Work Text:
This will always be from Lucas Friar's point of view)
Were they all being idiots? How could they think Maya wasn't herself?
It was a bit strange, when I saw them come in covered in paint, Maya saying that I had chosen Riley
I stared at them a little weirded out, I thought they were playing with me, it had been a while since this shitty triangle hadn't let me sleep in peace, and not because Maya wasn't herself, or because I didn't love her or any of that shit, but because if I chose Maya, I know for a fact that Riley is going to be really depressed, and that's going to fall back on Maya forcing me to choose Riley.
But listening to these inventions made me a little angry, because even though I don't know Maya as well as Riley does, I know who I fell in love with and I know that she hasn't changed in the slightest, she's just grown up.
- Maya What the fuck are you talking about?
Maya looked at me and I saw her hold her breath.
-We know I wasn't myself for a long time, and I guess at some point I got lost in Rileytown.
I was shocked by what she had just said, who had put that in her head, no one was going to say anything? And that's when I realized that everyone believed that, that no one was going to defend Maya, that everyone believed that she was "Riley" and not Maya.
I looked at them all, trying to see if any of them thought like me, if any of them were able to use their heads a little bit, there was Farkle, she was there with her boyfriend, the two probably the smartest people of all, and they were totally silent, as if what she just said, wasn't the stupidest thing ever.
-Do you hear yourself talk? That you are Riley? Where did you get that lie?
That's when it all went to shit because everyone, even Zay, started listing things that the supposed former Maya would do that the current Maya doesn't do.
So a few minutes went by when I managed to just focus on Maya, while everyone kept naming things, that I saw her hugging her knees with her head there, that I knew she didn't believe it, but that everyone was willing to make her believe that she did.
- Do you hear yourselves? Didn't your daddy Riley tell us that people change people? Didn't he tell us that we make ourselves better? Well that's what Maya did, not being late? Something that makes her better for college just like her grades, just think of her future. Wearing those clothes? Shawn gave it to her, is there something wrong with that? They're using bullshit excuses just to get him to choose Riley.
I was tired of everyone defending Riley, because yeah, ever since this stupid triangle was created every single person in and around here seems to want Riley to be the one.
So without hesitation I stood up and looking at Maya I told her
- I chose you, not because you're not yourself, because we clearly know that's a lie, but because we complement each other perfectly *turning around I look at Riley*, I'm sorry but I do see you as a sister.
Maya looked at me for the first time all night and I could hear her whisper.
-Thank you for sticking up for me, we'll talk about us some other time.
And she covered her face between her knees again because both Riley, who was crying, and Zay and Farkle were talking to me telling me to think about it, that this was not something I had to take lightly.
- Do you really think this was something to take lightly? I've been thinking about it for 3 months now, but I see you guys only think about Maya don't you, Zay telling me that Riley is just like me, and you Farckle telling everyone on New Year's that he still liked Riley, you never thought about her did you? * Pointing at Maya* it's time for someone to prioritize her and I think I will, so if you'll excuse me, I want to go talk to her alone, and I promise Maya I will talk to you, but just so you know, I'm disappointed in how you've treated my little pile of pancakes.
I threw my hand out to Maya after my big sermon, which she grabbed with no problem, and we walked out of there, amidst their pleading and crying.
And I knew, for the first time in a long time, several things, one that these people here loved Maya, but not as much as they loved Riley, second, that even though Riley, or whoever, said she wasn't herself, I would always love her.
And finally looking at Maya, that the feeling we had was mutual, and no matter what happened with our friends we had each other.