DAY

RILEY MATTHEWS is having lunch with CORY MATTHEWS, wisely avoiding the overwhelming atmosphere of the junior lunch period this week. As the two of them discuss her future potential, Cory is predictably all about one thing -- the dream. To him, Riley unequivocally has what it takes to make it, and she shouldn’t be giving that up for anything.

This is an uplifting take, and it’s nice that Cory believes in her so faithfully. But it’s not necessarily helpful, and doesn’t give Riley much to work with when it comes to outlining her plans in a tangible way for Eric to judge them.

She gives him a smile, turning back to her food as it falters somewhat.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As Riley heads back into the hall, she accidentally runs into CHARLIE GARDNER. They exchange apologies, Riley attempting to strike up conversation about check-in week. But Charlie isn’t all that talkative, politely claiming he’s running late for a meeting and really needs to go.

Riley watches as he jogs away, finding his behavior a little odd. He’s Charlie, and he’s always been odd, but now Riley is more attuned to it since they’re tentatively rebuilding a friendship.

She lets it drop for now, but the expression on her face makes it clear she isn’t finished with it.

INT. AAA - DANCE STUDIO - DAY

Zay is already warming up when Charlie arrives for their typical practice. Both of them are obviously a bit on edge due to the nature of the week, but at different levels of willing to talk about it. Zay laments how stupid the whole week is, whereas Charlie isn’t ready to give it any thought whatsoever.

Charlie can tell that Zay’s attitude goes deeper than annoyance, however, so he nudges him into talking about it. After a moment, Zay admits that he feels like maybe his approach in being realistic has instead turned pessimistic, and he’s being his own worst enemy.

Zay: My parents are both very logical people, okay? They totally support me and Jada in whatever we want to do -- and of course, we both chose artistic and ridiculous passions --

Charlie: True test of supportive parenting, they should be prepared for it.

Zay: But there was always this logical caveat nested in my brain. Like, I could do it, but it would take planning and perseverance and tons of hard work.

Charlie: And that’s wrong?

Zay: I don’t know. Just listening to everyone else talk about it, they’re all thinking big moves. They’re giving themselves the credit to be able to jump to another city or step up for a major audition on a whim. And I always thought I was as bold as the rest, but maybe I’m not. Maybe I’m selling myself short before I even go on sale. And I have no idea how to not be that way.

Charlie assures him that thinking logically and realistically isn’t a bad thing. They need a balance of both, he thinks, to actually survive a life in the arts. But if Zay wants to push his own boundaries and think bigger, then he needs to start by reaching as high as he can.

As if to demonstrate the notion of pushing boundaries, Charlie braves taking his hands when he comes to stand in front of him. Despite the fact that they’re at school, and anyone could walk into the dance studio at any moment. Zay glances down at their hands while Charlie asks him to think bigger, to think about what he thinks the highest bar he could reach might be.

They do the exercise back and forth for a bit, Zay saying something in his possible post-graduate trajectory and Charlie instructing him to go even grander. It escalates until it gets truly ridiculous, Charlie laughing as Zay says something like usurping Beyoncé fresh out of AAA and going on a world tour.

Sure, that’ll never happen, but the exercise does what it’s supposed to. It opens them both up, and Zay thanks Charlie sincerely.

He then tries to return the favor and allow Charlie the chance to talk about his future anxieties, but he’s not having it. He slips from his grasp, claiming they should really get to practicing.

Charlie: Can’t usurp Beyoncé if you’re not in top shape.

INT. BLUE’S APARTMENT - DAY

Isadora goes to visit BLUE NGUYEN after school, settling into his apartment. She’s eager to discuss the week’s assignment with someone who knows her well but is a removed neutral party, but it seems as though Blue is distracted. He’s got stuff going on with his new job -- since he can’t afford to go to college yet on his own -- and although he still attempts to be an avid listener Isadora can tell his mind is elsewhere.

She changes tracks instead, asking him what he’s working on. He seems grateful for the chance to talk about it, Isadora nodding along with a tight smile.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - MASTER BEDROOM - DAY

Riley isn’t getting much work done on her own future outline, distracted by Topanga’s incoming visit for family dinner. She’s fixated on picking the perfect outfit and trying to seem put together, obsessively fixing her new short hair in the mirror.

Maya is on a completely different page, erecting a whole moodboard for her meeting. It’s like a flashy, diva science fair board, and she’s lovingly adding pieces and tweaking them to perfection. She questions why Riley is so panicked over the meal while adding a photo of Britney Spears to the collage, right next to Valerie De La Cruz under “career inspirations.”

Riley: You’ve never had dinner with my family, okay? Especially not recently.

Maya: Really hyping this up for me, honey.

Riley: Besides I… I don’t know. I just have this… there’s this feeling…

She can’t articulate it, but she trusts her gut. She knows the other shoe has to drop eventually, although she’s not sure in what regard or what that might mean for them. How the hell is she supposed to focus on the future when her present is such a disaster?

INT. BABINEAUX HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Zay is leaning against the kitchen counter, lamenting his future troubles to DONNA BABINEAUX as she bustles around making dinner. She essentially echoes exactly what Charlie told him, albeit with her own touch.

Donna: Look, you work hard. You work twice as hard as the rest of the divas in that class to earn half the respect, and you’ve got the accolades to prove that you’re some of the best they’ve got. So to hell with reservations, you should not be concerned about reaching too high. Worry about the fall when you get there.

Convincing argument. Zay contemplates, nodding and gearing up to rearrange some things in his presentation for Eric.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - NIGHT

The full clan is assembled along with Maya, TOPANGA LAWRENCE avidly holding conversation with AUGGIE MATTHEWS. Cory mostly remains quiet as usual, smiling where appropriate and speaking when invited by others. Riley is quiet as well, unusually nervous.

Topanga lights up with a thought, remembering that there was something she wanted to let them all know. She happily declares that she’s decided where she wants to relocate permanently -- upstate! Out of the city, where her practice can really thrive and she can maybe expand.

But also hours away rather than minutes by train. This is a bombshell revelation, and Riley barely gets the chance to react to it before Topanga is already changing the subject again. She pulls Maya into conversation, wanting to know more about her and hear all about her time at AAA as compared to Riley’s.

Maya glances at Riley before taking up the conversational slack. Riley looks to Cory, wide-eyed, but he doesn’t have any optimism to offer. As this heavy reality settles over this dinner…

INT. GARDNER HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The more distant future is up for discussion at the Gardner table. ELEANOR GARDNER and AMBROSE GARDNER are curious to hear what this “check-in week” entails at AAA, and excitedly wonder what Charlie has thought about in regards to his future. ROSAMUND GARDNER and DAISY GARDNER listen plaintively, grateful it’s not them in the hot seat.

This is an uncomfortable topic, because Charlie doesn’t feel like he has any grasp on a future for himself. He barely knows who he is right now, he can’t fathom the future. He tries to give them something to chew on anyway, admitting that he loves dance a lot, but isn’t sure what he wants to do with that.

Rosie: Why are you at dance school then?

Charlie glares at her, kicking at her under the table. She sneers back, waiting until both parents aren’t looking to stick her tongue out at him. Eleanor jumps back into the brainstorming session Charlie never asked for, eagerly suggesting that he consider theology school if he isn’t sure what else he wants to do.

Eleanor: They have a great institution, Aggie loved it. They even have a performing arts major, which would be fun and still aligned with your interests.

Daisy, under her breath: Bridal college...

Ambrose laughs lightly, playing off of Daisy’s comment.

Ambrose: There you go, Charlie. Daisy’s onto something. You could get yourself a future and a wife, nice two-for-one.

Charlie: Oh, perfect. All figured out then. Ha ha.

Charlie’s words do not match his expression. He looks like he’s going to be sick, stabbing at his peas and forcing himself to swallow a forkful.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Before Charlie’s fork can hit the plate again, Maya’s moodboard hits the surface of Eric’s desk. She launches into professional and compelling presentation mode, giving a thorough, impassioned, and somewhat overwhelming explanation of how she’s outlined the next fifteen years of her career.

It all starts with arts college, of course, to which she’s selected a list of five in preference order that she will be applying to come next fall. From there, she has about four branching plans for each school that accounts for even the smallest details, creating an elaborate future tree that all eventually leads to the inevitable -- her name in lights, doing what she was born to do.

In the midst of Maya’s monologue, a classic AMBITION montage throws other juniors into the chair across from Eric to discuss their futures. Nigel makes commentary about how he just wants to act, but he figures going to AAA has given him plenty of practice for dealing with the drama of the industry. Yindra explains that she wants to head straight to Los Angeles, maybe major in music production but predominantly focus on building connections.

Yindra: Rumor has it you have a younger brother in the music industry. Want to share contact info, Mister E?

LUCAS FRIAR takes the chair across from Eric, and from the (: expression on his face we can tell that he’s not going to be making this easy for the well-meaning counselor. He essentially answers all of his questions with non-answers, spinning the question or throwing it back in his direction.

Eric: Come on, Lucas. It doesn’t have to be difficult. What exactly have you been thinking for your future?

Lucas: What have you been thinking for your future, Mister Matthews?

Eric: I’m sorry?

Lucas: You know, social security is running out. I’m doomed for retirement, but you still have a chance and should consider your options.

Eric: I don’t --

Lucas: In fact, you could be contemplating retirement right now.

Eric: How old do you think I am?

Lucas: You know what, you’ve got a lot to think about. Let me just get out of your hair. Best of luck with this next phase in your life, sir. Save a little social security for the rest of us provided climate change doesn’t kill us first!

Lucas slides out of the seat, propelling himself through the doors before Eric can even register what just happened. He rubs his face, totally confused.

A couple other A class students follow after.

Darby: I just don’t know if I’m cut out for this thing, you know? Sarah is always telling me I’m just a follower, but the world needs followers too, doesn’t it? Who would become social media influencers if there was no one to influence?

Eric: It’s okay if you don’t want to pursue the arts.

Darby: I mean, but what am I going to do instead? Follow in the footsteps of my mom? I won’t survive veterinary school, Mister E. And you can only cure lung cancer once!

[ Haley takes the seat next. ]

Haley: All I know is I want to stay in New York.

Eric: Why’s that?

Haley: Well, Clarissa is staying here because she wants to go to Juilliard to study music. I think she wants to be an orchestra or general music teacher, which would be so good for her. She’s like, sweet and patient but also sassy, and kids will like that. But I don’t wanna go too far, because we’re best friends and we’ve never been that far apart.

Eric: Uh huh…

Haley: Also, I guess if I want to try and be an actress and stuff, this is the place to be.

Eric: Do you want to try and be an actress?

Haley: Yes. I mean… not particularly. Maybe? It just feels like I’ve been following the path for so long it would be a major disappointment to have gotten this far and end up not following it through. It kind of... [ a beat ] It kind of feels like my whole crush on Charlie thing. It’s like, if it doesn’t end with us eventually riding off into the sunset together, then what was the whole point? [ a beat, then panicked ] Oh, God. Do you think I’ve been running on false hope this entire time?

Eric: Well, I wouldn’t say that --

Haley: You’re right! You’re right, haha, I’m just jumping to the worst case scenario. I’m going to stick with my flower shop with Clarissa plan and wait for Charlie to finally come around and come buy flowers for me and it will all work out. Thanks, Mister Eric.

Eric: … you’re welcome.

What a mess. But that’s every check-in week. It’s somewhat of a relief when Zay Babineaux walks through the door next, Eric greeting him cheerfully at the prospect of actually having a calm, rational conversation with someone.

Although a little nervous, Zay does a good job of laying out his new plans to Eric. The counselor listens eagerly, nodding along and seemingly impressed with some of the bolder ideas he has for paths to pursue post-graduation. When he finishes with an exhale, Eric applauds his creativity and ambition. Of course, he supports him considering he knows how hardworking and talented he is, and it’s obvious that his heart and soul went into thinking about this.

But on the other hand… Eric is obligated to point out the lack of back-up planning. Zay clearly has a lot of drive and ambition, which is excellent, but in throwing his reservations out the window to redo his plans he might’ve thrown them too far. What if he discovers he doesn’t want to pursue the arts after all? What if those high-reaching conservatories he applied to don’t accept him?

Fair points, but a difficult conversation to have with someone already feeling overlooked and stuck. The commentary hits a nerve and Zay grows defensive, arguing that Eric didn’t have all this criticism to give Maya. In Maya’s defense, she had fourteen thousand alternate routes mapped out, but that’s not what is really bothering Zay.

And so, for the first time, Zay has his diva meltdown. As he goes on to say, this is just more of the same that he’s endured since the moment he showed up at AAA. They’ve chosen their favorites and who they plan to back, and that’s clearly never going to change. He’s never going to be good enough for them.

Eric frantically tries to assure him that isn’t the case, but Zay is already marching out of the office. Yet another victim of the pressure of check-in week. As the grungy bass beat floats in...

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Consideration” as performed by Rihanna & SZA || Performed by Zay Babineaux

It’s been a while since we got some classic R&B funk from Zay Babineaux, and the frustration that is finally bubbling over the surface is the perfect catalyst to bring it. Zay does Rihanna proud as he saunters through the halls, angrily spitting out the tune. He does some light freestyling as he goes, expertly dancing around other students as they pay him no attention walking to their next class.

Still overlooked. Will you ever respect me? No…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Charlie is on stage between run throughs, conversing with Haley and CLARISSA CRUZ. After some offhand conversation about how stressful the week is, during which Charlie is notably quiet, the girls claim they have to get changed before lunch. Each of them give him a quick hug.

While embracing Haley, Charlie seems to realize something. He’s hugging Haley -- and Clarissa -- because they’re friends. And no one is thinking anything of it. They bid him farewell, heading down the hall.

Charlie contemplates the matter as he finishes gathering his things. No one is watching his every move, calculating every single thing he does and trying to pick apart his motives. If that can be true for his friendship with them…

Well, perhaps that’s not entirely true. Riley enters the wings and stops as the girls are finishing up their hugs with him, observing curiously. It bothers her that he seems so completely comfortable with them and yet continues to act so weird with her. She chews her lip, frowning.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

By the time she’s made it to lunch with Maya and Isadora, Riley has made realizations of her own. In her mind, there is obviously something deeper to the whole weirdness between her and Charlie that she’s not in on. There’s a greater conspiracy at play, and she’s going to get to the bottom of it.

Isadora: Riley, you know I love a good mystery. But this… is crazy.

Maya: Yeah, what do you think you’re going to “uncover?” This is Charlie Gardner we’re talking about.

Isadora: I repeat. You’re being crazy.

Maya: The most shocking thing you’re going to end up finding out is that all his GAP fare is actually from Banana Republic.

Riley is adamant, though, and a little miffed that they’re not supporting her. Maya points out another truth to the situation.

Maya: Do you think maybe you’re… deflecting a bit? With everything that’s happening with your parents --

Isadora: What? What happened now?

Riley: No, no, that has nothing to do with this. This is a long game, okay? Charlie has been weird with me since the day I showed up at Triple A, you can’t deny that.

Maya shrugs, already losing interest. Riley goes on to highlight how uneven his relationship has been solely with her, and she feels she deserves answers. She’s fixed and figured out problems before, and she’s going to get to the bottom of this one.

Isadora and Maya exchange a look, opting to leave Riley be. She’s happier when she has a project anyway, and happiness is in short supply these days.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The techies are assembled in the back section, idly discussing the progression of check-in week. JADE BEAMON asks Nate how his meeting went, and he scoffs.

Nate: Easy. I could feed Mister E anything and he would’ve approved it. We all know they only really care about their superstar performers and their fast tracks to fame.

Doesn’t look like any of them are going to disagree. ASHER GARCIA mutters about not wanting to step into Eric’s office ever again, since every time they end up in there it leads to eventual disaster. DYLAN ORLANDO asks DAVE WILLIAMS if he’s thought about what he’s going to say in his meeting.

Dylan: Do you know what you want to do once you blow this popsicle stand?

Dave: There are popsicles here? Why am I only learning this now?!

Nate clarifies, meaning what does he want to do with his future. Dave pauses, thinking.

Dave: Might be nice to help combat the impending danger of climate change and issues with renewable resources by studying environmental sciences or maybe aeronautical space engineering in pursuit of space materials that could be used as new energy sources.

Jade: … oh?

Dave: Yeah. Ooh, or a rodeo clown!

The rest of them exchange content looks. There it is. Lucas arrives just as they’re moving past the nice moment, Nate turning the question on him and asking how his check-in went. Lucas scoffs, putting out an air of smugness as he claims he totally blew it off. Eric probably doesn’t even know what hit him after their meeting.

Whereas this sort of behavior from Lucas is usually brushed off, the pressure of the week (and well, the whole year) has worn patience thin. So rather than just rolling her eyes, Jade actually questions whether or not Lucas doing such a thing was a wise decision. Or a polite one, at that.

Lucas: Do you really care what the hell I do in my meeting with counselor Eric?

Jade: No, I’m only saying is being rude to someone who’s just trying to help guide you really something to be proud of?

Oh. There’s a tension to the techie brigade that hasn’t ever really been there before. Dylan clears his throat and tries to alleviate it, saying diplomatically that he doubts it’s a big deal. But Lucas isn’t used to his fellow techies stepping to him, least of all Jade, so he can’t let it go.

Lucas: Do you have a problem with me, Jade? Because if you are, you can just say it to my face.

Jade, defensively: I mean, I am, but to be fair you’re not really listening to anybody right now.

Nate whistles, grimacing. The conversation quickly escalates, Lucas trying to defend himself in a group that’s supposed to be non-confrontational while Jade -- and eventually, JEFF MONROE -- step up and argue against how bad his behavior has been this year. To be frank, it’s obnoxious, and more than that they’re concerned. They’re his friends, and he hasn’t been treating anybody much like friends as of late.

The frustration is valid and the intentions are good, but Lucas isn’t ready to be criticized. He deflects, feeling cornered and essentially hissing by telling them to back off before storming out.

Dylan and Asher immediately leap up to go after him, the former disappearing quickly but the latter not making it out before they come for him, too. Jeff points out that they’re not really helping with Lucas’s attitude when they back him up all the time.

Asher: Well, what am I supposed to do? Nothing?

Jade: No, but do you think you’re making anything better by just enabling his shitty behavior? I know you don’t -- you’ve told me you don’t. If you’re really his best friends, you could be doing more to combat it and make him… I don’t know, check himself.

Asher blinks, absorbing the blow from his other best friend. Knowing that she’s right, hating the fact that she is. Then he huffs, following the same pattern as Lucas.

Asher, sharply: Let me handle my own problems, alright?

Asher whips around, jogging after Lucas and Dylan. Jade shakes her head, exchanging an exasperated look with Jeff. Dave reaches forward and pats her on the shoulder.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Riley meets with Charlie at his locker, cheerfully greeting him and suggesting that the two of them partner together for their English assignment. Crazy, to still have other homework in the midst of all this chaos, but oh yeah, they’re also high school students. Charlie agrees, liking the prospect of working with Riley again even if he’s super stressed about everything else.

She accepts his agreement as commitment, happily telling him she’ll text him with ideas before flouncing off. She’s being a bit too peppy, even for Riley, but before Charlie can think on it too much he’s delivered an entirely new distraction.

Zay is marching down the hall, in a clearly worse mood than he normally lets show at school. Charlie frowns, jumping out to catch him from passing him by and pulling him back towards the lockers. He tries to get him to talk to him, asking what’s going on.

Zay recaps the gist of the meeting with Eric, getting worked up all over again. It’s obvious how deeply this hurt runs, regardless of how well he’s buried it down over the last three years. Charlie attempts to talk him down but he’s beyond that at the moment, totally emotionally overrun. So Charlie braves a different approach entirely, taking his shoulders and pulling him into a hug.

A hug. In the middle of the hallway. Where anybody can see. Zay tenses up at first, glancing around them with trained hesitation.

Zay: Charlie, man --

Charlie: It’s okay. [ a beat, softer ] It’s okay.

It’s okay, because he decided it’s okay. Charlie said it’s okay, and so it is. Zay hesitates for a moment longer before sinking into the embrace, actually gleaning comfort from it. Charlie closes his eyes, Zay tucking his head into his shoulder.

The rest of the school passes them by, not even giving them a second glance.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Angela is in the black box conversing with Harper, the two of them carrying on a rather pleasant conversation. When Angela asks about how she’s faring working with her admittedly stubborn boyfriend, Harper is spared from having to comment when Maya shows up early to class. She exchanges an enthusiastic hug with Angela, the latter commending her on her extensive and impressive future itinerary. Not that she had any doubts Maya would come correct.

When Angela shifts gears and quietly asks Maya about how she’s handling Katy’s relocation, she deflects and claims with diva levels of confidence that she’s fine. Unideal, but she’s trucking on regardless. Nothing to worry about here.

Other A class members begin to filter in, including Zay and Charlie. Zay catches the soft, fond exchange between Maya and Angela, another subtle reminder of the favoritism that has always existed in their class.

As Maya settles into her seat, she looks around before tapping Riley’s shoulder.

Maya: Where’s Izzy?

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Isadora is skipping performers lecture, wandering into the auditorium to try and catch the techies. If she’s having trouble finding an anchor elsewhere, then maybe a return to form is exactly what she needs.

She only finds four of them, Lucas, Dylan, and Asher still MIA. They’re hanging around on the stage, mood deflated and unusually quiet after their earlier conversation. Jade is focused on fixing a costume piece, but her hands are trembling as she works with the needle and thread.

Isadora’s arrival is a surprise to all of them, and she completely misreads the tone of the room. She makes a joke about how uncharacteristically grim they all are and it doesn’t go over well. Nate makes a backhanded comment about how she loves to just float back around to say hi whenever it’s convenient for her, and Jeff subtly seconds the notion by asking Isadora what she’s even doing there when she should be in class.

Isadora: Oh, so what, suddenly we’re all saints who never skip class? Didn’t realize how much could change in such a short amount of time.

Nate: Yeah. No kidding.

Isadora: … okay, what the hell is up with you guys?

Keeping it short and sweet, essentially, Lucas sucks. Isadora is like okay, tell me something I don’t know, but that doesn’t settle well with Jade.

Jade: Actually, Isa, you don’t know. Because you haven’t been here spending all year with him. You dropped him when you dropped the rest of us and haven’t had to deal with it since.

Whew, Jade is on fire today. Isadora blinks, wondering if all of them are seriously upset with her. She argues against dropping them, struggling to find a defense and stating once again that she didn’t completely drop tech.

Jeff: Okay. Sure.

Isadora: I didn’t. I told you guys, I’m doing both --

Jade: Are you? Really? Because I haven’t talked to you in like, months. You didn’t contribute any tech work to the last four weeks of performances, and we built all of the materials for Into the Woods on our own, including after someone destroyed it the first time around.

Isadora: Well, if you want to get pissed about that --

Jeff: You haven’t sat with us for lunch since the end of last year. You don’t participate in the group chat.

Nate: Which is dead anyway, considering everyone is in such a pissy mood with Lucas being a fucking demon since you totally dumped him for the spotlight.

Isadora snaps, growing defensive. She states she’s not going to take responsibility for Lucas’s horrible attitude, but she admittedly has trouble taking responsibility for her own faults too. Turns out pride runs just as deep in the techie brigade as it does in the performers, at least when they’re fracturing apart and no longer a united front.

Isadora: I tried to tell you all, I’m doing both --

Jade, harshly: No, you’re not, Isa! You’re not doing both! You dropped your tech responsibilities and you know it. [ choked up ] And you dropped our friendship too.

Isadora shakes her head, but no words come out to argue against her. Jade’s eyes are glossy, and she chews on her cheek to keep it together. Nate delivers the final blow, crossing his arms and scoffing.

Nate: Like mother, like daughter.

That’s one step too far. Isadora’s hurt flares to anger in an instant. She marches forward and steps up onto the acting block in front of Nate, putting her at the perfect height to land a resounding slap across his face.

There’s a second of silence, and then all hell breaks loose. Isadora seems to only recognize what she’s done as the heat of the moment passes, her emotion shifting to blank horror on her face. Jade jumps up to pull Nate away from her, attempting to make sure he’s okay until he shrugs out of her grasp in embarrassment.

In spite of everything that’s been said, it’s Dave -- normally cheery, oblivious Dave -- who ends the confrontation. He glares at Isadora over his shoulder as he jogs over to catch up with Nate.

Dave: What the hell are you still doing here?

The four of them storm out in a flurry, leaving Isadora standing alone on the acting block. The doors slam, and then she’s surrounded by the imposing silence of the auditorium. Alone on the stage, an island of isolation that she’s somehow created all by herself. No way to escape it.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Waving Through A Window” as performed by Dear Evan Hansen Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Isadora De La Cruz

Isadora starts the ode to feeling alone from her spot on the acting block, tiny against the vast setting of the empty auditorium. She spends the first verse trapped on it, seemingly struggling with how to dismount from the position she’s found herself in. Her Converse -- the same black ones that Lucas said were her favorite -- toe the line from stumbling off the edge, but she can’t bring herself to step off in any direction.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As the number progresses, Isadora makes her way dazedly through the halls as classes are in session all around her. She’s on the outside looking in of every classroom, every social setting, separated by windows from her classmates.

She starts to pick up her pace as the bridge swells, ending up running down the hallway. Quiet settles for just a moment…

EXT. AAA - LUNCH COURTYARD - DAY

Until it explodes into the final third of the performance, Isadora giving the impassioned solo her all. A light snow is falling, sprinkling the scenery in frost. She’s spinning and dancing on the constraints of what used to be her and Lucas’s usual table, close ups of her Converse depicting that same risk of slipping right off the edge multiple times only to step back to safety at the last moment.

This time, the conceit of being on the outside looking in has been inverted. All around the windows looking into the courtyard, Isadora’s classmates and other AAA students glare at her through the glass as they fill in the background vocals. She can’t communicate with any of them, she can’t connect -- she’s simply on display, able to be ridiculed or criticized without any sense of how to get back to join them.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

As the song comes to an end, Isadora is back on the acting block. Out of breath, obviously emotional, staring down at the ground from where she stands only a couple of feet above it.

Still, she can’t bring herself to move, frozen with uncertainty.

INT. MINKUS HOME - NIGHT

Farkle is still working on his presentation, spread out on the dining room table. He’s working obsessively, unable to keep still as he researches details for his career trajectory and adds them to his poster board. Even while he’s thinking he’s moving, fingers tapping against his arms or shifting from foot to foot.

Either way, it’s an abrupt shift from how lethargic he’s been, which seems like a relief to JENNIFER MINKUS. She asks him how it’s going as she comes out for a quick snack before heading to bed, suggesting he not stay up too late. He waves off the concern, but his investment in the project is loud and clear.

Farkle: Everything else going on right now doesn’t matter. I’ve been stuck on -- and it’s all -- it’s meaningless. What matters is this. The dream. [ ripping something off the board without hesitation ] If I get this right, then everything else won’t matter.

A bit single-minded, but passionate. Passion is a good thing, so this is an improvement if anything. Jennifer gives him a quick kiss on the cheek that he lightly shrugs away from before she heads off, leaving him alone again.

Despite how much progress he’s making, the longer we stay with him the more obvious it is that he’s struggling. He has energy, that’s for sure, but it’s all over the place. He can hardly focus, restless and growing frustrated over nothing in particular.

He takes a second and covers his face, sliding his hands up and tugging at his hair as he exhales. Glancing forward, the spark of an idea glimmers in his eyes.

INT. MINKUS HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Rattles and bumps accompany a handful of pill bottles hitting the countertop. Farkle is digging through the family pill cabinet, searching for something in particular.

Finally, he finds it. A bottle specifically for ADHD, prescribed to Uri Minkus. He opens it and pops a couple of them, tossing everything back into the cabinet haphazardly.

Just has to get through the week. Just the week…

INT. LUCAS’S APARTMENT - LUCAS’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Lucas is using his brick of a laptop again, room otherwise dark as he works. He’s got a few pamphlets on the bed next to him, and his browser has a dozen or so tabs open with different college sites.

He’s trying to actually take the future seriously, but it’s too much. His focus goes to key words on each page like “prestigious,” “well-rounded,” and “tuition.” The expectations and prices always feel far too high, making him frustrated.

Other words jump out to him too, none more intimidating than “passion.” College is for people who have ambition -- who have potential -- and Lucas knows he has neither.

But he knows this isn’t just going to go away. He switches back to his school email tab, a message open from Eric on screen. It mentions how poorly their first meeting went and requests that Lucas come in for another meeting as soon as possible so they can have a more constructive discussion.

Lucas scowls, slamming the computer shut. He pushes it off the bed along with the pamphlets, falling back onto his mattress. He yanks his blanket towards him and curls up towards the wall, hiding from it all.

Riley, pre-lap: You really don’t think we can do any better than that?

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT

Riley is picking away at her assignment as well, but she’s on the phone with Charlie as she works. They’re discussing their English assignment, and from the sound of it they’re not giving it very much effort considering everything else going on. Charlie suggests they keep it simple, but Riley makes a point of still insisting that they meet up after school sometime to work on it.

Charlie: Is it really that important to you?

Riley: … I just like to work face-to-face, that’s all. You know, collaborative communication.

Maya rolls her eyes from her spot on her bed. The conversation is interrupted when Cory raises his voice from the living room, making both girls jump. Topanga matches his volume a second later, Maya sitting up and locking eyes with Riley.

Riley: I… gotta go.

Riley hangs up without further explanation. Before she can say anything Auggie arrives at her door, looking wide-eyed and concerned as to what is going on out there. He asks Riley what’s happening, and she quickly pulls him into the room out of trouble before rushing out to investigate herself.

Awkwardly, this leaves Maya with Auggie. She glances at him and gives him a tight smile, nodding a ‘sup at a loss of what to offer otherwise.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - NIGHT

Riley leans around the doorway to the living room as Topanga and Cory escalate in their argument, obviously both impassioned over it. She can’t even find a time to jump in and try to break it up -- she doesn’t know where to begin.

It doesn’t take long to figure out the problem, however.

Cory: You can’t take them from me. You’ve already taken everything else. You can’t just decide you want to hit the reset button on your life and then take my son with you!

Topanga: Don’t be dramatic, Cory. I’ve told you exactly why but you’re refusing to listen -- the schools are far better upstate, and he’d have a far more stable lifestyle in a neighborhood that’s not the middle of Manhattan.

Cory: [ with a derisive laugh ] Stable? You’re talking about stable?

Topanga: Cory --

Cory: You’re the one who disrupted all of our lives in the first place! So don’t talk to me about stable, Topanga!

So that’s it, then. Topanga isn’t just removing herself from the equation of the Matthews family -- she intends to take Auggie with her. Riley is stunned, stepping into the room but not sure what to even say.

Topanga is done with the discussion anyway. She criticizes Cory’s theatrics again, pulling back on her coat and heading towards the door. She stops once she’s opened it, saying her last piece.

Topanga: I hope this won’t become a big thing. I am the litigator, remember. I think we know who would win a case.

This hits Cory hard. There’s silence in the room after she closes the door behind her, Riley watching her seemingly frozen father warily.

Riley: … dad?

And then it’s over. Cory collapses into a full break down, all of the emotion over the separation that he’s been trying to compartmentalize for the sake of everyone crashing down on him. Riley jogs over to help him and guides him towards the couch, doing her best to comfort him.

But it’s clear Riley doesn’t know how to deal with this development either. Her expression is blank as she hugs her father, totally forgetting about everything else piling up on her plate.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Isadora is in the seat across from Eric, finishing up her discussion about the future. Although she does an excellent job of maintaining a poker face, the conversation between the two of them seems to reflect everything else she’s feeling conflicted about -- where she ends up depends on what she wants to do, and what she wants to do depends on who she is, and how does she begin to figure out who she is when she feels like she’s being pulled in a hundred different directions?

There’s a lot she could choose to dissect about the situation, but Isadora chooses to seek help for none of it. She merely nods along to Eric’s tentative guidance about her choice in schools, but she makes an escape when he tries to get her to talk about what else might be going on. The aloof mask might be fooling others, but it doesn’t fool him.

Today seems to be a particularly difficult day for meetings. SARAH CARLSON acts nonchalant in her one-on-one before bursting into tears, surprising Eric and causing him to cautiously pass the tissue box across the desk. Jade is already on thin ice emotionally and basically refuses to talk at all, speaking only about her future college programs for costuming. Her voice warbles even in discussing that, and Eric is sure if he asks her anything else there will be waterworks.

Dylan is a mess all his own, but more for Eric than himself. All things considered, Dylan is actually quite well-adjusted and happy with his plan for the future -- which is to say, he hardly has a plan at all.

Dylan: I might go to college, but also I don’t know. Seems like a lot of money, especially when I don’t really wanna do anything, you know?

Eric: … what are you hoping to do in the future, then?

Dylan, excitedly: Well, the main thing is to be a good partner, father, and homemaker. My dad had to do that all on his own when my mom died, you know, so he instilled the importance in me from an early age. Then I guess if I have time, I’ll keep making my videos. You’ve seen my vlogs, right? [ with a shrug ] As long as that keeps being fun, I figure I can do that along with being Asher’s number one fan.

Eric: … and you don’t… Dylan, I’m just wondering if… [ quickly ] you’re banking your entire future on Asher, and you don’t think maybe that’s a bit short-sighted?

Dylan: Actually, I’m near-sighted. But I wear contacts.

Eric looks as though he’s going to start crying.

He’s still carrying that exhaustion when Farkle gets in the hot seat, expressing far more “vision” than Dylan. He bullets through his presentation, speaking with confidence but also as if he’s out of breath. He’ll start sentences and then stop them or backtrack to start a different thought, nervously pulling at his hair when he gets distracted.

Once he’s finished, Eric offers him a bright smile. It’s a great plan, lots of ambition and forward-thinking, and he loves to see that. Farkle also clearly put a lot of heart into it, and Eric commends that. The future certainly isn’t worth investing in if there’s no heart.

However… he has to point out the fact that he lacks alternative options. He’s set himself up to have one path, and it’s clear that Eric is concerned about what happens if that path doesn’t work out exactly as planned.

Farkle, blankly: … what?

Eric: Again, I’m not saying that this isn’t an excellent plan. It just lacks periphery, that’s all. You want a contingency plan -- your options that you’ll consider if this one-way ticket doesn’t go as planned.

Farkle: I don’t -- this is the plan. This. There’s nothing else if -- I put a lot of hard work into this.

Eric: I know that, and I’m not saying this won’t work. I’m only suggesting that --

Farkle: I put everything into this. Everything. It’s going to -- you can’t tell me that it -- this is my future!

Eric can tell he’s not taking the conversation well. He attempts to placate, speaking delicately and stating that he’s proud that Farkle has such a sense of belief in what he was meant to do. Many people don’t have that drive, and that’s amazing. But it’s only wise to consider a contingency plan in the off chance that the dream… remains a dream.

Farkle seems as though he might actually have another diva meltdown, it’s written all over his face -- when suddenly he goes completely calm. He thanks Eric for his guidance shortly, gathering his things in a flurry. Eric encourages him to sit back down so they can discuss those options, but he claims he’s heard everything he needs to hear.

Farkle: My future is clear to me now, Mister Matthews. Thank you for your time.

He delivers the sentiment with disarmingly cool confidence. Then he spins on his heel and exits without another word. Eric looks like he’s going to go after him, but a phone call pulls him back to his desk. He assures the teacher on the other line that he’ll be right there, obviously having to go put out another fire.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Farkle walks at a swift pace away from the counselor’s office, but he doesn’t seem to have a set direction. Whereas his facade held up in front of Eric it’s starting to splinter now, his body trembling and breathing shallow. He dumps his presentation materials in the trash without looking, clearly desperate to be rid of them.

Haley: Don’t throw another tantrum.

Haley is just the first voice to address him, Farkle glancing over his shoulder as she passes him. But the glimpse of her is blurry, like it’s just out of the corner of his eye.

Charlie: Guess this isn’t turning out like you thought, huh?

Yindra: Only got yourself to blame that you’re unstable.

Harper: You’re nothing new.

Farkle flinches with every word thrown in his direction. He spins to try and catch them digging at him but whenever he turns to look they’re long gone, evading his anxious glare.

He walks faster, more sentiments from his classmates that have echoed in his head for three years following him through the hall.

Maya: Coward.

Farkle whips around as he slams right into someone -- Maya herself. She tosses him a sneer and tells him to watch where he’s going, only her expression shifts when she gets a better look at him. She hesitates, venturing another word.

Maya: Farkle… are you okay?

Farkle: I -- I’m --

He stares at her, as if just realizing she’s actually there. Then he pushes past her without further comment, jogging towards the auditorium. Maya spins to watch him take off, debating whether or not she should go after him.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

The accusations and voices are growing louder, what feels like the entire A class waiting for him in the auditorium as he stumbles in through the wings.

Lucas: Go on, keep spiraling for attention.

Isadora: As if he has a shred of decorum not to.

Clarissa: Hasn’t he had enough drama for a lifetime?

The word “enough” seems to echo particularly strong, leaving a ringing in Farkle’s ears. The jeers continue from all around him, spinning him into a frenzy.

Lila: God, you are such a disease.

Eric: Did you really think that this was going to work out? After --

Riley: Everything you’ve done?

Farkle, breathless: No… no, you forgave me.

Riley: And you think that makes a difference? You think that’s enough?

Farkle screws his eyes shut, turning away from her. He covers his ears but it doesn’t do any good, only accenting the blood pounding in his ears.

Harper: That horrible attitude of yours isn’t --

Farkle: Enough --

Stuart: And when are you going to start thinking seriously about --

Eric: Your future?

Lila: If you’re going just going to waste your existence --

Riley: Running your mouth --

Maya: Consumed with inferiority --

Angela: Do you remember what I told you, Farkle?

Jennifer: I’m sure your friends are --

Maya: Done.

Farkle: Enough --

Asher / Dylan: You don’t even know who you are!

Lucas: Should’ve known this is exactly how things would go.

Stuart: A fad.

Angela: Otherwise it’s just --

Eric: Lacks periphery --

Isadora: Fucking isolated --

Maya: Monster --

Zay: Is it finally --

Farkle: ENOUGH!

His fraught exclamation clears the chaos until there’s nothing but silence, resounding and somehow more imposing than the constant sound. Because it leaves him alone -- and he’s so tired of being alone.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Santa Fe” as performed by Newsies Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Farkle Minkus (starting at 00:22)

Farkle stands center stage, trembling, staring out into the empty house. Standing in the place he’s always felt destined to occupy, only now it doesn’t feel like he belongs there anymore. It’s a dream, nothing more, and he’s a nothing never meant to get it right.

