"Lucas, tell your girlfriend to come inside." Lucas' mom said and he sighed, staring out the window at Maya. She had been very odd since they'd arrived in Texas.
"Mama, that's Maya. She's not my girlfiend." He said, throwing a cautious glance towards Riley who was looking a little annoyed. Lucas' mom kept referring to Maya as Lucas' girlfriend. Mrs Friar didn't even bother to correct her mistake this time, she just nodded out the window so Lucas went to fetch Maya. He joined her out in the open yard which she seemed very interested in. Joining her, he noticed how her hair shone more golden in the evening light, and how gentle she seemed to move in the country, like she was free from something that had been holding her back. She reminded Lucas of the art she created at home. Free, wild and it made him feel something. She was a masterpiece within herself.
"Come on then, give it your best shot. What's wrong with Texas?" He joked, expecting some sarcastic comment about his Texan life. She turned to face him, eyes bright and wide.
"It's beautiful." She said in wonder. His eyes didn't move away from hers.
"It is." She looked down at the grass and turned back round to look around the rural area. "That's it? No rude observations?" She ignored him.
"It's so calm here. How did you ever get angry living in a place like this?" She saw his uncomfortable face when she asked this and quickly tried to retract her statement. "I mean…it's just a nice environment to be in."
"I know. I've been very lucky." He longed to reach out for her. To stroke that golden ocean of curls cascading around her face and run his fingers gently over her rosy cheeks, to feel her lips…
"Mom wants you in for dinner." He quickly said to distract himself. Dinner they were eating with Riley. His best friend, who he loved dearly. Was it possible to love two people in entirely different ways but equally. Of course not. He knew the difference between being in love and loving somebody. Unfortunately it was hard to explain to somebody who couldn't read his mind.
Besides, he had an unoffical thing going with Riley. It felt like a Schrödinger cat problem, his relationship with Riley simultaneously both existed and not existed at the same time. How was he supposed to know where he stood with her?
"Well sure, if Mother Ranger Rick wants me for dinner, then I'll go in."
"There's the Maya I know and love." Lucas froze at his own choice of words, and couldn't figure out a way of talking himself out of them. Luckily he didn't have to. Maya was too busy heading inside to even call him out on it, thank the heavens.
"Girls I've put you up in the room next to the boys. It's very nice, there's a lovely bay window in there I just love." Lucas' mom said as he walked into the kitchen. Maya and Riley thanked her much. Lucas was glad his friends were being so respectful to his mother, it had kinda feared the worst about this trip.
His dad walked into the room and Maya glanced over at Lucas because he automatically tensed up. His back straightened and his fists tightened.
"Evening sweetheart." His dad said, kissing his wife on the cheek and turning to see the kids.
"Your friends Lucas?" He asked, not addressing anybody else in the room.
"Yes sir." He said bluntly, and Maya was worried at just how uncomfortable Lucas appeared. She reached out and placed her hand on his knee under the table. He jumped the tiniest fraction when she put it on, but it did seem to relax him a little.
"How long are they staying Betty?" He asked Lucas' mother as the kids just carried on eating their food. Maya hadn't moved her hand so Lucas took a chance and placed his own hand gently over hers. She didn't even flinch.
"A few days." His dad looked back at Lucas who swallowed and didn't utter a word. He smiled and Lucas visibly relaxed. His hand lightly squeezed Maya's, praying that nobody else could see it.
"That's great then. Kids, I'm Steve. I hope you enjoy the stay!" He took the plate of food Betty had laid out for him and headed back through the door. Maya finally slipped her hand out from under Lucas' and begin to eat again. She couldn't look him in the eyes. It felt too strange now.
"Riley gone?" Lucas asked as he poked his head round the door of the assigned girls room to see Maya sitting in the bay window. She nodded and he entered with caution, sitting a first distance away from her.
"She's in the bathroom." Maya commented.
"I'll be quick then." This was killing him, he had to know. "You put your hand on my knee at dinner."
"Nice observational skills Huckleberry." Maya teased but her heart sped up and she started to panic, why was he mentioning it?
"Why?" He said. Lucas wanted to be blunt and straight to the point.
