"No... Really! He literally barfed!" Riley says, laughing.
Maya smiles and laughs, "Oh my- Riles, that's hilarious!"
Riley runs a hand through her hair, laughing, "I know, right?!"
The blonde smiles, her hands tucked inside her leather jacket. She looks over at Riley, and the brunette grins at her. The two friends are at an old playground, just enjoying each other's company. Riley sits on one of the swings, rocking back and forth lazily.
Maya glances around the playground, her blue eyes blazing in the setting sun. Biting her lip, she loses herself in her thoughts. Riley looks over at Maya, smiling at the girl's thoughtful expression. She seems so... calm.
Riley stands up and walks over to Maya. She wraps her arms around Maya's waist from behind, resting her head on the girl's shoulder. Maya snaps out of her daze and looks at Riley with a soft smile. She relaxes into her friend's body.
"What are you thinking about, Peaches?" Riley asks, her breath tickling Maya's neck.
The blonde places a hand on Riley's cheek, "Just thinking about how nice this is..."
Riley nods silently, her thoughts halted for a second by the warm hand caressing her cheek. Maya turns to face the brunette, Riley's arms still wrapped around the blonde's waist. The brunette's breath quickens, noticing how close their faces are.
Maya leans forward, "What're you thinking about, Riles?"
The brunette swallows, her mouth suddenly feeling dry, "I-I..."
The blonde's light blue eyes stare into Riley's intensely, "Something wrong?"
"Uh..." Riley feels her heart speeding up, and Maya leans in even further.
Riley's eyes flutter shut. She feels the blonde's breath on her lips. Riley leans in. Her grip on Maya tightens. She feels Maya's hand lightly holding her chin. The world seems to freeze.
But then the moment is gone. Maya shoves Riley away, and the brunette stumbles to the ground. She glares angrily at the blonde, but the girl isn't paying attention to her. Riley traces her gaze, and her heart fills with dread. Maya's friends are here.
"Riley... You have to hide. I don't want them to find you," Maya says, her voice strained.
The brunette looks at Maya's tense stature, "Why do I have to hide?"
"They don't take kindly to the good kids. Please, hide... I don't want them to hurt you," Maya says, her eyes filled with worry.
Riley nods and stumbles towards one of oak trees surrounding the park. She begins to climb up, her hands becoming raw from the rough bark. She hugs one of the branches watching Maya through the leaves.
The blonde sighs in relief, seeing Riley disappear in the tree. She didn't want the brunette hurt. Turning to where her friends are, Maya tucks her hands in her pockets. Walking over to them, she hears all of them greet her.
"Maya! What are you doing here?" Brandon greets.
Maya's gaze flicks to the tree before using her signature smirk, "Just decided to explore."
A girl with blue hair smiles at Maya, "Really? We're just heading over to Brandon's house. Did you want to come?"
The blonde feels a twinge of reluctance. She didn't want to leave Riley here all alone. New York City is a dangerous place for such a delicate girl. She looks at her and grins.
"Nah, I just want to walk around. Thanks for offering, though, Sandy," she says.
Sandy glances back at her friends before looking back at Maya, "Oh, okay. Can I walk with you?"
YOU ARE READING
Bitter and the Sweetness
Teen Fiction"Maya! Where are you going?!" Riley yells, following the blonde girl. Maya stops and turns around to face Riley. The blonde's face has tears trailing down her cheeks, and her lip is quivering. Riley steps forward, but Maya takes a step back, her com...
