complicated [lucaya]

10

[Lucas' POV']

As I sat in my truck during my free period, my mind drifted into a state of worry for Maya. She's had a crush on Josh since middle school and it truly hurts my heart to know that he's taking advantage of her vulnerable state. She doesn't deserve that. He doesn't deserve her.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and threw my head back in frustration. Do I tell Maya that Josh isn't who he claims to be or do I stay out of it? She might yell at me for really being no better than he is. When did things become so complicated?

"Lucas?" Riley came up to my window with Maya trailing behind. "Is everything okay?"

I sighed and slammed my head against the headrest. "Does it look like everything is fine?"

"Just calm down." The blonde beauty stood next to her best friend. "Whatever it is I'm sure it's not worth getting upset over."

My eyes were fixed on Maya. All I could think about was my conversation with Missy in the auditorium. I need to tell her. If I never do anything nice for her during high school, I need to at least tell her about Josh. "It's about you Short Stack."

"W-what about me?" She stuttered and locked her eyes with mine.

"Remember what Missy said after class?"

She looked at Riley. "I'll catch up with you later?"

Riley looked between the two of us and I could tell that she didn't want to leave us alone together. "Fine, I'll go." She leaned in the window and I pecked her lips softly. "I'll call you."

Once my girlfriend was out of sight, Maya walked around to the passenger side and sat in the truck. "What's going on?"

I played with her fingers and avoided eye contact. "Just promise me you won't think I'm lying."

"I promise. Look at me Lucas, you know you can tell me anything."

Proceeding to intertwine our fingers, I looked up at Maya and nervously bit my lip. "After you left Missy told me that Josh isn't the guy we think he is."

"What's that supposed to mean? Of course he's who we think he is. He's a Matthews."

"Maya," I started. "I don't think Josh is such a good guy anymore."

First she stared at me, then she looked out the windshield. "Who the hell are you to talk about him like that? You're not exactly boyfriend of the year."

"Just listen to me-"

She snapped her head at me. Her face was turning bright red. "Do you know what happened that night? Like what really happened?"

"I wasn't in the room with you, Maya."

Her voice cracked. "Josh said that he's sure that if he hadn't been right outside the door, Austin would have taken advantage of me."

"Do you believe him?" I slowly rubbed her hand with my thumb. "Because I'm not sure that he's been too honest with you the past few years."

"I just want to know the truth Lucas. I'm tired of people telling me what did or didn't happen when I don't know if they're lying." She bit her lip. "Riley thinks that I need to go talk to Austin myself."

I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. "I think Austin might be the good guy in this situation. Josh brags about sleeping with you."

"Lucas," she sighed. "You brag about sleeping with me. What's your point?"

"I really don't want to ask you this Maya, I really don't want you to get hurt."

Maya ran her hand through her blonde hair and looked away from me. "What does everyone else seem to know that I don't."