It was the second week of February, which meant Valentines' day was around the corner. And to add an extra amount of cheese. We were reading Romeo and Juliet in English. Which is stupid because the play might as be in Latin.
Luckily I had Shawn, a human Shakespeare to English translator.
"I know this is like one of the best plays ever but I don't understand," I told him through video chat on my laptop.
"I will kiss thy lips...Haply some poison yet doth hang on them. O happy dagger!... This is thy she...ath; there rust, and let me die."
He was in London eating his English breakfast.
"That's just you don't understand the language."
"Come on Hunter, this is really about true love."
He shallows a part of his muffin and puts up a finger.
"See that's the big misconception about Romeo and Juliet, it is not about 'true love'," he says in air quotes. "It's about young love."
I sat back and huffed.
"When you're young, you can't see past next week," Shawn says, "It's about instant gratification, satisfying raging hormones, and every emotion is magnified."
"But would you really cry over a boy like this though?"
"I actually spent my entire teen years crying over a boy."
I knew he was referring to Mr. Matthews.
"Mr. and Mrs. Matthews met when they were young and their love isn't like that."
"Oh Maya, don't fall for Cory and Topanga syndrome."
"But they didn't act crazy like Romeo and Juliet."
He laughed.
"Oh there was plenty of crazy with Cory and Topanga, you only know half of the stories. "
"Really?"
"Oh, yea, Cory and I snuck off to Florida. Topanga ran away from home. And the two of them almost eloped."
Wow, this is great ammunition.
"And when they would break up," Shawn went on. "Cory whined more than Romeo. If you had given him a vile of poison, he probably would have drunk it."
"Would you have drank the poison over him?"
He paused and sipped his coffee.
"Honestly no," He took a deep breath. "I would've been the one to stab myself."
At school today, Mr. Matthews was hyperactive. With it being the week of Valentines, couples had started forming all over school. Mr. Matthews locked Lucas out of the classroom because he didn't want Lucas to talk to Riley. To be honest, I'm actually with Matthews on this one.
But at lunch, I got a text from Lucas to go to Riley's apartment after school. I was probably going to go to her place anyway.
"Riley is not here." Mr. Matthews says blocking Lucas from entering the apartment.
"I'm actually not here to see her either." He said, "I want to do this the right way. So first, I'm here to talk to you, sir. And the whole committee."
Mr. Matthews tried to close the door but he pushed through.
"Please hear me out."
Lucas gathers all of us in the Matthews living room.
Lucas turns to me.
"What are you looking at Ranger Rick?"
"Well do you are Riley's best friend. Your approval is just as important as theirs."
Nice smooth farm boy. I shook my head. Then Riley was jumping behind him, signaling me to approve.
"Sure...if Mr. Matthews says it's okay.."
Oh, never said that before. Of course, I said that, hoping Mr. Matthews would keep saying no.
But he, of course, smirked, "Really?"
"Yea," I nodded.
"Ok, Lucas you can go on a date with Riley."
Riley cheered.
"But...it has to be a double date with Maya and Farkle."
Matthews, you sneaky little man. Of course, I didn't want to see Riley and Lucas making googly eyes at each other on a Saturday night. I got enough of that Monday thru Friday.
"No thank you," I smirked.
"Double or nothing. That's the deal."
Riley walked toward me and grabbed my hand. Oh, the tingles. She looked at me with those adorable brown eyes.
"Please, Maya." She begged, "Please just one date."
I guess I would do anything for this girl.
"Alright, it's a double date."
Riley cheered again and hugged me tight.
%%%%%
Riley told me she wanted us to dress nice for our date. It felt nice to get all dolled up. But it wasn't for Farkle. Ew. I dressed up for Riley.
At first, it felt no different than when the four of us usually hang out. We went to a movie. Since Riley was forcing me to go on this date, I got to pick the movie. Slaughter Camp 4: Cabin Fever.
Riley hated it. She kept covering her eyes. At first, I thought it was funny until Riley put her head into Lucas' chest. Then...he...put his arm around her. Oh my god.