It’s this cold realization that provokes the rawest and most spectacular performance from Farkle Minkus. As he barrels through the desperate plea to escape, it's as though we’re watching him go through the five stages of grief towards the dream that he let totally consume him for as long as he can remember.

And what it leaves behind is a broken shell -- without the dream, he decides, he’s nothing. Empty. “Trapped where there ain’t no future, even at sixteen.”

By the time he makes it to the last few lines and the volume drops to a soft piano, Farkle is back at center stage, right under the spotlight. His eyes are shining in the lights, seeming more fragile and smaller than he’s ever seemed before. As he riles himself back into the final emotional crescendo, he drops to his knees and expels everything he has left in him into those final notes.

Then he collapses in on himself, a huddled form isolated under the spotlight and otherwise surrounded by darkness. The song ends, sending us back into the quiet of the auditorium.

The only sound is Farkle’s muffled sobs, shoulders shaking as the screen smashes to black.

INT. GARDNER HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Charlie is still working on his assignment, drawing a blank as his notebook page is completely empty. How is he supposed to paint a picture of his future when he can barely paint an accurate picture of the present?

He straightens up when his father enters the room, exchanging a comfortable back and forth with him as he settles into the armchair a few feet away and opens the newspaper to read. Charlie hesitates, chewing on the end of his pen before he braves the question of asking Ambrose for advice on his assignment.

Charlie: I know we already talked about it at dinner the other night, but I’m… I’m still having trouble. I was just wondering if you had any other thoughts or... words of fatherly wisdom?

Ambrose: Well, it’s funny that you think fatherhood comes with wisdom.

Charlie cracks a smile as Ambrose chuckles at his own joke. Then he gives it some thought, clearly taking the matter seriously. It’s easier to talk about it, just the two of them, rather than with the whole family.

Ambrose: Honestly, bud, I think that the most important thing is you choose what makes you happy. You don’t want to spend your whole life doing something that doesn’t feel true to you. Do you know what I mean?

Charlie, tightly: … yeah, I do.

Ambrose gives him a smile, going back to his paper. Charlie drops his head back down to his notebook, expression growing grim. His own father doesn’t even know what’s true to him. If that’s the key to a good future, then he knows he’s damned.

Charlie swallows hard, shutting the notebook.

INT. FOSTER HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Isadora is at the sink, doing dishes for the house even though she clearly would rather be out of sight and out of mind. She’s gritting her teeth as she cleans, on edge from all of the pressure of the week.

STEPHEN VAN HERSCHING brings in the last of the dishes, giving her a grateful smile as he passes them to her. In an attempt to be an attentive parent and work on repairing his relationship with Isadora that seems to have been deteriorating lately, he innocently ventures the question of how school is going. She answers shortly, explaining the gist of the week.

Stephen is interested, eagerly inquiring as to what she’s been thinking about. Only he doesn’t phrase it all that well, and it comes off more like an interrogation than soft interest. Isadora doesn’t keep her mask intact after holding it up all day, snapping.

Isadora: I don’t know, okay! I! DON’T! KNOW!

She starts to go into a meltdown, trying to escape the conversation as KAREN VAN HERSCHING enters the room to see what all the commotion is about. She incidentally also criticizes Isadora for her noise level, stating that she’ll wake her younger siblings. The whole argument turns into a huge miscommunication, the foster parents mistaking her emotion and meltdown for increasingly rude behavior whereas Isadora just really needs space.

It continues to escalate until JERICHO TORRES sees what is going on and runs to get BEATRIX TORRES. She steps in and pulls Isadora out of the situation, flatly telling the Van Herschings that she’ll handle it.

Isadora: I don’t need to be handled! Stop talking about me like I’m not here! I’m here! I’m here! I’m not invisible, I’M HERE!

Beatrix doesn’t take it personally, persisting in removing her from the room. Karen and Stephen share a loaded look.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT

Riley has forgone the future entirely and is throwing herself into her new investigation. She scours through Charlie’s social media, currently on Instagram and scrolling way back into last year to look for any sort of indication as to what’s really going on with him. She knows for a fact that he’s all about promoting false narratives, but she doesn’t see where that involves her or when the lines are drawn.

Unfortunately, she makes the cardinal error of lurking. She accidentally double-taps and likes a photo from last year, letting out a loud oh, shit as she frantically unlikes it.

INT. GARDNER HOME - CHARLIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

That doesn’t stop Charlie from getting the notification, though. He’s just getting ready for bed when his phone lights up, displaying that Riley liked his photo. He frowns, opening the app and checking which photo she liked.

It’s a photo from around the time of Les Miserables, so a long way back. Even more concerning, it’s a photo of him and Zay during the phase where they were spending a lot of time together. Riley lurking is confusing enough, but someone zeroing in on him and Zay in particular…

Eric, pre-lap: Why do you think that is?

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Charlie is staring at the desk, seated across from Eric. He’s startled out of his daze, blinking and coming back down to Earth.

Charlie: What?

Eric: You said you were having trouble figuring out your plans. I asked why you thought that might be.

Charlie: Oh. Um, probably just the uncertainty of it. Lots to um… consider.

Charlie is not doing a good job of appearing in top shape like usual. Eric pauses, cautiously shifting gears and attempting to question if there’s anything else going on that Charlie wants to discuss. He mentions a couple of other issues his fellow students have been having in vague terms, gently finding ways to allude to possible identity issues that he might be having. He can remember being in the closet himself, and he evidently wants to help Charlie even if he’s not sure how to go about it.

Evidently, it doesn’t come across as intended. Charlie gets the message, but it only instills more paranoia in him that people are onto him. Riley and Eric are connected after all, and if they know, who else is going to end up in the know?

Eric tries to smooth things over and focus on the positive, highlighting how when Charlie graduates he’ll find a sense of personal freedom and maybe the future won’t seem so complicated to figure out. But with his anxiety, all Charlie can focus on is the here and now, and right now he knows he needs to escape. He thanks Eric for his help, getting up to go.

Flipping back to Eric, he poses a new question.

Eric: You’re absolutely sure there’s nothing you want to talk about?

As we rotate back around, it’s no longer Charlie in the hot seat, but Asher. He’s maintaining his composure, voice even and expression neutral as he confirms that he has nothing to discuss.

But Eric has had Asher as a student for three years, just like the rest of them, and he knows tells when he sees them. Asher might be shy, and has anxiety, but he’s cheery and pleasant more often than not. Usually when he’s in the chair opposite him, the conversation is enjoyable -- far from the strained, succinct exchange they’re having now.

When he rephrases the question, Asher states that he did the assignment and presented it, so he doesn’t know what else he’s expected to be discussing. In fact, he gives him the short version again, speaking slowly and clearly without tripping up once. Rehearsed, practically perfect. Eric relents, but he gives him a piece of advice before he goes that lands.

Eric: You’re well aware of your own limitations and needs, I know that. You demonstrate immense maturity, outshining many of your peers in that regard despite being younger. And you’ve never been trouble -- in fact you’ve helped prevent trouble on a number of occasions. That doesn’t go unnoticed. [ a beat ] I merely suggest that avoiding trouble doesn’t have to mean staying quiet. If you have something you think you need to say, then by all means, you should speak up. In fact, it may do more good than the harm you think it will.

For the first time all meeting, Asher’s neutral demeanor cracks. Uncertainty flashes across his features for half a second, then he pulls it back together and offers a nod.

Asher: Thanks, Mister Matthews. I’ll think about it.

Whether or not he actually will is impossible to tell.

A couple other students occupy the chair opposite him, Eric growing more flustered as they progress. It all culminates with Lucas’s second meeting, and he’s changed his approach from avoiding the topic entirely to going absolutely batshit with his proposals. He’s totally in his element too, acting like he owns the place. He’s got his feet up on the desk, arms behind his head and speaking with a breezy nonchalance.

Lucas: I looked into “space cowboy,” but as it turns out you need a degree in aerospace engineering as well as a license to boy cows, and that seems like a lot of work. So then I thought, well, if I don’t have the capacity to work, what else is there in this capitalistic hell we call society? Sure, I could probably enter myself in human cage fights and scrap to death for spare change, but I think that would hurt after a while and to be honest, I think I’d feel a bit like a piece of meat if I took up that mantle. Who would I be fighting to impress? The bourgeoisie? Hard pass.

Eric: I --

Lucas: But after some deep, probing soul-searching, I finally hit the one. [ a beat ] Trophy husband.

Eric: That --

Lucas: Now, I know what you’re thinking. To accomplish such a grand ambition, I’d have to get someone to like me. And that’s a pretty hefty task, believe me I know, but I’ve devised a work around. This is, as Dave would say, galaxy-brained thinking, Mister E. [ holding out his arms ] I’m going to put an ad on Craigslist.

He’s finally done it -- Eric Matthews is at a loss for words. He’s completely stumped as to where to take this conversation, as Lucas has driven it right off the cliffside and effectively derailed any meaningful discussion.

Lucas: My only trouble is that I cannot decide whether I should advertise myself as “seeking companionship,” or if I should just forgo that entirely and tell it like it is -- that I really don’t have anything to offer and I’ll pretty much do whatever as long as they pay me. But does that make me sound trampy? I’m white trash, yeah, but I do have standards, you know?

As much as he’s enjoying giving Eric an ulcer, Lucas’s fun comes to an end the moment the door opens behind him. His eyes widen as JACK HUNTER enters, immediately glaring at him with his feet up looking so high and mighty. He snaps at him for wasting all of their time, knocking his legs off the desk.

Jack: And get your feet off the table, who do you think you are?

Lucas: [ straightening up, sheepish ] I thought this meeting was a one-on-one.

Jack: It was. But you had your first chance, and as far as I can tell it looks like you’re fumbling this one too. So here we are, third time’s the charm. Don’t strike out.

Jack crosses his arms, standing next to Eric and watching as the counselor tentatively attempts to explain to Lucas that he brought him in because he was having difficulty getting an honest conversation out of him. He thought if he had another mentor present, he might be willing to take the discussion more seriously.

Lucas: [ under his breath ] Don’t flatter him.

Jack: Well, either way, I’m here. So let’s talk, shall we? Do you want to talk about why you’re insisting on being such a --

Eric: Thoughtful words, thoughtful words…

Jack: … why you’re making things so difficult for no reason, or do you just wanna jump right to the part where we try again?

Bravado dismantled, Lucas gets bristly as Jack forces him to actually consider his options for the future. With actual pressure to deliver, the issue becomes plain as day pretty quickly -- Lucas doesn’t want to think about the future because as far as he’s concerned…

Lucas, snapping: What do you want me to say? I don’t have any plans! [ cracking ] I have no talent and I have no drive, so what’s the fucking point? You want my future? Great, here it is -- I don’t have one!

Lucas jumps to his feet, knocking over a bunch of stuff before storming out. Eric flinches, obviously reaching an emotional breaking point himself this week. Jack frowns, clambering over the stuff on the floor to call after him.

Jack: Lucas! LUCAS JAMES!

He’s long gone. Jack turns to look at Eric over his shoulder, shaking his head in disbelief.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Loser” as performed by Glee Cast || Performed by Asher Garcia & Dylan Orlando (feat. AAA Juniors)

Lucas storms down the hall, passing right by Dylan leaning against the wall. He’s strumming the guitar opening to the number, only he doesn’t quite… look like himself. The discrepancy is in how he’s dressed, sporting a lot of dark hues for the kid who wears bright yellow at any given opportunity.

As the camera pans away from him, it slowly finds its way to Asher. He’s following the performance dress code, dressed completely unlike himself in dark jeans and a grungy long sleeve crew neck. However, it’s the snapback that gives it away -- they’re both channeling Lucas, some sort of weird representation of him rather than actually themselves.

Asher kicks off the song, Dylan sauntering up still playing his guitar as they stride through the halls. They both look directly at the camera, the breaking of the fourth wall creating a pointed discomforting feeling. They look away at the end of the first verse, turning to face one another with the same sullen expressions on their faces. Dave and Nate join them, dressed similarly, Dave delivering the “yo,” before they launch into the rest of the song.

From there, the general conceit of the number becomes crystal clear. Wherever Lucas is -- in class, in the booth, walking through the halls, the crew of them are right behind him echoing the same exhausted sentiment. He can’t escape it no matter where he goes, and as the song progresses, more and more of his classmates join the throng. I’m a loser, baby, so why don’t you kill me? Why don’t you kill me?!

In the bridge, as the music seems to play backwards and in warped tones, the image of the A class becomes warped as well. They’re seated along the edge of the stage, looking towards the booth, but it’s all jarring close ups and looped moments. It’s familiar, but it’s not reality. A representation of how easily someone’s perspective can be bent...

Back in the hallway, there’s one potential light moment of reprieve, when Dave seems to forget the message and changes into more positive thinking (“I’m a driver, I’m a winner,”). But Lucas glares at him, then shoves him out of frame.

By the end of the song, what feels like the entire student body of AAA is marching behind Lucas as he moves through the halls, a resounding chorus asking why no one will kill them.

It only comes to an end when Lucas finally snaps, whipping around and shouting at them.

Lucas: Oh my God, could you SHUT. UP?

Only when he spins and marches away, Dylan, Asher, and the rest of them aren’t there. The hallway is completely empty.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Lucas isn’t the only one who feels like he’s losing his mind. Charlie is on edge as he makes his way through the halls, nearly bumping into people and apologizing offhandedly.

Zay is waiting for him by his locker, noticing his odd demeanor immediately. He straightens up and asks what’s going on and if he’s okay, but Charlie isn’t focused on that.

Charlie: What are you doing here? You can’t just stand at my locker.

The statement isn’t said harshly (distractedly would be a better descriptor), but it still stings. Zay tries not to take it personally, instead trying to figure out what the hell is up with him. Charlie is over it a second later anyway, starting half of a conversation while glancing over his shoulder. He spins his locker combination but doesn’t open it, hands shaking.

Zay takes his upper arm and gets him to look at him, asking again if everything is okay. Charlie hesitates, examining him and trying to decide whether to talk about any of it. But he knows Zay is already having a rough week, and he doesn’t want to burden him with his stupid bullshit that he still hasn’t been able to get over after eight months. He’s already being unfair to him and he knows it, not to mention he fears that if he starts opening up, he won’t be able to stop.

So he deflects instead, claiming everything is fine despite every obvious sign that it isn’t. Distracted and without thinking, he leans forward and gives Zay a kiss on the cheek before jogging off to get away.

Zay is stunned, freezing and absorbing the moment. He looks around them to make sure no one else noticed, then looks over his shoulder with a bewildered frown at the direction Charlie ran in. But he’s already long gone.

INT. AAA - DRESSING ROOM HALL - DAY

Charlie darts into the dressing room hall, running right into Clarissa and Haley. They greet him, asking him how his meeting with Eric went. Clarissa notices his weird behavior first, pointing out that he’s sweating. They ask him if he’s okay and he breathlessly states he’s fine, although his delivery is not convincing.

Haley: Are you sure? You look kind of pale.

Clarissa: We can walk you to the nurse?

Haley: Or we can talk about --

Charlie: I can’t. I can’t talk -- I can’t talk right now. I’m sorry, I have to --

Charlie darts away from them, pushing deeper into the auditorium. Clarissa and Haley exchange hesitant looks, obviously wondering if they should go after him or leave him be. This week has everyone in hysterics, after all.

INT. AAA - COSTUME LOFT - DAY

Charlie doesn’t find sanctuary until he gets to the costume loft, relieved to find that no one else is around. He lets out a painful exhale and stumbles onto the platform, legs shaking so much that he basically collapses into a pile of costumes. He starts to push himself back up but then pauses, giving up and laying back against them in defeat.

He presses his palms to his eyes, trying to talk himself down from the panic. The words start as variations on telling himself to breathe and transform into a prayer, Charlie murmuring a plea for God to be with him before repeating a Bible verse he’s got memorized like the back of his hand. He continues to mutter it to himself, until he can breathe and the room stops spinning.

When he finally pulls his hands back from his face, Charlie stares listlessly at the ceiling. Wondering how he ended up like this, fearing that it’s always going to be this way.

That he’s never going to be able to properly breathe again.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Exhale” as performed by Sabrina Carpenter || Performed by Charlie Gardner

Whereas the other performances of the episode have been surprisingly grand and a bit of a spectacle, the power of this request for a reprieve is in its simplicity. There’s no fanfare, no blurred lines between what’s real and what is not, just Charlie and his soft tenor and his sheer, utter exhaustion.

The entire first verse and chorus stay solely on Charlie, slowly easing out of a close up until we’re further and further away from him, making him feel smaller than he is. The second verse takes us back into the darkened auditorium, Charlie walking behind the back curtain along the wall where all of the Class 2 x 4s are.

Every year, the freshman class adds their plank of wood to the wall, signing with their initials. It’s an AAA tradition, and it’s what Charlie focuses on as he wanders aimlessly. On “try to keep a sense of knowing who I am,” he lightly brushes his fingers over his own initials from two and a half years ago. His expression twists as he sings “I try to be an angel but I don’t think I can,” holding back tears as he slouches back against the wall to finish the verse.

He rounds out the number back in the costume loft, managing to push himself into a sitting position and propping his elbows on his knees. He forces himself to breathe as he finishes out the song, then puts his head against his knees and shuts out everything else.

Breathing, for just one second, as if that’ll be enough.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Lucas is at his locker, a storm brewing behind his eyes. Riley spots him from down the hall and jogs over to join him, seemingly happy to see him. She starts talking to him eagerly, lamenting how crazy the week has been and how relieved she is that it’s almost over.

Searching for a safe place to vent, she almost starts talking about her parents given how that has been weighing on her all week as well, but unfortunately Lucas is far from stable ground right now. He interrupts her, voice dull.

Lucas: Why are you talking to me?

Riley: … because I -- I thought we talked about this. I thought when we talked during group week --

Lucas: Well you thought wrong. You’re wasting your time, and I’m wasting everybody else’s, so don’t bother.

Riley: … what are you talking about? Lucas --

Lucas: Riley, I...

He locks eyes with her, the sentiment hanging unfinished between them. She holds his gaze, wide-eyed, waiting for him to speak.

One step forward, two steps back. Whatever he might’ve said, he chooses not to, too embroiled in the chorus of negativity echoing in his own head. Riley could do much better than him, he knows, so it’s about time she realized it too.

Lucas, half-heartedly: Just leave me alone.

He shuts his locker, marching away from her. Riley stares after him, completely dumbstruck.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Zay is in the auditorium, looking for Charlie. He happens to run into someone else on the hunt, Angela entering through the wings and greeting him. She questions whether or not he’s seen Farkle, as she has been trying to catch him all week and seems to be constantly missing him. Zay claims he hasn’t.

Whereas it seems like he wants there to be more to say, Angela thanks him and starts heading out. There’s a moment where it seems like Zay might just swallow the dismissal, like he always does, but this time something in him snaps.

Zay: Don’t you have anything you’d like to say to me?

Angela whips around, a bit surprised. She pleasantly asks if there’s something he wants to talk about, which seems to frustrate him more. At first he brushes off the question, but then doubles back and states that there is. That there’s a toxic, broken culture here at AAA, and in some ways it's her fault.

This kind of declaration is unusual coming from Zay, and Angela is understandably taken aback. She tries to defend herself but he doesn’t let her interject, growing more worked up the more he gets to speak. He laments the fact that this school is so built on favorites, and Angela has been feeding that culture since day one. She’s still doing it, making a point of enthusiastically greeting Maya and making special time to catch up with Farkle while saying fuck all to the rest of them.

Zay: Don’t you think that I might want to catch up with the teacher who was supposed to have been fostering my talent for two years? Don’t you think Yindra, or Nigel, or Haley or literally anybody else other than the Diva Twins might want a scrap of your attention?

Angela: Zay, I fully believe that all of you --

Zay: It’s easy to say you believe in someone, Miss Moore. Showing up for them is a different story. [ a beat ] And you chose who you’re backing from the first time we set foot on this stage.

He says his piece, storming past her. Angela absorbs the blow, knowing that the emotion is somewhat misdirected but still feeling the sting. She stands alone on the stage, overcome with nostalgia and wondering if the impact she left behind was all that good after all.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Riley is at a limit of her own, breaking down in the chair across from Eric. This meeting has nothing to do with the future -- this is all about right now, and it’s clear that Riley is losing her ability to cope. Still, there’s nothing she hates more than crying in front of others, so she’s a sniffling, embarrassed mess as she laments the state of affairs. The tissue she’s gripping in her fist is less tissue and more so just shreds after so much crumpling and twisting.

She admits that she’s been using other people as her distraction, but the fact is she can’t keep running from it. Her life is in shambles, and now her family is legitimately falling apart. She’s been trying to keep things together, but whenever she gets one thing straightened out another just crashes out of nowhere and she can’t keep up with it. She can’t do it anymore.

Eric frowns, getting up from his desk. He pulls over the other chair against the wall, sitting next to her instead of separated behind administrator lines.

Eric: I’m swapping hats for a second here. Counselor out, uncle in. I’m very versatile, I don’t know if you knew.

Riley can’t help but laugh, although it’s weak. Eric goes on to say that he genuinely can imagine how she’s feeling. This week in particular has been a challenge unlike anything he’s felt in a long time, and there are days where he wishes he didn’t have to come in and face it.

Eric: But, and I know this isn’t what you want to hear, the only thing I can say is to keep doing your best. Keep being compassionate, even when it’s hard.

Riley: How? I mean, how do you do that?

Eric, with a shrug: It’s the only thing I know how to do. I can’t imagine moving forward without it.

An honest confession, and something that seems to resonate with Riley. And if Eric is still going after all these years, then she supposes she’ll be able to as well. Somehow.

She dabs at her eyes, offering him a smile when he reaches out and pats her shoulder. A sorely needed moment of unity amidst all of the destruction.

INT. AAA - TECHNICIAN’S BOOTH - DAY

Asher and Dylan have followed Lucas into the tech booth, the latter still in a foul mood. Dylan is doing his usual approach of trying to lighten the mood and echoing Lucas’s derisive commentary about how stupid all of this is, but Asher is hanging back. He’s hesitant as Lucas collapses into the rolling chair, once again bluntly claiming that his future is shit anyway, so why should he even bother?

Asher, after a moment: Well, don’t you think that’s a bit self-defeatist?

[ The booth goes quiet. Lucas glances at him, obviously surprised he’s arguing the counterpoint. ]

Lucas: Huh?

[ More quiet. Asher glances at Dylan, who is staring at him, wondering what he’s going to do next. ]

Asher: I’m just saying. By deciding prematurely that you have no future, you’re sort of inherently guaranteeing that you won’t have one. Self-fulfilling prophecy, we learned about that in English.

Lucas: You think I pay attention to anything Matthews has to say?

Asher: [ with waning patience ] My point is that if you don’t take the time to really think about what you can do, then you’re right, you won’t do anything. And I think that would be a pretty big shame.

Lucas, with a snort: Please, tell me how you really feel.

There’s an odd tension in the air that’s never been there between the trio before. Or perhaps it has, growing more and more potent the longer they’ve elected to ignore it. The dismissive comment only exacerbates it, Asher frowning. He steps past Dylan and approaches the lighting board, standing face-to-face with Lucas.

Asher: You want me to tell you how I really feel?

Lucas: If you think you can.

Asher: Fine. [ dropping his bag on the table pointedly ] I think you’re being stupid.

Lucas scoffs, but Asher isn’t done. He elaborates, pointing out all of the ways that Lucas has been sabotaging himself this entire year when it feels as though things could improve even a fraction if he just cut it out. It’s an impressive catalogue of points, being delivered expertly from someone who has clearly been paying close attention and bottling it all up.

Asher: You’re being stupid about this assignment, when if you just took it seriously you might realize you could actually do lots of things with the right resources. That’s what Eric and Jack are there for.

Lucas: Yeah, well --

Asher: You’re being stupid about Riley, who has been nothing but nice to you despite you treating her like garbage.

Lucas, defensively: Don’t talk about her --

Dylan: [ with a nervous laugh ] Guys, come on --

Asher: And you’re being stupid about the way you treat everyone else, including people who just want what’s best for you. You keep pushing, and pushing, and it’s like you want the rubber band to finally snap. [ exasperated ] Look at that and tell me it’s not fucking stupid!

Lucas: Well, what do you expect? Who are you talking to?

Asher: That’s the worst part about it! That’s what’s so frustrating is that I know you’re not stupid, Lucas. I know that, but it’s like you don’t. Either that or you just don’t care, and I don’t know which one is worse!

The can of worms has been opened, and it’s not going to be put away so easily. Dylan attempts to deescalate the discussion but it just keeps spiraling, Lucas and Asher’s voices rising the more they go back and forth. Asher complains that all they’re trying to do is support him because that’s why they’re friends, and all he’s doing is rebuffing them. Lucas finally rises from his seat, glaring at him with at least his height dominance back intact.

Lucas: Oh, you wanna know why we’re friends? [ flatly ] It’s because you wanna fix me.

Asher: What the hell are you talking about?

Dylan: Guys --

Lucas: Come on, we both know it’s true. You’re the reasonable one, put together and perfect, and I’m the trainwreck. It’s great, too, because it’s like a double win. I get you to do all this crazy and ridiculous stuff, and for five seconds you feel cool. Then you get to go home to your perfect house and your perfect family and forget about it, until the next time you want to let loose. I make you feel good about yourself.

Dylan: Hey, seriously --

Asher: Is that seriously what you think?

Lucas: [ mockingly ] It’s what I know! I am just like the most fascinating little mess for you to tidy up, to placate to that incessant, neurotic need you have to put everything in perfect order. Only now I’m not doing it right, I’m not running right anymore, and isn’t it so annoying when your perfect little toy train won’t run off the tracks exactly the way you want it to.

Asher, voice cracking: I can’t believe --

Lucas: Well, I’m sorry, spaghetti! I’m sorry that you have to settle and deal with one thing in your life that isn’t absolutely fucking perfect!

Dylan, harshly: HEY!

Dylan has moved forward, nearly stepping between them and holding out a hand to keep Lucas back. It’s as if his presence snaps him out of it, Lucas staring at him and realizing just how intense the situation has become. Dylan is looking at him with wide eyes, his anger only lasting as long as it took to get them both to hold off and having faded to shock.

Asher’s expression is harder. He’s glaring at Lucas, eyes glassy, clenching his jaw. Lucas hesitates, clearly wanting to say something, but Asher moves before he can speak. He snatches his bag off the table, clutching it close as he marches to the steps and exits out of the booth without another word.

Dylan whips around and watches him leave, mouth hanging open slightly. Lucas stares after him, expression shifting to something like hurt, before he spins away from the door and crashes back into the chair. He stays facing away from Dylan, who is still standing frozen in the middle of the booth.

Lucas: Well? Aren’t you going to go after him?

There’s a pause. Dylan blinks, returning to a state of impressive calm in spite of the chaos. He shifts back towards Lucas, eyeing him sadly.

Dylan: Yes. But I want to make sure you’re okay, too.

Lucas: [ snorting ] Why?

Dylan: … because I know you don’t mean it. I don’t know what’s going on, but… I know you didn’t mean it.

Lucas can’t look at him. He chews the inside of his cheek, picking at a hangnail.

Dylan: We’re friends, Lucas. We care about you. Asher wasn’t lying about that. [ a beat ] And when you decide you want to do something about this, we’ll be there. When you need us... we’re going to be there for you. No matter what.

Lucas has picked at the hangnail badly enough to draw blood. Dylan doesn’t wait for a response, looking at him for a moment longer before descending down the steps and leaving him alone.

Lucas curses under his breath, hiding his head in his hands.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT

Maya’s phone lights up on the bed, Katy’s picture filling the screen. Maya enthusiastically moves away from her future moodboard and reaches to grab it, picking up and excitedly greeting her. They catch up on how Katy is settling in back home in Vermont, and Maya gives her the low down on how insane the week has been but how bright her future feels. She boldly assures her mom that she’s great when she asks, repeating how well the week went for her.

But that’s not what Katy is asking, really. She knows her daughter better than she knows herself, and she knows how good she is at deflecting. So when she questions once again is everything is really fine…

The walls come down. Maya chews her lip and tries not to let the tears fall but they do anyway, the facade crumbling as she lets out a shaky “no.” Then it’s spilling out of her, all of the things that are far from going right. How it feels like her entire class is imploding, how she’s willing to do whatever it takes for the dream but being cut throat has become exhausting, how no matter how obsessively she outlines her future she’s gripped by the fear that it isn’t going to pan out. That she’s going to be a failure, just like her father and like 90% of the people who walk the halls of Adams.

Most predominantly, more than any of that, she misses Farkle Minkus.

Maya, tearfully: I know I said I was done with him, I told him we were… but I don’t know. I don’t know what I want. He hurt me, and what I’ve always thought is that when someone hurts you, you get rid of them. That’s what we did with dad, basically. [ a beat ] But then… I don’t know.

Katy: Baby girl, few people in your life are going to hurt you like your dad did.

[ Maya scrunches her face, wiping at the tears on her cheeks. ]

Katy: I wish I had the right answer, but things like this are never going to be obvious. There will always be pros and cons to every decision. But from what you’re saying to me… it sounds like you don’t want to say goodbye quite yet.

Maya lets out another whimper, pressing her palm to her eyes. When she resurfaces, she lets out a sigh and shakes her head.

Maya, weakly: I wish you were here.

Honestly, don’t we all. Katy returns the sentiment, Maya settling back into the corner of her bed and staying on the phone with her mom for a while longer.

INT. AAA - CLASSROOM - DAY

Riley and Charlie are working in the English classroom, the only two still around after school on Friday. Riley has lost her investigative fire after her conversation with Eric, treating the project as exactly what it is and nothing more.

For what it’s worth, this seems to loosen up some of the awkwardness between them. For once, they’re not both trying to pick apart one another’s every move. They actually work quite well together, diligently getting the work done and even exchanging some tired but entertaining banter while they go.

Once they declare they’re pretty close to finishing, Charlie claims he needs to go run and grab his dance duffle from the practice room where he left it. When he gets back, they should be able to wrap this thing up. Riley nods agreeably, focusing back on the final touches while he jogs out of the room.

The quiet is disrupted by Charlie’s phone, vibrating on the table top. Riley glances at it, but then forces herself to ignore it. She’s done snooping after all… only the contact name that lights up the screen catches her interest.

After a moment of indecision, Riley glances at the door before gently sliding the phone closer to her so she can read the lock screen. Over the saved background of Charlie with his younger sisters, a couple of messages from Zay sit unread on the screen.

“Hey couldn’t find you after school, you still here? you seemed a little out of it yesterday. hope everything is okay”

“Craziest thing happened with miss moore, i’ll tell you all about it. in the usual studio”

The last text message comes through as Riley is taking the phone into her hands, shock taking over her features as she reads it.

“Love you”

Riley is staring at the phone, speechless.

Charlie: What the hell are you doing?

She shoots her head up to find Charlie standing in the doorway with his duffle. He’s staring at her, mortified, and she’s mirroring his panicked expression to a tee.

Busted.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Zay glances up from his phone just in time to avoid ramming right into Harper. Both of them apologize, laughing off one another’s pleasantries. She asks if he has a second to talk, gesturing him into the black box.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Harper is calm as she explains that Angela told her about their confrontation on the stage. Zay jumps into defensive mode, claiming that he doesn’t regret what he said.

Harper: I understand, Zay. I agree with you.

Zay: Well, I -- oh. Oh, good. [ a beat ] Really?

Harper cracks a smile, sauntering back over to join him at the desks. She settles into sitting on top of one, admitting that she knows exactly what Zay is talking about and she thinks Angela knows it too. When she told her about what happened, she did not seem like she was denying her fault in the situation.

Realizing that this environment might be safer than he thought, Zay hesitates before really getting into what’s been needling him all week --and really, all year.

Zay: I just don’t get what else I’m supposed to do. It’s like, I’m doing everything I’m supposed to. I’m trying and I’m trying and giving everything I’ve got. And all I know is that when I went out there in the real world, when we put our stuff to the test, I came out on top. Kossal looked at all of us and chose me, I was identified as the top player.

Harper: Rightfully so, I’m sure.

Zay: I was the one worth acknowledging, worth accolading, worth… stepping up to be proud of. So how can that be true, but in every other way it’s the opposite? I’m still just shoved into the background?

Harper empathizes. She states she knows exactly what he’s talking about -- favoritism, especially in their industry, is as old as time itself. Not to mention the layers being a person of color adds to that struggle.

Harper: I recognize it, believe me. You work three times harder than everyone else, and no one respects it. You have to be ambitious and driven like the others, yet also be kind and well-liked and not ruffle any feathers.

Zay: Courtesy is the deadest art form at AAA, yes.

Harper: The unfortunate truth is, teachers aren’t perfect. [ off his eye roll, smirking ] Shocking, I know. But we make mistakes just as easily as students do, and unintentional favoritism is likely the most common offense. That has nothing to do with you, though, as you’ve clearly figured out.

She goes on to explain that the other unfortunate truth to an industry like theirs is that sometimes, even your very best is never enough. There are always factors you can’t control, people more talented or better connected than you, and a million reasons to write you off versus the handful of people will choose to acknowledge to uplift you. It’s not an easy world, as she’s sure he’s well aware.

Harper: I don’t know if this will make you feel better or worse, but the truth is it all comes down to endurance. How long you can take it, how long you can stick it out until it ends up being your shot. The true test of who lives the dream is who hangs on… and who gives up.

Not all that inspiring, but honest. Zay evidently appreciates it as he nods, thanking her for taking the time to listen. Despite how rough the transition has been, he does think she’s a good teacher. The comment seems to resonate with Harper, who gives him a grateful smile.

INT. AAA - CLASSROOM - DAY

Charlie breaks the ice first, dropping his duffle bag as he darts into the room. He snaps at Riley for looking through his things, snatching the phone out of her hands in a frenzy. She flinches, trying to regain her bearings on the situation. She stammers out an apology, Charlie turning away from her and reading the texts that she saw for herself.

Silence settles over the room again. Charlie stays turned away from her, no longer breathing. Riley slowly rises to her feet, not sure what to say next.

Riley: That… um. [ tentatively ] Are… are you -- ?

Charlie: You can’t tell anyone.

Charlie whips around, locking eyes with her. His eyes are wide and he’s shaking again, already on the verge of another panic attack. Only this one is bound to be worse, because the looming fear that he’s going to be found out is now a very real threat.

Charlie: Riley, you can’t. You can’t tell anyone.

Riley: I wasn’t going to --

Charlie, hyperventilating: You can’t. Riley, you can’t. You can’t tell anyone, okay, you can’t -- !

Riley: Charlie. Charlie!

Riley reaches out and takes his arms, getting him to stop cold. She holds his terrified gaze, aware of how he’s literally shaking in her hands.

Riley, sincerely: I would never tell anyone.

There’s an excruciatingly tense moment between them, Charlie having to determine whether or not he believes her. Neither of them move, neither of them breathe. You could hear a pin drop.

Then he lets out an exhausted exhale, nodding and muttering an affirmation. He slips from her grasp, stepping around her and collapsing back into his seat at the desk. Riley stays where she is for a moment, attempting to process what the hell she just learned.

Once she catches up, she spins back to look at him with his face hidden in his hands. She lightly claims she knows what he’s going through -- well, not exactly, but being pansexual definitely gives her a sense of what he might be experiencing. She knows she was lucky to not have many factors keeping her from sharing that side of herself, and she’s sorry that he feels like he does.

Riley: I can’t imagine what that must be like, trying to hide such a big part of yourself. What you might feel like you have to do, like holding things back and… [ realizing ] controlling the narrative.

The Confessions posts. Suddenly, it feels glaringly obvious.

Charlie, under his breath: Fucked. It’s all fucked

Riley frowns sympathetically, cautiously sliding back into her seat next to him. She looks at him, searching for something to say that might be easier to discuss.

Riley: So… Zay?

Charlie takes a deep breath, still hiding in his hands. But after a moment, he nods. Riley smiles.

Riley: That’s great. Honestly, that’s amazing. It’s about time someone appreciated Zay for how wonderful he is. I guess I noticed he had been happier, actually, I just wasn’t sure… [ a beat ] How long?

Charlie lifts his head, inhaling slowly. When he speaks, although he’s backed off the ledge, his voice is shaky.

Charlie: Eight months. [ softer ] But feels like longer.

Riley’s eyes widen, stunned. That long and nobody knows… but on the other hand, it’s hard not to be endeared. It’s so obvious from how delicately he talks about it how much the relationship means to Charlie.

Charlie: I know it’s so stupid. All the stress I’m putting myself through.

Riley: It’s not stupid.

Charlie: It is. Like, maybe it’s not, but it is. I’m just still trying to… I’m not sure how this is supposed to work. It’s like I’ve got this one version of reality, where like… everything is in black and white. There’s good and there’s bad and there’s black and there’s white, and it’s my job to stay clearly on one side. And I do, I do a good job of it, and that’s why the show goes on. It’s not ideal, but it’s manageable. It’s what I know, and you can settle for what you know when you don’t know any different.

Riley listens attentively. Charlie is clearly working through these thoughts for the first time, hesitating and grimacing and stammering over the words. The next statement, however, he says with breathless certainty.

Charlie: Then, there’s Zay, and it’s like… we’re in technicolor. [ a beat ] How are you supposed to go back to settling for black and white when you’ve seen the rainbow?

Riley smiles again. Her voice is soft when she tells him that it’s going to work out, and he’s going to figure it out. When he questions how she can be so certain about that, she admits that she isn’t, but it’s kind of her thing, being hopeful. As someone important reminded her, it’s really all they have.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Rainbow” as performed by Kesha || Performed by Riley Matthews & Charlie Gardner

Riley starts off the duet tentatively, transitioning pretty smoothly from their conversation (“I used to live in the darkness / dressed in black act so heartless / but now I see that colors are everything”). She carries through the first verse, smiling lightly and encouraging Charlie to relax and allow himself a smile as well. In this moment, they’re safe. It’s okay.

Charlie picks up the second verse. He brings a little more emotion to the arrangement, clearly needing the catharsis of finally getting to be open for the first time in what feels like his entire life. The two of them pass the harmonies back and forth, performing well as a duo when the situation isn’t forced in some unidentifiable way. Finally both on the same page.

As the last verse wraps up, Riley reaches forward and takes his hand. They keep their fingers joined together straight through to the end, the camaraderie obviously a relief to Charlie.

Focus hangs on the hand hold, a symbol of coming together when it feels as though everything is falling apart.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Isadora swings by Eric’s office, poking her head in and a bit surprised to find him still around. When he greets her and asks what the expression on her face is for, she admits that she figured after the hell week they had, he’d be running off to escape for the weekend faster than anyone else. He certainly would’ve earned that right, at least.

