Hey, everyone! I never finished this story because I am a commitment-phobe, but I have a bit of writing saved on my PC that I never published. I have a lot more fun writing flashbacks, so that's what a lot of the unpublished stuff is.
Doubt anyone remembers this lost fanfic, but figured I'd post the scraps. No promises on finishing the fic, though there will be at least one more update. Who knows, if I get inspired maybe I'll post more than just what I wrote 4-5 years ago (lol).
Also, thanks to StarlightSweetie for reminding me that this story existed, and for TheFutureIsAGeek for asking if you could adopt this story years ago. Sorry I never got back to you lol. Anyways, please enjoy this prom flashback.
Maya remembered thinking that prom took place during a very inconvenient time in the school year. At the end of May, people who hadn't gotten early-acceptance into post-secondary were scrambling to study for fast-approaching exams and contemplating adult life for the first time. Why not leave the partying until after graduation when school was over and you had a few days to yourself before free-falling into the future?
It was almost especially difficult to enjoy the celebrations when you were an honourable member of the prom committee through your best friend. As early as November, Maya had come face-to-face with Riley, sitting opposite her in the bay window. The other girl had been smiling that nearly psychotic Riley smile that took up her whole face and squished her eyes into slits.
"Prom," she'd said, simply. "Prom, Maya."
Maya had narrowed her own eyes in response. "Prom?"
"Prom," Riley had confirmed gleefully. "Promenade."
As soon as she'd realized what Riley was getting at, Maya had shaken her head in protest. "No, Riley. I'm trying to get an art scholarship, and senior year is already hectic enough as it is! I really - "
"Prom!" Riley had shouted, spastically flapping her long arms in the air and shuffling closer to Maya. "Our prom - !"
"- isn't until May," Maya had rebutted, uncharacteristically moving away from Riley's attempt at an embrace.
"Just think," Riley had begun, aggressively throwing an arm around Maya's shoulders and forcing her forward until she was awkwardly trapped in her best friend's death grip, "our last highschool hurrah - !"
" - is still months away." Maya had rolled her eyes before relaxing into her friend's tight hold.
Riley had pushed Maya away just as forcefully as she'd pulled her close. She'd then put both hands on either side of the other girl, grabbing her friend's upper arms and jerking her backwards and forwards repeatedly. "Student council starts taking applications for prom committee on Monday, and I heard that they're going to be accepting at least six people who aren't already members!"
"That's great!" Maya had responded, breaking out of Riley's grip before mockingly shaking the other girl back and forth in return. "Good luck with that."
Riley hadn't missed a beat. "Maya Hart, you will sign up with me."
"Wrong-o, Ms. Matthews. As I tried to tell you," she'd looked at her best friend pointedly, "I have too much on my plate this year. Get Smackle to do it with you."
And Riley had gotten Smackle to sign up for prom committee. Maya remembered thinking that she'd won the battle until she'd found herself attending every single committee meeting and helping Riley make last-minute calls to the caterer.
Even on the actual night in late May, Maya had tried her best to actually enjoy prom while simultaneously trailing behind Riley whenever there was a centerpiece issue or DJ emergency. She'd still managed to save time for Zay, who had asked her to be his date out of the blue one day at her locker. She'd known for a fact that it wasn't because he was low on options, seeing as his nice-guy reputation had earned him a lot of female attention in high school. She'd also known that it wasn't a real date, even as he'd squeezed her hand affectionately when she'd agreed. Maya had assumed that it was out of pity (she was still dateless less than a month before prom and was relatively uninterested in seeking someone out), but Zay had never made her feel that way. Looking back, he'd been the perfect date. Zay had agreed to colour-coordinate (more at Riley's request than her own), he'd posed for photos, and he'd even saved every slow dance for her, except for the one swap with Farkle. Even though her long-time friend had given up his fantasy of marrying both girls by that time, Farkle still insisted on saving Riley and Maya each one dance, much to Smackle's delight. She'd happily danced with Zay while Maya and Farkle had comfortably swayed to Aerosmith's I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing, but for round two (and Seal's Kiss From a Rose), Smackle had eagerly grabbed Lucas by the lapels and dragged him onto the dancefloor, tightly encircling her arms around his middle and forcefully pressing her head in between his neck and shoulder. Even Maya would admit to suppressing a laugh as her best friend's date - a cute yet forgettable guy from Riley's French class - had stood in anticipation, reaching out to Smackle as she'd breezed past him. There wasn't another trade-off to be made either, since Lucas had shown up stag to prom (though he had no trouble finding a dance partner all night).
