Maya lay in her sleeping bag at Riley's house. The six were sleeping over. They did that all the time. Mr. Matthews grew comfortable around the six being closer, close enough to sleep in the same room. She stared at Riley's ceiling, not saying anything. The lights were off, gentle breaths could be heard, and the hum of the city reign as Maya couldn't fall asleep.
She glanced at Riley. She was slightly smiling, but she was definitely asleep. She missed everything. They way things were back in seventh grade. Before this giant triangle happened. She missed her goofy, bubbly, happy best friend. Maya knew Riley did too, but it would never be the same anymore. She glanced at Smackle. She liked Smackle. They taught her about love, friendship, and best of all, hugs. She remembered the day Smackle came home from school crying in the Bay Window only to tell the girls that Farkle and her broke up. They hugged for hours, and that was the first day Smackle got it right.
Maya glanced at Zay. He was alright. He was great, actually. He was hilarious. And most times at lunch he'd always find ways to make everyone laugh. He wouldn't back down from anything. He went on Maya's favorite roller coaster ride, in fact he was the one to show it to her. He was the one to encourage her to make better grades. He made a handshake with her. Maya remembered the day she got her first deserved A. She loved how things were going. She loved it all.
Maya glanced at Farkle. Farkle. She thought. The beloved, smart, charming, Farkle. The boy that promised he would love two girls equally and he still does. They have been friends since first grade. They've been through so much and Maya truly loved every minute of it. He was her shoulder to lean on in most situations. He was this geeky weirdo that she loved. I wonder how I would've survived without these guys. Maya thought.
She finally glanced at Lucas. Ranger Rick. Huckleberry. Sundance. Hop-along. Moral Compass. Ranger Roy. Bucky Mcboing Boing. She remembered all of her adventures with this boy. The way he called her Short stacks. The way he would look at her in the morning, after school, and everyday. She embraced it. She was so sure she loved this boy. And she does. She does, and she won't have feelings for anyone else. Ever.
Maya looked back at Riley one more time. She smiled.
I miss us, Riles. Maya thought to herself.
Only Maya wasn't the only one thinking it. Everybody else in that room would do that every night, hoping that one day, everything would go back to normal. They all missed it. Except, it was an unthinkable scientific universe that didn't exist.
Maya lied back down, closed her eyes, and fell asleep as soon as her heart sank of sadness.