(Author's Note: Peter! I'm so glad you're still reading my story! And I'm glad you still like it. I'm also glad that I'm getting a positive reaction to this storyline with Haley. I always thought Haley should have gotten more lines when she was on the show.)
Riley's POV
"You're right. We are both lucky," Lucas agreed.
"But please just answer one question for me," he continued.
"Lucas-"
"Just tell me this one thing and I won't talk about it anymore," he promised.
"What is it?" I asked.
He looked me in the eye.
"Is there a part of you that still has feelings for me?"
Whoa.
I stopped dancing with him. He continued looking into my eyes, awaiting my response.
"Don't ask me that, Lucas."
"I already did."
"We're friends, Lucas."
"So you feel the same way about me as you feel about Farkle?"
"You're not being fair to me."
"If you're in denial of your own feelings, then you're not being fair to yourself," he said.
"You're supposed to be my friend. You're supposed to be Maya's friend too. So be a good friend Lucas, and respect our relationship." That's my answer.
"Look me in the eye, Riley, and tell me you feel the same way about me as you do about the rest of your friends." He pressed.
I looked into his eyes. He has such kind eyes. But I couldn't say it. Why can't I just say it? Instead, what came out was:
"You're trying to confuse me."
"No, I'm not. I just want you to be honest with me, and with yourself," Lucas said.
"Lucas, my feelings are my feelings. I don't owe you any explanations for them." I said.
He's starting to get on my nerves. I went off on him.
"I don't hear you confessing any of your feelings," I called him out.
Oh no, why did I say that? He looked like he was about to say something, so I quickly followed with : "And I don't want to know."
"Riley-"
"No."
"But Riley,-"
"No!"
"Of course I still have feelings for you!" He blurted out.
And suddenly it felt like all the air had been sucked out the room. Like we were in a vacuum.
"My question is, how do you feel about me?" He added.
Breathe, Riley. Breathe. I swear the air in here just disappeared.
"I need air" I said and walked away. He tried to follow me but Haley grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back towards the dance floor. Thank goodness for you, Haley.
I felt a little dizzy, but when I got outside, the cool summer night's breeze was steadying. I spotted a bench at a bus stop and walked over and sat down. I held my head with my elbows on my knees and took some deep breaths. Pull yourself together, Riley. You can't just pass out every time someone reveals they have feelings for you.
Maya's POV
When I returned from the dance floor, I scanned the room looking for Riley. Farkle and Smackle were dancing together. Lucas and Haley were dancing together. No sign of Riley anywhere. I went over to Lucas and Haley.
"What'd ya do with my girl?" I asked Huckleberry.
"She said she needed to get some air." He replied, pointing towards the door.
I shot him a death glare. He's lucky his suit is so nice, otherwise I would have grabbed him by the shirt.
He put up his hands and played innocent.
"What? I didn't do anything," he insisted.
Haley subtly nodded towards the door.
She clearly had Lucas under control, so I left to go find Riley.
I spotted her sitting at the bus stop. I walked over and sat down next to her.
"Riles?"
She looked up and smiled. "Peaches"
I put my arm around her.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, I just wasn't feeling well in there," she said.
"I'll take you home." I said
She shook her head. "No, it's okay. The fresh air is helping."
"Honey?"
She looked at me.
"Did Lucas say or do something-"
"No," she quickly answered before I could finish the question.
"Riley, you can tell me-"
"No," she replied quickly again. A little too quickly.
"If he-" I started.
"He was just getting on my nerves a little," she interrupted. "But it's okay. Don't worry about it," she continued.
She put on a smile, but her eyes were telling a different story.
"I'm fine."
When a girl says she's fine, she's usually not fine at all.
"Are you sure?"
She took my face in her hands and pulled me closer for a kiss.
"I'm fine, Maya. Let's go back inside." She took my hand and lead me back into the venue.
Riley's POV
We joined our friends back on the dance floor. Maya put her arms around me. Lucas spotted me, but Haley was keeping him occupied. Farkle and Smackle danced their way over to us. "Hey! I'm having an after party at my house," Farkle said.
"Isn't it already passed your bedtime, Farkle?" Maya teased him.
"Yeah, but it's okay. I drank coffee today," he said, grinning widely.
"So will I see you ladies there?" Farkle asked.
Maya and I looked at each other.
"Are you feeling up to it?" she checked with me.
"Yeah, it sounds like fun," I nodded.
"Great, my house at ten," Farkle said.
"It STARTS at ten?" I exclaimed.
Maya giggled at my outburst.
"Who even heard of such a thing?"
"Well it IS an after party, Riley. Prom is almost over and it's already after nine now," Farkle said.
"It starts at ten," I complained.
"That bothers you, doesn't it?" Maya asked me.
"My parents told me to be home by eleven."
"Well, we might be a little late, but don't worry I'll write you a late pass," Maya winked at me.
"I don't think they'll mind if we're at Farkle's house anyway. I'll just text my dad," I said.
"So who else is coming to your party, Farkle?" I asked.
"I invited our whole class," he said.
Well, I guess that means Lucas will be there.
"Is Lucas coming?" I asked. Maya gave me a weird look when I asked that.
"Of course he is," Farkle answered.
"Is Haley coming?" Maya asked.
"Yeah. Everyone's coming. Everyone knows my parties are the best," Farkle said, proudly.
"They really are," Maya agreed.
"Last time, I got two penguins," she smiled.