Maya Meets the Real World

Bay Window

Mayas POV

I see Riley walk into her room, implying that I should follow. 

I give Topanga a face. "Wish me good luck," I say to her.

I follow Riley into her room. She's already sitting at the bay window. I turn around and lock her bedroom door. I don't want anybody else to hear.

I don't sit at the bay window though. We sit in silence for at least 2 minutes. Riley looking out the window, and me looking down at my feet. I'm still standing right by the door. 

Riley breaks the silence first. "I tell you everything and you tell me nothing. We go to my house but never yours. Friendship is a two way street Maya, and I shouldn't be the only one trying to hold on to this friendship." She says, rather sad.

"And most importantly, friends don't lie to eachother. They don't keep secrets because they know they can trust eachother."

Silence.

"Do you trust me Maya?"

More silence. I sit on the bed, my back facing Riley. 

"Of course I trust you Riley."

"Then what's going on Maya? Tell me why you came in here crying a few days ago. I want to help you, but you have to trust me."

"My mom-" I start, but then I can't keep it inside anymore. I break down and cry.

"Oh Maya...." Riley says, and then comes over and sits on the bed next to me.

She hugs me until my breathing steadies. 

"My mom-" I start again, "isn't like your mom. She doesn't..love me. She's never home.. And I bet she wishes I was never born", I whisper. 

"She doesn't want me to have friends over. And she's always yelling, Riley, you have to understand me. I didn't want you to come to my house because I wanted to protect you. That's why I lied. And I'm sorry, I just, couldn't tell you. I was afraid of how you'd react."

Riley stand up from the bed and holds her arms out to me.

I stand up and let her wrap her arms around me.

We stay like that for a while. I'm crying into her shoulder and she's rubbing my back.

It feels so good to talk to someone about it.

I pull away and walk to the mirror.

"Riley? Do you think I'm fat?" I ask, looking in the mirror.

"Of course not! I'd kill for those curves Maya! You're gorgeous!"

"You really think so?"

"I know so Maya. Trust me."

"I'm sorry Riley. I don't mean to put all of my problem on you."

"Maya, thank you for trusting me with all of this. We're best friends. I'm glad you felt safe enough to tell me."

I smile through my tears.

"....and you can come to my house anytime. You're always welcome here." She puts her arm around me.

"Thanks Riles."

We stay like that for for a while, then Riley asks "Hey, why'd you come over this morning? And why'd you stay home from school? Is it because of your mom?

Ughhhh Riley just let it be.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just got my first period."

"No way! What's it like?" Riley asks.

"Um, it's not that bad. At least yet. I've only had it since this morning!"

We laugh.

It's good to have Riley back.

"Okay Maya. Is that it? Anything else you wanna tell me?"

"No. I think that's it." I say, then remember what happened last night. "Oh wait!" I laugh. "Farkle kissed me last night!"

"What!?" Riley says while laughing.