AN: Sorry, I have to make a quick note first because I noticed I got a few new followers. Um I think the description makes it pretty clear this is about the core 6. If you're here for the ships well it's going to be a long and slow burning process and I did apologize a while back for what I'm about to do so….sorry about the confusion. Get ready for the next 5 chapters to be full of agonizing pain. **Pretend I inserted a smiling-face-with-open-mouth-and-cold-sweat emoji here** Oh and sorry about the lack of stuff I just got back into Kdramas a few months ago and they've completely destroyed my life all over again :p
As far as school dances are concerned. It doesn't take much to get the student body excited. Offer them a free and safe space from scrutinizing eyes and some snacks in between dancing and you've got yourself a party. But in order to have a successfully supervised occasion, pick the cool teachers and set minimal rules so that it doesn't feel like a secret prison.
The formula had worked for Abigail Adams High since the dawn of time.
Inside the school gymnasium, there were balloons with the school colors lining the doors in an arch. There were other bouquets of balloons tied to tables where snacks were provided and another column placed on both sides of the stage where the DJ was playing the top 100, PG-13, songs on the radio. On the walls was the basketball player's hall of fame lined up with their retired jersey numbers. All the school sports trophies were lined in a glass case just outside the gym.
In case the students forgot what they were there for, there were multiple banners with the phrase "Welcome home AAHS". No exclamation points, gotta keep a cool theme going.
The school splurged on good quality speakers that didn't make the singer sound like a muffled mess. There was a heavy bass but it did help everyone find their rhythm. If there were people dancing before they got there, the five friends hadn't noticed. But once Zay escorted one of the girls for their grade to the dance floor then another one after that first dance, soon it was filling up with everyone just having a good time.
Eventually, even Zay had to rest for a minute. Keeping up with the demand of his dance skills was exhausting so he headed to the drink station. Standing close by were Farkle and Smackle observing the dancers and talking to each other. Farkle spotted him then handed him a cup full of the only flavor on the table as he reached the two of them.
"Aren't you glad you came?" Farkle asked with a knowing grin.
Zay thought about it while his fingers felt the softness of the borrowed tie around his neck. He had taken extra precautions not to ruin anything he was wearing. Even the belt he was wearing was more than the total of his family's rent. Real genuine leather made from some animal on a farm that had lived a long satisfying life was resting on his hip and he would never see it again after that night. But it was worth it.
"You said you were going," Farkle said with that serious expression that Zay could never take seriously. The dude always looked like it was the end of the world if things didn't go according to plan.
"I never confirmed," Zay shrugged.
"But you kind of did.".
"No I didn't," he said eating more cookies.
"Babbineaux!".
"Minkus!".
Lucas stood up from his seat surprising them both and snatching the tin of cookies away from Zay. He looked ready to say something when his phone started vibrating. Their eyes followed him to the window when Farkle had enough. Exasperated he looked at his smartwatch while messing up his hair some.
"Well we have to get ready so I guess we'll just stop at your place so you can get dressed there," Farkle noticed a hint of discomfort from Zay. He gave a quick glance at Lucas involved then at the bag their friend brought with him full of his items and Farkle noticed how crestfallen his face was for a fraction of a second. Zay needed to work on his tells.
"Don't worry about it, you guys can go without me," Zay said, hands itching for a cellular device.
Farkle looked towards Lucas who was still having a conversation with his mother then lowered his voice.
"You don't have anything to wear do you?"
Zay's silence gave him an answer.
"Look," Farkle said, "my mom is freaking out on Carlo and David because they brought clothes that were too short for me."
Indignant Zay said, "Now hold up french fry-"
Farkle held a hand up, "she's very meticulous about tailoring my clothing for events so if my blazer's cuff makes me show an inch of skin then she flips. They came to take back all the stuff and take my measurements so the suitcase next to the closet is probably full of stuff you could go through."
