#29
"I'm sorry if this upsets you but I'm going to marry him"
Taking a deep breath Maya lightly knocked on Riley's slightly open door before walking in.
"Peaches! What are you doing here?" Riley asked with a smile on her face as she closed her textbook.
"I needed to tell you something before you heard it from someone else," Maya told her as she walked further into the room but not taking a seat.
"Did you and Lucas break up?" She asked sitting up slightly straighter.
Maya had been taken aback by the sudden question from her friend. She also couldn't help but notice a slight hint of hope in the question.
"No, nothing like that. Actually the exact opposite," Maya explained still hiding her left hand in the sleeve of her maroon cardigan.
"What do you mean the exact opposite? You're either together or you aren't and I'm assuming that by you coming to tell me this before I hear it from someone else is that you guys broke up," Riley stated confusion written on her face.
"What I'm trying to say is that Lucas and I are getting married," Maya told her holding up her left hand to show her the simple gold band with a small diamond in the middle.
"Maya what do you mean you're getting married? You guys are 18, you haven't even graduated yet. Are you pregnant? Because if you are that's still no reason to get married to him Maya," Riley exclaimed as she shot off her bed and started to pace.
Sighing Maya ran her fingers through her curly hair in frustration.
"I'm not pregnant and we realize how old we are Riles," Maya told her as she folded her arms against her chest.
"Then why are you ruining your lives? Are you just trying to hold on to him when he leaves for college. I heard that he's going back to Texas," Riley said stopping her pacing.
"I know where he's going Riley and I'm going with him. As for us getting married it's happening the day before graduation, his grandparents are going to be in town and he really wanted them there," Maya explained.
"Why are you ruining your lives Maya? He's a high school boyfriend, one that has caused you a lot of problems so why keep him tied down when you're just going to get hurt when he realizes he doesn't want to be with you for the rest of his life?" Riley asked.
And there it was, it was as if Maya could hear the snap happening in her head.
"Riley we've been engaged since Christmas. Our families know, hell I'm pretty sure your parents know at this point because Shawn was pissed. But I wanted to tell you because I thought that you'd be happy for me and I guess I was wrong," Maya finished fighting the tears.
"You've been engaged since Christmas? And I'm just now finding out in April?" Riley asked looking hurt.
"I'm sorry if this upsets you but I'm going to marry him. Since the day we met he's been there for me and I love him and he loves me. Why can't you just be happy for us?" Maya begged.
"Because I think you guys are just clinging to something that is doomed. I love you Maya but I can't give you my blessing," Riley said shaking her head.
"Well it's a good thing I don't need your blessing then isn't it. I didn't come here to get your permission Riley. You think you're the first one that's tried to talk us out of this? Leena tried and then Shawn and my Mom threatened to kick me out. Hell I lived with Lucas for a good two months before my parents talked to me again. This is happening whether you like it or not. I'd love to have you there Riles but if you can't accept this then I don't want you there," Maya finished before walking out of the room.
As she walked out of the room she ran into Auggie and Cory.
"Maya!" Auggie exclaimed with a big smile on his face.
"Hey kid, Mathews," she said giving them a forced small smile.
"You okay Maya?" Cory asked with concern.
"Yeah uh I just told Riley some news and she wasn't exactly happy about it," Maya told him as Auggie went to his room.
"I take it you told her about the engagement?" He asked looking at her knowingly.
"Figured Shawn told you. But yes I told her, I should really get going my Mom wanted to talk about some stuff," Maya explained hoping to get out of the suffocating apartment.
"She'll come around. I'll let you get going, congratulations by the way," he said smiling at her.
"You aren't going to try and say this is a mistake and that we are ruining our lives?" Maya asked in surprise.
"Not a chance, Me and Topanga got engaged at our graduation. And so many people told us it was wrong and that we were making a huge mistake that we almost eloped. As much as Riley doesn't want to believe it I remember what it's like to be in love and young and know that you are with the right person. Besides Shawn told me about his and Katy's freak out."
"Yeah Mom wasn't to happy about that. I appreciate the lack of lecture though Mathews, I gotta go," Maya said smiling at him before going to leave the apartment.
