What Are We Now?

(12) Huckleberry and The Dancing Flower Daisy

It was after school and Farkle and Zay were attempting to do some homework.
"So Yeahhh"
"Yeahhh" Farkle responds. The boys had been sitting in the library trying to decide what their topic would be for the last hour to no avail. Finally Zay slams his book shut.
"So Farkle are you ever going to tell me what you said to Riley that day when you mysteriously pulled her out of Topanga's?"
"It's not for me to say... I promised I wouldn't say anything."
"Why does it feel like your holding out on me?"
"Because I am duh!" Farkle replies.
"I know it has to do with Lucas... And how Riley feels about him. You said something weird that day, you said that Riley was doing the same thing as Lucas? What does that even mean? Tell me what that is! Come on Farkle I might not be a genius but give a guy some credit!" Zay said exasperatedly.
"What do you think I meant to say that day?"
"I think you were saying that Riley is giving up Lucas for Maya sake.... Is that right?"
"Mmm"
"Because if that's true, Riley is doing something really selfless for her friend... Too bad it's also wrong. Lucas has a say in this too! And you know what, I'm going to take your silence as a yes. Yes she is letting go of Lucas!"
"Please don't tell him, Isaiah. Please I promised to Riley I wouldn't!"
"But"
"Please! She's going to fess up, she just needs time."
Zay sighs, and then says, "Ok ok, I won't tell Lucas anything yet, but you have got to tell Riley that she's on a deadline. Lucas has to be able to know he has a choice. Maya is amazing and I love that girl, but sometimes you can be amazing and as close to perfect as possible and still not be somebody's first choice."
"It's true. And fine, I'll tell Riley. What do you think about making the deadline New Years at midnight?"
"Perfect. That way Lucas can stop annoying me. He's always go on and on Charlie's weird and Riley is too special for him blah blah blah." Zay said playfully.
"Yeah hopefully nobody gets hurt. Soooo Mmm what do you think about doing the project on Belgium 1831? "
"For the last time Minkus! No! No Belgium, and no 1831!"
"Fine but where not going to talk about thanksgiving either it's too obvious!"
"But obvious is easy and I like easy!"
"Yeah yeah"

***

"Charlie?"
"Yes?" Charlie said distractedly, he was jigging his legs impatiently. He was probably in this state because at this moment Riley and Lucas were alone. Sure they were going to be studying but Charlie didn't care.
"Are you done?" Maya asked.
"What?" He looked up at Maya, looking lslightly annoyed, how could he focus on her when he was consumed with thoughts Lucas poisoning Riley against him.
"Are you finished freaking out? We have a project do and honestly I don't want to get a sucky grade."
"Since when do you care about grades?"
"I've always cared Charlie..." This time Maya says his name normally, no accent, no playing, just Maya. Maya looked down at her paper with her name across the top corner and smiled. How did Riley get a boyfriend before me? And her I though I was all tough and fierce.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking I can't believe you're Riley's boyfriend!"
"What you thought it could only be Friar too?" Charlie said looking worried.
"No no no, I didn't mean it that way." She laughs with no humor, "I meant that I can't believe she got a boyfriend before me."
Charlie laughs at this, "I know right? You were the shoe in to be the daring one, the one who wasn't afraid. What a poser."
"What!" Maya says in fake hurt, " I am not a poser you just went and ruined it for me.
Charlie laughs again, "Yeah sorry about that. I'm sure you knew that girl was going to break molds from the beginning though. She so special..."
"I know."
"Don't look sad Maya. So are you. I thought you of all people would be aware of how valuable you and your complications are. You have your own special light. With out you even Riley wouldn't be special. Imagine a how world of happy happy people? I love that girl but this world would be boring if that's all there was."
"You love her?" Maya said looking at Charlie in disbelief.
"Ummm"
"Well?"
"Yes. I do. I love Riley. People will say it's a lie because we're so young, but I know her and yeah I know I feel more than like for her..."
"Wow. Well Charlie, Riles is a lucky girl."
"Thanks" he's says with a triumphant laugh.
"So do you have any idea what to do this project on?"
"Not a clue, but if I know anything about Mr. Mathews it's that this porject isn't the lesson, it's communication he cares about. At least in this case anyway."
"Mmm good point!"