Farkle watched Zay as he turned his head to take a glimpse at the suitcase he definitely didn't notice when he entered the suite. Zay rubbed his lap and bit the insides of his cheek really pondering the offer. Just thinking of good quality wool touching his skin instead of some cheap rayon made him nervous.
"I can't man, that stuff has to be worth-"
"Don't worry about it," Farkle sputtered, "I'll let my mom know and let her take it out of my allowance."
"I can't let you do that."
"Then let's just say you borrowed it, bring it all back when you can, please I just want us all to enjoy the dance," Farkle said, his eyes were full of pleading, "it's the first one we're all allowed to go to".
"Yeah," Zay clapped Farkle on his back, "thanks bro.".
"Don't mention it."
Zay noticed Smackle swaying from side to side. Her mouth was closed but he could tell she was humming along to the latest pop song reverberating around the room by the way her mouth slightly opened for a quick gulp of air before returning to hum. The gaudy disco lights were currently set on a rainbow display giving Smackle a quirkier appearance with her poofy dress. He nudged Farkle.
"I think ya girl wants to dance," Zay said.
"Oh I asked her but she doesn't want to," Farkle said, a slight blush appearing on his face, "there are too many people."
Zay narrowed his eyes. He went around behind them and pushed them both forward towards the dance floor. Taking Smackle's hand, he gave her a spin before circling around Farkle and handing her off to him. Zay was already smiling but their awkward movements were cracking him up. Still, it felt rewarding when Smackle started beaming at finally getting to dance.
Seated on the other side of the gym were some people that had gone stag. Well, them and a few couples that weren't dancing at the moment.
The dance had started about an hour and a half ago and Riley had had fun for only half of it. Dancing was fun at first because she was with all her friends then guilt crept up when she noticed Maya had missed the first hour. And the only reason she had noticed was because after she took out her phone to take a selfie, Maya had sent her two messages telling her she was on her way.
Worst. Best friend. Ever.
Luckily, her boyfriend noticed how upset she was and took her to sit out the next few dances. Or at least that was his intention at first. Two songs turned into four then the next time Riley thought to check the time more than half an hour had gone by. The conversations she had with her companion were interesting and kept her mind busy. From reminiscing the first dance they went to together and the awkward swing lesson they went to forever ago in Texas, everything kept directing her mind to wondering where her best friend was at.
Not even dancing to her favorite bangers was enticing enough to get her back out.
"Lucas I'm worried," Riley said. The heavy beat booming from the music was making her heart pound. "Maya said she was going to meet us at my house ready to go then when I told her we might meet at Farkle's she said she was going to be here instead.".
"So where is she?" Lucas asked, raising his voice to be heard over the layers of music. He didn't look as concerned as she felt. Then again he was looking over at the half circle Zay started with a group of friends to show off his dancing.
"I don't know, that's why I'm worried."
That caught his attention.
"Have you tried calling?"
Riley pulled up her messages and showed him the string of bubbles that had been sent within the past hour. One said Almost there but the time stamp marked it from a while ago. Maya should have been there by then.
Lucas took a hold of her phone then started typing a message. He handed her phone back so she could see what he wrote. Had the message not received an instant reply, Riley would have whacked him with her phone.
What gives? Where are you? We're waiting.
Har di har ranger rick i kno its u
Excited Riley answered back right away.
MAYAAAAAAAAAAAAA where r u?
This time Maya took her sweet time replying. She shushed Lucas each time he tried to say something so she wouldn't miss the vibration of her phone. Though when you're texting someone thirty seconds feels like an eternity to respond.
Bay window
"We have to go," Riley said standing up. She didn't show Lucas the reply but he didn't argue with her.
They glanced over at their friends having fun and contemplated what they should do. Smackle was doing her own solo thing, closed eyes and wild arm gestures. But she looked like she was having so much fun. Farkle on the other hand, swayed next to her smiling at his dance partner, if she could be called that. Zay was busy with the latest girl that snagged him up for a dance.
