It started when they were all in the living room, watching a movie.

"Oh my god, I love Mila Kunis. She is so hot." Lucas turned to look at Maya. She looked content, like what she said was completely natural. Nobody else thought anything of it so he decided to shrug it off. But when it came to a seen where Mila Kunis was in nothing but her underwear he noticed how Maya's jaw had dropped a little and she was almost drooling. He kept giving her glances with a weird expression. After about the tenth glance Maya looked over to him.

"What?"

"...Nothing."

The next time he noticed was when they had a new TA come into their Philosophy class and Maya's eyes didn't leave her the entire session. Once the class was dismissed he saw her run up to the woman. He couldn't tell what they were saying but it was obvious Maya was flirting with her, what with the close proximity and the way Maya kept playing with her hair. Lucas narrowed it down to getting in good with the new teacher for a better grade.

And the last time he noticed was when they were studying on the grass by the quad and a girl walked by. She had a grunge look to her: band T-shirt, ripped tights, combat boots, and long red hair. When Maya saw her she quickly shoved him in the shoulder.

"Act cool!" The girl grew nearer.

"Hey, Maya." She waved.

"H-Hey, Lydia." The girl winked and kept walking. Lucas looked at Maya. She looked star struck. After a moment she recovered and turned back to her textbook.

"What was that?" Maya looked back up at him.

"What was what? She's cool." But Lucas could see the faint blush on her cheeks. He didn't pry though.

That afternoon Lucas called Riley and Zay into the living room.

"Okay, I'm gonna make this quick before Maya gets out of her last class. What is up with her?" Riley quirked an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, she's been acting...uh, I don't want to sound offensive but, I don't know."

"Lucas, you're constantly asking me 'What's up with Maya' but you never take my advice: Let her come to you. If there's something wrong or something she's hiding she'll let it be known. But seriously, she's a big girl. I'm sure she's okay." Lucas sighed.

"But every time I do come to you there is something she's hiding. Why am I the only one that notices these things?" Zay pushed off the wall he was leaning on.

"Cuz you spend way more time staring at her than we do." He had a slight smirk on his face but Lucas could tell he was being serious.

"I...I do not. Maybe I'm the only one who cares enough to pay attention." Riley looked hurt.

"You know we care about her, Lucas. It's just sometimes she really doesn't want people to know some things." He was about to retort but the front door opened. Maya walked in and paused.

"Woah, what kind of secret ritual meeting are we having here? Did I miss the virgin sacrifice?" She looked over at Riley who looked a little uncomfortable. "Oh no, it's you, isn't it?" She dramatically flung her arms around her friend. "I'll miss you, Riles!" Then she went to get a snack from the kitchen. Riley scoffed.

"Just cuz I'm a virgin doesn't mean you have to rub it in. And thanks for putting up such a fight for me, bestie!"

"Love you too, babe!" she said through a mouthful of apple. Lucas looked between the two, in thought. Maybe that's just how girls act around one another. Had he really made a big deal about nothing? Not that it was a big deal! He would support his friend through anything.

That night he saw Maya sitting out on the fire escape and decided to approach her with his troubling mind. He took a deep breath and slid the door open. She looked up at him and gave a nod of acknowledgement. She was wrapped in a blanket and listening to jazz music, staring out at the skyline before her. Lucas stepped out and immediately shivered. Running his hands up and down his arms, he cocked his head at her.

"Aren't you freezing? It's like 35 degrees out here." Maya smirked, eyes not faltering.

"Sometimes you gotta bear a little cold to see such an amazing view." Lucas looked out at the skyscrapers, twinkling with all of their lights. It was admittedly nice but then a shiver ran through him again, reminding him it almost wasn't worth it. Maya lifted an arm, opening her blanket on one side.

"C'mere." She scooted over on the bench she was sitting on and wrapped the blanket around Lucas as well once he sat down.

"Thanks." Lucas was visibly blushing, he knew it. He knew his feelings for Maya were steadily migrating away from friendship and on towards something he won't even let himself think. But he knows that's why the possibility of Maya being not-so attracted to men has been upsetting him. He had to have her confirm or deny it. Otherwise he'd go crazy.

"So… you really liked our new TA, huh?"

"Yeah, she was so pretty." She didn't say anything else so Lucas pressed on.

"And that Lydia chick. She was pretty attractive, too." Maya turned to look at him.

"Watch out, Hopalong. She's mine." Lucas could feel his heartbeat speeding up.

"Why don't you ask her out then?" he tested. Maya laughed a little bitterly.

"She's way out of my league. I get so nervous just being around her." Lucas wondered if this was what the end of the world felt like. You know, everything crashing down around you, loud ringing in your ears, the immense feeling of defeat. He could even feel the slight stinging behind his eyes. But he downright refused to tear up. He was being incredibly selfish. One of his best friends can't help who she is. Even if she could, she doesn't have to change anything about her for his benefit. She was perfect in every way. If some other guy wanted her to change he would promptly knock him on his ass. He couldn't believe the way he was acting. But he had to make sure, no matter how much it tore him up inside.

"...You're gay?" he asked hesitantly. Maya furrowed her brows and smiled at him in an amused way.

"Bisexual, actually. Just 'cause I don't go waving around a rainbow flag and kissin' all the pretty ladies doesn't mean you should be so shocked about it."

"I-I didn't mean it in a bad way! I don't want to offend you or anything." She reached out and covered his mouth.

"And this doesn't mean you have to be careful with what you say to me. I'm no different. I'm not all fragile or some shit all of a sudden. I'm still Maya." She released him and he looked down at her apologetically.

"Sorry." Maya looked at him incredulously and was about to yell at him so Lucas hurried along. "I don't mean that in a 'you're fragile' sort of way. I'm apologizing for being inconsiderate and naive." Maya's eyes softened.

"It's alright, Huckleberry. Don't sweat it. I'll say you definitely reacted better than my mother." She smirked at the memory. "She was so afraid of putting that wall up between us again that she did all she could to show me that she was cool with it. Any time we watched TV together she would make sure to point out how pretty all the girls were. She even tried to bring up LGBT shows like Glee or Modern Family to 'show her support.' That got so annoying. But I love her and I'm glad she made the effort. Just like I know you will do everything in your power to show support, I know you. But there's nothing really to support. I date a guy, you threaten him to watch out if he hurts me. I date a girl, you do the exact same thing. No change." She got up in his face and looked him straight in the eye. "I don't want you to change, Huckleberry. I don't want anything to change. Okay?" Lucas nodded, transfixed. "Good." She patted his cheek lightly.

The song changed and Maya's eyes lit up.

"I adore this song!" She whispered, still looking at Lucas. She grabbed her blanket, wrapping it around herself. "Dance with me." She put her arms around his neck, enveloping him in the blanket as well. He rested his hands on her waist and drew her closer. She laid her head on his shoulder and he rested his head on top of hers as they swayed.

"I adore you," he mumbled.