I can't wait to see Maya. I know I see her every day but waiting to see her again every night is torture.

She has the ability to make the worst day the best day. Every day is the best day for me, but I don't think anyone really understands why.

Today was even better than yesterday, and yesterday was the best day ever! I'd think about tomorrow, but I'm afraid I'd burst into sparkles!

I laugh at the memory. Katy is just like her daughter. She knows me so well. That was the day maya wanted to be me.

But I don't think anyone understands why I feel that way. Everyday I see my favourite person ever. Maya. I get to spend my whole day doing whatever with her. I think that a day is the best when really I know that I'm going to have the best time with Maya tomorrow.

I like to overthink. If Maya ever arrives a single minute late, I will think something is wrong. Either she is sick;

Oh, I could never get sick

I remember those words distinctly. And I know she is never sick... unless she's drunk, and she usually crashes here when that happens.

Or she is mad at me... but I have never seen Maya mad. And I mean "holding a grudge" mad. She doesn't have the capacity for anything more than a day being mad at one of her friends.. I have only ever seen her properly upset about her father, and even so she blames herself and not him.

She definitely can't feel the same way I do, or else she would never leave this place.

Hopefully she just reacts different.

'Where is she?' I demand to myself. As if the question summoned her, my blonde beauty jumps through the window.

'Miss me, did ya?' She grins and raises her eyebrow.

I nod truthfully. I can't lie to her, but I don't think she understands how much I really mean it.

'Peaches...' I begin to speak, but decide against it. No friendships need ruining today.

'Yeah sweetie?' Those pet names will be the death of me someday.

'Oh nothing, I was just saying that we should get going.'

'Where, honey?' It's a Saturday, so there isn't any school and nothing is planned, but I need an excuse to get out with her, and try to ignore anything running through my mind.

'Anywhere, Maya. I don't care. Just out. Please?'

She looks at me inquisitively. Oh no. I said something too obvious. Then her expression loosens. Phew.

'Okay, let's go!'

...

We take the subway to Topanga's, like ususal. I never stop overthinking, but it's better that she's here. I guess it's easier to keep my mind off her when she is with me?

You know, it is possible that you're too close

Lucas doesn't get it. He loves me, but he doesn't understand. I don't feel close enough. Not if she could take a break from me. Not if she can be 1 minute late.

'Honey?' She asks me, waking me from my daydream. 'Thinking about Lucas again?'

'Uhh...' she knows me too well. But I'm not thinking of him the way she assumes.

'What do you want?'

I order a smoothie, and we sat down in our usual spot. Maya sits next to me and I put my arm around her. I love using the excuse that we're really close friends to touch her.

I went on one date with him, poured a smoothie on his head

I know Maya doesn't like Lucas, but that sentence didn't make sense. Maya and I have poured so many things over each other's heads. That worries me.

Farkle, Lucas and Zay walk in.

'Hey guys'. I wave them over.

We sit in our usual seats, Lucas between me and Maya. Even though Lucas is straight in the middle, Maya inches away from him, toward the edge of the seat, and curls up slightly.

Farkle, as usual began speaking about some event in the news. 'So did you hear about the little girl who was kidnapped?'

It was not directed towards me, because they still think of me as a child. There were a few remarks from Lucas and Zay, but Maya stayed silent, looking at the floor.

Interested, I join the conversation, 'No, what happened to the poor soul?' I can't say anything without sounding like a little angel.

'She... Riley do you really want to know?'

I get slightly annoyed when people think I'm too innocent. 'Farkle, I'm older now, I think I already know about the bad things happening in the world. Tell me, please.'

'She was raped Riley. A six year old girl was raped. And then she was killed. I'm sorry Riley. I shouldn't have said anything.'

Maya stands up and runs out of the cafe.

I can't. I cant go comfort her while I am feeling so messed up already. But it's instinct. I run after her, but she runs away from me. I call after her, but she ignores me. This is my worst nightmare coming true.

'Maya, Peaches, please come back.' I grab her arm, and she turns around and looks at me, tears streaming down her face.

'Can we go home please Riley? And can we forget about all this?'

I decide to turn the tables and say Maya's usual line. 'Whatever you want.'

...

We sit in the bay window in silence, Maya's head on my shoulders. These are the moments I live for, when it's just us and nobody bothers us.

'Why did you run away, Maya?'

'I told you not to ask. Please, I just wanna sit here and talk about anything else. It's behind us. Please, Riles?'

'Ok...' I nearly don't say anything. But Maya has never kept anything from me. And I'm not letting her.

'Were you upset because of that girl?'

'Yeah, Riley, now please drop it?'

No. There's something more. She isn't just upset about a girl's rape and murder. There is something deeper.

I go to see her mom, because Katy knows me so well and would definitely know what's going on. I tell Maya that my mom wants my help somewhere, and she should go back to the bakery to see the boys.

