Maya Meets Lucas

Chapter 1

Maya's POV

"Maya, Lucas and I broke up." Riley's tear-filled eyes gazed into mine as we sat next to each other at the bay window.

My heart flip-flopped, even as I tried to crush any potential feelings I might have had about Lucas. It wasn't that I didn't care about Riley- she had been my best friend as long as I could remember, and she was the sister I never had. I would never let anyone come between us, no matter how cute and fun to tease they were. Even if they were named Lucas Friar and hailed from Austin, Texas.

"Riles, I'm so sorry. But you know what? You'll find someone else. Besides, Lucas was never that great anyway. I mean, he didn't even ask you to the semi-formal ten months in advance. How clueless could he possibly be?"

I was rambling, but I couldn't help myself. My heart was torn between comforting Riley and doing cartwheels over the fact that Lucas was single. Okay- whenever Riley was hurt, I felt even more hurt than she did, and this was no exception. Part of me wanted to scream at Lucas and stomp all over his Texan heart. But I'd had a crush on Lucas for what felt like ages, and that part of me wanted to finally break loose and roam free.

It had all started on a NYC subway. Riley thought he was cute, but being Riley, she had no idea what to do about the impending doom that awaited her if she didn't talk to Lucas. So, I walked up and we hit it off pretty quickly (give or take). At that point, I didn't think much of him. Riley already had her eye on him, and besides, he seemed like one of those shallow pretty boys. In a turn of events I could never have predicted, he became one of the gang- my gang- and so much more than a friend to me. Go figure. I couldn't just tell Riley I liked him, though; I could never betray her that way. Like my head was doing to both her and me right now. Shut up, I told it. I need to comfort Riley. Now is not the time for more Lucas thoughts.

"Why'd you break up?" I asked. Way to go, Maya. Now you're just being plain insensitive.

Riley played with the hem of her skirt. "He said he liked another girl and it wouldn't feel right to him to pretend he didn't. He said it wouldn't be fair to me."

My mouth was suddenly dry in nervous anticipation and irrational hope, but I managed to ask, "Did he say who it was?"

Riley looked up at me, and I hoped I hadn't been too forward. "No," she said. "But Maya, do you think it's possible we could get back together?"

"Oh, Riley," I sighed, my heart plummeting. It was more than possible, but I couldn't bring myself to say that. Of course they would get back together eventually; what was I fantasizing about? Lucas and I would never get together, and even if I was the girl he liked, I could never hurt Riley by showing that I had feelings for him too. I only had one option. I had to talk to Lucas myself and get everything sorted out. If I didn't, our gang could be ripped apart by Riley and Lucas's breakup and my mixed feelings for him.