typical | rilaya au

s i x

We had been walking for nearly 15 minutes now, our hands were still intertwined.

I wasn't able to take note of Maya's outfit until we left the apartment complex. She was wearing leggings and a flow-y light pink shirt. It was strange to not be seeing her in her usual school running attire.

Her hair was still in a sleek high ponytail though. "I've never seen you with your hair down." I noted.

The conversation hadn't been the most riveting, but both of us had nevertheless made a decent effort to communicate.

She laughed softly and swung our hands, "Is that an issue Riley?"

My face reddened as I shook my head. "No! Of course not"

"Here we are!" she introduced. The best ice cream place in New York City.

We stood in front of it, looking up. It was quite small and antique. There wasn't many people in there either. However, I figured it was best not to doubt the so-called ice cream enthusiast.

Maya briefly let go of my hand to open the door for me. "You first" she smiled. I thanked her and walked through the door into the store.

Every thing in there was painted bright neon colours, I was almost blinded by the change of atmosphere.

We walked to the counter together as Maya eagerly ordered first. "Hey Dave" She greeted the man at the counter.

"Can I have the usual please?" She smiled widely. "Coming up Maya!" he directed his attention towards me and asked "and you?"

"Oh, um just vanilla please."

Maya turned right to look at me so fast I almost thought that she was going to get whiplash. "Just vanilla Riles?"

I froze for a second, a sudden realization occurring. How come I get so bothered when Lucas calls me Riles? But when Maya says it, it sounds natural. Like she's been saying it from the day we met.

"Riles?" she asked, noticing my sudden silence.

I quickly shook my head and looked into her bright blue eyes.

"Like your 'usual' is anything more special than vanilla." I retaliated with a hint of sass.

She smiled and teased "You bet it is."

Our eyes diverted to Dave when he exited the kitchen. He held up some wild concoction that looked like it was about to fall apart.

"Here ya go Maya." said Dave as he handed her the mess that they called ice cream.

I tilted my head to the left and looked at it carefully.

It was 4 scoops of different oddly coloured ice creams sitting in a chocolate waffle bowl. To top it off, there was a handful of what seemed like all of Auggie's Halloween candy sitting on top. But, to keep it healthy. There was a single peach slice, wedged into the side.

"Thanks buddy, hey can we get Riley today's special instead?"
she replied.

"Are you going to finish that Maya?" I asked. She already had a mouthful of ice cream when she replied .
"Mhmm."

When Dave reappeared, he handed me something that looked less diabetes invoking. It was a normal vanilla milkshake with specks of rainbow colours dispersed throughout it.

He must've noticed my curiosity. Taking note of my wide eyes, he chimed in by saying. "They're sprinkles"

I nodded and reached into my pocket to grab my wallet when Maya shoved me to the side.

It was hard to make out what she was saying because of the ice cream. But I think it was along the lines of "I'm paying!"

"Thanks Maya, you really don't have to." I said shyly.

She put down the waffle bowl and nodded. "I want to show you that I'm not the complete jerk you think I am."

"Well you're going to have to do a lot more than that to change my opinion peaches." I retorted.

"Peaches?" She asked fondly.

"Yeah, I.. saw it on your ice cream. Figured it suits you." My voice became increasingly quieter.

She grinned even wider than earlier and hugged me. "I love it."

~

"-so Farkle and I are sat there covered in mud." I continued.

She choked on her ice cream, "Mud?!" She asked shocked.

I nodded and took a sip of my milk shake. It tasted great, I'm really glad that Maya brought me here.

"And then one of the pigs mistakes Farkle for its kid and tries to feed him larvae."

By now, Maya is having trouble breathing due to her laughter. I felt a warm feeling grow inside my stomach as I listened to that sound. So naturally, I would do anything to hear it again.

Like tell this ridiculous story from when we visited a farm on a field trip in fifth grade.

~

The awkwardness completely disappeared the moment we sat down together in the ice cream parlour.

Maya had offered to walk me home, claiming she needed to burn the calories from all the ice cream she had.

We were currently on the outside of my door, saying our goodbyes.

My face relaxed for the first time all night as I studied her face. "Hey, quick question." I said seriously.

"Okay." She agreed understandingly.

I took note of the small distance between our bodies as I took a deep breath.

"How come.." I paused. "You're being so nice to me all of a sudden? I thought we hated each other."

Her jaw clenched while I continued.

"Don't get me wrong Maya, I like us better like this." I swallowed. "But why the sudden friendship?"

The blonde shrugged and took a step back. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding.

"I think you're worth more than what people give you credit for."

She clears her throat.

"-what I give you credit for."

I tilted my head and smiled a genuine smile at her. One that screamed 'I appreciate you, thank you.' and she understood.

"I'll see you soon?" I asked. I didn't realize how desperate it sounded until the words left my mouth.

"Definitely." Maya agreed, and with that, she left. Leaving me alone with my thoughts, and a sudden desire for her.

I shook my head and face palmed. "No way am I falling for Maya Hart."

I sat down to catch my breath and allow my thoughts to flow freely.

I always just wanted to spend more time with girls than boys. I thought that boys were gross (aside from Farkle)

Okay,

Well I never really liked Lucas either. He was always a bit to 'masculine' for me.

Oh no.