9:00 am.

"Belgium, 1831. The country –"

"Dad, I don't know what to do with my life and it's scary." Riley's hand shot up as she said this. The stress in her voice would've been concerning if it wasn't so adorable, Maya mused. No, no, Riley wouldn't…there's no point anyways. Stop thinking about it.

"Riley, are you okay?" Mr. Matthews was kind. Maya had to smile in spite of herself. It didn't matter that Riles lost her mind about something every other day. Each time he treated her with respect and seriousness and…love.

"Pretty soon we're gunna be in high school, and we'll have to pick colleges and jobs and that's just," Riley's head drooped into her hands. "It's too much pressure, Dad."

"What did you want to be when you grew up, Mr. Matthews?" There he was, Ranger Rick, right on cue. Maya stared at him out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't figure out what Riley sees in him.

"Thank you for asking, Lucas. When I was a kid, I was dead set on playing baseball." Mr. Matthews, ever the actor, swung an imaginary bat and peering into the back of the class to see his pretend ball soar. Maya snorted. He'd give her mother a run for her money if there was an award for more overdramatic performance.

"Does anyone else feel overwhelmed by not knowing what they want to be when they grow up?" Mr. Matthews asked. He had regained his composure as quickly as he had just discarded it. The entire class raised their hands except for Farkle. "Farkle, you're certain you know what you want to be?"

"I'm going to divide my working hours between being the CEO of all fortune 500 companies and being president for life of the United States."

"Farkle, this is history class, we've been over this. A president can only serve eight years; we don't have a president for life." Mr. Matthews was making a very stern face, but Maya could tell he was amused.

"Not yet." Farkle smirked smugly at Mr. Matthews.

"Maya? What about you?"

"Huh?" Maya had been so engrossed in watching everyone else she had almost forgotten she was actually there.

"What do you want to do when you grow up?"

"I have no clue, sir."

"So why didn't you raise your hand?"

"You asked if she was overwhelmed. Nothing could overwhelm Maya." Riley beamed at Maya after saying this, proud as a peacock, thinking she knew her best friend inside and out. Maya wanted to puke. 'I don't deserve Riles,' she thought. 'She's too good for me.'

"Besides, she's going to be an artist. Right Maya?"

"Exactly right, Riley. Thunder!"

"Lightning!" They held up their arms, rings pressed together. Riley's smile was intoxicating.

7:00 pm.

Maya sat on the edge of her window, taking in the night sky below. She slowly exhaled before flicking the cigarette down into the alley below, disgusted with herself for picking up this new habit.

"Yaknow, Cigarettes are the leading cause of preventable death" Farkle's head poked up from the fire escape.

"Really, I thought it was you talking." Maya thought she could get a laugh out of him, but Farkle just stared off into the horizon. "Geez, tough crowd."

"What's going on Maya?" Maya crawled the rest of the way out of her window to join Farkle.

"We're sitting on a fire escape"

"Don't bullshit me!" Farkle's voice cracked slightly as he yelled.

"Ooh, Farkle, using his big boy words. Better watch yourself, otherwise Daddy Minkus will get mad at you."

"He doesn't even know I'm here." Farkle's voice quieted just like it had grown. The rapid shifts reminded Maya of Mr. Matthews.

"In class today, Maya, you were watching everybody. I could see in your eyes. You study people. I know because I do it too."

"What do you mean?"

"I know this might be hard to believe, but sometimes I have a little trouble making friends." Maya suppressed a snicker, but after their eyes met she and Farkle were both laughing. It felt good to laugh. Everything lifted for a minute. The weight off her chest. "Anyways, I like to study people so I can learn from them. And fit in with them." Maya was quiet for a moment after hearing this, in contemplation.

"I'm pretty sure that's the premise of Dexter."

"Damnit Maya!"

"Farkle, what's your problem?" They both turned so they were facing each other. "I didn't ask for your help."

"What's the real reason?"

"Because I don't need your help."

"No, no, what's the real reason that you didn't raise your hand in class today. About your future." Jesus, Farkle was really pressing her.

"Because I know I'll be an artist." Maya's voice shrunk and trembled with that reply. Keep it together,' she told herself. Farkle placed his hand on her leg and looked her in the eyes.

"Maya." Maya let the ambient noise of the city fill the air before she drew a breath to respond.

"Because I don't think I have a future. Because I don't give any though to living past the age of tomorrow. Because-" Maya's shoulders heaved. Her face was hot and she felt the tears begin to pour. "I have to go. You have to leave. I'm sorry."

"Maya, wait!" Farkle protested as Maya scurried into her apartment and closed the window, leaving him alone on the fire escape.

END CHAPTER TWO