Smackle had selflessly volunteered to be Lucas' date in order to ease the tension at Riley's mandatory 'pre-prom best friends logistics meeting' in the Matthews' living room just over a week before the big night. Maya had been busying herself with a sketch at the kitchen table, as far away from everyone as she could get without completely removing herself from the discussion.
"So," Riley had wriggled on the sofa giddily, "that covers the limo. Now, let's talk dates. Maya, you still with us?"
Maya had responded with a silent two-finger salute, encouraging her best friend to continue.
"Obviously Farkle and Smackle are together." Riley had scribbled something down on her notepad before looking up again. "And Maya and Zay are paired up too."
Maya had looked up to meet Zay's eyes and return his smile.
"As for me," Riley had pressed on, and the atmosphere turned from slightly amused to almost awkward. Maya had been able to tell that Lucas was trying his best to look nonchalant, even as everyone's gaze fell on him. "Toby Danforth asked me," she'd declared.
"From your French class?" Smackle had asked, casually running a hand through Farkle's hair.
Riley had nodded in response, ducking her head before turning to her ex-boyfriend. "Lucas?"
Maya had very purposely kept her eyes on the sketch she was working on as Lucas took a deep breath. Sure he and Riley had already been broken up for almost four months but, as much as they'd tried to defuse awkward situations and revert back to a comfortable friendship, moments like this tended to throw them all through a loop. Prom would've been the first high school function where Riley and Lucas hadn't had built-in dates, and it was odd for everyone involved.
"Honestly," Lucas had started, refusing to let the silence continue for a moment longer, "I was thinking of not -"
"I've got the perfect idea!" Smackle had interrupted, suddenly sitting up and allowing Farkle's arm to slip from its lazy position over her shoulder. "Lucas and I will go together! Farkle can be Riley's date, and Maya and Zay...well they'll stay the same. So? Am I genius or what?"
"Or what." Farkle had responded, grabbing one of the couch throw pillows and jokingly smacking his girlfriend across the face with it. But you could tell that he was glad that she'd lightened the mood a little.
Lucas had smiled despite himself. "Smackle, I'm honoured that you'd like to be my date -"
"Don't hit on me in front of Farkle."
"- but I'm fine with going alone. We'll all still be together, right? Besides, going stag means that I can pick my own tie colour. And I don't have to buy a corsage."
Maya remembered that he'd ended up settling for a simple black tie. Zay had opted for red to match Maya's crimson floor-length halter mermaid dress, and Farkle had gone for a dark navy to complement Smackle's cap-sleeved two-piece gown. Riley, being Riley, had gone all-out in a sweetheart blue beaded princess dress with a corset top. Toby hadn't complained about sporting a powder-blue tie, however he had grumbled once or twice about having to carry Riley's train around all evening.
It had been harder than usual to avoid Lucas that night, seeing as they'd all ridden over together, taken group pictures, and had even all sat at the same table for dinner. Somehow, though, she'd managed.
That was until two hours into the after-prom party that had been held at Zay's house. His parents had conveniently decided to go away for the weekend, and had dropped subtle hints about not caring if he threw a party, so long as the house remained intact and there were no noise complaints. Only about thirty people had been invited, but over fifty had shown up.
The boys had loosened their ties and removed their suit jackets, undoing their button-ups slightly to reveal the white t-shirts underneath in an attempt at getting more comfortable. The girls, however, had pulled off an entire costume change into more relaxed - yet still formal - cocktail dresses. It had been Riley's idea, and while Maya had initially thought that she would want at least one night's use of her prom ensemble (considering how much it had cost), she'd been happy to trade it later in the evening for a more comfortable black spaghetti-strap dress.
