And It All Comes Crashing Down

Chapter 13 { Lucas's POV}

I slowly got up and walked out of the classroom, my fists slightly clenched.

Why were they calling me?

My feet led me in the direction of the main office,  million thoughts running in my head. What if something had happened to my mom? My dad?

Maya?

The thought of something happening to Maya seized my heart with fear, and my steady pace turned into a jog.

I stopped in front of the door, took a deep breath, then pushed it open.

The secretary looked up through the tops of her moon glasses. 

"Ms. Lasley, I was called?" I asked, stepping up to the cluttered desk.

"Oh yes, Mr. Friar, the principal would like to see you," she smiled, then returned to typing on her laptop. I nodded and walked over to the door that led to the principal's office. I knocked and poked my head in through the door.

I saw the principal, Mr. Jones, sitting at his desk, his brown hair gelled to the side.

I saw the back of a familiar blonde head, which was staring at the floor.

"Ah, Mr. Friar. Please, have a seat." Mr. Jones gestured to the seat next to the girl, and I sat down, looking over.

It was Maya.

Her emerald eyes were trained on her boots, and she had a tense look on her face, her features rigid and tight. I shot her a worried look, but she continued looking down.

"Mr. Friar, you tutor Ms. Hart, correct?" He asked.

"Yes, sir."

He stood up, and began walking the perimeter of the room.

"I know you are aware of Ms. Hart's predicament at the moment, yes?"

I just nodded.

"Well, she has just finished her Dyslexia testing, and.." he trailed.

"And what?" I asked, gripping the arm rests of my seat.

Maya's eyes flit up to my face.

"We haven't gotten her results yet."

I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding, and leaned back into the chair.

"But, if Ms. Hart does indeed get the required results.."

"Yes?"

"I need to know if you're still willing to tutor her."

Next to me, Maya slightly tensed.

"Are you, Mr. Friar?"

What?

Of  course I would still tutor Maya, she's one of my best friends, of course! I would do anything for her!

"Sir, of course I would still tutor Maya, dyslexia or not."

Maya looked at me with a slightly shocked look.

Why was she shocked?

"All right then, thank you Mr. Friar and Ms. Hart, you both may head to your appropriate classes."

He waved goodbye, and Maya and I both stood and walked out.

She was quiet as we walked side by side.

I was about to ask her if she was okay, when she spoke up.

"Lucas," she said.

"Yeah?"

She stopped walking and faced me, putting her hands in her back pockets.

"Lucas, you don't- it's okay-you don't have to-," she fumbled over her words.

I placed my hand on her shoulder, and she looked at me.

"Maya.." I started, but I was momentarily held captive by the heat radiating from her shoulder and the closeness of her face.

I quickly dropped my hand, and cleared my throat.

"Uh, Maya, you- just let it out. It's okay." I smiled.

She nodded and took a breath.

"Lucas, you don't have to tutor me. If you don't want to, you can say no, you don't have to do anything because of Riley or because we're friends-"

I cut her off.

"Maya Hart, this has nothing to do with Riley. This is about me caring for you and wanting to see you improve in school. I'm no pity tutoring you or doing this to get brownie-points with Riley, I'm doing this because you're my best friend, and I want to help you."

I looked at her facial expression as tears pooled in her eyes.

"Thanks, Cowboy," she said in a quiet voice and with a smile.

I smiled back, then hesitated for a split second.

Then I wrapped my arms around her tiny frame, holding her close, as she quietly let the tears run down her face.

I hugged her tighter, letting a strangely familiar heat fill me, resting my chin on the top of her head. 

Then I quietly whispered, just for her ears, with a faint smile lingering on my lips.

"No problem, Shortstack."