Riley and Maya came walking into the classroom grinning, making Mich and I share a concerned look.
"We have changed the lives of two people in this room!"
"Oh please not me." Zay groaned
" I'm happy with my life the way it is. I got tall and my teeth came in nicely." Farkle said
"You guys better not have poked yourselves in my business." I narrowed at them
"I don't tell you guys anything so I'm not too worried." Mich said
"Yea, we're not talking about you guys." Liam and Lucas looked at them worried
"Oh no. What'd you do?" They asked
"Oh Lucas, in your whole history, we know what has always been your biggest regret." Riley said
"BAAAAAH! You used to be a champion sheep rider at the mutton bustin' rodeo, until you fell off of Judy the sheep." Immediately, I looked over at Zay who tried not to make eye contact with me. I walked over to him
"What did you do Isaiah?" he started stuttering
"They made me Deja! They made me!" He confessed and I rolled my eyes
"How did they do that Isaiah?" I asked with my arms crossed.
"I said, "Y'all wanna hear a great Lucas story?" They said yes!" I went to smack him upside the head but Lucas pulled me away from him. He placed his head into my neck and cried
"I fell off that sheep so fast. No one likes me!" I ran my fingers through his hair
"Aww baby I like you." I said, placing a kiss on his temple.
"Lucas, you can fix this! Get back on that sheep and be a sheep champion!" Riley said and I glared at them because I knew whatever they did, wasn't going to be good.
"We entered you in The Annual Mutton Busting Tournament! In Austin, Texas! Yay!"
"You can't enter me in Mutton Busters, you can't be over 8 years old or over 55 pounds." Lucas told them
"You are wrong, young Lucas. We entered you last week and your application's been accepted." Maya said and something was going off in my mind... this isn't going to be good for Lucas.
"Congratulations, Lucas Friar. You are an official entry in this year's Austin Roundup Rodeo! You will be riding Tombstone the sheep." My eyes widen...What did she just say?
"What? Tombstone? Oh, woah, that's the end of you." Zay and Michelle said in unison. I went to go at the girls but Liam grabbed me before I could reach them.
"Why is it the end of him?" Maya asked as I struggled in the hold of Liam.
"What's the difference between riding Judy the sheep and Tombstone the sheep?"
"Are you guys fucking stupid? Oh wait, I already know the answer to that. Yes." Mich said
"You guys are so busy not minding your own business, you missed the word that changes everything. You better hope that Liam doesn't let me alone because if he does, you two won't see tomorrow." I promised
"Read it again." Lucas said placing his hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down.
"Blah blah blah, over the age and weight limit for Mutton Busters, blah, you will be placed in the adult rodeo where you will, blah, ride Tombstone the sheep." Liam tighten his grip on me.
"OOH! You only got ONE WORD wrong!" Lucas exclaimed
"Let's see if they find that one word!"
"Blah blah blah blabady blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blady blah... OH BULL!" Maya said finding the word and Mich clapped for her
"Good job, I'm so glad you're finally able to read."
"You signed me up to ride Tombstone the BULL!" Lucas shouted, grabbing me from Liam making sure I wouldn't get out of his hold.
"Are you excited?" Riley asked and I clenched my hands in fists. Mich looked over at me and looked to Liam and Zay.
"We should also pray for Riley and Maya while we pray for Lucas because Dee isn't having it with them today." She said and they grabbed hands and started praying.
"What's the difference between riding a sheep and riding a bull?" Is she fucking dumb?
"Death! Death is the difference!" This is when Cory walks in
"Alright. May we begin class? Deja get to your own seat please." I glared at him making him jump
"Mr. Matthews, if you don't want a bloodbath in this classroom.. I would let Deja stay under the hold of Lucas." Michelle said making him nodded. I started bouncing my leg up and down, thinking of ways I could get Lucas out of this.
"This country was built on railroads. I, myself just arrived on the noon train from Austin, Texarcanada and Arkadelphia. Guess why I'm here?" I looked up to see Pappy Joe and groaned
"It's too late.."
"Anybody?"
"Haha! I'm here 'cause I could not be more proud of my grandboy Lucas." I felt Lucas's arm get tighter around my body and I knew what the girls did was really affecting him.
