A New Beginning

Texas

Lucas POV:
4:00 am-
I zip up my suitcase and set it on the floor. I look over at Riley, who is jumping up and down on top of one of her suitcases. "Need any help with that baby?" I say giving out a laugh. "I got-it. I think." She replies finally zipping it up.

Today Riley, Farkle, Maya, and I are flying out to Texas. It's the first day of winter break, and we are staying in Texas for about a week and a half. We are coming back to spend Christmas with our kids. My kids are going to Mr. and Mrs. Matthews' house while we are gone, and Maya and Farkle's are staying with Shawn.

Riley's parents already picked up the kids last night. We head out the door and we meet Farkle and Maya at the elevator. "Hey!" Riley says rushing to Maya as fast as she can with her suitcase, purse and duffle bag. She drops her belongings and hugs her. "Are you excited guys?" I say happily. "Farkle's always excited!" Farkle replies quickly.

When we get to the airport we go through security and all that, and finally board the airplane 2 and a half hours after we arrived at the airport.

Riley and I sit beside each other and in front of us Farkle and Maya sit together. Riley almost instantly falls asleep against my shoulder. I lean forward slowly to check on what the others are doing. Farkle and Maya are both asleep against each other.

A man who is sitting across the isle from me says, "Son, is this your girl?" I look at him and nod "I'm very lucky." I reply.

"Well I'm happy for you two." He says politely.

"Thanks, I think she's a keeper." I reply.

"Just remember to cherish her, and never let her go."

"Of course, and I'm not planning on it sir."

With that, we go back to what we were doing.

*Time Skip*

We get off the plane and go through baggage claim. Pappy Joe appears not long after. "Pappy Joe." I say giving him a friendly hug. "How have you been son?" He says. "Great actually." I say releasing my grip.

After everyone says their hello's, we leave the airport to go to my old home. Farkle and I are sharing a room and Maya and Riley are sharing a room.

Riley POV:
Once we get to Pappy Joe's we get to our room and start unpacking. After we unpack we decide to go watch the rodeo. I change into a blue flannel shirt and jeans with cowgirl boots. Maya braids my hair back for me. Maya wears a white shirt with a red vest and jeans. She straightens her hair and puts on fashion combat boots.

After a while, we leave. The boys are wearing country outfits too. Farkle is wearing a black and white flannel shirt with jeans, cowboy boots, and a black cowboy hat. Lucas is wearing a green flannel with blue jeans, a brown cowboy hat, and cowboy boots.

When we arrive, we see a lot of old faces that we saw last time we were here. "Oh look at that..." Lucas says pointing. I look where he is pointing and realize immediately what he's looking at. "Bahhhaaaa," Maya says quietly. "Judy the sheep." Farkle says cracking up. We all start laughing, including Lucas.

We watch the mutton busters, and then decide to get drinks and snacks while the bull riders are getting ready. We go into the tent and discover that they are playing recaps of the best bull rides in the last 20 years.

After we buy our drinks, Lucas' image appears on the screens. "Lucas! It's you!" I say grabbing his arm to get his attention.

He watches in awe. "You know, even after all these years, I've never watched that." He says after it goes to another rider. I smile. "That day was very special to all of us." I say motioning between the 4 of us.

"Yeah, that was the day I started living my childhood with you, Lucas." Farkle says.

"That was the day I stopped being a disgrace to my family." Lucas says.

"That's was the day I realized I needed you three more than anything." Maya speaks.

"That was the day my depression started..." I say quietly, but loud enough for my friends to hear me.