Riley motioned for Lucas to stay put while she walked up to Farkle and let him know about their plans to leave.
"Hey," Riley said just loud enough to get his attention.
"Hey, come and dance Riley," Farkle shouted back. He looked back to Smackle but she was oblivious to everyone around her.
"Maya's not here," with that Farkle took Riley's arm and walked the two of them to the side of the gym to talk.
"Where is she?" .
She showed him the message on her phone. "We're leaving, just thought you guys should know." He nodded back. They took a second to watch Zay and Smackle doing their own thing.
Riley noticed some girls off to the side, obviously waiting for Zay, giggling. At first, it seemed like they were talking about him but the way one girl made an exaggerated gesture throwing her arms around let her know who the real subject of the giggling was. She looked at Farkle to protest but he was on his phone, checking up on Maya no doubt.
Just as soon as she was gathering her thoughts about what to do, she noticed Zay slipping away from the girl that he had been dancing with and towards Smackle. He tapped on her shoulder and startled her out of her trance. Then he started copying her choreography but not to make fun of her. She was laughing with him then jumped back in. Quite literally, they were both jumping to the beat of the song and it looked like they were having a blast.
Taking a peek back at the other mean girls, they didn't look too happy but Riley didn't care.
"She says she's still there," Farkle brought her attention back to him. His phone was slipped back into his pocket and he looked over at Zay and Smackle dancing for a second before looking back at her.
"I guess we're off then," she smiled at him and gave him a hug. "I'll let her know you missed her here." The smile in his eyes only affirmed what she already knew. Her other two friends were busy doing the robot so Riley went back for Lucas who already fetched her coat and was waiting to leave
When Maya called for help nothing could stop Riley Matthews from coming to the rescue. A million things were probably racing through her mind because she was doing that thing where her eyebrows scrunched up and she was biting the insides of her cheeks. It was little things like that that made Lucas admire her so much. Her loyalty was everything.
All he could do is offer her company while she read every advertisement on the subway pretending to be absolutely engrossed in the products when she was just trying to distract herself from the silent cell phone in her pocket. Her fingers twitched every time they heard a little chime come from another device nearby. When Lucas took his own phone out Riley pretended to be looking straight ahead but he could see the brown of her eyes peeking through the side at his screen. Maybe she thought he'd been conspiring with Maya to make her miss the dance or something.
When they reached their stop he tried to grab her hand but she darted out before he got the chance and it was probably best because of the big wave of people crossing to get in or out at their stop.
Finally making it to her apartment building Riley fished out her phone and was about to call Maya when Lucas stopped her.
"I don't think you need to call her," he took the phone out of her hand and she complained but he turned her around and led her inside. "You'll talk to her when you get to the window."
Riley sighed then finally acknowledged his presence for what felt to be the first time that evening, or basically night. "I'm sorry this wasn't the perfect date," she looked up at him under her carefully mascara-coated eyelashes. It was her go-to look when she wanted to be extra cutesy. It was working.
"Don't worry about it." This time when he reached for her hand she let him latch on. They let go briefly when she opened the door to her home and they found it dark.
Riley called out for Maya and turned on the lights as if she would be waiting in the living room. She wasn't.
Lucas contemplated taking off his jacket but decided not to when Riley dashed to her bedroom. It was definitely time to go. He thought about saying goodbye but didn't want to intrude on Riley and Maya time.
"Lucas, she's not here!" Riley came back in a rush with panic in her eyes. She grabbed for his jacket pocket to retrieve her phone.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I looked and the window was open but she wasn't there."
He took his own phone out to check the time. It was way later than he had thought. And way too late for Maya to be walking out alone in the streets. Now Lucas was beginning to panic when Riley breathed a sigh of relief.
"She's okay," Riley held up her phone so he could see for himself.
hey sorry i left the window open but i had to go shawns picking me up at the ice cream shop aroudn the corner in a bit
oh and sorry about the dance
god i really screwed up but i promise ill go to the next 1 i just got some crazy news
my phones about to die so ill call later wen i get home
Maya was safe. That's all that mattered.
