The school day droned on and on. Maya had her classes with Riley today and Riley was more full on than ever.

Science was the one class Maya sucked in. It was the only language she didn't understand. In middle school it didn't matter because the teachers were more lenient and helped get her to pass, but high school was different. This was truly going to be Maya's challenge.

The finals bell of the day finally rang and Maya couldn't be more happy.

"So are we going to Tooangas today?" Riley asked as the walked towards Maya's locker.

"No honey. I have to help that student with his art assignment remember?"

"Oh yeah."

Awkward silence.

"So did you have fun today? I mean I love science so much."

"Is that a trick question?" Maya asked annoyed.

Riley looked confused.

"Riley you know I hate science because I don't understand it."

"You don't understand anything."

If Riley only knew who Maya was academically.

"I can tutor you if you want." Riley offered.

"We tried that already. It didn't work and we just ended up fighting, remember?" Maya said.

"Oh yeah… well what about Farkle?"

"You've met Farkle."

"Right. He's too smart."

"Look I gotta get going." Maya said closing her locker.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Riley asked.

"Of course Riles." Maya smiled and then walked away.

Maya made her way out of the school and to the museum where she was meeting Lucas.


Having to take the subway didn't really help Maya's headache from Science class.

Maya made it to the art gallery and went straight for the spot where they said they'd meet.

She waited and waited yet Lucas hadn't shown yet.

"I'm waisting my time" Maya thought to herself.

She was just about to move sections to start her own work when he showed.

"Hey, you leaving?"

"Just about. Your late." Maya said.

"Yea I got caught up in something…"

"Whatever, let's just do the assignments so I can go home."

"You okayy?"

"No. I'm sorry for being rude, it's just I have a killer head ache from science."

"Not your strongest subject?"

"No. But we're not here for science. We're here for art." Maya said starting to walk down the hall.

Lucas followed.

Maya led them to a "study area" where observers could sit and take notes and such for school.

Maya sat and so did Lucas.

"Alright, so when your drawing fruit it doesn't have to be precise. It just has to be real."

"My drawing was real." Lucas protested.

"No it wasn't. It was terrible."

Lucas acted offended.

"Look, just start over and I'll help you best I can as you go." Maya offered.

Lucas started drawing and Maya pulled out her own sketchbook to do her assignment as well.

The assignment was to choose a scenery and paint it. Maya had chosen to paint the scene where she happens to be: the art gallery with Lucas. She was painting two silhouettes sitting on a bench drawing in an art gallery.

Maya glanced over at Lucas's pad and almost laughed.

"What?" Lucas asked.

"That just looks like a bunch of scribbles." Maya said holding back her laughter.

"Well drawing isn't really my thing. I'm more of an athlete."

"Then why are you in art?"

"Because you're not allowed to have 4 sports electives. I figured art wouldn't be too hard to tackle."

"Interesting." Maya pondered. "Okayy, well here." Maya said getting up to stand behind him so she could look over his shoulder.

"When your drawing you want the strokes on the paper to be light. The lighter they are the more you can explore the drawing."

"Like this?" Lucas asked starting again.

"No. no." Maya said. "Like this." She reached around his arm and put her hand over his and started to draw for him.

Lucas was shocked. No girl had ever made a move like this. Well she wasn't really making a move and he knew that but it was still a chivalrous feeling.

"See, it's not that hard. Just keep your touch light and fruit is a piece of cake." Maya said.

Lucas looked at the drawing. He had just drawn fruit, like it actually looked like fruit.

"Wow. I didn't know I could do that." He said.

"It's called untapped potential."

"No. I think that it's called you just drew this for me." He chuckled.

"Okayy, so maybe I did most of it, but what you didn't realize is that you were drawing, I was just guiding your hand." Maya said.

"Yea well it's a good thing your tiny hands fit in mine or this wouldn't have worked."

Maya's heart pounced a little.

"My hands aren't that small." She shot back.

"Oh yea." He said as she sat back next to him. "Let's compare them to mine." He held up his hand.

"Fine." Maya held up her hand to his.

Theo hands touched slightly and it was like electricity flew between them.

"Okayy, so maybe they are that small." Maya admitted.

Lucas smiled. "See."

The two still didn't move their hands tho.


The next day in art Mr. Jackson couldn't believe the work Lucas had done. Lucas flat out told him Maya really did help him with most of it and that's why it looks presentable but he was willing to learn and draw at least legible drawing to pass the course. Mr. Jackson was impressed by Lucas's stature.

The bell rang and everyone filed into class one by one, Maya being the last.

