What Are We Now?

(15) Riley Still Loves Lucas

Lucas wasn't sure if he had heard right. He was frozen on the roof of Riley's building. Watching Riley stand frozen in the center, refusing to make eye contact with anyone, and Charlie was no where to be seen, why was that? Lucas could feel Maya frozen next to him. And why wouldn't she be, the first time she says something nice to him and her best friend might... No Lucas didn't believe it, he couldn't. Farkle did not just shift everything that has been going on for weeks. Farkle didn't just make everything Lucas had lived with Maya and that he saw between Riley and Charlie, into a lie. But then again where was the creepy-creep-creep? Riley goes and stands on the  steps and wishes everyone a happy new year in a small voice and right after they all flee. Leaving the three alone to deal with the aftermath. Maya sits on a bench and Riley follows suit. Lucas is the last to slowly walk over and sit in between his two friends. Riley sighs before getting back up and stands in front of them.

"It's not true you know... What Farkle said. I know how awkward this must be...But it shouldn't... You two are my best friends and Farkle-"
"Farkle just said you're still in love with Lucas." Maya said in a quiet voice as she looked at her hands.
"It's not true. He thinks it is.. And maybe it was at first but... I truly like Charlie now."
"Really...because you two were at opposite ends of the roof at midnight." Lucas said uncertainly. He was doing all he could to not feel hopeful because you know what they say about hope.
"Really." Riley said.
"I love you peaches. So much. So please if you like Lucas... Just tell me now and everything will be as it should be. I'll be ok, I told you how I felt the other day, so really it's your choice." Maya said slowly.
"What are you talking about Maya?" Lucas asked.
"It doesn't matter right now. What matters is Riley. So do you still love Lucas or not?" Maya asked.
"Not. I'm so sorry Lucas." Riley said quietly then walked away.
"What was that...?" Lucas said into the air.

Riley made her way down stairs and found Charlie in the hallway stepping out of her apartment.
"Hey" Riley said tentatively.
"Hey..." Charlie answered.
"Did you hear what Farkle said..?"
"Yeah, I did... And honestly I kind of assumed when you told me that a relationship needs more than just saying the right things..."
"Assumed...?"
"That you still had feelings for Lucas..."
"Oh." Riley said embarrassed.
"Do you?"
"Maybe...Charlie?"
"Yes, Riley?"
"I think I might have feelings for you too... But I want to be honest to you. I do still like Lucas... But so does Maya and she's my best friend, and I want her to be happy. I need you to help me convince them and Farkle that it's only you..."
"What? Riley do you know what your asking me?" Charlie said with a look of confusion washing over his face.
"Yes. I'm asking you to lie... or at least to exaggerate to the people closest to us..."
"Ok."
"What?"
"I'll do it."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I care about you and you know that I'd love another chance with you. I have a feeling you weren't trying before... I'd do anything for you..." Charlie said shyly.
"Thank you.... And I'm really sorry about before, not giving you an honest shot and all..."
"It's fine, I saw how you looked at me, that day I came back from your prize... I have hope." He says with a sheepish smile.
"I'm glad. And thank you Charlie... For everything."
"Of course princess" Charlie says. He looks down knowing just what he'd done. Maybe Maya did like Lucas but Charlie could have told Riley that Lucas didn't like Maya... Not at all. Charlie tried to convince himself that it wouldn't have done any difference. Riley would have tried to make it work so that her best friend could be happy either way. Plus they say anything is fair between love and war.

