Okay, I know I said I'd write about Riley reacting to Lucaya winning favouritecouple in this chapter, but there's been a small change in plans (it'll happen in the next chapter). Please read on, follow, favourite, and COMMENT!

"Been feelin' lost, can't find the words to say

Spendin' all my time stuck in yesterday"

~ Camp Rock,Gotta Find You

I came early. I'm always early. Usually I'm the only one in school besides afew seniors. I go to the outdoor basketball court and practice shooting. Either that, or I sit on the school steps, and watch the people and the cars go by. That's what
I did today. That's how I saw Maya.

She was slowly hobbling along the sidewalk. I could hear the crunch of gravel and the chink of her crutches as she crossed the small road, one leg at a time. A car stopped to let her pass. After fifteen seconds, the driver impatiently honked at her. She
shot him an apologetic look and tried to go faster. My feet took me to her before I knewwhat was happening. We met at the sidewalk.

"Hey, Ranger Rick." she said, and tried to smile.

"Hey, Pancakes." I tried, and sure enough,she cracked up immediately. We walked to the bench outside Mr. Matthews' class and sat down. I turned to look at Maya, who looked bright with laughter, but also had something dark looking out from behindher
eyes from her recentfight with Riley, and- My hand had fallen near hers again. She noticed it too. We bothshifted away at the same time. Something hit me. "Did you- did you walk all the way from your house?" She shrugged.

"Mom took the car to work. She starts work early, so I had to walk." I blinked in disbelief.

"My parents drive me to school. Tomorrow we'll pick you up at 7." She hesitated and started to protest. "That's not a request, Maya. You can't possibly hobble all the way to school for thenext six weeks. She gave up and smiled that Golden Smile
that made the world seem brighter.

"You really are a Huckleberry, you know that?" I laughed. "But I wouldn't want you any other way." Maya doesn't open up often. I love it when she does. She turned a little bit pink and tensed up justa tad bit. I smiled at her, and she relaxed. Sadness
still lingered behind her eyes.

"Maya..." I said softly. She turned tolook atme in the eyes. "You know you can count on me, right?" She nodded. Then she bit her lower lip.

"It's just-" She stopped, trying to find the right words. "I feel so broken." All past hesitations gone, she leaned into me, tears slowly falling, and I put my arm around her shoulder.

"I'm here," I whispered, "Don't cry." We sat like that for a few minutes, then I drewback and took her face in my hands, wiping the tears away.

"Look at me." She does. "Maya Hart does not cry. She is strong, and cool, and confident." I tellher. She nodded, a determined look enteringher eyes once more. "But," I added softly, "it's okay to break down now and then." She sniffed and smiled
a little Golden Smile.

"Hey, Lucas, I-" The voice stopped abruptly, and Maya and I both froze, the remembranceof the speaker's existence jolting us apart. Riley.

Oh my God. What did I just do?

I jumped to my feet, closely followed by Maya. Unfortunately, Maya forgot abouther ankle, and she swayed on the spot, miraculously maintaining balance. She winced, and I dived to give her her crutches before shefell.

"Lucas, what is this?" Riley asked quietly. Farkle and Zay were with her. And... Missy Bradford?

"I told you Maya Hart couldn't be trusted." Missy said toRiley smugly. Maya looked hurt and angry. Riley turned to the group.

"I can't take this anymore. We can't be friends anymore. You're either with Maya, or with me." she said. I blinked in disbelief. So did Farkle and Zay. Missy just looked smug. That little-

Zay cleared his throat. "I, uh...I'm with Riley." What?Missy linked arms with Riley as if they knew each other their whole lives. Zay raised his hands in self defense. "I have to be on her side. She was right." Riley nodded.

"Farkle?" she demanded.

"No. Riley and Maya equally, remember? I won't choose." He backed away, looking less certain than his words.

"Fine. You're with Maya, then." Riley snapped. Then she turns to me expectantly. Maya shifted on her crutches slightly. I looked at Riley and realized she's serious about this. I looked at Maya, but can't see anything except how she stared at the ground
and bit her lip. Somehow, I was exactly in the middle of the two of them.

I faced Riley one last time, begging her to yield. She doesn't. I stepped backwards slowly, stopping next to Maya.

Riley stared. And stared. And stared. Missy looked likeshe was already plotting something. Farkle's eyes were wide, but unsurprised. Zay's mouth was open. Maya lifted her head up, and her eyes landed on me. Then she smiled gratefully. That little
Golden Smile that made me never regret my choice that day.

"Lucas? What are you doing?" Riley whispered.

"You asked me to choose. Right now I choose Maya." I lifted my chin, not wanting to back down.

"This isn't the Riley we know. We want the old Riley back, and we want her back now."Farkle added. Riley clenched her fists.

"This is me." she said through gritted teeth. Then she stormed into the classroom. Mr. Matthews' classroom. Oh, man.

I looked atMaya. She looked back at me. Are you okay?She knew what I meant without mesaying it. She gave me a half hearted shrug. I'm fine.I eyed her. No, you aren't. But you will be.