So apparently there are people who want me to go back to writing stories like the ones I used to write. Well, I guess now is the right time to give my answer:

I'm sorry, but no. It's been nearly four years since I joined this site, and things change, along with interests. Those stories are merely a phase to me, and I truly don't have any intent on writing more of them.

Now, about this story. The episode "Girl Meets Rileytown" means a lot to me because I have been a victim of bullying practically my whole life, and watching that show makes me happy. Besides, I am a huge Rucas and Joshaya shipper.

Riley Matthews sat at the bay window, her face covered with tear streaks, contemplating how everything had started all over again.

All was going so well after Topanga decided that she was not going to leave her bakery; Riley and Lucas had started to reconnect; Farkle and Smackle were still going strong; Josh and Maya were now through playing the long game (Riley was starting to get used to the idea of her best friend dating her young uncle); Cory was glad that he was still able to teach at Abigail Adams High School; and Auggie, well, he was still himself.

Once junior year started, though, Riley felt the eyes of Missy Bradford staring at her back. She had always been jealous over the fact that Lucas chose the innocent, goofy girl who would not even hurt a fly, over herself. As time passed, the jealousy grew to an even bigger hatred than back in middle school. Riley began to hear rumors and secrets that were being spread across the school, but everyone was smart enough to realize that someone like Riley Matthews would never have slept with the entire football team, and they were definitely not surprised to learn how devastated she was when she discovered that Pluto was no longer a planet.

Three weeks ago, Missy, seeing that her initial plan was not working, resorted to physical violence.

The first time it happened was when Riley had gone to the restroom during third period. Missy had been waiting outside, hiding behind the lockers. Riley usually waited until the middle of the day to go, as observed by Missy. Once Riley started to wash her hands, the other girl entered, going unnoticed at first. It was not until Riley turned off the faucet and looked back into the mirror that she saw Missy, her eyes deadly and a twisted, mean smile on her face. For just a second, the only words that went through Riley's head were: Not again.

A split second after that thought, Missy pulled her leg back and kicked Riley in the calf. The girl yelped in pain and fell onto the cold floor as Missy continued to kick Riley's back over and over again, all the while laughing, to the point where Riley was dull to the pain. Once she was done, Missy chuckled again. "Just so you know, not everyone loves you. And don't tell anyone about this, because it's your own fault that you made me do this. Besides, they could care less about you." She left, and after a few seconds Riley finally got up and returned to class, her back and shoulders sore from the beating. For the rest of the day she barely talked.

Her friends knew something was up, and Maya asked her what was wrong.

"Nothing, Peaches," Riley had assured her, "I'm perfectly fine."

"You sure, Riles?" Maya asked.

"Yeah, I guess I just really want to go home." That's not a lie, she thought.

"Okay," Maya said, still doubtful of Riley's words.

The assaults from Missy continued. When Riley would go to her locker to get her stuff in between classes, Missy would pass her, but not before doing something like kicking her ankle or hit the back of her head. She was careful, making sure Riley was alone and aiming for places where bruises would not be visible.

Today, however, was the second time Missy ever beat her.

Maya had come down with the flu, and Katy and Shawn refused to let her leave the house. So when the school halls were empty, Riley did not have her friend to walk beside her. Missy came up behind her and punched the back of Riley's head, causing her to cry out and stumble back into the lockers. Missy was not done; she began to hit Riley repeatedly in the stomach, the blows making the poor girl shriek.

In between punches, Riley could only whisper one thing: "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because I can," Missy snarled. Riley fell to the floor, bawling as her bully continued to kick her stomach and legs.

As Riley lay on her back, her arms covering her abdomen, Missy smirked. "Not all of the world is sunshine and happiness, Matthews. You need to grow up. If Lucas actually likes you, it's only so he can get you in bed with him. And remember, it's your own fault." She kicked her one last time in the back before walking away, her footsteps echoing down the barren corridors.

Riley could not move. She could not think. She wanted to hide. She wanted out. And soon she did get out, crying the whole time.

