complicated [lucaya]

2

3 days later

[Maya's POV;]

"I don't understand any of this." I sighed and out my lunch tray next to my textbook. "Why is chemistry so hard?"

Farkle picked up my book and flipped through the pages as I took my seat between him and Riley. "Come on, Maya. It's really not that difficult."

I glared at him and took a bite of my celery stick. "Not all of us can be scientists."

Riley looked up from her phone and placed her hand on my shoulder. "We're getting assigned lab partners today and I'm sure that whoever you're paired with, me, would be happy to help you understand."

"Thanks honey." I smiled and pushed my hair behind my ear. "What are you guys doing tonight?"

"It's the first game of the season. I kind of have to be there." Riley pushed her mac n' cheese around her plate.

I thought for a few moments before it clicked. "Oh yeah, I always seem to forget that you're a cheerleader." My eyes wandered over to the table next to us and the settled on the view of Missy Bradford sitting on Lucas' lap. "It's hard to remember that you're actually friends with that bloodsucking demon."

"Are you coming or what?"

"I'll go if Farkle goes." I smirked and looked over at him "What do you say?"

Farkle shook his floppy hair. "You know I don't like sporting events. I somehow always get hit by the ball."

"If the ball comes for you, I'll take it and throw it right back at their big meaty heads. Okay Minkus?" He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "This type of thing is important to Riley and it's our job to support her no matter how stupid it is."

"Fine, but only for Riley."

We discussed our plans for tonight's events. Everything was peachy until a bulldozer in a pink sweater interrupted us.

"Hey Riles, I couldn't help but notice that you were sitting here... with them," Missy shot me a fake smile and I rolled my eyes. "It's game day why don't you sit with us."

Riley looked up at Missy and then back at me. "I always sit with them."

"Yeah I know. And it's cute. But from now on, you sit with us on Fridays. Okay?"

She looked conflicted and stared at Farkle and me for a long time before picking up her tray. "You're right, at least on Game days."

"You don't have to do what she says." I glared at Missy as Riley moved over to the other table, sitting between Lucas and Zay. "Riley?"

She was too busy making heart eyes at the Huckleberry to pay attention to me. "It's nothing personal Maya. It's just that you're a loser, a trashy loser at that. Always have been always will be." Missy smirked and I looked passed her to see Lucas' face. I could not read him. I wondered what he was thinking.

I shifted my gaze back to Missy and shook my head. "You're free to sit down now."

She sat on the other side of Lucas and turned her back towards me. I looked at Farkle who had remained silent. "It'll be okay."

"Why did you let her go?" He asked, referring to Riley choosing the Populars over us. "It's not okay and you know that."

I sighed and licked my lips. "We're not her only friends. We can't hold her back." I felt something hit the back of my head. "Are they throwing carrots at me?"

Farkle nodded and shut his textbook. "It's Lucas." Another one hit me. I bit my tongue. "Breathe. You can handle this."

I took a deep breath and tried to ignore it. With each blow to the head, I heard Missy's obnoxious laugh behind me. Deciding to speak my mind, I turned around. "Throwing food? Real mature, I thought this was high school, not kindergarten."