Behind her Back

WTF Is Going On?

Riley's P.O.V
I look over at Lucas during our lesson on the Civil War. He was looking at Maya and me all weirdly. What the hell is going on? The bell rings and I rush to Lucas's side. He looks sort of disappointed to see me. "Babe, I was just gonna leave the school because my mom texted me and told me my cat died." He looks sort of like he's lying. And believe me, I know Lucas. And since when did he have a cat. "Lucas, I know you're lying. You don't have a cat." He looks down at the floor and says "Babe, my life is so fucking messed up. I feel kinda sick, I have to get home." He kisses me softly and says bye. I feel like he's being sincere, but it also kind of feels like he isn't. I walk to my locker and grab my bookbag. It's heavy as hell since I have the SATs tomorrow. I should focus on those, not boys. I bump into Farkle just as I'm leaving the building. "Riley, are the SATs tomorrow?" He has a panicked look on his face as I nod. "Goddamnit!I didn't study any of this fucking shit!" I stare at him. I've never heard Farkle cuss this much. "Okay, I have to run home and study this crap, and quick. Bye!" I'm about to ask about Maya, but he just runs. I walk out of this living hell.
  As soon as I get into my house, Auggie greets me. I just say 'hi' and walk into my room. I throw my bookbag onto my bed. I text Maya:
Me: fml
Maya: is it cuz of those stupid pieces of shit called 'tests'
Me: thank god you know what I'm talking about
Maya: I wish I was president so I could abolish school, work, tests, anything that requires energy
Me: I'd totally vote for you 😜peaches
Maya: aw I love you riles you're my bae
Me: oh I know 😏
Maya: shut tf up or I'll whip your tiny ass in trying to study this shit
Me: you said in not I'm
Maya: I don't give a fuck grammar police

I put my phone down and pick up my SAT prep book. After a few minutes I throw it down. I don't know how to do this shit. My mom walks into my room. Without knocking. Who does she think she is, queen? Because Beyoncé is queen. "What do you want Mom?" I see she's smiling proudly at me. "Uh, Mom? What's going on?" She pulls a tiny box wrapped with unicorn gift wrap from behind her back and hands me it "I got you a present. I'm just so proud of you!" She starts tearing up and I just blink. I open it and see a necklace. It's real gold and shows an infinity symbol as a pendant. "I got you another one to give to Maya." She hands me it. "Oh my god, Mom. It's so beautiful. I love you." I hug her and thank her. "You're seriously the best mom ever." She smiles at me and says "I know. Now continue studying. I'll return that necklace if you fail the SATs." My mom leaves the room, and I pick up the stupid SAT prep book. "I have to make my mom proud." I quietly say to myself. I study hard and know that I will pass the test. But I can't stop thinking about what Lucas is hiding as I fiddle with the infinity pendant.

The next day I wake up with my head throbbing. I grab my bottle of painkillers and swallow the pills with a glass of water. As I'm walking back to my bedroom, I realize that the sun is up already. Oh no, I overslept. I grab my phone from my bedside table and stare at the screen. 10:34. "No no no no no no no! Goddamn it!" I throw my phone on the floor and cradle my head in my hands. I start sobbing. The SATs are this important to me. And my mom. I decide to man up. I'll just forge my mom's handwriting and write 'Please excuse my daughter's lateness, she had a doctor's appointment' I pull on my favorite shirt which shows a bunny riding a unicorn on a rainbow. I wear that with skinny jeans, some flats, and my hair up in a messy bun. I run out of the door.

I walk into my history class and everyone stares. My dad, who's also my teacher unfortunately, looks at me and takes my note. "That's your handwriting. And you don't have a doctor's appointment today Riley." He sternly studies my face. Shit, I forgot my teacher was my dad. "I can't miss the SATs!" My dad just points at my desk and tells me to sit down. "The SATs were cancelled today for an unknown reason." Yes yes yes thank the Lord. "They will be tomorrow instead." As the lesson goes on, I look at Maya's book she was reading. Sense and Sensibility. On the side of the pages, it says in bad handwriting written in black sharpie, LUCAS. Oh my god. Maya likes Lucas.