complicated [lucaya]

27

New Year's Eve...

Lucas

"I have a serious question..." Riley started as she laid out the snacks for the party.

I leaned on the counter and looked at her, prompting her to keep going.

"Like, in terms of your fight with Maya... is she more likely to completely avoid you, or are you two going to start hurdling insults and dirty looks from across the room?"

I took a deep breath and shrugged. "It's not really a hateful fight. It's more like we just needed a break from each other and our issues."

Riley nodded and leaned next to me, intertwining her fingers with mine. "Neither of you will tell me what happened. I feel partially responsible."

Kissing her forehead, I smiled at my girl friend, knowing that my answer would once again be deceiving. "It's not really your business, babe. And it's not your problem to fix, just something me and Maya have to deal with on our own."

She sighed and grabbed a pretzel from the bowl behind me. "Fine, I'll stop prying. But everything in the dark eventually comes to the light, babe." She mocked me and sat down at the table.

I stood behind Riley and wrapped my arms around her. "No secrets this time, remember?" I kissed her cheek.

"Dad in the room." I pulled myself away from Riley and sat in the chair next to her as her parents walked down the stairs.

"How's your night going so far, sir?" I asked Mr. Matthews who was now staring at me from across the kitchen. I can't really tell if he likes me very much these days. Probably not. I don't even like me very much.

Mr. Matthews smiled and grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator. "It'd be a lot better if you weren't dating my daughter."

Okay, so he definitely doesn't like me.

"Dad, please don't do this today." Riley exasperated and rolled her eyes. "You promised to behave."

Looking between my girlfriend and her father, I sighed. "It's okay, Riles. I understand why he feels the way he does, and it's justified. I have to earn his trust, the same way I had to earn yours."

Mrs. Matthews smiled and patted me on the back. "Let's just have a good time tonight, shall we?"

It's no secret that I'm on the outs with the Matthews. They may not know that I cheated on Riley, but they do know that I've done some pretty messed up things to Maya.

"We are all going to have a good time, right Lucas?" Mr. Matthews' voice brought me out of my thoughts and I nodded in a agreement.

"That's right, sir." At least that's what I hoped. Truth is, there is no way of knowing what's going to happen tonight, and that's the reality that no one is talking about.

-

As the night went on I found myself watching Maya from across the room. We'd make eye contact, then she would turn away. I don't think Riley noticed, then again, Maya has made it a point to avoid that situation.

It's been nearly a month since we last spoke to each other, and the silence is killing me. It's not like I haven't made an attempt at getting her attention, she just refuses to engage. I miss being around Maya, and I can't stand the idea of not being by her side through this Josh stuff.

Maybe I should just make the first move? If I just walk up to her and start talking she can't just walk away. Well she could, but she probably won't because then it'll be obvious that she's avoiding me.