Cory was currently helping Topanga in the shop, and Auggie was in his room recording a new episode for his podcast, so Riley was more than relieved when

She remembered how that one girl back in middle school tormented her, until she performed the Riley Awards with the whole school watching. She knew that she should go to her friends about this, but was Missy right? Did they really care about her? Did they also think she needed to grow up?

Does Lucas only want me in bed?

With that thought in her head, Riley held her head in her hands and continued to sob.

Lucas was sitting on his reading a book when his phone went off. He reached into his pocket to see a text:

Maya: Earth to Huckleberry?

Lucas texted back: Can I help you, Maya?

Maya: As you may know around this time would be my cue to climb through Riley's window.

Lucas smiled as he read the name of the goofball he still loved.

Lucas: Aren't you sick?

Maya: Exactly. Now my mom and Shawn have left to see a movie and they can't trust me to not leave the house when I'm alone at this moment, so now Josh is in my room keeping a close eye on me.

Lucas: Why is he there if you're contagious?

Maya: Well as it turns out Boing here states that he has a strong immune system. Not that I'm complaining about it because he won't stop kissing me.

Lucas: Maya there's no way that you're texting me just to talk about how your boyfriend is taking care of you.

Maya: Don't worry. I'm only asking if you could go check on Riley. Besides she's seemed different lately.

Lucas could not help but think that she was right. For the past few weeks Riley had been much more quiet and distant, highly unlike her character. He had also noticed that whenever he or any of their friends talked to her there was always a look of fright in her eyes as if she had done something wrong, or if she was waiting for something to happen.

Then he remembered something.

Lucas: No problem. I actually have a surprise for her.

He was almost out of his apartment door when Maya texted back: She better text me back about how you guys made out at the bay window.

Lucas blushed; he must have never been subtle at all.

Riley had stopped crying, wiping her face with her sweater sleeves. She knew that she needed to get her mind off of everything that had happened, so she tried thinking about that time when Lucas had her watch The Wizard of Oz with him at his apartment, and how much she loved Toto. She still loved Lucas, but after the whole moving scare she was also afraid of losing him again.

The window suddenly slid open, causing Riley to jump, and in came the Texan whom she had been thinking of with a smile on his face.

"Lucas! You scared me!" she said, giggling. "I wasn't expect anyone!"

"Sorry about that, Princess," Lucas said, shutting the window and sitting next to her, "Maya texted me to check on you, and I don't think your dad would like it if he saw me come at all."

"Well, he's helping my mom in the bakery, so you didn't have to come in this way."

"Nah, the window's more fun." Hesitantly, he took her hand. "So, you won't believe what happened on Tuesday."

"Did Pappy Joe call you and say he's visiting?" Riley asked.

Lucas laughed before shaking his head. "Even better. So I went to get groceries and I was the store's ten millionth customer-"

"Did you receive a prize?" she interrupted, excited.

"I did." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out two pieces of paper. "Free tickets to see any Broadway show!"

Riley looked confused. "Just that?"

Lucas shrugged. "Well, it was either this or take home a hundred-thousand dollars. And I know how much you've talked about wanting to see Wicked, so how about we go this Saturday?"

Riley opened her mouth to say something, but it took a few seconds. The thrilled look was missing, and she looked down. "Yeah. Yeah Lucas, that sounds great."

The smile on Lucas's face was now gone, and his green eyes were filled with worry. "Riley? Are you okay?" His arm moved to touch her back, and she winced. He noticed this. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," she said.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Nothing."

"Riley, if something's wrong you can tell me-"

"I said I'm fine!" she yelled, standing up. Then she looked terrified, her reaction matching that of Lucas. Eyes met eyes. Time stood still. Suddenly a tear sprung out. Lucas also got up and took her into his arms as she started to cry into his shoulder.

"Please, Riley," he begged as he held her close. "Tell me what's going on." He was also in pain, seeing the girl he loved and cared about like this.

After a minute of sobbing, Riley collected herself and looked up at Lucas. "Could you sit down? And please make sure that you're completely calm."

"What? Why?" Lucas questioned as she forced him to sit back down by the window.

"Because I'm afraid you'll become Texas Lucas."

