His first memory of her was when he faced a completely new city on his own, and he needed help to find someone called "Mr. Matthews". He asks around, nobody really pay him attention, until he heard a sweet voice at his back, he turns over and saw her.
He would never lie about it. When he first saw her, he recognizes the feeling, it happens with Vanessa, but in a minor scale, the warm feeling on his chest, extending, a bit of pain, his respiration a bit out of sync, he knew it, he was helpless.
- He will be here in a minute - he heard her.
And it happened again, the same warm, in the same place, burning him a little, forcing him to take a deep breath to remember his damn name before opening his mouth - Well, thank you, dear - he says, playing his dance, a bit of a posture, a bit of a stance - Isaiah Babineaux - he introduces himself and offers her a handshake that she takes.
Everything was perfect until his hand was put down against his will - I don't like that - he heard a male's voice before feeling how his transfer slip from his other hand - Take a seat, Mr. Babineaux - he heard then, and was forced to sit behind her blond best friend.
It was no surprise for him when with every dance move he made with the pretty brunette, a pair of staring, full of fire and anger eyes try to make his head explode - I wonder if someday he will stop looking at me like that? - he asks while he makes Riley spin.
- Probably never - she replies, and he just laughs at it.
They keep dancing a few minutes more, and when the song finishes, he takes a look at his watch, then looks at his History/English/Math professor, then take a look at Riley, and then take a look at Maya being awfully directed by Farkle - Excuse me one second - he excuses himself and then walks to the reason he thinks about painting a target on his head.
- Mr. Babineaux? - Cory asks him before that he felt he was being pulled from the arm - Where are you taking me? - he asks before realizing that he was in front of his biological daughter.
- You know that is gonna be the last song, you might enjoy having that with your brunette daughter, and probably save your blond daughter from whatever he thinks dance is - he says to his professor, while he received a surprised look from him - Just go save your daughters - he adds and push him onto the dance floor.
When he saw her smile and get a bit jealous of Maya dancing with his dad. Maybe throwing away his shot wasn't that bad.
It was completely decided, Isaiah Babineaux hates Charlie Gardner, oh, and he hates him with all the strength his spine can proportion to his body. He also hates himself, because he could prevent what is happening if he had a quarter of Gardner's bravery, but he would criticize himself later.
Farkle saw him on the school steps and sits to his right - You know that if you asked her, she would say yes, right? - Farkle reminds him, making his regret bigger.
- She deserves better than the one who left his best friend buried in Texas - he tries to justify his lack of guts.
- Well, I hope your excuses leave you satisfied - Farkle says and pats his shoulder before getting up.
Zay just looks at his brunette new best friend - I will never be satisfied - he replies - Didn't you loved her? - he asks then.
Farkle just smiles at him - Truth be told, I met Maya second, and you know what they say - he replies and winks, making Zay laugh.
Maybe if he runs, there's hope for his ass after all.
Zay takes a look at the dog that was licking Maya's face - Where did you find that dog? - he asks her.
Maya looked at him surprised - Nice work Patrick Jane, how did you know we found this dog? - she asks back while puts back the collar on the dog.
- Because it's my dog - Zay heard at his back - Thank you for finding him - the new figure says to Riley, who for some reason seems to be starstrucked.
- Lucas - Zay softly says like he was watching a Deadman.
- Wait, this is your Lucas? - Riley asks him while she fastly gets up from the bay window and walks directly to him - Riley Matthews - she introduces herself, making Zay's heart fall into his stomach.
Lucas smiled at the brunette and then take a look at the blonde beauty that has his dog - Charlie, let's go - he called the dog while Maya gets up and to face him, and for Zay's surprise, flirt with him.
Zay looked at him from a certain distance, not knowing if his friend was the same or if there was something from his old self, the one he left Texas - You came to pay a visit? - he asks him.
Lucas looks at him with superiority on his eyes - I came to save your ass from your own mouth, you should learn from Burr, talk less, smile more - he says before walking out Riley's room - Don't worry, we can catch up and you can tell me what did I miss - he adds and gives him a sordid smile before leaving with his dog.