Eric laughs, nodding in acquiescence. But he’s survived this week for years now at AAA, and he figures he’ll survive a handful more before retirement comes to free him. He turns the tables and gently asks Isadora how she’s feeling at the conclusion of this week -- he got the sense she wasn’t being entirely forthcoming during their structured meeting.

Isadora hesitates, then caves. She admits he’s correct, sauntering in and slowly settling into one of the chairs. He keeps the atmosphere casual, coming to lean against the front of his desk. She states that things aren’t going all that well at home, but she figures the social worker must’ve already passed that intel to him.

Eric: And the future?

Isadora: … honestly… I don’t know. I don’t even have right now worked out. I’ve been thinking about it all week, hoping that a clear path would just emerge. But instead I just fell down a lot of sinkholes instead.

Eric: Any injuries to report?

Isadora: Maybe internally. [ a beat ] But they’ll heal.

Eric: And so…

Isadora: And so… right now, I don’t know. Nigel said it was better to have lots of options rather than one or none at all, so I guess he’s right. As for which one is the right one… no idea.

Eric: And you know? That’s totally okay.

Eric goes on to state that the point of the week, despite its reputation, isn’t to get them to make definitive irreversible decisions about their prospects. It’s just to get them thinking about it, to get those wheels turning so that when that time does come around, hopefully they’ll already have a little bit of clarity.

Eric: And considering you’re Isadora De La Cruz, I am positive you’ll work it out.

Isadora accepts the compliment shyly, offering a small smile. Then she asks him how he’s faring. He had to carry everyone’s baggage even more than usual, and that can’t be fun. He seems touched by the fact that she’s asking at all, and he admits that he’s got some things going on in his own life that aren’t helping matters.

Isadora: Well, can I offer you some advice?

Eric, with a laugh: Sure.

Isadora: Whatever you’re struggling with, maybe it would help to get to talk about it with someone who can help, too. I feel better after coming in here and talking to you, so maybe you’ll feel better if you go and give yourself the same opportunity. If it’s with someone who can actually address the things you’re grappling with, even better.

Not bad advice. Eric jokes that maybe Isadora has a career in counseling in her future, which earns a snort out of her. She gets up and thanks him one last time, heading towards the door.

Eric: No… thank you.

Isadora nods, disappearing from the doorway. Eric takes a moment to breathe, glancing at the office around him. Having survived another week, for better or for worse.

INT. AAA - SHAWN’S OFFICE - DAY

Angela finds SHAWN HUNTER hidden away in his cramped office, the two of them exchanging jokes about how it’s typical for him to stay out of sight during check-in week. In his defense, he claims, his presence sometimes only adds stress. Angela can’t argue with that.

She comes to sit with him, settling casually onto his lap. She gently approaches the topic of what happened with Zay, and the conversation she had with Harper afterwards. She feels bad for having made their students feel that way, and she’s realizing that maybe the way the two of them approached working at AAA isn’t the only, or even the best, way to go about things.

Maybe, Angela concludes pointedly, it might be better to stop combatting the change and embrace it for what it’s worth. Harper might just surprise him. Shawn is reluctant simply due to embarrassment for his behavior, but Angela softens the blow by giving him a quick kiss.

Much to consider moving forward, that’s for sure.

INT. AAA - DANCE STUDIO - DAY

Zay is in the studio as he said he would be, working hard as usual. Not yet spooked away from his passion, Harper’s talk with him giving him more perspective than acting as a deterrent.

Charlie finally makes it there, and this time it's his turn to hang in the doorway and watch Zay dance. He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe, expression softening and a light smile blooming onto his face. It’s the most content he’s looked all week.

When Zay spins out of a dance step he spots him, expressing relief. He asks where he’s been -- he feels like he hasn’t seen him all day. Charlie apologizes, sauntering into the room and asking what happened with Angela that he wanted to tell him about. Zay pauses, then shrugs.

Zay: Nothing. It’s not important. Miss Burgess is pretty cool, though.

Charlie: Yeah?

Zay: Yeah. Nothing like Miss Moore, but maybe that’s not the worst thing in the world.

Charlie shrugs. Seeing as they’ve come up on Friday, Zay playfully questions if Charlie has figured out his grand plans for the future. He shakes his head, clasping his hands together in front of him as he comes to stand in front of his boyfriend.

Charlie: I don’t think I can know what I’m going to be then until I like… know myself now. Or feel like I know myself more consistently than I do at the moment.

Gently, Charlie reaches for Zay’s hands. The latter hesitates, examining him curiously and well aware that they’re still in public school property despite how much this studio feels like their own safe haven. But Charlie seems comfortable with the gesture, dipping his head down to look at their joined hands.

Charlie also quietly informs him that Riley now knows, which is major news. Zay immediately asks how it went, how she reacted, but from Charlie’s calm demeanor he can only assume it didn’t go horribly. He confirms it, admitting that it wasn’t the end of the world. As for what that means for the future...

Charlie: I just hope that… I don’t know. I hope that when I get there, I’ll be… happy. Content, at least.

Zay, lightly teasing: Big ask.

Charlie: I know. Feels like it, but… [ locking eyes with him ] I know it’s possible. I know it when I feel it.

The subtext of the message goes without saying. Zay smiles, rubbing his thumbs over the back of his hands. Charlie takes it a step further, leaning forward and starting a soft kiss. It’s tentative, new for different reasons, like being in a place where potentially anybody could see. But it’s sweet and it lingers, Zay smiling when they pull apart.

Charlie presses his forehead against his, staying in the moment while he can. Holding onto the safety of this thing, this place right now, when the future remains wholly uncertain.

Eric, pre-lap: Thanks for being here with me.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Eric finishes filling a mug from his coffee maker. The cup is steaming as he hands it to Jack, who takes it with a tentative but grateful smile. He admits he’s surprised Eric invited him to come do their usual tradition of ending this hell week with one another, considering how… off things have been between them.

Eric acknowledges that, admitting that he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about that. He starts to apologize but Jack beats him to it, murmuring about how he knows he shouldn’t have kept things from him. He does trust him, and he values him more than anything. There’s no one better at what he does -- this week alone is evident enough of that -- and he’s grateful that he’s there keeping the ship running with him. He regrets what he said to him, and hopes he’ll believe him when he says he’s sorry. He let his emotions get the best of him is all.

Eric, after a moment: Well, I’m not one to say that a little emotion is ever a bad thing.

And like that, the tension is gone. Jack smiles, taking a long sip of his coffee.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Lullaby” as performed by Sleeping At Last || Performed by AAA Juniors

The a capella humming of the junior class floats over the scene, underscoring the rest of the episode. It’s delicate, pretty, but the slightest bit haunting. Heavy with the context of the week.

Jack asks Eric how he thought the week went overall, in spite of the trainwreck he was there to witness himself. Eric shrugs, admitting that it’s always hard to tell. Talking about the future is never easy, and the additional uncertainty of this career path that they all think they might want doesn’t soften it.

Eric: I just hope that… I hope they realize this isn’t the end of the world. The future is so malleable, and it will take them in directions they don’t even know are options right now. I mean, look at me. I was just like them at this age. I thought I was going to be a star.

Jack, jokingly: [ behind his mug ] Still have the theatrics to prove it.

Eric gives him a look, but it melts into a smile after Jack shrugs pithily.

Eric: Did I ever think this was where I would end up? No. But life has a way of getting you where you’re supposed to be. [ looking at Jack ] And I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Jack claims he’ll toast to that. The two of them clink their mugs together, taking a sip and settling into the quiet.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - AUGGIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Cory is tucking Auggie into bed, taking his time with it considering how the times he’ll get to do so are numbered. He gives him a kiss on the forehead, smiling when Auggie says something silly to him in response.

Riley leans against the doorframe, watching with a bittersweet smile on her face. Not wanting this to change…

INT. FOSTER HOME - NIGHT

Isadora grows tired with helping Jericho with his homework, excusing herself and skirting around her other siblings to escape to her room. Stephen and Karen watch her from the kitchen, exchanging knowing looks.

INT. GARCIA HOME - ASHER’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Asher is seated on his bed, doing his practice of journaling down all the good things that happened, then writing down the bad and crumpling it up so he can metaphorically throw it away. But he’s already got a couple of paper balls littering the floor at his feet, and he’s tear-stained as he rips another page out and crumples it.

He gives up on all of it, letting the journal and the crumpled page fall off his lap and onto the floor. Dylan emerges from the window, slipping inside the room and coming to join him.

They don’t say anything. Dylan simply climbs onto the bed and wraps his arms around him from behind, Asher closing his eyes. Dylan kisses his cheek, then his shoulder, tucking his head against it.

INT. LUCAS’S APARTMENT - LUCAS’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Alternatively, Lucas’s bedroom is cold and empty. His window is still open to the fire escape, letting in frigid February air.

EXT. LUCAS’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

He’s not on the fire escape either. Drifting upwards, we pass a few more floors until we find him, huddled up on the roof of the building by himself. He’s shivering, but he doesn’t move. He’s looking at the city, sprawled and twinkling in front of him, but his expression is blank.

I’m a loser, baby, so why don’t you…

INT. SUBWAY STOP - NIGHT

The train doors open, Zay and Charlie emerging onto the platform. It’s still bustling for a Friday night, the two of them just another part of the crowd. Charlie takes his hand, the two of them exchanging a meaningful look before Zay begins to lead the way through the masses.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT

Maya is tweaking her future moodboard, rearranging some items and changing it up. She’s making it a little more personal rather than so cold and calculated, aiming for the future she wants to lead rather than the one she feels like she has to in order to survive the industry.

She picks up one of the photos on her bed, hesitating on it. It’s a polaroid of her and Farkle, goofing around in the auditorium during spring semester. She brushes her thumb over Farkle, obviously contemplative.

Then she looks back at the moodboard. Perhaps it will find a place in her future after all…

INT. MINKUS HOME - HALLWAY - NIGHT

STUART MINKUS approaches Farkle’s door, lightly knocking and asking if he can come inside and chat. Jennifer informed him that he passed on dinner, and hasn’t emerged from his room since, so he wanted to come see what’s going on. His mom said he seemed like he was feeling better this week? Is that the case?

Farkle doesn’t answer, so Stuart sighs and settles for hanging outside. He speaks through the door instead, struggling to find exactly what he wants to say but doing his best to get it out.

Stuart: Listen, I… I’ve been thinking a lot about that discussion we had during the holidays. The things we said to each other… I think you had some points. Smart as you are, of course you did, but… when I said what I did, I was only trying to look out for you. I know it doesn’t seem like it, considering I’m not always… you’re right. I could afford to be around more, and I guess I just needed you to confront me with the truth of that to recognize it as such. [ a beat ] I’m sorry I made you feel like I don’t notice or care, Farkle. I do. I do, and you make me proud every day. Even if I don’t quite understand it, I know you’re making strides in what’s important to you. And I want to be there for more of that. Genuinely.

A really nice sentiment, one long overdue. Still, Farkle doesn’t give him anything in return. Stuart sighs in frustration, knowing they can’t make any progress if he won’t even hear him out.

Stuart: Farkle, come on. Can we just chat about this --

INT. MINKUS HOME - FARKLE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Stuart gently pushes open the door, searching the dimly lit room for Farkle so they can talk face to face. But he’s not at his desk or on his bed, and it takes a full scan of the room for his gaze to drift to the floor.

First confusion passes over his features, then a moment later, panic. Sheer, absolute panic.

Stuart, choked: Farkle? [ bursting into the room ] FARKLE!

Stuart drops down to the ground, kneeling just in front of the camera. He immediately descends into hysterics.

Stuart: Farkle, come on. No -- Jennifer! JENNIFER, CALL AN AMBULANCE!

The last notes of “Lullaby” take us out as the screen goes to black.

Stuart, broken: Farkle!

END OF EPISODE.

IF ANY of the content in this episode has been triggering, please reach out and talk to somebody you trust and who can help you. The following links are resources including hotlines, prevention organizations, and international numbers.

Suicide Prevention: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

List of Suicide Hotlines: https://ibpf.org/resource/list-international-suicide-hotlines https://suicidestop.com/call_a_hotline.html

#S2 #episodes #207

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riga789 · 6 years ago

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(And while you’re searching ponder this) We’ve taken what you’ll sorely miss

Summary: The trials and tribulations of Hogwarts’ Triwizard champion Lucas Friar before, during, and after the second task.

Or, a Maya and Lucas Hogwarts AU

Read on ao3 | ff.net

*Set in Hogwarts, during 6th year, in February.

It’s the morning of the second task, and Maya is nowhere to be found. Lucas has gone from angry to upset to seriously concerned.

It’s bad enough they’ve been at odds since the Yule Ball, where he accused her of fraternizing with the enemy after she went to the dance with Josh Matthews. (Josh may be Riley’s uncle, but he is after all from a competing school, and Lucas’s rival in the Triwizard Tournament.) (Okay, he might have overreacted to the extent of going too full-on-Riley on that one.)

But despite the increased friction between them over the past couple of months, they’ve still hung out together with their friends as per usual, studied together, had their meals together (no one really pays much mind to sitting strictly at their house tables anymore), and only separated at the end of the day to sleep in their own house dorms.

Until their stupid fight three days ago. And now, she clearly doesn’t intend to come and support him as he participates in whatever life-threatening activity he has to complete as part of the second task. Lucas has never felt so angry and miserable in his entire life.

He could have never imagined that Maya — his best friend in the whole world (don’t tell Zay!) — would skip being there for him altogether on this most important day at this most important time in one of his most stressful years at Hogwarts. (He’s lucky they got done with their OWLs last year, and don’t have to give the NEWTs until next year, because with Quidditch practice, preparing for the Triwizard Tournament tasks, and the piles of homework the teachers keep heaping upon them, Merlin’s underpants, he barely has time to sleep!)

Farkle and Smackle have helped him prepare for the second task. (Lucas knows he’s supposed to work out the clue on his own. But the instant he pried the egg open at Zay’s suggestion at his winning-the-first-task victory party, and the loud and screechy wailing filled the Gryffindor common room, Smackle immediately got a look in her eye that told him she knew exactly what was going on with the egg.

Smackle has no qualms about helping him. The only reason she isn’t competing herself is because she’s a few months too young to be allowed. The age restriction imposed twenty years ago still stands, and Headmaster Feeny refused to let anyone who isn’t over the wizarding age of majority (seventeen years old) put their name in the Goblet of Fire. Which meant practically no one other than the seventh years and Lucas, who had repeated a year after being expelled from his previous school.

What’s more, this year onwards, the tournament is “Tri-wizard” only in name. After complaints from the other wizarding schools around the world about not being included in the friendly competition between Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons, there are a total of eight champions competing. Which means the honour and glory of winning the competition are significantly higher.

And so, incensed at not being allowed to participate due to some silly age restriction despite being the brightest young witch to attend Hogwarts since Hermione Granger, Isadora has made it her personal mission to... ignore some rules and mentor Lucas into winning the Triwizard Tournament. Besides, it’s not as if the other contestants haven’t received help from their fellow schoolmates or even their accompanying headmasters or headmistresses.)

At Smackle’s suggestion, Lucas listened to the golden egg underwater while taking a bath in the Quidditch captains’ bathroom. (Thankfully, she didn’t insist on being present for that!) When he discussed the Merpeople’s song with her and Farkle, they deduced that he has to retrieve something indispensable from the Hogwarts lake.

After a few days in the library — which is practically Smackle and Farkle’s second home, so it doesn’t look suspicious that they spend all of their time there while Lucas just happens to be a few desks away, doing his own research — he and the two geniuses compiled a list of magical methods and charms that would allow him to survive for an hour underwater. There’s gillyweed, partial transfiguration, the bubble-head charm, assorted scuba spells, and even a Muggle scuba diving suit. “Do not underestimate the power of Muggle technology,” Smackle had said. “And most wizards’ inability to understand how it works.”

They’d settled on Lucas using the gillyweed as it gives him full mobility underwater, though Smackle insists he should be proficient with at least two of the other methods, just in case he needs to use them. Since gillyweed is extremely hard to come by, Lucas begged some off Professor Neville Longbottom before any of the other champions had the same idea, and stored it away safely for use on the day of the second task. He can’t practice with it, but he has been reading up all about it and its effects. He has also practiced a couple of the other spells over the last month, so he feels reasonably well prepared.

Still, it’s a mammoth task, difficult and fraught with risk. Anything could go wrong. There are creatures in the lake apart from the giant squid that aren’t as friendly, and far more dangerous. Not to mention, the champions from the other schools are extremely gifted and talented, so he has tough competition. He needs to be focused, and not let any stray thoughts and worries affect his state of mind.

But now he and Maya have fought — over Josh Matthews again. She hasn’t said a word to him in three days, which translated to three sleepless nights of anger and hurt for him. Neither she nor Riley showed up for breakfast, which made him worry, because he knows Maya only skips meals if she’s lost to the world while painting or if she’s seriously upset about something, and right now, it’s not the former. Then Zay reported that she didn’t turn up for their morning herbology class. Maya never misses herbology; it’s one of her favourite subjects, and like half the school, she has a crush on Professor Longbottom.

Lucas knows she’s mad at him, but is she really that mad at him? Or what if it’s not even him? What if something else has happened to Maya, something she hasn’t told him about because they’re not talking to each other, and now she’s upset, and has only Riley to comfort her?

Riley may be her best friend, but Maya has admitted sometimes their sunshine-and-rainbows friend just doesn’t understand when she is going through a difficult time. She and Lucas joke that it’s why she keeps him around, because he does.

What if Maya needs him right now, but they’re fighting and he’s being a git, and she has to deal with whatever’s bothering her all by herself, without him by her side? The thought makes his gut churn unhappily.

Lucas doesn’t know why his friendship with Maya has become so rocky this year. He can’t seem to do anything right, and she has been unusually impatient and snappy with him. In fact, looking back, he wonders if it’s because he became Hogwarts’ Triwizard champion and the dangers involved, because they’ve been on edge with each other ever since his name shot out of the Goblet of Fire.

He supposes he may have let the pride at being named Hogwarts champion and the attention from the whole school get to his head a bit. But surely he hasn’t been that bad. Certainly nowhere near as bad as Josh Matthews, who has been strutting around Hogwarts like he owns it despite being from Ilvermorny, being over-friendly with the teachers just because he’s Professor Matthews’ brother, and cozying up to Maya at every opportunity.

A sudden image pops into his head of the other day, of Maya giggling when Josh stopped by the Hufflepuff table and bent close to say something to her — which was ridiculously unnecessary, because it’s not like Maya is deaf and can’t hear him at a regular distance. She had that smile on her face for the rest of the day, and it had only disappeared when Lucas goaded her into a fight over some silly pretext he can’t even remember now.

He groans at his own stupidity, and tries to think of something else, because he can’t bear the thought of Maya unhappy because of him.

Part of his mind is still on the task, especially the merpeople’s song in the golden egg: Come seek us where our voices sound, We cannot sing above the ground, And while you’re searching ponder this; We’ve taken what you’ll sorely miss, An hour long you’ll have to look, And to recover what we took, But past an hour, the prospect’s black, Too late, it’s gone, it won’t come back.

He has tried to think of what he will sorely miss, and checked whether any of his belongings are missing. But everything seems to be in its place. And he can’t pinpoint what the tournament organizers will deem his prized possession. Maybe his broomstick, the latest Firebolt Supreme? It’s definitely a very valuable possession, (not to mention it’s hideously expensive — the only reason he owns one is because Pappy Joe gave it to him for getting nothing less than Exceeds Expectations on all his O.W.L.s). But important as it is to him as a Quidditch player, he doesn’t think it qualifies as irreplaceable.

It worries him, because the lines say if he can’t retrieve this item in the given hour, it’ll be lost to him forever. What does he have that he will miss the most and can’t live without? The thought that he doesn’t know what’s most important to him makes him feel guilty, because if he can’t even identify what it is, does he even deserve to have it? He obviously doesn’t appreciate this thing very much, and that adds to his worry and guilt. What could it be?

He ponders and ponders the question, alternating with wondering about Maya’s whereabouts even as he begins to make his way down to the Black Lake for the second task, keeping an eye out for a distinctive golden head. Zay, Smackle, and Farkle accompany him, the latter looking unhappy because Riley is nowhere to be found too.

It’s only when Lucas reaches the shore of the lake — where the other champions are gathering, and the stands set up for the audience are rapidly filling with people — do the two questions merge and a horrifying possibility occurs to him. A horrifying possibility that turns into terrifying certainty when he looks around wildly and meets Professor Matthews’ eye. His teacher looks at him gravely, and nods, as if he can read Lucas’s mind and can hear his unvoiced question.

Maya is the thing he’ll miss the most. Maya is irreplaceable, and she’s missing, and she’s somewhere in the lake, and he has to get her back or he’ll lose her forever. The sheer panic and fear that fills him at the thought is enough to turn his legs to jelly. He can’t live without her, he doesn’t even want to imagine his life without her.

When the whistle blows, Lucas stuffs the gillyweed into his mouth and is the first one in the water.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

They surface somewhere in the middle of the lake, far away enough from the shore with the stands that the people are tiny as ants, and their shouting and screaming is faint in the distance.

Lucas barely glances at his surroundings — his entire attention is focused on Maya, and he frantically checks to see if she’s alright after being underwater for so long. She opens her eyes and coughs out water, batting his hands away. She shoves her sodden blonde hair out of her face, before looking around to get her bearings.

“Huckleberry?”

She looks confused to see him. Hadn’t she expected him to rescue her? Or maybe, he thinks, heart sinking, she’d expected someone else. Maybe she’d hoped it was Josh who saved her.

“Are you alright?”

The fact that she asks him the question, instead of the other way round, makes him goggle at her in disbelief. “Of course I’m alright! I’m not the one who was underwater for Merlin knows how long, and in danger!”

“And what about the others?” she demands. “Did you just leave them all down there?”

It feels as if a grindylow has grabbed hold of his ankle and yanked him underwater. His heart stops. “Some of the other champions were already arriving— Maya, I thought— I— I—”

“Lucas, relax!” She puts her hands on his cheek, and forces him to look at her, wincing at her poorly-timed joke because he looks like he’s literally having a heart attack. “I was just joking, okay? Calm down!”

“Maya!” He wheezes in indignation, almost swallowing water.

She laughs. “Huckleberry, you didn’t take that past-an-hour-it-won’t-come-back bit of the song seriously, did you? They wouldn’t have let any of us hostages drown!”

Lucas opens his mouth to argue, and shuts it again. Oh. Boy, does he feel stupid.

“N-no,” he sputters. “Of course I knew that!”

Which is a lie, of course, but he’s not going to tell her how shaken he was at the thought that she could have come to some harm. Or that he wasn’t even thinking about the competition or the other hostages during his mad dash to the merpeople’s village to get to her, and he’d left his opponents miles behind.

But obviously his feelings for her are transparent, because her smile fades and her eyes widen in realization. “Oh.”

An awkward silence descends upon them and they just stare at each other, unsure of what to do now. Lucas feels his ears go red, and if he’s not wrong, Maya is blushing too, her cheeks are a little pink. (Though that could be because the lake water is icy cold.)

He realizes he is still holding her, and he should probably let her go. But he finds he doesn’t want to. He likes having his arms around her as they tread water.

Caught up in each other, neither of them notice they have company until Zay’s magically amplified voice booms out loudly just above their heads, making them jump.

“It’s Maya and Lucas!” he announces excitedly as he hovers ten feet above them on his broom, his megaphone voice floating out all the way to the stands. “They’re just starin’ at each other not sayin’ nothin’!”

Maya yelps in alarm. Before Lucas can even blink, her wand is in her hand. The next second, Zay topples off the broom and plunges into the lake with a shriek. There is a distant gale of laughter, and no doubt the spectators now have their eyes glued to their omnioculars and are looking avidly in their direction.

Zay emerges from the lake just as two more heads break the surface some distance away. Josh shakes his head to get rid of the water while Riley blinks in the bright light.

“Peaches! Lucas!” she waves at them, squinting through her hair, which is plastered to her head. “Zay, what are you doing here?”

Even from this distance, Lucas can see the way Josh’s face turns stony when he spots him. Then he says something to Riley, and turns and begins swimming towards the shore.

“See you later! And good luck, Lucas!” Riley calls before following Josh.

Lucas smacks his palm to his forehead. “We’re not done with the task yet! We have to get to shore before them!”

But Maya has had enough of staying in the lake’s freezing waters. “Accio broom!”

Lucas and Zay gape in admiration.

“Maya, that’s brilliant!” Lucas says, imagining the look on Josh’s face as they zoom past him. “We’ll be back on the shore in no time!”

“It’s not going to go very fast, not with three waterlogged people on it,” Zay warns, his voice back to normal decibel levels.

But Lucas should have known Maya would make him pay in the most inventive and exasperating way possible for the fight he started with her.

“Nuh-uh Huckleberry, no cheating. You gotta do this the proper way,” she says as she pulls herself onto the broom, streaming water.

“Maya,” he protests, because now is not the time—

She leans down and plants a kiss on his cheek, which surprises him so much he almost forgets to keep his legs moving to stay afloat. There’s another roar of people shouting and cheering in the distance, and this time it’s a lot louder.

“Good luck!”

“Hey!” Zay yells after her as she zooms off. “What about me, why don’t I get a ride? Or a kiss for good luck!”

Maya doesn’t even bother to look back, just makes a rude hand gesture.

The two boys in the water watch as she reaches Josh and Riley, and brings the broom to a stop. For a second, Lucas feels a wave of angry astonishment rise through him. Then he realizes it’s not Josh she’s helping up behind her on the broom, it’s Riley.

He bursts out laughing even as Josh’s loud protests float back over the water to him.

“Come on,” he says to a grumbling Zay as he strikes out over the water, happiness and adrenaline surging through him. “I’ve still gotta win this task!”

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Lucas makes it to shore barely ten feet ahead of Josh. He drags himself out and collapses on the muddy bank. He’s immediately pounced upon by Madam Bolander, who pulls him over to one side and wraps a blanket around him tightly. She forces a large dose of very hot Pepperup potion down his throat that makes steam gush out of his ears. It’s only then that his pounding heart slows enough to allow him to take in his surroundings.

All around him is complete chaos and uproar.

All the wizarding schools’ headmasters and headmistresses are gathered at the edge of the lake, arguing loudly with the tournament organizers. The merpeople’s chieftainess’s screechy speech adds to the general cacophony.

He can see Smackle helping Zay out of the water, and Farkle with his arms wrapped tight around a soaking Riley. He cranes his neck, looking for Maya, when another warm blanket falls on his head and she appears from behind him.

“Congrats Huckleberry, you’re the first Triwizard champion out.” She points her wand at him, releasing a blast of hot air that immediately makes him feel warm and toasty.

He towels his hair dry, quickly running his eye over her. She has already dried herself off, and her hair is once again a wild golden cascade falling around her shoulders. There are no signs that she spent several hours underwater, essentially in a coma-like state.

“What’s going on over there?” he asks, nodding to the huddle of school principals.

“Oh, the headmasters and headmistresses of the other schools want to disqualify you and Josh because your hostages got back before you did. They say it doesn’t qualify as a rescue.”

“What!?”

Maya shrugs.

“That’s not fair!” Lucas says hotly. “You stole a broom and flew off without me!”

“It’s not my fault you’re too dumb to think of it first, Sundance!” she retorts.

Before they can continue their argument, however, Headmaster Feeny, having used the Sonorous charm, clears his throat loudly to silence the audience.

“Ladies, gentlemen, and other beings. The judges have reached their decision. There were some questions about the validity of Mr. Friar and Mr. Matthews completing this task first and second respectively, owing to the fact that their hostages returned before them. But Merchieftainess Murcus and the hostages themselves have informed us that Mr. Friar was most concerned with Ms. Hart and Ms. Matthews’ safety after being submerged in the lake for so long, and urged them to return soonest possible while the two champions and their unfortunately soaked friend, Mr. Babineaux, followed.”

Lucas notices the other headmasters and headmistresses glaring at him, and hastily wipes the surprise from his face, pretending that had indeed been the case all along.

“Since Mr. Friar was the first champion to return, and skilfully demonstrated the use of gillyweed, he wins the task with one hundred points.”

The crowd erupts in a roar, drowning out the rest of Feeny’s words, announcing Josh has come second with ninety points. Lucas doesn’t care. He decides he’s going to talk to Headmaster Feeny as soon as possible and find out what Merchieftainess Murcus would like for Christmas (did merpeople even celebrate Christmas? He must ask Smackle), because he figures he owes her a pretty big gift.

Feeny continues to announce the other schools’ champions’ points, but barely anyone is listening.

Zay comes over and slings his arms around both Maya and Lucas, pulling them into a tight group hug that Farkle, Riley, and even Smackle join in. Their other friends, classmates, and the rest of the school press around them, a screaming mass of people jumping up and down excitedly. Maya is practically plastered to Lucas’s side, and it makes him go hot under his newly dried collar to feel her so close to him.

People are already screaming about another victory party, with some of them discussing loudly — and rather unwisely, as there are several professors around — about finding some firewhisky.

It's half an hour before the crowd of well-wishers dissipates, leaving Lucas with just his friends. Smackle looks completely ruffled after being squished at the centre of a massive group hug, and Farkle is already making noises about Riley “catching a cold after being in the lake for so long” and “must drink soup”, and so the three of them start off back to the castle.

Before Lucas and Maya can follow, Zay turns to them, grinning like a maniac.

“So,” he says gleefully to Maya, “You’re his irreplaceable thing that he’ll sorely miss if lost forever, eh? Who’d have guessed, eh? Oh, certainly not me, who’s only known for the last five and a half years!”

He lets out an evil cackle — obviously pleased at getting his revenge against the both of them for dropping him in the lake, appropriating his broomstick, and then making him swim all the way back — and walks off, leaving Lucas with a flaming face and awkwardly avoiding eye contact with an obviously startled Maya.

But he can’t duck out of this conversation, because Maya clears her throat. He raises his head to find her looking at him expectantly.

“Well, Huckleberry?”

He blurts out the first thing that comes to his mind. “Er, do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?”

“As friends? Or as the thing you’ll most miss and—”

“You’re making fun of me,” he complains, when he sees her biting back a smile.

“When am I not making fun of you?” she returns, but there’s a look in her eyes that gets his heart pounding.

But— “What about Josh?”

Maya crosses her arms across her chest. “What about Josh?”

“You don’t want to go with him?”

“Do you want me to go with him?”

“No!” It comes out with a bit more vehemence than he intended, but he absolutely does not want her to go with Riley’s uncle. Or anyone else.

“Don’t you think, if I wanted to, I’d have gone with him already?” She says, with the air of someone really holding on to their patience.

He’d be wise not to test it. “So you’ll go with me? Like— like on a date?”

“As long as you don’t take me to that frilly pink monstrosity of a place.”

“Frilly pink monstrosity— oh, you mean Madam Puddifoot’s.” He swallows a laugh. “No, I was thinking we could watch a movie at the Wizarding Theatre, and put our hands in the popcorn at the same time in the dark, and see what happens.”

He’s rewarded with a heart-stopping, mischievous grin.

“Well, well. There’s still some hope for you, Huckleberry.”

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

They end up getting detention for the rest of the term, after they lose track of time while making out in the Shrieking Shack on their Hogsmeade date and fail to return by curfew, forcing the teachers to send out a search party for them. It also earns them a two-hour lecture from an apoplectic Professor Matthews, and howlers from their parents. But they both agree it was worth it.

-fin-

It feels like I haven’t written in ages, and I’m not so sure how I’ve done with this one. But it felt great to get something out anyway. Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think! I didn’t specify houses — other than hinting that they’re all in different ones — because it didn’t really have any bearing on the plot. But I think they’d be sorted as: Lucas — Gryffindor, Maya & Zay — Hufflepuff, Farkle & Riley — Ravenclaw, Smackle — Slytherin. Josh Matthews is a 7th year Ilvermorny student, instead of a sophomore in Wizarding College. Madam Bolander in this fic is Dean Lila Bolander from Boy Meets World, who marries Mr. Feeny at the end of season 6.

#lucaya #lucaya fanfiction #girl meets world #gmwnet #gmw #maya hart #lucas friar #zay babineaux #girl meets world fanfiction #gmw fanfiction #hogwarts au #triwizard tournament #my writing #my posts

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somerandomwriter1234 · 6 years ago

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Riley and Maya: Complicated Parenthood - Chapter 1 (Not Needing Anybody)

Summary: Standing in as what would have happened had Girl Meets World made it to Season 10, this epic ten part series focuses on Riley and Maya who are young adults now and have recently become parents to a little baby girl. However when unexpected tragedy strikes, a story of rebuilding one's life from the ground up begins as taking on the world suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.

Scene 1:

-In a small room: a young girl named Grace sat on her bed looking outside a window at the night sky in a room all alone. With the exception of a bed, a small dresser drawer, and a small bag, the room was otherwise completely empty. As Grace looked at the night sky, she gently pushed away some of her long hair behind her shoulders as she continued to draw on a piece of paper that she had placed on top of a clip board. On the paper, Grace had already drawn a replica of the night sky. However, she was now drawing a strange dragon like creature flying through the sky in the picture. As Grace drew this, she spoke to herself.

Grace: And so the dragon flew through the sky. He was all on his own, and he was okay. He was free to be anything he wanted to be. He didn't need anybody.

-Suddenly the door to the room was opened. Grace turned to see what caused the door to be opened. Then she saw walking in from the hallway was another child much younger than her; a boy named Sammy. Sammy began to walk forward as he spoke to Grace.

Sammy: Hi there. I'm Sammy. What's your name?

Grace: Grace. You're the new boy that lives in the room next to mine?

Sammy: Yeah. I live here now because my mommy died. Do you have a mommy or a daddy?

Grace: This is an orphanage you're living in now. No kids here have a mommy or a daddy.

Sammy: But the person that brought me here said that after I get here, I'll soon get a mommy and a daddy. Don't all kids here get that?

Grace: Some do, but most of us don't. I've been here since I was a baby, and I've never had a mommy or a daddy. But I'm fine being on my own. I don't need anybody.

Sammy: But do you ever get sad or cry that you don't have a mommy or a daddy?

-Suddenly an elderly female adult named Ms. Wilson walked into the room and interrupted the conversation.

Ms. Wilson: Sammy. You're supposed to be in your room with the other boys. Is everything okay?

Sammy: Yeah. I just wanted to meet my new neighbor.

Ms. Wilson: Well get back in there. I know this is your first night here but we do have rules.

Sammy: Okay.

-Sammy then left the room while Ms. Wilson began to look right at Grace.

Ms. Wilson: Is everything okay Grace? Do you like having your own room to yourself now? If you want, there's still space in the younger girls' room with…

Grace: I'm okay. I like having a room to myself. I'm fine being on my own. I don't need anybody.

Ms. Wilson: Okay. Well if you need anything, just… Oh my. I can hear one of the babies crying down the hall. Gotta go. Good night Grace.

-Ms. Wilson then quickly turned off the only light in Grace's room and rushed into the hallway as she closed the door. Grace then put her picture on the floor and started to pull a blanket over her body. However halfway through pulling the blanket over her body, Grace suddenly stopped moving and began to cry. Tears began to flow out of Grace's eyes as she had her face fall into her pillow and then began to scream into it. Grace then began to have her fists hit her bed hard as the tears from her eyes continued to stream out of her.

Scene 2:

-In a crib, a small baby girl was screaming. Suddenly Maya appeared and picked the baby girl up and held the baby close to her. Immediately the baby stopped crying.

Maya: There, there now Erika. Mommy has got you. No need to keep crying.

-Suddenly a smiling Riley walked into the room.

Riley: How come she always stops crying when you hold her? It takes her up to an hour with me.

Maya: What can I say? She's mommy's little girl.

Riley: So why can't she be other mommy's little girl?

-Maya smiled as he put the baby girl: Erika back into her crib. Maya and Riley then sat in chairs in front of each other as Maya touched Riley's hands.

Maya: Give her some more time. Oh, by the way. For our anniversary this Saturday, I thought we could go to a certain little restaurant that serves amazing pizza.

Riley: Oh my gosh! You don't mean…

Maya: Yep. The same place we had our first sort of date after we got married. Don't worry though. I won't say anything if you fall into the mud again. I'd actually like to reenact the first time I carried you like a princess. And don't fret about child care needs. Got babysitting covered. Smackle and Farkle said they'd be happy to watch Erika.

Riley: Aww. Thanks for covering all of the bases honey.

Maya: Any time. I'm with ya till death do us part. Well… I'm about to head to class.

Riley: And I'll be taking Erika over to see her grandma.

-Maya then began to walk out of the room while Riley walked towards the crib and began to pick up Erika.

Riley: Come on baby girl. You ready to… to… Maya... MAYA!

-Maya then ran back into the room.

Maya: What's wrong?

Riley: Erika… I think she isn't breathing. Call 911.

Maya: What? Are you sure she's…

Riley: CALL 911 NOW!

Scene 3:

-Grace wore an old slightly tattered jacket as she stood near a curb right outside of a school building with several other children. Suddenly from nearby, a tall girl walked out of the school and stopped when she got a good look at Grace.

Tall Girl: Why does your jacket look like something from a dumpster?

Grace: It's the only jacket I have.

Tall Girl: And your shoes look like they're from "Pay-Way-Less". And I'm not gonna even start on how out of style your pants are.

Grace: I wear whatever's donated to the orphanage I live at.

Tall Girl: That's not something to brag about.

Grace: People usually only donate baby clothes to where I live. I…

Tall Girl: Whatever. My mom's here. Later.

-The tall girl then ran over to a grown woman and gave her a hug. Grace watched the tall girl and her mother hug as several tears came out of her eyes. Suddenly Grace's thoughts were interrupted when she heard the sound of a voice.

Ms. Wilson: Grace. Get in the van. Almost all of the kids are in. Time to go.

-Grace turned her head to see Ms. Wilson standing next to a van several other children were getting into.

Ms. Wilson: Come on. We've got to get back to the orphanage in ten minutes. The volunteers I have there are leaving soon. By the way, are you crying? Anything I can help with?

-Grace quickly wiped the tears off her face as she moved towards the van.

Grace: No. I'm okay. I don't need anything… and I don't need anybody.

Scene 4:

-In a hospital waiting room, Riley sat in a chair with her hands lightly pressed against her nose and mouth as she breathed heavily. From nearby Maya walked over to Riley and stood near her.

