CH.3: Window into the past part one
Maya had to go back to her room to change after Stephanie looked her over. It sucked having a roommate like this, but, sometimes Stephanie was a gem to have around. So she went to put on this nice blouse top of hers over some skirt that flowed along with boots that gave her some height. A jean jacket went over her top and she opened her closet where she ran her fingers along the hat that she had while in Texas. It was something somehow she had yet to part with…and had never worn since then.
"Stop thinking about him, no doubt he has a girlfriend and is having the time of his life," Maya says aloud, though thankfully Stephanie hasn't dropped in behind her with an aha.
Heading out she locks up before she finds Stephanie chatting up some girls down below. They pretty much had a lot of girls here so they didn't have to worry about boys. Still, Stephanie was still up for co-ed or the very least having joint meetings of the two sides. She was so boy crazy she found it crazy to be tied down to just one guy.
Maya poked her in the back of the head and she jumped a bit before she addressed her clothing choice. She waits, but, she cracks a smile and she can breathe. "Alright, now you are all set for your rodeo date. Well…ok so not date…but who knows, maybe you will find someone there and he will take you out and then-."
"I am going to stop you there Steph, seriously, I mean where your mind goes I do not. So, we going to this or not?" Maya greets the girl that Stephanie is talking to and soon they are moving out the door. It is a clear day and the breeze is nice against her. She seems to have trouble with her hat but she goes with it. Her skirt is flowy and while she prefers jeans she opted for this just to not only get Stephanie off her back but also because it was reaching an all-time high. New York wasn't known for its heat but right now, she kind of wished the chill would return.
"Is this great or what? C'mon, you gotta admit this beats hovering over that painting of yours trying to figure out its meaning. Professor Ivan would also tell you that art can wait, the mind needs to pull away if the final image is to come to you…or stuff like that."
Maya shrugs but she figures she has a point. She can hear the crowd and knows they are getting close. The rodeo isn't too far from the campus and she kind of needed to put gas in her car. Shawn had bought her a car as a graduation present and told her it would get her where she needed to go. It was the greatest gift ever…and…it went to show she and Shawn were connected, both of them seeking to travel.
However aside from Italy and such it wasn't like she was made of money. She took up tutoring and also helping out in the book store on campus to make ends meet. Her art scholarship did help pay for her tuition and all that, however, other stuff that was on her. Maya felt Stephanie's arm link in hers and together they proceeded to enter, once showing their ticket. The place was packed and filled with cheering people, people who wanted to be there.
"All this for the rodeo?" Maya notices that Stephanie is already moving on ahead and with a shake of her head she follows. They sit in the middle and Maya continues to fiddle with her hat, not quite understanding how to sit it atop her blonde hair. Earlier having looked in the mirror she had noted how much she had changed since Middle School. She had grown a bit more, though, at best she would probably be only as tall as mother later on.
Maya wasn't really…top heavy and honestly she couldn't see the benefits to being. She was far from perfect and at times part of her was self-conscious of what she wore or even how to part her hair. Stephanie didn't seem to have a problem but then again the way she looked…boys just flocked to her. Even now she was checking out the guys in their tight jeans and the swagger that seemed to be their thing.
"I'm going to get something to eat. You want anything?" Maya goes to get up and smooths out her skirt.
"Huh, oh no I am good, be back soon though." Stephanie whistles at some of the guys and she shakes her head as she goes down and then out the back. She finds the concession stand and as she gets in line she feels someone tap her shoulder.
"I got here first," Maya says, she figured whoever got here probably was saving a spot for someone. It wouldn't be the first time.
"Uh miss…you know it is a crime coming here wearing that hat the wrong way," his voice bore familiarity to it and as Maya turns she does a double take.
"Zay?" She couldn't believe it. The two of them hug and she pulls back finding it hard to believe he is even here.
"Well now, looks like College has done you some good Hart. It is a good thing you aren't my type." He teases and she shoots him a look.
"Ha, I see you still bear those smarts of yours. What are you doing here? How is Texas?" After High School Zay had actually moved back home, she knew it was difficult for…him.
"Texas is fine, weather is still hot as ever…but…given the ladies can you blame it?" He was a bit taller and as usual bore this confidence about him.
"Nice, so, take it you are still single then?" Maya moves with the line and smiles knowing that he is putting on a pout.
"Look, I am only single cause I am keeping my options open. Unlike some guys I know, but, that is aside the point…what about you?" Maya pays for some corndogs and a drink and moves out of line as she sips at it.
"If you mean single and loving it, then yes I am. I have my art to keep me busy and besides…falling in love, it never goes the way you think it does." She is glad she is not looking at him as she says this.
"You are talking about…oh, right," Zay is a good guy to not say his name aloud. Just saying his name, it opened too many things for Maya. That history, that past, so many regrets…and yet the one thing she did not regret was giving Riley a chance at happiness. If any of them was going to get the guy, it was her girl, her bestie in the whole world.
"H-Have you seen or heard from him?" Maya finally looks over at Zay who is eating some nachos.
