r.m.
"I know your secret."
I squinted my eyes and faced Farkle, letting out a forced laugh. "What?"
The two of us were at Topanga's, waiting for Zay to arrive so we could hang out. Maya was at home with her mom, trying to convince her to let her go to Florida with us.
I took a sip of my drink, frantically tapping my shoe against the wood floor.
"You never liked Lucas, did you?"
I rolled my eyes and folded my arms. "No, why else would I break up with him?"
"How come you broke up with him, though? I mean, I know you didn't like him, but you stuck with him for a couple of months...why'd you end it?"
I shrugged. "I just got tired of our relationship."
He leaned back in his chair and raised an eyebrow at me. "So, that's the only reason you broke up?"
I slowly nodded. "Yep."
"You never seemed that into him," he rested his elbows on the table. "Your eyes never lit up when he was around. You shrugged off his compliments like they were nothing. You always hesitated to hold his hand or hug him back, or-"
"Where are you going with this?" I cut him off. "Of course I never felt that way, that's why I broke up with him!"
"Yeah," he leaned closer. "Everything he did, it never fazed you one bit...but there's someone else who made you feel that way, right?"
I bit the inside of my cheek and shook my head. "Nope."
"Really? So fuck Maya, right?"
My eyes widened and he smirked. "You like her."
"I don't like her," I lied right through my teeth.
"Riley, don't even try to deny it. You look at her like she's the best thing that's ever happened to you. The room could be full of people but you act like it's just you two. And don't think it's not obvious, because it's so obvious. You're a lovestruck mess, even Zay agrees!"
"I don't like her," I repeated.
He stared into my eyes for a long time until I broke.
"Okay, maybe I like her," I sighed. "But what's the point? I'm leaving. What is telling her gonna do? It's not like Mom would just forget about her job just so I could be with her! Maya doesn't even look at me like I look at her, so I could jeopardize everything! I'm not risking that, I can't."
"Do you really wanna go to London knowing that you've missed an opportunity? Life's all about taking opportunities! Look at Mrs. Matthews, she took the job in hopes of new adventures, right?" I slowly nodded and he continued. "Listen, you'll look back at this and regret not telling her. I know that you're scared, but I have a feeling that Maya feels the same way. Wouldn't you want her to know everything before you leave?"
"No," I said loudly. "I don't even wanna leave! How could I be with her knowing that I'm just gonna leave her? That's worse than my plan of avoiding my feelings, can't you see?!"
He didn't respond and I dropped my head on the table.
"Hey, I know that this situation isn't exactly ideal," he softly said. "But would you rather be miserable right now or later? Don't you wanna enjoy every moment with her?"
"Neither," I mumbled, lifting my head. "But I guess being miserable can be saved for later."
"Then tell her. Tell her how you feel or else you'll never get closure."
"I can't," I said in frustration. "It's not that easy! She could completely feel weirded out that her best friend likes her. Our goodbye would be shit and she'd probably never visit."
"It's Maya! She would never do that to you. Whichever way that is, she'll never stop loving you. I know she feels the same way...or at least she's starting to. I knew you felt this way, so I can't be wrong about this, right?"
I shrugged and gulped down the rest of my coffee. "I'll tell her. I don't know when, but I will, okay?"
"Okay," he smiled.
Zay walked into the bakery and made his way to our table. He greeted us and sat down.
"We were right," Farkle smirked at him. "She likes her."
Zay's jaw dropped and he covered his mouth. "Oh my god, I knew it! It took you long enough, even we could see the love radiating from you two."
"Whatever," I rolled my eyes.
"Where is she?" Zay asked, looking around.
"She's telling her mom about the trip," I informed him. "As long as we're all together, I'm sure it'll be fine with her."
I felt my phone buzz.
maya: she said yes!! we're going to disneyyy babyyyy
I smiled and texted her to meet us at Topanga's. Zay looked over my shoulder and I shoved him. "Back off."
"Woah," he put his hands up in defense.
"She said yes," I told them, unable to contain my excitement.
"She also said baby," Zay added with a smirk.
I felt my cheeks heat up and I shoved him again. "You're not gonna let this go, are you?"
"Nope," they said in sync.
We talked about the trip until Maya showed up a few minutes later. She squealed and ran over to us, squeezing me with a hug. I nervously laughed and felt my face heat up, but I returned it. Farkle wriggled his eyebrows at me and I glared at him.
"I can't wait," she said as she sat in a chair. "I'm gonna ride all the rides twice-- and then once again after I, you know, throw up all over Zay's shoes-"
Zay gagged and shook his head. "You're disgusting."
"I'm so excited!" she shouted. "Can you tell? I don't think you guys know how excited I am because wow, I'm so-"
"We get it," Farkle laughed. "So, should we tell your Dad, Riley?"
I agreed and we all stood up to go to my house. I walked alongside Maya, who was bouncing with joy.
God, you're adorable.
"What?" she slowly said.
I froze and shrugged as I realize I said that out loud. "What?"
Her lips curved into a smirk and she grabbed my hand, leaning against me as we trailed behind Farkle and Zay.
"Nothing," I blinked.
She lightly squeezed my hand and looked straight ahead. For a split second, I caught her smile, but she quickly hid it when I looked at her.
"So are you," she softly said.
