Smoke & Fire (Lucaya)

-8-

The day lingered on for as long as it possibly could. I hate life. I hate school. I hate that I like someone. I hate that I still love my best friend. ex, best friend. As part of my punishment for vandalism I was sent with a group to 'beautify' the parks of New York. 

Miserably and unwillingly I joined in picking up the trash that scattered along the grassy parks. After a few hours the group went home and so did I. My mom greeted me at the door. "Maya, how was it? you know the service." "Fine." I replied to her question. "Shawn will be back tomorrow." "Really??" I smiled at her comment. "Do we have to tell him about the you know, vandalism thing?" I asked, slightly worried. Shawn was currently on a business trip. A few years ago Shawn asked my mom for marry him and she said yes. "He is going to find out one way or another. So, yes. And I expect you to do it." she told me. I sighed. Going up to my bedroom I got into more comfortable clothes. Sitting on my bed, I thought about Riley. I ran to the kitchen where my mom was. "Hey mom, can I go over to Riley's?" I asked. "You're grounded remember?" "It's bad enough that I have to join in with the detention group, and do community service. Please? Just one time?" I pleaded. I need to make up with her. Or at least establish what we are to each other. "Fine, just for today. I want you home by eight." I nodded at her statement and left through my window. Arriving at the Matthews I noticed Lucas was there with Riley. They didn't seem to be in a romantic state. I knocked on the window and Riley excitedly opended it. 

"PEACHES! I missed you so so so so much!" She exclaimed as she drew me into a tight hug. I smiled. "Riles, I'm sorry for yelling at you and calling you a bitch the other day, and I'm sorry for acting like a bitch at school. And I really missed you." Her smile resembled the Cheshire cat's. "I forgive you! I missed you too!" I rested my head on her shoulder before noticing Lucas. I looked down at my lap. "I'm sorry Lucas." Was all that escaped my mouth. He smiled. "I forgive you Maya." Life was finally starting to get a little bit better. "Peaches, I told Lucas everything, about how I faked liking him and such. Now you guys can be together. I'm sorry about the other day." Riley whispered. I smiled. "I think it's to early for me to be in a relationship." I responded. I looked over at Lucas.

[Lucas's POV] 

Maya was finally coming around. She had apologized to me and Riley which I know must have been hard. She's not really the soft type. 

  "Peaches, I told Lucas everything, about how I faked liking him and such. Now you guys can be together. I'm sorry about the other day." I heard Riley whisper. Maya smiled. Her smile was so beautiful. "I think it's to early for me to be in a relationship." Maya replied. My smile quickly faded. Most people don't really know how much I care for her. When I found out that she might like me, I was happy, but she doesn't want a relationship. Well I can't force her, so I guess it just won't happen. "But you guys are so perfect for each other." Riley tried to convince Maya. I blushed a little and as well as Maya. "Way to make things awkward Riley." I mumbled jokingly. we all laughed. "Wait, what time is it?" Maya asked suddenly. I looked at my phone, "7:54." I answered. "Dang it! I gotta go, my mom is expecting me by eight. I really can't push it I was barely able to come here." She rushed out the window.

[Maya's POV] 

Shit. If I don't make it home mom would flip. I made it through the front door as the clock turned 8:01. Mom turned around. "I'm here." I stated awkwardly. "I'll let it pass. Next time watch your clock." she said. I nodded as I raced to my bedroom and plopped down on my bed. I went through my social media as I got a text. Surprisingly, if was from Lucas. 

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔: Maya, I understand you don't want a relationship at the moment, I just need to tell you, I really like you.

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂:  I really do like you too.

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔: Do you possibly want to be my girlfriend?  

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂: You're seriously asking this over text? 

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔:  You rushed out so quickly I never got a chance.

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂:  Fair enough, I like you, but I already said, I'm not ready for a relationship. At least not until this whole vandalism thing is over.

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔: What 'vandalism thing'?

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂: Well when you and Riley kissed I might have been so mad that I covered a park in graffiti, and shattered a little statue, and the cops might have caught me and now I might be being forced to finish 100 hours of community service, my mom has to pay for the statue, and I have to help the detention group scrape gum on desks after school every day and I'm also grounded. 

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔: Wow. I didn't know I had that much of an effect on you.

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂: Try me, Friar.

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔: I just did.

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔: Short stack. 

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂: Your gonna regret that Cowboy.

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔: We'll see about that.  

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂: I'll see you tomorrow Huckleberry. 

𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒔: Looking forward to it, ma'am. 

Ugh he pisses me off so bad. But he's kinda cute when he does. I turned off my phone and went to sleep. 

The next morning I woke up to my annoying alarm clock. I tried to slam the button but I missed and slammed my hand into the cup of ice water sitting my bedside table, causing it to splash all over me. Just my luck. I jumped to my feet picking up the glass and throwing it in the kitchen sink. I cleaned up the spilled water and went to shower. The cold water hit my skin and sent a rush throughout me. I finished and got dressed. I decided to wear short black denim shorts, a tank top with a jean jacket and combat boots. I went to the kitchen to find mom there. "Hey mom." "Hey honey." she responded. "So what time is Shawn coming back?" "Later this evening. I don't think he's gonna be to thrilled about you destroying the neighborhood park." "Oh come on, it was a mistake." I left in huff and went to pick up Riley.

I sat in her bay window and I waited for her. "Maya!" she exclaimed as she entered her bedroom. "Shall we go?" I asked. "Yes, we shall."