Maya: Okay. Your mom and dad are on the way. I called my mom and Shawn too, and they said that they'll get here as soon as they can. I left messages with Farkle, Smackle, Lucas, and Zay too. Now I… I…

-Maya then suddenly fell into a chair next to Riley as she had a look of uncertainty on her face.

Maya: I'm not sure of what I'm supposed to do now.

-Riley closed her eyes as she kept her hands on her face and began to speak.

Riley: I didn't know what to do Maya. I did the appropriate infant version of CPR. Tried patting her on the back. But I… I feel like I might've missed something. Maybe I should have…

-Maya then had her hands grab onto Riley's hands pulling them down gently. Riley opened her eyes as she looked right at Maya.

Maya: Don't keep thinking like that. You did everything correctly Riley. Plus, I don't think I've ever seen an ambulance arrive after being called that quickly ever. Erika is in the best hands that can care for her now. We just have to wait and…

-Suddenly both Maya and Riley heard the sound of a door opening near them. The two turned their heads to see a male doctor walking towards them. Maya and Riley noticed his face was downcast as he could barely look at them. The male doctor stopped once he was right in front of the two and began to speak.

Male Doctor: We did everything we could. I'm sorry but…

-Suddenly tears began to come out of Riley's eyes as she tried to lift herself out of her chair.

Riley: No. Let me see her. I need to see my daughter now. Let me…

-Riley who was on the edge of her chair seat suddenly fell out; but a quick moving Maya caught her. Riley then put her arms around Maya as she began to make loud sobbing noises. Maya simply had a look of shock on her face as she held a screaming Riley close.

Scene 5:

-Grace sat on her bed in her bedroom alone while drawing a picture on a piece of paper held to a clip board. As the moon light shined through the window of the room, Grace drew birds with odd design patterns on her picture while she spoke to herself.

Grace: I'll call you all: The Great Birds of Planet Ransana. Birds that are free to fly over everything. Free to fly over anything or anybody.

-Suddenly from the door nearby, Ms. Wilson walked in.

Ms. Wilson: Oh, hi Grace. Quick word. Starting next week, you and all of the elementary school age children in the orphanage will be going to a local before and after school care place.

Grace: Oh. Okay.

Ms. Wilson: It's not that I don't like driving you all to and from school. It's just that it's getting hard for us to take care of and transport all of you and make sure the little ones are okay in the middle of the day at the same time. You understand, right?

Grace: Yeah. It's fine.

Ms. Wilson: Oh, what's that you're drawing? It looks very… Oh shoot. I can hear one of the babies crying. Well, I guess sleep is overrated. But before I go, anything else you need Grace?

Grace: No. I'm fine.

-Ms. Wilson then quickly walked out of the room as Grace immediately went back to drawing. As Grace drew, she continued to speak to herself.

Grace: The Great Birds of Planet Ransana. They could fly over the entire planet without anyone's help. Never needing anything… or anyone.

Scene 6:

-Maya lay in a bed sound asleep. However, her eyes immediately opened upon hearing the sound of a baby crying. Maya jumped up turning her head to follow the sound. Maya then opened a window near her only to see a young woman walking down a sidewalk holding a baby boy that was crying. Maya sighed as she turned away from the window. Maya then looked at the empty bed near her and sighed again. Suddenly the sound of a door being knocked on could be heard. Maya grabbed a blue bath robe and put it on as she walked out of the room and called out.

Maya: Coming!

-Maya then walked through a hallway into a living room cluttered with empty boxes, food wrappers, and used tissues all over the floor. Maya then went over to a locked door, quickly unlocked it, and then opened it. Upon the door being opened, Maya saw standing before her was Farkle.

Farkle: Hey Maya. You mind if I come in?

Maya: Yeah, sure. Sorry if the place looks messy. I just woke up.

Farkle: It's one o'clock in the afternoon.

Maya: Yeah… I know.

-Farkle then walked into the living room and sat on a couch, as Maya continued to speak.

Maya: So, um… can I get you anything to drink or something?

Farkle: Just some water if you got some.

-As Maya went into the kitchen, Farkle turned her head to see a framed picture of baby Erika sitting on a small table near her. Farkle made a small smile as Maya walked back into the room.

Maya: Here you go.

Farkle: Thanks.

-Maya then sat in a chair facing Farkle and handed him a bottle of water.

Farkle: So… I'm glad to see you still keep pictures of Erika around. I know it's been over six months since she passed away but…

Maya: Well, even if I wanted to put away some photos… I wouldn't want to do it without Riley being okay with it as well.

Farkle: So… how often do you visit her in the hospital?

Maya: Every day. Riley's condition hasn't gotten any better by the way. She just… lays down like she's asleep all day every day. You know… I would stay in that room with her for about eight hours a day during those first four weeks after she slipped into that coma. Now I only stay there for no more than two hours at a time. Should I feel guilty that I don't spend as much time with my wife as I used to?

Farkle: I'm sure you're there for her more than enough.

Maya: It's just… sometimes I wonder if some small part of me is mad at her… and if that part may be starting to grow. You know, Erika would've had her first birthday on the day Riley slipped into that coma. I remember we were just sitting at the table, eating breakfast. Since it was Erika's birthday, I simply mentioned the idea to Riley that this could finally be the day to go through Erika's things. And then Riley's head simply fell over and she just stopped moving. And of course she hasn't moved since. You know… I thought she was stronger than that. Could that much stress really cause Riley's mind to shut down?

Farkle: Maya, you've talked to the doctors more than anyone. You know that stress at best was only a small contributing factor to Riley's coma. It was a genetic abnormality that caused it.

Maya: Yes. I know. It was a genetic abnormality that just… happened. A lot like how that other genetic abnormality just… happened to take my daughter's life. Now let me guess. You're gonna tell me none of this is my fault, and that I shouldn't be angry about all of this.

Farkle: Actually, I came here with a job offer.

Maya: A what?

Farkle: Yeah. A position at the Tree of Life Before and After Care Program. You know about the before and after school program me and Smackle started right?

Maya: Yeah.

Farkle: Well we could use someone that has some energy and an artistic background to help plan and create all of the art activities we promise the parents we'd do with the kids. We have some nice teenage helpers, but me and Smackle would prefer to have a young adult presence again in the program.

Maya: Look. Thank you for the free hand out but I'm not in any desperate need for cash. Riley's mom's workplace has the best insurance plan ever as it covers the medical bills of not just employee's children, but young adult children as well. And through the nice checks and free food I get from all sorts of friends and family every week, I'm surviving just fine.

Farkle: I'm not making this job offer to help you survive. Despite not having an extensive a background in child care, you're still one of the best young adults I know that has just the right level of patience, creativity, and ability to focus on a given task that I believe could be invaluable to the children in our program.

Maya: Thank you for the compliment but I…

Farkle: But I think you need to focus on something more than surviving Maya. You need something you can actually look forward to every day that'll force you to wake up in the morning and actually be productive. And I just happen to have something productive you can come and do. So come help me out.

Maya: And let me guess. Your plan is I'll warm up to the children in my care. You think all that love will fix the broken hole in my heart? Well I'm not exactly in the mood to let taking care of some random kids help me get over Erika.

Farkle: I'm not asking you to get over anything. But in case you didn't know, before she went into that coma, Riley helped me get a grant from the county to allow children from a local orphanage to start coming to our program. Despite her busy schedule, Riley said she was still gonna come a couple of days a month to help us out. Since she can't do that now, I thought you might wanna come sort of in her place. But of course, a job offer is still an offer. So do you want to help us out or not?

-Maya sat silently in her chair looking down as she began to think.

Scene 7:

-In a large auditorium room, many tables were set up with various activities such as games, toys, and various types of crafts. At one nearly deserted table, Grace sat by herself drawing with just a pencil. From nearby, Farkle walked over to Grace and stood near her.

Farkle: Hey Grace. Do you want to play that card game over there with Rowan or Sabrina? Or maybe you'd like to do some Lego building with Corey or Cecilia?

Grace: Nah. I just wanna draw.

Farkle: Well… you are doing an activity you're allowed to do. But I wish you would choose an activity other students like.

-Farkle then began to walk away as he saw Maya walk into the auditorium from another room.

Maya: Well your water fountain is working again just fine, and I made sure to replace that bad light bulb in your office.

Farkle: Thank you Maya. Your handy-woman services have proved to be very useful. Now could you please do some actual work with the children?

Maya: I told you. I don't feel comfortable leading any big activity or lesson plan.

Farkle: Yes, I know. But could you at least sit on the side and watch them, and make sure they're all being well behaved. If I have to leave for an emergency, I need to have you in here to ensure proper adult to child ratios.

Maya: Yeah, yeah. Sure.

-Maya then quickly looked around the room and saw what was going on at the many tables full of children. Then Maya slowly sat down at the table containing art supplies. Maya then noticed sitting right in front of her was Grace who was working on a picture of underwater sea creatures.

Maya: Hi. I'm Miss Maya.

-Grace then looked up for her drawing to look at Maya.

Grace: Hi. I'm Grace. You're the new teacher Mr. Farkle talked about, right?

Maya: Yeah. You mind if I sit with you?

Grace: If you want. You don't have to. I don't need anything or anybody.

Maya: Well neither do I. But since I'm here… you mind handing me a few crayons?

Grace: Sure.

-Grace then pushed a box of crayons towards Maya. Maya then began to work on drawing a picture as Grace proceeded to continue working on hers. As the two continued to work on their art, from the other side of the room: Farkle stood watching the two. As he stood, Farkle began to speak softly to himself.

Farkle: Well… let's see what comes from this…

END OF CHAPTER 1

Upcoming Chapters For the Series:

-Chapter 2: A Person With Purpose (Coming 4/24)

-Chapter 3: Amazing Talents (Coming 4/27)

-Chapter 4: The Field Trip (Coming 4/30)

*Note - To read the entire series in one convenient location, click here - https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13266909/

#girl meets world #girl meets world fanfiction #gmw fanfic #rilaya #rilaya married #riley and maya #riley x maya

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seriestrash · 6 years ago

Text

Girl Meets World - Season 5

[Season 4] *Previously whenrileymetlucas*

As promised! Here is my season 5 of Girl Meets World.

Word Count: 8692

5.01 Girl Meets the New New World

Another summer has come and past and the clique six prepare themselves for junior year. The episode opens with a parallel scene to S2E2 (GW The New World) where Riley and Maya sit in the bay window and discuss Riley’s kiss with Lucas (but in this episode they are referring to the Rucas dance at the end of my S4)

M: How long are we going to avoid this? R: Not avoiding nothing, just life moving on beyond that thing that happened between me and Lucas. M: So you admit that something happened? R: No! M: You danced with him at the end of year dance. R: You danced with Zay! When are we going to talk about that? M: It was just a dance! R: So was that thing with me and Lucas. M: So we’re all just friends? R: “Sure...” She says and they both look away unconvinced.

During the episode you casually meet Maya’s new baby brother, (whom was born off screen during the break) Chet Alan Hunter - after the father Shawn lost and the man who treated him like a son his entire life (Cory’s dad).

The episode primarily focuses on everyones interest in Riley and Lucas and what they are to each other now (again much like S2E2) but some similar questions are also thrown at Maya and Zay (referring to their shared dance in my s4e15)

A scene with Riley off to one side and Lucas off to the other plays.

It flicks to Riley - surrounded by her nosey female peers - and she comments how she feels like she’s lived this all before.

Then it flicks to Lucas - surrounded by his nosey male peers - and he says the same thing.

Then back to Riley where she says she's learnt from her mistakes in middle school and won't fall victim to peer pressure again. She’s in control of her own feelings and what she’s ready for with her relationship to Lucas. She comments how Lucas and her have been in a wonderful place all summer.

Then it flashes to Lucas, he says a very similar thing about not listening to everyone and being pressured into a relationship with Riley and how he knows himself enough to be comfortable with what comes next.

It zooms up to a side by side shot of Riley and Lucas (whom are still opposite sides of the hall) at the peak of their speeches they both take a deep breath and simultaneously they say:

*CUTS TO BREAK LEAVING U ALL GASPING*

*CUTS BACK IN WE STILL GASPING*

Back to Riley;

R: We tried the brother/sister thing. Didn’t work. Tried the boyfriend/girlfriend thing.. Didn’t work. All summer we’ve done the bes- *Actually stops herself from saying best* Friend thing and it’s been just right. M: *Staring at Riley like she’s speaking a foreign language* Alright Goldilocks, explain to me again why the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing didn’t work? R: Riley just lets out a sigh.

Back to Lucas;

Zay’s standing there with an almost surprised but impressed look on his face whilst Farkle looks completely unsurprised by this ‘revelation’. Lucas explains how he wasted so much time in the triangle confusing his feelings because he was scared of hurting someone and how he’s finally determined to own his own feelings from the start and he’s not going to wait for months this time and get lost in the whole process again.

At the end of the episode Maya and Zay meet up after breaking away from the boys and girls.

Z: “What were you all talking about?” Zay is smirking as he finds the potential Riley and Lucas reunion exciting. M: As Riley’s best friend I’m not at liberty to share. Z: As Lucas’ best friend I extend the same courtesy.....

5.02 Girl Meets Fight

The episode opens with Riley and Maya walking down the halls at school. Maya seems frazzled and Riley seems confused.

M: Are you going to tell Lucas you just want to be friends? R: Why would I tell him that when we are already friends? M: I don’t know. I just think it might be nice if you told Huckleberry you’re friends. R: But he knows that already...

(Maya clearly is concerned about their friendship dynamics changing since Riley wants to be friends with Lucas but Zay told her that Lucas wants to be more than that).

M: “Look there he is now, go talk to him.” Maya shoves Riley towards Lucas whom is alone at his locker.

Riley staggers towards Lucas and he closes the locker revealing his previously covered face, a bruise on his cheek.

R: “What happened to your face?” Riley asks concerned and reaches for his cheek. L: “It was nothing.” Lucas swats her hand away and Riley notices his wrist is bandaged. R: “What happened to you wrist?” Riley’s concern is clearly going. L: I hurt myself at the batting cage yesterday with Zay. I’m fine, don’t worry about it.

Lucas scurries off before Riley can press further.

Later, Riley hears Zay talking to Farkle about their science project they were working on the previous night.

R: Wait, weren’t you with Lucas at the batting cages yesterday? Z: No- I mean, yes? After Zay was clearly lying for Lucas Riley then confronts Maya about Lucas’ injuries and obvious lie and asks if they should be worried about him. Maya convinces Riley to spy on Lucas after school and they find him entering a gym. The two peer through an open window to get a look inside.

Lucas reveals to Riley that he does kick boxing as a way to relieve stress as his anger has been a challenge in the past. Thus injuring himself there. Riley questions why he kept it from her in the first place and he says he didn’t want her to think any differently of him.

The next day at school Lucas mentioned kick boxing in front of Riley and Maya and Zay gives Lucas a questioning look.

L: They know about my training. Z: Thank goodness for that. I’m terrible at keeping secrets. So you two will be at the fight this weekend? R: Fight? What fight? Lucas turns to Zay with an annoyed look. Z: So they don't know everything. Okay. R: Lucas, what is he talking about? What fight? Isn’t the point of kick boxing to relieve your anger, why would they get you to fight?

After some pressing, Riley learns Lucas is scheduled to fight another guy from his gym that weekend and it wasn’t organised by the trainers. This boy had been antagonising Lucas about his past and Lucas got it in his head that he needed to fight it out with a set of rules at play.

After Riley ignores Lucas for the remainder of the day he barrels through her bay window, all huffy and ready to defend his choices.

L: I don’t want you to be there but I would like your support. R: You can’t have it. Lucas, I don’t want to see you get hurt. L: You let me get on the bull, why is this any different? R: I didn’t let you do anything. You were doing it with or without my support. I could see you needed to ride Tombstone so I did my best to stand by and watch. L: And I need to do this too. I know you don’t like ‘Texas Lucas’ and I’m trying to prove that I’m better  than I was before. How can you not understand that? R: What I don’t understand is why you have to prove anything at all. L: Failure is a weak mans game. [Riley wears a very upset expression after Lucas’ last statement] R: I hoped you riding Tombstone would be enough. I hoped that it would make you see yourself the way I always have. L: Like a hero? [Lucas almost scoffs (only because he doesn’t believe it not because he thinks it’s stupid) and Riley’s expression drops even more]

Lucas gets up and walks towards the window like he’s about to leave. Riley remains at the edge of her bed looking disappointed but Lucas turns around and agrees to not go through with the fight.

R: You can’t not do it for me. L: I’m not. I’m not doing it for princess dancing sunshine. [reference to girl meets rules; an early instance where Riley proved to be Lucas’ calming influence/ have the ability to pull him back] [Riley coaxes her head with a small smile mirroring Lucas’ own small grin] L: But I’m going to work towards not doing it for me too. [Riley stops Lucas just as he’s about to exit]

R: And for the record, I don’t dislike any part of you. I don’t believe in ‘Texas Lucas’ [she uses air quotes] I never have. I believe in a lifetime of past moments that have shaped you into the person you are at this exact point in time. You’re just Lucas, you’ve always been just Lucas to me.

[another sweet smile exchange before Lucas exits the window and the episode ends]

5.03 Girl Meets Kissing Booth

In history class, Cory tells his students that they each have to sign up for a booth at the upcoming fundraiser for their end of year school trip. Cory announces that there are only two booths left to choose from; the kissing booth or the dunk tank.

Sara proclaims that that makes the decision easy then; boys would of course do the dunk tank and girls would run the kissing booth. Riley expresses how she’s not comfortable with the idea of a kissing booth and questions why ‘of course’ would the boys and girls be divided in such a way.

Sara: I don’t care, I’m just trying to make the decision quick. I’m failing history because of all these life lessons getting in the way. Boys can do the kissing booth and girls can do the dunk tank instead. Ya happy? R: Why split boys and girls at all? Sara: I regret talking. Z: I’m happy to work the kissing booth *he shrugs* Sara: Do whatever you want then, it’s not like my opinion matters in this classroom. [Knowing looks from non clique six classmates]

[This is meant to be a comedic exchange, some light forth wall breaking if you please]

Cory: Class, there are two sign up sheets, you may choose whichever one you please but you do have to sign up for one [he wears a hopeful look that this will end the conflict]

As the bell rings Riley, Lucas and Farkle sign up for the dunk tank whilst Maya, Zay and Smackle sign up for the kissing booth.

Riley is surprised by her best friends choice and questions her on it. Maya says she respects Riley’s choice to work for the dunk tank instead but insists that she herself doesn’t find the kissing booth to be that big of a deal.

Later Riley talks to Farkle about her concerns.

F: I hear what you’re saying but Maya has a point, it is her choice, whether we agree with it or not. R: But what if this is like her first date with Ethan again and she’s doing it for the wrong reasons? F: It’s still her choice [Farkle wears a somewhat sympathetic smile] R: And I suppose you’re fine with Isadora working the booth then? F: Yes. I trust Isadora completely. [Riley coaxes her head with a challenging look] F: And I’m rich [he wears a devious smirk]

Later at the fundraiser Riley is working the dunk tank with Lucas [and a few of the background classmates] and Farkle is nowhere to be found. Whilst Lucas sits in the dunk tank - dry at this point - Riley stands and gives people the balls for their throw. Clearly distracted, Riley keeps trying to look over at the kissing booth in the distance.

R: Do you think she’s done it yet? L: I don’t know. Where’s Farkle? R: He said something about getting change for a hundred... [If you’re not understanding the joke, Farkle is buying all of Isadora’s kisses for the day] R: ... I hope she hasn’t done it yet... L: You have to trust that Maya will make the decision that’s right for herself. [Riley steps closer to the dunk tank, she loops her fingers around the bars and presses her pouty face to the metal] L: It’s really bothering you isn’t it? R: Yes... L: Is there anything I can do? R: No, I don’t think so. Not unless you wanted to- [a realisation crosses Riley’s face] You could kiss Maya? L: What?! [As the poor puppy has shock written all over his face, someone finally dunks him and Lucas is sent into the water bellow]

After an ad break it returns with Lucas outside of the tank, a towel wrapped around his shoulders and his shocked expression remaining.

L: You’re not being serious are you? R: Of course I am. You care about Maya. It’s perfect. Come on Lucas, you almost kissed her in Texas- L: But I didn’t because of- R: Because why? [her expression is soft and curious and Lucas frowns a little] L: You really want me to do this? Riley just nods with a soft smile. L: Okay. Fine. [Picture upset puppy walking away like Lucas’ “You can talk to whoever you want Riley” face in Ski lodge 2]

Lucas approaches the kissing booth which is deserted. Behind it, Lucas finds Maya sitting on the floor.

L: Where is everyone? M: Farkle bought the entire booth so the principal sent everyone to work at other stalls. L: Not you? [Lucas takes a seat beside her on the ground] M: I was supposed to go help you with the dunk tank but I'm avoiding Riley. Is she the one who sent you to me? Did she want you to try and talk me out of it? L: No actually, she sent me here to kiss you. M: She what?! You’re not going to, are you? [Maya throws her hands out defensively] L: No, no! [He chuckles nervously] M: Good. L: I take it you didn’t get your kiss before the principal shut the booth down? M: Farkle got here first. Nobody got one. L: Would you have gone through with it if he didn’t? M: Yes.... I don't know, maybe? L: Why was it so important you get it over and done with? M: Felt like time. I’m a junior... You had your first kiss in middle school- L: You know there is no set time for things like this? They happen when you’re ready for them to happen. [It’s quiet for a moment] M: So when are you going to tell Riley she still makes your heart go clippity clop?   L: Zay told you?  M: Yes, but I’m also not blind. Are you going to tell her? L: I thought I would but she sent me over here to kiss you… That’s gotta mean something, right? M: Ever since I’ve known Riley she’s tried to give me everything she’s ever had, that includes a first kiss experience that compares to hers. L: Do you think I should be worried that telling her might ruin the friendship we’ve built the past year? M: Surely you believe you’re stronger than that? In the last scene, Riley’s sitting dry in the dunk tank seat when Maya approaches. R: Peaches! I’ve been thinking about you all day, I’m sorry I- Maya pushes the button with her hand and it sends Riley into the water below. The brunette springs up from the water coughing.

[Riley still in the water clings to the bars to talk to Maya] R: Did Lucas find you? [she smiles innocently] M: You can’t give away my first kiss. R: I’m sorry- M: You can’t give it away and neither can I. R: So you didn’t kiss Lucas? Or anyone? M: No but the thought that Huckleberry might actually kiss me made me realise that maybe I don’t want just anyone to be my first kiss. [Riley’s face lights up like she’s on the verge of a happy ‘yay’ but Maya stops her] M: I’m not saying it will be like when everything glows and there’s a rainbow but it will be when I’m ready and with someone I want.

Then there is a cute last scene of Smarkle together. Isadora smugly says her hypothesis was correct and Farkle acted just as she predicted.

5.04 Girl Meets Homecoming

Homecoming is approaching and Lucas is planning on making a big deal about asking Riley to the dance where he has full intentions of revealing his feelings to her. Whilst Lucas is hyped up about this, Zay however keeps questioning if this is the right move. (Hinting that Maya shared Riley’s ‘I just want to be friends speech with Zay back in 5.01)

Z: Lets just hypothetically say Riley only wants to be friends... Wont telling her how you feel make things weird? L: I told you Zay, I’m tired of ignoring how I feel because I’m scared it won't work out the way I want it to. I have to own my feelings for once, so I’m going to tell Riley that I never stopped liking her. Z: But you’ve been friends for so long, so what if that changes everything? L: Are we talking about me and Riley still or you and Maya? Z: I have no idea what you are talking about.. So how are you going to ask her? L: No flowers, no balloons, no Yogi on roller-skates. *Yogi pops up out of nowhere looking disappointed* Y: Awww L: Sorry Yogi, I have to go bigger than that.

As Lucas and Zay enter the history class they overhear Riley politely rejecting a boys invitation to the dance as she was already going with someone. Lucas gives Zay a confused and slightly panicked look about Riley already having a date to the dance. -

Later at the dance Riley finds Lucas and questions if she’s done something wrong since he’s been weird for a few days now.

Lucas stops dancing too and gives a big speech about how he’s owning his own feelings and he’s done waiting.

L: I held onto how I felt during the whole triangle because I didn’t want to hurt anyone. It’s my turn to say how I feel. I really like you, Riley, I always have. R: But we broke up? L: And I’ve been asking myself why everyday since. R: But we’re friends? L: And I truly hope we always are but like I said, I’m owning my feelings. If you don’t feel the same way I’ll understand.

Lucas leaves a stunned Riley alone to process her feelings. Farkle approaches Riley who’s left standing in the same spot she was with Lucas.

F: He told you? R: You knew? F: Everyone knew. R: I didn’t! F: *Gives her an unconvinced look* R: Maybe I knew... I don’t know. F: The real question is do you feel the same towards him? R: I don’t know. F: I don’t believe you. You know. R: No I don’t! For the first time in forever I thought I did know. I thought Lucas and I could be friends... F: I can’t believe I’m the one saying this but you need to stop using your brain so much and listen to your heart... How do you feel about Lucas?

With an unwavering smile and her eyes still locked on Lucas, Riley walks across the room. Lucas meets Riley in the middle of the dance floor and before any words could be exchanged Riley meets his lips with a kiss.

When the pair seperate they’re both wearing blissful smiles.

L: Hi R: Hey L: Hi

[GiGgLeS!!!!!!!!!!!]

Off to the side the rest of the clique six watch the reconnecting of their friends. Zay looks at the couple and then to Maya with a almost sheepish smile. [I’d like to think his look communicates that Zay thinks if Lucas can go after what he wants and it works out okay maybe he can too].

5.05 The Lawrences

With thanksgiving approaching and a big extended Matthews family festivity planned, Riley questions why they’re so distant from the Lawrence side of the family. A parent trap style plan to get Topanga to reconnect with her estranged parents backfires and sees Riley in her mothers bad books.

Riley learns of the messiness with her grandparents divorce and how them falling out of love effected Topanga. She also learns that Topanga choosing to live close to Cory as a teenager rather than move away with her parents is something that deeply hurt Jed and Rhiannon.

With all the tense moments there are some quirky past Topanga moments shared too. Eventually, the tension is somewhat resolved and Topanga is open to letting both her parents back into her life again.

5.06 Girl Meets World of Terror 5

On the subway Riley and Maya meet a woman who claims to know the future and makes a series of predictions. She shares minor things like seeing certain colours and numbers but also makes a more troubling prediction for halloween night. Everyone thinks Riley is crazy for believing the woman but when her predictions start to come true the group is left shaken and weary of what was to come.

The end of the episode reveals Riley had enlisted the help of her father and neighbour (the psychic on the subway) to pull off this elaborate prank on her friends to give them a most frightful halloween.

5.07 Girl Meets Cousin

Eric comes to town and announces to his family he is fostering an eight year old boy, Tyler. When Riley meets Tyler, he appears to be very sweet but when the adults leave for dinner and Riley is left home to babysit, it becomes evident the the boy is an absolute terror with the way he behaves for her and Auggie.

At dinner Eric reveals to Cory and Topanga he wants to adopt the young boy. Meanwhile, Riley calls for backup and Maya comes over to try help wrangle the mischievous kid. They then learn that Tyler doesn’t want to be adopted. After some light pushing the girls discover that Tyler’s reluctancy spurs from him missing his mom and dad [whom has both passed away a year prior].

The girls then sit down with him and have a meaningful chat about how being a part of a new family doesn’t erase his old one.

The episode ends with the previously trashed house [from Tyler] now in perfect condition. Eric asks if they had fun and Riley laughs nervously. “So much.” Tyler then runs up to Eric and gives him a hug. The last scene is them walking out of the Matthews apartment together.

5.08 Girl Meets Talent

Abigail Adams High is hosting it’s annual talent show and Riley begins to question what she’s good at. Maya has art, Isadora and Farkle have their brains and passion for science, Lucas has his sports excellence and Zay - whilst also good at sports - has his love for dance too. As the episode unfolds Riley tries - and fails - at each of her friends talents whilst also trying out the background classmates talents. Funny things scenes of Riley failing at everything like plate spinning, violin, ballon animals etc. all attempts ended in something breaking and a shriek-y/frown-y face from Riley.

At the end of the episode Riley is in her room with her friends and she’s very dramatically ranting about being celery. They each try to offer up a nicety and Riley shuts them down.

R: Being a good person isn’t a talent, it should be the basic human default! - R: It’s easy for you all to say having a talent doesn’t matter! Look at you all- *Riley unlocks her phone and scrolls through her photos, showing pictures of Lucas and Zay playing baseball, Zay dancing, Maya painting etc. Really artsy and good photo captures* M: Riles... *Maya looks to her with a knowing smile* R: What? M: I think you found your talent. R: I just took these for fun... L: I don’t play sports because I’m good at them. I do it because I have fun. *Everyone backs up Lucas’ statement* R: So I don’t have to be talented at something to enjoy it? M: Do you enjoy painting purple cats? R: Very much so. M: Then paint purple cats and dance - maybe not so close to other people - [referring to a scene earlier in the episode when Riley knocked over Zay’s entire dance class with one pirouette] take photos and not because you’re good at it - which you are - but because you enjoy doing it.

In the last scene Riley is now alone in her room, she walks over to her desk and picks up the camera Shawn gave her back in season one and turns it over in her hands, a sweet look rests on her face as she presses her eye to the view finder.

5.09 Girl Meets Tradition

Christmas Time yet again! This year the clique six along with Cory, Topanga, Auggie and Ava are all snowed in at the bakery on Christmas Eve! At first the children (excluding Riley) are all complaining about being trapped there. Riley looks at things positively and says they have a warm place to stay, food to eat and they have each other for company.

Everyone is upset about missing the holidays with their own families so they lash out at Riley for being happy about it. Something along the lines of, “Easy for you to say, Riley your family is in here with us.” Riley chooses not to be hurt over this. Instead she takes a seat and explains one of her favourite Christmas traditions. Something that she’s missing out on because they’re stuck inside the bakery. Everyone feels guilty for being so snappy so they all gather together and share a Christmas tradition from their own family told in snippets using the characters child doubles.

They ask Cory and Topanga about their traditions. They share a cute retelling of their first christmas spent together as a couple and how they clashed with everything and then when the evening winds down Cory takes a book from the shelf and reads everyone 'A Christmas Carol’. Not far into it the story everyone is asleep including Topanga with her head on her husbands shoulder - this mirrors how the Matthews family (of boy meets world) and Topanga and Shawn would fall asleep as soon as Mr. Feeny began reading.

“Just like when we were kids.” Cory says with a grin as he closes the book and smiles at the sleepy group.

Flash to the next morning and the blizzard has cleared. The sun beams through the bakery windows and wakes the stranded group. Cory announces that the blizzard has cleared and everyone will make it home for Christmas morning with their family.

5.10 Girl Meets Return of the Games Night

It’s return of the games night but instead of friends vs. family it’s boyfriend vs. best friend as Lucas and Maya fight for Riley’s time. Similarly structured to the first games night episode, you see scenes from the present games night underway where there is an evident tension between Lucas, Maya and Riley and then flashbacks to earlier in the day at school where a fight was unfolding about how Riley would spend her Friday night. Lucas wanted to go to the movies with Riley but Maya wanted Riley to sleep over at her house.

At the beginning of the games night Maya and Lucas fight over who gets to be Riley’s partner before Topanga says she’s being Riley’s partner and no one argues with Topy. Cory and Auggie pair off and Ava declared herself hostess with the mostest so that leaves Maya and Lucas with no other choice than to be partners.

As the game progresses certain questions prove as argument starters for Maya and Lucas as they both continue to argue why each of them is more entitled to Riley’s time.

M: I’m her best friend, what kind of a friend would she be if she ditched me for a Huckleberry? L: But I’m her boyfriend, how long do I have to be a background character before I’m allowed to be important to her?

Finally Riley reaches her boiling point and shoots up with a frustrated groan. R: Can you both just stop? Please?

Everyone looks at her with stunned faces for her outburst. Cory, Topanga, Auggie and Ava leave the room and quickly.

R: Maya I love you, you’re my best friend and I would never ever forget you because of a boy. Maya turns to Lucas with taunting smirk and the Texan’s face drops.

R: But last year we also talked about letting other people into our little bubble, you have to understand that I’m going to start prioritising other people too. Especially Lucas.

Maya’s gloaty behaviour softens to a more sheepish one. R: And Lucas you are important to me already, you’ve always been important to me, it honestly hurts me to think that you question that.

Maya and Lucas both mumble quiet ‘I’m sorries’.

M: I guess we can learn to share you.

R: You’re not understanding the point. I’m not a toy, you can’t share my time out amongst yourselves, it’s my time, to be spent however I choose. I feel like I’m in a whole new triangle and honestly I don’t know which one is worse. If you think I’m going to choose between my best friend and my boyfriend then you’re going to be waiting forever. I won’t choose between you two.

L: You’re completely right. It’s just hard because we both want to spend time with you.

R: Hello? We’ve been together all day but we’ve hardly spoken because you’ve been too busy fighting each other. Look guys, sometimes we’re going to go on dates and sometimes we’re going have sleepovers and sometimes we’re going to hang out in a group.

Once the present tension in settled with a group hug the last scene is a flashback to how the games night came about (Much like the first games night episode). Riley is in the hall as Lucas and Maya childishly bicker about Riley’s plans when she finally blurts out that she can’t do what either of them want because it’s family games night. The two invite themselves and walk off in opposite directions.

Riley - now standing alone - calls out after them

5.11 Girl Meets Dear Jexica

Riley discovers that her old profile for Jexica has been hacked and turned into a gossip page for AA high, with many hateful and nasty posts about other students all beginning with ‘Dear Jexica’. Not wanting her braver alter ego to be used for such negativity, Riley and Maya set on a mission to claim Jexica back.

Riley goes to school in her full Jexica get up and stands on a table in the cafeteria and declares ‘I am Jexica’. Riley then takes her wig off and gives a speech about why she created Jexica in the first place, she was a beacon of love and positivity, she was not meant to be hateful.

[This speech reveals to the audience that Riley has grown a great deal since her insecure days in the previous seasons and that her self-love message (along with all round love and kindness) was one she extended to herself first]

Later...

R: Look Maya, they listened to Jexica. M: No Riles, they listened to you.

5.12 Girl Meets Sir

The episode opens with the very happy clique six joking around at Topanga’s. Everyone is making plans for the upcoming weekend and Lucas says he can’t because his father will be coming home from his business trip.

Maya begins to playfully press for details about the elusive Mr. Friar as none of the friends apart from Zay have met him. Lucas brushes it off like it’s no big deal and gets up to get another juice. Maya turns to Riley and directs her playful questioning to the brunette.

M: Don’t you think it’s weird that we know so little about Lucas’ family? R: We know plenty about Lucas’ family. His mom the nurse, her twin brother - Lucas’ uncle - his aunt and twin cousins on that side, Pappy Joe- [Riley showing how well she knows Lucas/ how much they talk but also a way to give the audience some long overdue insight into Lucas’ backstory] M: Fine, you know a lot about Lucas’ family but what about Mr. Friar? R: He used to be in the military and now he travels a lot for work. M: What kind of work? [Maya playfully raises a brow] R: Marketing [Riley laughs because this is a playful exchange not a serious inquisition] M: Maybe Mr. Friar is a secret agent and he’s always out of town on missions. Z: He’s a marketing manager [Zay gives her a funny look] he works with my dad [his tone is almost defensive and ultimately amusing to listen to] M: Sounds like the perfect cover for a couple of secret agents. [Maya gives him a playful eyebrow wriggle] They’re all lightly laughing when Lucas’ mother enters the bakery in her nurse uniform. [This would be the first time we’ve ever seen her on screen] Riley greets the woman as Mrs. Friar [indicating to the audience that they’ve met before]. Cassidy - Lucas’ mom - gives Riley a warm smile and Zay a loving shoulder squeeze [to show the audience that they have a family like bond]

Lucas returns to the group and is surprised to see his mom. Cassidy explains that Lucas’ father is home early from his work trip and Lucas has to come home for dinner.

M: They have to debrief about the secret mission [Maya taps her nose after Lucas leaves with his mom and the group of friends just laugh and roll their eyes]

The next morning at school, Riley asks Lucas how dinner with his dad was and Lucas is upbeat as ever. Riley starts to sway sheepishly and she wears a goofy smile. As per usual her smile proves to be contagious when it comes to Lucas. L: Something on your mind? R: Is your dad a secret agent? L: [chokes on a laugh] what? R: Is that why I haven’t met him? L: You want to meet my dad? R: Yes [Riley shrugs lightly] You’ve quite literally met my entire family and I’ve only met your mom. [Lucas frowns] R: Do you think your dad won't like me or something? L: No that’s impossible, everybody loves you. R: Then what is it? [Riley isn’t pushy, she’s soft and gentle with her approach] L: Honestly...[Looks like he’s been backed into a corner] I don’t think you’d like my father very much. R: Now that’s impossible, I like everybody! L: He’s a very tough love kind of father. R: [Tries to make a serious face but just looks adorable] You don't think I can handle tough love? L: [Trying not to laugh at her serious face but then he drops to an actual serious face of his own] Do you really want to meet him? R: I want to know everything about you [Riley smiles so sweetly] L: [Lucas’ almost worried expression curls into a soft smile and he nods] Come over for dinner tonight? R: Are you sure? L: Yeah, I am.

That evening Riley joins the Friar’s for an awkward family dinner. Riley sees first hand what Lucas meant when he said his father is a tough love kind of man. The very nervous brunette tries to make conversation but each time she rambled on about something, Lucas’ father would turn it into a ‘teachable moment for Lucas’. When Riley makes small talk about their history project, James Friar near berates Lucas over his last report card - which he scored no lower than a B+ on - And when Cassidy tries to lighten the mood by saying Riley is Lucas’ biggest cheerleader at his baseball games, Riley rambles how she’s figuratively a cheerleader and not literally because they banned her from tryouts after she caused six injuries her freshman year, James rather harshly critiques Lucas’ form in baseball practice from earlier that afternoon.

[Lucas’s father is very sharp and firm with his demeanour. It’s also evident that Lucas mostly resembles his mother with the blonde hair and green eyes]

Towards the end of the meal, James makes a comment that clearly hurts Riley’s feelings. Lucas sticks up for her and a small argument unfolds. Riley tries to say she’s fine and not to worry about it.

James: I think you best be going, Riley. L: Yeah, I’ll walk you home [Lucas is clearly annoyed at his father] James: No Lucas I think we need to have a chat. R: I can go by myself it’s fine. Cassidy offers to take Riley home instead and Lucas has to stay home as his father ordered. A bigger argument unfolds.

