The Path Less Traveled

Chapter One

Riley felt a turn in her stomach as soon as she spoke. She was a beautiful young adult. Her long, light brown hair fell right above her bottom, their natural beach waves making it look like she had just taken a walk outside, but it wasn't frizzy. Her deep, dark chocolate eyes sparkled whenever she spoke and could make anyone's day ten times better. But right now, the usually confident girl, was wishing she was invisible, wishing she could've just kept her mouth shut.

Maya was stunned. She couldn't move. She got a sudden light headed feeling and wanted to run. She, unlike Riley, was super conscious of how she looked, and hated the way she was. Her dirty blonde hair fell to the middle of her back, it had natural curls, more than Riley had, but no where close to ringlet curls. But her hair was frizzy, she could never keep it under control. She was also very short compared to her friend and felt like she always had to wear heels. But, although she didn't believe it, Maya was a beautiful girl. She had a glowing appeal to her, and everyone was intrigued by her. But right now, Maya wasn't worrying about other people, she was too shocked to think of anything but her friend. All she could think of was a simple response.

"I'd love to Riley."

5 Minutes Earlier

Riley had been up for hours trying to plan the right thing to say. Her nerves were all over the place, but at the same time she was super excited. When she saw her friend climb through her window all she could do was smile.

The moment Maya climbed through Riley's bay window, she saw Riley's face light up and her big goofy smile spread wide across her face. That is what Maya lived for. She did everything in her power to keep Riley happy and for her to get everything she wanted out of life.

As Riley walked over to Maya, Maya noticed a slight change in Riley's facial expression. It was longer just a big goofy smile, but mixed with her nervous one. Maya automatically stood up.

"Riley, why are you nervous. Nothing big is going on today. You have no reason to be nervous."

"Maya." She paused, wanting this moment to be perfect. "Maya, I have to say something. It's time that I get this off my chest. For a while now, I have started to notice my feelings for you have grown more and more each day. And I think I have finally figured out my feelings." She paused, wanting to see the expression on Maya's face, but all that Maya was showing was confusion. "Maya, you know I love you and want the best for you with everything you do. You know that whenever you are sad, you come here and we sit right there at my bay window and we discuss our feelings. You know that you can trust me with anything, and although sometimes I tell my parents when you don't what me to, you know that I do that out of the bottom of my heart because I know that they can help you. But, what you don't know is that I do love you, but I also like you. I have feelings for you, not feelings like I have for my brother, or my sister, but feelings for someone I have fallen for. Maya Penelope Hart, I like you, and I would love to go out with you. What do you say?"

Time froze for Maya and time speed up for Riley.

Back to Present Time

"I'd love to Riley." Maya plastered on the best fake smile she could and gave Riley a big hug.

"Really? You do know that by go out with me I meant on a date, right?"

"Yes Riles, I know. And I'd love to." Maya couldn't imagine the thoughts going through Riley's head at the moment but she had a ton...

What happens when she finds out I'm lying?

What if I fall for a boy while I'm 'dating' Riley?

What if Riley and I break up and she no longer wants to be my friend?