So much drama! So much conflict! It's not all going to be worked out in one chapter. They all have so much inner turmoil going on, so bear with me here. I have put a lot of thought into the journey they are taking, and I know exactly where they are going to end up. Keep in mind they have the stress of prom, graduation, senior year, college, and relationships to deal with. It's only normal they eventually snap! So enough rambling, let's head back to the drama! It picks up right where we left off!
Disclaimer: I do not own Girl Meets World or any of the characters
Chapter 37
"Riles?" Maya repeated, trying to draw her best friend's attention to her. Riley looked down at the two rings on her fingers. Her promise ring and friendship ring were both staring back at her and she felt so torn. What was she supposed to do?
"I have to go," Riley mumbled.
"What?" Maya asked, her blue eyes wide and shocked.
"I have to go check on Zay," Riley said.
"What do you mean?" Maya asked. "I need you."
"So does Zay," Riley said.
"Riles," Maya whispered.
"Maya, I love you. You know how much you mean to me. You're my best friend, but you went too far this time. What you said was too much. You really hurt Zay and I need to make sure that he is okay," Riley said before standing up.
"You can't go," Maya shook her head.
"You have to know that you went too far this time," Riley sighed.
"So you're choosing Lucas over me?" Maya asked, tears filling her eyes.
"No," Riley shook her head. "I'm choosing to be there for my friend who really needs me. I'm choosing to be there for Zay," She said before walking out of Topanga's.
GirlMeetsWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .
"Hey," Riley waved at the two Texas natives who were sitting at the tables outside. "How about we go to the bay window?"
"Really?" Zay asked, surprise on his face.
"Let's go," Riley nodded. Zay started to walk in that direction, leaving the couple slightly behind him.
"What about Maya?" Lucas asked.
"Zay needed me more," Riley shrugged. It only took a few minutes but the three friends finally made it to the bay window. Riley and Lucas took a seat on one side with Zay sitting on the other side, looking down into his lap.
"How could I mean nothing to her?" Zay asked.
"I don't think she meant it like that," Riley insisted.
"You heard her Riley," Zay insisted.
"I did," Riley nodded.
"She sounded like she meant it," Zay sighed. "After all we have been through, this is what she thinks of our relationship. I mean nothing to her."
"Then it's her loss!" Riley exclaimed, the anger in her tone surprising the two. "If she can't see how amazing you are, then it's her loss. You have given her so much and put so much heart into the two of you. You have so much to offer and there are enough people who see that."
"So I am just supposed to let her go?" Zay asked.
"Maybe it's time to do what is best for you," Lucas shrugged. "Maybe it's time to put yourself first once. You are always putting everyone else's needs above your own. Maybe it's time to finally do what is going to make you happy."
"What if everyone walks away from me?" Zay asked.
"You won't ever lose me dude," Lucas promised.
"Or me," Riley insisted.
"She's your best friend though," Zay pointed out.
"She is," Riley nodded. "But so are you. You are one of my favorite people in this world, Zay. I am never going to walk away from you."
"You really are one of a kind sunshine," Zay smiled at the brunette.
"And so are you Zay," Riley smiled and scooted closer. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and he rested his head on her shoulder. She heard Zay let out a long sigh and knew how much Maya's words really affected him. She shared a look with Lucas and they both knew how much things were going to change. They knew that this was only the beginning for all of them.
GirlMeetsWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .
"I really messed up this time, didn't I?" Maya asked, turning to look at Farkle. They were the only two left at Topanga's and she felt the weight of everything starting to hit her.
"Yeah kind of," Farkle nodded.
"Farkle!" Maya exclaimed.
"What? There is no point in pretending you didn't," Farkle shrugged. "You really hurt Zay and I don't even know what that whole thing with Riley was about."
"I found out something about her and Lucas that she didn't tell me and we got into an argument about it," Maya said.
"What did you find out?" Farkle asked.
"I don't think they want anyone to know," Maya said.
"You mean that they had taken their relationship to the next level?" Farkle asked.
"How did you know that?" Maya asked, eyes wide. "Did one of them tell you?"
"No," Farkle shook his head. "I'm Farkle, I know all. It wasn't hard to pick up on it. They've been a lot closer and happier lately. I don't know how you couldn't pick up on it. I didn't know for sure but I had my suspicions."
"Why didn't she tell me?" Maya asked.
"Why would she tell you something like that? That's so personal and between her and Lucas. It's not because you're not her best friend, it's because it was a special moment between the two of them. You have to understand that this was a huge moment for their relationship and something between the two of them. Has she ever not told you something?" Farkle asked.
"No," Maya shook her head.
"Then as her best friend, you should know the difference. You should know when she is keeping a secret from you and when she is deciding to keep something special between her and Lucas between her and Lucas," Farkle insisted.
