"Riley, this is the kind of nonsense your dad would have gotten into as a kid. This is what has almost gotten me arrested on more than one occasion. You aren't supposed to be the trouble maker. That's my job." Maya protested as she followed Riley Matthews into an Ikea bathroom. She shook her head in an exasperated manner, but it would be a lie if she said she wasn't amused.
"I know, I know. This has been on my bucket list since middle school. We have to do it before either of us leave for college." Riley insisted as they shut themselves up into one of the stalls and sat on the back of the toilet, pressed close together as they waited for the store to close. Maya blushed and stared down at her feet, unsure now of how to handle being so close to Riley. It used to be so easy to be close to the other girl when they were young and Riley would be tucked underneath her arm, sleeping in the same bed.
Now, Maya could only think of how it felt where Riley's arm was pressed against hers, soft and warm. They were close enough that Maya could smell the peaches and honey scent of Riley's shampoo. She felt her heart race at the realization that they would be stuck sitting like this for a while yet. Her grin was soft and vulnerable, even if it was aimed down towards her shoes. Riley's nervous and excited smile picked Maya's spirits up as well. The tall, brunette noticed her look and reached across to take her hand.
Maya swallowed her looming emotions and squeezed Riley's fingers tightly, hoping the dark disguised her blushing cheeks and harried breathing. Somehow, Riley always seemed to notice and understand Maya's feelings better than she ever did... unless they pertained to Riley herself. It was almost funny. Maya leaned against Riley's shoulder, for once glad of the amount of height Riley often lorded over her. Riley tilted her head to lean her cheek against Maya's hair. Maya very nearly fell asleep like that before Riley deemed it safe to emerge into the Ikea proper.
"Alright, Peaches. We're here. What's up next?" Maya asked her, hand shoved into her pockets and expression as neutral as she could possibly manage. "Bad girl shenanigans' as Riley called them were generally Maya's thing. She was interested to see what her usually well-behaved friend had in store for them. All Maya knew was when she was with Riley Matthews, she would never be bored.
"Honestly? I have no ideas. I hadn't quite planned on us getting this far." Riley grinned sheepishly and scratched at the base of her neck. She held her hand out as though to ask Maya to lead the way.
"Alright, I'll take you out for a good time... in this IKEA, my girl. It's time to head to the toy section." Maya wiggled her eyebrows at her best friend and took the hand once more. She loved the way Riley's felt in her own. Maya held Riley's hand in hers so often over the years, it felt like that was just how they were meant to be.
The girls played with every single demo toy, held a dodgeball competition in the open aisles, and played the video games that were on the gigantic television screens. When Riley couldn't hide her yawns, Maya helped her up onto one of the futon stands, the taller girl falling onto her when she made it up. Maya's nose barely brushed against Riley's as they broke apart. Sleepy dark eyes showed such depth of emotion Maya was overcome. Maya found herself folded into Riley's arms and for once she allowed herself to feel all of the emotions washing over her.
Maya rolled her hands into Riley's jacket and held her close. The taller girl squeezed sharply back. "You ready for bed?" Riley asked softly.
"Me? Only always." Maya chuckled and collapsed onto the futon bed as well. She fell asleep tucked against Riley, one of her arms draped across Maya's middle. It was the best night of sleep Maya could remember having gotten in a while.