James: I’ve been wondering why your grades have dropped and I think I have my answer. L: Riley has nothing to do with my grades, if anything she’s the only reason I’m actually passing. James: Once you secure yourself a college scholarship there will be plenty of time for girlfriends. L: What are you talking about? [Lucas looks disgusted] You want me to break up with Riley? James: She’s a sweet girl, Lucas but she's a distraction. The world is full of sweet girls and there will be time for them later. L: Riley isn’t just a sweet girl, she’s the best person I’ve ever met. She’s dramatic and over the top and amazing and I’m not going to break up with her. James: It’s just a teenage crush, you’ll be over her in a few weeks. L: It’s not just a crush [Lucas pauses] I love Riley. [at this point I imagine the whole audience either AWWW’d or choked on their giddiness at the first confirmation of LoVe for rucas] L: I’ve spent so long trying to prove to you that I’m a good person, that I can be the perfect son and then I met Riley and she’s spent years showing me that I already was a good person the whole time. She makes me better and if you can’t see that Sir. then I’m sorry.

After an ad break we return to see Riley sitting in her room with a troubled expression. Lucas then climbs through the bay window. The two sit together.

R: I’m sorry I caused a fight between you and your dad. L: You have nothing to apologise for. I’m the one that’s sorry. R: Your dad doesn't like me very much, does he? L: I don’t care for Sir’s opinion much anymore. R: But he’s your dad... L: Do you know he was the first person to call me a failure after I fell of Judy the sheep? R: You were only six [Riley’s frown deepens] L: I spent years misbehaving after that just to get back at him. Then I got kicked out of school, started a new one and then decided I wanted to be a veterinarian. Do you know what he said when I told him? R: I’m proud of you son? [Riley looks hopeful] L: No he said, ‘Not with an attitude like yours’. R: ‘Failure is a weak mans game...’ [Riley frowns as she quotes something Lucas said to her back in 5.03] Those are his words not yours... You don’t see yourself the way I do because of your dad? L: [Lucas shrugs weakly] He’s not a bad father he’s just not the kind of dad to hug you if you’re having a bad day... He’s the kind of dad that tells you to make tomorrow better. R: [Riley wraps her arms around Lucas’ shoulders to hug him] You having a bad day? L: [Smiles sweetly] I’m actually not doing too bad right now. Both their gazes lift when Riley’s door opens. Cory is standing behind James. L: Sir. I know you told me to stay home- James stops Lucas and apologises for being so hard on him. James explains that all he wants for Lucas is the best and maybe he went about ‘supporting’ him in the wrong way. James: I am proud of you Lucas, I just want you to be happy son and if I’ve ever made you doubt that then I sincerely apologise. L: Thanks Sir. James: It’s dad, call me dad. L: Okay dad. R: [Riley whom had been off to the side with her own father watching on with a smile raises her hand] Can we all hug now? Lucas looks to his dad and gives him quizzical look. James: Okay, I’ll allow. R: Yay! [She joins a group hug between father and son] James: You picked a good one, Lucas. L: I know.

5.13 Girl Meets Greatest Hits

The 100th episode of Girl Meets World is a special one. Topanga is devastated after a box of old home movies is destroyed by a burst water pipe. Cory enlists the help of his best friend, brother [Eric] and two children to help recreate and refilm some of the lost tapes, making for some comedic scenes as the grown people are acting some of their childhood memories. For fun Riley extends the idea to her friend circle and the clique six recreate some of their greatest hits and in the process they each realise they might have remembered certain things differently. [Not a flashback episode but a recreation episode]

Whilst recreating Riley and Lucas’ first date a strange twist of fate sees Maya receiving her first kiss with Zay.

5.14 Girl Meets Crushed

The three girls of the clique six are at the bakery trying to get to the bottom of Maya’s feelings towards Zay when Auggie begins choking. Smackle jumps in to save the day and then finds herself as the object of Auggie’s new crush and he goes on to shower her with gifts and attention. Unsure how to handle such a situation, Isadora looks to Riley, Maya and Farkle for help.

Present in this episode is Josh Matthews [he was at the bakery when Smackle saved Auggie].

Comedic scenes throughout the episode include Auggie being rude-ish to Farkle as he pursues Isadora and Farkle being defensive over his relationship with Smackle. Also scenes of a Ava trying to flirt with Farkle in an attempt to make Auggie jealous play out.

At the end of the episode Auggie’s feelings are hurt when Smackle kindly but bluntly has to reject Auggie’s advances once and for all. It’s then Maya who gives him comfort. She explains that she knows what it’s like to crush on someone that’s older than you and doesn’t feel the same way. Josh of course is present and hears this.

After Maya’s chat with Auggie, Josh approaches the blonde for a chat of his own.

[We’re left wondering... Is that a sad smile Joshua?? Are you sad because you’ve hurt Maya the way Auggie was hurt, or because she’s ‘over’ you???]

5.15 Girl Meets Love

This episode is a story... or two or three or four, about love.

It begins when Riley comes downstairs for school and she’s wearing Lucas’ jean jacket [which he gave to her off camera the day before] Cory reacts in a very dramatic way thus sparking a very dramatic reaction from Riley.

R: I’ve heard the story of the jean jacket a hundred times but how did you know you loved mom at fourteen? I’m seventeen and I’m not even sure I’m ready... C: I didn’t love your mom until our wedding night and then we got arrested so let that be a lesson to you! R: Dad, please? C: [Still looks like this is the most painful conversation of his life but he softens and answers his worried looking daughter] I loved your mother before I even knew what love was... R: That helps me... with nothing at all, thanks a lot. [Riley exits the apartment with a dramatic huff]

[Next scene, Riley has gone to Maya’s before school]

M: Let’s say the cowboy loves you, do you love him too? R: I think so. M: You think? R: I mean, I’ve always loved Lucas but how do I know that I love him more than the friend kind of love him that I have this whole time? How do I know I’m in love? M: How am I supposed to know? R: You’re world smart. M: I’ve never been in love [Maya frowns, her expression is important since we know she’s been struggling to understand her feelings for Zay] R: Please help. M: Fine... Are your feelings different for Lucas than they are for say, Farkle? R: Yes. M: Different how? R: Different like I want to hold Lucas’ hand. M: Yeah we’re going to need a little more than my help...

The episode then consists of Riley - accompanied by Maya - going around and asking everyone she knows about love. Some from whilst she’s at school, others from after school but everyones stories are all layered on top of each other in fragments as they each describe what love is to them. Riley listens to Shawn talk about falling in love with Angela and falling in love with Katy. Riley listens to Katy talk about falling in love with Maya’s father and falling in love with Shawn - giving a little more insight into her past with Kermit. Riley listens to Isadora and Farkle explain their version of a love story [although you heard most of their struggles to comprehend love in my 4.09 episode]. Riley also speaks to Eric and he talks about his unrequited love with Rachel. Riley talks to Josh and he looks uncomfortable as he tells Riley [and Maya] what falling in love with his girlfriend was like. Riley even asks Zay if he loved Vanessa and he also awkwardly explains in front of Maya his idea of love and what he felt for Vanessa.

After Zay is finished explaining love to Riley, she huffs and says she’s going to go home. Maya hangs back to chat with Zay. Finally they talk about their kiss and what it meant to them. The two very nervous looking teens seem to both be relieved when they finally admit they felt nothing more for each other than a friendship.

M: I’m still really glad you were my first kiss. You’ve been a really great friend to me the past two years and I love you. Z: Aww, all this talk of love has made you mushy. M: Call me mushy again and I’ll pour a smoothie on your head! Z: Pretty, funny and kind of mean... You’re exactly my type, why is it I only like you as a friend? [Joking smile] M: [Maya rolls her eyes with a smile]

Riley returns home late to find her mother on the sofa reading a magazine. With a sigh of relief Riley goes over to her.

T: Hey honey, [Topanga opens her arms up for a hug and Riley crawls in at her mothers side] your father told me about the jean jacket this morning. Katy and Shawn said you’ve been asking everyone about love. Did you find the answer you were looking for? R: No.Everyone gave me a different definition of love and I think I’m more confused than ever. T: [Topanga rubs Riley’s arm] Honey, everyone gave you a different answer because love is different for everyone. R: But daddy explained what love was to you and that helped you understand. Why didn’t it work for me? T: I already knew I loved your father I was just afraid to admit it at the time. R: What changed your mind? What made you not be afraid anymore? T: I realised that part of being in love was being scared, scared of losing something so important to me. R: So being in love is supposed to be scary all the time? T: Not exactly... R: Then what is it, mom? T: Honey, I promise you that you’ll work that out for yourself. When you know, you know.

[Up in Riley’s room Lucas sits patiently in the bay window]

R: Hi... [Riley says nervously from the doorway] L: Hey [Lucas nudges his head towards the seat and Riley sits by him] You were a little weird at school today, it felt like you were avoiding me... R: [She over dramatises acting ‘cool’] I wasn’t weird today!

[Flashback to class]

[back to Riley and Lucas in the bay window]

R: Okay maybe I was a little weird but I’m always a little weird. If I’m ever normal then you should worry. L: Is this because I gave you jacket? R: Maybe a little. I didn’t think it was a big deal until I spoke to my dad. You know the story right? L: Yes. R: And you gave me your jacket? L: Yes. R: And you know the jacket is a symbol of the first time my parents said [Riley nudges her head and avoids saying the words] L: I know but that’s not why I gave you my jacket. R: It’s not? L: No. I mean I do love you, Riley... [he pauses for a second to smile and let that sink in] ...but I wasn’t trying to recreate your parents moment, I was trying to give you a heads up before I made my own. R: [Riley still reeling from Lucas actually saying it] A heads up? L: I’ve been dropping hints all week. R: You have? [Riley looks confused] L: Yes, on Tuesday you asked me if I wanted to come over for dinner and I said, ‘Yes I would love to.’ [Lucas wears a proud grin] R: [Riley can't help but laugh at the dork] Of course, it was right in front of me this whole time. L: The hints were obviously a little too subtle [Lucas chuckles] that’s why I pushed it with the jacket, I’m sorry if I freaked you out, that was exactly what I was trying to avoid. R: You were trying to give me a warning before you said... that? L: I know sometimes you’re afraid of your feelings... now I feel like I should have just come and talk to you in the first place... R: [Riley gets up and nervously paces, she stops in the middle of the room] I don’t know if I’m ready to say it back. L: That’s absolutely fine, I told you at homecoming I was okay if you didn’t feel the same back. R: I’m not saying I don’t want to say it. I’m just saying I’m not sure I’m ready. L: I can wait. [Lucas smiles and gets up to leave but stops before exiting the window] Oh, did you get the surprise I left you in the pocket of my jacket? R: [Gives him a confused look and reaches into the pocket of the jacket and pulls out a handful of silver confetti] Was this supposed to be another hint? L: No, that was just cause I know you like to carry around glitter in your pockets. R: [Riley smiles at the confetti in her hand before looking up to her boyfriend] Lucas? L: Yeah? R: I love you too. L: [wears his Riley smile!! You all know the one!!] I was always hoping you did.

After Lucas exits, Riley throws the confetti in the air and twirls around under it as it falls. She hugs his jacket to her chest with a smile. Much like Topanga did after her first I love you with Cory.

E N D O F ��S E A S O N 5

End Notes: Firstly another 15 episode season because 22 is way too long for me to write. This took me HOURS AND HOURS OVER 3 WEEKS!!

Secondly, love is in the air this season and that powerful four letter word is exactly the theme. There were lessons about all kinds of love, romantic, platonic, unrequited, self-love, tough love and more.

You see Riley and Lucas fall back together and come out stronger than ever. You see Maya and Zay struggling to work out what exactly it was they felt for each other... And in the end they knew it’s love just of a different kind. You see how Topanga’s parents falling out of love effected her. You see Auggie’s lovey dovey crush be one sided. You see Tyler [Riley’s new cousin] learning about loving new family. You see Riley preach a love and positivity message through her Jexica profile. You see a tough love household and very importantly you see Lucas learning to love himself. And then of course there is the girl of girl meets world and this season showed her growth and journey of platonic love, self-love and dare I say true love.

I know a lot of these episodes were Rucas centric and that’s off brand for GMW but I truly think a season of love was coming. In girl meets sweet sixteen you literally see Riley question how she prioritises her relationships and it was only a matter of time before hers with Lucas strengthened.

In my sixth and final season for Girl Meets World, the clique six embark on their senior year where - whether they like it or not - change is upon them.

Stay tuned x

#girl meets world #gmw #rucas #zaya #joshaya

167 notes · View notes

charlienick · 6 years ago

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me? going off about riley & farkle in the year of our lord 2018? u betcha

there’s an aspect of farkle that i’ve always found interesting: he chooses his words incredibly carefully. nothing he says sounds accidental, sometimes going so far as to sound pre-rehersed. so when farkle says something, more than anyone else in the core four, i tend to believe him at face value (unless lucas has his trusty notecards, which is a whole other lucas-centric post i need to write).

farkle doesn’t see the point in lying, especially with his friends. (“we don’t lie to each other, riley.”) farkle’s entire arc is about growth. (“for an organism to grow, it needs room to thrive.”) so, again, face value. as audience members, we’re meant to see farkle as the voice of reason, at least where the other characters are concerned.

so when farkle says he loves maya and riley equally, i whole-heartedly believe him. but the thing is, there’s a big difference between equal and the same.

farkle, more than anyone else in the core four i’d say, is in love with all of his friends, while riley, more than any of them, is in love with the world. lucas, riley and maya have been teaching farkle what love is while farkle, maya and lucas teach riley what the world is. they all need each other to continue to persue this growth. in gm high school part one, farkle is the one to go to riley when they all decide to leave her and maya. because riley, without her friends, feels entirely lost, and he knows that (“you get me,” riley said, and she was very, very right), but as much as maya adores her friends, she really only has ever needed riley.

for maya, the world started with only riley, and she’d be perfectly happy if it ended with only her, too. she so readily accepts when riley says that she wishes the world were just the two of them. what maya learns from lucas and farkle is that she can need people that aren’t riley. there are people who won’t leave who don’t live in the matthews’ apartment. maya adores farkle fully and completely, but no one comes close to riley.

this is different for farkle, and yet the same.

farkle, for years before lucas, only had two friends: riley and maya. and he fell in love with them because of the growth he saw within himself and within them because they met. “please don’t ever let me not understand love,” he begged the two of them, because the concept of love for him is so entangled with his feelings for them that he thinks he doesn’t know what love is at all.

farkle and smackle dated for over a year in canon, and yet the closest we get to farkle saying he loved her was “i like her. i might even feel more than that.” the only person farkle ever says his love out loud to though? riley. (and by extension, maya, when he says “i love you both equally.”)

and this is where equally, but not the same comes into play.

farkle has convinced himself that if he loves one of them more, he’ll lose both of them. farkle is incredibly resistent to change until his Quick Change in gm yearbook. the core four are all resistent to change in a lot of ways. they are all so happy with the state of their relationships and are afraid that, if they change, they will crumble. it’s not that they don’t have faith in the strength of their relationships, but more the strength of themselves.

“nobody move. nobody move at all.”

before the Quick Change, farkle hails any time he can that he loves riley and maya equally. from the very first episode, he has been saying this. but farkle chooses his words with a great amount of care, so “equally” means he feels the same amount of love for them both. “the same” would insinuate that that very real love has the same roots, or place in farkle’s head.

he has been careful to say this to them, because he knows that they will take equally as the same, and that’s the way he likes it. his love for riley never wavers throughout the series, stays the same strength, holds the same power for him. farkle’s arc is accepting that he has loved all along; he never needed to learn what love was in the first place.

riley’s love for farkle however only seemed to grow in intensity. her love for maya pours out of her like water; the easiest thing she knows about the world is her love for maya. farkle is the only other person aside from maya that she says that she loves.

there’s a parallel i think about a lot with them: “because i love you. and i’ll always want to know you, whoever you are,” and “i’ll always love you, no matter where you are.” farkle is not afraid in the face of riley leaving in gm goodbye, knows without a shadow of a doubt that his love for her will never change. but more than that, this is the first time he says that famous phrase he has always hailed to riley and maya, but this time, he only directs it at riley. the most interesting part of this interaction though is riley’s response: “thank you farkle. but maybe you shouldn’t say that in front of smackle.” this is riley finally figuring out (or maybe finally saying what she’s known for a while out loud) that farkle’s love for her is romantic in a way it isn’t with the other people he’s said this to. exactly what farkle is afraid of her figuring out.

farkle never stopped loving riley, caring about her, believing in her (“as much as always”). his interactions with her just became smaller, more controlled. only letting himself feel when he knew she wasn’t looking, because not only did he not want to lose riley and maya by having to choose, but because farkle and riley had both “chosen” other people. farkle says to lucas, “the best thing i ever did was not choose between them,” and he believes that 100%. farkle is fine with being canada. a trusted ally, no more, no less.

he loves maya, and his relationship with her is very different than the one he has with riley, and vice versa. but the relationship the three of them have, to him, is so sacred, so integral to his development, that he made the decision not to choose because he cares about them so much, he wants them to know what love is without him. because he’s afraid his love isn’t real, is too robotic, could never measure up to all the love they both have within them.

and a lot of his romantic interaction with smackle have that robotic quality that he fears within himself. (“i’m a real boy!”) to him, this is okay only because smackle doles out the same robotic romance that he does. he’s fine with this, likes smackle because of her autism, not despite it. but the thing is, as lucas well knows, “you [farkle] and riley have the deepest feelings i have ever known.” farkle has understood love for far longer than he knows or will accept, but has chosen very pointedly to not put that love under a microscope because that would mean accepting that loving riley and loving maya and loving rileyandmaya are three very different beasts.

farkle loves riley. he loves maya. he loves all of his friends. he loves all their growth. but there is something very different in his interactions with riley and the things he says (and the very careful way he says them) that spells farkle’s feelings clearly to the audience, but perhaps not for the characters. he wants her to believe that equal = the same, because that way, he’s safe. his relationships, his caged-bird heart, the confusion he’s been ignoring for years; it’s all safe from prying eyes. farkle knows so much about his friends, more sometimes than they do about themselves, but putting himself and his own feelings under a microscope? he has no interest.

“do you ever think that when you put things under a microscope, you miss the bigger picture?” “no.”

#riarkle #girl meets world #riley matthews #farkle minkus #PLEASE talk to me about girl meets world #please my crops are fucking dying #you me mars #meta #masterpost #19

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madelinecoffee · 7 years ago

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Ink On Your Skin

A Rucas One Shot Summary: When Riley turns 18 she decides she’s going to get a tattoo. Soon she’s got 3 and so does Lucas. A/N: This is just a one-shot that happens in the gang’s senior year. I half blame @iwantyoutochooseme for this because she’s always encouraging these ideas. The other half is my blame because I really want more tattoos but don’t have the funds. So here we are. Enjoy! Words: 1,043

Riley and her friends were waiting at Topanga’s for Lucas so the group could go to the movies. “So Riles, you’re going to be an adult soon any wild ideas for being a legal adult?” Maya asked with a smile

Riley nodded eagerly, “Yeah! I want to get a tattoo!”

“Yeah sure Riley, you’re going to get a tattoo” Maya laughed, “You’re way too innocent for that”

“Oh Cotton Candy Face, don’t do that.” Zay shook his head; Riley’s mood was falling by the minute

“No I have it all planned, I know the place and where-“

She was cut off by the geniuses, “Statistically speaking, I think it’s a bad idea. Most people who get tattoos at 18 regret them.”

Her friends went on talking about other things while Riley listened quietly waiting for her boyfriend, determined that she was going to get that tattoo.

Riley told only her parents about her tattoo, she went by herself to a female owned tattoo parlor. The woman who tattooed her was named Ace and once she was done with Riley’s tattoo the two of them were friends. Riley couldn’t have been happier with her beautiful little Pluto on her left shoulder, she got the care instructions and made sure she wore clothes that didn’t mess with it for the rest of the day. It was her own little secret and she couldn’t be happier.

A few weeks after her birthday Riley and Lucas were hanging out in her room sharing secrets and kisses until it became more kissing than talking and Riley discarded her shirt. She had completely forgotten about her tattoo, as she was lost in the feel of Lucas’ lips on her shoulder until suddenly he wasn’t there.

“Princess, what’s this?” Lucas asked as he gently ran his fingers over the planet on her shoulder

“Oh…um well, its my tattoo. I got it on my birthday.” Riley tried to sound confident but she was nervous that like her friends Lucas would make fun of her. “It’s Pluto, to remind me to never stop believing in things.”

“Princess why didn’t you tell me you wanted to get a tattoo, I would have come with you. Or gotten one with you.” Lucas told her sincerely as he rubbed his hand against her cheek

“Really?” Riley asked with a soft gasp “Because everyone else made fun of me for mentioning getting one, so I just went alone.” Riley leaned forward to give him a kiss, “You really would have gotten one with me?”

Lucas nodded and laughed, “Of course, I’ve actually been thinking of getting one for quiet a while.”

“What would you get?” She asked as Lucas hummed in thought

“While if you’d like to, I’d like to get a sun for you. Because you’re my sun” He gave her a smile as she got lost in his eyes

“Lets do it.”

“Huh?” Lucas asked confused

“Lets go get matching tattoos, I’ve um actually already got one I want to get for you. Ace told me they’re addictive and she’s right. I thought I’d get a moon for you, because you’re always there lighting up the darkest parts of my life.” Riley smiled

“Where do you want to get it, it’s your first so you decide.”

“Hmmm, how about right here.” He gently touched the front of her shoulder near her bra strap, “That way if you want to hide it you can, but you can also look it at easily.” He kissed her nose as she smiled widely

“That sounds perfect, lets go now. I texted Ace and she has an opening!” Riley grabbed his hand and pulled him up leading him along bouncing on her toes as she went.

The two of them collected a few more tattoos, and surprisingly none of their friends knew. It was the summer before college and Riley had gotten a little blue dog that Lucas had drawn for her one day on the right ribcage , to match the purple cat Lucas had gotten on his upper arm. The same time they got their colorful animals Lucas had gotten a cowboy hat, to remember his roots on his back shoulder. It was their secret and their thing, and the two of them loved it. It wasn’t that they tried to hide it anymore. Lucas had for sure taken his shirt off while changing around Farkle and Zay and they had just failed to notice the ink. But Riley was pretty sure that was about to change. Their friends and them were going to the beach and there was no way to hide their inked skin now.

“Princess, its fine. You got your ink for you, you didn’t get them for them.” He gave her nose a kiss, “I’ll take my shirt off and you can take your cover-up off and then we’ll go by them. If they notice they notice.”

Riley nodded, “Okay, just make sure you put sunscreen on your tattoos, you don’t want them to get sun damaged.” Lucas chuckled at her concern as he helped her finish pulling the cover-up over her head when she was stuck.

He grabbed her hand and walked over, all their friends immediately dropped their jaws.

“WHAT THE HELL!” They all said in unison

“What?” Riley asked innocently batting her eyelashes

“You-you have tattoos! And so does Ranger Rick!” Maya pointed her finger at Riley accusingly

“Riley Matthews! You have three tattoos!” Farkle stuttered in shock looking at his best friend’s ink

“I mean I expected this from Lucas, but you Cotton Candy Face?” Zay asked aghast

“Yep we got them together, you guys didn’t support it so I went with someone who did.” Riley stood with her shoulders back confidently

“That’s right. And for the record, Riley got Pluto without me so if anyone is influencing anyone in this relationship, its her to me. And we got them all a while ago, probably going to get more. Riley was right. They’re addictive.” He glanced down at Riley with a smirk

“Come on Lucas, we gotta make sure we don’t get sun damage. Especially on your sun.” She giggled as she poked him running away as he chased her, their flabbergasted friends in the background.

#rucas fic #rucas fanfic #rucas one shot #girl meets world #userjany #userdivine #usermaggie #celluloiddreams #gmwnet

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parkersharthook · 6 years ago

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Prom?

(Lucas Friar x Maya Hart)

Warnings: frustrating boyfriends

3.5k+ words

Lucas’s promposal to Maya

She knew that he was gonna ask her, and she just silently begged that it wouldn’t be some big grand romantic cheesy gesture that happened in front of everyone. Of course, it was. She thought about all the things he might do but nothing definitive came to mind.

“You know what’s coming up don’t you?” He teased while waiting for her to get all of her stuff out of her locker.

“Tacos?” Maya asked hopefully, “That would really brighten my Monday.”

“Sure, we can get tacos after school but I mean something more like in like two months…”

“Oh, you mean us getting tacos after school in two months? Yeah, I can’t wait. I marked my calendar and everything.” Lucas chuckled lightly at her.

“No shortstack. This event is just happens to be a little more fancy, though I will still get you tacos.”

“Are you talking about this whole dance thing that every girl won’t shut up about?”

“Prom? Yes, I’m talking about Prom.” Maya obnoxiously gagged, “Come on Maya it’s our senior prom.”

“I don’t know huckleberry, it is JUST a dance.” She closed her locker and turned towards him.

“Yeah but it’s the last prom we will ever go to as high schoolers. Plus, I want to take you.”

“Oh? You think that you’re gonna take me?” Maya bit her lip slightly. He wrapped his arms around her waist lightly.

“What, you got your eyes on someone else?” He glanced away from her and dragged them across the heads of the sea of people, “cause if you don’t want to go…” He loosened his grip and slowly pulled them away from her. Before he could completely let go she placed her hands on his, putting them back around her.

"Is that what you’re doing? Trying to make me to hate you?” Maya teased him, “Because I know you don’t think you were just looking at other girls.”

“Of course not.”

“Okay, good. If you really want me to go then I will, but you better woo me.” She was joking and he knew it. But he wasn’t about to not try to impress her, he was just gonna do it in a big way. She might hate him but there is no possible way that she’ll say no.

“Oh I will.” He pressed a light kiss to her lips, “you coming to my game after school?”

“Of course.”

“You always come support me don’t you?” The gears started turning as the words fell from his mouth.

“Yep, so you better play well.”

“Of course.” The bell rang overhead. He kissed her cheek, “I have to get to math but I’ll see you in history.” She smiled and kissed him once more.

“Okay, see you then.” They parted ways going to their respective classes.

*after school*

Maya sat in the bleachers next to Riley who was next to Farkle. Lucas was talking to the rest of his team on the field pointing out to a member of the other team occasionally. Lucas finished talking and the team broke apart, taking their correct position. AA High School was on the outfield and Jones High School was up for bat. Lucas covered third base while Zay was a shortstop. The friends didn’t really know what was going on but they cheered all the same. After the game, which Abagail Adams won, the four friends and Izzy who showed up a few minutes late made their way to Zay and Lucas as they came out of the locker room. They hung out for the rest of the night, just enjoying each other’s company.

Now Maya didn’t know when it was gonna happen but she knew that it was coming soon and it was gonna be big. She dreaded the moment but now as she stood on the side of the baseball field, a camera in her hands her mind was elsewhere. It was on the players, the game, and the lens. She was just trying to capture a good photo. That’s all she wanted to do.

“Which tie do you think would be better?” he held up a dark blue and a dark green tie on either side of his neck.

“Why do you need a tie?” Maya asked confused and she lounged across his bed

“For Prom of course.”

“Oh yes, of course.” She rolled her eyes, “It’s what… a month and a half away?” He nodded and turned to the mirror, “Almost everyone’s been asked already.”

“Yeah. Why is that?”

“Because girls need time to pick out a dress.” Maya was becoming agitated. It was a Tuesday night and she was agitated. She wanted to have time to pick out a good dress too but the way he was playing this game wasn’t fair.

“So which tie?”

“I don’t know. It depends on what I’m wearing. We have to coordinate.”

“Well what are you wearing?” Maya glared at him but his back was still towards her.

“I don’t know yet.” She was seething. This was soo unfair.

“You better get on that, those dresses go by quickly.” He glanced her way, knowing full well what he was doing. He saw her red face and her clenched teeth but refused to meet her eyes. He just folded up the ties and placed them back on his desk. He walked back over to her and pressed his lips against hers. She relaxed almost instantly and wrapped her hands in his collar. She tried to pull him down onto the bed but he just forced her wrists off of him. He laughed and pulled away from her, she groaned.

“Another time, I promise. I have to get to baseball practice.” Maya, who basically forgot she was mad at him, pulled him in for another deep kiss before letting go and climbing out the window.

She held the camera up to her eye, twisting the lens and adjusting everything to try to form a decent photo but nothing worked. The sky was either too dark, the lights were too light, the ball was moving too fast, or the players weren’t doing anything interesting. She groaned and began to make her way to the other side of the field, hoping to find a new angle. She glanced in Lucas’s direction periodically as he talked to his team, something he often did as the captain. She took a photo, nothing yearbook worthy, of him and his wild gestures. She laughed at him and climbed to the top of a set of empty bleachers looking through the lens again. The game was about to start.

“It’s literally a month and a half away. Why hasn’t he asked me?” Maya complained to Riley who was putting her newly acquired bouquet of roses in a vase.

“I don’t know. I mean, we know he is going to ask you. Maybe he just assumes you are going together, he does that.” Riley fluffed the flowers but Maya just huffed and shook her head.

“No, he brought it up on Monday saying how he was gonna wow me. It just pisses me off that it hasn’t happened yet, I’m literally like the last girl to be asked.”

“Not the ones that are still hoping to be asked.”

“I am one of those girls now.” Maya sulked flopping on Riley’s bed.

“He’s gonna ask you. I wouldn’t worry.”

“That’s easy for you to say. Charlie asked you six months before the dance and then again with a big gesture today.” Riley smiled.

“Yeah…” She sighed, “What about Farkle and Smackle?”

“Oh Farkle did this whole experiment thing where one chemical reaction set off another. I don’t really know but it was super complicated and eventually it poured out this thing that set a banner on fire to only reveal Farkle standing there holding a sign that said Prom?.”

“That is sooo romantic. Zay asked Sarah?”

“Yeah, something with football and cheerleading. I didn’t see that one but people said it was cute.”

“Aww.”

“See? I’m the only one.”

“You guys are the strongest couple in the group, he’s gonna ask you.”

“But when? Because I still want time to get my dress.”

“Then go ahead and get it.”

“What?”

“Go get it. You know he’ll ask you so why not get your dress?”

“You know I will.” Maya checked her watch and cursed under her breath. “Shit.”

“What?”

“I told Lucas that I would meet him after his baseball practice.”

“But it’s Wednesday?” Maya just shrugged, “When does it end?”

“Ten minutes.” Maya sighed gathering her stuff quickly.

“School is twenty minutes away.” Riley stated.

“Yep so I gotta go!” Maya rushed out of the window.

“We’re going dress shopping tomorrow!” Riley called after Maya but got no confirmation. Maya quickly scurried down the fire escape, clutching the rails to keep from falling. She practically ran to the subway and only made it to the school five minutes late. Lucas was leaning against his car, scrolling through his phone and glancing upwards every now and then. Maya jogged up to him completely out of breath.

“Hey.” He said pocketing his phone, “You okay?”

“Very out of breath.” She gasped for air and draped herself across the hood of his car. He laughed at her.

“Did you leave? I thought you were going to say after to finish a project.”

“I was but I actually got it finished during class and Riley wanted me to come over so she could tell me all about her promposal.”

“Yeah I saw it, Charlie did a good job. He did something with carnations and made a pun like ‘what in carnation’ but I’m not positive.” Maya’s eyes narrowed as she adjusted her body to a sitting position on his car. “I could’ve picked you up there, you didn’t have to run here.”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. Now get me food!” Maya spun around and Lucas chuckled. They both got into his truck and were about to pull out when Maya spotted a girl carrying a large poster, a teddy bear, flowers, chocolates, and balloons. Maya hated it.

“Where do you want to go?”

“Wherever.” She replied uninterested and annoyed. Lucas looked to her, Maya was looking out the window not meeting his gaze, and smirked. His plan was working.

The umpire blew a loud whistle and shouted once signaling the beginning of the game. Abagail Adams took their positions in the field. Maya took a few shouts of the boys doing their little chant and running onto the field, but she wasn’t too proud of any of them. She did get a fantastic shot though when the pitcher threw his first ball. She mentally cheered herself and got off the bleachers, walking closer to the players. She captured a couple great photos of the players and decided to just sit and wait until they batted. She joined the loud student section and slipped in with a semi-familiar gaggle of girls. Baseball was a tough sport to watch due to the quick drops in intensity but that’s not necessarily why Maya comes. She likes Lucas. He a good bean.

“What about this one?” Maya stepped out of the dressing room smoothing down the dress.

“LOVE IT!” Riley shrieked. Maya laughed at her and just silently cheered that the store was empty, it was a Thursday afternoon so that was expected.

“It makes your skin look a lot less white than usual.” Smackle stated.

“Hey, I have been tanning a lot in the past year!” Maya defended herself. She looked towards the mirror, uncertainty in her eyes, “You really like it?” It was a blue dress that had a lace bodice with a narrow deep v-neckline. The skirt flared out ever so slightly. Maya ran her hands over her waist toying lightly with the fabric.

“Maya, you look stunning.” Smackle said with a small smile.

“But if you don’t like it here then don’t get it.” Maya tipped her head to the side, her tongue poking her cheek. She thought about Riley’s words and eventually shook her head.

“Are you gonna get one?” Maya asked Riley after going back into the dressing room.

“Yeah, I’ve been looking at a few but nothing has stuck out.” Riley slumped.

“I can help you.” Smackle offered sweetly.

“Do you already have yours Izzy?” Maya called from behind the door. Suddenly a large piece of blue fabric flew over the door startling the other two girls. “And can you put that back?”

“Yeah sure.” Riley sighed, “I might look at some dresses too so just call me if you need anything peaches.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll go with you Riley.” Smackle began to walk off but popped back in, “and yes Maya I already have mine.” Maya picked out her second dress and pulled it over her head. It was a black halter dress that skated across the floor. It had a small key-hole cut out between her breasts and a completely open back with a long slit up the side. It was gorgeous. Maya checked herself out in the small mirror in the dressing room, turning around slightly and examining her butt. It looked good. She stepped out to see herself in the full mirror.

“Hey Riley?” Maya called out, “How does this look?”

“Maya!” Maya’s head whipped around at the sound of her friend’s cry. Riley came rushing in and Maya was extremely worried, “I found the dress for you!”

Maya put a hand over her heart, “riley you almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Peaches!” Riley whined, “Look at it!” She held it up and Maya studied it, it was definitely pretty.

“Yeah, I’ll put it on next. How about this one though?”

“It’s nice but you shouldn’t wear black because you wore it last year.”

“Good point.” Maya grabbed the wine colored dress from Riley and went back to the room, “Did you find a dress?”

“Yeah a few. I’ll try them on in a minute.”

“Where’s the little chipmunk?”

“Oh Farkle came to pick her up so they could talk about Prom details.” Riley explained. Maya stepped out a moment later wearing the tight wine colored dress. It was a high neckline halter dress that had a very simple rectangular cut out just above her waist in the back. The dress was very simplistic and had no other details other than the high slit that ran up her left leg. “Maya…” Riley was speechless.

“Riley, this is gorgeous but…” Maya didn’t know how she was gonna afford it, “I don’t know.”

Riley sprang up and began to feel the dress, “Is this velvet? Maya, this is amazing. You have to get it!”

Maya decided to just say it, “it’s too expensive.”

“Maya, why do you think my mom gave me this credit card? It was literally made for only the buying of our dresses. She intended to buy yours and mine.” Riley’s tone didn’t sound condescending but it also wasn’t uplifting and reassuring either.

Maya bit her lip and shook her head slightly, “no.”

“What?”

“I’m gonna pay for it. I want to.” She did want to pay for it. She didn’t want the pity money and it was her last prom.

“If you insist. Now take that off and help me find a dress!” Riley began jumping up and down quickly bounding back to the dress racks. Maya looked at the price tag and winced, she was gonna have to talk to her mom about this. After a long twenty minute phone call where Maya made a string of promises about working extra shifts and paying her back Katy finally agreed to put Maya’s dress on the emergency card. The girls were in the shop for another hour until Riley finally picked out a dark blue form fitting dress that had a deep v-neckline. It was perfect for her form and accentuated every part perfectly though Maya wasn’t sure how Mr. Mathews was going to feel about it. They paid for their dresses and headed back to the subway when Maya got a text.

Mom: Low on staff, can you help out?

Maya: Sure I’m on my way

Maya gave her dress to riley to hang up at her house, promising to get it the next day and boarded a different train heading to the Nighthawk Diner. She arrived in record time and quickly changed into a waitress outfit. She know the routine perfectly at this point and quickly fit into the rhythm of the afternoon and was taking orders left and right. It wasn’t until 8 at night and she finally had a break that she realized Lucas had been trying to contact her.

Lucas: I thought we were gonna study for History after my baseball?

Lucas: Where are you?

Lucas: Are you okay?

About five other messages like those were sent over the course of the three hours of inactive phone usage. Maya cursed silently and quickly texted him back apologizing and explaining that she was working.

Lucas: look up

Maya lifted her head from her spot behind the counter and saw Lucas siting on a bar stool with a large goofy smile on his face. She chuckled slightly and walked to him

“What are you doing here?”

“I figured that you were working, came to surprise you.” Lucas shrugged.

“Well, thank you.” She pecked his lips lightly, “yeah sorry about that. Haven’t had a break in a little bit so I haven’t been on my phone in a while.”

“No worries. How’s it going?”

Maya sighed and slumped against the counter, “Really busy until like twenty minutes ago. I don’t get it, it’s a Thursday.”

“There was a big basketball game at a stadium nearby.” Lucas informed her. She nodded her head.

“That makes sense.” She glanced at his clothes, “Are you still in your uniform?”

“Yeah, practice ran REALLY late. I texted you during a break when I thought we were done but then some kid pissed off the coach and we stayed extra.”

“Jackson?” Maya asked knowingly. The kid, a junior, was always making trouble in the hallways.

“Yeah. He said some shit about a girl and coach heard. Ugh.” Lucas frowned. Maya leaned on her hand.

“Want anything?”

“Can I have some water? I ran out of mine in like the first twenty minutes.” Maya chuckled as she grabbed him a glass of water. “You want anything?”

“Oh I didn’t realize you worked here.” Maya teased sticking her tongue out at him

“Ha ha. No, I’ll pay for your dinner though.”

“Naw I’m good.” The two fell into a small conversation that was interrupted by their laughs constantly. It wasn’t until Maya was berated by her manager for socializing on the job that she shooed out Lucas with a kiss and a see you tomorrow.

Abagail Adams High won like always but this was special. It was there last game of the year and it completed their undefeated season. The guys rushed the field and all joined in a dogpile. Maya capture it all laughing at them. Lucas caught her gaze and walked to the edge of the field, Maya met him halfway.

