British Invasion | 6
Overview: In the middle of her freshman year of high school Riley Matthew’s mother gets a once in a lifetime opportunity to run her firms London Office. Much to everyone’s surprise her mother accepts the job, forcing Riley and her younger brother Auggie to leave behind everything they’ve ever known. Almost three years later the Matthew’s family moves back to New York and Riley comes to realize a lot has changed in the time she’s been gone. Author’s Notes: [As always the text in italics are flashbacks & Please check the tags for any trigger warnings.] Chapter Five: “Mr. Perfect.” Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Word Count:
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“We should totally go out for wrestling.” Zay says offhandedly, throwing a baseball in the air as he laid on the floor of their room.
It was a month into their sophomore year and the two boys were trying to decide which sports teams to try out for since freshman year was a flop. Last year they both got killed during football tryouts but they did manage to get a spot on the baseball team, even though it was just junior varsity. Lucas was determined to find a sport he was good enough for, especially now that a certain pretty brunette was across the pond. He needed something to distract him. He needed something to take his mind off Riley and what better way to do that than some healthy competition?
“Seriously?” Lucas crinkles his nose. “Wrestling?”
“What’s wrong Mr. Perfect? Scared everyone will see your junk in those oddly skintight jumpsuits?” Zay teases. “Come on man, you’re strong as a horse, remember? Put that to good use.”
“I guess so.” He shrugs, leaning back in his chair to shake hands with Zay. “Looks like we’re trying out for wrestling.”
--
“You invited Farkle?” Lucas questions as the three boys approach the gymnasium where tryouts were being held. “If I blew hard enough he’d fall right over.”
“Hey!” Farkle smacks him on the arm, “don’t mistake my slender figure for weakness, my friends. I’ve got muscles baby don’t you worry.”
“Oh yeah?” Zay laughs, “Where are you hiding them?”
Farkle makes a face, flipping Zay off before returning his attention to the coach.
Coach O’Donnell was a burly man, standing at about 6’5”, he was coach for most of the less popular sports like wrestling, lacrosse and tennis. He looked super intimidating but was notoriously known for being a super cool and laid back teacher.
He raises his thick brows as the three boys approach him, big hopeful grins on their faces. “Surprised to see you here Minkus.” He smiles, looking him up and down.
“Sports look good on college applications.” Farkle answers like it was obvious.
“Alright boys.” Coach blows his whistle, “First we’re going to weigh in, see where you guys are at and then from there I’ll pair you off with someone in your weight class. Babineaux!” He points Zay out, “You’re up first.”
Zay nervously steps up on the scale, praying he’d be in the lower ranks. He wasn’t as strong as Lucas but he wasn’t a wimp either. Unless of course he had to go up against someone as strong as Lucas, then he wasn’t so tough anymore.
“126.” Coach says out loud. “Not bad.” Zay hops off the scale and runs back over to the lineup while Mr. O’Donnell jots down some notes. “NEXT!”
A few more students are weighed, all in Zay’s range or a bit higher and then it was Lucas’ turn. He reluctantly walks over and steps on the scale staring down at the numbers. He watched as the coach moved the weight along, passing Zay’s weight class by at least 20 pounds.
“149.” Coach announces. “You’ve got some meat on those bones, Friar.” He chuckles, gently pushing Lucas off the scale calling up the next student. Lucas tried not to think too much of it but the coaches’ comment was ringing in his head.
By the time its Farkle’s turn he’s already figured out that aside from Yogi he’d be the smallest in the class. The coach’s face turns up in a wide smile as Farkle steps on, sliding the weight all the way to the end. “You sure about this kid?” He whispers low enough for only Farkle to hear. Farkle nods his head and O’Donnell lets out a sigh before calling out his weight class. “115.”
Lucas looked down at his body. Did he really weigh 34 pounds more than Farkle? He looks around the room noticing he was a lot bigger than a lot of the guys there. He tried to take into consideration that he was a year older than the other sophomores and had a bit of a growth spurt in 8th grade but still that didn’t stop him from feeling unusually insecure about himself.
“Friar you’re with Ross.” Coach pats him on the shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Show us what you got.”
The two boys take the floor, circling each other before Billy Ross attempts to take Lucas down. They struggle for a minute or so until Billy is able to pin him down, almost too easily.
Coach blows the whistle ending their match. He calls Zay and Dave to the floor and pulls Lucas to the side to speak to him.
