8:00 pm. Maya curled into a ball on her bed. 'Idiot,' she thought to herself. 'Why couldn't you keep it together for ten goddamn minutes?' She wanted music. Music will make everything go away. But her phone Mr. Matthews had gotten her was across the room in her bag. Which meant she'd have to walk across the room. Which meant she'd have to stand up. Which meant she'd have to open her eyes. No music it is. Smoke? She had promised her mother she wouldn't in the house. Maya resolved to just flicking her lighter back and forth and trying to block it all out. 'At least he didn't try to kiss you this time. Maybe he is really growing up.' She smiled for a minute. 'But what if he knew. What if Lucas knew. What if…she knew.' Maya smushed a pillow over her head.

"Shut up."

'Imagine Riley turning red. She'd stammer out how she loves you and you're her best friend, but…"

"Shutup shutup shutup!"

Maya's mind would not relent. Instead, she recollected a few years prior.

"Maya I'm scared. What if nobody ever kisses me? What if we're old ladies and we've never had our first kiss?" Riley and Maya sat on the bay window. Riley was wearing a bright pink hoodie with a unicorn on it.

"That won't happen, Riles." Maya had to sooth her best friend. "Everybody finds somebody."

"What if we kiss each other right now? That way we'll have a first one, and then we won't be as scared." Maya giggled and she and Riley both turned a little so they faced each other better. "I don't know how."

"Me either." Maya leaned in, screwing her eyes shut as soon as she saw Riley do the same. They hovered for what felt like eternity before Riley broke the silence with a whisper.

"Are you going to start it or do I-" Maya swallowed all the butterflies rising from her stomach and pushed her lips into Riley's. It was messy and wet and she tried to use what in retrospect was a truly egregious amount of tongue. After a few seconds they pulled apart.

"Woah…we did it, Maya!"

"Yeah Riles. We really did." Riley hopped down from the bay window.

"Want to go watch TV? Maya?" Maya was frozen for a moment. Her own private infinity of confusion and awakening.

"Yeah yeah yeah. I'm coming."

'Do you think she could tell? Maybe she knows, maybe she laughs about it with her family whenever you leave.' That's ridiculous. The Matthews are the nicest people I know. 'Then why haven't you told them?'

After a few hours of debating her own fears, the front door creaked opened. 'Great, Mom's home. TV?' The soft buzz of voices from the television set drifted through the tiny apartment to Maya's room. 'Check. Beer?' Katy sighed as she opened and closed the fridge. 'Check. I give her ten minutes before she's snoring.' It didn't even take five.

As much as Maya didn't want to admit it to Farkle, she did need to talk to someone. She went to text Riley. Maybe not right now. She couldn't reach out to Farkle. Which leaves Lucas. 'You're gunna drag Ranger Rick into your mess with you? He won't care. No one cares.'

Fuck it.

Hey Ranger Rick.

Maya started shaking a little. Her grip on the lighter in her left hand tightened, while she dropped the phone from her right hand momentarily.

Everything okay?

Shit. That was fast.

'He'll think you're crazy.'

Sorry, I texted the wrong person

There's another person you call Ranger Rick?

I just wanted some company but I actually think I'm going to head to bed.

Maya groaned, turning to again bury her face in her pillow. Her phone buzzed not even two minutes later.

I can be over in 15.

You don't have to.

Would it help?

It wouldn't hurt.

I'll be there in twenty.

Maya smiled to herself.

"Ha! Go fuck yourself, brain."

Her mother stirred in the other room.

"Maya…?"

"I'm fine Mom, go back to sleep." She wasn't fine, but she could breathe a little. Just don't push him away like you did Farkle.

'So, oh needy one, what exactly are you going to tell him? The truth? The truth?' Maya grimaced before rising to open her window a crack. She went through three cigarettes before her phone buzzed.

Outside your building. Where should I come in?

'Ranger Rick's come to the rescue.'

END OF CHAPTER THREE

Author's note: Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. This is my first fanfic and y'all have been so supportive. Next update should be out late on Tuesday. See you then!