It had all started out fairly tame. Top 40s music had blared from the speakers, red solo cups were passed around, and one team game of beer-pong had turned into ten team games of beer-pong. Maya had never witnessed such a successful house party. They were often much smaller than what was promoted in your typical Hollywood teen movie, and people usually chatted amongst themselves while casually sipping on some kind of alcoholic beverage. But on prom night, Zay got some of the guys on the football team to help him rearrange the furniture so that there was an empty space big enough in the middle of the living room for people to crowd around. After three or four drinks, the makeshift dancefloor started working its magic and Maya's classmates slowly began to group together, swaying along to the music as they were tapped in and out of the never-ending flip cup game in the kitchen. Even Riley, who was well-known for being somewhat of a goody-goody, hadn't been without a drink in her hand all night, and Toby had often been looking as though he couldn't believe his luck whenever she'd pull him to the dancefloor and guided his hands to her hips. That being said, the two girls had been inseparable for the most part that night. Once Riley was giggly enough - it hadn't taken long - she'd shriek "this is our song!" to Maya excitedly at the beginning of almost every new track that was played. They'd poured each of their drinks in unison and had graciously lost three games of beer-pong together. Maya hadn't even realized that she was drunk until she tried to unlock her phone and discovered that she couldn't remember her own pin.
She stumbled up the stairs and down the hallway towards Zay's bedroom. He'd told everyone in the limo that they could put their jackets and purses on his bed to keep them safe once they got to his house. Maya shouldered the door open and tripped into the room, fumbling for the light switch before giving up and feeling her way over to her purse. Once she was sure that she was holding the right clutch, she slipped her phone inside, deciding that it was of no use to her if she couldn't remember how to unlock it.
She kicked off her shoes, padded over to the ensuite, and tried her best to make out her reflection in the dim bathroom light.
She hardly recognized herself. The incredibly thought-out makeup that she'd applied earlier seemed to have melted away, leaving behind a trail similar to a watercolour drip painting, and her carefully crafted updo had fallen out, allowing her untame hair to cascade around her shoulders. Only Maya's bright red lip stain remained intact, complementing her flushed cheeks and wild eyes. She couldn't help but think that she sort of looked like someone had thrown the polished Maya from earlier into the dryer and pressed "rapid spin-cycle" while hoping for the best.
A rustling coming from the bedroom interrupted Maya's thoughts, and before she could turn around, suddenly Lucas was there, peering over her shoulder to meet her eyes in the mirror. He was swaying a little bit, and he steadied himself in the doorframe as he held her gaze. She noticed that he'd completely discarded his button-up and was wearing a simple white t-shirt with his dress pants.
Maya felt a pulling sensation in the pit of her stomach as she realized that this was the first time they'd been alone together in months. Feeling brave, she spun around until she faced him before stepping back once she noticed how close they were. "Sorry," she said, feeling the cool porcelain of the sink against her hip when she moved away from him.
He made a confused face before opening his mouth and then closing it, seemingly at a loss for words.
Seizing the opportunity to make a quick getaway, Maya pushed off the sink and attempted to swerve around Lucas. "The bathroom is all yours," she said, beginning to slide past him, "I was just heading back downstairs."
He caught her arm in a sudden movement, and she froze in place. "You've been avoiding me," he murmured.
Maya's breath hitched. He was staring down at her, unwilling to budge from his post in the doorway. Desperate to end the conversation, she plastered a fake smile on her face. "Oh! I'm sorry. Tonight has just been so hectic and, you know, I've been helping Riley out with the whole prom committee thing. Plus I -"
"I don't mean tonight," he interjected, letting go of her arm. When he moved even closer, Maya could smell the booze on his breath. Her own head began to spin.
She reached out to steady herself on something, and realized too late that she was gripping Lucas' shoulder. "I don't know what you're talking about." But she did.
He turned his head to look at the hand that she'd fisted into his shirt. "No?"
They were so close now, and Maya's heart was pounding in her chest. She shook her head. "No idea."
Their eyes met again, and she could see him desperately trying to tell her something without words. He sighed in frustration, put one hand on either side of her head, and kissed her.
Maya stood shocked and frozen for a moment before pushing him away. "What are you doing?"
He blinked twice, looking hurt and confused. It was silent apart from the muffled bass of the music downstairs. "I didn't -"
She lunged at him, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling his head down towards hers. When their lips met again, it was twice as eager and ten times more forceful. He pressed against her, and she took two steps backwards in response, dragging him forward so that there was no space between them. A startled laugh bubbled up from her lips when she nearly took a dive face-first into the tub after tripping over the bathmat.
