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IHOP

We got back from school at around four.

Farkle and Riley pulled into the driveway right after us. Farkle still hadn't met Lucas.

"Farkle, this is my boyfriend Lucas. Lucas, this is my second-best friend Farkle. He's Riley's boyfriend," I introduced them.

They shook hands, and it looked like Farkle got a few of his fingers broken.

Lucas's phone rang, and I was immediately nervous. Would Lucas have to go off to another dangerous Pack Meeting?

But Lucas was smiling, so my anxiety went away. He hung up, still smiling.

"Good news," he said, as Riley and Farkle headed inside, "Another Pack Meeting. But the Leader and his son won't be there. It isn't a meeting, it's more like... a hangout, or something like that. Zay wants you to come. It'll be safe, and you'll get to meet the other guy."

I stood on my tippy-toes and kissed him on the cheek, "Great. When is it?" I asked.

He checked his phone, "We can leave now."

I went inside. I told Riley that Lucas and I were going out, and then I ducked back into the car with Lucas.

We drove for a little bit, finally pulling into the parking lot of IHOP.

"I love pancakes," I said.

"Yeah, me too," Lucas replied.

We went inside, where three other guys were already sitting in a big booth in the corner. Two of the guys were Zay and Josh. The other guy had a deep dimple on his left cheek, and really bright eyes.

He stood up to meet me.

"Hey," he said, "I'm Charlie. Great to meet you."

"I'm Maya," I said.

I liked Charlie. He was really nice, and he and Lucas bro-hugged when Charlie walked away.

We sat down, and we all ordered. All of the guys got plain pancakes with maple syrup. That was so boring! So, I got a six stack of chocolate pancakes with extra chocolate chips and strawberry syrup.

Then, I ate the whole plate.

The guys all stared at me like they couldn't believe so much food could fit inside someone so tiny.

"Holy crap, man!" Josh punched Lucas on the shoulder, "She eats like one of us!"

Lucas smiled. He put his arm around my shoulder, and I leaned my head against him.

Suddenly, Charlie looked really troubled. He rubbed his eyes, which were clouded with fear. He fiddled unnecessarily, checking and re-checking his watch, swirling the ice in his cup, crumpling and smoothing his napkin. None of the guys seemed to notice.

Then, Riley walked into the door behind us. 

"Hey, Maya. I'm super sorry to interrupt, but Farkle's having a panic attack because he thinks he broke the dishwasher," Riley said. She noticed all of the guys with us, "Hi!" she said with her trademark happy-Riley-smile.

"Hi!" all of the guys answered back, except for Charlie. He was staring at Riley in a sort of open-mouthed awe. He looked at her like she was an angel from heaven.

Lucas caught sight of Charlie's expression, even though Riley hadn't.

"So, let's go save a Farkle!" Lucas exclaimed, pulling me to my feet and ushering me and Riley to the door.

Lucas gave Zay and Josh pointed looks, but they had already noticed.

Josh grabbed Charlie by the shoulders and shook him.

"Have. You. Lost. Your. Fucking. Mind?" Josh roared at him.

"What's wrong?" I muttered to Lucas.

"Charlie Morphed," Lucas mumbled back.

"To who?" I asked, but I already had a sinking feeling I knew.

"Riley."