Girl Meets Senior Year

Scared and Nervous

Riley and Maya stood just outside the doors of Abigail Adams High School, hand in hand.

"We should go in."

"Peaches?"

Maya looked at Riley, "Ya, Riles?"

"Are you sure we're ready for this?"

Maya felt her heart plummet and tears form in her eyes, "Riles? Wha-what are you saying?"

Riley looked down to meet Maya's eyes, "Maya, you're crying! Why are you crying?"

"You asked if we're ready for this. Do you mean us? Are you already regretting this?"

"What? No! Come here." She pulled Maya over to a bench to the side of the school.

"What did you mean?"

"Maya, I meant are we ready for our last year of high school! I thought that's what we were talking about!"

"So you aren't having second thoughts?"

"Never about you, Maya. Don't ever think that."

Maya gave a weak smile. "I still have trouble believing this is all really happening."

"Believe it, Peaches," she said smiling.

"So you really are ok with coming out to everyone today?"

Riley looked down at her lap, "I'm not going to lie to you. I'm scared."

"I'm nervous," replied Maya.

"I just keep reminding myself that we can get through anything together. As long as you're there with me I can handle anything this world throws at me. That hasn't changed."

"You make me strong, Riles. I couldn't do this without you."

Riley looked back at Maya, "We make each other strong, Peaches," and she leaned until their lips met.

Maya's eyes fluttered closed as Riley kissed her. She knew they needed to stop before someone saw but she didn't dare push Riley away from her.

The sound of breaking twigs beneath shoes caused Maya to come back to reality and she opened her eyes only to make eye contact with Lucas. She backed away from Riley in panic.

Riley turned to see what startled Maya, "Lucas!"

"Had no idea what I was talking about huh? Only had eyes for me right? Wow, Riley. Just, wow." He stormed off towards the school.

"Lucas, wait!" Riley ran after him, leaving Maya sitting alone. "Lucas Friar, you stop right now!"

Lucas removed his hand from the school door before turning and turned to face Riley, tears in his eyes. "I can't do this right now, Riley."

"I wanted to tell you this morning. This just happened last night. I didn't want you to get blindsided with this!"

"So you make out with her in front of the school? Are you stupid?"

"Yes!"

He was baffled by her response. "Wait, did you just admit you were stupid?"

"I did. I've been stupid. And I wasn't fair to you, to Maya, or to myself because of it. I'm sorry!"

"You really hurt me, Riley."

"I didn't mean to."

He sat down on the steps and hung his head in his hands. Finally he looked up, "I know. I wish you had meant to. I think that's what makes this so hard."

"What?"

"This would be so much easier if I could just hate you. But I can't. I still love you, and I want you to be happy." He looked over to where Maya was standing, near the bench he had found them on, "She makes you happy. She always has. I know you didn't know. I could tell that night we fought. I made you realize it, didn't I?"

She nodded.

"I thought so. I pushed you to her."

"Lucas..."

"Don't, Riley. Just give me some time ok?"

"I don't want to lose you. I've missed talking to you these last months too," she said referencing the text he had sent the day before.

"I know. You're still my favorite person to talk to, Riley. But right now I think I just need some time to heal. Give me time. This isn't easy for me. I love both of you," he glanced back at Maya. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't want you both happy?"

"You really are one of the good ones you know?"

"I'm trying to be."

He stood up from his step and walked over to Maya, who took a step back when he got close.

"Maya, take good care of her ok?"

"I always have."

"I know. If it was anyone else I don't think I could handle it," he paused "not that I'm really handling this. Don't mess it up like I did."

"I won't."

He nodded and looked back at Riley, "You two were always meant for each other. I can see that. I'm lucky I got her for as long as I did. But she was always meant to be yours."

"Huckleberry..."

"Come here," he took Maya into a hug. "Never hurt her. I did and I lost her. I'm going to regret that for the rest of my life." He released his grasp on her and turned to make his way into the school.

Maya walked to the steps to meet up with Riley.

"What did he say to you," Riley asked.

"He told me that we were always meant for each other. And he had me promise to never hurt you like he did," Maya responded. "I'm glad I didn't kill him."

"I hope he finds someone who makes him happy."

Maya nodded back at her, "Ready to go in now?"

"Ready."