They broke apart, panting and looking into each other's eyes without really seeing one another. Before she could make any sense of what had just happened, Lucas found her mouth again and placed two rough hands on her hips.
It was amazing how many places there were for her hands to explore. She desperately tugged at his hair and his shirt, she feverishly clung to his neck, and her nails dug deep into his back. He hissed in pain when she did that, and she would've apologized if he hadn't scooped her up and carried her through the doorway into the bedroom before unceremoniously tossing her onto Zay's bed.
Stop, her mind was saying as Lucas climbed over her, dipping his head to put his mouth on her collarbone. When he bit down, she arched into him and fisted a hand back up into his hair. Stop, she told herself a second time as she blindly slid her other palm down towards the hem of his shirt. Maya fumbled and tugged unsuccessfully until he jerked away and pulled it off himself.
He looked down at her, and she felt cool all over without his touch. Lucas was kneeling next to her and she pulled on his arm until he swung a knee over so that there was one on each side of her hip. Someone's keys were digging into Maya's back, making her squirm in discomfort, but she quickly became distracted by his bare chest.
Her depth perception must have been off because instead of a gentle caress, the sound of her palm hitting his torso was loud and similar to that of a slap. Lucas didn't seem to mind, however, as he moved his face lower and sought out another kiss.
When she allowed his tongue to slip past her lips, he let out a small groan and pressed harder into her mouth. Maya's hands continued to roam up and down his bare back, and an urgency originating in the pit of her stomach made her rake her nails across his skin.
"Ouch," Lucas grunted, his actions contradicting his words as he pulled her closer, sliding an arm beneath her and flipping them over so that she was the one leaning over him.
Maya's long hair spilled over them as she pressed their mouths together once more, the new limited access to his back causing her to settle for biting down hard on his bottom lip instead.
"Ouch," he said a second time and squeezed her left thigh in response.
Stop, Maya tried to tell herself again even as she pushed up to give him more access to her backside. Stop, she chastised one last time as Lucas' fingers trailed the bare skin underneath the hem of her dress.
It wasn't until his hand stilled and he pulled away did she realize that she'd said it out loud. He looked worried and somewhat guilty which only managed to annoy Maya.
Instead of saying anything, she fell into him, mouth once again sliding over his as she tugged aggressively at his hair.
"Ow!" he cried out this time, his right hand on her shoulder, finally pushing her away.
They stared at each other, both breathing heavily in a less than comfortable silence. Not knowing exactly what to do, she rolled off of him and onto her back before looking up at the ceiling.
A few more moments of excruciating silence passed until Lucas spoke.
"I'm mad at you," he said, his ragged breath making it sound like a gasp.
Blood rushed to Maya's cheeks as anger continued to build up in her chest. "No. I'm mad at you."
"You're drunk," he said in response.
"You're drunk."
She could feel him turn towards her, but she didn't move her head to meet his eyes. "I need to tell you something," he said softly, his breath tickling her cheek.
Maya's self-preservation kicked in, and she quickly clambered out of the bed, tripping over someone's bag on the floor before steadying herself with the help of Zay's bedside table. "I'm not all that interested in what you have to say," she snapped, hoping that she sounded convincing.
He sighed before sitting up to look at her. "This wasn't supposed to - " he began before changing his mind. "I just wanted to talk to you."
Maya suddenly felt very exposed, and she hurriedly fixed the straps on her dress and pulled down the material from where it had ridden up onto her hips. "Well I don't want to talk to you."
Before he could say anything else, a muffled noise startled them both.
Almost in a daze, Maya climbed back onto the bed and shoved Lucas over so that she could get to her clutch. After ripping it open, she felt around inside for her cellphone. Once she got ahold of the device, she placed it in her hand face-up, and Lucas squinted at the bright light of the screen. Riley's contact ID seemed to stare them both down as the phone vibrated in Maya's palm.
Lucas tore his eyes away from the screen; he reached out, trying to grasp at Maya's hand. "Maya, you don't have to -"
"It's Riley," she said simply before slipping back out of the room and shutting the door behind her.
