A beautiful storm

Chapter nine: Library

Lucas's POV

"Good Morning Pancake." I smiled walking up to Maya at school.

She was hunched over sketching in her notebook for English, biting her lip in focus, her hair piled up on her right shoulder.

She looked a me, giving me that damn smile that made me melt every single time I saw it. "Morning Ranger Rick."
"How are you?" I asked sitting next to her on the bench.
"Kind of tired. You?"
"I'm fine." I lied.

She put her pencil down and turned to me, arching her brow with a look that told me firmly there was no fooling her. It's only been a week since our talk with our parents and the Matthews.

"Yeah? So you're completely content with everything that is going to happen today?"
"Ok fine, no. I'm a nervous wreck, and not in a good way." I groaned.
"You shouldn't do it if you're uncomfortable. You shouldn't feel forced into thinking you have to go out with someone...especially after everything that's happened between you two."

Maya tensed, clearly uncomfortable talking about my date with Riley tonight. I gave her a tight smile and scooched closer to her subconsciously. I just wanted to be with her all the time.

"You don't have anything to worry about, the only reason I'm doing this is because of New Years and there could be a chance to get Riley back." I assured her.
"Ok, well I am worried. She could make you do things you're not comfortable with or anything really. Plus, we've been trying so hard to get her back and I'd absolutely love to have Riley back, but it's not our job to fix her, we can help her but if she doesn't take it there's nothing we can do. I'm right back where Riley thought she had to fix me from but I'm still me. I've just matured I had a life changing moment and multiple revelations so of course I changed; but I stayed me. This isn't Riley at all. You all still recognized me when I was 'broken' but we don't recognize her at all. We don't even know what happened with her." Maya ranted.

I pulled her into my side and she leaned her head on my shoulder.

"I promise you I'll be fine. Besides, there's a chance. If we can get Riley- your best friend- back I'm ok doing this."
"Good morning Lucaya, how we doin'?" Zay asked sitting with Farkle and Smakel- or as Maya likes to call the Smarkel.
"We're doing ok Zay." I answered.
"So you're really doing this?" Farkle asked as he wrapped his arm around Smakel.
"Doing what?"
"The whole school is talking about it- your date with Riley tonight?" Smakel asked, probably thinking I forgot.
"Yeah, I'm going out with her tonight." I answered, Maya shifted uncomfortably.
"So you haven't made a decision yet." Smakel said bluntly.

"Smakel!" Zay and Farkle hissed suddenly looking at Maya who took her head off my shoulder. As if I already didn't know this was bothering her and I already felt guilty and horrible for doing this.

"No, Smakel. I'm pretty sure I've made my decision." I spoke confidently, seeing Maya try to sneak a glance at me from the corner of her eye.
"If that was true you wouldn't even entertain the idea of going out with her for any reason or even call it a date. Besides, you two are going to be alone for approximately two hours tonight. A lot can change." She finished.
"Ok, stop." Zay spoke up finally looking at Maya with pity who shifted away from me.

She probably thought she's gotten too attached and she didn't want to get any closer.

"Maya, we promised Miss. Edger we'd help her this morning, we should get going." Zay offered.

Maya gave him a nod and the two walked off to their first period together.

"Seriously Smakel, you couldn't see how uncomfterbal Maya w-" I stopped myself, remembering she had Asperger's Syndrome. It makes her very intelligent but reduces her social and communication skills. She struggles to communicate with others and understand other people's emotions and her own. I can't blame her.