Matthews Apartment

It was now New Years and the Matthews were setting everything up and waiting for their guest, "I just got off the phone with Josh and he is on his way up here." Said Topanga to Cory who was fixing the Christmas tree. Riley and Auggie both walked into the living and hugged their parents and kissed them on the cheeck, "Good Morning wonderful parents! Who we both love!" Both Riley and Auggie said with smiles on their faces.

Josh then opened the apartment door and closed it, "HEY FAMILY!" Said Josh as he walked into the apartment. "Uncle Josh." Replied Auggie as he ran towards Josh, who picked Auggie and spun him around him, and then set Auggie down in the couch. "Hey, Riles. Good to see you again." Said Josh as both he and Riley hugged, "Same here, Josh. Also, thanks being here more now. Auggie, Maya, and I really appreciate it." Said Riley. "I told you, I'm going to be here now." Replied Josh with a smile, the two hug once more and Josh went to greet Cory and Topanga. While Riley went to seat beside Auggie.

"My brotha!" Said Cory excitedly, "My brotha!" Replied Josh with excitement as well. The two brothers hugged each other and let go. Josh and Topanga both hugged, "Josh, how's college so far?" Asked Topanga. "Good, theirs a lot of work but I manage. So, when is everyone coming?" Asked Josh curiosity.

"In the afternoon. So that gives us plenty of time to get everything ready. But, first. Auggie, can you go into your room and play with your toys. While your father, Josh, and I talk to Riley privately." Said Topanga. Auggie nodded and ran off to his room. After Cory checked that Auggie went into his room and closed the door. The three adults faced Riley.

"Riley, I know Maya is dating Chai. But sooner or later you are going to tell Maya how you feel, I'm tired of seeing you hurt because your hiding your feelings! It not only breaking my heart but the rest of us as well." Said Topanga softly. Riley looked at the three adults who looked back at her with caring eyes, Riley left the living room and walked into her room and laid on her bed. Riley opened a her drawer and pulled out a paper and stared at it.

It was now almost time for the guests to be arriving soon. "The food is set up, so are the games. Everything is now ready." Said Topanga proudly. Everyone nodded, the intercom suddenly buzzed and both Riley and Cory ran towards it trying to get their first. Riley, beat Cory there first, "Peaches, is that you? Asked Riley excitedly. "Nope, it's Zay, Farkle, Smackle, Lucas, and Chai." Replied the group of friends. Riley and Cory groaned, Topanga rolled her eyes and pressed the button.

Zay, Farkle, Smackle, Lucas, and Chai entered the living room, "Good afternoon, Matthews. Thanks for inviting us." Said Lucas. "No problem, Lucas. We're just waiting for everyone to show us, there's snacks in case your already hungry." Replied Topanga. The kids nodded and Zay, Smackle, Lucas, and Chai headed towards the snacks.

Riley Bedroom

Farkle grabbed Riley's hand and dragged her to her room, "Riley, you have to tell Maya, the truth about your feelings towards her. Said Farkle. "You can't tell her! Farkle, she's dating Chai. Who, is our friend, besides my feelings for Maya will go away eventually." Replied Riley trying to convince Farkle not to tell. "No, stop lying to yourself, Riley! Your in love with Maya. You always have been since we were kids! You have till midnight to tell Maya or I will!" Said Farkle and he walked out of Riley's room.

Riley took a couple of deep breaths and existed out of her room. As soon as she left her room, Auggie entered and pulled something out of his pocket and hung it over the bay window and hid it, so Riley couldn't see it when she walked back to her room. "Perfect!" Said Auggie.

Living Room

Later on, Riley's classmates started arriving, and the only people who were missing were Maya, Shawn, and Katy. "Hey, Riley, Chai. Do, you know what's taking Maya and her family so long?" Asked Smackle. Before either girls could answer, the door opened and Maya and her family entered the apartment.

PEACHES!" Yelled Riley as she ran and hugged Maya and Maya returned the hug. "SHAWNY!" Yelled Cory as he ran and hugged Shawn and Shawn returned the hug. Maya and Riley let go of each other, "Peaches, what took you so long?" Asked Riley with a worried voice. "Sorry, honey. We lost track of time. But I'm here now and that's all that matters." Replied Maya with a smile on her face. Maya greeted her friends and when she saw Chai seated in the coach.

Maya walked up towards her and sat beside her, "Sorry, I'm late Chai. I lost track of time." Explained Maya. "It's okay. I'm just glad your here, and I get to spend New Years with you. Our first New Years as a couple." Replied Chai with a smile. Riley heard what Chai, and it hurt her and the pain only increased more when the two kissed. Farkle and Josh both saw this frowned. They quickly made eye contact and went outside in the hallways to talk privately.

