Freshman Year, August:

Summer. We all needed it. Maya spent almost every day at Riley's house, just like every summer. It was a way for the two girls to stay connected after their first stressful year of high school. I spent most of the summer in Texas, visiting my family and old friends. I expected everything to be the same when I got back. But I was sadly mistaken.

Because Maya had her first serious boyfriend. And he was perfect. Well, I knew he wasn't perfect. Just everyone else thought he was. His name was Trent. Maya had met him at the pool, he was a lifeguard there. He was a freshman in college! Seem a little weird? That's cause it is. She should not be dating a college freshman! She had other priorities! I couldn't see how a guy like him could stay with just Maya. No offense to Maya, but I just didn't see it. I knew there had to another girl. A more mature one. Probably some pre-law college girl that wore pencil skirts and gray high heels. I didn't understand. Riley adored Trent, thought he and Maya were so cute together. But that's the thing, Maya doesn't do cute. But she was like putty in his hands. It made me sick. She brought him everywhere, was always riding around in his fancy cars, always at his house, never had time for Farkle or I anymore. Cory and Topanga loved him. But both Farkle and I saw how manipulative and passive aggressive he was. And we didn't like it. I didn't want a repeat of Jackson. But as far as I could tell he wasn't very physical, so maybe I didn't have to worry.

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Sophomore year started and Maya and Trent still spent every second they possibly could with each other. He even bought her a new phone plan so she could text him all the time. Why I had left this summer? Maybe if I hadn't I could have kept her away from this "love" obsession. Funny how when he needed her, she was always there. And then when she needed him? Bam! Something came up and he couldn't make it. So I was still there, helping her through everything, taking the job that her boyfriend, her "perfect" boyfriend, should have. And personally, I was glad when he couldn't be there for her. It meant I got to step in and do what I do best. Be there for Maya. Make her smile. When she smiled at me it felt like I was the only person in the world. I loved her smile. I just I wish I saw it more often; I didn't see it very often. I blamed that on Trent.

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And in November, I finally discovered Trent's motive for dating Maya. I was sitting in the Matthews' living room with Maya and Trent and Riley on a Tuesday after school. We were all together to hang out and watch a movie together. Riley had insisted I come, even though she knew I didn't approve of Trent. For some reason she just really wanted he and I to get along. Like that could ever happen.

"I have something for you!" Maya suddenly turned to Trent in the middle of the movie. "Pause the movie and I'll go get it!" she was beaming, excited.

"It can't wait till the movie is over?" Trent sighed in slight frustration. I wanted to punch his teeth out. Maya obviously was so excited to show him whatever it was. He should pause the movie for hours if she wanted it.

"Pleeeasssee?" Maya begged.

"Fine." Trent motioned for Riley to pause the movie. She hit the pause button and followed Maya up to Riley's room where Maya had left her purse. Trent and I sat in silence. But not for long.

"Friar, I've been meaning to talk to you." He spoke up. I looked over at him from the other end of the couch.

"Have you?" I asked icily.

"Yeah." He ran a hand through his gelled hair. "I know you don't like me." Well he was straightforward.

"What tipped you off, Sherlock?"

"I want to know why." He ignored my sarcasm.

"You want a list?" I asked calmly.

"I want one good reason. Riley loves me. The Matthews love me. Everyone loves me. Maya loves me. So why out of all of Maya's friends is it you that has a problem with me?"

"Because I know a fake when I see one." I muttered just loud enough for him to hear.

"You think I'm a fake?"

"I mean this in the kindest way possible," I growled, "but I can see right through your little 'pretty boy' act. You're using Maya."

"Ouch. That is a harsh accusation. But you sound pretty sure of yourself." Trent had his brows raised smugly. "I admit, those are some big words coming from a sophomore. But I'm intrigued. Why does this mean so much to you?" I could see what he was getting at. He wanted me to say that I liked Maya. He wanted to see me jealous. It wouldn't happen.

"Speaking of age, how old are you anyway? Maya says you're only in your first year of college, but I highly doubt that since we never hear what college you're attending anyways. I know a guy like you probably has three or four girls, all different kinds. I know how it goes. You have your high school sweetheart, the one you've been dating for years. You like how committed you feel when you hold her hand. You have the sorority sister who sleeps with everyone, and then you have Maya. She's your personal cheerleader, worships you, a boost to your ego. She makes you feel young again, popular. It's a hard world isn't it? It's just sad that Maya is getting used to make your pathetic life easier to get through."

"Friar, they don't give you enough credit." Trent seemed completely at ease, bored even. "You really do know what's going on. So what if what I said was true?"

"What if it was?" I challenged.