“You let him win that round?” O’Donnell raises an eyebrow, confusion masking his face. “Zay said you were as strong as horse but all I saw out there was a Chihuahua.”
“I’m sorry sir. I guess I’m not as strong as I thou-”
“Look.” Coach stops him, “If your heads not in it let me know now. You’re a great kid Lucas but I don’t like people wasting my time.”
Lucas sits on the sidelines for the rest of tryouts, trying to clear his mind of the negative thoughts that seemed to be consuming him. Even long after it’s over he stays in the gym, watching the varsity team come in and practice. He notices their star player, Chad Malkovich, looks about the same size as Lucas but is in a smaller weight class, easily beating his visibly smaller opponents. Lucas waits until their practice is over and finds Chad in the locker room to ask him for some advice.
“Malkovich?” He addresses him, standing in the doorway of the locker room.
“Who’s asking?” The tall boy doesn’t bother turning around as he applies deodorant and pulls on his shirt.
“I’m Lucas Friar. I just tried out for the JV team.” He answers feeling like he was in a job interview.
“JV huh?” Chad perks an eyebrow in Lucas’ direction. “What’re you a sophomore?”
“Yeah.” Lucas nods. “And I was wondering…”
“How is it that I’m in a lower weight class than you when our bodies are almost identical in height and size?” Chad chimes in, laughing at Lucas’ surprised expression. “You’re not the first JV coming in wondering how they can lower their body mass.”
“So if you don’t mind me asking…” He trails off.
The older boy turns away from Lucas, rummaging through his bag before turning back and tossing a small paper box in his direction. “The hard way takes time, lots of proper diet and exercise…but my way’s a lot quicker.”
Lucas looks down at the small blue box in his hands, reading the label over and over to make sure he understood what the guy was saying. “Laxatives?”
“When I first tried out I was 155. Already stronger than everyone in my weight class so Coach put me up against people bigger than me and I got my ass kicked. Cutting weight allows us to compete at a lower weight class, facing lighter opponents. The advantage is gained when the wrestler loses only water-weight and fat-weight, but retains lean body mass. Then we re-hydrate after weighing-in but before competition begins.”
“Isn’t that cheating?” Lucas asks, prompting a hearty laugh from the senior.
“No, Friar.” Chad shakes his head. “That’s winning.”
--
The entire way home Lucas replayed the conversations he had earlier over and over again in his head. Chad let him keep the laxatives in case he changed his mind and it felt as if they were burning a hole in his pocket. Zay and Farkle were pretty pleased with themselves, both making the team. They excitedly rehashed the day as Lucas sat quietly to himself, staring out the window until they were at his stop.
The best friends say goodbye to Farkle and walk upstairs to the apartment. They shed their jackets and backpacks, heading straight for their bedroom.
“Boys.” Mrs. Friar stops them, “Dinner’s ready.”
Zay smiles and quickly redirects his way to the kitchen but Lucas stops in his tracks. His mother notices, furrowing her eyebrows together, “Aren’t you going to eat, sweetie?”
Lucas swallows the lump in his throat, trying to fight the voice in his head but in the end he gives in to it, knowing it was wrong. “I’m actually pretty slumped.” He lies. “I’m just gonna hit the sheets.”
“Don’t worry Mrs. F, I’ll eat enough for the both of us.” Zay jokes.
He waits for them to walk into the other room before closing his bedroom door. He slides under the covers and pulls out his phone. His thumb hovers over Riley’s name in his contact list. He knew that of all people she’d be the most understanding, she’d know exactly what to do. But he promised himself he wouldn’t hold her back anymore.
So instead he forces his eyes shut, and does his best to fall asleep on an empty stomach.
--
Zay, Lucas and Avery sat on the sofa at Topanga’s café. They were supposed to be going over their plans for Halloween but Lucas would be lying if he said his mind wasn’t on Riley. He couldn’t get their dance at the masquerade ball out of his head. He tried to convince himself it was innocent enough, after all it was just a dance. Right? But he knew the truth. In that 3 minute dance with Riley everything he thought went away came rushing back all at once.
It amazed him how his eyes immediately fell on her when she walked into the gym that night. Somehow, no matter where they were or how long it had been, his eyes would always find her. He told himself he wouldn’t act on those feelings, he’d suppress them to the best of his ability but they always made their way back to the surface.
He sips on his black coffee as Avery talks on about who they should go as for Halloween. Insisting they do a couples costume. Zay, not wanting to feel like a third wheel, suggests the three of them go as the three musketeers but Avery doesn’t seem as amused by the idea as Lucas is. She rolls her eyes so hard the boys swore they were going to fall out of her head.