Zay takes a sits next to Farkle before taking a sip of punch - You ok buddy? - he asks him, while the younger Minkus does his best to not look at Lucas and Maya flirt.
- No, I'm not - he says trying to hide a single tear with his hand - How this happen? like, really, just in front of my nose - he adds.
Zay just pats his shoulder - There is one thing that hasn't change with him, he's still reliable with the ladies - Zay replies looking at his friend with sorrow.
- I've always picture Riley getting married to someone and Maya marrying me - he says - Maybe I should act before this could happen, she is gorgeous and has a great heart, someday someone besides me would notice - he adds looking at Maya laugh at some comment Lucas made.
- Already been there buddy, I was younger than you, I made every mistake possible - Zay says and gets up - But you know, you might lose your shot with Maya - he adds and pulls him from his hand and force him to see at the person he asked to the semi-formal - You have Missy there, so you better go there and dance with her - he continues with his characteristic smile - Minkus, do not throw away your shot - he adds before pushing him in direction to his actual date.
Zay was taking a break, hat over his face, and his boots, now away from his feet, being replaced by his loyal dancing shoes. Everything was perfect until he felt a presence lay next to him, probably equally tired. He lifts his hat and saw his girlfriend - Long day? - he asks.
Riley smiled at him and cuddles with him - The longest - she replies.
- Maya? - he asks while his hand softly strokes her hair.
- With Lucas - she replies - He's trying to fix the whole tombstone the bull thing - she adds before kissing his cheek - Farkle? - she asks.
Zay smiles and then puts a kiss on her hair - On his way to adulthood with Missy - he says under the surprised look of Riley - Wanna sleep? - he asks her.
Riley just let her face show her embarrassment.
Zay felt the temperature rise up in his face - That came out wrong - he says and gets up, helping Riley to get up - I mean, it's not that I'm against it, just not what I was suggesting - he tried to fix it, only to mess it up harder.
Riley finally laughs at his and her own embarrassment, she puts her hands around his neck, and Zay's hands naturally land his hands on her waist, while they slowly sway - Remember our first dance? - she asks him.
- Best memory of seventh grade - he replies with a huge smile.
Riley smiles back at him and puts a soft peck on his lips - Look at where you are now - she says resting her head on his chest - Look at where you started - she adds.
Zay laughs and pass his arms around her back and hug her tightly - The fact that I'm alive is a miracle - he replies.
- Would you do it again? - she asks him - Go through all the nonsensical things my father make you do to date me? - she asks this time.
Zay smile and properly kisses Riley - Any day - he replies, making Riley smile.
- Hey - Zay greets her before walking into her room.
- You know, I've always wondered why you never came from the bay window? - she asks while she rests on Lucas lap.
- I don't do that - he replies and then looks at Riley - Impolite - he adds and sits next to her - Still down for that D? - he asks her.
Riley just took his hand and Zay squeeze it in support - I'm a failure - she says, making Zay worry for her.
- You - he says to Lucas.
Lucas just looks at him, knowing what he needed to do - Maya, tacos? - he asks her.
- Love you, Riles, Robin Lunch - she says waving goodbye to them before walking out the bay window, followed by Lucas.
- That was impressive - Riley says in a very depressive tone - Aren't you disappointed? - she asks, making him, and someone who was outside her room, worry.
- Hey, Riley, look at me - he says and kneels in front of her, holding her hands - You're giving it too much importance - he says, making her snap.
- Too much importance? Zay that's our permanent record, this might affect where we go to college - she says letting her tears flow free.
Zay just hugs her, containing her - You're not your record - he says, making smile the person outside Riley's room - And even if you are, you're looking at the wrong one - he adds, making Riley look at him confused - You're not a D in Spanish, you're Riley Matthews, Maya Hart and Farkle Minkus best friend - he says - You're the person who helps me and Lucas reconcile and reconnect - he adds kissing her hands - And you're the woman I love, isn't that a better record than a D in Spanish? - he asks her.
