And It All Comes Crashing Down

Chapter 2

DISCLAIMER:I DO NOT OWN STARBUCKS(I WISH I DID)

"Riles, I swear, if you ask me what's wrong one more time, I will squeeze your happiness right outta ya,"Maya said, looking Riley square in the face.

"But, wouldn't that hurt?" Riley asked, her face showing fear.

Maya threw her hands in the air."I give up."

The girls walked a little longer before stopping and calling out to Farkle and Lucas, urging them to walk faster.

Maya had avoided Mr.Matthews for the rest of the school day, and met up with the gang to head to Topanga's. She knew she should go talk to him, but she didn't want to. She hated the fact that someone pitied her, like she was a kicked puppy.

Well, if you kicked this puppy, it would bite you.

"Ranger Rick, we don't got all day!" Maya called, and Lucas began walking even slower, just to annoy her.

"Ugh!" She groaned. She marched up to Lucas and grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the cafe, Riley and Farkle laughing and walking in. As soon as she stepped inside, she dropped his hand, very aware of the heat that her hand had felt.

The four sat at their usual table and began talking about random things.

"So, Lucas, I heard you're taking photography?" Farkle asked, his raised eyebrows disappearing behind his bangs.

"Oh yeah! I signed up for it, it's a pretty cool class. In fact, we were just assigned our first project.." He trailed off, reaching into his side bag and pulling out a sheet of paper.

"Take a picture of the most beautiful thing that you can find." Riley read aloud.

"Yeah, I can't think of anything. I keep thinking of like flowers or birds, but those don't exactly fit the description I'm looking for."

Maya didn't have to think twice before she thought of her own answer.

New York, at midnight.

The way the lights popped out and the sky turned a deep purple...

Yeah, definitely New York.

The group continued their conversation, when Maya realized something.

Her mom wasn't there.

All she saw was Mrs. Matthews, who had a weary look on her face. She noticed Maya staring and took a deep breath, then walked over.

"Hey guys!" Topanga called out, smiling at the four kids.

"Maya, can I have a word with you?" Mrs. Matthews asked timidly.

"Whatever it is Mrs. Matthews, you can say in front of them. They're my friends, they would need to know too," Maya said.

"Uh..okay. Maya, um, as you all probably know, a Starbucks was opened just across the street. And ya know, it's Starbucks, so they're attracting a lot of customers. Most of our customers." Topanga stared intensely at her hands.

"What are you saying?" Riley asked.

"Right, so, we haven't been making as much money as this place used to. And, I haven't been able to meet some of our financial needs without.."

Farkle chimed in."Without..."

Mrs. Matthews looked Maya straight in the eye, and Maya stared back.

"Without firing your mom."

Maya sat there, letting her ears absorb the words.

If her mom didn't work here..

Then she would be looking for a new job..

With new hours..

And everything would go back to what it had been before Katy worked at Topanga's.

Waking up at 3 in the morning and working nonstop till 11 at night, not there in the morning to see Maya, not there in the afternoon to see Maya.

There relationship was still healing, and now it had a new wound.

"Maya?" Lucas asked, shooting her a concerned look.

"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Things will be fine." Maya smiled. Mrs. Matthews shot Maya that same look she had been given earlier today -pity- and her blood boiled again.

"Well, I should go." Maya stood up and walked outside, hearing Riley calling after her.

She began to walk but then heard a shout.

"Maya!"

She turned to see Lucas jog up, and he stood there, lightly panting.

"Are-are you gonna be okay?" He gave her a look, one Maya could't identify.

She suddenly longed for the warm feeling of Lucas's skin, craving the heat, the way it slowly seeped into her skin...

Wait.

What.

She shook that thought out of her head before giving Lucas a fake smile.

"I'm always okay."