(Authors Note:
It was hard to write this weekend. It was hard to do anything this weekend.
Because Christina Grimmie. Because Pulse. Because Orlando. Because America.
Because I'm a Christina Grimmie fan.
Because I'm an American.
Because I'm part of the LGBT community, and I would guess that most of the readers of this story are as well.
I just want to say to each and every one of you, that I love you.
Thank you for reading my story about two girls falling in love.
Because love is love.
And Love conquers hate.
Thank you all for letting me share this with you.
Thank you for inspiring me.
Let's all look out for one another and keep each other safe.)
Riley's POV
I tried to fall asleep but I couldn't. I was glad to be back in my bed, but I had grown so fond of falling asleep in Maya's arms, laying my head on her chest and taking comfort in the sound of her heart beating. These pillows are a poor substitute. I quietly tiptoed to the living room and watched Maya as she slept on the couch. Well, I guess she didn't have any trouble falling asleep without me. I remembered Farkle's comment from the day we were learning about the tell tale heart: "I don't know how Maya can just fall asleep anywhere!" Same, Farkle. Same.
I slowly and quietly climbed onto the couch and lied on top of her. I rested my head on her chest. There it is. I took refuge in the sound of Maya's heart.
"Riles?"
"Peaches!" Oops. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I couldn't sleep."
"What's wrong, honey?"
"I just missed you."
She wrapped her arms around me and planted an kiss on my head.
"I didn't get a chance to miss you because I was dreaming of you," she said.
I chuckled. "What'd ya dream about me?"
"Well, we were going to Prom-"
"Yay!"
"-And I begged you not to wear heels-"
"Uh oh."
"-Because you're a superclutz and I'm a short stack of pancakes-
"Yep."
"-But you wore them anyway-"
"No!"
"-And one of your heels broke-"
I gasped.
"-You lost your balance and fell-"
"Ouch!"
"-Nope. No Ouch. Because I caught you."
"Awww, Yay." I smiled.
"Honey?"
"Peaches?"
"Please, don't wear heels to prom." she requested.
"But what if I want you to catch me?"
"Well, you are quite a catch, but how will I kiss you if I can't reach your face?"
"Aww, my little Peaches."
"Shut up."
"My poor, vertically challenged, Peaches."
"Well, at least I'm not gravity challenged."
"Hah. Gravity does knock me down a lot," I admitted.
"And I'll be right here to catch you when it does," she assured me. I melted just a little bit.
"I love you."
"I love you too. And that's why I'm sending you back to your bed now."
"Nooooo!" Wow. That came out really whiny.
"Riley-"
"He said you couldn't sleep in my bed. He didn't expressly prohibit me from sleeping on the couch," I argued.
"Okay, Topanga, attorney at law," she teased.
"It's a solid defense, Maya."
"Riles, we just got back on your dad's good side. I really don't want to take any chances, especially before prom," she reasoned.
"Speaking of prom, we really need to go prom shopping soon, before everything good is sold out," I suggested.
"You want to go together?" she asked.
"No, I don't want us to see each other's dresses beforehand."
"Okay, maybe we can see if the guys want to go," she said.
"Who do you want, Farkle, or Lucas and Zay?" I asked.
"Uhhh, I don't want to go prom shopping with Ranger Rick," Maya said.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because a month ago he and I were dating and I don't know if he was planning to ask me to prom. I don't want it to be awkward for him," she explained.
"Good point," I agreed. "Okay, you get Farkle."
"Now that we've settled that, please go back to bed, Pumpkin."
I lifted my head and looked at her.
"I tried. I couldn't fall asleep without you."
She leaned in and kissed me.
I saw her phone on the coffee table and reached for it.
"How about this? I'll set an alarm for 15 minutes before my dad usually wakes up. I'll go back to bed then, and he won't know the difference."
She sighed. "Okay, honey. Whatever you want." She kissed me goodnight and I sank back down into her arms, where I drifted off to sleep.