Riley kisses him in the spot - I Love you - she says, finally smiling.
Zay smile at her - I Love you too - he replies and kisses her.
Riley smiles and dries her tears with her sweater - You sure you're not disappointed? - she asks him.
- if love doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints, why should I discriminate between an A and a D? - he asks back.
Riley smile again, she was 15, and still, she is able to say that she is in love with him, and more than that, she is happy, but that's something that she will save for herself a bit more.
Lucas and Farkle sit next to Zay, who, due to his bad luck, broke his leg in the first try to ski.
- So, on a scale from 1 to King George III, how mad you are that the Evan guy is flirting with Riley like his life depends on that? - Farkle asks him, making Lucas laugh.
- Boy, he's mean - Lucas comments making Farkle high five him.
- I'm not mad at nothing, I'm a bit annoyed that I can't ski - he lies, only to be betrayed by himself seconds later - Fine, I would send a fully armed battalion to him - he admits, making Farkle smile.
- You know Rapunzel there would never cheat on you, right? - Lucas says with confidence while Riley walks to, probably, her room.
- Of course, I know that - Zay replies to his friend - That doesn't mean I like little golden sunshine-head flirting with her in front of me - he adds making a little pout.
- Well, then next time I suggest you read the signs, if says advanced, don't go that way - Lucas comments before getting up and walk to Maya and kiss her.
- How Lucas is not jealous of all the guys who flirt with Maya? - Zay asks, using his crutches to get up.
- Easy, people flirt with him more than with her - Farkle answers watching Lucas contain Maya's fury - Need help getting to your room? - he asks, offering help.
- Nah, I'm good, go and have a good time with Missy - Zay replies and Farkle smile to him before walking to the dining area.
He walks to the room he shares with Lucas and notices that the door was opened. he fastly turns one of his crutches into a weapon before hopping inside the room - Confess your sins motherfucker - he says, only to face Riley.
- A bit too paranoid, don't you think? - she says trying to content her laugh.
- You shouldn't do that to an injured man - he says measuring his heartbeat.
- Oh, I know - she says and puts a kiss on his lips - Did, you know that my parents leave this morning and now Mr. Fanucchi is on charge? - she adds before looking at the door.
- I can see a few possibilities - Zay replies and kisses her.
Riley separates from him and closes the door - Yeah, I see a few possibilities too - she adds.
- Oh? - Zay says a bit surprised, and everything was clearer when Riley locks the door behind her - Oh - he says, now completely surprised at his girlfriend actions - Lord, show me how to say no to this - he says before Riley puts a kiss on his lips, making him smile.
- Ok, ok, I'll see you tomorrow - Lucas says, ashamed, while Zay clings to him, under the laughs of Riley and Maya.
- I will call you out on the newspaper if you fail me again - Zay replies.
- Yeah, that one wasn't my fault - Lucas justifies himself, making Maya fastly hit him - See you tomorrow then - he says before he grabs Maya's hand and leaves Riley and Zay finally alone.
Riley grabs Zay's hand and they both walk back to the Matthews home, at the slowest pace they know
A bit scared, Riley squeeze Zay's hand - What would you've done if my mother decided to get the job? - she asks, scared of his possible answer.
- You know London has Musical Theatre too, right? - Zay jokes, at this point, after all the things he went through with her, moving to another country wasn't crazy for him.
- But your dream is Broadway - she says - That would be enough? - she asks him.
In an unprecedented move, Zay drags her to an alley, and softly put his hand on her waist and the other one in her shoulder - Look at where we are, look at where we started - he says to her before gently sway with her.
- A long road - she says with a wide smile on her face.
- Walking that road with you - Zay says before stopping - That would be enough - he adds before closing the distance with her with a kiss.
- More - she says looking at him directly into his eyes.
- Greedy girl - he jokes making her blush a bit - Don't worry, I will leave you satisfied - he adds and kisses her again.
Yeah, I fucking love Hamilton, and that’s not even the story of my country
