Chasing Butterflies | a GMW fanfic

Girl Meets a Liar

They stood in the living room, just a few feet apart.

Maya almost immediately felt the tension between Riley and Lucas, but she didn't say anything about it.

Instead, her attention was trained on the curly blonde-haired girl who accompanied Farkle.

"Why?" Maya asked.

"Why what?" Farkle replied, his tone matching hers.

Maya rolled her eyes in the direction of Cammie, who appeared to have arrived with Farkle.

Cammie stepped forward and matched Maya's cold stare. "I don't know what your problem is with me. All I know is that I am trying to make friends."

Maya crossed her arms. "You're intruding. You weren't even invited."

Maya had a strategy, of course. Her gaze shifted to Riley and Lucas, who were still simultaneously avoiding eye contact and staring at each other. Maya needed to distract everyone else long enough for the tension to clear. Otherwise, this would be a very long Thanksgiving.

Plus, Maya didn't have a problem telling Cammie what she thought of her. Of course, Maya was simply looking out for Farkle. He was one of her best friends, and if Cammie couldn't handle Maya, then it meant that she wasn't right for Farkle. At least, Maya hoped that Farkle perceived it this way.

"Maya," Farkle said. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Okay," Maya replied. "Talk."

Farkle sighed. "Not here."

Maya felt guilty leaving Cammie with a very angry Lucas and Riley, but Farkle needed to hear her plan.

"Fine," Maya said. "Let's go talk."

•••

"They broke up?" Farkle exclaimed.

Maya shook her head. "I don't know, but I certainly don't think they're together anymore. I was talking to Riley earlier, and I think something bad happened while they were in Texas."

Farkle nodded. "They need to fix whatever is between them, or else things are going to get really bad, really fast."

"Agreed," Maya said. "But, I doubt that we can help them. Believe me, I know nothing about relationships."

Farkle laughed. "Maya, do you really hate Cammie?"

Maya snorted. "No. I don't hate her. I just..." Maya carefully contemplated her next words.

"You just what?" Farkle asked. "You can tell me anything, you know. I trust your opinion."

Maya sighed. "I don't know if she's right for you. Plus, I think you're just using her."

Farkle frowned. "I am not using her. I don't do that to people. That's manipulative - that's your specialty."

"Ouch," Maya said. "I think you're using her to get over Smackle."

Farkle ran a hand through his hair. "It does seem that way, doesn't it?"

•••

Cammie had escaped to the kitchen, leaving Riley and Lucas alone in the living room.

After a long, awkward silence, Lucas spoke.

"How are we going to do this?" He asked.

"Do what?" Riley crossed her arms.

"Well, to start, how are we going to get through this dinner? You know your parents will want to know all about Texas - specifically, my parents." Lucas sighed.

"Okay. So, what do you want me to say? 'Yeah, I met Lucas' parents. They're dead. Did you know that? And, to think - Lucas never told me. Then, after we met his dead parents, we broke up because he told me not to tell you.'" Riley sat down on the couch.

"Please." Lucas said. "Don't do this."

"So, what? I lie? I say that your parents were lovely, and that we had a good time in Texas, and that we're still together?" Riley scowled.

"Something like that," Lucas said.

Riley scoffed. "You're ridiculous. You are utterly ridiculous."

"But you won't tell," Lucas tried to act as if he was confident in this fact, but his tone said otherwise.

"How can you be sure of that?" Riley asked.

"Because, Riley," he said, a smile spreading on his face. "Because I know you. I know that you care."

"Don't put words in my mouth that I never said." Riley's tone was harsh.

"Am I right?" Lucas asked, and lingering trace of a smile gone. "Do you care?"

Riley's tone softened, and her voice came out as a near-whisper. "Of course I care, Lucas. I've always cared."

"Then you won't tell them. Not now, not ever?" Lucas was hopeful - she could see it in his eyes. He knew he had won.

Riley nodded. "Not ever. Not until I think it's absolutely necessary."

Lucas sighed. "Let's hope it never is."

[Ahh so sorry for not updating sooner - I've been so busy lately! And I'm also really sorry that you've all waited so long for this very short, very boring chapter! I've barely had time to write lately, and I'm trying to get as many chapters out of this as I can - oops. I promise the next chapter will be longer and much more interesting! Hang in there and keep reading, it'll get better, I promise!]