Mirabel loved living in Texas. She loved working at her family's ranch, and she loved spending time with her parents. She also loved spending time with her good friend, Lucas Friar, and his family. But Lucas had been transferred to a new school and moved to New York. She and Lucas had been keeping in contact through phone calls and video chats, but it wasn't the same. She missed him and longed to see him again. When Lucas' Pappy Joe had informed her and her parents that Lucas was signed up for the bull riding contest she was in disbelief. Lucas had never ridden a bull before, what was he thinking? She just didn't know yet that someone else had signed him up for it.

"He has to be going insane." Mirabel sighs, brushing her horse's fur. She was currently in the stables at her family's ranch and had decided to tend to her horses. "I mean, of all bulls he signed up to ride Tombstone. That's basically a death wish."

"It sure is, sweetie." Her father, Beau, who was also in the stables, responds, smiling reassuringly. "But Lucas is a strong boy, I'm sure he'll do just fine." He had been giving the horses fresh hay and water when he had heard his daughter's worried tone.

"I know. He's strong, brave, and a lot of other great things. It's just a risky choice. And if something goes wrong and he gets hurt..." Mirabel's voice trailed off while she continued to brush her horse's mane. Beau could tell how worried she was. She was clearly concerned about Lucas and was trying not to think of the worst possible scenario.

"You really care for him, don't you?" Beau asked softly, his tone gentle. He knew that his daughter had been good friends with the Friar boy ever since they were little. It was obvious she cared for him deeply, but Beau wasn't sure how deep that care ran.

"Of course I do. He's my best friend, dad." Mirabel answers, furrowing her eyebrows. She was confused at why her dad was asking her this. "Why are you asking this?" She inquired. 

"I see the way you look at him, Mira." Beau replies. "The way your eyes shine whenever you see him, and how you always want to spend time with him." He looked at his daughter knowingly.

"I don't...I don't know what you're talking about." Mirabel replied, shaking her head.

"Oh come on now, Mira." Beau chuckles lightly. "I know you like him."

"Like him as a friend, dad." Mirabel explains with a shrug, finishing up with brushing her horse's mane. "Nothing more."

"Whatever you say, sweetie." Beau gave a slight shrug, then smiled warmly at his daughter. "Just let me know when the wedding is so I can prepare myself to walk my little girl down the aisle." He grinned at her.

"Dad!" Mirabel exclaims, tossing the brush at him as her face turned bright red. "Shut up. You're so embarrassing." She mumbled. Beau just laughed heartily and winked at her before walking away, leaving her standing there. Mirabel rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"So stupid." Mirabel mutters, looking at her horse. Her horse neighed as if in agreement. Mirabel chuckled and rubbed its nose gently. "I'm being silly, huh? Thinking that Lucas might have feelings for me. That would be ridiculous." She pauses as she realized she was talking to a horse. "And now I'm talking to my horse, but what else is new?" She asked, earning another neigh of agreement and her horse nudged her which caused her to laugh.

"Hey, mija!" Her mother, Beatrix, calls from outside the stable. "Phone call!"

"Coming!" Mirabel called out, then patted her horse one last time before walking out and rushing back over to the house. Once inside the house, Mirabel grabbed the phone and pressed it to her ear.

"Hello, this is Mirabel." She greeted.

Pappy Joe, Lucas' grandfather, voice is on the other end and he sounds happy. Mirabel smiles wide when she heard the nickname he only called her. "Miri, how are you doing?"

"Hey, Pappy Joe!" Mirabel greets happily, glad to hear his voice. She always loved talking with him. "I'm doing great, how about you? Is there a specific reason you're callin'?"

"No, no, I'm doing great." Pappy Joe assures her. "I'm callin' because I'm just making sure you heard Lucas got signed up for a bull riding competition."

"Oh, I've heard, yeah." Mirabel replies with a sigh. "I mean, he's my best friend and all, but is he crazy? What was he thinking?"

Pappy Joe laughs. "Well, why don't you come over and ask him yourself?"

"He's already back?" Mirabel asked with surprise. She didn't know he and Lucas were back already. She knew he had planned to go pick him and his mom up from New York and bring them back. She just didn't know how fast they got here.

"He is, yes." Pappy Joe confirms. "And even some of his friends from New York came with him to support him."

"That's really sweet, well, if it's alright then I'll head over there now." Mirabel responded, smiling wide. She was excited to see him and meet his friends. Yes, she felt the nerves bubbling up as well, but her excitement for seeing Lucas finally in so many years won over.

"I'll see you soon then, Miri." Pappy Joe replied.

