Chasing Butterflies | a GMW fanfic

Girl Meets Second Chance

[A/N: the video at the top of this story is a song that I thought went well with this chapter.]

"Riley, I am still not comfortable with you going on a date with him."

"Corey, relax. She's a senior in high school, and she's known Lucas for quite a while now." Topanga gave her husband a look.

Corey was not reassured. "But- but what if he tries to, I dunno, hold her hand? He's, well, Friar, and she's our little girl." Corey made a face.

"I'm not a little girl anymore, dad." Riley said, walking out to the living area where her parents were sitting.

Corey and Topanga looked up, one of them smiling and the other not.

"Sweetie, you look amazing." Topanga smiled at Riley.

"Thanks, mom." Riley looked down at her outfit.

"Too grown up! I want more rainbow and purple cats! Where are the cats?" Corey exclaimed.

"Dad, this is me. I'm growing up, and I can't always paint purple cats and wear rainbows." Riley frowned.

Suddenly the callbox buzzed. "Uh, it's me. Lucas. I'm here for Riley."

Riley's face lit up. "Coming!" She called out. "Bye mom! Bye dad!"

"No!" Corey shouted.

"Stay safe, Riley! Don't come home too late!" Topanga yelled.

Riley raced down the stairs to meet Lucas. "Hi!" She said, hoping her out-of-breath-ness wasn't too obvious.

"Hey," Lucas said. "Ready to go?"

Riley nodded. "Let's go."

Lucas reached out his hand, palm up, and extended it towards Riley.

Riley looked down at his hand with a smile and placed her hand in his.

Their fingers interlocked like piece in a puzzle falling into place, and Riley loved it.

—&—

It was later that evening, and Riley and Lucas had found a place near the waterfront to sit.

They had been talking for a few hours, and the sun had just gone down.

Lucas glanced down at their hands, still holding onto each other, then looked up at Riley.

"You are my favorite person in the world to talk to." Lucas started, looking out at the water. "You are so special, Riley. And, I know that we've tried dating before, and we haven't lasted either time."

"Yeah, I know. And I'm okay with that. We're good as friends, too." Riley shrugged.

"No, that's not my point." Lucas took a breath. "I want to try dating again. I want to be the only guy that gets to hold your hand and tell you how beautiful you are. I want to be the only guy who kisses you."

Lucas was looking at her like the stars shone in her eyes, and Riley's breath caught in her throat.

"You want to kiss me?" She said, surprised.

"I do," Lucas said. "If that'd be okay with you."

Riley nodded. "Yeah. I'm good with that."

Riley thought everything was perfect, that everything was right, as Lucas leaned in.

And then, Riley remembered Maya. She remembered how Maya had told her about the feelings she still had for Lucas. How she had been afraid of the feelings before, and how much she liked him. As Riley was about to kiss Lucas, all she could think of was her best friend.

"Lucas, wait." Riley said, taking a deep breath.

"What is it?" Lucas asked, pulling back.

"Maya. She told me that I couldn't tell you this, but I think I have to, now. She still likes you, Lucas. And I can't kiss you without thinking of her." Riley looked down at the ground.

"Riley, I don't like Maya like that. It's awful that her and I don't feel the same way about each other, but I don't feel for her like I feel for you. She's my friend, and I want you to be so much more than that." Lucas smiled hopefully at her.

Riley contemplated this. "I'd just feel so guilty, Lucas. I don't want to upset her."

Lucas thought carefully before he chose his next words. "I'd hate to tell you this, Riley, but she's already upset at you. And you deserve happiness. I want to be your happiness."

Riley sighed. "Okay," she said.

"Okay?" Lucas said, his face lighting up.

"Yeah." Riley nodded. "You make me happy."

—&—

Lucas and Riley stood in front of her apartment door. Lucas smiled at her. "I'm really glad I got to spend time with you today, like this."

Riley smiled back at Lucas. "And I'm glad I went on this date with you. So, thank you."

Lucas glanced at the door, and Riley suddenly felt awkward. This was the part of the date where they kissed, but she didn't know what stage their relationship was at - and if it was enough to kiss. Besides, her parents were right outside and her dad was probably watching her every move.

Fortunately for Riley, Lucas wasn't as worried about this. He took her face in his hands and pressed a small kiss to her lips, almost exactly like the kiss she had given him on the night of their very first date.

Lucas pulled away and smiled at her. "Goodnight," he said, turning to walk away.

From inside the apartment, Riley could hear someone yelling "no!"

That'd be her dad.