𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒚
I take a deep breath and walk into the kitchen.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey, what's up, sweetie?"
"Um, I...." I stutter, not sure if I should tell her right now.
It's now or never.
"You can tell me anything, Riley," she tells me once she notices my hesitation.
"You remember Lucas, right?"
She nods. "Yeah, of course, you've had a crush on him since forever. Is this about him?"
"No," I say. "I actually don't like him anymore."
"Why not? He's such a sweet kid!"
"Um," I falter. "I think I'm into someone else."
"Oh, who is it?"
"N-not a guy?"
"A girl?" she asks, tilting her head.
I nod and feel my eyes tear up. "Is that okay?"
Her face softens and she smiles. "Of course it's okay, Riley. Why wouldn't it be? If you really love someone, you love them."
I sniffle and she wipes my eyes with her sleeves.
"So, who's the special girl that has my beautiful daughter's heart?"
"Maya," I whisper.
She raises her eyebrows. "Shawn's daughter?"
"Yeah."
"She's a very lucky girl, then," she says, kissing my cheek.
"Do you think Dad will be mad?"
She laughs. "Of course not, honey. I would know, I've known him forever. Unfortunately."
I nod and lightly laugh.
"Do you love her?"
"Yeah, she makes me so happy," I say through tears.
She smiles and hugs me. "I love you, Riley, don't cry."
I shove my face into her shoulder. "Sorry."
"Have you told her yet?"
"No, not yet."
"Well, whenever you're ready, go for it," she says and I nod. "Hey, listen, I gotta run to the store. Will you be okay here?"
I nod and say goodbye before going up to my room. I check my phone and see a bunch of messages from Maya.
______ _ _ _ ______
Maya: hey did you tell them yet
Maya: you better tell them or i willlll
Maya: rileyyyyy
Maya: babyyyyyy
Baby.
I feel my cheeks heat up and reply.
Riley: yeah i told my mom
Maya: how'd it go
