Girl Meets Complicated
Chapter 6
Riley's POV
The next morning, I woke up in Maya's arms. Last night, after we talked, when we realized how late it was, she called her mom and told her she would be sleeping over. Maya had slept over plenty of times before, but this time was different. This time we kissed and cuddled and whispered sweet nothings in each other's ears.
Maya was spooning me from behind. I slowly turned myself around and nuzzled my face in her neck. I could hear her heart beating. She must have woken up too, because she gently kissed my head. I can't see her face right now, but I have a feeling she's smiling. I could get used to waking up like this.
Maya's POV
I wish I could wake up with this beautiful girl in my arms every morning. Now that I've got her, I never want to let go. I let out a sigh. I'm getting ahead of myself. One day at a time, Maya.
"Good morning, Sunshine." I whispered.
"Good morning, Peaches." I could feel Riley's smile against my neck.
She pulled herself up to my eye level. I could get lost in those brown eyes for hours. We don't even need to talk. We can just be here together. The morning light is peeking through the bay window, and it's dancing across her tousled hair. I want to capture this. I'm going to paint her exactly as she is right now, with the golden highlights of the morning sun, with her dimples slightly creased and the radiant happiness in her gaze.
Riley's mom yelled from downstairs. "Girls! Breakfast!" We reluctantly climbed out of bed and got ready to start our day.
Riley's POV
Maya and I were standing by our lockers. When I closed my locker door, Farkle was standing behind it. He startled me. He looked at us both, as if he were studying the results of an experiment. I bet that's what he thinks Maya and I are doing: experimenting with our sexuality. Whoa. Is that actually what I'm doing?
"So, what I saw-" Farkle began.
"Nope. Not another word, Farkle." Maya shut him down.
"It's ok, Maya. It's only natural to want to experiment." He said.
"That's not what's happening, Farkle." Maya refuted.
"But I saw you kiss." Farkle argued.
"So if one of us kisses a boy, it's just a normal kiss, but if we're kissing each other, it's an experiment?" Maya asked.
"Are you saying it's more than that?" Farkle asked.
Maya looked at me. She seemed to be searching my face for some kind of answer. But I'm not sure of the answer myself yet. I couldn't possibly admit that to her though. Farkle was looking at me for an answer too.
"Well, Riley? Don't you have anything to say? Or does your girlfriend speak for you now?" Farkle pressed.
"HEY!" Maya said, stepping between Farkle and I. "Back off."
I could feel the tension building and felt like I had to say something to intervene. "Look, Farkle." I started. "You saw what you saw. I'm sure you're making your own deductions about it." Truthfully, I was still doing the same, but I would rather not admit that. "But I'm not ready to talk about it."
"You heard her." Maya said. "Now leave it alone."
Farkle nodded and retreated into the classroom.
Maya's POV
Riley looked very uncomfortable after that exchange. I rubbed her arm. "Don't even worry about Farkle," I said, attempting to console her.
"He thinks that either we're experimenting, or you're my girlfriend. Isn't there any middle ground?" Riley asked.
"Of course there is, sweetie. There's plenty of middle ground, and plenty of time to cross it, " I assured her.
"Maya, I don't want anyone else to know, at least not anytime soon." Riley said.
Whoa. I wonder if Farkle made her feel insecure. I hope she's not having regrets about kissing me. Riley has always cared about what other people think of her, perhaps too much. "Okay, our secret then," I agreed.
"It's not because I'm ashamed, Maya." she explained. "Please don't think that. I could never be ashamed of you. I just need time to explore my feelings without dealing with other people pressuring me to explain them."
Well, that's a relief. At least she's not having regrets. "What happens between you and me, stays between you and me," I reassured her.
"Yeah, you and me and Farkle, oh and don't forget about Shawn. Oh no!" she exclaimed.
"Shawn is not going to out us," I replied.
"He's going to tell my dad." Riley suddenly looked terrified.
"He wouldn't betray my trust like that," I defended him.
"They're Cory and Shawn. There are no secrets between Cory and Shawn!" Riley was starting to panic.
"This is different. This isn't Shawn's secret to share. It's mine." I looked into her eyes. "He won't tell your dad, Riley. Relax. Nobody is going to find out anything until you're ready to tell them. I promise you." I said. Riley seemed to calm down. The bell rang and we headed to class.