With Open Eyes

Game On

The bright red lights illuminated the scoreboard counting down to the games halftime. The band students were getting their instruments and themselves into place so that they were ready to storm the field for their performance. I was nervously pacing beside them hoping I could pull this off. It took a lot of effort and bribery from Farkle, Missy, and I to manage to get the band to agree to my proposal. Let's just say we'll be cleaning instruments and hanging out in the band room a lot more in the future if this goes well.

It had to go perfect. My phone vibrated and I pulled it out of my pocket seeing Farkle's name notifying me that he had sent me a text. Opening it I quickly skimmed over the words letting me know that Riley was back from the snack bar with Missy and that they were surprisingly getting along even with the cafeteria incident. A buzzing rang through the field and the fans seated in the home bleachers cheered at the score. We were up a few points and we had been doing great with defense, not letting the other school pull ahead any farther.

The cheerleaders went out first playing upbeat music and doing their routine. It sure was crazy how they made all the flips and jumps they landed look so effortless. Once they finished their routine one of the girls brought up a mic. That was different and from the murmurs of the band teachers it didn't seem to be planned.

"Sorry to interrupt the next performance but we have something really special for you guys," her voice rang out as everyone quieted down to listen "I'd like to introduce Lucas Friar, the sweetest guy I've ever met."

My jaw dropped at the sound of his name, I had so many thoughts running through my brain right now, but only one had me scared inside. He couldn't possibly. My phone buzzed over and over and I couldn't will myself to answer it. This was my chance to do something, to show her how much I cared about her, and he was going to rip that chance from my hands.

"Hey everyone! I'm Lucas Friar, a farm boy from Texas. Moving here I was nervous but I'm glad I did because I met a girl," the crowd wooed and awed and it made my fists clench and my nails dig into the tender skin "She's really something. Smart, beautiful, she's like the sunshine lighting up my days but I don't want to bore you by talking about how amazing she is."

Everyone laughs and he waits for the crowd to calm down before continuing on. I counted down knowing that my plans were about to be flushed down the drain with every word he spoke. It's like he knew my plan to ask her but there was no way he could know the only ones that knew about it were Missy, Farkle, and the band guys.

"Riley Matthews, will you go to the homecoming dance with me?" He smiles wide showing off his teeth as everyone clapped and cheered looking all around for her. He searched the crowd himself looking back and forth in the stands for her and her answer.

I felt someone tap my shoulder and I turned around seeing Farkle huffing and out of breath, like he had just sprinted all the way over here.

"Please tell me this is a bad dream." He looked up at me for a second while he was bent down trying to regain his breathing and after a minute or two he stood up straight looking back at me with an expression that answered without him having to say anything. "That's what I thought."

"You can't let him win though," both his hands were on my shoulders now as he shook me "you can go out there and ask her to."

"That'll only make me look like a fool." I couldn't believe he would even suggest that. It would be sad after Lucas and his performance. Almost to the point of humiliation.

I heard more applause and as I looked back to where Lucas had been standing alone just a minute ago I could see Riley next to him. His arm around her shoulder and his fist in the air like she was some kind of prize to be won. Missy soon joined Farkle and I as we hid behind the band. I was beyond devastated at this point. How could he do this? They walked off the field together celebrating with the other members of the team and the band walked on continuing on with their routine minus the part where I would ask Riley to the dance.

"I can't be here looking at them anymore." I felt my eyes want to water but I refused holding it in for when I was alone at home. Nothing could cheer me up at this moment. Not even Farkle could fix what was broken inside me. His eyes full of sadness looking at me like I was an animal about to be put down. I couldn't take it anymore I needed to forget. Forget my feelings, my worries, but most of all forget Riley Matthews.

Why did I even believe that I could have any chance at fixing what I had messed up? She was way too good for me, but I also knew that she had to be too good for Lucas.

A/N
Shorter chapter but I hope you still like it. I'm excited to write what happens next so I hope you're looking forward to it. I'm thinking maybe a 2 parter starting in Riley's perspective and going into Maya's. Let me know if you'd be interested or if you just want to keep it in Maya's perspective the whole time. Anyways let's hope for exciting things, a little bit of drama, and maybe even some fluff because everyone loves fluff, right?