1. Cory
I like to think that I know a lot about love, but the reality is that I know very little. But one thing I did notice was Maya and Lucas. I know the Riley had a crush on Lucas, but two years have passed since they faded, and I think that she is moving on to Farkle.
Maya and Lucas have never actually admitted their feelings for one another, but I have seen it from the beginning. Maya is much like Shawn, where she does not like to open up to people other than Riley, which means that I can tell when something is bothering her the same way I could tell when something was bothering Shawn. The day Lucas came was the same day something changed in the little Maya Hart, almost like she put another wall up to the world that was a lot harder to knock down than any of her other walls. I think I sensed that something was going to change on that day, but I did not realize what was happening until today in their Sophomore History class. I looked up from grading papers, and at first glance something seems off. My eyes were drawn to Maya who, like usual was not paying attention. Today though she had her entire body slightly turned while looking at Lucas, who was sitting directly behind her. I did not find this too unusual, but for some reason I was more drawn to this sight then to my biological daughter talking to Farkle.
"Maya," I said, trying to be the teacher I was hired to be, "you are supposed to be doing your homework."
"Alright Matthews, don't throw a fit" she says, turning back to look at her history book. Before I could say anything about her slightly rude response, I see the look in Lucas' eyes. They look at the back of Maya's in a longing way. Almost like he misses her even though she is sitting right in front of him. At that moment, I realize what had been happening. All of the small things that had been happening since seventh grade when Lucas Friar walked in the door to my history class. Everything from the name calling to them sitting next to each other at every moment possible. Things they probably did not even realize they were doing, like how at this very moment Mayas long hair was sprawled out across Lucas' desk while she was clearly drawing in her notebook rather than doing homework, and he didn't even attempt to move it.
This is different than Riley and Lucas. I know that Maya guards all of her feelings as a way to protect herself, but there are some things that slip through those walls and some people that can begin to break them down. And for Maya, that person seemed to be Lucas. I know that this is serious because of how little either one of them has acted on it. They have not begun dating, and knowing Maya, they probably have not said anything about their feelings. But, Maya probably avoided these conversations in an attempt to protect both herself and Riley. At that moment, I knew things were going to be different, whether Lucas started to date my non-biological daughter, or they stayed in their current situation, both with clear feelings for the other.