Playing Pretend

Chapter Two

Maya and Lucas were mid conversation when they both eyed Riley walk down the hallway, her black frill skirt swaying, also wearing a black and white striped v-cut shirt. She had a saddened expression painted on her face as her hair waved down her back. As she passed the two, she mouthed, "Bay window." And took off down the hallway. Maya realized that she probably broke it off with her boyfriend. Which meant that Riley Matthews was officially on the market again.

"She looked so sad." Lucas longingly stared as the girl made a turn down the hallway. Maya rolled her eyes, setting a hand on her hip at her hopelessly love-struck friend.

"Well, you're probably in luck. I think she ended it with her boyfriend."

"You don't know that."

"Well, you don't know that either." She scoffed, poking her friend's chest. "I'll find out later, regardless. She wants girl talk. Surprisingly," she sighed. "I think I actually enjoy girl talk."

A shitfaced smile lightened Lucas's face. "Do you now?"

She scowled and pulled his collar to her. "You say nothing to no one."

He raised his brows and shrugged his shoulders at this, not seemingly nervous at all. "What are friends for?"

Her warning eyes softened as she let go of him, sighing in slight defeat. "Guess I had to become a girl someday." She smiled as the girl began to pretend to look at her chest in astonishment when Lucas took her hand to prevent her from doing so.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it." He stopped her as he let go of her hands.

Maya nodded. "Guess it's getting old now." She responded in defeat. He smiled, noticing the end of an old habit his friend had picked up in the 7th grade.

"Yeah. That joke is expired." Lucas chuckled as he sympathetically wrapped an arm around his friend and walked to class.

•
Riley wiped her eyes and sighed as she glanced at Maya, who was rubbing her shoulder. "I'm sorry Riley."

"It's okay, I'll be okay. It was better to end it now." She sniffed, shrugging her shoulders. "Distant relationships don't really go well, anyway." You could say that again.

"Well, now you can restart. All the boys drool over you already. Have anyone you want." She stated, suddenly adding. "And Lucas. He's a charmer."

Riley eyed her suspiciously. "Why do you want me to go out with Lucas so much?"

Think Maya think. "Well, because he's on the market as well. And he'd probably make a good beginning. Here." Maya grabbed a post-it off of Riley's desk, writing down his number. "This is Lucas's number. Just text him. He's probably interested in you anyway." And drooling, and giving you longing looks, and- Riley smiled, hesitating before giving her an answer. Maya stared at her dead in the eyes as she waited for a response. Do it, do it, do it.

"Okay. I'm trusting you on this." And with that, Maya smiled widely as Riley took her phone out and began to add his number into her cellphone.

••••
Lucas gathered up his courage before Maya pushed him over, almost having Lucas trip on the way to Riley's locker. She turned her face and her eyes met his as a smile appeared, closing her locker. "It's nice to see you outside of a cellphone screen."

Lucas gulped before responding. "Yeah, it's good to see you." Maya laughed from behind him. She could almost see the sweat going down his neck.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go out? Like on a date."

She raised her brows contently.

"Where?"

"Uh.." He chuckled to himself. "Didn't think I'd get this far." Riley laughed at this, shooting him another friendly smile.