I sit in the window, waiting for Maya. She went home last night instead of staying here, so when she shows up, we can go to school.
She turns up at 7:00, and we crawl out of the window, and walk to the subway. "How ya doin, honey?" She asks me once we get onto the subway.
"I'm great, Maya. Life is amazing, all my insecurities are gone..." I pause after that little lie before continuing "And I have you, so..."
I put my arm around her, but she shrugs it off, "Woah Riles, okay we get it, your life is great. No need to go crazy" She looks around the subway car nervously.
"Do I ask you now?' I question out loud, smiling. She turns her head back to me and grins goofily. "How ya doin, Peaches?"
"Y'know what, Riley? I'm doing fine." She nods as she says this, loosening up slightly. I didn't realize that she was tense, and I don't remember when she turned tense either.
We reach the stop for school, where Farkle, Lucas and Zay are waiting for us, talking hushedly. We casually walk up to them, and all together we stroll into school. Farkle the first one to greet us, breaking the silence.
"So, Maya, anything particular happen yesterday?" Before he can continue, Maya rushes to him and bumps into his side with her hips, her face serious. Farkle looks serious as well, disappointed. The last time I remember him looking like that, he wanted me to tell Maya about Lucas after we got back from Texas.
Maya examines Lucas' and Zay's faces, pointing to them, and then whispers something to them. They shake their heads in a defensive way, then Maya recoils and relaxes. She looks at Farkle desperately before returning to my side, and we continue into school.
My first class is science. I am in class with Farkle and Smackle, as Lucas, Zay and Maya have class separately.
My lab partner is Marly Evans. Since high school has a thing about putting us in class groups of ability for science in particular, I ended up in the smart class. Surprisingly, Marly is actually quite a smart cookie too.
Obviously Farkle and Smackle are lab partners. It was meant to be.
Marly and I begin our assignment. I get her the equipment and she starts drawing out a table. While at the equipment cupboards, I meet Farkle. "Why were you and Maya acting weird this morning?"
He looks hesitant to reply, but then sighs and tells me "Remember when i knew you still liked Lucas, and I told you you had to tell Maya.?" I nod in reply, listening intently now. "Maya has to tell you something. I can't tell you for her, but just let her know she's on a warning with me"
"Okay" I respond before collecting the last component and sliding back into my seat next to Marly
"Got everything, Riley?" She asks me, looking up from her book.
"Yeah" I reply, placing everything on the table. She begins to arrange them as I draw my own table in my book.
"So, Riley, what was going on with you and Farkle?" She suddenly asks me, just as I draw the last line.
I look up at her with a blank face and respond "Oh, Nothing..."
"Y'know, Riley, you don't have to trust me or anything. I know your dad and I didn't exactly start off on the best terms at the start of the year. But I wouldn't mind being your friend"
Wow. I never considered Marly Evans as a friend of mine. She sounds genuine. I don't know, though, people tell me that I trust people too much. I look up at Farkle, who is on the desk next to me. He heard it all, and he looks confused.
"Yeah, Marly, I'm sorry. No, I don't judge you or anything. It's just that..."
Marly looks glad that I am going to be friends with her. As I pause, I look up at Farkle. He looks slightly shocked, but I think I see a hint of happiness in his eyes.
"It's just that Maya was acting weird this morning" I whisper now, too quiet for Farkle to hear, "And Farkle knows why"
"Ah, I see it. So you and your girlfriend are having a fight" She has always been sassy, I don't think she can help it.
"My WHAT NOW?" Okay, but that remark might have been going too far. I stand up and slam my hand down on the table as I shout. The whole class looks up at me from their work. The force from my hand on the table knocks over a test tube, which then rolls onto the floor and smashes loudly in the silence I caused.
"Everyone get back to your work!" The teacher shouts, and hushed whispering occurs as students resume their experiments. The teacher then walks up to my table with a dustpan and brush, setting them on the floor. "Are you girls okay?" She asks us. We both nod in silence, and she sweeps up the mess on the floor. "Now, be careful" she warns us, carrying the broken glass to the trash can.
I then turn to Marly, having calmed down. "Why would you say that, Marly?"
She looks offended. "What, it's only the truth. I can't help it, I tell it like it is, kid. Riley, you and Maya... you're practically dating. Nobody here acts like you do except all the girlfriends and boyfriends. And if it's any consolation, you and her would be the longest freshmen relationship. And the first gay one" I shudder at the word. No. I refuse to accept being called that... that word.
I look toward Farkle, who hasn't moved much since I shouted. His face is solemn, and he nods, as if he knows exactly what is happening.