He and Avery started dating last summer and at first he was happy. She was the complete opposite of Riley in every conceivable way and that’s exactly what he was looking for. He wanted someone who didn’t look like Riley or talk like Riley, he wanted someone to help get his mind off of her and Avery was that girl. She was beautiful albeit conceited but she does care about Lucas and he cares about her. And that was enough. For now.
Zay returns to the seating area after grabbing some baked goods for the three of them. He places them directly in front of Lucas who was sitting in the middle and gets settled back into his seat.
Lucas nods absent mindedly as his girlfriend continues her rant, but as he reaches out to grab a donut she smacks his hand away. “Do you know how much sugar is in that?” She raises an eyebrow. Lucas shakes his head no. “More than you can afford.” She adds. “Baseball season is right around the corner, Lukey.”
Before he can say anything else she stands to her feet. “I’ve got to go check out some stores for our costumes so I’ll call you later once I decide.” She gives him a quick peck on the cheek and rushes out the door.
“Lukey?” Zay mocks, scrunching his nose up in disgust. “You know if she wasn’t so hot I’d tell you to dump her crazy self.”
“She’s not crazy.” Lucas defends, “She just has my best interest at heart.”
“You sure about that?” Zay gives him a concerned look.
Their conversation is cut short when Riley walks in. The naturally tan brunette has her long dark locks tossed up in a messy ponytail, sporting a hoodie with the logo of her old high school back in London right on the chest. She has her bag thrown over her shoulder and a stack of notebooks in her hands, clearly prepared to study.
“Speaking of best interests.” Zay says under his breath causing Lucas to smack him in the arm.
Riley spots them almost immediately, a shy smile curved on her lips. “Hey guys.” She waves awkwardly.
“Hey Jellybean.” Zay grins, standing up to give her a welcoming hug. “You tutoring a group of 20 or something?” He motions to the large stack she’s grasping.
“Hm?” She looks down, “Oh! No, I have a big French final coming up and Smackle was nice enough to lend me her notes.”
“That explains it.” He chuckles helping her set the books down on the table. “You know, Lucas took that class last year.” Zay smirks, a lightbulb going off in his head. “He aced the midterm, too. He could help you study.”
“Oh that’s okay.” She swats at the air, “I’m sure he has better things to do.”
“I don’t mind.” Lucas chimes in, finally speaking. “It’s no problem at all really.”
Riley hesitantly takes the space next to Zay, sandwiching him between her and Lucas. For the first 10 minutes or so there’s nothing but silence until Zay decides to quickly stand up and bring his plate back over to the counter.
“I just remembered.” He stammers, “I had a thing to do at…you know…the thing.” Before either of them can get a word in, he darts out the door, leaving them to themselves.
Riley chuckles at his antics, allowing herself to get into a more comfortable spot on the sofa. “He hasn’t changed at all, has he?”
Lucas can’t help but smile, “I think he’ll be that way forever.”
“Good.” She smiles to herself.
“Hey…about the Maya thing.” He starts up, “I just want you to know I had no idea why she was doing what she did. I would never intentionally try to hurt your feelings.” He stares down at his hands.
“I believe you.” She smiles halfheartedly.
“And about the masquerade ball…” He continues.
“It was nothing.” She interjects. “Just a dance…right?”
“Uh…right…yeah.” There’s a thick silence between them as they sit there, eyes locked in a gaze. “So --” He reaches for the textbook and flips it open. “French.”
“Right, yes. French.” Riley snaps out of it, scooting closer to the coffee table. “I’m having a hard time retaining everything I learn. I guess foreign languages have never really been my strong suit.”
“Well what do you remember?”
She purses her lips together and in her best French accent she says with a smile, “Bonjour Lucas.”
Lucas lets out a soft laugh, “Oh come on. You have to remember more than that.”
“Honestly? I really only remember the words you taught me in 9th grade.” She admits, shrugging her shoulders bashfully.
“Okay.” He nods his head slowly, knowing exactly what night she was referring to. “Let’s start there.”
Lucas was sat at his computer desk in his room, trying to get a head start on his paper that was due in a weeks’ time. Now that he was dating his teacher’s daughter he knew he had no room to make mistakes.
Theres a knock on his door and he calls out for them to come in without giving them a second glance.
