(I know this is kind of short but I wanted to post what I have so far because I haven't updated in a long time. Sorry it's taking me so long.)

Maya's POV

Riley walked into Mr. Matthews' class and Lucas was right behind her. Huh. Did they walk to school together? I don't like this. I looked back at Haley and we exchanged similar uneasy glances.

Riley sat down and smiled at me.

"Hi Peaches."

"Hey Riles. So you and Ranger Rick...?" I trailed off.

"We ran into each other on the subway," she replied. "Oh." I nodded.

Lucas spoke up "It's a good thing we did."

I turned around to face Lucas. "What do you mean?" I asked him.

He looked at Riley. "Do you want to tell her?" He asked Riley.

I looked at Riley. "Did something happen on the subway?" I asked her.

Riley's POV

Ugh. I don't know. I mean I want to tell her but, Sheldon called her a bad name, one that I'd rather not repeat.

"Riles?" She persisted. Okay, here goes.

"You remember those guys, Sheldon and Cisco?" I began.

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Who?" She asked

Farkle leaned forward. "You mean those two guys I scared off with my spider?" He asked. I nodded. Then Maya nodded as well. "Oh yeah, that was awesome," she giggled.

"They were..." I struggled to find the words.

"...bothering you?" Maya guessed.

"Yes." I responded.

Maya waited for me to continue. I don't even know where to start.

She looked at Lucas for more of the story.

He said "They took her scarf and wouldn't give it back, so I stepped in."

Her eyes widened. "You mean they just snatched it from your neck?" She asked, in an unpleasantly surprised tone.

I nodded.

"They made fun of my hickey and asked if you did that to me. They called you a bad name, Maya," I added.

"I'm sorry they did that to you, Pumpkin," she sighed. "What'd they call me?" she asked.

"Don't make me say it." I cringed.

"Just tell me, honey," she prodded.

I wrote the word "dyke" on my notebook and showed it to her. She squinted at it.

"Oh. What does that mean?" She asked.

I started to try to define it, but realized I didn't really know the answer myself.

"I'm not really sure how to explain it," I answered, "I've just only ever heard it used negatively."

Farkle leaned forward, peeking over my shoulder to read the word.

"It originated as a term to describe masculine women, and became used as a derogatory term for lesbians," he explained.

She looked at Farkle, wide-eyed and confused.

"Der-og-at-ory?" She sounded it out in a way that clearly indicated she wasn't familiar with it.

"Yeah, you know like insulting, demeaning, degrading or disrespectful," he said.

She nodded "Oh," she understood.

"I defended you," I said "well I tried to anyway."

"Do you think I'm masculine?" She asked me, as though she were pondering the validity of Sheldon's remark.

Ummm.

After some brief consideration, I shook my head. "No, Peaches. Not really."

Sure she has a tough exterior and that could come of as masculine, but I know she only LOOKS like she could kill you.

I know she's actually a cinnamon roll.

Maya's POV

People calling me names is nothing new. I shrugged it off.

"Well people call me names sometimes, Riley. I can just add this one to the list."

"What else is on the list?" Farkle asked.

"Short stack of pancakes," I said, glaring at Huckleberry.

"It was one name. You've got a whole list of names for me," he argued.

"Oh and there was that time your dad called me a waif in front of the whole class," I said to Riley.

"What's a waif?" Riley asked.

"A child that has been abandoned," Farkle explained, softly.

Wait, what?

"THAT'S what it means?!" I exclaimed. OH NO he didn't!

"When did he call you that?" Riley asked, confused.

Oh no, he really didn't.

"Oops! Nevermind. That doesn't happen until next year," I said.

"He won"t even still be our teacher next year," Riley said.

I laughed "You're cute."

"Of course he'll still be our teacher next year, and every year," Farkle

"Why do you say that?" Lucas asked him.

"Because, after doing hours of thorough research and analysis, I have determined that Mr. Matthews is our Feeny," Farkle concluded.

"FEEE - NAY!" Riley called out with a smile. I couldn't help but join in the Feeny call.

"FEH - HEH - HEH - HEE- NAYY!" I chimed in.

Mr. Matthews walked into the classroom on the tail end of that and gave me a strange look before turning around to write on the board.

I looked over at Riley and noticed her smile had faded. She must still be upset about those jerks hassling her.

"Hey Riles," she looked up at me. "I'm sorry I wasn't there."

"Don't worry about it-" she started.

"No, I am worried about it. I really wish I had been there. I would never let anyone mess with you," I assured her.

She looked at me as if she knew better. As if she knew I couldn't possibly protect her from every injustice we would ever face together.

"Maya, I don't think there's anything you can do about it," she shrugged.

I hate seeing her look so defeated. Her eyes usually sparkle with glimmers of hoping for the best in people, but now they look dull and devoid of their usual light.

"I realized today," she began, "that there are some people in this world,"

she paused and glanced in Lucas's direction, but he wasn't facing us because he was talking to Haley,

"mainly guys," she turned back to me and continued,

"who will never respect our relationship, at least not the way they would give respect to a straight couple," she finished.

I wish I could prove her wrong. I wish I could tell her that what happened today would never happen again. I never want her to feel like she isn't worthy of respect. I want to rip those jerks apart for making her feel this way. But I can't realistically do any of those things. All I can do is love her, and hope that's enough.

"Hey," I took reached over and squeezed her hand.

"I love you," I told her.

This was enough to bring back her smile. Hi dimples. The sadness in her eyes was eclipsed by love as she looked at me and squeezed my hand back.

"I love you too, Peaches."

Our moment was interrupted by a gasp from Farkle.

"What's so shocking, genius?" I asked him. He pointed at the words on the board.

"It's finally happening!" He exclaimed.

Riley and I looked at the words Mr. Matthews wrote on the board. There it is.

"Belgium 1831".