Rebel Friar

CHAPTER 4

Riley Matthews invited Maya over for a sleepover. It was a school day but school was canceled because of the snow. All afternoon Riley was singing 12 days of Christmas. Maya was reading A Woman's Affliction.

Riley was skipping across the room and then turned to Maya.

"Maya, you know you're suppose to be reading the book with your partner."

"I know but this book is really good."

"Wow, I've never heard you say that before about....ANYTHING! What Chapter are you on?"

"13,"

"Don't you think Lucas will be mad that your so far ahead?"

"Naaah, knowing him he skimmed ahead a little too."

All of a sudden there was a ring at the door. Riley ran to the door and said: "Josh?"

"Yeah, Riley?"

"uh huh" Riley opened the door and there standingbher uncle, Joshua Matthews. Riley hugged and said "Long time no see."

"Same to you niece." He joked. He always thought it was funny he was her uncle and they were only a few years apart.

Maya sat her book down and hugged Joshua.

"Hey uncle Josh."

"Maya I'm not your uncle."

"Even better."

She let go and looked at him.

"Wow Maya you sure grew gorgeous." He said.

Maya grinned and looked down.

"Oh boy if this keeps going, all be calling my best friend my best aunt!" Riley joked. Maya and Josh sat down together while Riley made snacks.

"So, why are you here so early? Don't you only come on special accusations and by that I mean the day before."

"Yeah, um I'm gonna be staying here because my parents will be arriving on Christmas Eve because of my dad's work but they wanted me to get here early." He said.

"Well, were glad your here."

"Thanks. So where is everyone?"

"Mom is at work clearing her case files. Dad is at work preparing us assignments and Auggie is at a friends house because he is staying there for about 4 days."

"Oh."

"You can put your things in the guest room beside mine."

"Okay." He went upstairs and unpack his things.

Meanwhile Riley and Maya were putting the second pan of cookies in the oven.

"So Maya, I've been meaning to talk to you about something."

"What is it?"

"I think it's better if we go in my room."

The girls went to the room.

"So, what is it?"

"It's about Lucas."

"Okay what about him?"

"When you guys were partnered up I was so upset. I like him and it seemed like..."

"Like what? It seemed like what?"

"Like, maybe you liked him too."

It was quiet for a moment. Riley stared at Maya.

"Do you?"

"I-...I... I don't know. Why are we even talking about this?"

"Because I need to know. Maya, do you or do you not like him?"

"Riley, when we were partnered I didn't know what to do. Everything was blurry. I couldn't believe that I could get close to him.. without.."

"Without?"

"Without you interferring."

"I was an interference?"

"Yeah, I mean I know you liked Lucas and I didn't want you to think I was stealing him from you. So I used your dad as an excuse of us being together."

"Oh. I guess we have to decide who gets Lucas and who doesn't." The girls sat there and stared at eachother.

Josh was listening to the whole thing. He didn't like it that Maya liked Lucas better than him. He was gonna do something about it.

Maya walked out of the room and Riley got on her bed and fell asleep for about an 1 and a half. While Riley was asleep Maya went downstairs and watche tv. Josh came down with her and sat beside her.

"I heard what happened. I know I should have been easdropping but I just.."

"Why does everything happen to me? Why does everyone else seem to have such a great life and make cute couples and I'm just on the outside looking in. It's like I'm the only one fighting battles."

"Maya, everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."

"Really? Well what's your battle huh?

"The girl I love loves some else."

"Who is this girl?"

"I'm not sure I know her completely because I'm not sure she knows herself completely."

Maya looked down and Josh hugged her. The a knock on the door occurred. Maya got up and suddenly Riley came down stairs. Maya opened the door and LUCAS was there.

"Oh am I enterruppting something?"