“Good job cowboy.”

“Thanks shortstack.” He kissed her before he was interrupted by the hollering of his teammates.

“Hey get your team together and I’ll take a photo for the yearbook.” He nodded and rounded up the guys. Maya took several photos before going to the coach.

“Uh are there any photos you would like done for the yearbook?” Maya tried to ask as politely as she could even though she hated the baseball coach and his strict policies at school.

“No thank you Ms. Hart but I appreciate the offer.” Maya nodded and walked back to the edge of the field. Lucas came back up to her.

“Hey I have to go get something but I’ll be right back.” Maya nodded and began to look through the photos on the camera.

“Hey Maya.” She heard Zay call. She looked up, “Can you get a photo of us?”

“Uh… yeah sure give me a second.” Maya wasn’t paying attention to the group of guys that began forming themselves into a line. She leveled the camera to her eye and saw five guys shirtless with letters on their stomachs. She lowered the camera.

“Prom?” She saw Zay with the question mark on his stomach, “Aw Zay, I’m flattered but you already asked someone.” The students were gathering around all of them with their cameras out.

“Actually I was hoping you’d go with me.” Lucas said from behind her. Maya slowly turned around to reveal Lucas standing with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a large bag of tacos in the other.

Maya pretended to think, “Only because you got me tacos.” She grabbed the bag and kissed him. Cheers erupted from around and bright lights went off. She broke apart, “you suck you know that?”

“Yeah I know that but the tension made it better right?”

“I guess??” Maya hadn’t really thought about it, “Can we go eat these now?”

“Yeah let’s just get a photo. They stood by Zay and the other boys with Lucas’s arm wrapped around her waist. Another one of his teammates took a photo of them. Lucas kissed her cheek. “Happy now?”

“Of course.” She kissed him back, “I got my tacos.”

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yuniesan · 7 years ago

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Matters of the Heart - Epilogue

[Soundtrack]

Summary: Lucas worked hard all of his life protecting his family. During the day he works at his security firm, at night he runs a bar in New York with his best friend and his sister, making sure that no one interferes in his business, or assaults his customers.

Riley thought she had everything she could have wished for cool friends a boyfriend who cared too much and loving parents, except she didn’t know what she wanted from her life. Her life never felt like it was hers. She saw graduate school as a way to learn more about the world and about herself.

Until they met and realized there was much more to the world than what they had thought they knew.

Chapters [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

A/N: The final chapter.... it was never meant to be long, it’s actually only 1,500 or so words of pure fluff.... I wanted the fluff in the end. By the way, when I started writing this story I hadn’t expect it to end in a word count over 100K I usually write shorter works, well if 70K is short... I have no idea. Okay now off I go to finish the plans for Season 6.

Thank you for taking this journey with me!! I'll be writing Season 6 until May, and hopefully working on some other things.

Chapter 16 – Epilogue – 18 Months Later

“Matthew sweetie stay still,” Riley whispered as her son squirmed on her lap as they watched Maya and Josh stand at the altar. The little boy was restless, ever since he started to learn to walk he has had the urge to run off in any direction and Riley couldn’t keep up with him and wear heels at the same time.

Riley and Isadora had become close friends with Maya over the last eighteen months, they had been in the delivery room with Riley and Lucas as their son was born. They named him Matthew Cornelius Friar, using Riley’s maiden name and her father’s name for their son, Matthew had been Lucas’s idea and she had loved it so much that she made it his first name. Riley and Isadora were both Maids of Honor for Maya and they held a bachelorette party in their apartment where the three of them just hung out and talked instead of doing something crazy, like going to a strip club or to Vegas like the guys had.

For the three of them it was something they had never really experienced, it was something so normal, just girls hanging out at a sleepover. Riley and Isadora never really had that chance, whenever they hung out they always had Farkle and then Charlie, but to have a typical girls’ sleepover was something they cherished. Now Isadora was working, and Maya had her job at the gallery, Riley had her family and her law degree, and she worked with Lucas as a part of his legal department. They all had lives but they also had each other, they had their friendships and their family.

Her little boy squirmed in her lap again, he started reaching out towards Lucas who was standing next to Josh and Zay as they watched Maya and Josh getting married. Riley had to sit down and hold onto her son because he was normally calm when she held him but all of the attention in the room was getting to him.

“Da,” he yelled out towards Lucas and the room was so quiet before everyone burst out laughing.

Lucas smiled down at them and waved over at them before slowly stepping down from where he was standing and walking over to where they were sitting and kneeling in front of his son.

“Hey,” he said to his son before kissing the little boy who giggled but held onto his father and leaning towards him. The three of them stayed there as the wedding went on in front of them, Riley smiling at her little family, as they watched their extended family grow just a little bigger in front of them.

Lucas smiled up as his sister got married to one of the most honest men he had ever met, in the nearly two years since they had all met he had gotten closer to every one of his new friends, closer to his new family, and even closer to Riley who was an amazing person. The day their son had been born he couldn’t believe that he had gotten so lucky, even after everything that had happened seven months earlier. Their little boy was born on the fourth of July as the fireworks went off on the east river next to the hospital room. He was the most special part of their lives and as he grew in the last year Lucas couldn’t help but love him even more.

At first, he had nothing but fear in his heart that he would end up like his step-father, just because that had been the environment that he had grown up in. Riley had told him otherwise several times, but the fear had always been there.

It wasn’t until he held his son in his hands and Riley said to him, “You’re going to be a great father Lucas Friar,” that he realized he wasn’t his step-father. Lucas loved his son the moment his big eyes opened and he saw Riley’s brown eyes staring back at him.

Around him his family start growing on their own, Josh had planned, with Lucas’s help, the perfect proposal for Maya. They had done it on the roof of the building, surrounded by the garden of Maya’s work, with their friends and family cheering them on. Everyone knew that Maya was going to say yes, there was no way she wasn’t, and Lucas watched his sister smile at Josh and say yes, surrounded by everyone they knew and loved on the one-year anniversary of when they had started dating. At his side Riley smiled and held onto him as he held onto their three-month-old son, as their family grew just a little more around them.

Now he watched as his sister married the man she loved in a small church outside of the city, everything was white and yellow, as the sun set in the background haloing the couple as they said their vows. Once the minster pronounced them man and wife and they walked back down the aisle followed by everyone they knew and loved. Lucas couldn’t help but feel like this was the universe’s way of letting them have a happy ending.

As the photographer took pictures of the happy couple hours later, while everyone danced and laughed around them. Lucas turned to his best friend and smiled, “Can you believe that all this could happen to us?”

“What? You mean the fact that we’re all connected in one way or another, almost like destiny pushed us all together on purpose,” Zay said with a smile. “Well we deserve a little bit of heaven so it doesn’t matter.”

“What about you and Charlie? Any reason why you two haven’t gotten married yet?”

Zay sighed to himself before sitting back against the chair. “I don’t know, we haven’t talked about it, I mean I’ve thought about it but Charlie hasn’t said anything.”

“Why not just ask him and get it over with?” Lucas said concerned about whether his friend was going to be happy. In the background there were cheers as Maya stood on the small stage ready to throw the bouquet.

“I don’t know, I guess I’m just afraid.”

“Stop being a dummy and just do it already,” Riley said as she walked over holding their son on her hip. The little boy was half asleep sucking on his little fist.

Before Zay could say anything, the cheering grew as Charlie walked over to them holding the flowers in his hand. Charlie had been the one to catch it, and none of them had noticed until he was in front of Zay holding out the flowers.

“Zay,” Charlie said before kneeling down onto the floor smiling. “I wanted to make sure I caught this since it’s tradition that the one who catches the bouquet is the next to get married,” he smiled at Zay as the room around them went silent. “I want to ask if you would do me the honor of being my husband, my partner, my love for life,” Charlie finished before pulling out a ring box.

Riley and Lucas both looked over at Zay who sat there completely stunned to silence, Charlie fidgeting on the floor.

“Zay say something,” Riley said looking over at Charlie with a worried look. But her words seemed to pull Zay from his head.

“Yes,” he said as the room cheered.

The couple jumped into each other’s arms kissing one another without a care in the world, “Sorry for waiting this long to ask,” Charlie said in between kisses. “I wanted it to be special so I started planning a while ago and I remembered that when Riley had caught the bouquet she and Lucas had gotten married right after and I thought that we could do it the same way.”

“No, I want a small wedding,” Zay said smiling at his now fiancé. “I’ve wanted to ask for a while but I didn’t know if you wanted to marry me.”

“Of course, I do you idiot, I love you why would you think that?”

“I don’t know you’ve been a little quiet lately,” Zay said before looking at the ring on his finger. “But I guess this explains it.”

“Yes, it does,” Charlie said before pulling him into another kiss.

Lucas pulled his wife away from their friends smiling, “We this could have gone a little better,” he said laughing.

“Well I helped him plan it with Maya’s help, but Charlie didn’t know that Maya helped out either, we just wanted to give them a bit of a push,” she said with a shrug but Lucas smile widened before he kissed her.

“You’re perfect you know that,” he said holding her close, their son squirming in her arms. “How about we go to the hotel and get some sleep since this one is tuckered out?”

“That would be perfect, except… well Zay isn’t the only one getting a surprise today,” she said smiling up at him. “The doctor told me the other day that this little guy is getting a sibling.”

“What?” he was stunned, mostly because he hadn’t realized that she had gone to the doctor. It had been a mad dash the last few weeks with the wedding preparations, and work.

“Yeah well, I guess, you remember that time three months ago when Maya and Josh babysat for the weekend because we were tired and just wanted a little alone time,” she said and he couldn’t help but nod. “Yeah well I guess the universe decided to give us a present.”

“That’s the best present ever,” he said kissing her on the lips and holding her so close that Matthew woke up completely and put his wet hand on Lucas’s face.

“Da,” he said giving Lucas a small smile before Lucas bent down and blew a raspberry on the little boy’s face making him laugh.

“Our family just got a little bigger,” he said with a smile.

“Yes, it did,” Riley said to him. “And although we’re not perfect, this right here, you, me, and this little rugrat, this is the best life I could have wished for.”

#matters of the heart #rucas fanfic #rucas #they're a family #it's sweet #so much fluff #wedding day for Joshaya #it's short and sweet #the best way to end this series

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joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh · 7 years ago

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Gotta say, when Jacksfilms teased his Shrek 3 is the worst Shrek video, I was nervous, because Shrek 3 isn’t the worst. It’s not really that good of a movie by any means, but it’s quite a bit better than Shrek 4. But I’m gonna share my thoughts on the video anyway, in completely nonchronological order.

Jack starts the video off by saying that Shrek 3 is superfluous and yeah, that’s true. Arthur, Merlin and all the rest of the cast don’t feature at all in parts of Shrek 4 you’d expect them to be, so no characters are really retained and none of the events are acknowledged in 4. But then Shrek 4 is even more superfluous, thanks to the fact that most all of the film erases itself from existence after it happened. Shrek is the only character for whom something is different.

Shrek 3 at least gives us Fergus, Farkle and Felicia, and I disagree with Jack’s sentiment that you could cut out Shrek 3 and just have the baby montage in Shrek 4 and that’d be enough. I think the development Shrek goes through in 3 in order to come to terms with the idea of being a father is vital to his character in a world where he has kids, else the parenthood doesn’t really seem significant at all. Shrek 3 also established Shrek as having had an abusive father, which plays into his doubt of how good an ogre parent could truly be. It’s an interesting thing to do with the character, and one of the things I actually appreciate in Shrek 3. Remove the Shrek 3 angle, and Shrek as a father isn’t a concept we find remotely interesting.

Another of Jack’s sentiments I disagree with is the notion that using Charming as the villain was lazy, and that Rumpelstiltskin was a much better villain. I think using Charming as the villain was actually the opposite of lazy. As, well, charming as he is in Shrek 2, we don’t really get to see him do too much. Seeing himself try to take charge of his situation in 3, and actually succeed at getting the villains on his side was, again, charming. Plus, he has a lot of good comedic moments in 3. 3 expands on the character of Charming, I don’t see how it could be lazy in that aspect. Rumpelstiltskin’s not that bad, but he’s kind of just worse than every other villain. He has some funny moments here and there, and he takes the narrative in a decently interesting albeit somewhat poorly executed direction, but there’s not that much to his actual character. His motives aren’t really any more complicated than “I’m the big bad!” and while that’s true of the very first villain, Farquaad, Farquaad at least had charm and wit to him, as well as a more interesting character in general than Rumpelstiltskin ever gets.

Too many characters in 3 is a sentiment I’m mixed on. I don’t mind the princesses that much, Shrek’s always had some likeable and quirky characters that don’t really mean much in the grand scheme of things. The big bad wolf isn’t being praised for his wonderfully written character arc because he doesn’t have one, but we like him anyway. The princesses should be okay by this same logic, but then they’re all sort of… meh. Cinderella is forgettable as hell and has no personality to speak of, the joke with Sleeping Beauty got old fast, and Rapunzel is hard to care for too. Her betraying the rest of the gang to be with Charming wasn’t an interesting angle for either character, and kind of detracts from the otherwise all great Charming in this movie. Snow White is the only one I really liked because she was sassy and I liked her style, but she still pales in comparison to the likes of Pinocchio or Gingy.

Arthur is… an interesting character. I don’t really think he himself is all that interesting or funny, and he honestly doesn’t provide Shrek with much development either, even if the narrative tries to make it look like he did. And yet, Arthur takes on such a prominent role in the movie. The thing about Arthur is that he plays into the aforementioned superfluous nature of this film. The film would change if you removed him, yeah, because he’s supposed to become King of Far Far Away in place of Shrek, but he still manages to feel inconsequential, perhaps because he’s never acknowledged outside of this film. Arthur’s kinda just forgettable, and the way the narrative shifts around him, and his two scenes of large public speeches, they feel just feel unnatural, failing to be heartwarming like they’re so obviously supposed to be.

I liked Merlin though, he was a funny take on the actual character of Merlin and he had some of the best lines in the film, lines which Shrek provided even funnier replies to. So I can appreciate Merlin in that regard.

So yeah, Shrek 3’s characters aren’t the best, but they’re leagues above Shrek 4’s. As I mentioned before, Rumpelstiltskin isn’t all that great, but he’s not the only one. One of the main opposing threats in Shrek 4 is the Pied Piper, who has absolutely no character to speak of and no charm or likeable aspects either. All of the ogres in the Resistance are the most forgettable characters in the franchise, even Gwen, the high school girl that Arthur had a crush on in Shrek 3, is more memorable than these bastards.

The main draw in Shrek 4 is that because of the alternate universe setting, we can see characters we know and love taken in entirely new directions, but this concept is woefully underutilised.

Donkey isn’t different. At all. His personality and character are the exact same, with the only difference being that he’s weirded out by the fact that Shrek knows him, even though he sees Shrek as a stranger. But that’s not character, that’s just what’s to be expected of this setting.

Puss is pretty bad too. He’s also the same character but he’s a little more lax and a lot more fat. That’s it. His new personality is that he’s sort of mellow.

Fiona is the only character for whom they actually try something with in this alternate universe concept, because her personality in this new setting is actually different. Fiona effectively got sick of waiting to be rescued and escaped from the tower herself and, sick of the discrimination she faces in her ogre form and that ogres all over face in general, she takes on the role of leader of the Resistance. But this huge leadership role isn’t really great for her character. Fiona is bossy and commanding, sure, but not an expert military tactician. We know she’s a fighter, and Shrek 3 demonstrates that she can even be a fairly strategic one at that, but large scale military operations? There isn’t enough going on that really indicates she’d be so capable. Even if we are to believe that she was that capable though, it doesn’t really mean anything anyway. All of these ogres are so impossibly hard to care for that Fiona��s efforts are hard to care for just by extension. We see these nameless ogres being used as literal slaves at one point, but we don’t feel sorry for them, we just don’t care. Farquaad saying “it’s hideous” in reference to Shrek is a line that feels more discriminatory than literal slavery, all because Shrek 1 actually made us care about our ogres. Plus, the dynamic between Shrek and Resistance!Fiona doesn’t really work at all, especially compared to the relationship that Shrek develops with the real Fiona in Shrek 1. She’s just too drastically different for it to work, and their relationship isn’t really developed in a natural and believable way. When Resistance!Fiona falls in love with Shrek, it doesn’t make us as an audience feel happy that we’re getting closer to the true timeline, it just feels shallow and uninteresting, lazy even.

But still, even with Fiona being a pretty different and cool in concept albeit worse than the original character version of herself in this setting, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s literally a “what if?” scenario. When the movie ends with Shrek returning to his original timeline, the real Fiona hasn’t changed – she’s had literally no development this entire film. Nobody other than Shrek has, and I’m mixed on his development, though I’d need to rewatch 4 to comment more on that particular topic.

Also, 4’s so full of weird little details that I don’t really understand. Fiona’s parents sign away Far Far Away to Rumpelstiltskin so that Fiona’s curse is broken, meaning Rumpelstiltskin gets the kingdom. Expectantly enough, the kingdom turns to shit, but then, the degree to which it turns to shit just seems unrealistic. The world in Shrek 4 is less like The Elder Scrolls and more like Fallout, and I really don’t get how it got that bad. Shrek’s swamp is a dead tree in a dead wood that’s in completely flat terrain. The swamp shouldn’t look great obviously, Shrek was never there to really turn it into a home, but how did the entire wood die out? There are other unanswered questions too. How did Rumpelstiltskin’s witches manage to capture Dragon? Why does Rumpelstiltskin command these witches anyway? How can Rumpelstiltskin’s contracts fuck with the spacetime continuum? What’s with the fucking ear trumpet thing? Why the fuck did they genuinely pull the “rearrange the big letters in the contract and make some origami to show a new contract” thing? It wasn’t a new contract, for the record, but you know. I could go on, but I’ve been at this for over an hour and a half and I think you get the point.

Jacksfilms stated in his video that Shrek 3 is garbage and should be stricken from Shrek canon, a notion I mostly disagree with. Jacksfilms stated in his video that Shrek 4 is an underrated classic, a notion I disagree with even more than the first statement. I know that Jack’s a comedian obviously, and the video was full of jokes, but as he made clear in his daily vlog series on jackisanerd, this video actually has some truth to it. This video has joking aspects, but it’s clear enough that his opinions are legitimate. And I think they’re wrong.

TL;DR Shrek 3 > Shrek 4 and Jacksfilms is an idiot.

#shrek #jacksfilms #13.3.18 #god that took way too long and i didn't do my maths homework #assignment went fine though #i'll start the english essay tomorrow #josh reviews

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licenselesswriter · 6 years ago

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Selfish (Part 2)

It was 5 AM.

She was only on a pair of lace panties.

With a completely naked man covered by her blanket.

She opens her laptop and grabs one of his cigarettes.

She lights it up and went directly to her mail.

She takes a soft breath and saw a mail from Riley.

She just marks it as read.

Every time she mails her it was about him.

And she wasn’t up to read a 30 minutes mail about how Lucas was doing great in London but she can feel how he was broken inside because he was away from her.

But just because all what they said to each other.

Doesn’t change the fact that time to time, Maya surprise herself taking a small peek on certain Texas boy Facebook page.

She looks at his last update.

“4 hours of theoretical studies, 5 hours or volunteering #ImDyingHere”.

- Babe, can you turn off your laptop? I really need to have some sleep – She heard next to her.

And for a second she thought for herself.

Lucas would just let me be.

Maya just closes her laptop and get up at 5:19 AM.

Morpheus decide to not call on her door that night.

Lucas was destroyed.

He gets up at 5:30 AM every day.

Just to fall on his couch at 10:47 PM.

And today happen to be one of those days.

- Don’t you think you should stop with the morning volunteering? – Lucas heard a feminine voice.

- They don’t have people in the morning – Lucas answer having a one on one time with the couch – Couch, you’re the only one who loves me – He says to the furniture.

- Yeah, it’s on video – He heard a familiar voice on the kitchen.

Lucas fastly get up from the couch – Zay? – He asks looking as his longtime friend.

- Surprise – Zay answer with a huge smile.

Lucas runs over him and caught him in a really tight hug.

- Oh my God, I haven’t seen you in a lot – Lucas says, really happy to see his friend.

- I know, that’s why I came here – Zay says hugging back his friend – Because you never visit – Zay confronts him with a fake hurt tone.

- Well, that doesn’t matter, you’re here, I’m here, I have some pounds on my wallet and we can order pizza – Lucas says dragging his friend to the couch.

- I would love that, but first, mind explaining who is she? – Zay asks looking at the new blonde beauty on Lucas apartment.

- Oh, I can explain her – Lucas looks at the hot blonde cooking on his apartment – Ok, I can’t – Lucas says looking back to Zay.

- Would you call me a girlfriend? – The feminine voice asks Lucas.

Making Zay look at his Texas charmer friend with surprise.

And a little bit of envy.

- Ok, let’s be clear with this – He says and grabs Zay from his shirt and drag him out of his apartment.

- I can’t talk about your girlfriend? – Zay asks him.

- Ok, yes, she is my friend, yes, she’s a girl – Lucas clarifies while Zay just laughs at his best friend nervousness - Yes, we lived together, but, we lived together because my ex-roommate is living with her ex-roommate as a married couple – He adds.

Zay just gave him his best understanding face, but was ruined by his laugh – Sorry, you can continue – Zay invites him to finish his point.

- Yes, she is really hot, and yes, we have sex on a daily basis – He explains to his friend, who feel how his mouth opens thanks to his revelations – But no, she is not my girlfriend – He finishes.

- Did you both finish? Cause I just finished dinner – She says while she invites both boys inside.

- She’s blonde, she’s frontal and she can cook? – Zay asks.

- It’s not what you think, I’m not like that – Lucas says shutting down Zay’s idea of him trying to get over Maya with a clone – We just happened to be in the exact same situation – He adds.

And the curiosity of Zay goes off the roof.

Sadly, for Maya, Riley decides to not let her be.

- Honey – Maya answer her phone with a noticeable mad tone – Are you calling me to ask about how are my classes, because they are going really good – Maya adds, trying to avoid the real reason why she called her.

- Really? That’s great – Riley says, honestly happy for her friend.

But she doesn’t have the right to call herself a Matthews if she didn’t try to solve her best friend problems.

- Did you mark me as read today too? – Riley asks her best friend.

- Honey – Maya says warning her.

- Peaches – Riley answer with a tone that clearly says “bring it on”.

- We are not talking about the traitor, again – Maya says.

- Oh yes, we are – Riley says back – Ring power – Riley says.

And Maya suddenly looks tired.

- Curses – Maya says.

- So, are you finally gonna tell me what he told you? – Riley asks.

- Long story short, he leaves because he is just a selfish traitor – Maya answer – No need to think more about him – She adds, taking a second to remember all that he said to her.

- Maya? – Riley asks when she heard a soft sob – Peaches? Are you crying? – She asks, thinking that maybe she pushed her too much.

- No – Maya answer, trying to control her sobs – It just… When you went to Harvard, He was the one who stayed – Maya says while she cleans her eyes.

- Peaches – Riley softly said, feeling incredibly guilty for not noticing how bad her best friend was taking the fact of her leaving.

- He said he was in love with me – Maya adds, surprising the brunette.

Not about him being in love with her.

But he actually telling her that he loves her.

That’s what surprises her.

- Then why did he leave? – Riley asks.

And Maya just broke.

Not big to everybody notice.

But not small enough for Riley to not notice it.

- He said he was hurt – Maya answer – He said that it hurt his heart every time he watches me with any boyfriend I had – She adds.

And for the first time since Lucas left.

Riley understands Lucas position.

- Oh – Riley softly says.

- And now I feel like that stupid song – Maya says.

And suddenly she was betrayed by her memory.

And notice that her own conscience guides her to the now empty apartment Lucas rent when he was still on Cornell.

- I need to go – Maya says and fastly hangs the call.

- So, are you gonna tell me what happened with Maya? – Zay asks while he takes a sip of scotch – Damn I miss Texas – He says taking another sip.

Lucas just laughs.

- And what exactly you want me to tell you? – Lucas asks back while he takes a sip of his Guinness.

- Well, you know I don’t want to turn this into an interrogation – He says while he watches at his friend light a cigarette – But you know me, I want to know everything – He adds, and Lucas laughs again.

Lucas takes a deep breath of his cigarette and then a sip of his beer.

- She didn’t react too well when she finds out I was leaving – Lucas tries to put some makeup on what really happened that night.

- Yeah, I mean she was really pissed when I told her about the party, she went nuts – Zay confesses, without knowing.

- I knew it was you – Lucas says while he let a sad laugh out – I told Francesca, you know what, why don’t we avoid telling Zay, but no, she insists in you knowing – He reveals to his friend – Next time I will follow my brain – He adds.

- Ok, let me think if I get what I think I get from what you say and from what I said – Zay says while he takes a sip from his glass – You decide to leave New York and move to London, right? -He asks and Lucas nods - And Maya, who has been your best friend, yes, I know that me or Farkle lost that place a long time ago – He clears, making Lucas laugh – So, where I was, yes, and Maya, you didn’t tell her about you leaving – He says.

- Yes – Lucas confirms his facts – And then you told her about the farewell party and she shows up with Riley, and she throws 2 glasses of beer over me – Lucas adds.

- Now the beers have more sense – Zay says, more to himself than to Lucas.

Both Texan boys look at their glasses and take longs and deep sips.

- You’re a moron, you know that, right? – Zay asks.

- I know, but at least I’m a moron who is not watching the women he loves making out with other men – Lucas fires back.

- Not funny – Zay answer, then he remembers something – Okay, it was a little funny – He adds, making Lucas laugh.

- I really wished she Love me Zay, I really wished for that – Lucas confess.

- If you don’t Love someone, why bother on waste beer throwing it over his head? – Zay asks.

- If you Love someone, why don’t you stop that person at the airport when that person was about to leave to another country? – Lucas asks back.

- Damn – Zay says and take his final sip.

- Yeah, damn – Lucas says before finish his drink.

Maya was not stupid.

And her encounters with the Law constantly remembers her that she’s about to do is illegal.

But since the apartment isn’t been sold, or for that matter rented.

She was pretty sure there was no problem if she breaks in into the Texan old apartment.

She will never tell anyone about this.

But in this kind of situations, she thought about the blessing of being that short.

- Stupid reality – Maya says, hitting herself in the head for thinking her height is a blessing.

She softly opens his room window to get in.

And in less than a second, all the memories she buries in her chest came to the surface.

She looked at the fire mark in the center of his room, from when she was really depressed only for knowing that Josh was getting married.

And He decides to lift her spirit by making a little campfire in his room so she can burn some marshmallows.

Of course, it was a success, but when she accidentally drops the improvised campfire, that leaves that mark in the floor, the laughs to his desperation save her from her state of self-flagellation.

Now every memory of him in that apartment make her feel like shit.

Every time she opens his door to tell him about her day.

Every time she opens his door to tell him about how her art teacher told her she was a really good artist.

Every time she opens his door to cry for every little or big thing that happens to her.

Even every time she opens his door to tell him about the “new guy” that makes her feel butterflies in her stomach.

- I was the one being selfish – Maya realizes when her body realizes early, dropping a few tears from her eyes.

A few days pass since the little chat he had with Zay

And when he left him in the airport, Zay confess his purpose.

- Your mother sends you this – He says and gave Lucas a plane ticket – She says that she understands, but it’s her 40-year-old birthday and if you don’t show, you can stop using the name Friar – He says while both boys laugh.

- I will try my best – Lucas says.

- You know she means that, right? – Zay asks.

- The thing about me being forbidden to use the name Friar? Oh yeah, it’s my mother after all - Lucas answers – It was great having you here – Lucas says.

- Don’t you dare, you know that when I cry I can’t have my beauty sleep if I cry – Zay warns Lucas.

And Lucas only laughs.

- Please don’t do anything stupid – Lucas asks his friend.

- Like what? – Zay asks.

- Just promise me – Lucas asks.

- Can we do the thing? – Zay asks – You know it’s the only way I listen – Zay adds.

Lucas laughs again.

Having Zay with him make him remember what was laughing like that.

- Fine – Lucas says and grabs his friend hand – Promise me, Ned – Lucas recites, putting a smile on his friendly face.

- Look at that, chills – He says showing his arm – See you soon? – He asks.

- See you soon – Lucas confirms.

A few months later Zay was in Francesca’s apartment.

- So, how was him? – Francesca asks Zay.

- Last time I saw him, being the business partner of his roommate – Zay answers – Which to be honest, it makes everything uncomfortable, especially when she looks like a Maya long lost twin – He adds.

- Damn – She says while she passes some pages on the magazine she had on her hands – What do you think? Red lace or purple laze on the waist? – She asks showing him some dresses.

- Still don’t get all this Shaman wedding, but if you’re asking for the brides, I suggest Orange over those 2 – Zay answers.

Then suddenly, Nikki enters the room running and really excited.

- Franny, we find a little kitty on the streets – She says and put a little kiss on her lips – Can we keep him? – She asks.

- I mean, I think it’s gonna be hard to train him, but we promise we will feed him – Thor says while he has Lucas over his shoulder.

- Oh my God, Lucas, what are you doing here? – Francesca asks really happy to see the Texan.

- Looks like I’m a stray cat, hey Zay – He salutes his friend.

- You really surprised me – Francesca says and give Thor a little kiss – Zay… - Francesca wanted to tell.

But Zay was faster – Bottle of wine? On it – He says and runs to the kitchen.

After a few hours of deep talk about relationships, London, New York, Legal issues about polygamy and the fact that Thor proposes to Nikki, Nikki to Francesca and Francesca to Thor, Lucas can call himself drunk.

- What I’m doing with my life – He softly says, almost to himself looking at his ex-apartment.

- I called that stalking, but it was your apartment, so self-talking – He hears a feminine voice on his back.

A voice he hasn’t heard in 2 years

A feminine voice he knew too well to ever forget in his entire life.

- Maya – Lucas says, not even turning to face her.

- Huckleberry – She says.

And the rest was silence.

For some good 20 minutes.

Because even after all that happened between them.

The silence wasn’t uncomfortable.

- Why are you here? – Both asks at the same time.

Making Lucas laugh.

- I just told you, stalking – She says grabbing one of her cigarettes.

Lucas, like the Texas gentleman he was, lights her cigarette.

Maya take a soft breath – The real question is, what are you doing here? – She asks.

- Remembering – He answer.

- I’m sorry – Maya apologizes – I… - She was ready to continue, but he cut her.

- Save it – Lucas says.

- But… - She wanted to talk again.

- Trust me, save it – Lucas cuts her again – You haven’t done anything wrong, can’t blame you for you being you – He adds.

- Ok – She says with a sincere smile.

For the first time in 2 years.

- Heard you got a scholarship – She says like nothing, sitting on a bench.

- Yeah, they gave it to me, due to my expertise with horses – He says with a laugh sitting in the bench next to the one Maya sits.

And they went to silence again.

Maya finishes her cigarette and Lucas light one.

And then another.

12 minutes take him to finish both cigarettes.

- It was good seeing you – Lucas says getting up from his bench.

- Lucas – She called him.

- Yes? – He asks without turning to look at her.

- Do you hate me? – She asks, making the Texan heart get pounded by the anguish.

Does he hate her? He asks himself.

The answer was really obvious.

- Never – He answers walking to her mother apartment.

Maya smile got wider.

An entire week passed.

And Mary Friar got her wish granted.

She and Lucas got to spend most of the week like they used to spend when he was in New York.

But even when she was really happy for having her son with her.

She knew that it was only a week, and she probably will get him back again in a few months.

Or that is what she tells herself to make the time run faster.

- Remember wear clean underwear – Mary says to his son.

- I’m not a caveman Mom, of course I will use clean underwear – He says to his mother, making her smile – Love to see you smile – Lucas says and hugs his mother.

- Okay, leave, you make me cry, so I hate you now – Mary says and laugh a bit.

Making her son laugh too.

- Zay – Lucas says while he looks at his friend trying to hold his tears.

- I’m not rich, get yourself a ticket back so you can visit me – He says and hugs Lucas.

- I’m a volunteer in an animal shelter, I’m lucky I have a scholarship – Lucas says.

- Get a job – Zay answers and laughs with him.

Thor gets close to him – You know, even with a Shaman, I still need a best man – He says surprising Lucas – What you say? See you in October? – He asks.

- You got yourself a Best man – Lucas says hugging his older and buffed version of himself.

Francesca and Nikki get close to him and hug him too.

Francesca tries to now show how sad she was with him leaving again.

But Lucas tells her that he was invited to a party in October.

When the older girls leave him, Lucas looks around.

And he had a sense of déjà vu.

He looks at Farkle watching his phone.

Just like last time.

- What did I tell you last time – Lucas says to Farkle.

- I’m talking with Smackle, not everything is about you – Farkle answers with a smile.

- So, no nervous trying to fix everything this time? - Lucas asks.

- No need – Farkle answer and gave him an envelope.

- What’s this? – He asks.

Farkle just incites him to open it.

Lucas opens the envelope and drags a ticket to an art exposition in Berlin.

In December.

Then he opens the note that comes with the ticket.

And recognize a very particular calligraphy.

Coffee? Lucas looks at Farkle and covers his eyes.

- Thank you Farkle – He says and hugs the young genius.

When he finishes with his goodbyes, Lucas looks around.

Just like the last time

But this time not with sorrow.

This time he has hope.

- Take whatever you can Lucas – He says to himself and get in line to board his plane.

Part 1

#GMW #Lucaya #Lucaya Fanfic #Lurkle BROTP #Lucas x Maya

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rileycommittee · 7 years ago

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Girl Meets World Season 5

(the last season) ** just a quick thank you to everyone who enjoyed my s4! y'all are cool! anyway, i spent most of my weekend writing this out instead of doing homework so i hope you like my rendition of the final season of gmw. i had fun planning it out, and maybe someday i'll actually write the episodes.

Girl Meets Fall - It's their junior year and Riley still hasn't told anyone but Maya about her feelings for Farkle. When Riley and Farkle have a heart to heart about the future, Riley takes a leap of faith and kisses Farkle. - Auggie learns about the changing leaves.

Girl Meets Driving - The gang is learning to drive. Much to everyone's surprise, Riley is a great driver. Maya on the other hand...

Girl Meets Gettysburg - The class goes on a field trip to Gettysburg. Cory teaches the class about freedom.

Girl Meets Sweet Seventeen - "Since I never got a bat mitzvah" you're not Jewish "or a quinceañera" you're not Latina "or a sweet sixteen" okay... "I would like a Sweet Seventeen" ..... fine - Riley has a Sweet Seventeen. What does ‘coming of age’ mean anyway?

Girl Meets Times Square - The gang is given permission to go to Times Square on their own for New Years. As they all grow up and change, what will the new year bring?

Girl Meets Relationship - Lucas asks Maya to officially be his girlfriend. She doesn't know what to say. - Riley and Farkle are still not talking about what happened between them. - Relationships are hard.

Girl Meets Parenthood - Everyone gets given a fake baby to take home to learn about responsibility. Riley gains a new appreciation for her parents and all they do. - Auggie tries to convince his parents he's ready for a real pet.

Girl Meets The Hunters - A look into Maya's life now that Shawn is in the picture. Shawn is protective over Maya now that she has her first boyfriend.

Girl Meets Varsity - It's Lucas and Zay's first year on varsity. The rest of the gang supports them at their first game. Smackle starts to develop feelings for someone new.

Girl Meets Newspaper - Riley gets offered a spot on the school newspaper. She explores her passion for writing. - She learns that as a writer she must be confident in her own opinions and forget what other people think of her.

Girl Meets Scores - When the gang gets back their SAT scores, Riley is unhappy with her results. Once again, Farkle knows exactly what to say to help her keep her head up.

Girl Meets Finally - Riley and Farkle finally get together. Literally everyone's been waiting for it.

Girl Meets First Job - Riley starts her first job at Demolition. It's not all that she thought it would be. - Auggie wants a new toy, and his parents say he can get it if he earns the money by doing chores.

Girl Meets Vacation (Part 1) - Summer is here and Stuart Minkus invites Farkle's friends to stay at their summer home in the Hamptons (he's rich, y'all). - Because everyone is coupled up, Zay and Smackle spend a lot of time together. They're feeling things.

Girl Meets Vacation (Part 2) - "What if we don't stay friends forever?" - The gang discusses what they believe their futures look like and what could happen if life separates them.

Girl Meets History - It's the start of senior year. Cory is not their history teacher, and he assures them it's a good thing. What now? - The first lesson: the importance of remembering your history.

Girl Meets Freshmen - Now that they're seniors, it's time the gang passes on the service they received a few years ago.

Girl Meets Editor - Riley is offered an editor position on the school newspaper. She loves to write. She decides what she wants to major in.

Girl Meets Advice - Riley encounters a problem she doesn't feel comfortable sharing with her parents. She comes to Mrs. Pearson (her new history teacher) and asks her for help.

Girl Meets Give Back - In order to graduate, everyone must complete community service hours. Everyone is assigned different things and they’re reminded yet again of how lucky they are to have the lives they have.

Girl Meets College Applications - The gang is in the midst of filling out college applications. Everyone is stressed and Maya doesn't want to start hers in fear that no school will take her.

Girl Meets Christmas Party - When Riley's parents leave for the weekend the gang decides to have a small Christmas party at Topanga's without permission. Things get a little out of control when the whole school shows up.

Girl Meets Take a Stand - When a girl confesses to being harassed by another classmate, the principal doesn't believe her. "Well, you were wearing your cheerleading uniform. I think you gave him the wrong idea and misinterpreted things." - Mrs. Pearson gives the class a lesson about the erasure of women from history, despite all they've done. Moved by her words, Riley and friends start a protest with their classmates to make a statement about victim blaming.

Girl Meets The Gold Standard - The class learns about the gold standard and how technically money isn't real. "It only has value because we, as a society, decided it does. To what else do you give value? What do you think is worth its weight in gold?"

Girl Meets Senior Ditch Day - It’s senior ditch day and after a lot of convincing, the gang eventually gets Smackle to ditch. They decide to spend the day on Coney Island. - At the end of the day, Riley asks Cory to meet her at the amusement park. She rides that one roller coaster with her dad. She assures him she won’t let their tradition end no matter what.

Girl Meets Senior Trip - It’s time for the senior trip. Cory gets to chaperone so we know what that means: no ski lodge. They go camping instead! - Farkle was offered the opportunity of a lifetime but turns it down without telling Riley. When she finds out, she's not happy.

Girl Meets Role Model - The gang is asked to return to their middle school to talk to the eighth graders who will soon become freshmen. They have a lot of questions. - The gang recalls all the memories they’ve made over the years.