"Is it really that bad?"

"Yes. Now please promise me that you aren't going to freak out."

Lucas was quiet for a few seconds before nodding. "All right, I promise."

Taking a deep breath, Riley turned around and lifted up the back of her sweater.

For Lucas to say that he was shocked was an understatement; he could practically feel his face twist into a look of horror as he saw the several bruises that covered her backside. They were all shades: many were grey, but others were purple, blue, and some had even gone yellow. His fingers reached out to gingerly touch the spots, careful to not cause her discomfort. Lucas felt his blood start to boil as he moved from bruise to bruise.

"Who did this?" he finally said, his voice angry.

Riley sat next to him. "It's Missy. I'm pretty sure that she's still upset with you choosing me over her."

"Yeah, well, giving me a reason why she's doing this isn't going to stop me from killing her." He started to rise until Riley urgently pulled him back down.

"Lucas, please don't! You promised me you wouldn't go crazy!" She looked to the floor. "Besides, it's my fault."

Lucas was appalled. "Who told you that?" He scooted closer. Her silence was enough to tell him. "Riley, she's wrong."

She looked at him, tears pooling in her eyes. "What if she's right? What if I do need to grow up?"

"Riley." He pulled her close to him. "You don't need to change. You're Riley Matthews, the most amazing person in the world. Maya doesn't want you any different, and neither does Zay, Farkle, or Smackle. And your family doesn't want you to change, either." He leaned forward so their foreheads pressed together. "I don't want you to change." He did not even care to let the next part slip. "I love you just the way you are."

She looked to him. "Love? Like, love me as a friend?"

Lucas chuckled and shook his head. "No. Like, love love you. I'm in love with you. I never stopped."

Riley sniffled as a small smile came to her face. "I...I love love you, too."

He smiled back at her as they got closer, their hearts racing as they felt each other's breath brush across their faces. Their eyes closing, lips finally met lips in a moment they had waited for so long. Her arms wrapped around his neck, deepening the kiss. She had never felt so complete in her whole life in that moment, and neither did Lucas. He was enveloped in this, cherishing every second.

When they finally pulled apart, Riley began giggling.

"What's so funny?" Lucas asked, starting to laugh as well.

"Another thing Missy said was that the only reason you like me is because you want me in bed."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Well, you can tell that that is also not true, right?"

Riley nodded. "Yes. Yes, I can." She hugged him. "Can we still see Wicked?"

He laughed again. "Of course, Princess."

Just then they heard the front door open. "Riley! Are you home?" It was Cory.

"Shit." Lucas muttered. "I better go." He gave her one last kiss and started out the window. "So Saturday it is?"

"Yes," Riley confirmed. "I love you."

He smiled. "Love you, too." Then he was gone. Riley shut the window right before her father burst into her room. "Is there a problem, Dad?"

"Auggie ran downstairs saying that he heard you crying," her father explained. "Are you okay?"

"Actually, I have something to tell you."

The next day, Lucas sat next to Riley in Chemistry class. As it so happened, Missy also shared that period, and Riley felt her eyes staring at the back of her head. As much as she wanted to turn around and look back at her tormenter, Riley decided to not give her what she wanted.

The teacher was saying something about isotopes when the intercom crackled. "Missy Bradford, please report to the principal's office immediately."

Nothing but the sound of the clock was heard as everyone turned to Missy, who looked like a deer in the headlights. It seemed as if everything was now coming to an end for her.

The teacher looked as if she already knew this was going to happen. "Ms. Bradford, it's probably best if you take your stuff."

Missy slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked down the aisle, her eyes directed to the ground. It was not until she was halfway out the door that she gave one last glance to her victim.

In that split second Riley saw Missy for who she really was. Her eyes were no longer mean and instead sad. She looked terrified, worried, helpless. Riley now felt nothing but sorry for Missy. She was an unhappy girl living with possibly unhappy parents in an unhappy life with unhappy friends, the complete opposite of Riley's life.

The door closed, and Riley felt Lucas squeeze her hand. She looked to see him with a gentle smile on his face.

"Everything's okay."