Their World | Rilaya

79: Wake...

Riley is taking everything left in her locker and putting it in her backpack.

"Hey, Riley."

Riley looks up to see you is talking to her, before quickly refocusing her attention on to what she was doing before.

"I was wondering if you could sign my yearbook."

Riley puts the last of her things away, and closes her locker.

"I don't think that's the best idea," Riley says, looking up at Lucas.

"It's the last day of our junior year, Riley. We were all best friends for four whole years. I protected all of you when we were in middle school. When we leave high school next year, I want us all to be friends again. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you guys?"

"You used to protect us by intimidating other people with your strength. We were fools to think that one day wouldn't turn around and hurt one of us."

"I've apologized for what I did to Maya a hundred times."

"If we do forgive you, Lucas, how do we know that it won't happen again?" Riley asks.

"I've been working on controlling my anger. Please, Riley," Lucas pleads.

"Asking for forgiveness isn't enough for what you did. You need to show us that you will be a good friend again."

"How do I do that?"

"Stand up for us and protect us. Not with the strength of your body, but with the strength of your words." Riley half smiles, says, "have a nice summer, Lucas" and walks away.

[A few weeks into their senior year.]

Cory walks into his classroom a few minutes after the bell had rung.

"Matthews, you're late," Maya exclaims.

"Thank you, Maya," Cory sarcastically replies.

"Hey, at least I didn't turn the classroom into a zoo this time," Maya happily remarks.

Cory laughs. "You've made some real improvement these last few years, Maya."

"Yeah, yeah," Farkle yells. "Let's hurry this up. What do you've got for us to learn today, Mr. Matthews?"

"I don't think you're going to like this one, Farkle," Cory states.

"What are you talking about? I always love learning new things," Farkle argues.

"Okay," Matthew says, as he turns around and starts writing on his chalkboard. "Sex, love and slander."

"Oh no," Farkle mutters, as he faints, causing him to fall out of his seat.

Farkle regains consciousness, but remains on the floor.

"Farkle, what do you know about love?" Cory asks.

"I know that I love a lot of people, but I'm only in love with one person. I was taught everything I know about falling in love from Riley and Maya," Farkle explains.

"Good. Now get him off of the ground," Cory tells Riley and Maya.

The two girls get up to help Farkle back up into his seat.

"Now, Farkle, what do you know about love and sex?" Cory asks.

"I don't know," Farkle responds, "they never taught me about that."

Riley and Maya instantly drop Farkle back onto the ground.

"That came out wrong," Farkle shyly admits.

"We aren't the ones who need to teach you that. That's Smac-" Maya starts.

"Okay, okay, okay," Matthews interrupts. "Love, sex and slander. How do they relate to each other? You all have started your fourth year of high school. I know you've heard the rumors and gossip that go around about this kind of stuff. I want to know what you guys think about all of it. Get into pairs and prepare something to share with the class about these topics. Oh, and did I mention that couples that are dating can't work together?"

"What? How come?" Maya asks.

"Because I'm the teacher and that's what I said," Cory answers.

"Farkle!" Riley shouts, "we are partners."

"Okay," Farkle agrees, still on floor.

Zay looks back and forth between Smackle and Maya. "I don't have a good feeling about this."

"Zay, want to be my partner?" Smackle asks first.

"Sure," Zay responds.

"Then who am I suppose to be partners with?" Maya questions.

"It looks like it's just you and me who don't have partners yet."

Maya looks at who is talking to her and then turns towards Cory. "Matthews, this isn't going to work."

"Everyone else has a partner Maya," Cory explains. "It looks like you and Lucas are going to have to make it work."

Maya turns back towards Lucas.

"Howdy, partner," Lucas smiles, as he tips his pretend cowboy hat.

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A/N: One last BMW multiple chapter parallel, just for the thrill of it...