Girl Meets Prom - Their very last high school dance is coming up soon! Everyone's excited! Everyone ready! What could possibly go wrong? - Riley is still upset with Farkle for not telling her about his opportunity.

Girl Meets Future - Everyone has made their decision for college. They aren't all staying in the same place. Future Gang makes an appearance. - Auggie is leaving elementary school and Riley tells him he's going to get to meet a bigger world now. "So are you, Riley."

Girl Meets The End - The gang graduates. Smackle and Farkle tie for valedictorian. - One last lesson from Mr. Matthews. "Kids, you've met the world, but that's something you never really finish doing. There's still so much more for you to see. But I think you're ready to do it without me. Let's check. What's the secret of life?" - Final scene in Riley’s room. Everyone’s sitting around the bay window. - Lucas: "Is it crazy to believe that we'll all be together like this forever?" - Smackle: "Yes, because I'm going to Stockholm in two weeks. Zay's going to Chicago. Farkle and Riley are going to Princeton. You and Maya are the only ones staying in New York." -Lucas: "Let me rephrase, is it crazy to believe we'll all be friends the way we are now forever?" -Smackle: "Oh, no. That's not crazy. I think that's actually a pretty sound theory." - Riley's just crying at this point and Farkle's trying to comfort her -Farkle: "I'd agree with that. I think if the universe has taught us anything it's that somehow, in some way, we all belong together." - There’s a graduation party at Topanga’s. Everyone’s heading out to through the window and down the fire escape. - Maya: "You coming Riles?" - Riley: "Be there in a sec” -Riley, alone in her bay window "Girl meets world.... yeah I guess I did."

#gmw #gmw au #gmw fanfiction #gmw season 5 #riarkle #lucaya #zayadora #gmwnet #i finally finished this #yay!!!#hope y'all like it #i'm kinda sad that i finished this lol

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ambitionsource · 5 years ago

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AMBITION Season 2 ♫ “Are We Out of the Woods” [ 2.03 ]

CREATED BY Esther (rapunzles) & Maggie (daphnegolshiri) || S2 Tag || Official Page

WRONG THINGS, RIGHT THINGS – Disaster strikes rehearsals for the fall musical when a major vandalism throws everyone off schedule. As the junior class points fingers at prime suspects, Riley and Isadora attempt to clear a good friend’s name. Although only one student is responsible for the crime, more than one of them is lying.

62 Minutes (16K words) || No warnings apply.

[ ← Second Choice ] [ S2 Synopsis ] [ Valerie De La Cruz → ]

( Follow along with the music on Spotify here! )

A black screen, only for a moment, as NIGEL CHEY cues us in…

Nigel: Once upon a time --

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Prologue: Into the Woods” as performed by Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast || Performed by AAA Juniors

The orchestration of the seminal Broadway class launches us into the musical-centric episode for the season. The camera eases its way down the hall, students running by in costume or techies giving tasks to one another as they go. A set piece, half in progress, is pushed by JEFF MONROE back into the auditorium through the dressing room doors.

On the wall outside the black box theater, a poster for the musical is up: Into the Woods (in case the first song hadn’t tipped us off). On the bulletin board outside, the cast list is still posted, where all of our main players have initialed next to their given roles.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

On the stage, set still in progress but nearly complete behind them, our main players are doing a run through of the opening number in real time. This is where our first true taste of the casting comes into focus, RILEY MATTHEWS as Cinderella stage right, CHARLIE GARDNER as Jack with his prop cow at center stage, and FARKLE MINKUS taking on the role of The Baker with YINDRA AMINO as The Baker’s Wife stage left.

Other roles are introduced as they step into the number, such as ISADORA DE LA CRUZ as Little Red Riding Hood, and MAYA HART as The Witch. However, the opening prologue is a lengthy piece, and there’s much more going on that shares focus as we settle into Sondheim’s musical world.

For example, LUCAS FRIAR is in the midst of conversing with DAVE WILLIAMS over the construction of their most complex set piece. It’s nearly complete, and Dave has been slaving away over it for weeks. It’s clear that he considers it his baby at this point. He speaks about it with overt enthusiasm, slapping DYLAN ORLANDO’s hand away as he tries to touch it.

Unfortunately, Lucas isn’t in the mood for enthusiasm. It’s clear Dave is getting on his nerves with his perfectionism, warning him that they’re running out of time to finish the damn thing, so he’s going to have to either hustle or settle for less than perfect.

Dave: You can’t rush art.

Lucas, flatly: It’s a fake hill with fake trees.

Dave: Shh! It’ll hear you!

NATE MARTINEZ exchanges a look with Lucas, assuring him that they’ll get it done. Dave continues to assure the set piece that Lucas didn’t mean it. He’s just stressed, once again in a role he doesn’t want to have. And ain’t that the truth…

Meanwhile, SHAWN HUNTER and HARPER BURGESS are at odds yet again. They’re quietly arguing in the front and center section as the rehearsal progresses, Shawn pointing out that giving Isadora such a large role has seriously depleted her ability to help the techie brigade.

Harper: Perhaps you shouldn’t put such an exclusionary attitude on the techies, and teach some of the performers who didn’t get roles to work.

Shawn: That would take more time than our current crew doing it alone.

Harper: Well, then maybe you should’ve been doing that the whole time. Hindsight truly is 20/20, isn’t it?

Harper is done with the conversation, turning her focus back to the rehearsal. Shawn rolls his eyes, running a hand through his hair before marching off in the other direction.

In the wings, ZAY BABINEAUX is conversing with NICK YOGI and SARAH CARLSON. The boys are dressed in their costumes for their roles as the Princes, looking pretty sharp. Although he seems unbothered, Sarah makes an offhand comment about how Zay was duped for a leading role again by Farkle. That’s a shoddy track record, especially with Farkle being kind of universally disliked at this point.

Sarah: Guess talent really is the ultimate factor, isn’t it?

Zay: Please, time on stage does not equate best performance. The Prince is a far more interesting and fun role anyway.

A true statement, perhaps, but there’s an equal amount of truth to Sarah’s earlier statement as well. Despite how well he brushes it off, there has to be a frustration to constantly taking a backseat to the villain of Adams’ history.

Focus shifts back to the actual number when Maya is laying down the required items for the Baker family to get their wish. As the rest of the rehearsal unfolds and each core character begins their journey into the woods, the performances clearly show off why the show was casted the way it was. As usual, the choices seem to be spot on.

That being said, Farkle’s perfect casting doesn’t stretch into his overall state. He doesn’t seem… on top of things, for what it’s worth. He’s lacking his usual pop of energy, and there are small moments as the last minute unfolds where he’s actually starting to look a little unsteady.

This comes to a head when they reach the final chorus, Farkle front and center as they sing the final harmony. He gets through the note and then promptly collapses, sending the screen into black as everyone reacts in concern and shock around him.

Cue title sequence.

INT. AAA - TEACHER’S LOUNGE - DAY

A blurry visual fades us in from the titles, fading in and out of black until the vision stabilizes: the ceiling with speckled tiles, lighting dim in the lounge to make for a less intense setting.

Farkle blinks, confused as he comes back to consciousness. He lets his gaze drift, allowing more things to come into perspective. This includes the three people looking at him -- Charlie, kneeling next to him with a cold compress, having been the first one to jump to his aid; Riley, watching in concern but not quite ready to be right at his bedside; and lastly Lucas, glaring at him from over his shoulder and reminding him how to feel fear.

Charlie: Farkle? Can you hear me?

Farkle: What the hell is going on?

Zay darts in with another cold compress, exchanging the old one with Charlie. He tries to put it on Farkle’s forehead, but he pushes his help away and struggles into a sitting position instead.

Riley: You fainted.

Zay: Scared the hell out of everyone.

Charlie: People just weren’t expecting it. Are you okay?

Farkle: … oh, so now you all suddenly care? Just because I took a little tumble?

Lucas: Don’t flatter yourself.

Harper enters, tailed by ERIC MATTHEWS and the school nurse. Eric instructs all of the other students to go back to rehearsal and give Farkle a little bit of space. They obey, Zay patting Charlie’s shoulder as he glances back over his shoulder in concern.

While Eric is able to settle right down with the nurse and address Farkle, Harper keeps her distance. The two of them have had a strange relationship from the first week, so she’s even more uncertain how to handle this situation. She awkwardly wishes Farkle well and says he can come back to rehearsal as soon as he’s more steady.

As she leaves, Eric begins questioning Farkle on the status of his health. Has he been feeling sick? Is he drinking enough water during rehearsals? Farkle is able to answer things pretty pointedly, until Eric starts gearing the conversation towards more mental areas. Is he getting enough sleep? How are his eating habits? He dodges by answering vaguely, but it’s unclear whether he genuinely doesn’t really know or if he’s just wary of discussing his current emotional state.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Isadora makes her way across the stage towards where the techies are working on the major set piece, getting sidetracked by Maya. She eagerly wonders whether or not Valerie has responded to Isadora’s invitation to come see the show. Isadora claims her starlet mother is in fact planning to be in attendance, and the two of them share a moment of excitement.

Maya lets her go, leaving her to approach her former usual crew. Lucas, Nate, and Dylan are arguing about a feature of the set piece that still isn’t complete. It was supposed to be Farkle’s job as part of his punishment, but considering he’s in rehearsals ninety percent of the time and is now sick, they’re going to have to pick up the slack.

Isadora swoops in just at this moment, asking how things are going. Dylan relays the situation in quick terms, and while Isadora attempts to begin brainstorming like old times, it’s evident that the boys aren’t really all that interested in what she has to offer. In fact, there might be some resentment already in place considering how her focus is split in rehearsals as well.

Nate: Well, you know, maybe you could actually help if you weren’t so double-booked.

The moment passes before she can form a retort, Dylan offering to take up the extra work. They settle it and break without further discussion. Lucas heads off in another direction without waiting up, so Isadora has to jog to keep up with him as he begins the long journey through the auditorium towards the booth. He claims they’re both busy and maybe don’t have all that much time, but Isadora seems determined to have a conversation.

Isadora: I just wanted to let you know that my mom is planning on coming to opening night. I know how you feel about her, so I thought you might like the warning. You know, so you can take your civility shots or whatever you need to do.

Lucas is clearly displeased by this information, but he covers it with nonchalance. He doesn’t buy that she’ll actually show, but Isadora is welcome to get her hopes up if that’s what she feels like spending her energy on.

It’s frustrating, how conversations seem to have this edge between them these days. Isadora charges onward regardless, shifting gears and pointing out how brusque Nate was to her. With Lucas also sort of giving her the brush-off, she attempts to get a read on if they’re really pissed.

Lucas: Look… I don’t know. I guess we just didn’t realize that you doing the musical was going to be like… a recurring thing. I figured after The Miserables --

Isadora, without thinking: Les Mis.

Lucas: … did you just correct me?

Whoopsie. Rookie mistake. Isadora tries to recover, quickly changing the subject and pointing out that they handled the production of things totally fine without her last year. She has no doubt that they’ll be able to pull it off again.

Isadora: Besides, you guys really did a great job with Les Mis --

Lucas: THE MISERABLES.

Clearly, this conversation is not going to produce positive returns. If Isadora was searching for reassurance that her footing with the techies was all well and good, she’s not going to find it here and now.

INT. AAA - BOYS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Meanwhile, rehearsal must go on, so they’re gearing up to move forward on numbers that don’t require Farkle to run through. Harper finishes telling the boys this before giving them a five minute warning. Zay and Yogi finish getting into costume, their duet as the princes the next one up that fits that criteria.

Zay: Well, if our supposed leading man is going to sleep on the job, Yogles and I will be happy to pick up the slack. Not that we really need the practice --

Nigel rolls his eyes, exchanging a look with Charlie. Charlie can’t help but smile, eyeing Zay as he’s getting ready to march back out onto the stage.

Zay: But, well, the show must go on.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Agony” as performed by Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Zay Babineaux & Nick Yogi

Perhaps the most straightforward performance we’ll get all episode, Zay and Yogi take their rehearsal time seriously and deliver an entertaining rendition of the princely duet. However, the duet in it of itself is theatrical and over the top, so maybe “seriously” isn’t the right word.

In any case, it’s clear that Zay wasn’t kidding when he claimed they hardly needed much more rehearsal. He completely owns the stage, demonstrating how much that summer confidence has done for him. Harper is thoroughly enjoying the performance, as well as their classmates as they watch from the wings. Riley and Maya laugh along; Charlie is totally enthralled.

When they wrap, Harper gives them a quick congratulations for actually being on top of their roles. Zay gives a cheeky little bow, exiting the stage with a flourish.

INT. AAA - DRESSING ROOM HALL - DAY

Riley is on the hunt for Zay, aiming to tell him he did a great job and potentially thwart any diva meltdown that might be brewing before it can take hold. He’s nowhere to be found, but she accidentally runs into Maya and Isadora instead.

Maya is in the midst of talking Isadora down from stress over the rehearsal process, the latter just finishing up lamenting how she can’t help the techies and that might be becoming a real problem, but she’s stressed that she can’t keep up with the performers either.

They both grow quieter when they realize they’re not alone, Riley giving them a tight smile. She apologizes for interrupting them, but Maya claims it’s fine as she actually has to go get ready for her own number. She backs off, giving the two of them the potential to talk.

There’s still an uncertainty between them, but it’s clear that Isadora isn’t unhappy to see her. Riley timidly ventures some advice based on what she overheard, explaining that she knows all too well how it feels to be the one who can’t keep up. She has no doubt that Isadora will catch up in no time, though, and she shouldn’t forget that she’s in this role for a reason.

Considering the walls Isadora has been hitting with Lucas and the techies, hearing such blatant encouragement is a welcome change. She nods, giving Riley a quiet thanks.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

The doors to the hallway on the opposite end of the stage kick open, Dylan and ASHER GARCIA arriving and declaring that they’ve successfully picked up the new supplies from Home Depot. It’ll take a lot of help to move it all, so all the techies head out to assist.

Harper is pacing the stage, determining who still needs to hang around for evening rehearsal. Farkle returns from the teacher’s lounge, looking less pale but still tired. Still he jogs up to Harper anyway, reporting for duty and asking if he should start working on one of his numbers again. Maybe “It Takes Two,” if Yindra is around?

Uncertain how to address him, Harper sort of blows him off. She claims they can probably hold off on his other performances until tomorrow, and perhaps he could use the additional rest. The last thing they need is another collapse. He grows frustrated at the dismissal, asking if he should then keep working on the set piece, or go back to the script library. There has to be something he can do -- but Harper has made her decision.

Harper: Farkle, you’re done for the day. Go home and rest. We don’t need you here anymore.

The sentiment obviously hits Farkle, although he swallows it rather than lashing back. He backs off as Harper switches back into directorial mode, calling for the cast and crew to meet center stage for a pre-dinner meeting. As she’s taking account of major players, one absence becomes immediately glaring…

Harper: Where the hell is Babineaux?

INT. AAA - COSTUME LOFT - NIGHT

Babineaux, as it were, is in the costume loft. And there’s really only one reason that anyone besides Jade ever goes in the costume loft.

If there’s one thing to know about Charlie Gardner and Zay Babineaux, it’s that perhaps one of the most attractive traits between them -- and what brought them together in the first place, all things considered -- is one another’s talent (i.e. the boys certainly understand Artists Are Attractive). So following such a phenomenal performance of “Agony,” it’s unsurprising that Charlie felt the need to… express some things.

Their banter is playful like usual, the mythos of the costume loft giving them a faux sense of privacy as they kiss. Zay points out that Cinderella’s prince and the lad Jack hooking up would certainly make for an interesting twist, easily emphasized by the fact that they’re both currently in costume. Charlie takes his face, looking him over before shaking his head.

Charlie: Don’t get me started on the costume.

For what it’s worth, it is a good, appealing costume for a good, appealing prince. Jade did an excellent job. Such words aren’t necessary, however, as how eagerly Charlie kisses him conveys the message effectively enough.

Just as they’re getting into it, the doors opening to the loft from down below startle them out of it. Charlie lets out a panicked “shit” before Zay urges him to hide, both of them fumbling for a cover until Zay literally knocks Charlie over, behind a rack of costumes and out of sight.

Just in time, as Maya pops her head up on the ladder to the loft and asks him what the hell he’s doing up there alone. They’re grouping for rehearsal and he needs to get his ass in attendance. Zay nods in agreement and promises he’ll be down in a flash, waiting until she rolls her eyes and disappears again to let out a sigh.

Charlie digs himself out from the rubble and into a sitting position, flushed and obviously dazed. Zay drops down to start helping him, trying to take his hands and help him back up.

Zay: Holy shit, are you okay --

Charlie: I’m -- just go! Go, go, before she comes back.

Zay nods, dipping down to give him a quick kiss before darting down the ladder. Charlie sighs, falling back into the costumes.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The performers assemble on the stage in a circle, the techies continuing to move set materials while Harper discusses the rest of their rehearsal plan for the evening. Charlie jogs up and joins the group last, jumping in next to Yindra. When she asks him where the hell he was, he makes a face and shrugs like it’s no big deal. Nothing for her to worry about.

Given that tomorrow is their first full-day weekend rehearsal, and they’re only five days away from opening, the pressure is on to start cracking down. Harper releases the performers for a quick dinner break, and informs the techies that once they’re done moving things they can break for dinner as well. Everyone is dismissed.

All of them begin moving at once, the technicians heading back out the side door to keep working while the performers flutter off. Lucas hesitates when he realizes Isadora isn’t following them, calling after her.

Lucas: … Dora. [ when she faces him ] Are you not going to help?

Isadora: Oh. Well… I kind of want to eat with my castmates. That’s like… part of the bonding thing. You know?

Lucas: … oh, yeah. Sure. That’s fine, whatever. Break a leg, then. [ under his breath ] Maybe both legs.

It’s so hard to tell when Lucas’s sarcasm is dipping into genuine disdain. Isadora takes the spoken acceptance for what it’s worth, nodding and heading in the other direction.

Yindra and Nigel tease Zay about showing up so late to their meeting, pointedly wondering where the hell he was. Maya throws out that he was in the costume loft, to which both of them are like ooh, the costume loft? What could you possibly have been doing there, Isaiah? But the friendly jeers take on a slightly sensitive slant when Sarah throws in her two cents.

Sarah: No wonder Farkle keeps getting roles over you, now that he’s able to help with tech and perform while having a diva meltdown. You can’t even show up on time. But no, you’re clearly above it all.

Zay looks like he has choice things he’d like to say, but Riley distracts him and yanks him back towards the doors for dinner. She states that eating will make him feel better, but Zay pulls away and claims he just wants a few minutes alone to destress. He’ll catch up with her later.

Dave, on the other hand, is in no hurry to head to dinner. He’s still obsessing over his magnum opus of a set piece, growing nitpicky and getting a little too attached to it. Asher and Dylan are pulling him away, claiming that he needs food and like… healthy separation.

Lucas finishes bringing the last of the wood in and encourages his lieutenants to get Dave a good distance from this thing that’s eating him alive, to which they’re like aye, aye, captain. He starts to follow them out, then pauses, glancing over his shoulder at the set piece. Large, impressive, the most important piece of their set design. Then he leaves, casting the auditorium into quiet.

Farkle is the last one present, sauntering out into the auditorium with his things to discover he’s been left behind yet again. He supposes that makes sense, given that he was already blatantly dismissed, but it always feels more pointed when he’s standing all alone. He meanders to center stage, spinning and taking a look at the set. He stares up at it, contemplation coloring his tired expression…

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - NIGHT

Harper shares dinner with Eric, taking the chair across from his desk as she vents about the rehearsal process. She feels as though she’s doing her best, but this whole experience is still super overwhelming. Everyone looks to her for answers, and sometimes she doesn’t have them. Not to mention the attitude she gets from Farkle and how that’s morphed into a complicated dynamic she has no idea how to move forward from, and the techies clearly don’t respect her. That’s particularly frustrating, considering she was a techie when she first attended AAA all those years ago.

Eric talks her down, assuring her that she’s doing an excellent job. Especially given that they’ve only had… what, one student ailment and zero tantrums so far? That might be the least trauma they’ve ever encountered during a typical AAA production. What else could possibly go wrong?

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

Great question, Eric. As is storytelling tradition, the moment someone asks that rhetorical query, it must be answered.

Dave is heading back into the auditorium before everyone else, in good spirits and eager to get back to work. He’s humming to himself and dancing a little bit as he goes, coming back to the set building area and rubbing his hands to get back to work.

Only the moment he looks up, it’s as though we’ve entered a horror movie. The camera goes close on his face as he stares up above him, eyes wide before he screams bloody murder. Nothing but pure, abject terror -- Dave is quite the scream queen -- but why?

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT - LATER

The central set piece has been majorly damaged. It’s a hollow shell of the beauty it used to be, pieces broken off and torn and holes through the paper mache. Totally vandalized.

It’s Dave’s worst nightmare. As we ease away from the damage, the full class assembled comes into focus. Isadora is staring up at the destroyed set piece, stunned, while the rest of the class discusses the damage in hushed murmurs.

Lucas jogs in on the heels of Nate, asking what the hell is going on. His jaw drops when he sees the set piece, as well as Dave huddled on the floor in front of it in a total state. Asher and Jade are kneeling on either side of him, attempting to comfort him. Lucas seems genuinely upset by Dave’s reaction, but Dylan pulls him out of it by asking him what the hell they’re going to do.

Riley adds that this is bad news for all of them, considering they only have five days of rehearsal left and that set piece took all production long to make. They simply don’t have time to put it back together at the same rate, at least not the way they’ve been approaching it so far. It’s going to take all of them dedicating time and effort to it while working overtime, including the performers.

Not to mention, as Charlie points out, who is to say that there won’t be more trouble? Only one of them could’ve done this as they’re the only ones in the school this late on Friday. Whoever openly sabotaged the show, they’re guaranteed to be in their midst.

Naturally, such a dark realization instigates a frenzied slew of accusations. After tossing some words around the popular narrative seems to narrow down to three potential suspects.

Haley: It was obviously Farkle. After everything that happened last year, what does he have to lose?

Yindra: Um, news flash, American Girl? Farkle’s not even here.

Nate: Yeah, but he was. He left after the rest of us, and no one saw him leave. Clear motive, clear opportunity.

Sarah: Yeah, except he literally wiped out like an hour before. I don’t believe he could do all that damage with his twig arms, let alone when he’s already running on dead battery.

Yindra and Nigel turn the tables on her, asking if she’s so sure, who the hell does she think did it?

Sarah: Seriously? Is this even a question? [ gesturing to Lucas ] Who is our local delinquent?

Asher/Dylan, in unison: Hey, no way --

Riley: I don’t think --

Lucas: Real ballsy of you to say so to my face, Sarah. Just because you enjoy constantly cutting down the work of your classmates doesn’t mean I get the same sadistic thrill.

Jeff: Yeah, why would a techie destroy another techie’s work?

Good point, but a lot of people seem to think Lucas isn’t a bad argument. He is always angry, after all, and he’s vandalized things before. He scoffs.

Lucas: This is so bullshit. This is profiling.

Zay: That’s not what profiling means, white bread.

Darby: Well I don’t know if I would be so smug, Zay.

Zay: The hell are you on about?

Darby: You’ve been acting kind of weird, too. And you weren’t at dinner until later.

Riley: Yeah, but not long enough to do that.

Zay: Are you seriously claiming I did this?

Sarah picks up the slack on this thread, pointing out that Zay was also pointedly late to their group meet up before dinner. He could’ve been getting everything ready then, and then he could easily pull it off quicker. Zay grows defensive, stating that he has better things to do than fuck with their production.

Nate: Yeah, because you’re always above everything, aren’t you?

Riley steps forward and rubs Zay’s arm comfortingly, obviously not believing it could’ve been him. Charlie also looks like he wants to say something, but as things grow more heated he keeps his mouth shut.

The in-fighting only ceases when Harper returns with Eric, both of them shocked at the state of the set piece. When she frantically questions what the hell happened, a bunch of people start speaking at once and it’s impossible to figure out what anyone is saying. It’s a lot to absorb all at once, so Harper snaps and tells all of them they’re dismissed for the evening. Clearly everyone needs to cool down, and they’ll figure this out during their 12-hour rehearsal day tomorrow.

It’s the first time Harper has raised her voice in front of the class, so everyone takes the demand seriously. They disperse, Eric going to assess the damage as Asher and Jade manage to pull Dave up from being a puddle on the floor.

INT. JACK’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

JACK HUNTER is in the midst of a dinner date with ANNE MARIE WINTHROP, beginning the transitioning from the meal to the… extracurricular portion of the evening. The mood is disturbed when his phone rings, Jack pulling back from her to check his phone.

He states that it’s work, which Anne Marie points out can wait considering it’s the weekend. He’s working on the work-life balance, remember? She regains his attention, gently pulling him back into a kiss… when his phone rings again. She relinquishes him with a sigh, Jack offhandedly explaining that with the musical going on right now, it probably has something to do with that. He’ll be quick, he promises.

Anne Marie watches as he dashes off with the phone, propping her feet up on the couch.

INT. MINKUS HOME - NIGHT

Farkle is in fact home for the evening, half-heartedly eating something for late dinner alone at the dining table. He jumps when his phone rings, surprised to see Riley calling. He answers immediately, not even sure what to say in greeting.

She says she’s simply checking in to see how he’s feeling, and also inform him about the set piece debacle and how that might impact rehearsals tomorrow. To his credit, Farkle seems stunned by the news.

Farkle: What? That’s terrible. It was fine when I left… are they going to fix it? I mean, we only have a few days before opening --

Riley explains that they’re going to get more information tomorrow. Farkle appears genuinely frazzled, but on the one hand, he is an actor. Or it could just be nerves…

He attempts to try and keep the conversation going with Riley, who he hasn’t really spoken to since the end of last year. But she finds an exit route and tells him she has to go, stating she’ll see him tomorrow before hanging up. Not giving him much of an opportunity to reconnect.

INT. MAYA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

KATY HART is likewise on the phone, deep in a debate with their landlord. She’s talking numbers and clearly trying to negotiate something important, but she abruptly ends the call when Maya stumbles in from rehearsal. Based on her expression it’s obvious something’s up, but Maya does not seem in the mood for talking.

Katy: What’s going on? How was rehearsal?

Maya: Exhausting. Everything is bonkers as usual. Whatever. I’m going to bed.

Katy doesn’t argue the point further. Maya drops her duffle by the door and gives her mother a quick kiss on the cheek, stomping off to sleep.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The grueling 12-hour rehearsal kicks off with a tense start, the destroyed set piece looming over the cast and crew as they saunter in early in the morning. People continue to throw around their suspicions, particularly at Farkle now that he’s returned for the day.

Farkle: I’m amazed at the sexism on this stage right now. You all have decided on your three prime suspects, and yet, why are we only assuming a guy could’ve done this?

Yindra: It’s not our problem all y’all boys in this class are emotionally unstable.

Clarissa: Besides, that part of the set piece is too high up for most of us to reach.

Maya: Izzy and I are innocent for sure. We’re tiny.

Yogi: Step ladders exist.

Maya: Which is obviously what you used, you’re the shortest of all of us --

Harper ceases the arguing with her arrival, essentially banning discussion about the culprit. She wants all of their focus directed towards rehearsal and repairing the set, not trying to pin blame on one another.

Yogi: [ singing under his breath ] No what really matters is the blame, somebody to blame…

The investigation, Harper wants them to leave to the professionals. Which in this case, are Jack and Eric. They saunter their way in as she’s explaining the new rules, discussing heatedly as they make their way up to the stage. It’s clear Jack isn’t exactly pleased to be there, although he grows more somber when he gets a good look at the set piece for the first time.

The class, on the other hand, isn’t impressed.

Nigel: Them? They’re supposed to be our grand detectives?

Jack: Believe me, Mister Chey, there are dozens of ways I’d rather be spending my Saturday.

Harper: Principal Hunter and Mister Matthews have narrowed down problematic students before, and I am sure they’ll be able to do it again.

Jade: Yeah, because they did such a good job with the Confessions page.

The rest of the class agrees, lightly clowning the administrative duo. Like, sure. Let them try their best. No one seems particularly threatened by their involvement, and when Harper dismisses them to get into costume and make-up the three of them regroup.

Jack: How did I somehow end up dragged into yet another episode of Adams Unsolved? As opposed to, you know… running the school like a normal principal?

Eric points out never has his role been “normal.” But whatever, they’ll be able to figure it out. Which launches us into yet another classic Jack & Eric interrogation sequence…

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Jack paces the office while Eric sits at his desk, both them tossing questions to each student that sits opposite them in the hot seat. The discussion tends to drift to what the class has deemed the most likely suspects, although no theory is exactly concrete.

Clarissa takes the seat first, offering her two cents. From there, it’s a game of popcorn. As each student takes the seat, it’s picking up from the last, but of course none are in conversation with one another.

Clarissa: I’m not going to act like I know anything for certain, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lucas did it.

Eric: Why’s that?

Sarah: Uh, maybe because… he’s a criminal? You two should know, isn’t there like a mega folder dedicated to chronicling his misdeeds?

Jeff: There’s no way Lucas would do another techie like that. Dave worked so hard on that set piece. He’s sort of a dick, but he wouldn’t go that far.

Yindra: Oh, sure he would. Lucas hasn’t cared about anybody but himself since like, last April. If that. He’s a pissed off white boy, they’ll do anything.

Clarissa: Not to mention he’s already sort of sabotaged the show. He was a good stage manager last year, but it’s been a mess this year. He’s all over the place and angry all the time, and that’s when he elects to show up at all.

Still, there are alternative points to his seemingly obvious guilt. Asher and Dylan are the only two students to be interviewed together, seated next to one another.

Asher: We were finishing unloading set pieces when the prep would’ve occurred, and all at dinner together when the vandalism happened.

Dylan: Yeah, and we all saw each other. Therefore, it could not have been Asher. Or me. Or Lucas.

Jack: And you’re sure you had eyes on all of your fellow technicians? At all times?

Dylan: Sure. There was me and Ash --

Asher: And Jade.

Dylan: And Jeff.

Asher: Nate, Dave --

Dylan: And Lucas. That’s everyone.

Then, of course, Lucas has his own take.

Lucas: All this proves to me is that no one in the junior class has a collective brain cell. I was helping the techies with the supplies haul -- because we’re the only ones who ever do any real work. [ nodding to Eric taking notes ] That’s called an alibi, did you jot that down?

Jack: Okay, okay. Cool it, Lucas.

Lucas: The supply move took about a half an hour, and then we were all at dinner together. Did I watch my friends like a hawk, no, but maybe that’s because I trust them.

Throwback to Eric with Dylan and Asher.

Eric: And you’re sure you saw him. The whole time.

Asher: Beyond a reasonable doubt.

Dylan: We’re sure.

With that confirmation, the mystery grows more befuddling. And Lucas is still defensive, but it’s not clear whether that makes him seem more or less guilty.

Lucas: Besides, why the hell would I destroy the work of a fellow technician? Let alone my friends? I’m one of the only people who gives a shit about what we do. Oh, and then there’s the little detail of uh, I didn’t do it!

Convincing delivery. But Lucas has lied before, so it’s not a guaranteed innocence. There are other potential culprits to consider, however.

Yindra: Lucas’s lame attitude aside, I don’t think he did it. I don’t think he cares enough. Farkle, on the other hand --

Charlie: Farkle has been acting kind of weird lately. Not that I think he did it, but I don’t know, he’s seemed on edge since he came back for school. Which makes sense, you know, given how last year ended...

Darby: If he’s been waiting for a chance to get back at all of us or further his reign of terror, this would certainly be a good move.

Solid points. But then, it still doesn’t seem all that simple.

Farkle: This is ridiculous. I was at home because I was sent home, you can call my parents and confirm. Or ask Miss Burgess.

Eric: People said that the vandalism could’ve occurred before you were picked up. There is a window enough for something like that.

Farkle: Mister Matthews, you saw me yesterday. Did I look itching for a scrap? No. I was tired, so I went home as directed and got some sleep. That’s it.

Logically, there are other holes in his potential guilt as well. He’s not the only one who believes in his innocence.

Jade: I mean, I don’t like Farkle, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Why would he sabotage a show where he has the lead?

Nigel: He hasn’t been nearly as rabid this year as he was last year. I get why everyone is automatically pointing fingers at him, but I don’t know, I don’t think vicious destruction is his vibe. Now, if we all suddenly came down with hay fever and lost our voices before opening night, then I might consider he did some kind of witchcraft…

Nate: Minkus is a stone cold bitch, but he cares way too much about his time in the spotlight to throw it away over something so stupid.

Charlie: Also, I saw him when he collapsed. He didn’t look good. I don’t think he would be running off to cause trouble after a fall like that.

Sarah: Oh, come on, is that supposed to be a valid excuse? He’s an actor. He could’ve faked the whole thing for attention. I don’t buy that as an automatic pass.

Then, there’s the third oddball suspect to have been afforded potential blame. He comes back into the conversation after Dave’s choked up explanation, slouched deep in Eric’s chair.

Dave: I swear, I left and everything was fine. It was perfect. Asher and Dylan dragged me out to dinner, but I ate really fast so I could come back and do the final finishing touches. And when I got back, it was a mess. It was --

[ Dave can’t speak further. A bit theatrical, yes, but who are Jack and Eric to judge what’s important to a student. Eric slides his tissue box across the table. ]

Dave: Whoever did it, they were prepared. They knew what they were doing. [ blowing his nose ] So either they already have some experience messing things up, or they took the time to be ready.

This throws back to what was observed quite aptly yesterday, which is that Zay has been having some mysterious absences of his own.

Maya: I mean, yeah, I had to go grab him from the costume loft. Which was kind of weird, since people don’t really hang out in there alone, but I seriously doubt Zay did anything. I mean, come on, he’s Zay.

Zay: I’m Zay, okay? I’m not into petty stuff like this. I have no motive and you all know it. I’ve never been a monster diva. I’m just a talented bitch.

Sarah: His motive is exactly that. He’s never been on the same level as Maya and Farkle, and even though he was the summer camp darling, he’s still playing second fiddle to Minkus. That would drive anybody to action, especially since Farkle sucks.

Riley: There’s no way Zay would do something like this. He is the nicest person at AAA, he would never do something so needlessly cruel.

Eric: But you said so yourself that he didn’t go with you for dinner. That he wanted to take some time alone.

Riley: Yes, but… that’s not the point. When he said that, I doubt he meant he wanted to go vandalize the set.

Isadora: I highly doubt it was Zay. He’s just the third party suspect people throw in there so it’s more exciting. He has no motive, and definitely doesn’t fit the profile for potential insanity the way the other two do. The only thing he’s missing is --

Eric: An alibi. If you can give me concrete facts on where you were, then we can clear this and call your whole involvement moot.

Zay: I told you, I went to the dressing room to take a breather and was out to dinner within like, five minutes. That’s not enough time to cause carnage that great.

Jack: If you were prepared, it might be. People said you were difficult to find before you all were dismissed for dinner.

Zay, exasperated: This is inane! I was in the costume loft, Maya saw me.

Jack: But she didn’t see what you were doing. And the costume loft is the perfect place to hide some items if you’re planning to do damage, based on proximity alone.

Eric: Is there anything else you can give us to work with? Anything to prove that you were there when you said you were. Did anybody else see you? Anybody that can vouch for what you were doing?

Zay holds his tongue, obviously thinking. There sure is one option, but whether he’ll talk…

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Case in point, Jack and Eric are exhausted when they wrap up their initial round of conversations. Their takeaway is essentially the same as the class -- that there are two clear obvious suspects and then Zay, but without concrete evidence to his innocence it’s hard to give him a pass while they’re still investigating the other two.

At least, Jack states, they can effectively decide on a punishment. Regardless of who did it, the punishment should be the same, and it should be swift. Eric is a bit surprised by Jack’s rigid stance on this, but he doesn’t argue the point. There’s no point in stressing about punishment when they have no one to punish.

From their outsider perspective, this is going to be tough. It would be more effective to be on the front lines...

INT. AAA - DRESSING ROOM HALL - DAY

Which is exactly what Isadora is thinking as she goes to find Riley. She pulls her aside, checking that they’re in agreement that Zay being under investigation is insane. She proposes that the two of them work together to suss out the true culprit themselves -- or at least, clear Zay’s name, since he doesn’t seem too keen to do it for himself. Isadora also feels bad about all of Dave’s hard work being destroyed, and if she can bring the perpetrator to justice it might get her back in good graces with the techies.

Riley is desperate to help, and the possibility of reconnecting with Isadora through the mystery is a no-brainer. She declares she’s in, shaking hands with her to seal the partnership.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “He Did It” as performed by Curtains Original Broadway Cast || Performed by AAA Juniors

[ Lyrics specific to characters -- follow along here! ]

Although Harper specifically instructed the juniors not to speculate any further, they are hardly going to listen to such a directive. When the cast and crew break for lunch, a series of hushed discussions further deepen the suspicions against our prime suspects. Meanwhile, Dave snoozes in front of the set piece, so protective over it now that he can hardly leave it.

While their classmates share theories, Riley and Isadora eavesdrop and take notes for themselves. They exchange eyebrow raises and inquisitive looks as they creep around the set pieces, aiming not to be noticed by their gossiping peers. Following along with the slightly altered lyrics in this case is a must for the full effect.

As the round begins and the accusations build up, the number comes to an end with Lucas, Farkle, and Zay being backed into one another center stage, their classmates mocking their obvious guilt. But which one actually did it -- if any of them at all?

INT. AAA - JANITOR’S CLOSET - DAY

That’s for Riley and Isadora to attempt to deduce. They’ve taken inspiration from the likes of Buzzfeed Unsolved and American Vandal, using HARLEY KEINER’S office as a home base to set up their mystery board and compile evidence. He assures them he’ll help in whatever way he can, just to give him a holler if they need his assistance.

Thusly, the two amateur detectives start putting together a more comprehensive rundown of the timeline of the vandalism. This includes threading together texts, timestamps, in-person sightings, anything they’ve got. They’re mostly focused on clearing Zay, but if they can narrow down the actual culprit at the same time, then even better.

INT. AAA - DANCE STUDIO - DAY

Zay is less concerned about clearing his name, seeing as it seems fruitless anyway. He’s running through choreography with Charlie in their usual studio, the subject only coming up when the latter brings it up.

He comments on how harsh the accusations seem to be getting, wondering if Zay is feeling okay. He doesn’t deserve to be under the gun like this. Zay shrugs it off, claiming that people always talk. Still, it’s unfair, and Charlie clearly feels for him.

