Photograph [Maya Hart]

16 ~ weekend

The weekend rolled around.

During the week, Harley was able to get his field trip form signed and turned it in. The thought of going to the ski lodge excited her, but based on what Riley has told him about it and Mr. and Mrs. Matthews reactions to the ski lodge, it seemed like something happened to Mr. and Mrs. Matthews when they went up there when they were still in high school.

Harley didn't ask them the full extent of what happened. All he knew was that Mr. and Mrs. Matthews went up there, something happened that caused some problems between the two and since then, the two never went up there again. Riley had told Harley and the rest of the group that they never had gone up there ever due to what happened. 

Harley attended Peter's soccer game with his family and Cassie and Gabe. 

They celebrated Peter's team win by taking him out to his favorite restaurant and heading home afterwards.

Seeing how many people attended the game for Peter, Elizabeth, Lexi and Peter were in one car while Harley, Gabe and Cassie got in the car with James.

They dropped off Gabe and Cassie off at their houses before Jame dropped Harley off and heading home himself.

"I'm pretty sure Mom would want you to text or call her when you get home," Harley said as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

"I'll call her," James assured him.

Harley smiled and nodded.

"Alright, thanks, James," Harley said. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye, Harley," James said, smiling as well.

Harley got out of the car and entered the building.

He texted James once he was in the apartment. 

The following day, Harley ate breakfast and went over to Cassie's house. They worked on a bit of homework together before they headed over to the bakery to work on the rest of their homework with their friends.

After finishing off their homework, they continued to hang out at the bakery.

Harley stretched before picking up his camera from the table and setting it on his lap.

"I can't believe the field trip is around the corner," Farkle said. "It's on Friday."

Harley smiled a little.

"You're bringing your camera, aren't you, Harley?" Riley asked.

"Yeah, of course," Harley nodded. "I gotta cover the field trip for the ninth grade section of the yearbook. Plus it wouldn't hurt to take some pictures just for us, right?"

Riley smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Where's Smackle?" Gabe asked, nothing a missing member of the group.

"Oh, I just realized she's not here," Cassie said, looking around.

"Oh," Farkle said, his smile dropping. "She said she has some family stuff she has to do."

"What about Caleb and Zay?" Harley asked, noticing another missing member.

"Uh, Caleb's hanging out with some of his friends," Gabe shrugged.

"Zay's visiting Vanessa back in Texas," Lucas said.

"Vanessa?" Cassie said.

"Oh, right, you don't know who Vanessa is," Lucas remembered. "She's Zay's girlfriend."

"We met her when we went to Texas," Maya explained.

"You guys went to - never mind," Harley said.

"You don't wanna know what happened?" Farkle asked.

"No," Harley shook his head. "I'm sure it was a whole thing. It's fine."

"Cassie?" 

They all looked at Cassie.

"Nah, I'm with Harley," Cassie said. 

Harley and Maya both stood up at the same time.

"Where are you going?" Maya asked.

"Um, I was just going to get a milkshake," Harley said, uncertainly.

She gave him a look.

"What?"

"I don't... know," she said.

"Do you want to get something?" Harley asked. "I can get it for you."

"No," she said. 

"Alright, I guess we can go get it together," Harley said.

Maya gave him another look and walked up to the counter.

Harley followed her up to the counter.

"What would you two like?" Katy Hart, Maya's mother, asked the two.

"Um, do you have a blueberry muffin back there?" Maya asked.

"I can go check," Katy said. "Harley?"

"Um, can I get a strawberry milkshake?" Harley requested.

"Coming right up, Harley," Katy said.

Harley smiled.

He was about to walk back to the rest of the group but stopped.

"Something wrong, Harls?" Maya raised an eyebrow.

"Actually, my mom and her boyfriend," Harley said to Katy, "is holding auditions for a show they're going to work on."

"Really?" Katy said, hopefully.

"There are auditions later this week," Harley nodded. "I can get you an audition."

"Would you?" Katy said. "That would be great, Harley. Thank you."

Harley smiled and nodded.

"Thank you!" Katy said.

She leaned over and pulled him into a tight hug over the counter.

"Hey, it's no big deal," Harley shrugged when Katy let him go.

After Katy thanked him a few more times and him assuring her it was no big deal, Harley went to rejoin the group.

Maya followed him.

"Harley," she said.

He turned around to face her.

"Yes?" Harley said.

"Why would you want to get my mom an audition for a show?" Maya demanded.

The entire group looked up at Harley and Maya from their seats.

"Well, I remember you mentioned your mom is also an actor and since my mom and James were going to be working on a show, I thought I would mention it to her and see if she wants an audition," Harley shrugged.

Maya grabbed Harley by his shirt and pulled him closer to her. 

Harley's expression didn't change. It didn't phase him.

"You think my mom can't get an audition on her own?" she said in a threatening tone.

"Maya!" Riley exclaimed.

"Maya, let him go," Gabe said.

Harley waved his hand to assure them that he's fine.

"No," Harley said in a calm. "I just thought I could help."

Maya studied his face before letting him go.

Harley looked down at his shirt.

"Thanks, I guess," Maya said in a calmer tone.

"We're friends, right?" Harley raised an eyebrow. "Friends help each other out, right?"

"Yeah," Maya said.

Harley could tell by Maya's expression and tone, she was uncertain about him and why would he help her mother.

Harley sat back down next to Cassie and Maya sat down next to Riley, still staring at him.