"Pappy Joe. That's your Pappy Joe! That's Pappy Joe! YES, MORE STUFF!" Maya said
"That's right, there's the first Friar that ever had the courage to ride the most ferocious creature in all of Creation." Pappy joe said and Riley had to ask
"Are we talking about Judy the sheep, Pappy Joe?"
"Haha! Judy the sheep! Remember when you fell off Judy the sheep for about two seconds, boy? Remember that? And we all said it was okay 'cause you were only five years old? So we said it was okay, but it wasn't okay because you were a disgrace to the community and you dragged your family name through the mud-hole right up to this day. You put us in the mud-hole, remember boy?!" I didn't even get to have any cute mixed texan babies with Lucas and he's gonna die. Great, just great.
"Yes. There is one moment in every man's life that shapes who he is forever. My moment was Judy the sheep." My poor baby..
"Well you know what, Lucas Friar? Forgiven! You get on that bull for more than three seconds, and you will be the master of Tombstone the bull. And I'll tell you I love you. And that's something I never said to another human." Pappy Joe said
"Can we talk about this?" Cory asked but where the hell was he 20 minutes ago?!
"Time for talkin's over. I got a permission slip. Babineaux, I got one for you too. Come on boys! Let's go ride. Don't think I forgot about you Miss Soon-to-be Friar and The Carters." I looked over at Liam who didn't look happy to be going back to Texas.
"YEEHAW!... That slipped out." We looked Zay weirdly
"YOU did this!" My baby is going to die.. Fun...
▿ ▿ ▿
Deja- Left Mich-Right
The rest ended up coming to Texas but I was surprised to see Josh was with them..
"I still can't believe they did this.." Mich said as we changed the clothes we bought once we got here.
"Do you think it's weird that Josh came along with them?" I asked Mich as I touched up my hair.
"I just hope Maya doesn't try anything with him.. and remembers Liam. He'll notice anything.." She said and I just released a breath. Mich grabbed my hand softly
"It's okay Dej.. Lucas will be fine, I promise. We'll do anything and everything to make sure he's safe. Come on, let's go shock our boyfriends to see how hot we look right now." She said making me laugh.
"It seems like we're always trying to get them mad at us or give them a heart attack." I told her and she shrugged.
"Gives them excitement in their lives. In more ways than one." I let out a cackle before we headed out.
-3rd Person-
"Man, I look good in my "Welcome to Texas," Billy Buckaroo cowboy hat." Farkle says
"That ain't a hat. That's a teacup. This is a hat." Pappy joe places a hat on his head.
"How does it look?" He asked
"Not bad, Farkle. Welcome home." Riley and Maya descend down the stairs.
"Well, look at you two little darlins."
"Hm. Told you this was the best way to spend all of our allowance money on the first day." Riley says and Maya looks around
"Where's Dee and Mich?" she asked and said people started down the stairs.
" You gentlemen have a beautiful set of young ladies on your hands." Pappy joe says after he whistles.
"Thank you Pappy Joe." Deja said and headed to Lucas.
"Hey Cowboy." She said making him laughed
"You look amazing." He said and placed a kiss on her lips. She smiled before heading back over to Michelle who just finished talking to Farkle.
"Quit lookin' at us, Matthews." Maya says to Josh
"I'm sorry, Maya. You look good." Deja shared a look with Michelle
"Oh! Thanks"
"You all look good."
"Where's Liam?" Deja purposely asked
"He went to a ride, said he needed some air." Lucas said sending Deja a look, making her know that something happened while the girls were changing.
"Hey Maya, what did you have planned for Liam?" Mich asked
"Oh, I just set up a meeting with him and his mom." Eyes widen at her answer.
"What?" Maya asked confused
"Um, nothing.. I'm just gonna have a walk around. Luke do you mind?" Her boyfriend smiled at her and went over to give her a kiss.
"I'll see you later Precious." He said and she nodded before looking into his eyes.
"I know you're scared.. but I believe in you.. You got this." She whispered to him before leaving.
"She's a special girl." Pappy joe said and Lucas chuckled
"You have no idea."
"You better have her carry the Friar name." Lucas started grinning
"Trust me, I'm gonna make it happen."
