typical | rilaya au

t e n

I woke up today to a horrible buzzing that contributing to my already existent headache. Not to mention, I felt like vomiting every time I stood up.

Note to self: never do that again.

I had a terrible hangover and regretted just about everything last night.

I don't remember most of it, just some key events. Like dancing for hours and trying to kiss Maya Hart.

Oh.

I didn't know how to feel about everything. I just felt empty.

I don't know what took over my mind and body in that moment, but truthfully, I don't regret trying to kiss her.

That's how I felt in the moment and I decided to act on my emotions for once. (With the help of some alcohol)

I picked up my phone and noticed that Maya has been texting me non-stop between last night and this morning.

Usually I would answer immediately and we would talk for hours. Today was different. I felt like she just felt bad about what happened last night; which wasn't her fault at all. It was mine.

I scrolled through the 20 or so texts; reading through them quickly.

Are you okay?
How do you feel? (emotionally and physically)
Can we talk.  Please
I miss you <3

After the first 10 or so, the texts became directed towards my hangover. For some reason she was incredibly worried about my health and sent me multiple tips on how to get rid of it.

I appreciated the effort, really. But right now, I needed some space. I ignore the texts and go downstairs to greet my parents.

I woke up pretty late, it was already the afternoon so there was no point in me eating breakfast at 1pm.

"Morning sleepyhead" teased Auggie as he saw me stumble down the stairs.

"Morning" I smiled sadly.

When I walked into the kitchen, my Mom was doing the dishes and my Dad was organizing the house.

"Do we have guests coming over or something?" I asked curiously as they scrambled to clean.

"She hasn't told you yet?" asked my mom.

I took a double take and stopped in my tracks. "Who's she?" I said through my teeth.

My dad interrupted from the living room. "In celebration of your new friendship with Maya, we invited her over for lunch today!"

Every inch of my body froze as I tried to take in what he just said to me.

"I thought it'd be a nice surprise" he added. "Usually the only friend you bring home is Farkle. We want to get to know Maya too."

I didn't know how to react appropriately to all this new information. I couldn't tell them to 'call it off because I tried to kiss her last night and she's the last person I want to see.'

I blinked slowly. "Okay.." I nodded. "When did this happen- when did you even invite her?" I questioned.

My dad answered me again while focused on wiping the table. "Last night while you were getting ready in her room."

He stopped what he was doing and looked up at me. I could tell he was judging my messy bun paired with my oversized shirt and sweatpants as he spoke again.

"Go get ready, she's coming in half an hour." He warned.

You have got to be kidding me.

As if on cue, right when he said that, the doorbell rang.

"Oh my god." was all I could make out when Auggie ran to the door and opened it- revealing a very familiar blonde.

"I thought I'd show up a bit early to help with lunch. I'm quite the cook if I do say so myself." she smirked as she walked.

"Riles" she said casually, like I hadn't completely embarrassed myself in front of her yesterday.

I put on a fake smile that I knew she could see right through. I greeted her back. "Hi peaches."

I had just realized that I was standing in front of this very pretty girl looking like a complete slob.

Regardless of the fact, I didn't bother to go back to my room and change. What's the point of trying to impress her if there's nothing between us.

~

Lunch was a mess.

I sat uncomfortably close beside Maya while we ate sandwiches that my mom had made.

It's not like I had anything to do with the situation either. Everything I scooted away, Maya managed to close the distance in less than a second.

She's teasing me. I thought.

Everything went smoothly, which I was glad for.

Maya was extremely witty so she had no problem carrying on conversations with any members of my family.

The two of us haven't communicated since our greetings to each other since when she first came in.

Just when everything was finishing up, and I thought I was off the hook, my Dad decided to open his mouth.

Granted, he had opened his mouth a lot during the last 45 minutes. But none of them were used to make homophobic comments.

Maya and I both winced when we heard it.

"I saw two gay men when I was driving to work this morning. Disgusting." He said casually.

I choked on the sandwich that I was chewing and coughed.

It was so out of the blue, we were just talking about our weekends. I don't know why he even thought to bring it up.

I tensed when I felt Maya's hand slowly move over to my thigh. It laid there gently as she tried to console me under the table.

I thought about pushing her hand away. Pushing everything we had done together away. But I couldn't.

It was little moments like this, that made me think that maybe Maya and I had a chance. That maybe I was going to get that happy ending that I thought I deserved.

I gasped when her hand began moving up and down my thigh, calming me down.

"Riley, are you okay?" asked my Mom when she saw my expression.

"Yeah, I'm- uh.. fine." I nodded. "Fine."

~

After eating, I thought that I would be able to shove Maya out the door and call it a day.

But that wasn't the case.

She had insisted on spending time with me, claiming that we needed to talk.

After she helped my Mom with the dishes, she found her way to my room.

I silently cringed at the thought of the long awaited conversation we were about to have.

But I stayed still, scared of something that I didn't know was chasing me; myself.