...

'Mrs Hunter? I need your help. Maya is worrying me.'

'Whats wrong with my baby girl?' She seems so worried. I'd didn't mean to scare her.

'Earlier, we were talking about the girl in the news who was raped and murdered. Then Maya ran away crying. She... doesn't want to talk about it, but I hate to see her sad.'

Katy immediately understands what information I need. 'Riley... if Maya wants to tell you, she will. Sometimes secrets need to be kept for your own good. She... doesn't want to make you worry'

'I wish people would stop treating me like the innocent little baby I used to be all those years ago!' I suddenly yell. I care too much for Maya to let her keep anything inside. It's a long shot, but I have to guess at this point.

'Mrs Hunter, please excuse me for asking, but... was Maya raped?' Katy looks taken aback, and hesitant to reply.

'Riley, it was a long time ago. She hadn't even met you yet. It's nothing you need to worry about.'

I was right to say that Katy is just like her daughter. She doesn't want me to worry.

...

I go as fast as possible to see Maya. We sit in silence until we reach our sacred bay window.

'Is there anything I could possibly say or do to hurt you?'

She has loosened up from earlier, and practically looks like she forgot everything. 'No, honey'

I pause before I say my next sentence. 'I know you were raped when you were younger.'

Her calm composure has suddenly disappeared. 'Riley, how could you invade my privacy like that?' she screams at me.

It is possible that you're too close

No. I don't know her at all, I just realize. And even if we were, I can guarantee that we're not anymore. So much for not ruining any friendships today.

And she is gone. Out the window. Suddenly one minute late doesn't seem so bad anymore, for I don't think she'll be back through that window tomorrow morning.

...

I can't sleep. How do I sleep when I know my sweet peaches is angry with me. When I know my only hope has been shattered?

I always cherished the nights she slept here. We would lie in darkness and talk for hours. Even though she doesn't sleep here every night, my bed feels empty without her.

...

I was right. She isn't here. I have to go to her house. She is actually mad at me this time.

'Peaches, I'm so sorry, I just needed to know what was upsetting you.'

'I told you. To drop it. Why did you have to go and ask my mother? I didn't want you to know!' She is on the verge of crying, I can tell, but she is holding strong to seem mad and brave. It just me makes me love her more.

'What did you think would happen if I knew?'

'You would think I'm weak. Feel sorry for me. Or leave me.'

WHAT? How could she think that?

'Riley, I have been scared my whole life. Then I met you. You're the only one who could possibly think I was flawless. Now you know. I'm sorry. Please leave me alone for today.'

'Maya...'

'NO. Please, go away!' She yells at me.

I can't say no to her. Although it hurts like a million knives stabbing me all over, I force myself out of her small apartment.

She is actually mad at me now. This is the worst thing that could possibly happen.

I just need to take a break. From what? From... you.

I want to give her her space, but I love her too much. A break for day was bad enough, but I fear our friendship won't be normal again. My worst fear has come to life. My heart, she is gone.

...

I can't give her more than half a day. I keep my mind off her by helping my parents for the day, but it was still a few hours before curfew when everything was finished.

I have to go to her house. I know she'll be there, drawing something on her bed.

...

She has been drawing all day. I can tell, because there are sheets of paper all over her bed, all with drawings on. She piles them all together before I can see what's on them, and the only one I can see remaining is of the New York skyline.

'Maya?'

'What do you want, Riley?'

I can already feel the tears coming.

'Do you actually think I could see you any different just because I know about this?'

She is shaking slightly. 'There's more' She mutters, almost too quiet to hear. 'But I don't need you to know.'

'Please, peaches, you can trust me.'

Your safe place is me

I love to know that Maya trusts me. It helps me keep my confidence, and trust her back.

Slowly and unsurely, she shows me her sketches from today.

Some of them are of a man. This must be the guy that hurt her. Bastard. He doesn't look familiar, but from the detail, I can tell the memory is vivid in her mind.

But, some of them are of me. Why is that? Is it some way of saying that she hates me, or doesn't hate me...?

She is still sitting on her bed curled up in a ball, crying. Suddenly, it hits me.

I throw the papers onto the floor, and sit next to her. My hands are automatically around her, and the tears are already running down my face as well.

We lie down next to each other and I let her sob into my shoulder.

I could stay here forever. She holds me close so I make sure I hold her too.

She looks up. I see all the innocence and worry in her eyes. Her face is now inches away from mine and I feel her breath on my face.

'Peaches, I love youl no matter what. You understand that, right?

'Yes, Riles. Thank you. I love you too'

Still unsure, she inspect my face, then quickly decides to grab my face and kiss me.

She tastes just like peaches. My heart is back.

Maybe I was wrong. Today really is the best day ever.