Riley still looked deflated. She would never admit to the reason but he already knew why. The dance was a big deal even though she pretended it wasn't. And it's not that he didn't think about giving her a big dance proposal, the thought crossed his mind but he's not the creative type that would give her Yobi on skates or a dozen roses in her lockers. Even the white horse wasn't his idea. But then they both got busy and he was swamped in homework and practice. Still though.
There was something he could do to make her feel better. Even if it was just a little.
"Bay window?" he asked.
Riley led him into her bedroom. There was a strong smell of that hairspray his mother used that was kind of fading because of the open window. Maya couldn't have been gone too long. Any other guy would've used the invitation for other activities but Lucas wasn't that kind of guy. Not that he didn't think about it, only the thought was always fleeting and it didn't feel right. But there was something he never passed up when the opportunity presented itself.
They sat themselves at the bay window and started to talk.
And it felt so good to talk. About school. About his family and hers. They were quick soundbites but it was nice.
"I'm really sorry about ruining the night," she said, slumping back on a pillow propped up against the window.
"It's okay, dances aren't really my thing anyway," he said.
"Right," she responded slowly calling out his sarcasm. She gave him one of her Riley smiles with the tilted head and crinkled eyes. Then did the unexpected.
Riley scooted closer to him and gave him a kiss.
On the cheek, but still. She grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Her face was still close enough for his to reach but he thought about it too long.
"You little-" a voice hissed from the door. Both their heads snapped in time to catch a snarling Cory Matthews holding the door open. In a split second decision, Lucas dove for the window while Riley tried to fend off her father. She shut the window before he could reach the poor guy and steal another shoe. Even she knew the ground was too chilly to walk barefoot.
Lucas tried to look inside the window and maybe catch the conversation going on between Riley and Mr. Matthews but the noise was too muffled and Riley was covering with the window for his benefit. It was getting late and there was no point in sticking around. Rubbing his hands for warmth and grip Lucas looked for the fire escape he always climbed up to the window. He grabbed onto the ladder when a cascade of pebbles started sprinkling over his head and shoulders.
What the…?
Brushing them away Lucas dared to look up but couldn't find the source. Granted, it wasn't like the fire escapes were lit by backlight porches or something but it was weird how they seemed to come out of nowhere. But being the adventurous 15 year old he was there wasn't even a shadow of doubt about climbing all the way up to investigate.
With nothing but the moon shining on his back, Lucas began to climb. Careful to step toe first and not clank the metal so much he lightly felt his way up each fire escape. Hands out and slow movements didn't stop him from getting a bruised knee and elbow. There were a few times he almost knocked over a plant or tipped over a few beer bottles but no one came out and yelled at him.
Even if they did, he could always hit them with the technically having those things out sitting on the fire escape is totally a fire hazard…though he was also technically doing something stupid himself at the moment. But still.
It wasn't like it was Lucas Friar's first time doing something that reckless without thinking either.
The lines on each ladder were really wide apart. His thighs were screaming. Not even Coach made them do a killer cardio workout like that. When he reached the final level it took him a minute to catch his breath. He was tall enough to look up over the roof and only then did it occur to him that someone might be up there.
Too late to think about that now. So he looked anyway.
"Wow," Lucas breathed. The sight of Maya and the long flight up left him breathless. He couldn't remember a time where he saw Maya that upset and alone.
On the very top of the building stood the one and only Maya Hart. Lucas took a moment to relax his muscles. Also, his hands ached from touching the cold metal ladders and gripping so tightly trying not to fall. He watched her for a minute staring out at the world below them, something he tried really hard not to do as he was climbing up himself. She was dressed in a baby blue homecoming dress that looked like the same light material Riley had worn but instead of being a long strapless dress it had those long bell sleeves she liked to wear all the time. They were thin and see-through, so it was no surprise to see her rubbing her hands over them. The dress sparkled subtly with the small amount of light reflected from the ones shining on a billboard above them. Maya folded her arms in trying to warm up her hands.