Alright class, so today your scenery portraits are due.

"What?!" Lucas said to himself.

"Maya just looked at him."

"Uh, Mr. Jackson, mines going to be late…" Lucas said raising his hand embarrassed a little.

"See me after class, you too Mrs Hart."

"Ugh, am I going to have to help you with every assignment?" Maya groaned.

"Most likely. I think we work well together."

Maya just rolled her eyes and waited for class to end.


Maya and Lucas approached Mr. Jacksons desk.

"I understand your work is subpar Mr. Friar but I cannot continue these extensions. I realize it is early in the school year but when I do it for you I have to do it for everyone."

"I understand sir, I was just focused on completing the fruit drawing."

"Understandable. So I will allow the scenery painting to be due no later than Friday afternoon. It's Wednesday so you have today and tomorrow to work on it."

"Thank you sir."

"And Mrs Hart here is going to help you."

"Of course I am." She said sarcastically.

Lucas nudged her. He wanted to leave just as much as she did.

"Gladly." She said more chipper this time.

The two were walking out of the room when Lucas spoke up.

"So what are you doing today?"

"Not today. I'm busy."

"Tomorrow."

"Not unless you wanna work at night."

"Why night?"

"Because I already have after school plans. I can do tonight at 6pm and tomorrow at 7:30pm."

"Why so late?"

"Because."

"Fine. Can we do tonight and tomorrow because we know how my art turns out by myself."

"Lord your gonna burn me out. Fine, start working by yourself and I'll criticize you later."

"Where are we gonna meet?"

"The museum will be closed." Maya said.

"Well we could meet at my house? I'm sure momma wouldn't mind making dinner for 3…"

"Yeah sure, look, I'm gonna be late so text me your address and I'll see you later." Maya said walking away quickly.

She had an after school tutoring session and really didn't want to be late or she'd make a bad impression.


It was 6:15 before Maya made it to Lucas's.

She walked up to it and started at it from the side walk.

"Holy shit." She said allowed.

His house was like something out of a movie. A white picket fence, perfectly green grass, a truck sitting in the driveway. Yup, this kid is definitely a huckleberry.

Maya walked up and knocked on the door.

"Hi, I'm here to meet Lucas…?" Maya said as the lady opened the door.

"Oh hi! You must be Maya! I'm Leslie."

"Nice to meet you."

"Lucas your friend is here!"

"So Lucas said you're his art tutor?"

"Yes ma'am."

"I told that boy not to take art. He's terrible at anything besides school and sports."

"Lucas!" She yelled again.

"Yea, he is actually really bad at art. But who am I to judge because I'm terrible at sports."

"Sorry momma." Lucas said coming down the stairs. "I was on the phone. Hey Maya."

"Hey Huckleberry."

"Huckleberry?" He asked.

"Yea, have you see your house? Your accent and your truck, it all makes perfect sense. Not that it isn't a nice house or anything." Maya said turning to his mother.

"Well thank you. I think huckleberry is a cute nickname. Dinner isn't ready yet, won't be for maybe 30-40 minutes."

"Okayy, were just gonna go to my room and draw." Lucas said.


"Your moms nice." Maya said making conversation.

"Yea, she is such a sweet heart to all my friends."

"Must be nice."

"What?"

"To have a mom."

"Your mom…"

"No, but she isn't around much anyways. I maybe see her 3 times a week. She works a lot."

"Oh."

"Yea, but I'm not complaining. It get total freedom and she doesn't notice anything I do so…"

Awkward silence.

"Okayy so let me see your painting."

He held it up.

"Well it's not totally bad… is it a bird?"

"No. It's a player hitting a baseball."

"Oh… then it's bad."

"You have no filter do you?"

"None. Alright, your going to have to start over. Do you have a picture or something you were basing off of?"

He pulled up a pic on his phone.

"Oh so you want silhouettes?"

"Yea, I think their cool and easier to do."

"That is true." Maya said.

"What does yours look like?" Lucas asked.

"Funny you ask that." She said pulling her sketch pad out of her bag.

She held up her page.

"We think alike." Lucas said amazed.

"Guess so."

"You know some would say were meant for each other." Lucas joked.

"You and me? Nahh." Maya said putting her pad away.

They ate dinner and Maya went home after making Lucas start all over with his drawing.

It was nearly 9 and Lucas refused to let her take the subway so he drove her. She was embarrassed by her building so she had him drop her off at a decoy building and when he was out of sight made way to her own.

With her wanting to make a good impression and all she didn't want to be seen as the poor girl. Especially since not many in her classes knew her. She didn't need word out about how little she has.