Riley doesn't know what to expect when she hears the familiar chime of the bell alerting her of the presence of a customer. Nobody in their right mind would come to this place in the middle of a blizzard except it seemed this brazen customer. When she peaks behind the counter she's surprised to see the only person she's been thinking about for the past week. Maya Hart. "Josh sent you," Riley accuses, throwing her hands up. She hates being seen as a little kid by josh even though she's closer to his age then her own father. "He was worried," Maya says slowly, trying to diffuse the situation as best she can. Which isn't that great when she starts shivering from the cold. Her fingers feel like ice and Riley notices the clatter of teeth. …show more content…
Riley blushes, but decides there are more trite things to worry about. Especially if Maya is going to die from frost bite. The hoodie is soaked from the snow but luckily for Maya it took the brunt of the blizzard. "He was worried about me to," Maya admits trying to make Riley feel better, "I was closer here than my own home and he told me to hide out here from the storm instead of trying to walk home." Riley begrudgingly agrees it was a good plan, "I just hate him thinking I can't take care of myself." Maya puts her hand on Riley's own, "He knows." She promises, a wistful smile playing on her face. "You don't how much he talks about you. My genius niece taking on the world." She imitates, they laugh at the high pitch voice Maya fakely uses. "He said that?" Riley asks more seriously tugging the blanket over Maya's shoulders. Maya for a second doesn't say anything, until she does. "You Matthews sure do care about what each other …show more content…
Both of them plop in the marshmallows excitedly into the steaming hot chocolate that is threatens to overflow from the amount of marshmallows squeezed into the cup. They talk about literally everything, it feels like hours pass until the hard stuff comes up. Maya is in awe of the wonder of Riley Matthews because not even the therapist her mother would splurge on for her as a kid could get her to open up like this. "My dad left," Maya says, her face flushing with embarrassment that never seems to go away. Even though it's been years since he left. "I was.. wow it's been so long I don't even remember how old I was." Maya basks in old memories, things she never told her mother, "I..I told him to go before he actually left. He had made my mom cry for the millionth time and I told him it would be better if I didn't have a father." The crying comes immediately, and instantly Riley is holding onto her, soothing her, it feels safe and warm and she swears she will cherish this memory for a lifetime. This is dangerous territory. These are things that she hasn't even told Josh. Abruptly Maya pulls away, Riley is hurt, she can tell rom the sad and dejected look on her face and she hates herself for putting it