"What about Zay? What do I do now?" Maya asked.
"I'm not sure what you can do," Farkle shook his head.
"So I'm just supposed to let him go?" Maya asked, tears filling her eyes.
"Maybe that's all you can do right now," Farkle said.
"This is bad, isn't it?" Maya asked, turning to face her friend.
"Unfortunately I think it is," Farkle nodded. Maya let a few tears fall from her face and Farkle pulled her close to his side. She rested her head on his shoulder and let the tears fall. She needed to fix this. She needed to make things right.
GirlMeetsWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .
"What was your fight with Maya about?" Lucas asked. Zay had just left, leaving the couple some time for themselves.
"She found out that you and I had taken our relationship to the next level," Riley said.
"So why was she so mad about that?" Lucas asked.
"Because I didn't tell her," Riley sighed.
"Why would you?" Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We have always told each other everything and the one time that I didn't, it's a big deal. She can't understand why I would want to keep this between the two of us," Riley explained.
"She's in a relationship though. She should understand," Lucas said.
"Their relationship is so new. They are still working on the whole communication thing," Riley shrugged. "She told me that I wasn't ready to take that next step with you."
"What gives her that right?" Lucas asked, bewilderment on his face.
"She still sees me as the naïve girl that fell onto your lap in seventh grade," Riley sighed.
"Riley," Lucas whispered.
"I have grown up so much. I have matured so much and she can't see that. She doesn't see me as an equal to her. She sees me as someone she needs to baby," Riley said.
"I think it's more that she sees you as someone she needs to protect," Lucas said.
"What?" Riley asked.
"She has always protected you. It has always been the two of you against the world. She was the tough rebel and you were the happy optimist. She is having a hard time realizing that you may not need her to protect you as much as you did in the past," Lucas explained.
"But what about Zay?" Riley asked. "How does she make it up to him?"
"I don't know," Lucas shook his head.
"Do you think it is possible for them to get through this?" Riley asked.
"I don't know," Lucas once again shook his head.
"What do you know?" Riley teased her boyfriend before nudging his shoulder.
"That I love you and we will get through all of this together," Lucas smiled before wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"That was a good answer," Riley giggled.
"Yeah?" Lucas smirked.
"You do have a way with your words," Riley poked his shoulder.
"As long as you are happy, I'm happy," Lucas promised.
"I love you," Riley leaned forward to kiss her boyfriend. In the middle of all the drama surrounding their friends, she was glad she had Lucas. He made every situation bearable.
GirlMeetsWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .
"So, what do we do?" Farkle asked.
"Is there anything we can do?" Riley asked, closing her locker and turning to face her friend.
"I just feel like we have to do something," Farkle sighed.
"I know," Riley agreed. "It's been three days and Zay has barely looked at Maya."
"This is worse than when they actually broke up," Farkle said. "How are you and Maya?"
"We haven't really talked much," Riley admitted. "I think we are both kind of avoiding it."
"Well that's healthy," Farkle rolled his eyes but laughed.
"These months are supposed to be fun. We are supposed to be getting ready for prom and graduation. Our friendships should not be hanging by a thread," Riley sighed.
"Maybe this is how everyone is dealing with it?" Farkle suggested.
"Can't we just eat cake and sing show tunes? Why do we have to fight?" Riley groaned.
"Eat cake and sing show tunes?" Farkle raised an amused eyebrow at his friend.
"It was the first thing that came to mind!" Riley defended herself but ended up laughing at herself.
"I would expect nothing less," Farkle laughed.
"So, we should just let the two of them figure it out themselves?" Riley asked.
"I think that's all we can do," Farkle shrugged.
"What should I do?" Riley asked. Farkle reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I think you know what you should do," Farkle gave her a look and Riley sighed.
"I should talk to her?" Riley asked.
"You have too many great years of friendship to let this fight ruin that," Farkle said.
"Why are you always right?" Riley narrowed her eyes.
"Because I'm Farkle!" Farkle exclaimed.
"So you keep reminding us," Riley playfully rolled her eyes. Farkle pinched her cheek and she swatted his hand away.
"That's our Riley," Farkle teased. Riley narrowed her eyes at her friend but ended up laughing and it felt good. She felt like things would be okay.
GirlMeetsWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .
"We need to talk," Maya said, walking into Josh's dorm room.
"What are you doing here?" Josh asked, looking up from his homework in surprise.
"I'm fixing us. I am working on our relationship. I am choosing to communicate," Maya said. Josh gestured for her to sit with him on his bed.
"I'm listening," Josh put the book down and gave her his full attention.
