With Open Eyes

Closet Kisses

I knock on the door to the Matthews house until there's no answer. I try the door knob to see if it's unlocked and surprisingly it is.

"MAYA!" Auggie's little voice echoes as he runs down the steps with another small child behind him. "This is my friend, Ava, Riley is babysitting us. Do you want to play with us?"

"Farkle isn't here?" I question trying to process everything he had said.

"Farkle ditched me right when we started babysitting." Riley made her way down the stairs. Her hair was tied back with stubborn strands floating around her face. She looked tired and like she could use some help.

"I'll stay," Riley's on the last step standing right in front of me when I say it. Her eyebrow raises and her arms cross like she doesn't believe me. "I want to help."

"Yay! Maya is going to stay! Let's play hide n seek!" Auggie and Ava jump around the living room finally settling down when we walked over. "You guys hide first we will count out loud."

"Fine," Riley gave in and we both walked away I followed her as the counting started. "It's not good to hide in the same place."

"Well this is your house you know all the best spots." I make her laugh as we pass the kitchen. Maybe I could fit in one of the bigger cabinets but did I really want to risk it. The kids started counted down faster and louder and we still hadn't found a spot to hide. "Those little turds."

We pass the washer and dryer and I see a small closet door I pull it open and pull Riley inside with me making sure to shut it quietly because they were finished counting.

"What the heck Maya." She struggled to find a good place to stand with the other crap in here and settled on right in front of me. Her perfume smelled like a meadow of flowers and her shampoo smelled refreshing. Part of me hoped the kids would find us soon but another wanted all the time I could get.

"Whisper," We were so close I could see her shudder as my words caressed her neck. I was grateful for the lights being off in this small closet. If they were on she could easily look up and see the blush crawling all over my cheeks. What did I do to deserve this kind of torture. Ever since Farkle and I drank ourselves out of this world she's been acting different. Blushing more wanting to talk more she was definitely up to something.

I went through everything I could from that night which wasn't much but I remember her getting bored and playing on her phone all night. When I woke up I was laying down on the couch with a blanket and Farkle was on the floor with a blanket and pillow but there was no sign of Riley. She came back later on with medicine and water for the both of us and she made us pancakes that tasted like little clouds.

"Thanks for doing this by the way" She whispered but she was close enough that I could hear her every word perfectly.

"Don't thank me," it was really more of a selfish reason that I stayed. Even though I've kind of avoided her since I told her I'm attracted to her I want to see her as much as I can.

"You didn't have to do this you could've easily left when you found out Farkle wasn't here," she was right I could've but I liked Auggie and spending my time here was better than spending time at home.

"It's fine Riley it's the least I could do" she looks down and away from me I wish she wouldn't because I can't see her face. I can't see what she's thinking.

"No one enjoys helping their best friends sister babysit," Riley is quieter with her response.

"I consider you my friend," I really did and I hoped that one day maybe we'd be more if I could just find the courage to ask her.