With Open Eyes

Attention

"Maya are you even paying attention to what I'm saying?" Farkle mumbles out beside me.

"Yeah-yeah that sounds cool," I wasn't sure what he was talking about but that would probably be a good response to whatever he was blabbing on about. I didn't feel bad for zoning him out how could I not be distracted by the girl in a two piece lost in a book. Her eyes lit up as she chuckled at a funny part of her book. I was a little jealous of Lucas beside her. His eyes glued to her, I couldn't blame him.

A splash of water hit my face and I felt a grip on my ankle pulling me into the pool.

"What the hell was that for?" I yelled when I surfaced from underneath the water. I lunged at Farkle tackling him down into the water we wrestled and fought both almost drowning each other a couple of times.

"Guys how about you take a break from whatever this is and let's go get some lunch?" Riley crouched at the edge of the pool smiling as we kept each other in a lock.

"Fine," Farkle and I say at the same time releasing each other.

"I'll drive us," Lucas yells from the lounge chair. There were tons of things I'd rather do than eat lunch with Lucas but if Riley was going I was going to go. We all head back into the building and upstairs to dry off and change and soon we were heading out to the car. Farkle and Riley were babysitting Auggie again so the little rascal was coming along.

"I call shotgun!" Farkle yells running over to the passenger side door. Looks like that meant Riley, Auggie, and I are in the back. I kind of hoped that I'd get to sit next to Riley. I don't remember much from the party but I remember how stunning she looked and how soft her hand felt in mine. I wanted to hold her hand again.

After a couple more minutes of driving Lucas came to a stop parking in an unfamiliar parking lot. The restaurant was colorful and small with outdoor seating. I just hoped the food was good because I was starving.

"Table outside for 5, right this way," we followed the waiter out as he led us to a bigger table outside. It wasn't too busy which was nice I didn't feel like being crowded around a bunch of people right now. "I'll be right back with waters and to take your orders."

"This place is adorable," Riley spoke out her eyes exploring the restaurant. I was glad I was able to get the seat next to her. Everything in me wanted to reach over and hold her hand and I had nothing stopping me. As I started to move my hand the waiter came back scaring the crap out of me as he dropped off our waters.

"Ready to order." We all nodded yes and he started with Auggie making his way around the table to me. I ordered spaghetti because you can't go wrong with delicious garlic bread and spaghetti. My stomach growled at the thought of my food getting here as soon as possible. 

There's no small talk just awkward silence between us with Riley and Lucas occasionally making eye contact.

"Stop being gross," Auggie whined making Farkle and I bust out laughing. As soon as we calm down from our laughter the waiter comes out with multiple trays. Auggie digs in quickly as soon as his food hits the spot in front of him.

We all start on our food and I find the courage to reach out again grabbing Riley's hand. I wanted to laugh when she started to cough, I might've timed that badly but it was worth it. She was quick to reciprocate holding my hand tightly. I continued to use my other hand to eat my spaghetti trying not to seem suspicious. Riley released my hand starting to trace shapes into the palm of my hand I can't describe the feeling. It tickled sending electricity shooting through my arm and butterfly's flying in my stomach. This was intoxicating and I was loving it.

"I'm done eating I want to do something fun!" Auggie yelled from his spot on the table.

Lucas sighed loudly. "Can't you wait until we are all done eating?" His tone was slightly annoyed, it made me roll my eyes. I pulled my hand away from Riley and stood up.

"I'll take him I'm done anyways. How'd you like to walk around Auggie?" I smiled over at Riley and she smiled back melting my heart when her dimple showed. Auggie hopped off his seat grabbing my hand and pulling me. Before I left I dropped off some cash to pay for my portion.

Auggie led me out to a seating area with giant rocks and trees decorated with lights. He climbed up onto one of the boulders and stood up hands on his hips like a superhero.

"Don't touch the ground Maya or you'll burn and die!" He hopped from rock to rock smiling back at me as I started to climb one of the rocks.

"Okay sounds like fun. Over to that rock," I pointed over towards a large rock that sat in the center of the area. He beat me there easily but I wasn't too far behind. We settled down taking a seat on top.

"Do you like my sister?" His statement took me by surprised as I started to fidget I didn't notice how close I got to the edge until I was sliding off. My face felt hot and I bet I was as red as a tomato sitting on the ground.

"I-what? No!" I bounced up looking towards him grinning up on the rock.

"You died I win!!" I guess I did die. Of embarrassment and in this game.

"Beginners luck I'll get you next time," I watch him jump down beside me. I was hoping he'd drop the subject from before.

"So you like her right?" And there goes my hope.

"Like a friend yes," I do the only thing I'm good at and lie. I was used to it so I was pretty good at it.

"But you look at her like my dad looks at my mom you don't look at Farkle that way and he's your friend," I guess lying to a kid was a whole other league. I didn't want to dig myself even deeper I had to think of something.

"Auggie you're smarter than people give you credit for," sighing I gave in kneeling down a little to look him in the eyes. "For some strange reason I don't want to lie to you I do like Riley but I think she likes Lucas right now."

"Don't be sad Maya," Auggie places his hand on my cheek, "if it helps I think she likes you more." His lips turn into a smile and I can't help but mimic him. Riley like me more? Now that's interesting.

Auggie jumps around running towards the restaurant. "Wait what do you mean!" I chase after him.

The others come out joining us outside. My eyes go from Riley to Lucas and then in between to their hands intertwined. She was quick to release when she looked back at me but it was too late.

"I need to go home," I yell back holding my cell phone up. "My mom just called."

Auggie gives me a strange look grabbing my hand. "No you have to go back with us!"

"Yeah come on you'll be closer from my house." Farkle yelled at us from the car. He was already opening the passenger side door.

"I want the window seat Riley!" Auggie yelled opening the back door lunging and buckling up at the window seat. Once he was settled in I closed the door and walked to the other side. I opened it for Riley as she got closer.

"Um do you want the middle or the window?" My voice cracked a little and I just covered it up with some fake coughs.

"I'll take the middle seat." Riley's hand went to the doorframe softly brushing my hand as she made her way to into the car. I followed after her closing the door and putting my seatbelt on.

It was getting dark out and we were still driving and getting stuck in traffic at every other street. I looked around seeing Auggie knocked out and Riley yawning. Farkle and Lucas were in deep conversation over something but the music was too loud to overhear them.

Riley smiled at me and I turned returning the smile as we listened to the music. It was the same song I showed her the day at the record store but this time we were going to be able to finish it.

I felt a yawn threatening to escape and I didn't put up a fight. I was tired and ready to go to sleep after all the swimming, sun, and food I was more than ready. I felt a weight on my shoulder and I could feel Riley snuggling in. I took a chance at a glance and peeked over she looked so peaceful, so cute, and so perfect. I see Auggie from the corner of my eyes as he opens his smiling and giving me a thumbs up. I guess I'd never get the chance to ask him where he got his information from. Part of me couldn't believe that there was a chance Riley could like me. But I had to hope.

Starting now I wasn't going to lose to Lucas. I wasn't going to back down because I liked her and it was time I was honest with what I was feeling.