Both of Us

eight

Saying Lucas and Maya have only been out together a few times would be an understatement.

They go out every chance they get and they both have great times. Riley would admit that she felt a little left out but whenever she would see Maya's bright smiling face when she mentions Lucas, Riley brushes her feelings away. Whatever made Maya genuinely happy, made Riley even happier.

"Speaking of a good time," Riley says after Maya finishes telling about one of her dates with Lucas. "My uncle Josh is coming home for spring break."

Maya rolls her eyes. "What does that have to do with me?"

She doesn't like to admit it, but Maya used to have a big crush on Riley's uncle. She knew that he was too old for her at the time but she was willing to wait forever if she had to. Now that she's older and more mature, Maya realizes that Josh was nothing but a silly teenage crush.

They haven't spoken much since he was always busy with school, work, or any other adult activity. The only time they would interact would be during Matthews family occasions.

Riley laughs. "My dad is planning a welcome home party for him. The entire family will be there."

"Including me," Maya adds.

"Hey. You've always been a part of our family and you always will be."

"Thanks Riles," Maya says. "Where will the party be?"

"At Topanga's of course."

"Count me in."

Riley stood up from her couch and walked into her kitchen. "Hey, maybe you can invite Lucas," she calls from the kitchen.

Maya wasn't expecting Riley to make that suggestion. She doesn't mind bringing Lucas along but it might be a bit awkward considering that he wasn't family and the Matthews (especially Shawn) would have plenty questions for him and his intentions with Maya. She shuddered at the thought.

She stands and follows Riley into the kitchen. "You really think I should bring Ranger Rick along," Maya asks.

"Well, yeah," Riley says while taking a jug of orange juice out of her fridge. "It'll be nice for him to be formally introduced to the family."

Maya thinks about it for a bit. Then she nods in approval. Maybe this won't be such a bad experience. ""Okay Riles. I'll ask him."

***

"No."

"Oh come on," Maya whines. "Don't be such a Huckleberry, Huckleberry!"

When Maya did invite Lucas to Josh's Welcome Home party, Lucas immediately refused. Maya isn't one to take no for an answer so they go back and forth for quite awhile.

"I just don't feel comfortable with it, Maya," Lucas explains. "You said it yourself. These people are like your family. And what if--"

Maya finishes his sentence for him, "They don't like you? Oh please, they'll love you! You're a moral compass. I can already imagine you being one of the good kids in school, am I right?"

Lucas looks down at the floor and scratches the back of his head. "Well," he mumbles.

"Is that a yes?"

"What?"

"You'll come along, Hopalong," Maya says excitedly.

"Maya, I didn't say that."

"Yes! Thank you! Thank you!" Maya wraps her arms around Lucas' neck and kisses his cheek repeatedly. "This is going to be so fun!"

Lucas sighs, giving in, "You're probably right."