Chapter 1 - What Just Happened?

Summary: During high school, Riley, Maya and Lucas decided that friendship is the most important thing of all. Maya finally was able to sort out what she actually felt. Riley and Lucas remained the best of friends. It was now summer vacation after their freshman year and along with Farkle, Zay and Smackle, they do their best to enjoy their break. Everyone seems to be doing what they wanted. Well, almost everyone. They enjoyed hanging out together and exchanging stories. That is until Lucas comes back from his trip with a girl around his arm! Will the gang be able to get through this new change or will things go downhill from here, especially for Riley?

A/N: I own nothing, except for the new girl.

It was the summer after their freshman year in high school. Riley and Maya have taken summer jobs at Topanga's as waitresses. Farkle was working for his father at Minkus International to learn about the family business, while Lucas went to Texas to visit his family. Zay was taking dance classes at their local studio and Smackle, believe it or not, was taking advanced summer classes.

"Maya, would you please take these iced coffees to that table over there?" Riley asked.

Maya stared at her blankly and said, "You know Riles, we've been working here for almost 3 weeks. You're gonna have to walk to one of those tables with a tray and serve the customers eventually."

"I know Maya but I'm not ready for that kind of responsibility yet."

"You're clumsy but not that clumsy." Maya laughed and went to deliver the drinks.

Riley started to clean the countertop. It was a slow Thursday afternoon. She would rather be outside enjoying the beautiful weather with her friends but her parents suggested, nay, insisted that she should have some job experiences. And since Maya had nothing else to do but sleep, she took the job as well. Without even meaning to, Riley started thinking about Lucas. He was currently in Texas visiting his family. He was supposed to come back in a couple of days to begin shadowing a veterinarian. She sighed and continued to clean the countertop.

After the whole ordeal between herself, Maya and Lucas, they all decided to just stay friends. They came to the conclusion that friendship is the best thing to hold on to for now.

During their freshman year of high school, they branched out to explore their hobbies. Riley joined the photo club and yearbook committee. Maya joined the art club and was also volunteering at their local museum after school. Farkle became part of the debate team along with Smackle, as well as the yearbook committee and drama club. Lucas joined the basketball and baseball teams, and was also active in student council. Zay was also in the basketball team and in drama club. But even though they were busy doing their own thing, they always made time to hang out with each other and besides; they were in all the same classes with Mr. Matthews as their teacher. What a coincidence right?

"Is it break time yet?" Maya groaned as she approached the counter, setting the tray down.

"Baby girl, you just had your lunch break. " Kate retorted.

"Riles, I think it's clean enough now." Maya snapped her fingers in front of Riley's face, as she jumps and is brought back to reality.

"No such thing as too clean!" She set the towel aside and thought about the time when Lucas came barging through her bay window with a part of her mother's bakery attached to his wrist with towel. She smiled at the memory.

Maya sat on a stool and inspected her nails. She perked up when she heard the bell ring.

"Hey guys," Farkle announced. "Can I have a strawberry banana smoothie and a blueberry muffin?"

Riley eyed him carefully, "Interesting combination Farkle."

"It's not that bad you know."

"How's working for your father?" Maya asked as she comes around the counter to fetch Farkle his muffin while Katy worked on his smoothie.

"Just peachy," He replied, taking a seat. "What time are you guys getting off work?"

"5:00," Riley sighed as rests her head on her hand.

"Long day huh?"

Maya hands him his muffin and says, "Tell me about it."

"How about I come here at 5 and we can hang out until closing time? I'll text Zay. Smackle will still be in class then." He whips out his phone and starts touching his screen.

"Sounds good to me!" Riley perked up and takes the smoothie from Katy to hand to Farkle. "See Maya, I can serve our customers their drinks!"

"Yeah," Maya says with a blank face. "Sure you can."

It was now 4:45 pm and Maya was staring at the clock, tapping her nails on the counter. There were more customers coming in than before. People were getting off work wanting a cup of coffee before getting on their train and college students taking summer classes needing a break from a long day. The next shift of girls replacing Maya and Riley were getting ready in the back, Tiffany and Laura. They were college students from NYU who were friends of Josh wanting to save up some cash for the upcoming semester.

"And 3, 2, 1." Maya announced as she takes off her apron. "I'm off the clock until Saturday! Goodbye everybody! I am leaving this place."

Zay comes through the door with Farkle and says, "Greetings friends. Heard we were hanging out here until closing."

"Ugh dang nabbit." Maya scrunches her face. "As long as I don't have to serve anyone I am good."

"Well what's another three hours here Maya?" Riley asked taking a seat in a booth where Maya, Zay and Farkle were situated.

"I'm going to kick back and relax." Maya grins. "Tifanny over here!"

"Maya! You are very much capable of getting your own drink." Riley reprimanded.

She pouts, "Fine. You're lucky your niceness is rubbing off on me." She walks towards the counter to fetch herself a smoothie.

"How was dance class Zay?" Riley asks taking a sip of her peach mango tea.

Zay grins. "Well you know, lifting beautiful girls and twirling them around is the highlight of my day."

Farkle rolls his eyes. "You're really something."

"Hey! You're just jealous you don't get to do that." He scoffs.

Farkle pursed his lips. "Sure I am."

Maya went around to exit the counter. She takes a sip of her drink and as she looks up towards the door, her eyes widened. She spits out her drink and starts coughing. Riley, Farkle and Zay turn their heads towards the door. Eyes wide open and jaw hanging. Tears began to form in Riley's eyes and she quickly wipes them away.

There, standing by the door, was none other than Lucas Friar holding the hands of a curly haired brunette with a beaming smile.

Well uh oh! Lucas is back early and with a new girlfriend perhaps?

Stay tuned! Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think! Reviews would be greatly appreciated :)