Hallways

"Okay, we need to fix this! I hate seeing Riley miserable. Hiding her feelings for Maya, and pretending that they'll go away. WHEN WE ALL KNOW THEY'LL NEVER GO AWAY!" Shouted Josh angrily, "DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT! I KNOWN THE TWO SINCE WE WERE KIDS. I KNOW THEY BELONG TOGETHER! THATS WHY I'M GIVING RILEY TILL MIDNIGHT TO TELL MAYA, HER FEELINGS OR I WILL!" Yelled back Farkle angrily. The two boys stared at each other silently. Josh broke the silence first.

"Look, Dr. Turtleneck. I'm sorry I yelled at you, I shouldn't have taken all my anger at you. I... I just hate seeing Riley like this." Said Josh softly. "It's okay. I feel the same, but I have a idea on perhaps where Maya can figure out that Riley loves her, or Riley confesses her love towards Maya." Replied Farkle as he explained the plan to Josh.

"Hey, Maya I need to talk to you privately." Said Riley. "Sure thing Riles." Replied Maya.

Riley Room

The two girls walked inside Riley's room and sat in the bay window, "Is everything okay, honey?" Asked Maya in a worried voice. "Everything fine, I just wanted to give you this. I didn't want to give it to you for secret Santa. Because chai was there, and I wanted her to be surprised once you show it to her." Replied Riley as she handed Maya a ticket, "This is a ticket for Ireland!" Said Maya in shocking voice. "I know that once you go visit Ireland after we graduate. You'll want to take chai with you. So, she can see and learn about your culture." Explained Riley.

"Chai, is my girlfriend. But who knows how long our relationship will last. Now, I'm not questioning our relationship, but we're juniors right now. Who knows what's in store in the future. But, if there's one thing I'm certain is that I want you to come with me to Ireland! Riley, your my extraordinary relationship! My world needs you in it!" Said Maya with determination in her voice. Riley just stared at her ocean blue eyes and remembered what Smackle said in their freshman year, "Ever since I've known you, you've never stopped trying to put yourself back together. I wanted to get you something to let you know that you've done a great job, and it's okay to work on something else."

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Asked Maya. "Because your beautiful." Replied Riley with a smile. Maya chuckled, "Well, your beautiful wearing my jean jacket. It's a perfect fit on you." Complimented Maya with a smirk on her face, this caused Riley to blush. Riley then noticed something hanging over them, Maya followed where Riley was staring and they both saw a mistletoe hanging over them. "I DON'T know how that got there!" Said Riley in a panic voice. Maya held Riley's hand which instantly calmed her down, "Its okay, Riles. I mean we already kissed under the mistletoe." Said Maya in causal voice. Riley nodded.

They both stared at each other and then Riley grabbed Maya's face and kissed her. Maya responded instantly. Riley ran her fingers through Maya's blond locks, and Maya holding onto Riley's waists. The two slowly break the kiss and stare at each other.

Just as Maya was about to speak. Chai opens the door. "Hey, guys. We're about to play games. Are y'all done talking?" Asked Chai. Both girls look at each other and then get up. Maya holds Chai hand, "Yeah, were done talking. Let's head out." Responded Maya with a small smile, she then made eye contact with Riley and knew that the kiss that just happened shifted their relationship, and made Maya even more confused.

Living Room

"We're playing The Couples Game." Said Josh excitedly as he waved the game around. Before Riley could protest, she was beaten to it, "I think it's a great idea! Don't ya think Chai?" Said Maya with a smile. Chai nodded in agreement.

"So, the couple teams our Maya and Chai. Then Farkle and Smackle. Finally Riley and Lucas." Said Josh as he announced the teams. Maya, Riley, and Lucas looked shocked, "Wait, why are Riley and Lucas partners? They're aren't even dating!" Asked Maya in a angry voice. "Maya, it's okay." Said Riley with a reassuring voice as grabbed Maya's hand and squeezed it tightly. Maya smiled and nodded her head. Josh and Farkle both made eye contact and smiled at each other.

Maya and Chai decided to go first, "Okay, what it is the difference between love and in love?" Asked Maya. Once she read the question she immediately looked up and looked at Riley and Chai. "Well umm..." Maya ate the paper which caused confused looks. But Lucas instantly thought back when they first played the couples games and how this scenario was similar to the first. It was now Riley and Lucas turn.

"Have you ever had romantic feelings for the same gender?" Said Riley as she read the question, she looked up at Maya and looked down. Lucas noticed it and immediately figured out that Riley has feelings for Maya. "That question is a little personal. Farkle and Smackle, it's your turn." Said Maya.

