Masks.

Chapter 2 Daddy Troubles

Maya
I guess I fell asleep right when I got home because I woke up the next morning in my clothes from yesterday. A good dad would've noticed me and maybe put a blanket on me, or carried me to bed. Yet I stay here, blanket-less sitting on the couch. My dad's not even home, probably went to some girls house to have sex. All he does now is work and hooks up with girls twice as young as him. I went to the fridge to look for anything edible to eat. I opened the big stainless steel door to find some expired yogurt, a jar of pickles and a fuzzy green fruit. Possibly an orange. Oh well Lana will probably have an extra granola bar. I grabbed my backpack and headed to the subway.
Riley
I walked into my dad's class and took my seat. Thankfully I haven't ran into Maya or Lana this morning. Even my dad's suspicious of me getting bullied now! Isaac is such a big mouth. The bell rang and everyone quickly filed in. I couldn't help but notice Maya wasn't here yet. Maybe I would actually have a free day. Sadly she rushed in at the last second and of course the only empty seat left was the one next to me. Maya lingered in the front of the room like a thick fog.
"Is there a problem Miss Hart?"
My dad asked.
"Yeah there's no place to sit."
Maya said blankly.
Dad pointed to the seat next to me.
"I think that chair is just fine."
Maya stomped over and my dad started teaching.
"Alright class today we are learning about friendship."
He wrote the word "friendship" across the board.
"Does anyone know what this means?"
Lucas raised his hand.
"It's means who cares? None of us give a f*** about what you're trying to teach us!"
Dad was taken aback a little, but just continued.
"Anyone else?"
I raised my hand.
"It means there are people in your life you can count on to be there for you."

I could feel Maya roll her eyes. Please dad don't let this be a group project.
"You will be in groups of 4."
Oh god please don't put me in the same group as Maya.
"First group is Lucas, Riley, Farkle and Maya."
Of course the nerdy girl gets paired with the most popular girl. That's just how the world has to work! We got into our groups and started talking about what to do. No one in my group really talked. Farkle stared into space, Lucas kept glancing at Maya and Maya was giving me the death glare. We sat there for the rest of the class until the bell rang.
*later that day*
"Dad you have to change our groups!"
I pleaded following him into the apartment.
"Riley I told you no special treatment!"
"But dad why did you have to put me with Maya?!"
"Because I'm teaching your entire class a lesson about friendship. End of discussion."
I groaned. These are the time when having your dad as a teacher are supposed to come in handy! My mom was in the kitchen listening to our whole conversation.
"Riley I think this project will do you some good. Learn to get along with intolerable people."
I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever, dad's just being unfair."
Mom laughed.
"Come on it's time for dinner. I made your favorite, chicken!"
I looked at the meat.
"Yeah like I'm gonna eat with dad the traitor!"
I ran to my room and shut the door.
Alright Riley if dad won't let you switch groups then it's time for plan B. Turn everyone else against Maya and have her fail! Shouldn't be too hard, she's like a professional idiot.