A beautiful storm

Chapter seven: Happy New Year

Maya's POV

To say our group was surprised to get an invite to Riley's New year's party would be an understatement, but we all decided it wouldn't hurt to go. We still had hope for Riley and cutting her out wouldn't encourage her to realize she needed help.

I was hanging out with Smakel by the punch bowl waiting for the guys to show up. She kept making jokes and just having genuine fun, I couldn't deny the change in her. She was a lot more carefree, but she was still that little gopher chipmunk comudeal who had one of the biggest brains I've ever seen.

"Scientifically there's no possible way to measure how comfortable any two people are together, and it further complicates when multiple individuals are present." Smakel rationalized as usual.
"Of course, there isn't Smakel, because it's feelings. They don't always make sense and sometimes they get you in trouble." I responded.
"So how do you know if you're comfortable with someone Maya?"
"Uh... you're ok doing stuff you wouldn't normally do in front of other people because you feel safe...like when I poured that smoothie over Lucas's head. I wouldn't do that to Yoogie or anyone else." I explained.
"Oh..." Smakel noted, bouncing on her toes staring at something on the table.
"...whatc'ya doin?" I asked slowly.
"I don't know. This." She smiled.

Before I could question it, there was a big cold spot of whip cream on my nose; compliments of Smakel. My mouth dropped in shock as hers did. I smiled and gave a little laugh...before putting frosting on her forehead. She smiled and before a food fight could start between the two of us, the boys walked up.

"Hey Smake- how'd you get frosting on your face?" Farkle asked her.
"Maya put it there." She smiled.
"Maya?"
"I whipcreamed her first." Smakel added.
"I didn't do it officer Minkus it was all self-defense." I joked, holding my hands out in self-defense, bowing my head slightly with a smile.

He smiled and helped Smakel clean the frosting off her face.

"That's a good look on you." Lucas smiled walking up to me.
"Oh, you think so?" I joked, giving my hair a quick toss.
"Yeah-" he answered, before swiping the whip cream off my nose with his finger and eating it.
"It tastes good too." He said, his smile turning into one that's impossible to describe...one that made me lose all capability to speak. And he knew it, walking towards Zay like he had accomplished some mission. Leaving me in the best state of dumbfounded and flushed I've ever been in.

I quickly composed myself and scanned the room. Riley's party started at eleven thirty at night (and to think parties starting at ten used to bother her) it was now eleven fifty and she still hadn't come out.

After talking to a few people, I heard Riley's bedroom door slam open and heavy foot steps and heels come down the hall followed by laughter.

Riley and the stairwell kids stumbled around the corner, empty beers in their hands laughing drunkly.
"Heeeeeyyy everyone! Party time!" A few of the kids called.

Riley pushed a kid out of her way and attempted to hide her impaired walk up to us.
"Lucas, hello." She smiled arching her brow at him.
"Uh, hey Riley. Where have you been?" He asked stepping back towards me.

I had lowered my head a bit feeling uncomfortable and upset by Riley's current state. Same as the last time but apparently drunk and slutty...er.
"In my room with the gang. We would've invited you to come but apparently your still into the...less fun crew." She smiled giving a quick disgusted glance to Smarkel and Zay.

Before Lucas could get riled up, I grabbed his hand and stood straighter.
"Hey Riley." I gave a soft smile hoping her attitude would change and my Riley would come back.
"Oh...hello short stack."
"Nice party." I offered ignoring her little insult.
"The real party was in my room, but you wouldn't be able to hang with us, daddyless girl. Lucas, this is for you. Read it before midnight." She smiled suggestively, handing him a note and walking away.