the only exception, a maya hart story

f o u r

         

A loud buzz cut off my incredibly deep, drifting thoughts. A loud squeal came from next to me. Realizing it was Riley answering her phone after her ringtone came on, I was curious to see who she was talking to.

    "I know! I miss you guys so much! Say hi to him for me.."

    Muffled voices on the other line came through as Riley listened and I craned my ears to attempt to hear the voices on the other line.

    "How was hanging out with Andrew today?"

    And then I knew who it was. It was Auggie Doggie Matthews, my unofficial little brother with that crazy mop of hair of his. I loved him to death, and I had watched him grow from a baby to the almost 10-year-old he was. Andrew and August had been inseparable since the 2nd grade after their childhood girlfriend, Ava Morgenstern, turned out to be cheating on both of them. While the reason they met was incredibly strange and slightly pathetic, they had become incredible friends and forged an amazing friendship.

    "Oh my god. I'm so sorry. Tell him I'm so sorry for his loss."

    What happened?

    "I don't know if I can. I just got here, Auggs.."

    What can't she do?

    "NO, Auggie don't cry!! Please, baby brother. I'll ask, I swear. Hang in there. I'm so sorry. I'll go ask right now. Give mom and dad a big kiss for me, and hang in there kiddo."

    I heard the depressing sound of the end call button being pressed with Riley's incredibly delicate fingers. My eyes shifted up to her eyes, which had begun to get foggy.

    "Rile-"

    "Maya, I promise I'll talk to you later. I jus-" Riley protested before briefly having her voice crack with emotion. "I just need to talk to Farkle's aunt and uncle," she said after regaining her veneer of composure."

    Lucas HAD to choose that moment to walk through the hallway.

    "Lucas!" Riley called out.

    He turned his head, curious at where his name had been called from. Recognizing Riley and I in the room, he walked in with a smile and an effortless aura of gentleness. When he came to a stop next to the both of us, a whiff of his gentle cologne entered my nose. Damn it, he smelled good..

    "What's up?" he asked, completely oblivious to Riley's upset moment not even 5 seconds before he walked in.

    "I have to talk to Farkle's aunt and uncle. Will you show Maya the rest of the house for me? Once I'm done talking to them, I'll finish the tour," Riley said hurriedly.

    She seemed really rushed. And flustered. What on earth had August told her on the phone?

    "Sure!" Lucas said, graciously taking on the task of bringing me around this enormous building.

    "Thanks, I owe you one..." she said.

    "Hey!" I said, "Am I really that terrible?" I said jokingly.

    "Yes," they replied in unison.

    After hearing what we just said, we all cracked up laughing. Even though we probably laughed too hard and long than was appropriate for such a simple joke at my expense, it felt so nice to just release all of the tension of the past 2 or 3 hours in one great excursion of happiness.

    "Well, I better go. See you soon," she hollered as she half walked half-ran through the door and down the spiraling staircase.

    Turning to face Lucas, an incredible wave of awkwardness I had never felt with him before washed over me, leaving me immobile and extremely uncomfortable considering we were alone and he was barely a foot away from me. Lucas seemed oblivious to how I felt, and he seemed untouched by my unfamiliar awkwardness.