"I'm not good at talking about my problems. I'm used to just holding it all in and dealing with it by myself. Riley has been the only person I have ever opened up to. She has broken down those walls," Maya smiled sadly as she thought of her best friend. "I don't want to be like that anymore. I want to be open with you. I want to be able to talk to you. I don't want everything to boil up and then we just explode."
"I want to be someone that you can come to with your problems. I want to be your shoulder to lean on and the encouraging smile that gets you through it all," Josh insisted.
"I want that too," Maya nodded.
"Then how do we get there?" Josh asked.
"I need to start trusting that you're not just going to walk out on me. I need to believe you when you say that you're really here for me," Maya admitted.
"You don't believe me now?" Josh asked.
"I do," Maya nodded. "I just think there is some part of me that is used to everyone walking out that I just expect it to always happen. A large part of me knows you are not going to do it, but there is still that small part of me that prepares for the worst."
"If you would have told me all of this, we could have gotten through our issues. I want you to be able to trust me," Josh said.
"I am working on it," Maya promised.
"So why didn't you tell me about Zay?" Josh asked. Maya sighed and looked down at her hands.
"Zay has always been really special to me. He was the first guy to like me for me and want to get to know the real me. He saw the real Maya and always believed in me," Maya explained. "It was special, losing our virginities to each other. It was a moment I knew I would never regret. I just thought if I said all of this to you, you would doubt my feelings for you. You would always wonder if there was a part of me that wanted to be with him again."
"Is there?" Josh asked.
"Not at all," Maya shook her head. "My feelings for him are purely friendship. He will always hold a special place in my heart but nothing romantic."
"I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I should have given you the chance to explain yourself first," Josh said.
"So let's make a deal," Maya said as she sat up straight.
"What kind of deal?" Josh asked.
"Whenever we start to feel insecure or jealous, we talk to each other. We don't let it get to a point where we explode and then go days without talking. We always make time to talk to each other," Maya insisted and then extended her hand. Josh grabbed onto her hand and gave it a shake.
"Deal," Josh nodded. Maya leaned forward and placed a kiss on Josh's lips. "I like that way of sealing the deal better," He said after he pulled back from the kiss.
"I figured you would," Maya laughed and then leaned in for another kiss. One situation down, two others to go.
GirlMeetsWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .
"How are you holding up?" Riley asked Zay as the two walked to class.
"I made a decision," Zay said.
"What's that?" Riley asked.
"I'm taking space from her. I need to, Riley. It's too raw and too soon. I need to clear my head and give my relationship with Claire a chance. I can't do that being around her all the time," Zay explained. "Plus, her words keep ringing in my head and I just can't look at her right now."
"Are you sure?" Riley asked, sad to see what was happening to two of her best friends.
"It's for the best," Zay nodded.
"You'll still hang out with me though, right?" Riley asked, insecurities filling her tone.
"Of course, sugar. I don't think I could ever get rid of you," Zay wrapped an arm around her shoulders and smiled at the brunette.
"Are you trying to put the moves on my girl?" Lucas asked, walking over to his best friend and girlfriend.
"Oh shoot, you weren't supposed to find out this way," Riley snapped her fingers and playfully winced.
"Our love has been growing for month's man, what can we say?" Zay played along.
"You two are hysterical," Lucas deadpanned. Riley and Zay laughed and both walked over to hug him.
"Aw is someone sad," Riley cooed.
"Come give us a hug," Zay added. Lucas swatted Zay's hands away but hugged Riley. "That hurts man. After all these years together and I'm just brushed aside for the city girl."
"What can I say? She stole my heart," Lucas kissed the top of her head and Zay pretended to gag.
"Y'all are so gross," Zay stuck his tongue out but stood up straight when he noticed Maya walking in their direction.
"I've been looking for you everywhere Zay," Maya said.
"I've been around," Zay shrugged.
"Can we talk?" Maya asked.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Zay shook his head.
"Zay," Maya sighed.
"I need space," Zay blurted out. "I need to not be near you right now. I'm sorry if that hurts but you hurt me."
"And I'm so sorry," Maya insisted.
"It's just not enough right now," Zay shook his head and then walked out towards class. Maya quickly turned and rushed off in the opposite direction.
"One day at a time?" Lucas asked.
"One day at a time," Riley nodded and then rested her head on his chest.
GirlMeetsWorldRucas. GirlMeetsWorldRucas. .
"Hey Riles," Maya walked into Riley's bedroom and saw her sitting at the bay window.
"Hey," Riley whispered. Maya hesitantly walked over and took a seat next to her best friend.
"Can we talk?" Maya asked.
"I think it's time we did," Riley sighed. The two best friends shared a look and felt like there was a giant elephant in the room. How did they get to this point? Could they get past this? Without even realizing it, they both twirled their friendship rings around their fingers.