▿ ▿ ▿
Deja's Pov
I saw a ranch in the back and headed towards it to see Liam on a horse, doing laps. I just leaned against the fence, watching him until he noticed me. He stopped right next to me and I leaned over to pet the horse.
"Why are you out here Lil sis?" He asked getting off the horse.
"Came to check up on my big brother, I know when there's something wrong with you Li." I told him and he sighed.
"You saw it too?" He asked
"Mich and I actually were hoping it wouldn't happen but once we got downstairs, It was already in the process. Did you know about her plan with your mother?" I asked and he nodded.
"I had to walk away before I flipped out on her. And fucking Josh pops up and her eyes lights up." He vents and I wrapped my arms around his torso
"I'm sorry Li, I pushed you to tell her.." I said and he shook his head, wrapping his arms around me.
"It's not your fault Dee, maybe Maya and I just aren't meant to be." He said with pain in his voice.
"You'll find your princess Liam.. She'll be here before you know it."
▿ ▿ ▿
Welcome once again to the Austin Roundup Rodeo!
" Oh, hi, yeah... I just saw Tombstone the bull, and why do you hate me?" Lucas asked Riley and Maya
"Come on, a bull is just a man cow." I looked at her genuinely concerned for her mentality.
"You're a-scared of a man cow. A-mooo!" I just shook my head, I have no words right now. Mich tapped my arm
"Where's Liam?" she asked
"He was just here." I said but noticed Josh had walked over and was talking to Maya. I rolled my eyes and pointed over to make her see what I'm seeing.
"Are you shitting me? Have she even spoken to Liam since they got here?" I shook my head before noticing Liam was coming back but he had a look on his face.
"Guess whose riding the bull after Lucas?" My jaw dropped
"What!?" Mich hissed while I yanked Lucas, Zay, and Farkle over to us.
"The hell you mean you're riding Tombstone Liam??" The boys' eyes bulged out of their heads.
"I guess one of the girls added my name on the list as well. Oh, spoke to my mother.. Didn't go well." I anxiously ran my fingers through my hair.
"Where the hell is Maya and Riley? I'm beating some ass, Liam you're not going on that bull. I don't care what anyone says." Mich said with a stern look. We all headed in the tent to see the girls with Josh nowhere in sight.
"You got this Lucas." Maya said and I almost snatched her up right then and there.
"Why the actual fuck did you sign Liam up for this?" I asked making Riley eyes widen.
"What!?" She looked over at Maya
"Maya, what did you do?" She asked concerned
"Ok I added Huckleberry's name on the list along with Lucas." Riley looked like she was about to cry
"Why would you do that? It had nothing to do with Liam!" She exclaimed before looking at Liam
"You're not going anywhere that bull." Maya glared at her
"He's my Boyfriend." She says, yea the boyfriend you've been ignoring this whole trip.
"You're sending your boyfriend to a near death!" Riley shot back. Maya just walked out of the tent
"You really didn't know?" Liam asked and she shook her head immediately.
"I thought we only signed Lucas up." She said
"I'm still beating your asses when we get back to New York." I said as Pappy Joe walked in.
"The mutton busters are getting ready to ride; then it's you, Lucas." Farkle says
"Make us proud, boy."
"Friar." Some man walked over
"McCullough." Pappy Joe said back, amusing he was speaking to him.
"I'm talkin' to young Friar. So, you fixin' to ride again, huh?" He asked
"That's right." Lucas says and I grabbed hold of his hand.
"Well, don't think about last time. Heh-heh, you don't want that in your head! Let's watch my grandson, Timmy master Judy the sheep. Oh, you were about two seconds on Judy the sheep, as I recall. But don't let that be in your head." I rolled my eyes
"How come you ain't out there with your grandson?" Pappy asked
"Well, then I wouldn't have the pleasure of watching him right in front of your face."
And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it's mutton bustin' time! And here they come, the mutton busters! And now, everybody's favorite, Judy the sheep, who will be ridden this year by Timmy McCullough.
"That's my grandson!"
"And the gate opens, and Timmy McCullough is holding on!... No, he's not." I winced and looked over at Pappy who was laughing
"HA! That's his grandson!" I snorted
"Pappy Joe!"
"Sorry, Riley. Stereotypical cultural reductions are all I have left."
