Tradition

Riley and Maya have this tradition. Ever since they were little kids they kept birthday memory boxes. Every year on their birthday they would put in an item that represented the biggest moment of that year. And the boxes were opened on their birthdays and only their birthdays. Riley's box was always glitter and rainbows and everything happy but Maya's box was deep and everything had an emotional connection to her.

So with her phone in her hand Maya head to her closet and gets her step stool. On the very top self she reaches for a box. It's not just any old shoe box. Maya made hers a wooden box with paint splatters on it.

"Got it." she said.

Maya walks to her room sits on her bed and gets the key taped to the the drawer in her night stand. She takes the key and unlocks the box. The first thing on the top was a rose preserved in parchment paper from her first date with Josh. That was for her 23rd birthday. Her and Josh started dating after her 22nd birthday so she had to wait to put it in her box as per tradition. There was a copy of the keys to her studio which she got on her 21st birthday as a present to herself with a little help fron the fam. There was her first painting she ever did, a graduation tassle, a tiny tile from the staircase landing from freshman year (she snuck in one night and chipped it from the wall), the necklace the night she and Lucas kissed in Texas because that was the first time she was ever in love. And to be totally honest even after she became her self again she still liked him. It was just a front because she knew how much Riley loved him. But she never told Riley and its been over 10 years. There were a bunch of other memories some photos and trinkets. But there was one extra item she hid in there from Riley she broke the rule and opened the box the night of their graduation party.

Flashback*

It was the gang's graduation party and Farkle paid for them to have it in this big run down mansion. Zay brought the booze and Lucas brought his Cowboy hat. He started wearing one sophmore year and never stopped. Maya not knowing which hot guys might be there went to Victoria Secret and bought and new pair of black lingerie. She wore it under a short skirt and deep v neck top. She wore tall black heels. Riley wore a sundress. Classic Riley. So as the night went on Maya got more drunk by the hour because she couldn't find a single guy she wanted to sleep with. Riley was getting a little tipsy. Farkle was drinking and Smackle was the designated driver for them. Lucas and Zay had been doing keg stands all night. Maya went over to Lucas.

"Fun Night huh?" Maya said.

"Yeah we sure know how to throw a damn good party dont we?" said Lucas.

"So you're leaving for Texas next week right?"

Lucas nodded his head yes.

"Wow so you're really gonna do it? Go to Vet School and plan to open up your own Vet Clinic. Well I'm proud of you Luke. I'm gonna miss you so much. Don't let any of those sexy Texas girls get their hooks in you Luke. You're better than that."

"No I'm not."

And before she could respond Lucas's lips were on hers. Shocked the pulled away to look to see if Riley saw but she was too busy dancing on the table for a bunch of guys. Seeing she was in the clear she turns back and kisses Luke passionately. Before the kiss could get any hotter Maya grabs Lucas's hand and leads him up the stairs. She nearly trips 3 times she so drunk but not drunk enough where she doesn't know what shes doing or what she wants. She knew what she wanted she just need to be a little drunk to act on it. They make it up the stairs and head to a room that has a bed they can barely make it in the door. They start making out again. Lucas being the gentleman he is asks her if she's sure and she says

"I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

He goes back to kissing her and the kiss begins to become more heated. They move over towards the bed and he lays Maya down. He moves his lips from her mouth to her jawline to her neck finding the spot on her neck that makes her moan his name.

"Oh I'm just getting started Short Stack you'll be doing a lot more of that tonight."

Knowing she should be mad at him for using that nickname she can't be because of the things he's doing with his mouth. Maya sits up and takes off her shirt.

"Wow you're so hot" Lucas said

They continue to makeout

Later they were laying naked under the sheets (They are clean sheets. They went in and cleaned all the beds before the party.) Lucas looks over at Maya, smiles, and kisses her on the head. She intertwines her finger with his on the arm around her neck.

"Wow" they both said in unison and then laughing.

"I cant believe i just had sex with Maya Hart"

She laughs and kisses him. He takes off his ring that he wears and gives it to Maya. She's confused.

"I'm giving it to you. Something to remember me and this night by. I don't know when I'll see you again after I leave I hope it's soon but I don't know."

"Thank you, I love it and I know the perfect place to keep it."

End Flashback*

Maya picks up the ring from the box, smiles and a single tear ran down her face. Luckly her phone froze so Riley didn't see. She hasn't thought about that night in awhile. The phone connection resurfaces and Riley is back.

"Hey it's really late I think I'm gonna go to bed. Happy Birthday. I love you Peaches."

"Bye Riles. Love you too"

Maya looks through the box again and sees this little piece of paper sticking out of the pull down compartment of the box. She was a confused because she knows she's never put anything in there. But she opens the compartment and pulls out a letter adressed to her. With a date on it January 12th, 2021. She drops the letter and breaks down in tears.