Girl Meets Maya

Part 1

I first saw Lucas Friar on the subway. He was just sitting there, reading a book and looking smart. How could someone be so ordinary on the outside but so extraordinary on the inside? He seemed so perfect for Riley that I couldn't help but point him out to her. She needed to get out more so I was taking her for a little adventure. Of course she seemed nervous to just go up and talk to him, so I decided to show her how its done. I just walked up to him and did a silly skit where I pretended we had dated and then broke up and finally were friends and came back to tell Riley that he was free. But she still needed a little push, and thats what I gave her. She landed right in his lap. They talked for awhile and when we got to the Bleeker street stop, Riley and I hoped off and she said goodbye to Lucas. And that was the last I thought I would ever see of him. I was so wrong. The very next class, Riley and I walk in to see subway boy sitting right behind my seat. Right behind me! That all seems like forever ago. I don't even know what to do now. Here I am, sitting on a bench outside of the bull riding ring where Lucas is about to kill himself and I can't do anything. What is wrong with me? I can't like Riley's guy. She would be crushed if she knew.

"Push it down Maya," I keep saying, "Push it down. Keep teasing him. Never let on that you think about the way he stares at Riley and wish he'd do the same to you. Never let her find out that you care. Push it down."

"Maya?" I can hear Riley's sweet voice coming from behind me. "I know you aren't okay. What happened back there?" I try so hard to move my lips and form words, but my body won't let me do it. I just can't tell her. I can't talk to her at all anymore. We used to share everything, I want us to share everything, but not Lucas. She deserves him anyway. I stick to saying nothing.

"Why didn't you want Lucas to get hurt? Why was that so important to you?" I bite my lip. It takes all my strength not to just explode.

"Is it because you care about him?"

"Of course I care about him!" I yell, "He's my friend. You are all my friends. I'd be frustrated if you or Farkle or --"

"Is it because you like him?" Silence. "Thats it isn't it?" Riley sighs, she's so disappointed I can tell.

"I never wanted you to know," I say.

"Why Maya? I love you more than anyone else on this planet. How could you not want to tell me?"

"Because!" I can't keep my voice down. Keep it down Maya. "Because he clearly likes girls who are smart and quirky and sweet. I am none of those things and you are perfect in every way. He deserves you and you deserve someone who will treat you right."

"Thats how you feel?"

"I don't want to Riley I really don't and if I could do anything to change how I feel I would, but I can't and it hurts Riley it hurts." My tears start running down faster than I wanted them to. Months and months of pent up emotions streak my cheek as I rest my head on Riley's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper.

"Its fine Maya. Really... Its okay." I can feel my best friend exhale as she gets up and offers me her hand. "We need to fix this," She says, "As soon as possible."

"Why Riley? There isn't anything to be fixed. He likes you and he thinks of me as a friend and thats fine! Riley why do we need this to change?" 

"Because if you keep your emotions so locked away you won't ever feel again." She grabbed my hands again, "And I want you to feel everything -- anger, happiness, love -- in the most intense ways and I never want to stand in your way. Understand?" I nod, thankful for how amazing my best friend is. "Besides," Riley's eyes wander to the ring, "We have no idea what Lucas thinks."