Chapter 4

Riley was in the kitchen helping her mom make cookies when she saw her best friend running out of her room. "Maya? What's wrong?" The set the spoon in the bowl of dough, and rushed over to her friend. "Did Lucas say he liked you?" Riley asked, anxious to hear the answer. She was both excited, and nervous to hear it.

"I've… I've got to go," said Maya. Now was not the time to tell Riley. She tried to pass her friend, but Riley grabbed her forearms to keep her from leaving.

"What did he say?" Riley looked into Maya's eyes, hoping the answer would just present itself. It didn't.

"Um… He said —"

"Maya." Lucas came out of the room, finally over the shock.

"Yeah, that's what he said. 'Maya'. Now, I've got to go. I'm sorry." Maya shook off Riley's hands and ran out of the apartment.

"Maya!" Lucas tried to run after her, but Riley stepped in his way.

"What did you say to her?!"

"Just that —" He stopped talking. Earlier, he wanted to tell Riley he loves her, but now? "Just that I'll miss her. When I move." He lied. "Just like I'll miss you." His last few words were just above a whisper. He leaned down, about to kiss her, then stopped himself. He may love both Maya and RIley, but he wasn't a player. He had to make a choice before he kissed either of them. Instead, he settled for a kiss on the cheek, then headed out the door.

Riley was stunned. It wasn't the visit she'd expected. "Um… Okay," she said to the empty doorway.

"What was that all about," Topanga asked. She had just put the cookies in the oven, and now, made her way to her daughter.

"I… I don't know." RIley closed the door, but a second later, there was a knock. With a confused look on her face, she opened the door to find her little brother's 8 year old girlfriend, Ava.

"Hi Miss Mathews," she said in a dramatic voice. Then, she gave a small glance to Riley, and went inside the apartment without being invited in. "Where's my Auggie Doggie Matthews?" She looked around for Auggie.

"Well, Ava," Topanga said, bending down to be at Ava's height. "He's not here right now. But —"

She was cut off by Ava's melodramatics as she pretended to faint on the couch.

Topanga rolled her eyes and looked at Riley.

Riley just shrugged and headed off to her room, letting her mother deal with the drama queen. There was a text from Lucas on her phone. Her heart lept with joy as she pulled up the text.

Lucas : Need to talk tomorrow. Sorry for running out earlier.

Quickly, Riley sent a text back letting him know they would meet up after getting off the bus. Then, she put the phone away and closed her eyes, imagining what would happen tomorrow when they talked.