Girl Meets Complicated
chapter 8
Maya's POV
The blackboard had the word "Stonewall" written across it. I looked at Riley as she read the board. She gasped and looked at me.
"What?" I asked Riley.
"He knows." Riley said with panic in her eyes. History class was about to get interesting.
Mr. Matthews asked the class "Can anyone tell me about Stonewall? Riley?"
Riley's POV
"Stonewall Jackson right? That is the Stonewall you're referring to right?" Riley asked nervously.
"Nope, not that one," Mr. Matthews replied.
"But he was a confederate general in the civil war. He was very important. I want to learn about him. Teach us about him!" Riley insisted.
"I'm referring to the Stonewall riots that incited the gay rights movement. It happened right here in Greenwich Village in 1969," Mr. Matthews continued.
I whispered across to Maya. "How does he know?"
Maya whispered back. "He doesn't know. No need to go to Rileytown over this."
How can she not see it?! "He knows! He always makes history about our lives." I said.
"Or maybe we go to school in New York City and the educational powers that be saw it fit to include a significant historical event, that took place in New York City, in our curriculum," Maya cleverly responded. I was actually impressed by her logic. "Good point," I conceded.
"Can anyone tell me why this event was significant?" Mr. Matthews asked.
Farkle stood up, "It was the first time the gay community really stood up for themselves. Before that, they were arrested or put into mental hospitals."
"What, really?" I asked. I can't imagine that.
"Yes, really," my dad responded. "Unfortunately, in some states, homosexuality was criminalized and the American Psychiatric Association considered it a mental illness until 1973."
"That's ridiculous!" Maya exclaimed. She looked offended.
"Why do you say that, Maya?" Mr. Matthews asked.
"Why you gotta pick on Maya?" I asked him. Maya answered anyway.
"Because loving someone of the same gender isn't any crazier than loving someone of the opposite gender," Maya declared. What are you saying Maya? You're going to give us away. He's going to figure it out, although I'm not convinced that he hasn't already.
"Why are you teaching us about this?" I questioned my father.
"Because it's June, Riley, the month in which the history of Gay Pride is recognized." He answered.
"Okay, great. Pride recognized. Next lesson," I rushed him.
"Riley, I don't think we're quite done with our discussion," he responded.
"I think we're done. How about Farkle time?" I spun around in my chair and mouthed "Help me" to Farkle.
Farkle raised his hand. "Farkle time, sir?" My dad nodded.
Farkle stood up and flipped the nameplate on my dad's desk from "Mr. Matthews" to "Farkle".
"Okay, Mr. Matthews, I know plenty about Stonewall. Here's what I don't know." Farkle erased the word "Stonewall" from the board and wrote: "Belgium 1831."
He put down the chalk. "Please, Mr. Matthews," he begged. "It's already June, the school year is almost over, and I still don't know what happened in Belgium in 1831! I know everything else but this!" My father obliged. "Okay, Farkle have a seat." He flipped his nameplate back around.
"Belgium 1831-" My father began but was cut off by the bell ringing. "Already? What is this, a fire drill?" My dad asked in disbelief.
"YES!" I cheered at the sound of the bell.
"Nooooo!" Farkle whined. Belgium 1831 had eluded him yet again.
Maya's POV
After school, I walked Riley home. We climbed into her room through the bay window. I could tell she was still preoccupied by our history lesson.
"Maya, I'm telling you, he knows something is going on," Riley said.
"Sweetie, don't you think you're being a little paranoid?" I asked.
"No I don't. Either Shawn told him, or he just knows. Parents always know." Riley said.
"Hey," I wrapped my arms around her shoulders. "If you insist on staying in Rileytown all day, can I at least have a kiss?"
She looked into my eyes and seemed to find a moment of peace. Her lips curved into a half smile and she leaned in. Finally, I get to kiss my girl.
Riley's POV
As our lips parted, I breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what emotion I'm lost in, Maya always knows how to pull me back. But one kiss can't erase my worries entirely.
"Riley, would it be so bad if he knew?" Maya asked. She sat down on my bed.
"Yes!" I sat down next to her.
"But why?"
"Sooooo many reasons," I replied.
"Go on," she urged.
"Well, for one thing, this wouldn't be allowed," I gestured to her sitting on my bed.
"Riles, we're just sitting," she said.
"When I liked Lucas, he wouldn't even let Lucas be in my room," I reminded her.
"But I'm not Lucas. I'm Maya. He's known me forever," she reasoned.
"He's known you as my best friend forever, not my…" I trailed off in uncertainty.
"Yes?" she encouraged. Her eyes widened and a smile spread across her lips.
She thinks I'm going to say girlfriend. She wants me to say girlfriend, doesn't she?
My bedroom door burst open, and my father came marching in. I gasped. He knows that we're talking about him, doesn't he? How do parents know everything? I have to admit that I was relieved by the interruption. I know what Maya wants to hear. I'm just not ready to say it.
"Dad, can you knock from now on? You startled me." I said.
"Sorry, Riley can I talk to you?" he asked.
Maya started to get up from the bed but I put my hand on her knee.
"Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Maya." I said, with a conviction that surprised even me.
"Okay. You just seemed uncomfortable in class today, and I was wondering if there was anything you wanted to share with me," he said.
Maya's POV
Oh my gosh. He really does know, doesn't he? Maybe Riley was right. Well, if there was ever a perfect moment to come out, it certainly would be right now. Riley took a deep breath and looked at me. I looked back at her with all the support I could convey with my eyes. No matter what she chooses to say, I'll support her. Riley looked back at her father.