Just A Kiss (Rilaya)

Checking off the List

Riley's POV:

I promised Lucas that I would call him, and that was on Friday. Now it's Sunday, and I still haven't even responded to a text.

I decide to girl up and call Him. The phone only rings once before he answers.

"Riley?" He says.

"Hey," I say.

Neither of us know what to say, so Lucas says awkwardly, "So...what's up?"

"Nothing much," I say, "you?"

"Nothing much."

I nod even though he can't see me.

"I think we should talk in real life." I say after a moment of silence.

"Yeah," Lucas says, "me too."

"Meet at the park?" I ask. We have this thing when we say "the park" we mean Central Park, at our spot on a bench next to a big oak tree.

"See you in ten." He says.

--------------------------------------------

I smile as Lucas walks up to me.

"So," He says, "you gonna fill me in on everything, or am I still supposed to guess?"

"No," I say, "you do not have to guess anymore."

"Okay, good, cause I was getting pretty bored with it." He says.

I try to think of how I'm going to explain all of this. I guess I should just come out and say it. I think to myself.

I sigh and look Lucas straight in the face. "I'm dating Maya."

Lucas's face is covered with pure surprise. "Well, that is not at all what I was expecting." He says.

"I know." I say. "It all started the night of the dance. She found me after I left and we kissed, then after school the next day we admitted how we felt, and yesterday we went on our first date."

"Huh." Lucas says.

"That's it? Huh? No explosion of anger, no gross looks?"

"Riley, first of all, why would I be angry?"

"Because, I cheated on you."

"Yeah, but I cheated on you too."

"Oh. True." I look at my feet in embarrassment.

"And second of all, why would I give you a gross look?"

"Because I'm gay. Or, I think I am. Maybe I'm bi. I don't know yet." I confess.

"Riley, I would never think that being gay or bi, or whatever you identify as is gross. I love you for you, and we have an unbreakable friendship. I'm totally fine with you being with Maya, as long as that's what makes you happy."

"Thanks, Lucas." I say. I wrap my arms around him in a hug.

"How many people have you told?" Lucas asks me as we pull apart.

"Just you." I say.

"Okay, well let's make a list of who else you need to tell." He says.

"Okay."

"First, your parents. Then Farkle. Those two for sure." Lucas says.

"And Josh," I say, "but I think Maya will be the one to do that. I'll probably have to tell Charlie, too. He was the one who tipped me off that you and Missy were near the bathroom. He told me he liked me."

"He did?" Lucas asks.

"Yeah," I say, "not even Maya knows that. I guess I forgot to tell her. I'll deal with that later. Who else?"

"Well, you can't forget about Auggie."

"And Shawn." I add.

"And lastly, Zay and Smackle."

"Wow," I say, "that's a big list."

"Yeah," Lucas says, "nine people. And you'll have to decide when you want to go public with your relationship."

"Yeah, I think we'll wait a bit on that one." I say. "Thank you so much for talking to me about this. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Of course." Lucas says.

We stand up and hug one more time before waving goodbye and going our separate ways.

One down, nine to go.