Girl Meets Senior Year

Opening Up

"We're alone again," Riley said.

"We are."

"I need to ask you something, Maya."

"What, Riles? You can ask me anything."

"You told Shawn and your mom that you were gay," Maya broke eye contact to stare at her lap as Riley continued, "but I don't understand that. You liked Lucas. You liked Josh. How can you be gay?"

"I never liked them."

Riley placed her fingers under Maya's chin and turned her head so they faced each other. "You liked Lucas to protect me, I know that. But Josh... I thought you really liked him."

"I didn't like Lucas to protect you."

"If you weren't trying to protect me why did you start acting like me Freshman year? You told me that was so you could see Lucas how I saw him."

"Josh told me thats why, and I believed it at the time. You told me I liked Lucas, I believed that too. Because I was too scared to accept what I was feeling." She took a deep breath and continued, "What I felt was so strong I turned myself into you rather than admit I was in love with you. I went after the boy who was just like you. I liked your only somewhat age appropriate relative because it would let me get closer to you."

"How did I not see this? All those years, and I never saw."

"I don't know, Riles. It took me forever to figure it out myself. I think the reason I started making fun of Lucas because I was upset about him taking your attention away from me."

"You still make fun of him though," Riley laughed.

"Well thats because I found out how much fun it is."

"I just realized you made fun of Charlie too. Anyone who asked me out, you teased. I'm sorry, Maya."

She looked back up at Riley, "For what?"

"I should have known. I was supposed to be your best friend, and I couldn't see what you were going through."

Maya leaned into Riley and rested her head on the girl's shoulder. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Riles."

"Maya?"

"Yea?"

"Was last night your first kiss?"

Maya backed away and responded stuttering, "What? No...no of course not. I'm seventeen years old, Riley. You really think I never kissed anyone before I was seventeen?"

"Yes," Riley replied emotionless.

Tears began to form in Maya's eyes, "Why?"

"You just told me you've loved me since the moment you had feelings for anyone. I know you didn't kiss Lucas. You didn't kiss Josh. Who did you kiss?"

"You."

"Last night."

"Fine. Yes, ok? Last night was my first real kiss."

Riley tilted her head to the side and smiled, "I'm glad I was your first."

"You don't think I'm pathetic? Bad girl Maya Hart never kissed anyone until Senior year of High School."

"No. I think you are beautiful girl Maya Hart who waited to kiss someone that really mattered."

"Riles? Can I kiss you again now?"

"Anytime you want, Peaches."

Maya bit her lower lip, "Now where were we before all the company arrived?"

Riley placed her hand under Maya's chin and pulled her closer, "Oh, about right here."

And their lips met.

"I'm sorry you couldn't be my first too," Riley said when the broke contact.

"That's silly."

"You were my third, Maya. It's not silly. I was your first and you should have been mine. We do everything together."

"We'll have plenty of firsts together, Riles."

"Um," Riley's cheeks flushed.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"It's ok, Maya."

"Then why does it feel so incredibly awkward right now."

"Because, Peaches, we are redefining our relationship. And it's ..."

"It's weird."

"Very weird," added Riley with a slight laugh.

"You aren't regretting it though right?"

"You need to stop doing that. I will never regret you, Maya."

"But look what I caused, Riles! Things are weird between us. We had to leave school today because of what people were saying. They destroyed our lockers. This is all my fault."

"You know I'm in this relationship too, right? Do you blame me for this?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why do you think I'd ever blame you, Maya?"

"Because I don't deserve you. Ok?"

"We will get through all of this. It will all be worth it. I never want you to say I don't deserve you again. You're my best friend. I love you. Anyone on this earth would be lucky to have you, and you chose me to love. I'm the lucky one here, Maya. I don't know how, but I'm going to find a way to prove that to you."

"I'm going to take some work aren't I?"

"I'm up to the challenge."