"Bye, Pappy Joe!" Mirabel says before hanging up and rushing upstairs to her bedroom to get ready.

****

One thing she wasn't a fan of living in the country was because there weren't really any places to skateboard and Mirabel loved skateboarding. But thankfully the Friar's and the Florres' ranches weren't too far apart. They were close enough she could easily walk next door to visit. She stepped up onto the familiar front porch, her smile widening. Through the windows, she could see some familiar faces and unfamiliar faces. Her nerves had reappeared along with anxiety this time. She didn't know Lucas' friends and was nervous about meeting them. They were probably nice, but she wanted to make a good first impression. After all, she was Lucas' best friend. Or was she still his best friend? Even after being apart for so many years.

"Stop it, Mirabel." She muttered, shaking her head. She didn't have time to think negatively. Mirabel knocked on the door a couple of times and waited patiently. A few seconds later, the door was pulled open and revealed Pappy Joe. 

"There she is! Mirabel, it's always great to see you." Pappy Joe smiled brightly, pulling the young girl into a hug.

Mirabel returns the bright smile and hugs the older man back. "It's always great to see you too, Pappy Joe. How are you?"

"I'm doing fine, Miri, thank you for asking." Pappy Joe replied as he closed the door behind him. Lucas had been sitting on the couch next to Zay, Riley and Maya sat near the window by the door on their makeshift bay window and Farkle stood by the couch as Mirabel had walked in. Mirabel's heart pounded at seeing the unfamiliar faces, but then her lips curled up into a smile as she saw Lucas and Zay.

"Lucas, Zay!" Mirabel exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at seeing them. The two boys stood up eagerly, both smiling wide at seeing her.

"Mira!" Both boys exclaimed in unison, wrapping their arms around her in a tight group hug. Mirabel laughed and hugged them both back, missing them and their hugs.

"You two are ridiculous. I missed you guys so much." Mirabel admitted.

"We missed you too, Mirabel." Zay nods with a smile. "You have no idea how long I had to listen to Lucas talk about how much he misses you. He just kept going on and on-" Lucas covered his mouth with a sheepish smile.

"Alright, I think that's enough of that." Lucas says, causing the other two to laugh. He pulls his hand away, smiling softly at Mirabel. "It's really great to see you, Bel." He pulled her in for a hug and she didn't hesitate to hug him back. Her lips had curled up when he called her that nickname. It was one he only called her and she missed hearing it so much. And wow, did she miss his hugs. She loved his hugs.

"You too, Luke." She responded, resting her chin on his shoulder as she closed her eyes. They stood there for a few moments until someone cleared their throat which caused them to pull away.

"Hi, I'm Riley." The brunette-haired girl smiles kindly at Mirabel, offering her hand for her to shake. "It's great to finally meet you. Lucas told us a lot about you."

"Good things I hope." Mirabel jokes, smiling as she shakes Riley's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Riley."

"Sup, I'm Maya." The blonde greeted, waving at Mirabel and not bothering with getting up from the saddle seat she was on.

Mirabel chuckles lightly and nods back at her with a smile. "Sup." She replied back in the same manner.

"Hello." The tall, blue-eyed boy with light brown hair and freckles greets, offering his hand. "I'm Farkle. It's great to meet you."

Mirabel's eyes widen slightly at hearing his name, but she still had a smile on her face as she shakes his hand. "It's great to meet you too. Sorry if I look surprised," She sheepishly smiles and glances at Lucas. "It's just when you told me you had a friend named Farkle I didn't believe it at first."

Farkle chuckles a bit and puts his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. "Not a lot of people believe it's my real name so it's fine." He shrugged, a smile still on his face.

"Oh, well I'm sorry about that." Mirabel apologizes, feeling bad about that. "So, um, Lucas told me you're the genius of the group, correct?"

Farkle grins. "You are correct about that. I've been the smartest in our friend group since we were younger."

"Impressive." Mirabel admits, sounding surprised. She glances over at Riley and Maya with a smile. "And Maya, you're an artist? Lucas said you were really talented."

"Really, Huckleberry said that?" Maya asks with surprise but she had a hint of a teasing tone to her voice. Lucas rolled his eyes in response even though he had a small smile on his face. "Yeah, I guess you could say I'm talented." Maya shrugged, but Mirabel could tell she was proud of her art skills.

"Huckleberry." Mirabel couldn't help but snort at the nickname, glancing back at Lucas with amusement. "She calls you Huckleberry, I like it." She teased, nudging him gently and Lucas just shook his head despite the small smile on his face.

"Don't encourage her." Lucas muttered.

