Girl Meets Senior Year

Halloween

"Do any of you know what you're dressing as for Halloween?" asked Lucas.

"Not yet. I was thinking a robot since you all thought I was one for a couple years," answered Farkle. "Do you?"

"I'm going to be Luke Skywalker. I already have the name. And there's a chance I have the light saber as well."

"Oh! I want to be Leia!" yelled Riley.

Maya's head snapped up from her sketchbook, "Then I will be Han since he gets the girl in the end." She turned to smile at Riley.

"Did we just decide on a group thing?" inquired Zay.

"Looks like it," replied Lucas laughing.

"Then I'm Lando."

"If you betray me to Jaba we're going to have issues Babineaux," threatened Maya in jest.

"Then I'll be Anakin. The evil version, before all of his limbs were cut off," added Farkle.

"And I'll be your Padme," Smackle said before leaning in to kiss him on the cheek.

"You know what this means? Luke, I am you're -" started Farkle before Lucas cut him off.

"No."

"Yay a group costume! This is going to be so much fun," Riley said with an exaggerated gin across her face.

"Gosh you're cute," Maya said biting her lip slightly.

"Doesn't it bother you when they act like that in front of you," Zay asked Lucas.

"It did at first, and then I realized nothing really has changed. I just didn't want to see it before," Lucas paused. "She was always Maya's. Look at them."

Zay looked over to the couch where Maya had her head in the crook of Riley's neck, a huge smile on her face.

-

"You look great, Riles," Maya said as she climbed through the window. It was the morning of Halloween and both girls were dressed for the occasion.

Riley had her hair in Princess Leia buns and wore a long white robe Return of the Jedi style. Maya dressed just like Han Solo except for the curly blonde pony tail.

"We're going to win the contest for sure!" exclaimed Riley.

"Whatever you say, Honey."

"Let's go. I can't wait to see everyone else's costumes!" Riley ran towards the window, grabbing Maya's hand to pull her along as she went.

"What's your hurry? I didn't even get to properly say good morning to my girlfriend!"

"Oh! Sorry!" Riley stopped, turned around, and placed a quick kiss on Maya's lips. "Now can we go?"

"Riles, there's no rush. We have some time before we have to leave. Can't I have you to myself for just a couple minutes?" Maya pouted, her hands resting on Riley's hips.

"Tonight, ok? My parents are taking Auggie trick-or-treating and we will have the whole night to ourselves."

"Promise? Just us?"

"I promise." She bent down to meet Maya's lips with hers.

"Ok, let's go then. But tonight you're mine, Matthews." she teased.

-

"Everyone looks great!" Riley yelled as she ran to the group, pulling Maya behind her.

"They're doing the costume contest after lunch in the auditorium. I've scoped out the competition, and no one stands a chance against us," said Farkle.

"Yay," said Riley with her childlike voice making Maya smile at her.

"Well, well, well still haven't found friends who'll treat you better, Friar?" said a voice behind them.

Maya and Riley turned around to see someone dressed in all black robes wearing a Scream mask.

"Do I know you?" asked Lucas.

They lifted their hand to remove the mask. It was Missy Bradford.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Lucas yelled at her.

"Coming to say hello to my least favorite people, obviously," she replied with a smirk.

"What's your damage, Bradford?" asked Maya, fighting the urge to punch her in the face. "You aren't even supposed to be on school grounds."

"I had unfinished business. Figured today was the best day to take care of it. It's easier to slip in unnoticed when everyone is wearing costumes."

"I don't think you have any business here. And if you know what's good for you, you will leave right now," said Lucas with clenched fists.

"Let's just go," begged Riley motioning the group to follow.

They made their way down the hall, away from Missy towards their class when they heard someone scream out in panic.

Maya turned around to see Missy with a gun in her hand, pointed directly at Riley.

"Riley!" she yelled as she lunged in front of her.

A shot fired and everyone scattered. Missy was lost in the chaos.

"Did anyone see where she went?" yelled Lucas.

Maya took a step back into Riley's arms and lost her footing.

"Maya?" Riley caught her as she fell to the floor.

Blood pooled from Maya's chest.

"Maya!"

Maya struggled to breathe as blood stained her lips.

"Peaches. You're going to be ok. You'll be ok," Riley said trying to convince herself just as much as Maya.

"Someone brought a gun into school. My friend has been shot. Hurry!" yelled Farkle into his cell phone to a 911 operator.

"Are you ok, Riles?"

"You saved me," Riley said tears falling from her eyes.

"Good," Maya smiled up at her as she lost the ability to keep her eyes open.

"No. Stay with me. Maya! Stay with me!"

"What do we do?" yelled Lucas.

"You're the one who wants to be a veterinarian! That has medical training," said Farkle.

"First off she isn't a dog! Second, I'm not one right now!"

Smackle kneeled besides Riley, who was cradling Maya's unconscious body close to hers. "Put this on the wound, keep pressure. We need to prevent blood loss until the paramedics get here."

Riley nodded, and took the scarf Smackle offered her and did what she was instructed.

"Don't move her. We need to keep her still right now. There's no telling what internal damage she has and we don't want to make it worse."

"How are you so calm right now?" asked Farkle when she stood back up.

"Someone has to be, and luckily I read through a few of my brother's pre-med text books over the summer."

"Stay with me, Peaches. You're going to be ok. Just hold on, baby," Riley whispered against Maya's forehead.

"Out of the way!" An EMT came running down the hall. "Get her on the gurney." Two men in uniform took Maya out of Riley's arms.

Lucas helped Riley to her feet as the two men wheeled Maya towards the school entrance.

"One of you can ride in the ambulance with her," the one in charge told them.

"Riley, go," Farkle said as Riley was already running down the hall after them.