It's About Time (GMW - Joshaya)

Chapter 61

Maya's POV

When the three of us broke our hug, I noticed a tear or two stream down Smackle's cheeks; they were suddenly fiery red but being extinguished by the wetness of her tears. 

I couldn't tell if they were happy tears or not. 

Buzzzzzzz. Buzzzzz.

"Shit, that's Riley," I said, looking at my phone.

I opened the text to see what she said.

Smackle and Lucas looked at me, waiting to hear what it was about. 

"Riley just asked if I could pickup some paper towels on the way home and asked where I was."

"You should probably head out. I don't want anyone to suspect anything," Smackle wiped a stray tear from her face.

"I'll stay a few more minutes. My Chipmunk needs me right now," I smiled at her.

"Thanks," she sniffled. "Lucas, you can head out if you need to. I'll be okay."

"Nah, not yet," he grabbed and pulled her into another hug.

"So how are you feeling?" I asked her, knowing that probably she didn't even know the answer to that question.

"I'm okay, I think. I feel like a have a little clarity now," she stood a little taller now, but Lucas still held onto her.

After another couple of minutes, I fixed her a cup of ginger tea with a hint of honey in it. Meanwhile, Lucas set up a pillow, a blanket, and brought up the Netflix movie selection.

"I'll hang out here Maya. Why don't you go home? Riley is gonna be wondering what took you so long," Lucas plopped down on the couch. 

"Are you sure?" I looked back and forth to Smackle and Lucas looking for their approval. 

"Yea," they both said. 

I handed her the cup of tea and she wrapped me in a hug. 

"I love you Chipmunk."

"I love you Maya. Thank you for doing this with me."

"I'll let myself out," I motioned for her to sit down and relax.

I walked right to the door and before I left, I turned around to see her cuddled up next to Lucas. It wasn't romantic. It was in more of an older brother/protective type of way, but it made me happy that she wasn't going to be alone. I knew she needed a friend tonight.

I shut the door and hurried back toward my place. Along the way, I couldn't help but spare a few tears for the baby that I never got to have. I hate myself for being angry and scared and lost at first. It's not that I necessarily even wished my baby to go away. However, it's hard not to feel responsible when my one job was supposed to protect and love that baby at all costs. It was my baby and I never got to give him or her the life they deserved. 

I took out my phone to check my face before opening the door to my apartment. I really didn't need Riley asking questions right now. I felt like I could break if someone so much as poked me. I just needed my bed and a chance to escape all of my thoughts and feelings. I just needed sleep.

"Hey," Riley was sitting on the couch when I walked into the apartment. "Did you get the paper towels?" she asked me.

"Gottem!" I held them up so that she could see them. "Uhhh- hey I'm exhausted and tomorrow is gonna be a busy day, I'm gonna catch some sleep. Night honey," I rushed straight to my room, not even waiting for a response.

"Okay, Peaches. Goodnight. I'll see you in the morning," I could hear the doubt in her voice and it was as if she could detect the trouble in my voice.

Riley and I definitely have known each other long enough to notice these small nuances, but I think she knew that it was best to let me go to bed tonight.

A heard her shuffle off the couch and into her room a short while later. At this point, I was snuggled in bed, just trying my best to fall asleep. The tears seemed to keep spontaneously producing. I had absolutely no control over my emotions. Just when I thought she was in bed, I heard a soft knock on the door.

"Thunder," she spoke softly.

"Lightening," I responded. 

"I love you, and if you need to talk about anything. I'm here." she assured me.

"Thanks, you too Riles," I choked back the tears quiet enough so that she wouldn't hear.

"Goodnight," we said in unison.

I was so lucky to have Riley as my best friend. I don't think she will ever truly understand how much I appreciate her. I just hope she never questions that. Especially when all the truth comes out about Josh and I. I mean he is her uncle and all and I'm her best friend. She's always been so supportive and all--I just don't know that all of the secrets and lies are gonna be something that she is gonna forgive me for. Riley Matthews will always be my best friend and sister. I just hope she knows that and how much I love and value her friendship. It was never about Josh with us. My friendship with Riley never had anything to do with Josh and it never will. Hoes over bros--just like P.Sawyer and B.Davis. Not even P.Sawyer and B.Davis have anything on us. We are Riley and Maya. Honey and Peaches. Thunder and Lightening--a force of nature. Nothing can mess with us.