"You looked worried about your father." Maya stared out the window as it calmed her a little to not have to look at him next to her.
"Thank you." He said and she turned to look him in the eyes. He looked so serious, it broke her heart. It was such a change from him usual upbeat self that didn't let anything bother him unless it was really serious.
"Why were you worried?" She had to know. Lucas took deep breathe.
"I didn't just get my anger from nowhere." He said as a way of explanation. Maya could see the concern in his eyes.
"I'm sorry." Gently she placed her hand on his shoulder, and let her thumb lightly brush his neck.
"I have to say something to you." Lucas cleared his throat and tried to think of the best way to phrase this. He never thought he'd even say it, he'd not prepared how to say it. Instead he leant down, closing the distance between his lips and Maya's and captured her lips in his.
Her response was instant and undeniable. Her hands wrapped around his shoulders, her neck pushed upwards to get closer to him and her head tilted to give her better asses. Screw feeling fireworks when someone was kissed, Lucas thought his head was an explosion. Her honey coloured hair felt soft in-between her fingers and her skin was warm and made him feel alive. In that moment, he was both more alert than he'd ever been in his lifetime and calmer than a still ocean.
He slowly moved backwards without removing his hands from her. He felt it he let go, that would be it. The end of the moment and reality would jump right back in.
"Say that again" Maya mumbled gently and Lucas didn't have to be told twice. He pressed his lips onto hers once more before she moved away, looking like she was near tears.
"We can't do this." Her voice shook at the confrontation "I won't do this, not to Riley."
"I don't want to hurt anybody Maya, but I like you." He stood firm on his decision. "I really like you. And I love Riley, but not in the same way I…like you."
"Stop!" Maya said briskly. "I don't care. I don't care if I like you, or you like me. All that matters is that Riley is my best friend. And I won't do anything that would hurt her." She thought for a moment about what she just did. "Again."
"But Maya, if you talk to her, she might understand. Just-"
"I won't risk it." Maya interpreted and watch Lucas; eyes become glassy. She didn't think she could handle it if he cried."I'm sorry Lucas. I really am, but I can't lose Riley over anything."
"No, I understand." He thought back to when he first remembered himself feel something for Maya. Back when he thought the feelings were just puppy love, the result of mindless teasing and mockery. When she was just the playful blonde beauty he'd come to admire for her strength and kindness. Now when she was Maya, his best friend who he couldn't stop thinking about and would go to the ends of the world to see her happy.
"You once told me you'd do anything to break me." Lucas commented, thinking back. Maya frowned. "I think you just did it." He got up and started walking away.
"Lucas please, don't be angry."
"This isn't anger Maya." He said, pausing briefly. "I've spend my whole life being angry, and I could never be mad at you. I'm just…a little upset. I'll get over it." He tried to shrug casually but he looked too upset over this for her to believe it. She couldn't believe she was turning away from him. She wanted so badly for everything to be okay, and just as she wanted them to be. She wanted Riley to be okay with her and Lucas, and for everything to be so much less complicated than it already was.
"I'm sorry." Maya said, feeling it was the only thing she could say.
"Me too." Lucas said just as Riley was walking towards the door.
"Hi Lucas, I love it here!" She grinned and Lucas smirked. She was so happy it was very sweet. She was such an amazing friend, but his feelings just didn't extend further than that. It took him a while to realize, but they were at their best when they weren't trying to be something they just weren't. Like together.
"Me too Riley." And he headed back to his own room. Riley entered the bedroom, dressed in her pyjamas and ready for bed. She noticed Maya was staring out the window and she looked quite upset. Riley walked over and hugged her shoulders and Maya rested her head on the top of Riley's.
"You okay?" She asked and Maya tried to sound fine.
"Sure thing." She put her arm around Riley, feeling terrible for betraying her. "I love you Riley, you know that right?"
"Of course I do." Riley said, now getting seriously worried.
"And we'll be best friends, no matter what?" Riley nodded.
"I promise."
Oh Riley, Maya thought, if only you knew.
I hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading! This will be in 3 parts, just like the finale and isn't supposed to be accurate to what happened obviously :) Next chapter will be up tomorrow!
