COLD TO THE TOUCH || RILAYA

N I N E

"You WHAT?" Farkle exclaimed.

"Listen, it just... happened!" I said, setting down my lunch tray, "I actually moved in closer and she didn't even back away."

"I still ship it," Zay said, interlocking fingers with Farkle.

"Of course I do too, but Riley's still dating Lucas and we don't know her sexuality. Think about it, she could've taken it as a friendly gesture."

I look down, realizing most of what he said is true.

"I guess you're-"

"So did you make a move?" Lucas interrupted as he sat across from me.

"Please don't kill me, but yeah I did," I said, attempting to not make eye contact.

"Why would I kill you? I want you two together. I really do. Remember what I said a few days ago, I want her to be happy and if she's the happiest with you, then she should be with you."

We both smile. "Thank you, that means a lot to me," I say, making eye contact.

"So what did you do?" Lucas asked, leaning in with curiosity.

"Well, we were just having a casual conversation and I, this sounds cheesy but it's true, got lost in her eyes and I leaned in really close to her face, so close our noses touched. We both didn't move for a while and almost kissed," I said, blushing harder than ever. Lucas leaned back and took a deep breath.

"I-I'm sorry... I should've though that through and-"

"If you kissed her, that would've been great," Lucas said, smiling. "The chances of you two getting together would be really really high. After school, I plan on talking to her," he said in an upset voice.

"Lucas, you really don't have to do this. I don't want you to if this'll hurt you."

"I think this will be better for all three of us. Even the whole group! Guys?"

Zay and Farkle looked at each other, then to Lucas, then back at me.

"The both of us have shipped Rilaya for a while now, and we both would love to see you together. But we're both still Lucas' friend and we wouldn't want his heart to get crushed. If he's willing to do this, then we support him and support you two," Farkle says to me, grabbing my hand under the table. I let go and wrapped my arms around him, whispering 'thank you' into his ear.

"No hugging in the lunch room," a voice said behind us. All four of us turned to find Mr. Matthews watching us. We each exchanged smiles and continued on with our lunch.

"Hey Maya, wait up!" I hear someone yell. It sounded exactly like Riley, so I turned and opened my arms, waiting for someone to fill the gap. But I opened my eyes to find everyone slowly pouring out of the school and no sign or her.

Now I'm hearing her and she's not even here. Great...

"Uh, you good there Maya?" Zay asked, walking over to me.

"I thought I heard Riley..." I murmured.

"Wanna go see her now?" Farkle asked.

"Yeah, where's Lucas?" I say, looking over their shoulders.

"He's coming out soon, he stared talking to this girl he met in gym. She's new," Zay said, making cheesy heart eyes.

"Her name's Chelesy, for your information," Lucas says as he comes out from behind Farkle. "She moved here from Baltimore and HAS a boyfriend."

"Who's the guy?" I ask as we start to walk down the sidewalk.

"You won't believe this. It's Charlie Gardner!"