"No, Smackle and I skip our turn. You and Lucas go again." Replied Farkle with a mischievous smile, which made Riley uneasy.

"What are your thoughts on love at first sight?" Said Riley as she read the question. Riley immediately stood up, "Okay, I think we played enough." Said Riley. "Why? You wouldn't be happening to keep any secrets from us? Because it be awful way to start the New Years with secrets!" Asked Farkle with a smirk.
Riley grabbed Farkle by the arm and dragged him all the way to the rooftop and let go of his arm once they arrived.

Rooftop

"Farkle, what are you doing?" Said Riley. "We made a deal and Josh and I gave you time." Replied Farkle. "Farkle--" Riley was cut off, "She deserves to know... they both do. Said Farkle. "I just need a little longer." Pleaded Riley. "Riley! Tell her or I will!" Replied Farkle with a sternly voice. "I'm just... scared." Said Riley in a frighten voice. "It's okay--" Farkle was cut off by Riley, "Expect it's not... She likes Chai and--" Farkle intercepts Riley. "She'll never like you?" Asked Farkle. They both stared at each other, "You're right... she'll never like you." Answered Farkle. Once Farkle said that, Riley looked at Farkle with a painful expression on her face. "Became she loves you." Finished Farkle with a smile on his face. Smackle then came, "Is everything okay? Asked Smackle.

Farkle nodded, "Yeah, everything okay." Answered Farkle. The two walked off leaving Riley thinking what to do. The guests then started coming up to the roof. Riley walked to the bench and sat down. Lucas and Zay walked outside and Lucas noticed Riley seating on the beach, and noticed Chai standing in the same exact spot that he stood. Lucas then saw Maya enter and saw her walk up to Chai and Riley stared as the two talked with sadness on her face.

"You look beautiful, Maya!" Said Chai as she complimented Maya. "Thanks, so do you, Chai." Answered Maya with a smile. The two held hands, Chai took a deep breath, "There's something I been meaning to tell you, Maya. I been wanting to tell you for awhile. But I was nervous but I'm not anymore, even though we only been dating for a few months. I know that I love you. I love you, Maya. I felt this way when you came to apologize for what happened in Game Night. When I saw you walk away, I knew I loved you." Said Chai with a smile on her face. Maya was shocked to what Chai just told her. Riley, heard everything that Chai said, and knew it was too late. They then heard the count down. Chai started leaning in to kiss Maya, seeing this Riley got up and started to walk out as the countdown began.

5
4
3
2
1

Just as Chai was about to kiss Maya and share their first New Years kiss, "Riley's in love with Maya." Shouted Farkle.

This instantly caused everyone to stop talking and stare at Riley who stopped walking once Farkle revealed the truth.

No one moved for a while as fireworks lit up the night sky. The other classmates left the roof and walked downstairs to the apartment. Josh grabbed Auggie followed Lucas and Zay along with the classmates. The only people on the roof were Smackle, Farkle, Chai, Maya and Riley. They all looked at Riley, while Riley just stared at the illuminated sky.

"I'm sorry Riley, I had to." Farkle said. He grabbed Smackle's hand and the two left the roof, leaving the others up there by their self. Maya looked at Chai and then Riley. She took a step forward, but stopped. She turned and looked at Chai who heartbroken about what she heard. She stared at Maya and understood she needed to be alone with Riley. She gave her a weak smile and left to join the others downstairs. Maya walked up to Riley who was seating in the beach, Maya sat beside Riley.

Maya placed her hands on the edge and gazed at Riley.
Riley continued to stare up at the sky and didn't dare to look over at Maya. She was upset that Farkle outed her in front of the whole class, once again. She sighed and put her head down. A few tears escaped and landed on her face. Maya noticed quickly and grabbed Riley's hand.

"Why didn't you tell me Riles?" Maya asked. Riley kept on crying and soon enough, Maya began to cry too. "I'm your best friend Riley. Why didn't you just tell me?" Asked Maya. "I didn't want you to hate me." Riley whispered.
"Hate you? Riley I could never hate you. You are my safe place, you are my hope. I could never hate you even if I tried. I love you Riley Matthews." Maya replied. Riley looked at Maya and the two instantly hugged each other tightly.

They let go of each other, "What happens now?" Asked Riley. Maya raises her hand. "Thunder." "Lightning." The two held hands.

I decided to update today for next week I'll be busy studying for my finals that I'll take Thursday. I also decided to do a book quiz which I'll post after I'm finished with my finals. There will be three winners on whoever gets the highest points. The winners get to ask me three questions about to what come next in the future chapters and I spoil it. The book quiz will be the last time I update this book. I'll update this book next month. Hope y'all are enjoying the book so far😊