It wasn't like he knew it would be her up on the roof but it was highly suspicious that she left the window to Riley's room wide open. Plus the pebbles were coming from high up so out of morbid curiosity he had to know where they were coming from. He knew she hadn't heard him because if she did he knew she would have said some self-deprecating comment about her state of being…or make fun of him for his labored look. Taking his time as to not startle her he stepped on a metal foldable chair placed on the last level of the fire escape to reach the first steps of the ladder without too much work. If he tried hard enough he probably could have just jumped the last five feet over the wall but he was too tired for that.
When she glanced his way her eyes widened. Definitely not the reaction he expected.
"What the-Huckleberry what are you...?" she grunted then rushed to the side of the building he was on and helped him up. "Idiot," she muttered more than once. Her displeasure didn't stop her from trying to help him up.
It was really hard not to scuff his shoes on the cement but he also didn't want Maya to feel like he didn't need her. Though he had to admit she did help with his balance to come up without falling. The pebbles lining the edge certainly weren't going to help him. There was a whole section that looked like it had been brushed off only it wasn't where the last ladder was placed.
"Thanks," he panted. He licked his lips running a hand through his hair. Locking eyes with Maya gave him a full view of the anger directed towards him. He stood awkwardly waiting for her to say something. After having helped him climb up she threatened his life by picking up an item from the ground then hitting him with it. Lucas hadn't even noticed the silver and now sparkling clutch before she hit him with it.
"What were you doing?" she demanded.
"Climbing up the fire escape," he dictated slowly while pointing back down the way he came from. Wrong answer.
"Why would you do that? You could've gotten hurt," she said, there was a harsh tone in her voice that made him nervous. He started fidgeting with his collar.
In hindsight, there was no way Lucas could have known that the person above him on the rooftop was Maya. For all he knew the person that left the window open was a burglar that had just gotten away from Riley's bedroom. That wasn't the only danger, he could have slipped on his sweaty palms and fallen to his death. It didn't mean he was going to give Maya more reason to worry.
"I'm sorry," Lucas said though not quite sure what he was apologizing for. She looked defeated now shivering in the cold. The cold wasn't the only thing making her tremble, "I was just dropping off Riley when you sent her that text," he offered.
Maya forced herself to look away from him then walked to the nearest bench. She sat down rubbing her hands together. It made him uncomfortable to see her that way.
He approached her taking off his own jacket then handed it to her.
"Take it," he said practically shoving it into her hands.
"No," she snapped immediately folding her arms.
"I can see your pink nose in the dark," he forewent placing his jacket in her hands instead choosing to put it over her shoulders. Afraid she might shrug it off he knelt in front of her and pulled both sides of the jacket around her so she wouldn't move. And she didn't. It struck him kind of funny how even on his knees, he could look directly into her eyes without tilting his head up.
Maya still wasn't looking at him but at least she opened up her arms to let him put the jacket on her. He even helped take her hair out from under the collar of his jacket so it wouldn't frizz up her hair with the static, not that it mattered anymore.
Lucas took a seat next to her on the bench. He mirrored her posture and kept his back bent lurching over his lap. Finding his voice he asked her, "How did you get up here?" but didn't expect a quick response.
"I left Riley's through the front door," she frowned at his mock surprise, "you try climbing down the fire escape in heels. I just felt like being alone for a little while longer so I came up here."
Lucas nodded. "So what happened to homecoming?" he almost winced watching her cringe. She pressed her lips then covered her face.
"It's not really my scene anyway," Maya said, her voice muffled behind her hands. She rubbed her cheeks. "Besides there were other things I had to do first."