"Here's the catch," he leaned in closer, "you still can't prove anything. And, even if you could, I know you wouldn't tell Maya."

"Oh really?" I was starting to see red. "What makes you so sure?"

"Don't mess with me, kid." Trent chuckled. "I see the way you look at her. It's obvious you like her. And good guys like you that really care about their friends, much more the girls they love, know what's best. You wouldn't tell her because you know I make her happy. And if she found out, she'd be devastated. You wouldn't do that to her." He now had a smug smile resting on his lips. I tried to take deep breaths. How had Maya not seen this side of him? How could he be such a good poser?

"She deserves so much more than you." I growled through my teeth. "Someone who treats her right." My hands curled into fists.

"And I suppose you think you're the one to treat her right?"

"I never said that." I retorted. "I don't have anything to do with it. But when you mess with one of my friends, you get me."

"Like you expect me to be scared of you? Friar, I'm every girl's dream! I mean, you're good looking, but me? I'm surprised I'm not a male model yet. Are you jealous that I've seen more of her than you ever will?"

"You're making this so hard right now." I was literally digging my fingernails into my palms to keep from lunging at him. "Maya respects herself too much. But if that's what you want to tell your friends, that you slept with her, if it makes you feel better."

"Let this whole thing be a lesson to you, Friar." Trent stood up and stretched. "If you want to get anything in life, you can't be the good guy. I've had so many girls, countless girls. And Maya has been great. I see why you like her. But then guys like you, guys that care, keep getting in my way. I have to admit, it's slightly irritating."

"I didn't mean for it to be slightly irritating." I sighed. "I meant for it to be completely irritating."

"Funny." Trent snickered. "Well, good talk Friar." He grabbed his jacket off of a chair.

"Where are you going?" I stood up too.

"Jenny is having a party at her place. College parties are the best. Can't miss it." He winked. "Maya! Babe?" he called loudly.

"Right here." She ran into the living room. "Are you leaving?" she looked crestfallen.

"Mom called. She thinks she has a cold. I need to go get her some soup at the store." Trent lied like a dog.

"Oh, tell her I hope she feels better." Maya nodded sympathetically.

"Always." He bent to kiss her head.

"Oh I almost forgot!" Maya backed up before he could kiss her. He looked at his watch. "I wanted to give you this." She handed him a box. "Open it." She smiled.

"What is it?" he asked, smiling.

"You'll see." she beamed. Riley was still standing a ways off and I looked over at her. She looked uncomfortable. Trent opened it slowly, and pulled out a sparkly necklace. I had seen Maya wearing that necklace before, almost every day.

"Your necklace?" he asked in confusion.

"Yeah." She nodded, then quickly dropped the smile. "We're done." I froze. Did Maya just break up with him?

"What?" Trent looked like someone had just punched him in the stomach.

"You better hurry." Maya crossed her arms. "Jenny probably doesn't want you to be late."

"You were listening?" I asked before I could stop myself. Maya looked over at me, surprised, like she had forgotten I was there.

"Yeah." She nodded. "I was."

"I didn't need you anyways. You were a fling." Trent shrugged.

"Good. So get out." Maya opened the door. "After you." She sneered. He walked out, then turned back.

"You'll miss me." He challenged.

"Somehow, I think I'll actually be ok." Maya feigned a surprised voice, then slammed the door. Riley ran to her and pulled her into a hug. But Maya didn't burst into to tears. She looked detached, stiff.

"Good riddance." I spoke up. The two girls looked at me. "Thought he'd never leave."

"Don't get all happy." Maya walked over to me. "I'm mad at you too."

"Why?" I didn't get it.

"Lucas, I can take care of myself, ok?"

"He was cheating on you the whole time!" I cried. "And I knew it! Did you just want me to sit back and do nothing?!"

"Yes!" she cried. "Because I knew he was cheating on me!" the room got silent.

"What?" I choked out.

"I knew he was cheating on me." She sighed.

"And you stayed with him?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"I liked the idea of a boyfriend." She admitted. "But I suspected I wasn't the only girl."

"Maya, why would you settle for that?" Riley asked, tears in her eyes.

"I guess I didn't think I deserved more." Maya looked dead tired. "But then I heard Lucas saying all those sweet things about me." She looked up at me, her eyes glassy. "And I knew that there are people who actually see what I'm worth. And I keep forgetting that."

"Please don't forget again." I put a gentle hand on her arm.

"I'll try my best." She promised.

"You still mad at me?" I asked.

"A little." She replied, trying to hide a little smile. "But you could make it up to me."

"How?"

"I'm thinking along the lines of some hot chocolate with whipped cream. I did after all just break up with my ex."

"Done." I smiled and made my way to the kitchen.