Maya Hart Wants a Cowboy

Something Isn't Right

RILEY

I walked into history class the next morning. Maya was already there, helping my dad set up the classroom. First of all, what? She never does that.

All through class, Maya didn't talk at all. She looked... out of it. Staring at the floor, or simply just reading the history book. Maya never reads the textbook. Whenever my dad called on Maya, she simply just shrugged her shoulders, acting like she didn't know the answer.

The bell for lunch rang, Maya didn't move. Farkle, Lucas, Zay, and I crowded around her.

"Lunch Maya? Let's go!" I said.

"I'm not hungry," she simply stated.

"What? You're always hungry!" Farkle joked.

"We'll maybe I don't want to eat all the time..." Maya said.

"What? Maya, when was the last time you ate?" Lucas asked.

"None of your business!" she snapped.

"This is ridiculous! Maya c'mon!" I yelled, grabbing her arm to pull her up.

Maya winced at me touching her. She pulled her arm out of my grasp.

"You guys can't tell me what to do! I'm not a baby! I can decide when I eat, or where I go, or what I do. All of you just BACK OFF!" she yelled.

"Maya, what has gotten into you? Yesterday, you were acting so weird, and now you're-" I began to say, but she cut me off.

"I'm not gonna fight you guys! I'm out," she said as she pushed through Farkle and Lucas, running out the classroom.

I explained the conversation between Maya and I yesterday, and they all had puzzled looks on their faces. I was just as confused as they were.

"Something isn't right. Maya changed, but I don't think for the better," Farkle said.

Lucas ran out the classroom to go look for her. Isn't he sweet?

MAYA

When Riley yanked my arm, it hurt. The cuts on my arm didn't help either. I rolled up one of my sleeves as I ran down the hall, trying to examine my cuts. Over 12 cuts, 4 already turned to scars.

Lucas called my name as I ran faster and faster. If anything, he was the last person who should be chasing after me.

I stopped running and turned around to face him. I was crying and I didn't care who saw me like this.

"Maya the conversation you had with me, it made some sense. The one you had with Riley, not so much..."

"What was wrong with what I said to you and Riley?" I asked.

"It wasn't you. You called yourself a friend in the background. Do you feel neglected? Riley said something about you not fighting back or making any come backs. You always have something to say. How come you won't defend yourself anymore Maya?" Lucas continued.

"Look, maybe I don't want to be that girl. I was just, mean. Maybe I'm tired of hurting people. Maybe I'm tired of always fighting back. I'm tired of the fighting Lucas!" Tears flooded my oceanic eyes. 

"Huh?" he asked, seriously concerned. 

"I'm always fighting for things and I don't want to do it anymore. Sometimes, I wish things could come easy. I just want everything to STOP!" I practically yelled in the empty hallway.

"Maya! Where are you getting all this?" Lucas shook his head, did he hear me wrong?

"Maybe I didn't want anyone to get hurt. You wanted Riley, and Riley wanted you. I made the situation easier on myself and prevented me from getting hurt. I didn't want to hope, I didn't want to care, and I didn't want to get left!" I was full on crying now. Tear after tear, eyes completely red. Why have I held it in for so long?

Lucas reached out to hug me, but I backed away.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled.

LUCAS

What the hell was Maya saying! Why did she feel all of these things?

"Maya, you told me to always be there for you. I'm right here, like I said I would be. If me dating Riley makes you unhappy, than I won't, " I said.

"You can't do that! She'll hate me! Lucas, please go out with her. I'm not worth you ruining a relationship that could make you happy. Besides, I don't even like you, I was just... confused." she lied. I know she was lying.

"Well, I should let you get back to the group." Maya said.

"You're coming with me," I grabbed at her arm, but she winced again. Maya tried rolling down her sleeve further, but I stopped her.

I saw tiny slits on wrist. I checked her other arm, that arm held more cuts.

"Lucas, I- I..." she was trying really hard to explain, but gave up and ran. I didn't want to follow her, she needed space.

Maya hasn't eaten since who knows how long, she freaked whenever someone tried to touch her, and she's been very sensitive lately. Farkle was right, something definitely isn't right. 

"Maya's depressed..." I said to the group when I got back to the classroom, not realizing Mr.Matthews was still in the room.

Shock was all on over their faces.

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What is going on with Maya? 

Don't worry guys, lucaya and riarkle will be here soon. I have some big plans for the next few chapters and here's a hint, only two words: ski and lodge.

Did you like it? Let me know!

- XOXO

THE MYSTERIOUS UNO  <3