The more she leaned forward the more her hair was falling around her face. He didn't ask about what those things were. But he did feel the urge to do something stupid to get a reaction out of her even if it was only to get her to look at him. This side of Maya was a bit difficult to navigate but Lucas had seen it before. He hoped he could say the right things this time. But first, he had to let her be the one to talk so she wouldn't interrupt his attempts to make her feel better.
"Have you ever had to make a choice that would change your life?" Maya asked staring straight at him. She shifted on the bench to drape her dress over her legs as a semi-blanket before settling down. She took a pause closing her eyes shut then started shaking her head. "Don't answer that. That was a dumb question, I mean of course you have you're here now."
"Maya," he waited until she settled back into a calm state before talking. His stare made her finally look him straight in the eyes. "Help me understand."
"You know, Riley knows, everyone knows that I keep my expectations low so that no matter what happens I'll never be disappointed," she started, slowly building momentum. "But then something happened that steered me completely off the path I thought I had to take so I had to jump ship. And I fell but I didn't get hurt and it was okay because I had help from the two greatest people in my life. I love them so much but they can't help me out of my misery. Not this time," she started playing with her hair.
"I don't know what to do, I thought I did but I don't know anything." Maya was talking but it didn't exactly feel like a conversation.
Lucas deflated in his seat, it hurt to hear Maya sound so defeated. There was only one thing on his mind and hoped it was enough.
"I believe in you Maya," he said. She didn't scoff, or snort, or give him a snarky retort. Maybe he was on the right path. Her fingers stopped braiding little strands of hair instead clasping them together on her lap. It gave him the courage to finish his thoughts out loud, "I know you'll make the right choice and whatever happens I'll be here for you if you need anything."
Her eyes brightened ever so slightly and it wasn't because one of the rooftop lights turned on at that moment.
"We all will," he said clearing his throat. To others Maya would seem neutral, perhaps a little emotionally cold but her calm presence made him relax. Her eyes were gentle. They were no longer glazed with the worry of life-changing decisions. The storm had subsided for now. He offered a smile and she reciprocated with a grin.
It was a start.
The air around them was brighter although cooler as well. Both their cheeks were pink from the early fall frost. It was a nice change from the heat of summer though Lucas did have to rub some warmth into his skin every once in a while. Though the climate wasn't the only thing bringing them comfort. After having had nothing to say to each other for months this silence, for once, was actually welcome because it was mutual. Nothing was unspoken.
"I should get going," Maya said with a hint of hesitation. She looked Lucas up and down recalling that he had dressed for the dance. His knees were a little dirty from the climb over the wall but other than that he was dressed very nicely. She clutched the sides of his jacket wondering how she would survive in the cold without it.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I told Shawn to pick me up at an ice cream shop about five minutes from here, he should be getting heading there soon so," she started to take off his jacket but he shook his head.
"Take it with you I'll get it back later." If he didn't know better she gave him a grateful little smile. "Actually, do you mind if I walk with you? If that place is close enough I can just take my jacket after Mr. Hunter picks you up".
Maya blinked. She looked at the ground sheepishly before saying, "I didn't think you'd want to come, thank you."
Lucas smiled. The smile she returned even reached her eyes. "Common Shortstack," he led the way opening the door to go back down about ten flights of stairs. At least this time there was no threat of falling to his death. And only then did it occur to him to ask how she got up there with no key to the rooftop.
She gave him a puzzled look. "You do know that I can pick a lock right? I ruined two bobby pins breaking in."
Then off they went on their long walk to the midnight ice cream parlor she still had to visit.
After calming her father down and assuring him that Lucas hadn't led her to her house for other purposes Riley popped up a get unready with me playlist on her laptop and basically followed along. First removing the makeup she and her friends watched countless videos to pick up the technique for, then washing her face to hopefully keep the blemishes at bay, finally hanging up her fancy dress for the night.
None of the steps helped distract her from the fact that Maya hadn't called. An hour passed. Then another and it was really late.
If she didn't sleep soon her parents would know she was up waaaay later than she should have been.
