A beautiful storm

Chapter eight: The triangle

Maya's POV

January fifteenth. It's been fifteen days since New years day. Fifteen days since Lucas and I kissed and fifteen days since Riley dropped the secret that she still likes Lucas...even after everything that happened. Some would claim that the triangle has started up again, and their wrong, but at the same time, their right- apparently our whole class from middle school- everyone we'll be graduating with- has been following the triangle since Lucas and I were voted favorite couple back in seventh grade.

So when I say they were wrong but at the same time they were right, I mean that there is a triangle but it wasn't like before. Riley was still off doing God knows what with the stairwell kids and our little group was still together asides from that. Riley has actually started showing up a little more, so we saw her for more than ten minutes a day now. I was so lost in thought I forgot what Ms. Burgess was saying.
"...ended all they had ever known with just one choice and altered the lives of all in Verona forever." She finished.
"Wait, wait, so...Gnomeo and Juliet is a lie?" Zay asked from the back of the class.
"Yes Mr. Babbino, the animated feature film of Gnomeo and Juliet is inaccurate." She smiled a bit.

Zay made a faked sound of hurt which made everyone laugh.
"This is a story full of regret, and by the looks on your faces at the mention of the word regret, I can tell you all have something you said or did that you regret."

She wasn't wrong. I could feel the uncomfortable tension and regret in the room; along with eyes on the back of my head. I knew the eyes were Lucas's.

"Write it down. Let it out. Many people don't think about it everyday, so capture it as well as you can in this moment. We have two minutes left in class, you can finish this for homework; if you feel comfortable, you may read them out in class tomorrow. Go." Ms. Burgess finished.

Everyone began writing immediately. I didn't. I didn't have to write my moment down. I remembered it everyday, every time I look at someone's face.

"Maya? You're not writing."
"I know my moment and what I said. I think about it every day ma'am."
"Would you care to share?"

I tensed. Everyone was looking at me, but I didn't care. I turned around to look at Lucas. He sat up, panic in his eyes, but he inched forward, wanting to hear what I was about to say.

I took a breath and exhaled, studying his face for a moment.

"Go find Riley, tell her you love her." I spoke sadly, the knot I had in my chest when I said this the first time at the ski lodge returning.

The atmosphere in the room was intense, but I could only look at him. Huckleberry, Ranger Rick, Bucky McBoingBoing, Quick Draw, Moral Compass, Soaring Eagle, Hop along, Mad Dog, Sundance, Cowboy, HeeHaw, Ranger Roy, Lone Star, Lucas. Everyone couldn't look away. He stared at me.

"I didn't." He responded.

The bell rang. Everyone was glued to their seats and I was in shock, not knowing what to do or say, so I just stared a him and he stared at me.

Ms. Burgess had to write twenty-eight late passes.

~•~°~•~

"Lucas, Maya, hang back a minute." Mr. Matthews called as the bell rang for the end of the school day.
"What's up Matthews?" I asked walking up to his desk.
"Yes sir?" Lucas asked standing next to me.
"Topanga and I would like to invite you two over for dinner tonight. We've missed you guys and just want to check in." He invited.

Of course if any other teacher did this I'd immediately say hell no and probably report them. But this is Mr. Matthews, a guy who's been there for me my entire life who's obviously going through a really hard time.