I think my chapter titles just keep getting longer and longer....

(What I'm listening to: She Keeps Me Warm -- Mary Lambert) (#LoveWins)

~ JM/SS/CW

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After multiple failed attempts at getting Riley to find out about Lucas on her own, I decide that the best thing to do is just tell her.

"Hey, Riley, can we skip class? I need to talk to you. It's important."

Thankfully, she nods. I've finally gotten up the courage to actually tell her, and if I don't do it now, I probably never will. "Is something wrong, Maya?"

I sigh. "Yes, actually. You see, Lucas... Lucas is cheating on you. With Suzy Baker."

It's complete silence until she whispers, "Slutty Suzy?"

I nod slowly, already starting to regret telling her. "I'm sorry, Riley."

"Don't be," She says, not looking up at me. "It has nothing to do with you."

We just stand there. Suddenly, I think, Hey, remember that other thing you need to tell her? Spit it out.

"Umm... There's something else I need to tell you. That has everything to do with me." My heart is already beating a mile a minute.

"Wait, can I ask you something first?"

"Yeah, sure."

"You aren't dating Farkle, are you?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "No, I'm not dating Farkle."

Riley laughs a bit too, despite the news I just gave her. "Good."

"Riley, what I need to tell you is something that I've only told your dad. And the only reason he knows, is because he asked me about it." Taking a deep breath, I let the secret out. "I like you. In that way."

Another lengthy silence, again broken by Riley. "Oh. Maya, I don't --"

"Like girls," I finish. "I know that. And I'm sorry." Picking up my bag, I mutter, "I think I'm gonna go home early."

As I walk out the doors of the school building, tears begin to fall down my cheeks.

I throw open the apartment door, slamming it shut.

"Maya? Are you crying?" Shit!

Frantically wiping the tears from my eyes, I look up. "Topanga! What are you doing here?"

"Auggie got sick at school so I got off work early... Are you alright?"

Forcing a smile, I nod. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. You should go take care of Auggie instead of worrying about me."

Sitting down on the couch, Topanga opens her arms toward me. "Come on, sit."

Sitting down, I let Topanga wrap her arms around me. And the tears start pouring again. Between loud sobs, I whisper, "I think Riley hates me."

"Why would Riley hate you?"

"I-I told her that I like her in that way."

"You can't control your feelings, and who you're attracted to, Maya. Riley, of all people, would know that."

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Fun game: play She Keeps Me Warm, and on the "I can't change/Even if I tried" part, imagine Maya walking home crying.

 It'll make you sad.

~ JM/SS/CW