The moon was out in full shining it's glorious reflected light inside her bedroom. It made her wonder if any of her friends really looked at it tonight. Farkle might. He claimed they met on a full moon night. He was sentimental like that. Maya liked to poke fun at the claim but Riley knew she liked the thought too. That they had something to remind them of each other like that.
Maya freaking Hart. Why didn't she go to the dance? What crazy news? It was driving Riley insane. Her eyelids were heavy but she refused to use sleep as an excuse for Maya to not tell her what was up.
Luckily and unfortunately she never put her phone on vibrate. Lucky because it woke her up, unfortunate because her mother was a light a sleeper as well as her little brother. Hopefully it didn't ring long enough for their sleep to be disturbed. She would just have to be even quieter.
"Maya?".
"Hey," she whispered back.
"Hi," Riley sat up on her bed and pulled the sheets to her chest.
"How was the dance?" Maya's voice was low and scratchy. She was always up late but it didn't occur to Riley that her parents never knew about the habit until that moment.
"It would've been better with you there.".
"Sorry, Riles.".
A weight lifted off of Riley's shoulders. Maya sounded really sorry. Not that she had ever doubted that a terrible tragedy had to have occurred to keep her best friend away from what should have been one of their best nights but a little potato monster did start to whisper some doubts about Maya's enthusiasm towards the dance.
"Don't worry about it," Riley said forcing her lips into a tight smile, "I'm just glad you're okay."
"Were you able to dance the night away before I ruined your night with the Dancing Queen?" there was a grin Riley could hear behind Maya's words.
"Oh yeah, but I mean Smackle had all of us beat. She lit up the dance floor almost as much as Zay." Riley grinned as she heard breathy snorts on the other side of the line.
Riley told Maya all that happened over low voices and quiet giggles. As the minutes passed she was back into her original position. Curled up on her side and under the cover of her warm blanket she steadied her phone under her ear so she could keep talking with Maya. There were a lot of moments Riley carefully laid out to give Maya the chance to tell her what happened and it almost didn't happen. Until it did.
"How did you get home?" Riley asked.
"Shawn picked me up," Maya said, "I did something stupid and he saw me do it so I had to say sorry."
Finally. RIley rubbed the tiredness from her eyes and suppressed a yawn so Maya wouldn't be discouraged thinking she was bored. She waited patiently hoping to hear her best friend explain everything.
"So, remember how I was getting adopted? Or whatever? Turns out it's not as easy as signing a paper and rewriting my name as Maya Hunter." Maya made a nervous click with her tongue, RIley heard her deep sighs as she struggled to find words. But she was saying nothing.
"What happened?" Riley said, daring to use her normal tone.
"Um, the guy who thinks he's my dad blackmailing me into talking to him again or else he won't let me get rid of his last name."
"I'm sorry." And Riley meant it. Usually she always had something to say but Maya's dad was one topic that she literally couldn't come up with a plan or a scheme to help Maya feel better. It was something so out of her realm because she could never imagine her own father leaving her and her mother to their own devices. While Riley jumps at the chance to spend time doing fun things with her dad, it was torture for her best friend to just think about the man that abandoned her.
"We'll talk more tomorrow when I head over for pancakes," Maya's voice came out lighter and feathery with every word. That was the extent of that conversation and time to hang up. Knowing Maya she was probably sitting on the floor reaching for Ginger or stroking her fur already.
Riley opened then closed her mouth several times wanting to interrupt the sound of silence. She could hear Maya's soft breaths and the sounds of movement of what was probably her bed sheets. There was nothing left to say over the phone. Some things were just better left for later when they could talk in person. But there was one more thing Riley needed to hear before hanging up.
"Do you think Lucas will at least give me a promposal?" Riley braced herself for Maya's response.
"Are you serious?" Maya said. Then came a roar of laughter. Her laugh was always one of Riley's favorite sounds. Even as she tried to muffle it bursts of giggles would come out. It was late enough that everyone was in a deep sleep by then.
And Riley was glad join her.