Mirabel giggles a bit and turns to Riley with a smile. "And Riley, I've been told you have a thing for painting purple cats. We're gonna get along greatly 'cause I love cats and my favorite color is purple."

"I love her already, Lucas." Riley beamed, pulling Mirabel into a hug which caused her to laugh and hug her back.

"Yeah, I gotta admit she's pretty cool." Maya chimes in. "I mean, she had to deal with you growing up so I mean, props to her for that." She teasingly spoke.

"I don't know how I survived." Mirabel joked, earning a few laughs from everyone except for Lucas who gave a fake gasp, feigning being offended.

"You're supposed to be on my side, Bel." Lucas pouted.

Mirabel laughs and playfully nudges his arm. "Don't worry, you know I'm just playing."

"Yeah, I know." Lucas smiled softly.

As Maya and Riley sat back down, the front door suddenly opened and Cletus ran in, looking frantic. "Pappy Joe! Pappy Joe! Pappy Joe!"

"Woah, woah." Pappy Joe raises his hands to try and calm him down. He glances at the others. "Don't be alarmed. It's just Cletus."

"Tombstone the bull gone crazy!" Cletus explains, causing Mirabel's eyes to widen. She locks eyes with Lucas and they share a worried look. "He everywhere all over the place at the same time like one of them Houdini bulls."

"Use your words, Cletus." Pappy Joe told him.

"I am using my words, garducky." Cletus said with frustration. "Tombstone the bell gone bananahooey!"

Maya laughs, smiling widley as she points at Cletus. "I love him."

"What did Tombstone the bull do?" Pappy Joe inquired.

"He done tore up the china shop, ironically. It's true what them say." Cletus realized.

"You mean he broke out of is pen?" Pappy Joe asked with surprise.

"Oh he brammoed the pen!" Cletus exclaims, pausing when he notices Riley and Maya sitting at the window. He leans over to Pappy Joe and asks in confusion, "What's them, a bay winder?"

"Ah, that's Riley and Maya, Cletus." Lucas spoke up with a smile.

"Oh, well, how dee doo." Cletus greeted the two girls, taking his hat off as he bowed.

"Well how-" Riley started. 

"Dee." Maya grinned.

"Doo." Riley finished, smiling wide. Mirabel couldn't help but chuckle at the girls' response.

Cletus looks around the room, finally seeing Lucas. He grins, his eyes lighting up. "Lukey. Thissar Lukey!" Lucas gets up with a wide smile and he opens his arms, hugging Cletus.

Lucas laughs and smiles as they pull away. Then he looks nervous. "Wait, did they get Tombstone back in his pen, Cletus?"

"Yessir. We sot him fulla sleepy juice, but I seen the look in them red eyes just before he went nighty night. And when he wake up, huh-hurrr!" Cletus warned.

Mirabel watches as Riley turns to Maya with a grin and as Maya smiles widely, her eyes lighting up. She looks back at Lucas, who looked embarrassed and pinches the bridge of his nose as if he knew what was coming. She raises her eyebrows, looking curious and crosses her arms as she leans against the wall. Maya gets up and walks over to Cletus. "What?"

Cletus turns around to face her and does the same thing he did to Lucas. "Huh-huuurr!"

"Oh." Maya clears her throat, turning Cletus around to Lucas and had him be eye level with Lucas. Then she went over to Lucas, making him look at Cletus since he had been looking down. "What?" She asked again.

"Huh-huuurrr!" Cletus repeated.

"I know it's early, but my life is complete." Maya admitted.

Mirabel watches this interaction with amusement and chuckles, smiling at the scene in front of her. "Well, thankee." Cletus smiled at Maya, standing straighter.

"No, thankee." Maya grinned at him.

"All I know is, I feel sorry for the po' fool gonna ride on Tombstone." Cletus continues. "Did I tell you what he done did today?" He asked, glancing back at Pappy Joe.

Pappy Joe stands by him, putting a hand on his arm and points at Lucas. "Lucas is gonna ride old Tombstone in the rodeo, Cletus."

"Oh." Cletus said, turning to face Lucas with a frown and a saddened expression was on his face. This caused Mirabel to worry even more about the upcoming rodeo. "Oh. Oh no. Lukey..." Cletus takes his hat off, looking as if he was about to cry which caused Mirabel to frown. "Lukey...Bye, Lukey." He said and walked to the front door. He paused, glancing back at Lucas before walking away.

Lucas stood there, watching him with a worried look. He was worried now more than ever. "Goodbye." He mumbled and sat back down. Mirabel's frown deepens. She felt bad for Lucas. He was her best friend, she didn't want him to be worried and stressed.

