Maya was late to class, like always. When the bell rang, she saw it as a guideline to when she should start going to class. So, naturally, she showed up 10 minutes after the bell. This time was different though. She had missed the subway and had to catch one half an hour later. Normally, she wouldn't have cared but she had an important presentation today and she had promised Mr. Matthews she wouldn't miss it. As she was running to catch the train, she crashed into someone on her side and they both tipped over. She didn't even spare a glance at the unfortunate soul as she screamed "Sorry," and scrambled to pick her things up. She began to sprint away when suddenly a soft hand enclosed itself around her wrist and gently tugged her back. "Maya, wait up, it's me."
She turned around, about to snatch her hand back from the stranger, when she tripped over one of their books. She fell into the boy's arms and looked up, seeing familiar face accompanied by a swoop in her chest.
"Lucas!" She stammered, "what are you doing?" Her heart pounded against her chest, going into overdrive at the thought of Lucas seeing her while hair was completely disheveled.
"Running late, same as you" he responded.
The corner of his lips tugged upwards and his all-too-familiar smirk came into view at the sight of her so out-of-breath. She was so stressed out, it was unlike her, but there was something extremely comedic yet endearing about her appearance to Lucas.
The look on his face struck a nerve in Maya's body and she pulled herself together.
"Well come on rancher, let's hop on a horse and get out of here," she said hurriedly as she yanked his arm along and jumped into the subway. He trailed after her, feeling a slight tingle at the contact.
Without realizing it, she was dragging him along as she tried to find a spot for them to sit. She refused to be separated from him while she was already so strung out. She absentmindedly moved her grip from his wrist to his hand as she sat down and pulled him into the seat beside her.
"Maya," Lucas started. "Relax, okay? You're the last to present, so we still have plenty of time to get there. Plus, Mr. Matthews loves you, and you being late won't affect your presentation grade."
Although they weren't a lot of words, hearing them from Lucas had a strangely soothing effect on her. "Thanks Lucas," she said, "not so bad for a rancher."
He stroked his thumb across her hand, "You know I gotta admit, although the strung out Maya is pretty hilarious, I kinda like the mean one a bit better."
Upon his touch, she became aware of how close they were and how his thumb caused goosebumps all along her arm, not to mention the beats her heart missed. Before she could feel a red creep into her pale cheeks, she pulled her hand away and punched his shoulder.
"If I ever hear you talking about that little subway scene ever again, then the next thing you know, your limbs will be strung out all over the place," she threatened with a genuine smile.