Chasing Butterflies | a GMW fanfic

Girl Meets Senior Year

Riley Matthews woke up to the sound of her alarm beeping on the table next to her.

She opened her eyes, reached over and pressed the snooze button, then closed her eyes again.

It was her first day of senior year. Sure, she was excited about being the kings and queens of the school, and almost being out of high school, and yet - it was like the end of an era.

Riley sat up, her head already spinning with thoughts. The beginning of senior year meant that there would be an end. And, after the end was college. Riley already had her college picked out - she was to attend NYU at the end of the year. Maya was headed to Los Angeles for college at UCLA, then to Stanford Medical School. Everyone had been surprised, admittedly, when Maya announced she wanted to become a surgeon. After all, Maya's grades had never been outstanding. And, yet, since freshman year, Maya had stepped up her academics and was well on her way to being a great surgeon. Farkle was going to Columbia, and Smackle was headed to Harvard.

And then, there was Lucas.

It broke Riley's heart when she had learned that Lucas planned to move back to Texas and attend college there to become a veterinarian. Even though the two had ended their relationship at the end of freshman year, Riley still had feelings for Lucas. She suppressed them, though. It wouldn't be right for Riley to like Lucas when she knew Maya still liked him, and Lucas still liked Maya.

Of course, Maya's feelings were between a few people. Yeah, she still liked Lucas, but her and Josh were in it for the long game. Once she was in college, she and Josh were planning on hanging out more. And then, there was that other person. But, to Riley's surprise, Maya hadn't given away the name of the third person.

Senior year meant that Riley would have to part with all of her friends. Just as she started to think she could do it - she could move away from her friends - Maya crawled in through the bay window.

Nope. Riley was not ready to let go of her friends.

"Riles, why are you still in bed?" Maya asked, flopping on Riley's bed like she always did.

"I'm not ready for this to start, Peaches." Riley admitted, sighing.

Maya frowned. "You can't stay here forever. You have to move on. So, get up! Get dressed! We have people to see and a senior year to conquer."

Riley made a face. "Fine. Senior year, here we come. I can do this."

-&-

"Maya, I can't do this." Riley said, looking up at the high school. "I am not ready for high school to be over. I am not ready to go to college and leave everyone I know behind."

Maya looked around, deciding what to say. Finally, she turned to Riley. "Hey, Riles. Remember the day we rode the subway together? When you put on lipgloss and fell dramatically into Lucas' lap?"

Riley nodded, not sure where this was going.

"Remember how scared you were? And, yet, it was exhilarating, the rush of freedom. The new air of rebellion, and teenage years. Riles, we got through all of that. We survived. On the way, we made so many new friends and learned so much about ourselves, and came out as better people. Now, we have to survive this. We can do this."

Riley looked back up at the building. "Okay. Senior year. One more year with all of my friends. Let's make it our best, Peaches."

Maya grinned. "That's my girl."

"Actually, I'd like to think of her as my girl," came the all-too-familiar voice behind them. Farkle smiled at Maya and Riley, Smackle holding his hand.

"Ladies," he said, as he always did.

"Farkle," they replied, sharing a smile. Some things, Riley realized, would never change, no matter what happened.

"Senior year. What's gonna happen?" Farkle said. "What drama will we have this year?"

"We haven't had drama since the freshman year, Farkle. We'll keep it that way." Riley said.

"I agree," chimed in another voice, and there was Lucas. Her Lucas Friar, secure western hero.

Riley felt that weird blushy feeling she always got when she was around him. Her heart beat a little faster, her breath caught in her throat.

Lucas hadn't quite been the same since Zay left - it was like a piece of him had left, the piece that tied him to Texas Lucas.

"Why is everyone standing outside? We should go inside the building." Lucas gestured to the doors of the school.

Riley and Maya turned to look at the dreadful blue doors. "Last year here. Let's make it our best." Maya said, walking towards the doors. 

She glanced over her shoulder at her friends behind her. 

"Are you coming?"