And to make it worse Farkle, then made a big show about yawning while raising his arm up. To put it around me. I pushed him so hard he fell out of his seat.
%%%%
The subway ride home was the breaking point. Lucas and Riley make googly eyes at each other again. Riley was completely ignoring me.
I walked to the other side of the car. I just needed a break.
"Maya, what's wrong?"
I turned to see Riley behind me.
"I just need some fresh air."
She raises her eyebrow at me. A New York subway isn't exactly a great place for fresh air.
She moves closer to me, "Are you having at least some fun?"
"The movie was good."
She smiles at me.
God, it's like glitter exploding inside of me.
"So are you sure...there's absolutely nothing between you and Farkle? Can you try to like him a little bit?"
"No. Love Farkle, but never."
"Well, Maya is there anybody else you like? Maybe we could double date again."
Great. Riley might start setting me up with every guy in the world and spend every Saturday night in hell.
"That's going to happen. The...person I like...really isn't interested in me."
Riley's mouth popped open, "You like a boy."
I bit my lip. Forcing myself not to correct her.
"Who is it?"
"Go back to your date Riley," I said rather coldly.
She comes closer, "Maya what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Lucas was staring at us.
The subway stops and Riley loses her balance and her body jerks back. Of course, she lands safely in...Lucas's lap. They smiled at each other all dopey eyed. Riley, with the kind boldness she usually never has, kissed him. On the lips.
The subway stops and not being able to take it anymore, I got off.
%%%%
I started crying as I was walking home.
Can you talk?
I texted Shawn.
I got to my apartment and sat down on my kitchen floor trying to stop crying. Shawn's name popped up on my phone. I picked it up. I didn't even bother with saying hello or how are you.
"Riley kissed Lucas."
"Okay. Maya breathe." Shawn says. "I understand that…"
"You don't understand Shawn." I screamed "You can't understand. When I saw Riley kiss Lucas...my heart broke. How can Riley not love me."
"Maya, Riley does love you but.."
"No, she doesn't. Because I am unlovable. I'm unloveable."
"Maya, this might not just about Riley…"
"Of course it's about Riley. And Riley doesn't love me and now I want to die."
I started wheezing.
"Maya. Maya listen to me. I'm going to call Cory to come and get you. I can get you a number for a Suicide prevention hotline."
"Suicide prevention?"
Those words seem to snap me back to reality. Oh my god, I was acting like Romeo.
" . Shawn I'm not going to...I'm not."
"I'm still calling Cory."
"No. I don't tell Mr. Matthews."
"I don't trust you being alone right now."
I was tempted to call my mom to see if she could come home. But I didn't want to bother her. And to be honest I didn't want to have to explain this to her.
A knock on the door. Scared me.
"Maya, it's me," Riley screams.
"It's Riley. What should I do?" I whispered to Shawn.
"Pretend you're not home? You're way too emotional right now."
I thought about that for a minute. But Riley knocked again.
"I'll call you tomorrow," I said before hanging up on him.
I answered the door to see Riley frowning.
"Oh my god Maya," she gasps. "Maya, have you been crying?"
I looked over at the mirror by the door. Great, my face was all red and botching.
"No, just coming down with a cold."
"Best friends don't lie to each other."
Oh yes, they do.
Riley came inside. She grabbed a tissue box and started wiping my tears.
Riley felt so warm and it felt so good having Riley focused on me for once.
"Maya I think I figured it out what's bothering you."
"You have?"
"Yes, I didn't see it at first, but tonight when I saw how jealous you were. It clicked. I realize who your crush is."
"Are you freaked out?"
She grabs my hands, "I know it's a little awkward, but sometimes we can't choose how we feel. You could've just told me."
"I thought it would ruin our friendship."
"Nothing could ever ruin our friendship. I love you, Maya."
I swear I felt myself shaking. Hearing those words from her lips was everything I wanted to hear.
"I love you too."
Then she moved close to me. For a second I honestly thought she was leaning in for a kiss but it was a hug.
Then she whispered in my ear, "You could have just told me you liked Lucas."
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