***

"Lucas?" Maya said.
"Yeah?" He answered, his voice hoarse. Lucas hadn't said a word for the past 30 minutes but his throat felt like he'd been talking for hours nonstop.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah... You?"
"Don't lie to me..."
"What do you want me to say Maya! That you are an amazing girl but it was a mistake to go out with you? That I am more than heart broken because one of my best friends just gave me hope and then it was torn away. I'm sorry I just can't keep lying to you!" Lucas snapped.
"It's ok Lucas, I don't think I feel that way about you. I'm not even sure I ever did..."
"What?" Lucas looked confused and slightly angry.
"Please understand me. Ok. Please?"
"Ok. You're right, I need to calm down. Now please tell me what you meant.." Lucas said slowly letting out a breath as if to say, I am calm.
"Ok so I realized when I saw Riley with Charlie the other day, when I kissed you... On the cheek, and when I saw you with Riley at the movies...I realized why it felt off when I was with you. It wasn't Riley that saw you as a brother... It was me...and I didn't have a crush on you, that was always Riley."
"I thought we knew that before we got ourselves into this mess." Lucas said.
"I know, I know, ok, I'm sorry. I messed everything up." Maya said with tears in her eyes, " look it was that day that I was pretending to be Riley. I thought I figured out that you and Riley were like brother and sister but it's not true. That's us. And I thought we- no that I liked you, because... I don't know, the way you smiled at me when I was Riley... I felt it, I saw, what she saw, but I was too stupid to realize they weren't my own feelings..."
"You're not stupid ok. Please stop punishing yourself Maya. You're human, you got confused, it happens. I mean, it happened to me, I got confused at the campfire, and I'm not guilting myself over it. Seriously it's ok." Lucas said taking Maya's hands.
"No. I'm a terrible friend Lucas! I pushed my best friend towards a boy she didn't even like and I took her away from one of my greatest friends, because of my unclear feelings." Maya said, with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Maya it's ok, people make mistakes, and Riley is your best friend. She will forgive you..."
"I know she will... But will you? Lucas, I think she seriously likes him... I am so sorry." Maya said crying even more.
"Don't worry. I'll forgive you ma'am..." Lucas said pretending to tip an imaginary hat, "I hope you don't take this the wrong way but I think we should break up." Lucas continued with a grin. Maya laughed and then started crying again and she fell into Lucas's waiting arms.
"You weren't suppose to make me laugh you jerk."
"Yes I was, and that's Ranger Rick to you ma'am" he said grabbing her face and cleaning her tears.

"Ahem..."

"Josh" Lucas said at the same time that Maya said, "Uncle boing" the tension in the air was palpable. Lucas let go of Maya face and turned toward Josh.
"Sorry for interrupting, Topanga and Cory were worried, everyone else came back down and had some hot chocolate and then said good bye. You were the only ones missing. They got me to come check on you... Two." Josh said robotically, it seemed like he still wasn't exactly warming up to the idea of Lucas and Maya.
"What are you doing here?" Maya asked, shock written on her face.
"I just stopped by to say hello to my gorgeous niece and handsome nephew and my brother. What? Am I not allowed?"
"No, sir, we were just surprised to see you." Lucas said in a serious tone.
"I bet you were..." Josh said in a tone that showed how angry he was.

"Wow, Josh you were right, it's beautiful up here... Oh hello!" a girl with dark hair and hazel eyes said to Lucas and Maya.

"Hi" Lucas and Maya say to the girl completely confused with who this person was. Maya unfortunately had a painful idea of who this stranger could be.
"I told you so... Guys this is my girlfriend, Kayla..." Josh said with a grin that slowly turned into a grimace before his face lost all expression.
"Nice to meet you Kayla... Come on Huckleberry Riley is probably worried about us..." Maya said grabbing Lucas's hand and dragging him away.
"Nice meeting you!" Lucas said as Maya pulled.
"Ditto!" Kayla said, "well they seem like nice kids."
"They were..." Josh said looking at Maya holding Lucas's hands; Josh looked like he was fuming.
"They look like a cute couple..."
"Yeah they're adorable..." Josh said, feeling  spent, he had no energy left to feel angry all he felt was hurt.

***

Maya leaned on the wall beside Riley's apartment door. Her face completely blank, with a worried looking Lucas at her side.
"Maya..." Lucas said to no avail. No matter what he tried, he got no response from her.
Suddenly the apartment door opens and Farkle steps out with Smackle.
"Oh there you guys are. I'm sorry for the bomb at midnight but I just couldn't let Riley keep lying to-"
"-Farkle, stop can't you see that Maya is hurting?" Smackle says.
"I'm so sorry Maya..." Farkle said looking down.
"No, you guys don't understand... It's not because of Riley's secret that she's like this. It's because of Josh... He has a new girlfriend..." Lucas said in a quiet voice," has he ever had a girlfriend before now?" Lucas questioned
"Oh... Maya I'm so sorry... I didn't know you still had feelings for Josh..." Farkle said," and to answer your question Lucas, no I don't think he's ever had a girlfriend, and if he has had a girlfriend, he's never brought her home to his family. I don't think Maya would be like this if he ever had..."
"Maya are you ok?" Lucas asks.
"No... I think my world just crumbled..." Maya said looking forlorn. The apartment door open suddenly, and Riley steps out with Charlie right behind her, their hands intertwined.
"What's going on?" Riley asked concerned and confused.
"Uncle boing, h-he has a girlfriend..." Maya says and with tears in her eyes she falls into Riley's arms. And it was only then that's Riley realized that Maya still loved her uncle Josh... And that meant that Riley had probably gotten herself into a world of trouble with Charlie and Lucas...

Happy New Years guys!!! 💜❄️🎉 2016 y'all
I hope y'all enjoy this chapter it's was fun to write! I've been wanting to write it since I saw Girl meets New Years lol
Don't forget to star✨ and comment💬 ilysm💜
Thanks for reading🤗💜