Maya was sitting with me in our sacred place: the bay window. She said she had something to tell me. Usually she wouldn't have to. We can read each other's minds. But I couldn't read her this time. There were too many different emotions swirling around her, like a storm, clouding my intuition. I'm worried about her.
"Maya?" I said. She was looking down, still avoiding me with her eyes.
She finally looked up at me. There they were. Those sparkling blue eyes that I've looked into so many times before. But this time was different. I've never seen her look at me this way. And I've never known Maya to be at a loss for words. But her eyes were writing a novel. "Maya," I said again. I reached over and placed my hand in hers, squeezing it for encouragement. "What is it, Peaches?"
Maya's POV
I don't know how to do this. I'm afraid to even look at her but I can feel her loving brown eyes watching me, waiting to meet mine. How can I tell Riley this? It could risk everything. It could change everything. But I guess that's what I want. It's only a matter of time before she figures me out. She always does. But I want this to happen on my terms. My thoughts were racing.
I looked up and was captivated by her gaze. All of my racing thoughts came to a screeching halt. How does she do that? She touches my hand and it's overwhelming. I never feel safer than when I'm with Riley. She called me Peaches. I can feel a smile starting to spread across my lips. How could they not smile at her? I can feel a blush coming on. Damn, it cheeks! Stop giving me away. "Riley," I finally start, "Lucas and I-"
Riley's POV Oh no. Is this really going to be about Lucas? I'm not sure I can bare to listen to her gush about Lucas.
"Maya" I interrupted, "I already gave you both my blessing."
Maya's POV
Riley looked away when she said that. I can tell she doesn't like the idea of Lucas and I. So, she should be happy when I tell her this right?
"No, Riley." I squeezed her hand this time. Her eyes returned to me. "Lucas and I aren't going to happen."
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why not?" she questioned, with a concerned tone.
Ok, here goes the hard part.
Riley's POV Maya started to lean in closer. She held my face with her other hand, and then her lips were kissing mine. My entire perception of time was gone in that moment. It felt like it all happened so fast, but also like it lasted a lifetime. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, until it was suddenly over and I couldn't overcome my disoriented state in time. Snap out of it, Riley. Breathe. She pulled back and searched my face for answers. But words required air. Did that just happen? Did Maya's kiss take my breath away? "Oh" I managed to get out. One syllable was all the air I could move. The room started spinning and everything was fuzzy. I guess that happens when you can't breathe.
Maya's POV
"Riley?" Riley started to fall off the bay window ledge. I caught her before she hit the floor. I held her close and tried to wake her up, but she was out. Great. I killed her. I finally had the guts to kiss her, and I killed her. "You picked a hell of a time to die on me, Matthews." I picked her up, as best as I could. Her long limbs made it anything but graceful, but I managed to lift her onto her bed.
I sat with her for a moment, stroking her hair. "Well, at least you can't reject me if you're unconscious." And suddenly the fear took over again. What if she does reject me? I can't take this back. What have I done?
I planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'm so sorry, Princess. I don't think I can be here when you wake up." I took one last look at my sweet Riley before hopping out of the bay window.
Riley's POV
My alarm went off. It's 6:15 already? Why am I still in my clothes? Then it all came back to me, and I gasped. Maya kissed me. She kissed me and it left me breathless. It stole my senses. It was amazing and terrifying all at once. What does this mean? Does she have feelings for me? Do I have feelings for her? Slow down, Riley. It was just a kiss. Be cool. Oh who am I kidding? I passed out. Maya's kiss made me swoon, literally. I have to talk to her. I hope I can find the air this time. I got ready for school and went down to eat breakfast.
It's 7:00. Where are you, Maya? It's 7:01.
Something is wrong. It's 7:02.
Something is very, very wrong. It's 7:03 She's always here every morning at 7:00.
Maya's POV
It's 7:00. Right on time. I sat down as the Amtrak train pulled out of penn station. I looked out the window as we surfaced above ground. Goodbye, New York. Goodbye, Riley.