Joshaya V.S Lucaya

Chapter 3

Lucas' POV

I've been walking for what feels like hours. Thoughts, feelings and memories swirling through my mind. I don't even think I noticed it got dark.

I can hear voices close by. I haven't seen a single person since I've been out here.

"Josh, what are you..." I hear her voice. Maya's voice. She sounds happy. I can hear the laughter in her tone. But then she's abruptly silent. I walk in the direction I heard her voice coming from. I suddenly stop as I see something I never thought I would.

She has her arms around his neck and her hands in his hair. He's holding her waist with one hand and his other is in her hair. I watch, sick to my stomach, as they kiss. I hate everything about this moment. She should be with me! She should be having her first kiss with me!

After what seemed like a lifetime, they pulled apart. He placed one last, gentle kiss on her perfect lips and asked her, "someday?" to which she replied, with certainty in her voice, "someday."

I turned around and ran. I ran as fast as I could. I left their 'someday' promise in the dust and pushed myself with everything I had, back to the ski lodge. I don't even know how I managed to get there because I hadn't paid attention to anything on my walk when I left. But I made it.

I stopped outside the door to catch my breath and compose myself. After a minute or two I strolled in. Farkle and Smackle were cuddled up on the couch near the fireplace. Zay was lounging on the other couch, eating something or other. And there was Riley. Perfect, unknowing Riley, sitting by the window, examining a leaf.

"Hey Riles!" I say, putting as much happiness into my voice as I can. She looks up at me and smiles the biggest smile I've ever seen. Maybe I can learn to love her I tell myself as I return the smile and walk over. I sit down and she looks at me with hopeful eyes.

"How was your walk, Lucas?" She asks me. And I tell her. Well, I tell her everything except that I saw Josh and Maya kissing and ran away. I'm sure she will hear that from Maya herself anyway.

"So, I guess we need to talk huh?" I say to her as she moves the leaf around in her fingers. She nods and I move closer, taking her hand. Maybe she won't be so hurt if I do this as gently as possible.

"Riley listen. The thing is..." I'm cut off as I hear Maya laugh. I look over and she is standing just inside the door with Josh. She looks so happy. Riley deserves that too. I turn back to her and continue.

"... I choose you" I say. The words coming out of my mouth don't sound like my own. I didn't want to say that! I wanted to let her down easy, not start a relationship with her! Damn it Lucas! I silently curse myself.

"YAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!" Riley yells, deafening not only me, but anyone within a hundred feet of us. I force a smile as she hugs me. What have I done? And then my thought from earlier creeps back to me. Maybe I can learn to love her.