"You okay, Lu?" She asked with concern, sitting down next to him. She was the only one who used the nickname 'lu' and he honestly missed hearing it.

"Yeah, I'm good." Lucas gave her a small smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Mirabel could see through his lie. She had known him her whole life, she could tell when something was wrong. She didn't want to force him to tell her though so she just gave him a look. A look that said, 'if you wanna talk I'm here for you'. He knew her looks very well and understood her look. He nodded his head in understanding. Mirabel hoped he'd take her offer and talk to her and she really hoped that he wouldn't get hurt during the rodeo.

****

Soon it was time for the rodeo. Mirabel had learned that Riley and Maya had been the one to sign Lucas up to ride Tombstone. And in their defense they thought they were signing him up for the mutton bustin', not the bull riding. She was surprised they even knew about how Lucas had fell off Judi the sheep when he was younger. Only he and Zay had known that, but after hearing Zay had told the girls she wasn't surprised.

"Welcome, once again, to the Austin Roundup Rodeo." An announcer spoke through speakers. Mirabel was walking over to where Lucas was at, he was currently at the cage Tombstone had been kept in. She stood off to the side, watching him talk to Tombstone, trying to hype himself up.

"I will ride you. I will ride you for more than three seconds. I will be the master of Tombstone the Bull." Lucas speaks and in response the bull snorts. He pauses before he looks nervous and asks, "Alright, how bad is this gonna be?" Tombstone bellowed angrily in response which caused Lucas to sigh heavily. "Great." He muttered.

"I will ride you, I will be the master of Judy the Sheep." The boy beside Lucas said to Judy the sheep who was in her cage and Judy made a noise in response.

Lucas glances at the seep warily. "Yeah, that's right, Judy. It's me." When Judy beats loudly, Lucas backs away, holding his helmet up. "You leave me alone!"

The boy then turns to Lucas. "Good luck, Friar."

After Lucas regained his composure, he glances at the boy and nods, smiling a little. "Good luck, McCullough." Lucas turned to walk away, smiling when he spotted Mirabel.

"Hey, Bel. How long were you standing there?" He asked sheepishly.

"Long enough." Mirabel teases with a grin. "I believe in you, Lu." She adds, her tone softening as she gave him a reassuring smile.

Lucas smiles a bit, but then his expression falls a little. "I'm just worried, Bel."

"I am too." She admits. "But I also know that you'll be able to do this. You're stronger and braver than you think, Lu. And besides, you got this." Mirabel puts her hands on his shoulders. "Also just letting you know, I'll be loudest one cheering you on." She grinned and pulls him into a tight hug.

Lucas returns the hug, holding her close. "Thank you, Bel." He chuckles at the last thing she said. "I figured you would be." He mumbled and rested his chin on top of her head, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath. They stayed there for a while, just embracing each other's company.

"Alright, alright. Enough mushy stuff, cowboy." Mirabel says, pulling away from the hug. Lucas chuckles and smiles. She puts a hand on his arm and looks at him with a serious look. "Now, promise me you won't die, alright? I need you alive. Who else would annoy me?" She teased.

"Oh, wow, now I'm starting to regret coming home." Lucas playfully scoffs, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as they started to walk away from the cages.

"Don't be ridiculous, you missed me." Mirabel laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Yeah, I did. A lot actually." He admitted, his voice softening as he glanced down at her.

Mirabel smiles softly, glancing up at him and for some reason her heart skipped a beat. She had no idea why it did that. They looked at each other for a few moments before she cleared her throat, pulling away from the hug. She looked a bit nervous, her cheeks flushing a light pink color. She had no idea why her stomach suddenly felt weird and her heart was racing.

"Um, we should go find the others." Mirabel stuttered a little, avoiding his gaze.

"Yeah, um, you're right. Let's go." Lucas agreed, sounding nervous. His cheeks were a bit pink as well.

They both stood there awkwardly for a moment before Mirabel let out a nervous chuckle, walking ahead. "So, uh, come on."

"Yeah, right." Lucas followed her and as they walked he couldn't help but glance at her a couple times when she wasn't looking.

He had no idea why his heart was pounding against his chest, he had no idea why his stomach felt weird, and he had no idea why his palms suddenly felt sweaty. But one thing was certain, he liked being around her. He knew that before, but something felt different now. He wanted to be with her more often, he wanted to be around her and talk to her. But the question is, was it because she was his best friend and he missed her, or was it because he had feelings for her? No, he couldn't have feelings for her. He had feelings for Riley and Maya. Or did he still have those feelings? 

A/N i love lucas & mirabel so much