Masks.

Chapter 37 Confused

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS. IM SERIOUS READ THIS NOTE RIGHT NOW. It's very important so here's what happened: I was being idk prepared? And started writing this chapter like a week before I was supposed to publish it. THEN I remembered that New Years is this week and I'm thinking of writing a chapter for that, but I don't wanna get rid of this chapter. So you lucky ducks are getting another chapter....is New Year's Eve Thursday? Yeah then Thursday. ALSO VERY IMPORTANT: I've been really weird with my update schedule because I've been on break and have disregarded my updates. BUT STARTING NEXT WEEK THE UPDATES ARE BACK TO EVERY WEEKEND.
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Maya
I sat down next to Riley on her bay window. I guess it's our bay window now that we share this room.
"How was your Christmas Eve?"
Riley asked quietly without looking up.
"I don't know. How was yours?"
She shrugged.
"I don't know."
I nodded and we stayed silent for a moment.
"Maya?"
"Yeah."
"Why did you push me away after your mom died?"
I looked up, a little surprised at Riley's question. Ever since we started talking again she hasn't brought up my mom once. I knew the answer and to this day it still scares me.
"Tell me."
"I-I thought I was hurting you Riley. Everything I loved left me and I thought pushing you away would make it stop."

The silence came back again and I looked out the window. December 26th is my least favorite day of the year. All the magic is gone from the holidays and all you have left is reality.
"Maya?"
"What?"
I asked not turning away from the window.
"I forgive you."
I paused for a moment searching for the right words.
"Okay."

Farkle
I breathed on my hands again and looked back at the apartment. Still no sign of Charlie. I looked to my right and saw him walking towards me. I stood up from the cold bench.
"Any reason you're waiting outside my apartment Farkle?"
"I just had a fun fact I wanted to share with you."
Charlie smirked.
"This should be good."
"Oh trust me it is. You moved away in 4th grade, correct?"
Charlie nodded slowly, not really sure of where I was going with this.
"4th grade happens to be the same year Riley and Maya stopped being friends and Maya's mom died. I'm sure you remember that?"
Charlie shrugged.
"People change. And I moved away before her moms funeral, so no I don't really remember it, now what do you want because I'm-"
"Let me finish. No one hears from you for a few years. Then Riley and Maya are paired up for a project and it seems their friendship is rekindling, just in time for you to show up again. Isn't that interesting?"
Charlie started to walk past me, but turned to face me.
"I don't think you know what you're dealing with here Minkus."
I shrugged again.
"Maybe I don't. What I do know is Riley lost her memory on the exact trip where her and Maya could've had time to talk and mend the pieces back together. Instead Riley ended up turning on all her friends, all except for you."
Charlie walked closer, but I didn't flinch.
"I don't know what you're trying to get at Farkle. What do you want me to admit, that I like Riley and I think Maya's bad for her? Fine I admit it. But tell me this genius boy, if I like Riley so much then why would I intentionally hurt her?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out."
Charlie smiled and walked back into his home without another word.
"And I'm gonna keep trying."
I whispered before walking away.

Maya
The streets of New York are always filled with cars. Are people so consumed in getting where they need to go that they can't even stop? No one ever slows down to think anymore, no wonder my life has turned into crap.
"Meaningful walks?"
I felt a hand on my shoulder, but shrugged it off.
"What's so meaningful when you're just a speck of dust in the universe?"
"You're here for a reason Maya, we all ended up here for a reason."
Lucas always has to have a guiding voice, doesn't he?
I turned on my heels and faced him, but this time I really looked at him. The way his nose crinkled when he smiled and the lost mystery in his eyes. You never know the last time you'll see someone's face before they're gone.
"Tell me this Friar. What about the people that aren't here? Why did they leave so early, what makes them so special?"
Lucas looked at his feet and played with the button on his shirt.
"You think you're the only one who's lost someone Maya? Everyone's lost someone in their life so why don't you get over yourself and open your eyes."
I was taken aback a bit, Lucas has never seemed this angry at me before.
"I know you miss your brother Lucas and this new marriage is gonna be hard on all of us, but-"
"No!"
He slightly pushed me back.
"Y-you pushed me."
"I'm sorry Maya, sometimes my anger takes control."
I rolled my eyes.
"What about my anger Lucas?! Do you know how it feels to not have the comfort of your mother. I would kill to have her arms around me one last time... You don't know how lucky you are."
Lucas let out a snarky laugh.
"Hi I'm Lucas Friar. The kid who lost his brother at 9 years old and was neglected by both his parents. Nice to meet you."
"I can't even deal with you right now."
I mumbled before walking away.
"Hey Hart!"
Lucas yelled after me.
I stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Your dads trying to get custody of you again. Not that I want you to live with us...."
I couldn't help, but smile.
"See you at Riley's New Years party?"
"Yeah, but don't expect a kiss at midnight."
I pretended to make a gagging sound.
"In your dreams Friar."

AWWW I MADE THAT ENDING LIKE 2 MINUTES AGO AND IM VERY PROUD OF MYSELF FOR COMIN UP WITH IT. But it gave me an idea for the New Years chapter! Just kidding, but I'll come up with something. DONT FORGET UPDATES ARE GOING BACK TO EVERY WEEKEND NEXT WEEK. SO THERES NO UPDATE THIS WEEKEND, JUST THURSDAY.