Maya gently brushed the tears from Riley face and continued, "And because I love you, I tell you the truth. I would never lie to you, so I'm not lying about the fact that people love you. You can't let something like this get to you."

Riley looked at her with adoring eyes. "You really mean that?"

Maya nodded. "Of course I mean it, I care about you."

Riley placed a hand on Maya's cheek and kissed the other one. "I love you, Maya," she whispered next to her cheek.

Maya leaned against her and smiled a soft smile. "I love you too." The two of them didn't want to move after that, suddenly feeling like they were the only two people in the world. Maya brushed her fingers through Riley's dark hair and hummed softly.

Riley touched her forehead to Maya's and sighed.

Maya brought her other hand up to Riley's cheek and ran her fingers across it.

Riley giggled a little, Maya's fingers having slightly tickled her skin.

Maya smiled at her friend and nudge her with her nose, then whispered, "I'm staying with you tonight, I won't leave this time."

Riley looked up at her. "You don't need to stay."

Maya pulled back. "I want to," she firmly stated.

Riley searched Maya's eyes and saw that she was being one hundred percent serious. Riley nuzzled against her cheek and whispered, "Thanks, Peaches..."

Maya grinned. "Anytime. Now...do you intend to tell anyone else about this or just me?"

Riley shook her head. "I don't want anyone else to worry about me."

Maya sighed. "Ok then...I guess that makes sense."

Riley just looked at her, not knowing what to say. "I'm sorry, Maya," Riley finally replied.

Maya raised an eyebrow. "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything."

"For bringing you into this mess... I don't want you to worry."

Maya's expression softened. "It's alright, I'm going to continue to be there for you."

Riley smiled a little. "You don't have to be, but thanks anyway."

Riley heard her phone receive a text and she sighed. She knew that had to be the bully. Sure enough, it was, but Maya was going to be here with her this time.

Maya held her hand and moved her thumb in a circle on the back of it. Riley sighed and looked at the text. It said,

"You're hated by a lot of people, so stop thinking that everyone likes you."

Riley looked at Maya and Maya nuzzled into her cheek. Riley nuzzled back and sighed. She knew that Maya loved her, but these texts were really getting to her.

Maya, who was still nuzzled against Riley's cheek, whispered, "It didn't say you were hated by everyone, so people still love you..."

Riley couldn't help but smile a little. "You're not helping, Maya..."

Maya smiled back and playfully nudged her. "You smiled though, I'm counting that as a win."

Riley laughed. "Fine, it's a win." She had already almost forgotten about the bully.

Maya had just made everything better. Maya scooted back from Riley and asked, "So what do you want to do then?"

Riley replied, "I dunno, I just want to be with you."

Maya sighed and complied. "Alright, come here."

Riley jumped into her arms with such force it knocked both friends backward onto the bed. They landed in a fit of laugher with Riley on top of Maya.

Maya ran the back of her fingers along Riley's cheek and smiled at her.

Riley smiled back and gently kissed her on the cheek, then, remaining on top of Maya, cuddled into her.

Maya laughed and hugged her back. "Is this seriously all you want to do? I mean, I love you and I love doing this, but I was hoping to actually, you know, do something..."

Riley looked at her, then got off, flustered. "Really, Maya? I'm too upset to do anything can't you see that?!"

Maya immediately regretted saying anything. "I... I didn't mean to... I'm sorry," Maya stuttered.

Riley looked at her for a moment, then replied, "Just go."

Maya's eyes widened. "No, I promised I would stay!"

Riley lowered her eyebrows. "You aren't helping anymore, so just go."

Maya grew sad as she got up and left through the window. She had messed up badly.