Falling Apart (sequel to Taking On The World)

:11: Prince Charming

:11: Prince Charming

Maya's POV

I sat outside the reception of Riley's funeral on a fallen tree. Staring into space, I thought about the two guys who made it clear that they loved me.

There was Lucas. Lucas and I had had a complicated relationship. I had loved him for months. He was safe, secure and he was dependable. He had made it clear that he loved me and that he'd always be there for me.

Then there was Josh. Josh and I had known each other since we were children. He was the uncle of my dead best friend. He was pretty much the definition of a player, with a new girlfriend every week. However, he was sweet, and he seemed to understand me in a way no one else could.

How do you choose between two kinds of perfect?

"Hey," said a voice from behind me.

I turned around. "Oh. Hi."

"Mind if I sit?" Lucas asked.

"Not at all," I told him, smiling.

He sat beside me and pulled me closer to him in a hug. I rested my head on his shoulder, and he lay his head on the top of mine.

"I love you," he mumbled into my hair.

"I love you too." I closed my eyes in absolute bliss.

After a moment I opened my eyes and my face returned to its pondering expression.

"What's bothering you?" Lucas asked, not even having to look up.

"I'm trying to make a very hard choice," I said softly.

"It's about Josh and I, isn't it?"

My eyes widened. "How did you know that?" I tried to keep my voice calm, but even I could hear the panicky tone to it.

"I know you, Maya. I know you well and I love you."

I smiled and stood up. He grumbled in protest. "I'll be right back..." I said as I headed inside.

It didn't take me very long to find Josh. He stood by a window, glumly looking out at the sunset.

"I made a choice," I said abruptly.

He didn't turn away from the window. "And?"

"I've decided to stay with Lucas. I'm sorry."

He stretched out his arms, making it clear that he wanted me to hug him. So I did. I walked closer to him and he squeezed me against his side.

"Don't be sorry. If that's what makes you happy, than it makes me happy too."

I leaned away from him and wrinkled my nose. "That was really sappy."

He laughed. "I know." Then he paused. "Are you sure you want to be with Lucas?"

I smiled at him, and when I spoke my voice was sweet but firm. "I am."

He nodded and searched around the room. "Okay. Well, I've got to go. I'll see you another time?"

"Of course," I told him, then went back outside to Lucas.

---

A couple of days after Riley's funeral, I switched on my phone for the first time in over a month. Several messages popped up, the majority of which were from Riley.

Riles 😊💕: Hey
Riles 😊💕: Where are you?
Riles 😊💕: I miss you
Riles 😊💕: Please come back soon
Riles 😊💕: I need you, Maya
Riles 😊💕: You're my best friend

I sighed sadly as I read the messages. I suddenly decided to write one back to her. She wouldn't ever read it. I understood that. I just... felt the need to reply to her. To remind myself how much Riley meant to me. I felt I owed her that much, after technically being the cause of her death.

Me: Hi, Riley. You're my best friend too. That's how it's been since we were kids, its how it is now and it's how it'll always be.
Me: I felt like I never really told you how much you meant to me, though I think we both knew. I feel the need to tell you now though.
Me: I miss you so, so much, Riles. The guilt of what happened is eating me up from the inside. It feels like a part of me is missing. I guess in a way it is.
Me: I envy the people in the world who are just "broken-hearted". I feel like my heart's been ripped out of my chest and stomped on by at least 50 people.
Me: So, I guess this'll have to do for now, because I'm running out of credit. I'll be back in a couple of days for your weekly 'Crappy Sentiments With Maya' instalment.
Me: PS- I love you.

------

I may or may not have teared up during that last part. I'm pathetic.

So, this was the last "real" chapter of FA. I will, however, have a small summary in the next chapter of what happens to some of the characters. Not all of them, but a few.

Also, if you're wondering why I ended the book on Lucaya when I'm a hardcore Joshaya shipper, it's simply because of HH (AKA Happy Holidays AKA my Joshaya fanfic). I felt that having not one, but two Joshaya fanfics was kinda ridiculous, and after having this as a Lucaya fanfic for so long, it wouldn't be wise to change it (and the Lucaya shippers would probably give me hell about it). Plus, why would you stop dating your boyfriend of almost a year so you could date someone completely different? I didn't think that made much sense.

Xoxo, stay fabulous! (And check out my Joshaya fanfic)