"Yeah I have. He…he is good. Anyway I should go find my seat. It is nice seeing someone familiar. I won't be here long though…just came for the show then I will be heading back. Don't be a stranger." He winks as he heads off.
Maya nods her head and heads back to the stands where she finds Stephanie talking to a guy…in her spot. Go figure, she goes off to get something to eat and Stephanie has gone and invited a guy up. Looking around she finds a spot lower down which appears to be closer up. Sitting down she gnaws on her corndog and listens to the announcer.
"Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, welcome to the rodeo circuit. Our riders are currently gearing up to please you and entertain you so bear with us. There is food in the concession stand so if you have not gotten anything yet, drop on by. Our first rider up is a regular on the circuit and making his way to the top, from Texas, it is Lucas Friar!"
Maya drops her corndog and she doesn't even seem to miss it as it drops to the ground. Her mouth is left gaping and suddenly like a window open she flies to the past.
Graduation was approaching and the time at Abigail Adams High was coming to an end. Everyone was looking to the future whether it involved College or seeking over ventures. Riley and Lucas were having a heated argument while the rest of them were kind of looking anywhere but at them.
"So…College huh Farkle?" Maya says doing her best not to see the implosion of the school's it couple which consisted of two of her closest friends.
"Yeah, once I get my degree I will be out there saving the world. My father says I can intern and such at his company so I can get work experience. What about you Zay?" Farkle's voice had deepened some and he had grown into his looks. By this point he had grown out his crush on both her and her girl Riley.
"I'm heading back home to attend College. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed being here and making new friends, but, I've been away from home for a while and kind of getting homesick. What about you Maya?" She pressed her back against the locker, her tassel hanging before her face as she adjusts it.
"I want to pursue my art…I really feel like it is the best avenue for me. Art is my passion, it is my whole being. I will not know how far I can go till I test myself…and hanging with you guys, facing all these trials, I know I can make it." Maya had grown confident there…even if she was unsure where down the line she'd wind up. She knew it took Shawn a while to find his place in the world.
"What do you mean you don't want to go to College?!" Maya and everyone turned their heads as the argument seemed to grow.
"Riley, please, keep it down…everyone will hear us," Lucas tries to plead with her but Maya can see that this doesn't sit well with Riley.
"Keep it down? This is our future Lucas, we were going to go to College…together. And now what, you suddenly change your mind and want to do something like bull riding?"
"It isn't just that, Riley, I've been thinking about this for a bit now. I mean sure College is great and all, and, maybe someday I will go…but right now I feel this is right-."
"Lucas…this is dangerous, you could hurt yourself or worse…I can't let that happen. Do you know how many people wind up paralyzed from this…who never even-?"
"Riley, I thought you would be supporting me in this…it isn't like the end of the world here. I will have days where I do not ride and I can come visit and-."
"Do you even hear yourself talk? Lucas, I love you…and I want to be with you, but this course of action, this…not discussing it with me, when we are a couple, it already feels like you are slipping away from me." Maya could hear her choking up and she wants to step in but Zay places a hand on her shoulder.
"Let them be…this is between the two of them. Ouch though, never thought I'd see the day. Thoughts Farkle?" Maya turns to Farkle. She knew that Farkle had a thing for Riley; in all honesty if it came between her and Maya, he'd choose Riley. Maya wasn't really the girl guys went for…lest romantically.
"I'm with Riley, Lucas is being a fool. Going off and joining some rough and tough thing, didn't Texas teach him anything?" Maya didn't quite see it like that. Lucas was following his dream…even albeit it had to come out now of all times. Riley of course was her best friend and she should be swooping in and saving her, but, she also knew that Zay was right, they were a couple. This is what couples did. It was a reminder just how behind she was, how, well…she didn't have Lucas.
"Lucas, you need to decide, it is the rodeo or me. I cannot watch you make a mess of your life, this foolhardy decision to break every bone in your body, ride up some ladder to be the best and traveling so much it takes you away from me. You need to set your priorities straight here Lucas…please, for us."
Riley was barely holding it together and Lucas was pacing about as he tries to make a decision that will not lose Riley. Yet Maya, Zay, and Farkle are witnesses to one of the tragic events of Abigail Adams High. Something so powerful as love…shattering before their very eyes and they could do nothing to stop it.
"Riley, I can't…you are putting me in a difficult spot here. College was something we discussed, but, at this time…I have to follow my heart. This doesn't mean we have to…not here, we can still make it maybe give it a trial run-."
"You've made your choice Lucas…and I have made mine. We're through. I hope you find what you are looking for but do not come back expecting my mind to be changed. I can't be with someone who will risk it all on some stupid feeling…when the real deal, the real heart was here all along. Goodbye Lucas." Riley reaches out to him and tears well up in her eyes before she walks off.
"I'll talk to Lucas; you go and talk to Riley. Farkle stay here in case Mr. and Mrs. Matthews show up asking where everyone is." Zay sets off as Lucas storms off and Maya goes to talk to Riley.
Authors note: A look back into the past…the loss, the agony, the fallout that will play in all of their lives continues in the next chapter as we get a look at the final moments of their High School lives…and the last time they were all together. The last time Lucas and Maya are together.