And now, for the event you've all been waiting for, bull ridin'! And this year, will we finally have a master of Tombstone? The record on Tombstone is three point seven seconds. Will someone finally beat it? But first, riding Buttercup, is Eddie Callaway! Oh! Eddie, that had to hurt. Looks like Eddie's gonna have himself a little lay down for a moment.
"Lucas Andrew Friar, if you get on that Bull.. I'm breaking up with you." I said shocking everyone
"What?!"
"Ok I'm lying, I'll probably ignore you for 4-7 business days but it's basically the same thing." I said making everyone look relieved.
"Please, if I wanted to dump him, I would've did it on the plane over here." I said making them roll their eyes at me. Lucas grabbed my face softly
"Earlier, you said you said you believe in me.. Was that the truth?" He asked
"Of course..I'm just scared Luke.." I said softly and he placed his forehead on mine.
"I am too but I have to do this Precious.. Promise you'll be here." He said and I nodded
"I promise." He pulled me into a chaste kiss as I grabbed on his shirt.
Coming up, our main event. Lucas Friar tangles with Tombstone.
"I love you baby." he said against my lips
"I love you more." He pulled away
All right, as we know, Buttercup the bull ain't no Tombstone the bull, but buttercup, as you can see, has sent Eddie Callaway on a little vacation. Bon voyage, Eddie. And now, the main event. Let's welcome Lucas Friar into the riding ring.
"You can do this, Lucas! You can do anything! This bull is nothing! THAT'S the bull?" Riley said in shock and I looked over at Mich
"Do you think I'll go to jail if I threw her in there?"
That's Lucas Friar right there climbing up onto Tombstone. Let's see how old Tombstone feels about that.
"You got this Baby!" I yelled
"Lucas, tell the bull you want to be a veterinarian! It's your only hope!"
"I'm gonna be a veterinarian. He doesn't care!" He yelled back
"If my boyfriend dies, every boyfriend you have in the future is going to die by my hands." I threatened Riley who backed away from me.
Here we go, folks. Time for the moment of truth.
And the gate opens! {Lucas and Tombstone races out of the pit. Lucas holds on for a while, then falls off and then lies down, not moving right away.}
I hopped over the fence and rushed over to Lucas. I lifted his head on my lap.
"Luke! Baby you okay?" I asked worried and he looked up at me
"I stayed on for like thirty seconds." He said weakly and I chuckled in relief before kissing him. I helped him up and we walked back over to the others.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that is an official time! He's done it! Let's hear it!
"Lukey! I'm proud of you, Lukey." Cletus says
"We all are, boy. I never seen nothing like it in my life." Pappy said and gave Lucas a trophy.
"Wanna hold onto this for safe keeping?" Lucas handed the trophy back to Pappy.
"I'd be honored."
"I'll keep it shinin' like the sun, garducky."
Ladies and gentlemen, Lucas Friar! The new master of Tombstone!
"Are they going to try to call Liam next?" Riley asked worried
"Nah, Farkle and I went over and told them that Liam had suddenly died." Zay said making us all laugh.
"Of course you did." Liam said and I looked over at Lucas who looked down at me.
"You're on probation, you nearly gave me a heart attack. You're not getting anything of this for a while." I told him, gesturing towards my body before walking away with him chasing after me.
"What! Baby! Wait, I'm sorry!"
▿ ▿ ▿
-3rd person-
Maya was sitting with Josh, talking
"Why weren't you with the others?" He asked her
"I got into with Riley and just decided not to watch altogether." She said before looking at him
"Plus you're not bad company." She added, making them both laugh. They calmed down and looked into each other's eyes. Josh slowly leaned in towards her and Maya, forgetting all about Liam leaned in as well and their lips touched, moving against each other.. Not knowing someone had saw them.. The person shook their head and walked away quietly.
This was the beginning of the drama in Texas..
———
Heyyy guys, it's Thursday, once again. I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas, even though it didn't feel like Christmas at all. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, comment anything you'd liked or enjoyed while reading it. Right now, they're in Texas and the drama begins. You'll have wait and see what happens with the group after what Maya did. Sorry for any misspellings or errors, let me know if you see any and I'll fix them. I'll see you guys in the next chapter, Mwah!
Love,
Kaila