“Homework?” A familiar voice reaches his ears. A big smile crosses his face as he turns around to see Riley standing there, a FroYo bag in hand.
“What’re you doing here?” He asks pulling her in for a hug. “It’s a school night.”
“Yeaaah I know but…I missed you.” She says shyly as he pulls her onto his lap. “And I really wanted some Frozen Yogurt.”
Lucas kisses her softly on the cheek, closing his laptop to give her his full attention. “Hope there’s enough for me in there.” He jokes, inspecting the bag.
“Of course.” She giggles. “I got you your favorite.” She pulls out a cup and hands it to him. “Salted caramel for you and a triple chocolate for me.”
The night went on and somehow they end up sprawled across his bed, legs draped over one another as they fed each other bites of their frozen treat. It was by far one of his favorite things in the world. He loved his friends and always had fun whenever he and Riley hung out with all of them but nothing could beat the way he felt when it was just the two of them, held up in his room, talking for hours.
“So how do you say chocolate in French?” She asks, tapping the plastic spoon against her lips.
“Chocolat.” He smirks, helping himself to her froyo.
“Oh.” She laughs, “That one’s easy…what about purple cat?”
“Hmm. I think it’s ‘chat pourpre’ or something like that.”
“Jellybean?”
“I’m not sure there is a word for Jellybean, Riles.” He smiles down at her as she pouts.
She’s silent for a minute before turning back to him, “Peut-être un jour nous irons à Paris ensemble.”
“You remember that, huh?” He rubs the back of his neck, cheeks flushed.
“I looked it up that day after school.” She leans back, “You were one smooth talking 7th grader.”
Without a word, but with a smile on his face, he gently cups her cheek and leans in, kissing her softly on the lips.
“Hey Lucas?” She whispers once their lips part.
“Hm?”
“How do you say ‘I love you’ in French…you know…for future references.”
He wondered if she could feel how fast his heart was beating as he leaned in to her, lips pressed to her ear as he whispered, “Je t'aime.”
After an hour of studying Riley stands up to stretch, not realizing how tense she was until she got up from her chair. Without saying anything she walks over to the counter while Lucas is looking over her grammar.
When she returns she has a big slice of chocolate cake on a plate with two forks. “Brain food.” She offers, placing it on her lap as she joins him back on the sofa.
“Thank you for this by the way.” She says with a low voice. “I know it’s weird, me being back and all.”
“A good kind of weird.” He assures her.
“Oh my god.” She lets out a soft moan after taking the first bite of the cake. “I forgot how good their cakes are.”
“Yeah.” He clears his throat, ignoring the warm flush on his cheeks. “It looks incredible.”
“I got it for us to share.” She hands him the second fork and holds the cake up so it was closer to their faces. “I know you’re more of a salted caramel kinda guy but this was all they had left.”
“I don’t think I shou--.”
“Oh I’m sorry.” She shakes her head. “I should’ve gotten you your own piece. I didn’t mean to make it weird by suggesting we share it, I just thought it--.”
“No.” He cuts her off, “It’s not that…you’re actually the one person I like sharing with.” He smiles weakly. “I’m just not very hungry.”
“Well there’s plenty if you change your mind.” She smiles, placing the plate on the coffee table across from them.
They settle back into their study rhythm feeling more and more comfortable around each other as the hours pass by.
“Hey Riley?” He peaks up at her over the textbook.
“Hm?”
“I didn’t get the chance to tell you before but…I’m really happy you’re home.”
She glances over at him, her dimples deepen at the corner of her lips as she smiles, “You know, for the first time since I got here I’m actually happy to be home too.”
His heart pounded in his chest as he looked her over, grinning ear to ear. And without thinking he leans over, cuts a sliver of cake with his fork and pops it into his mouth.
**end note: special thanks to the anon who suggested a more serious storyline with lucas i.e body dysmorphia. As someone who’s suffered with eatings disorders her entire life I know how sensitive a topic it is and I just want to reiterate that I am in no way trying to lessen it or make it seem like its not a big deal because it very much is. I also think its important that its Lucas (a guy) who’s suffering with his body image in this because there’s this stigma around it. Also hence the name of this chapter ‘Mr. Perfect.’ In future chapters I’ll cover more about how he feels like there’s a lot of pressure on him to be perfect all the time and be a winner and unfortunately he kind of just crumbles underneath it all.
ANYWHO just wanted to add this bit at the end. Please let me know your thoughts on this arc for our darling angel boy Lucas.**