Charlie: It still sucks. Especially because you of all people deserve it the least. I wish there was something we could do, I wish I could help.

Zay hesitates, contemplating whether bringing the issue up is even worth it. But Charlie is looking at him, full of sincerity, so he decides it’s worth a shot. He starts to say that there is a way he could help… by saying that he saw him in the costume loft and he wasn’t doing anything nefarious. The only reason people are still on him is because he doesn’t have an “alibi,” so if he says something…

Charlie’s expression shifts in an instant, going from empathetic to wary.

Charlie: Are you kidding? No way.

Zay: Listen, you wouldn’t even have to say what you were doing there. Just that you happened to see me, maybe at a different time than Maya. Or even just that we crossed paths. Eric isn’t going to grill you --

Charlie: No. No, man, I can’t do that.

Zay: Why not? You said you wanted to help. It won’t matter why you were there, you won’t even have to say --

Charlie, sharply: Yeah? What is the only reason people go to the costume loft, Zay?

Zay makes a face, conceding this point. He figured this wasn’t going to go anywhere, but Charlie’s reaction is admittedly stronger than he anticipated. He’s pacing, breathing uneven as he continues to refute the possibility. He’s on the verge of full-blown panic, a wild look in his eyes as he repeats his refusal.

Charlie: I can’t. No. No, Zay. I can’t, I’m sorry, I can’t --

Zay: Okay. Okay… okay! Charlie, hey --

Zay takes his arms, getting him to stop moving and look at him. He shifts his hands from his arms to his shoulders to his face, trying to get him to calm down.

Zay: It’s okay, alright? Charlie, look at me. You don’t have to do anything. It’s fine.

Charlie, breathless: Well -- well what are you gonna do?

Zay: I don’t know, I’ll figure something out. But it’s okay. It’s gonna be fine. Okay?

Charlie gulps, catching his breath and nodding. Trying to believe it’s true and come back from the edge. After a moment he pulls Zay into a hug, holding him tightly and tucking his head into his shoulder. Zay returns the embrace.

From the way he holds him, it’s so incredibly clear how important Zay is to Charlie. How much he cares about him, how much comfort he gives him and how safe he feels with him. He can’t fathom losing that just yet… even if the chances of problems are slim, it feels like too much to risk...

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Giants In The Sky” as performed by Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Charlie Gardner

A bold transition from the soft intensity of his moment with Zay, Charlie’s eyes are wide and shining in the stage lights as he launches into this energized soliloquy.

Jack’s fictional dilemma of straddling the worlds of giant and mundane somehow perfectly encapsulates Charlie’s own current conundrum -- the pull between being a good Catholic boy, the perfect son, the world of “the roof, the house, and your mother at the door,” versus… well, being himself. Unapologetically. Without hesitation.

A world dazzling and elusive enough to be compared to the fantasy world of giants.

Much like his rendition of “Empty Chairs” from last year’s musical, the solo is bursting with emotion. Despite how he’s handling things personally, there’s no doubt that Charlie knows how to deliver a performance -- even when he so often fades into the background.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - NIGHT

The full Matthews clan is assembled for the first family dinner in a spell, TOPANGA LAWRENCE keeping up light conversation. Riley and AUGGIE MATTHEWS engage with her, but CORY MATTHEWS mostly keeps his eyes on his plate. Riley can tell that something is up, much in the same way she sensed the dread of the divorce before the blow actually landed.

Topanga doesn’t make her wait too long for the other shoe to drop. As they’re finishing up, she calmly explains that now that the divorce is nearly finalized, things are going to start changing a bit around here. Most imminently, Topanga is going to be moving out of the apartment and into her own place in Midtown.

Riley is totally floored by this development. The notion of her mother actually leaving makes it feel… real, like she is not going to be present in her life all the time any longer. She worriedly asks if Topanga is still going to be around -- is she coming to Into the Woods? -- but her mother brushes off her worries with easy confidence. She’s simply moving to Midtown, not evaporating.

Even still, the revelation is gobsmacking. Silence settles over the meal, Cory notably mute as Riley eyes him across the table. Topanga changes the subject nonchalantly, as if the impact of the moment has already passed.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - NIGHT

Eric and Jack are still at school, working together to organize their testimonies and search for possible clues they might’ve missed. But there’s no clear trajectory, and both of them are well aware there’s a good chance half of the students are lying anyway.

Also, the fact that Jack is distracted doesn’t help. He’s constantly being pulled away from the brainstorm by text messages, his work-life balance equally present at school as at home. Although it’s not a crime to keep his girlfriend updated on their status, Eric isn’t taking to it well. He clears his throat to regain Jack’s attention.

Once they get back to discussing, Jack wonders why they’re still here anyway. Clearly they don’t have an answer, and what should matter is making the consequences of such behavior clear. If they can’t figure out who did it and give them the rightful punishment -- suspension, likely -- then they may as well do some sort of moderate penalization to all three prime suspects and call it a day.

Eric is confused by this perspective, especially coming from Jack. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? And furthermore, this is a far cry from the man who was so torn up over how to handle the removal of a student who was proven guilty only a few months ago.

Jack: Yeah, and how much good did that end up doing, huh? Everything is still in shambles.

Ah. So we’re not handling that as well as we thought. Eric starts to try and get him to talk about it, but Jack shrugs it off. The point is, when the time comes someone will have to face the music. Anne Marie is an attorney, and this is the kind of business she deals with all the time. If there’s no consequences, then no one will ever learn the status quo.

As the girlfriend comes up in conversation again, it’s Eric’s turn to react off the cuff. He points out that Anne Marie doesn’t work at AAA, and this isn't court. It’s high school, and their focus is on the kids and trying to figure out why they’re making the decisions they are rather than coldly punishing them for them. At least, that’s his approach...

Jack is offended at the insinuation, firing back that Eric knows damn well how much he cares about this school and the students. It’s not his fault someone has to be the authoritarian, because if he doesn’t, then chaos reigns as it has for the last six months.

The tension between them is palpable, and suddenly it’s as though they’re back in time. Arguing about the same old things, criticizing one another for things they thought they had moved past or come to appreciate. Jack backs off first, claiming this is going nowhere and they’ll just have to see where things go. They’re not doing anyone any good by snapping at each other.

As Jack departs, Eric settles into his desk chair. He watches where Jack left, shaking his head. Obviously not sure why he got so heated in the first place.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

As the last three days of rehearsal roll around, the mood is decidedly frantic. People have grown less concerned with who amongst them is a vandal and more so with being able to go on for opening night at all. The techies are running on overdrive to repair the set piece, which is no comparison to its former glory.

Amidst the chaos before another run through, Isadora gets a call. It’s from VALERIE DE LA CRUZ, who beats around the bush before regrettably letting her know that something unexpected came up and she won’t be able to make the show anymore. Promotion for a new project, or something, that she wishes she could blow off…

Isadora swallows her shock, playing it cool on the phone. She assures her it’s no big deal, and she nods along as Valerie apologizes and promises they’ll see each other soon. But as soon as she’s through with the conversation her demeanor shifts. Suddenly, all the chaos around her is too loud, too imposing. She has to get out of there.

She retreats and makes a dash for the dressing room hall. Lucas notices from across the stage at the stage manager’s podium, expression shifting from its recently adopted constant state of irritation. He passes off his binder to Asher offhandedly, going after her.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Lucas wanders at a jog through the halls, clueing in to where Isadora is once he hears her light cursing. He finds her a bit away down the hall, slouched against the lockers on the floor and hiding her head in her hands.

Instantly softer, Lucas approaches and settles down at a crouch next to her. She’s startled at first but seems relieved when it’s only him. Without even saying anything, Lucas reads her expression and gets a sense.

Lucas: It’s Valerie. Isn't it?

There’s no point in denying it. Isadora huffs, nodding and twisting a piece of her costume. Lucas drops down to lean back against the lockers with her, scoffing in distaste.

Lucas: I always knew she was full of shit.

Isadora: I know, I know. “I told you so.”

Lucas: No, I don’t mean it like… look, Dora, it’s fucked that she did that. And you have the right to be pissed about it. I get that you’re trying to, like, open a dialogue with her or whatever, but you don’t have to let her push you around. And you shouldn’t feel bad for being upset that she dropped you again.

Fair points. Tough to hear right now, but it is nice to have someone unquestionably in her corner. She nods, giving him a weak smile and taking a deep breath.

Lucas: … you know, it’s her loss. Her fucking loss if she’s willing to drop Isadora Samantha Miracle “Smackle” De La Cruz.

Isadora: [ with a small laugh ] Did you really have to use the full name?

Lucas: Yeah.

Isadora: Careful. If you don’t stop, people are going to think you give a shit.

Lucas’s turn to laugh. It’s a dry humor, flat delivery from both, but reflects something effortless between them that’s felt off-key lately. Lucas tilts his head and gives her a lazy smirk, causing her to roll her eyes. But when she looks away, she’s smiling too. Something might be clicking back into place…

Until it’s not. The peace is disrupted moments later as Maya flurries into the hall, heels of her boots clicking and voice almost louder than usual as she rushes over to them.

Maya: Hey, I got your text. What the hell happened?

Lucas tosses a puzzled look to Maya, wondering what she’s doing there. It takes him a second to realize her words indicate that Isadora beckoned her -- before she even thought of him. He immediately grows stiff again as Maya comes to crouch in front of Isadora.

The conversation takes an interesting turn as both of them attempt to occupy the space and comfort her, taking very different approaches. Whereas Lucas defends Isadora’s feelings and digs his heels in further about Valerie being reprehensible, Maya encourages her to take a more logical approach. They both know Valerie is busy, and there’s no way this is personal. It sucks, no doubt about that, but no use in getting so fired up about it.

It’s clear Lucas finds Maya’s level head in this situation ironic given her usual behavior. But more than that he feels extraneous, like he doesn’t even need to be there at all. And if he hears one more earnest defense of Valerie De La Cruz, he might projectile vomit. So he excuses himself, bitterly leaving Maya to take over the comforting.

Maya asks if there’s anything she can do, but Isadora claims she just needs a little bit of time to regroup. Maya gives her that, assuring her she’ll catch her up if anything happens in rehearsal before leaving her on her own.

As Isadora pulls herself up off the floor, she takes a long, deep breath. Then she adjusts her costume on her shoulders, the red cape on her shoulders reminding her that she has a major role. And she earned that on her own.

Jeff appears at the end of the hall, calling for her and stating that they’re getting ready for her solo. Eyes blazing with emotion, Isadora nods and marches back towards the auditorium.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “I Know Things Now” as performed by Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Isadora De La Cruz

Isadora delivers a great rendition of her musical solo, the whole performance alight with a certain edge only she could bring to the role. She’s channeling all of the frustration over how this situation has panned out, reflecting how she was tricked by The Wolf (Valerie, in this case) rather than listening to the well-intentioned but rigid sense of her granny (Lucas).

Towards the end, we see Isa leave the stage, her performance over, and check her phone. She has a text from Valerie on the lock screen, but Isa locks her phone and puts it aside.

INT. AAA - BOYS DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT

Zay is touching up a piece of his costume when Farkle enters, the two of them making eye contact in the mirror. Neither of them say anything at first as Farkle heads to his station at the counter, but Zay opts to break the silence.

Zay: It’s fine, you can speak. Given that we’re both suspects in this shitshow of a crime mockumentary, I guess I hardly have the right to act like I’m above your complaints.

Farkle shrugs, claiming he doesn’t have any complaints. The moment this happened he was a guaranteed target, which may very well be what the perpetrator wanted anyway. He finds it more odd that Zay doesn’t seem to be doing much to defend himself, if he’s so innocent. Especially given that from what he’s sussed out, if no one comes forward it’s more than likely all three of them are going to be punished.

This is news to Zay. He scowls and slams down his make-up bag on the counter, fed up.

Zay: This is such bullshit. What, my classmates all decide they’re the Supreme Court and put me on trial for no reason, and suddenly that’s as good as guilty? All because someone had to have another meltdown?

Farkle: Well, don’t look at me. I didn’t do it.

Zay glares at him, obviously disbelieving. But Farkle seems serious, his lack of theatricality lending a weird credibility to his statement. The two of them have their stare down, searching for the cracks in each other’s facade…

When commotion from the dressing room hall breaks them out of it. Yogi darts in, out of breath and somewhere between thrilled and panicked.

Yogi: It’s finally happened. It’s jungle madness.

Zay and Farkle exchange bewildered looks, running to follow Yogi out.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

Tensions seem to be at a boiling point in more places than just the dressing room, and from unlikely culprits at that. The progression of a scene has been derailed by a section of the new set piece falling apart, causing the nearly decapitated Maya to throw some choice words at the technicians. Jade and Asher have stepped up to take defense against the performers, and voices are already at high volume when Zay and Farkle arrive.

Jade points out that all the performers ever do is criticize, when the whole thing could’ve been fixed far more efficiently if they chipped in like they were supposed to. Asher questions if they all magically forgot everything they learned about tech last year, to which Maya retorts that maybe if the set design wasn’t so damn complicated in the first place, they wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Dylan, loudly: Hey, fuck off, beauty queen.

[ The assembled cast and crew reacts accordingly, surprised and somewhat amused. ]

Asher: Dyl, it’s fine, I can handle myself. [ to Maya ] Fuck off, beauty queen!

It’s clear the negative mojo is spreading like wildfire. Riley attempts to get the arguing to stop as Lucas jogs down from the booth with Jeff, questioning what the hell is going on. The performers continue to rail on how everything has fallen apart because of this damn set piece and now the replacement looks like garbage, and Dave finally snaps.

Dave: Well tell that to whichever one of you bent muppets did this in the first place!

Once again the blame train is running, only this time it crashes. The shouting quickly escalates and suddenly the scuffle turns physical, people launching at one another in a frenzy. Dylan holds back Asher by the waist, keeping him from going full scrappy. Lucas leaps in and attempts to hold Dave back from charging half of the ensemble. Charlie yells for everyone to cut it out, getting yanked out of the way by Zay before Sarah can elbow him on accident.

As Harper and Shawn rush in and start pulling people apart, Riley and Isadora zero in on a couple of interesting features to the brawl. Isadora is focused on Lucas, who has allowed Shawn to handle Dave and is keeping Dylan and Asher from completely throwing down with Maya. Something about the moment seems to stand out to her, just slightly off…

Shawn effectively halts the fight, effectively getting them all to head in different directions. He spits out a criticism, obviously over the tension.

Shawn: Have you all gone feral? Absolutely ridiculous!

Harper angrily declares that they all need to cool off and separate. They need to be back in fifteen, and the next person who causes any trouble is out of the production. Doesn’t matter if they’re stage crew of the star of the show.

Riley has her eyes on the opposite end of the room, where a security camera has caught her attention. It’s not facing the stage where the fight is unfolding, but rather a more promising angle -- a perfect view of the costume loft doors.

INT. AAA - JANITOR’S CLOSET - NIGHT

Isadora and Riley eagerly regroup, the latter launching into a breathless explanation of what she noticed. There’s a camera that’s directly facing the costume loft, which is what Zay’s alibi hinges on. If they can get access to the footage and prove that he never returned to the loft within the time stamps of the crime, then they can clear him.

They ask Harley for help, considering he is the local secret tech guru and likely has access to the servers to look at that section of the tape.

Harley: Technically, it would go against the janitorial code to share security intel with students just based on a simple request…

Isadora: We’re not asking to goof around, Janitor Harley. This is a quest for justice.

Riley: All we need is that one section. Please, it’s for a friend. A really good friend.

It seems like Harley is considering it. He gives them both an eyebrow raise.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - NIGHT

Shawn comes to find Harper, commenting that whatever just happened was a major clusterfuck. How the hell does she plan to deal with this? Feeling cornered and overwhelmed, Harper finally lashes out at Shawn.

Harper: Oh, how am I going to deal with it? I’m amazed you don’t already have all the answers. I’m shocked you haven’t already written down every possible solution I could offer and have some snarky, neckbeard rebuttal to every single one!

Shawn is stunned by the dig, starting to defend himself. Only Harper isn’t finished -- she’s far from finished. She posits that part of the reason everything is such a mess is on him, and their inability to work together. That’s on him, because since the moment she arrived he has done nothing but belittle and sabotage her and offer not one shred of solidarity.

Harper: I don’t know what midlife crisis you’re working through, Hunter. I’m sorry I’m not your beautiful, powerhouse girlfriend, and that I’m not here to have sexually charged banter with you when our focus should be on the students. But all I’ve done since I got here is try, and I know for a fact the same cannot be said for you. So before you dish out all the responsibility onto me, I think perhaps you should take a quick look in the mirror you clearly hardly bother to look into on a daily basis.

She doesn’t give him the chance to respond, storming past him. Shawn blinks, trying to absorb what the hell just happened. He glances at his reflection in the mirror wall, tentatively touching at his scruffy beard.

Shawn, petulantly: It is not a neckbeard…

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

We’re close on a laptop, playing the security footage from the costume loft camera. The seconds are ticking by fast, the film on fast forward as Riley searches for the right time stamp. She and Isadora are leaning over either of Eric’s shoulders.

Eric: And how exactly did you get access to this again?

Riley: Don’t worry about it.

Isadora: A respectable investigator never outs their sources, Mister Matthews.

Well, hard to argue with that. Riley doesn’t give him the opportunity anyway, letting out an exhale as she claims she’s found the correct moment.

We’re looking at the doors outside the costume loft, the footage a little grainy due to the lighting and in classic conspiratorial black-and-white. As stated in his alibi, the three of them watch Zay duck into the costume loft. Riley jumps forward a bit, showing the moment Maya enters to retrieve him and he follows out a moment later.

For a second, the clip keeps running… potentially long enough to reveal another junior leaving the costume loft during that same sequence. But right before Charlie emerges from the doors, Riley pauses and jumps forward in the timeline.

The evidence as good as proves it as she lands on the time frame of the vandalism -- Zay never returned to the costume loft. If he was prepping something in there, they would’ve seen him retrieve it. Yet, there’s absolutely nothing to see.

Eric seems pleased to agree that the footage is pretty damning. He feels confident marking Zay off as a suspect. Riley and Isadora exchange relieved smiles, high-fiving behind their counselor. Then they rush back to rehearsal, Riley giving Eric a quick side hug before she goes.

Once they leave, Eric watches the clip back again to double check their findings. Everything checks out, so there’s nothing more to see… only this time he doesn’t hit pause so quickly. He jots down some notes instead, lifting his gaze just in time to see Charlie emerging from the costume loft a few minutes after Zay.

Eric frowns, reaching forward and rewinding to make sure he saw that correctly. He might’ve misseen it, or made it up -- it’s almost a blink-and-you-miss-it exit.

But no. That’s definitely Charlie Gardner, accounted for in the costume loft at the same time that Zay was supposedly in there alone.

He may not be a student, but Eric has been a beloved faculty member at AAA long enough to know the reputation the costume loft has. Suddenly, Zay’s reason for being there is crystal clear -- as well as why he couldn’t provide a compelling alibi considering the shock of seeing Charlie was strong enough to cause him to double take.

Eric absorbs this new bombshell, the frivolity of the vandalism now old news.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Harper has reached her breaking point. She’s in tears as she occupies the chair opposite Jack’s, succumbing to the pressures of an admittedly rough transition. For all the effort she’s putting into it, the impact she wants to make, nothing seems to be working out. Everything is just friction, not forward momentum.

Jack allows her vent, listening intently. He apologizes again on behalf of the junior class, and commends her for taking the initiative to connect with this particularly challenging group of students so seriously. They’re lucky to have her, even if they don’t realize it yet.

After she’s calmed down a bit, Harper thanks him. She tells him sincerely that he’s a good administrator, a sentiment that clearly touches him given how out of balance he’s felt about his position as of late.

Jack: Yes, well, I’m sure some of them would disagree with you. I’m not exactly the most popular faculty member here at Triple A.

Harper: From what I can tell, you’re the only reason it’s still running. Your unique combination of compassion and authority is what is keeping it from burning itself to the ground.

Jack laughs, thanking her for the support. Pulling herself together, Harper gears up to go face the beast once again. Before she leaves, however, she requests that when Jack and Eric figure out who vandalized the set, they let her know. She wants the responsibility of bringing them down -- and if possible, she wants them expelled.

Clearly, Harper is not happy with how her first production has been so drastically derailed. Jack nods along, still on his authoritarian kick.

Jack: Believe me, Miss Burgess, justice will be dealt.

She nods appreciatively, stepping out.

INT. AAA - JANITOR’S CLOSET - DAY

Mission mostly accomplished, Riley and Isadora begin taking down their investigation materials. Although they work in content silence, Riley takes the initiative to state how nice it was to work with Isadora again. To be on the same page.

For what it’s worth, Isadora feels the same. They exchange tentative smiles.

Isadora: You know, given how much of a mess things seem to be no matter what we try to do… I don’t see why I should be willingly giving up a friend.

Riley’s smile widens. Finally, something falling back into place. Not the same as it was, but better than nothing.

As she finishes gathering her things, Riley claims it’s a shame they weren’t able to narrow down the actual culprit. Even though they were able to clear Zay’s name. Isadora agrees, giving her a nod as she heads out.

Only as soon as she’s gone, Isadora launches back into action. She doesn’t seem at all finished with the investigation, going through certain pieces of evidence one final time and putting pieces together. Perhaps she knows more than she’s letting on…

INT. MAYA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Katy is up late, doing research on her laptop and looking particularly drained. It’s hard to see what she’s looking up, but a couple of photos appear to be buildings of some kind. She changes the window as soon as Maya enters, having just finished her nightly routine and picking up her pre-sleep tea from the countertop.

While she has her attention, Maya enthusiastically reminds Katy to purchase her tickets for Into the Woods when they go on pre-sale tomorrow. Not that they’ll sell out, likely, but Maya wants to make sure she’s front and center for her grand performance as The Witch.

From the expression on her face, whatever Katy says next is not going to be pleasant. She gently informs Maya that she has to work a double shift that night, so she won’t be able to make it. Things are sort of tight right now financially, and she doesn’t know if she can spare the ticket.

Maya nearly drops her tea. She doesn’t understand what the big deal is. Money is always tight, and this is one of her dream roles. Katy knows how much this show means to her. She already told her she’d be there. Can’t there be an exception? Just for opening night?

It’s evident that she wants to make an exception more than anything… but for whatever reason, her hands seem to be more tied than usual. Katy apologizes profusely, but Maya merely swallows the disappointment and says she’s heading to bed. But the darkness of the news looms over them, and perfectly sets the tone for Maya’s launch into her lament…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Lament” as performed by Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Maya Hart

Maya spins to face the stage lights, in full costume and makeup for the glamorous version of The Witch. The only thing more stunning than her appearance are her vocals, cutting through the heartbreak of the solo like a knife. It’s haunting, setting the perfect backdrop…

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

For Isadora’s meeting with Principal Hunter. She thanks him for meeting her during the lunch hour, expressing that she thinks she has evidence that might help him solve the vandalism case. She explains that she observed some odd behavior during the fight that broke out at rehearsal, and it tipped her off. So she went back to look through the evidence... and things don’t add up.

Jack takes a look at the timeline she hands him, his expression difficult to read. He doesn’t look triumphant or pleased, that’s for sure. Isadora doesn’t either, simply stating that he should go back and look more closely into the student testimonials -- a couple in particular... but maybe not as a couple at all.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

This is how Jack ends up sitting down with Dylan and Asher, only separately this time around rather than as a given duo. As he discusses with each of them, under the casual guise of just double checking his sources, it becomes clear that there are holes in their story. The moment they’re not together to back one another up, their airtight delivery falls apart somewhat.

Asher claims that around the time of what would’ve been prep for the vandalism, Lucas was holding the door so that Nate and Jade could move a stack of wood; Dylan claims that he was with him unloading the Jeep. However, when Jack goes back to read the testimonies of Jade and Nate about their role in the supplies move, Lucas is never mentioned.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Isadora concludes her explanation, stating that the reason she got suspicious was because Lucas jumped in to stop the fight during rehearsal rather than join in or egg them on. Not that he revels in destruction, but if she knows anything about him, it’s that he never lets someone else take the fall for his actions. He wasn’t going to let the performers get roughed up for something they didn’t cause -- even one as aggravating as Maya.

She also begs Jack not to say anything about her involvement -- that she remain anonymous. He gives her a nod, looking back at the evidence solemnly.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - NIGHT

We’re following Lucas and his snapback from behind as he makes his way through the halls of AAA, there early to help set up for opening night. He knocks on Jack’s door, claiming that he asked to see him. Jack nods, gesturing him inside and to shut the door behind him.

The conversation starts off with their usual rapport and comfort, Lucas slouching into his chair across the desk from where Jack is standing. He states cheekily that they should probably make this quick, as he’s got lots of stage managing to do and all that. Jack promises not to take too much of his time, beginning a subtle and targeted questioning of how Lucas recalls the day of the vandalism. It seems like they’re simply still beating a dead horse, but he plays along anyway, not even realizing he’s being interrogated until about halfway through.

And by that point, it’s too late. He’s slipped up, said a couple of things that don’t line up with his original alibi or conflict with the other techie testimonies. Then Jack pulls out all the stops, the discussion growing tenser and quicker with each piece of evidence he stacks against him. As he starts laying out the timeline of how things really happened --

INT. AAA - FLASHBACK - NIGHT

We see it unfold in real time. Lucas taking his longer look at the treasured set piece, then ducking out of supplies haul and techie dinner to make moves. Asher and Dylan notice him disappear at dinner, but merely exchange a look and don’t say anything about it.

The flashbacks unravel with Jack’s pointed narration -- and Lucas’s protests -- heightening in intensity right up to the moment flashback Lucas makes the first dent in the set piece and begins the vandalism. Just as the screen is shrouded in black by falling debris --

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - NIGHT

Finally, finally, Lucas cracks.

Lucas: Alright, ALRIGHT! I did it, is that what you want to hear? It was me! I fucked up the set piece!

The office is cold with silence. Lucas tries to hold Jack’s gaze until he can’t take it any longer, falling back in the chair again and tearing his eyes away.

Jack doesn’t speak with anger when he addresses him again. It’s a gentle disappointment, and admittedly confused. He asks if the vandalism was worth it, why he thought any of it was a good idea in the first place.

Jack: And I don’t understand… to have Asher and Dylan lie for you?

Lucas: I didn’t ask them to --

Jack: And what about Dave? Did whatever you were trying to deal with feel better when one of your good friends had to see their own hard work destroyed?

Lucas: [ almost inaudible ] You don’t get it.

Jack: You’re right, I don’t! I don’t get it, Lucas! So look at me and tell me why the hell you did this --

Lucas: Because it doesn’t even matter!

Lucas’s outburst is fierce, his anger more volcanic than it’s been all semester. Jack found a way to light the fuse and now he’s explosive, ranting about how everything they’re all obsessing over all the time is so stupid and means absolutely nothing. Why should it matter if a set piece gets ruined, when no one cares about what the techies do anyway? Why should it matter if his friends lie, when no one is even going to remember they were here in five years because no one cares about them anyway? It’s a stupid high school show, at a stupid fucking school, where his only talent is messing everything up because he’s a nobody who was never meant to be here anyway.

Lucas: So yeah, I did it. Do whatever you’re going to do. Suspend me, kick me out for good, drop me off the catwalk! I don’t care. I don’t care, none of it fucking MATTERS!

The declaration hangs in the oppressive quiet. Because despite the words he’s saying, it’s pretty clear Lucas does care -- from the way his cheeks are flushed, the way his voice cracks, how it’s almost like he can’t breathe. And the only reason he’s able to look Jack in the eyes and basically dare him to do his worst is because that’s what he wants.

He’s searching for punishment, because he thinks he deserves it.

Eventually Lucas can’t take it anymore, shaking his head and hiding in his hands. Jack stares at him, obviously deep in thought. He’s been preaching about the swift soundness of consequences all investigation long, and finally, the time has come to deliver it...

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - NIGHT

Riley is gearing up to get ready to go, duffle bag ready on the couch. Before she grabs it, she gets a notification on her phone from Instagram. Yindra has tagged her in a series of photos, featuring throwback pictures from Les Mis and a caption encouraging people to come to opening night of Into the Woods to see the same crew pull off another insane performance.

Seeing the Les Mis photos is a true shock. It feels like a million years ago, and as she flips through them again she can’t help but ruminate on how much has changed for the worse. Maya’s tantrum aside, everyone was in much better spirits at the time. She had a tentative friendship with Charlie. She wasn’t on the rocks with the techies. In fact, there’s a particularly cute moment captured of Riley, Isadora, and Lucas in the background of one of Yindra’s photos, prompting Riley to go into her photos and take a look for herself.

It’s all too much. The pictures with Lucas, the photos taken with both her parents, when now one of them is stepping out of their home for good.

Before she knows it she’s in tears, wiping at them frantically without much success. Cory enters from the hall, asking if she’s ready to head out until he realizes what’s happening. He jogs over to join her on the couch, questioning what’s going on and trying to get her to talk to him.

Riley shakes her head wordlessly, trying to catch her breath and stop the tears. She hates crying enough in front of people, let alone her parents. But she’s hit a wall, and there’s no stopping them. She admits that this year is like freshman year all over again.

Riley: Yeah, I’m no longer the target, but no one is happy. People that should be supporting one another are at war. And now my mom is walking out of my life, and it’s like… everything is falling apart. When does it stop? [ tearfully ] I can’t do this alone.

Cory makes her look at him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He’s deeply serious as he assures her that just because Topanga is moving out of the apartment does not mean she’s disappearing. And that aside, she is not alone. She is going to get through this, and be stronger for it. But she’s not ever going to do it alone.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “No One Is Alone” as performed by Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Cory Matthews & Jack Hunter (feat. Riley Matthews & Lucas James Friar)

Cory softly leads us into the first verse of the emotional heart of the musical, attempting to comfort his kind-hearted, empathetic daughter (“Mother cannot guide you, now you’re on your own / Only me beside you, still you’re not alone”). For once, Riley opts to accept the comfort, leaning into him and absorbing the sentiment for all that it’s worth.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - NIGHT

As Jack continues to look at Lucas, something in his expression shifts. All plans and procedures go out the window as he takes on the second verse, vaguely insinuating that perhaps there isn’t such a simple solution (“Wrong things, right things / Who can say what’s true?”) It’s evident that he isn’t going to rat him out, and Lucas lifting his head to stare at him in surprise emphasizes how unprecedented it is.

It’s behind them now, but Jack’s continued words of advice serve as a warning to his wayward trouble-making technician (“You move just a finger / Say the slightest word / Something’s bound to linger, be heard / No one acts alone, careful, no one is alone”). He comes around the front of the desk and leans closer, Lucas hanging on his every word. It’s clear that he’ll protect him, but he can’t protect him against everything. He has to be careful...

Together, Jack and Cory go on with the themes about why people make mistakes, both of the moments between mentor and mentee feeling distinctly familial. And as the final chorus unfolds and Riley and Lucas quietly join in, a montage of small moments within other important bonds highlight the exact message that the song is attempting to convey.

Charlie accepts a hug from ELEANOR GARDNER as he heads out the door, wishing him the best of luck. AMBROSE GARDNER gives him a proud nod from his arm chair in the living room.

Haley, Nigel, Clarissa, Yindra, and Zay toast at Chubbie’s, enjoying a quick pre-show meal before showing up for call time.

Eric reunites with ANGELA MOORE as she shows up for opening night, giving him an enthusiastic hug in his office as Shawn watches fondly from the doorway.

The techie crew sans Lucas and Isadora is meeting for their pre-show hangout, laughing together and hyping one another up. They all give Dave a group hug, considering the production cycle he’s had.

INT. AAA - GIRLS DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT

The last of the montage moments belongs to Isadora, who gets a call from Valerie that she opts to answer. Although we don’t hear the conversation, it’s clear from the joy that takes over her features that it’s good news. She excitedly grabs Maya’s attention, sharing the news with her.

Although she’s putting on a happy face for Isadora, it’s clear something about the news stings. Maya chews her lip as Isadora gets back to the call, the believability of her enthusiasm fading.

INT. AAA - BOYS DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT

And as the song comes to an end, we’re back with Farkle -- who is, in fact, quite alone. Behind him, Yogi and Nigel are doing a quick costume change and discussing how opening night is going so far, indicating that we’re already well into Act II. Neither of them acknowledge Farkle as they head out again, although it doesn’t seem to faze him.

INT. AAA - DRESSING ROOM HALL - NIGHT

He lets out a sigh as he heads back into the dressing room hall, quiet save for the light sound from the stage leaking through the doors to the wings.

That is, until he thinks he hears something else. He listens carefully as the sound of crying becomes clearer, coming from the girls dressing room.

INT. AAA - GIRLS DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT

Maya is in there alone, attempting to stifle her tears. She keeps trying to take deep breaths and bring it back, but sometimes emotion demands to be felt.

Farkle pokes his head in, his suspicions confirmed. He debates entering for a moment, even almost turning away before he finds himself heading in anyway. Maya spots him in the mirror, letting out a huff and not bothering to reprimand him for being in the wrong dressing room. Her mind is far from that at the moment anyway.

Maya: How pathetic is it that a world famous starlet can show up on opening night for her bastard daughter, and mine can’t even skip one lousy shift at a run-down diner no one cares about? [ with a sniffle ] Maybe that’s karma.

Farkle approaches without comment, only speaking when he’s close enough that she could lash out at him and she chooses not to. Coast clear, he reaches into a pocket of his costume and retrieves a handkerchief, nodding to her.

Farkle: You’ll ruin your makeup.

Maya lets out a dry laugh, taking another deep breath. Farkle slowly reaches forward and touches up her mascara, dabbing at her tears and doing his best to fix them. It’s a surprisingly tender moment, a resounding echo of the way things used to be. And boy, does it ache.

Still, Farkle made his mistakes, and he has to live with them. Maya says as much, warning him in a murmur that this doesn’t change anything. She’s still pissed at him, and they’re not fine. He responds flatly, expressing that not once did he believe it would be any different. But he finishes helping her anyway.

Once she’s all cleaned up, her gaze lingers on him for a long beat. Then she warns him that he’s going to miss his cue, flurrying out and leaving Farkle in the dressing room. Alone once again.

He twists the handkerchief in his fingers, his starting vocals floating in…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “No More” as performed by Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Farkle Minkus (feat. Nigel Chey & Stuart Minkus)

Much like his rendition of “Javert’s Suicide” a year ago, there is a subdued melancholy that drives Farkle’s performances that cannot be understated. Wherever all his manic energy went, it’s been replaced by a powerhouse of emotion that hits at something raw.

While Nigel starts off the song with him in his role as the Narrator, about a minute in the visual shifts and suddenly it’s STUART MINKUS on stage with him. Another Farkle Minkus twist on reality, his busybody father suddenly sharing the song about exhaustion and abandonment. Truly ironic, considering the real Stuart isn’t even in the audience.

But clearly, he wishes he was. There are many things Farkle wishes were different than they are, but he’s powerless to change it. “Like father, like son.” As he gets to the final verse, Stuart is gone too, and all there is to focus on is him. Solitary, center stage, delivering one of the most wrought out and impassioned solos he’s delivered in ages.

INT. AAA - DRESSING ROOM HALL - NIGHT

Jack and Eric bump into one another as they’re both searching for Harper, aiming to wish her congratulations before the show ends and they’re swarmed by everyone else. They have a somewhat awkward exchange, uncertain how to address the last time they conversed and it ended in flames.

Ultimately, Jack opts to take the high road. He states that he figures he owes Eric an apology, as he let his frustration get the best of him the other night. And, unsurprisingly, Eric’s take on the situation proved to be a little more apt than he credited him for. Eric hardly seems like he’s going to hold a grudge, giving him a bracing pat on the shoulder and warm smile as he assures him there’s no hard feelings. It hardly matters anyway, considering there’s no one to sentence.

Before Jack can confirm or deny this, Harper emerges from the hall. They both greet her in enthusiastic whispers, not aiming to disrupt the performance entering its final scenes. She really did manage to pull together an astounding show, in spite of everything that happened. A great first notch in her belt.

Harper is grateful. Eric excuses himself, allowing Jack to share his own early congratulations as well. She accepts it, then questions what ended up happening with the vandalism. Was he able to figure out the culprit (she hopes)? Although there’s a moment of hesitation, Jack informs her that unfortunately, no guilty party ever rose to the surface.

Jack: Suppose the kids were right to belittle our amateur detective agency.

Harper seems disappointed, but Jack redirects her attention and reminds her that she won’t want to miss the final number. She nods, giving him one last thanks before jogging back towards the hall. So Lucas is never outed as the vandal, leaving the crime to remain an AAA mystery for the history books… and the orchestration of our finale pulls us away...

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Finale / Children Will Listen” as performed by Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast || Performed by AAA Juniors (starting at 1:00)

We jump into the finale right as Yindra is giving her guidance from beyond, Farkle, Riley, Isadora, and Charlie gathered together at center stage and sharing their story with the new life that has entered their world. Farkle mentions each of them in his retelling to his son, the camera hanging on each moment between them.

As Maya takes over, more of the cast begins to filter onto the stage. As they reach the point of singing as a chorus, the message of the song takes on a stronger meaning as we hang on each of our main players. Focus on Charlie in the front row shifts to Zay behind him, halfway through the recitation of the lines “Careful the spell you cast, not just on children / Sometimes the spell may last past what you can see / And turn against you.”

INT. AAA - NIGHT

And the influence -- or lack thereof -- of family in their lives is paramount. Another post-show reunion with family highlights this well enough. Isadora accepts an overtly thrilled greeting from Valerie, although she remembers not to hug her and sticks to simply lauding her with congratulations. Asher and Dylan take a group selfie with their families in their all-black stage crew ensembles.

Farkle greets his siblings and mother, but the absence of Stuart looms large. Riley shares a tight hug with her mother, Cory watching bittersweetly with Auggie. Charlie chats with the full Gardner clan, Zay glancing over his shoulder towards him from where he’s standing with family across the room. Maya roams, uncertain what to do with herself.

INT. AAA - TECHNICIAN’S BOOTH - NIGHT

Lucas settles into the booth alone, sitting at the lighting booth and looking at the empty stage. He looks at the half-baked set piece, guilt more evident on his face than earlier.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

In spite of all this, the show must go on. The episode wraps with the last minute or so of the musical, the entire ensemble coming together to repeat the final chorus until Riley whips back around to offer one more “I wish.”

Sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood, Do not let it grieve you, no one leaves for good.

Well… we wish.

END OF EPISODE.

#s2 #episodes #203 #i love this musical #there is... a lot going on !!!!!!

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