The Wildside of Mister Perfect

It's Different Now Maya

[History Class – Senior Year]

Mr Matthews wrote Legacy on the chalkboard.

"Matthews, you already taught this lesson, you're losing your touch..." Maya said laughing.

"It's different now Maya..." He responded. "In 3 weeks time you will be heading off to college or university or wherever. You have all left a legacy here already but this time what's the legacy you want to leave with each other. You won't all be going to same places. Some will be leaving the city, some the state, some even the country. You're assignment is to say goodbye and leave your legacy with the people you care about most..."

➰

[Lunch]

Zay and Riley were sitting next to each other and Lucas and Maya were sitting next to each other. Smackle moved last year to Pennsylvania and Farkle was touring Princeton since was heading there in the fall. "So what Legacy are you going to leave with us Riles?" Maya asked.

"I don't know yet... What about you babe?"

"If you don't know, what makes you think I do? You're the brains in the relationship, and the beauty." Zay kissed her cheek.

"What are you then?" Lucas asked.

"I'm the lucky guy dating the girl way out of his league." Riley laughed. "And the funny one..." Zay said smiling. 

"Riley looks like you've got a good guy there." Maya said laughing. 

"Meh, he's okay." Riley said jokingly. "You've got the best one of all." Riley said laughing. Zay was taken back not knowing that she was joking, or was she?

"I did catch a good one didn't I?" Maya asked as she kissed Lucas. Riley's smile quickly disappeared. "You okay, Riles?" Maya asked as she noticed Riley's slight frown.

"Yeah, I'm fine I just realized I forgot something in my locker... I'll be right back." Riley got up and left.

"I'm gonna go check on her..." Zay followed her.

➰

[Riley's Locker]

Riley was practically tearing her locker apart looking for nothing. She didn't know why but her eyes were clouding with tears when- "You love him don't you?" Riley turned around to see Zay standing there. 

"What are you talking about...?" Riley said as her brows furrowed.

"You're still in love with him? With Lucas."

"No of course not!"

"Riley! Don't lie to me!" Zay yelled. "I saw the way you were looking at him, you've been looking at him that way for weeks if not months. You're always going to love him more than me..." Riley walked up to Zay and held his face in her hands for a few seconds before he pulled away from her. "DON'T! Do not make this harder for me!"

"Zay, I-"

"NO! I am so in love with you Riley Matthews but you're not in love with me... Because you love him, you always have, you always will..."

"Zay...What are you saying?" Riley's flooded eyes were starting to lose control as she chocked on and fumbled over her words.

"I'm done! We're done. It's over."

"YOU'RE GOING TO THROW A THREE YEAR RELATIONSHIP JUST BECAUSE-" Riley shouted crying.

"Because you don't love me..." Zay said calmly as tears rolled down his cheeks. He walked away and seemed to get smaller and smaller as he got further away. Riley was on the floor crying when she picked herself up and went home for the rest of the day. 

➰

[Riley's House]

Riley was in her kitchen going through her parents liquor cabinet looking for something that would make her feel better when she heard a knock at the door. She opened it. "What do you want Lucas?" she asked annoyed.

"I came to check on you. You left after lunch for no reason and-" Lucas noticed the bottle of Vodka in Riley's hand. "What is that?" 

"What you can't read?" Riley asked sarcastically.

"Please tell me you're not drunk..." Lucas said.

"Not yet..." Riley said smiling.

"What is going on with you?"

"Zay dumped me today so unless you want to stay here and have a drink with me, you can get the fuck out!"

"Don't take your bullshit out on me!"

"Oh, no, I'm doing that gladly because see, you're the reason he broke up with me!" Riley said pouring herself a shot.

"How is that my fault?!"

Riley drank her shot, "He said that I was still in love with you and that he couldn't be with someone who didn't love him the same way he loved them..." Riley said while she poured herself another shot.

"Again, how is that my fault?!" 

"Look I'm not dealing with this so either you can drink or screw off!" 

"Then I guess I'm staying for a drink..."