Maya hums to herself as she leaves the art room, each step feeling feather light as she makes her way down the hallway. For the first time ever, she's actually glad that she let Lucas convince her to stay at school today. Because somehow, despite her brain being sluggish and sleep deprived, she found the inspiration she needed to finish her last painting for the exhibit. With the exhibit being less than a week away, she'd been stressed about finding the right painting to showcase, but with the final flick of her brush against the canvas, all her worry melted away.

She had dropped her hand down to her side, stepping back to examine her finished work. On the canvas, two familiar green eyes stared back at her, the reflection of the New York City skyline hidden within them. The city's lights shined bright against the night sky, and at the center of it all stood a girl, who looked an awful lot like her, taking it all in. The eyes expressed a fondness for the city and the girl and caused warmth to pool deep within Maya's stomach. It was then that she knew that this was the painting. After taking one last look at it, she'd put it away somewhere safe to dry before heading out to meet her friends for lunch.

Now, feeling like a weight has been lifted off her, Maya practically floats the rest of the way to the cafeteria. Once inside, she bypasses the lunch line, making a beeline for the tables as she weaves through the handful of students standing around. Her eyes skim over the cafeteria in search of her friends, and she spots Zay and Smackle manning the bake sale table as a small crowd of their classmates surrounds them. It doesn't surprise her that while Zay is all wide smiles and easy laughter, Smackle seems to be trying to disappear as she sinks down into her chair.

Maya can't believe that Smackle even agreed to battle the lunch crowd, and wonders which one of their friends talked her into it. Whoever it was underestimated the power of Smackle's social anxiety, and just seeing how overwhelmed she looks tugs at Maya's heart strings, pulling her towards the bake sale table. She cuts around a table to get to them, but the sight of Zay leaning over and whispering something into Smackle's ear stops her in her tracks. Whatever he says seems to put her at ease, and her previous look of panic fades into a small smile. Maya's never seen anyone other than Farkle get that close to Smackle, let alone calm her down. Then again, Zay and Smackle have become good friends over the past year, and Maya knows better than anyone that Zay has a gift for almost always knowing the right thing to say.

Feeling better knowing that Smackle is okay, Maya's focus shifts back to searching for where the rest of the group is sitting. Her gaze sweeps across the room again, and this time her eyes fall on Riley and Lucas sitting across from each other at a table in the back. Lucas's back is turned toward her, but she can see Riley's face and the wide grin spreading across it at whatever Huckleberry story he's telling her.

As she gets closer, she can hear Riley's twinkling laughter followed by Lucas's low chuckle, but neither of them notices her approaching the table until she plops down next to Lucas.

"Hey Honey," Maya says, greeting Riley as she swipes a couple of fries from Lucas's tray, stuffing them all into her mouth at once.

"Well hello to you too, Maya," Lucas says, nudging his tray over to her. "Help yourself."

Maya glances over at Lucas as if it's her first time noticing him next to her, and smiles.

"Sup Huckleberry," she says around a mouth full of fries, nodding her head toward him. She swallows a large chunk of potato before turning back to Riley and offering her a bright smile.

"Someone's in a good mood," Riley says, studying Maya with a curious smile. "What's got my best friend so happy?"

"Nothing much." Maya shrugs, feigning nonchalance, but as Riley stares back at her with doe-eyed excitement, she can't bite back her smile for long.

"Fine," she says, dropping the act as a wide grin spreads across her face. "I finished my last painting for the exhibit. I'm actually thinking about making it the showcase piece."

Riley's excitement bubbles over, and she lets out a long, drawn out yay, as she bounces up and down in her seat.

"I'm so happy for you Peaches. There's not doubt in my mind that this exhibit is just the start of your amazing art career."

"She's right Maya," Lucas chimes in, gazing at her with a soft smile, his eyes reminding her of her painting. "This is just the beginning. I know that you have so many more great things in your future."

His words bring a flush to her cheeks, but instead of turning away like she usually would, she finds herself holding his gaze.

"Thank you," she breathes out. "To the both of you. Just knowing you guys have my back is a lot."

She turns back to look at Riley and the sight of Farkle rushing over to them grabs her attention.

"Guys I have a problem," Farkle says in greeting, plopping down in the seat next to Riley. "I have an idea for asking Smackle to the dance, but I need help pulling it off."

"You haven't asked her already," Riley asks, eyes wide in disbelief as she turns to look at him. "What are you waiting for? The dance is next week."

"I know," Farkle groans, dropping his face into his hands as his elbows rest against the table. "I just wanted to make sure I made it special for her, and it took me a while to figure out how."

"Well your idea better be amazing," Lucas chimes in. "I don't know about Smackle, but take it from me, some girls make a big deal out of the whole asking thing."

"That's because it is a big deal," Riley says, giving Lucas a pointed look. "It's a part of our whole high school experience. We're supposed to be making memories that we'll look back on forever, and having someone ask you to a dance in a totally over the top way is a part of it. What's wrong with wanting that?"

"Nothing, I guess," Lucas says. "I just think that the whole 'big ask' thing is lame and puts a lot of unfair pressure on the guys."

"Of course, you would think that," Riley scoffs. "But it's not that hard to put in a little effort, especially if you care about the person. You should want to do something special for them."

Lucas lets out a long drawn out sigh as his knee bounces up and down under the table. Maya can feel his irritation coming off him in waves, and when she glances over at Riley, her arms are crossed tightly over her chest. Just a few minutes ago, they were getting along just fine, but for some reason this topic has triggered an argument that has become a little too personal. This realization leaves Maya feeling uneasy. Her stomach is practically tying itself in knots, and when she looks over at Farkle, he seems just as uncomfortable as she is.

"Why does it always have to be the guy who puts in all the effort?" Lucas asks, pulling Maya from her thoughts. "We live in a world where girls can do anything guys can do, so why don't girls ever do over the top asks for the guys? I mean, you aren't the only ones who wants someone to put in a little effort for them."

Riley's frown melts away as her brows furrow in thought.

"I never thought about it like that."

Riley seems to get pulled further into her own thoughts, and a tense silence settles over the table.

"Alright guys, while that was fun and all," Maya says, trying to keep her voice light as she tosses a fry into her mouth. "I think it's time to let Farkle finish telling us his idea." She picks up another fry and points it in Farkle's direction. "Come on Farks. Lay it on us."

The silence continues as Farkle hesitates to speak, and Maya notices him watching Riley as she stares off into space. Lucas' words must have really gotten to her and Maya isn't really sure why. She makes a mental note to find out later as she loudly clears her throat, snapping Riley out of her haze at the sound, and causing her to turn her attention to Farkle. She gives him a small smile.

"Okay…so I was thinking of doing a scavenger hunt," he begins, leaning forward on the table as his eyes sweep over each of them. "It'll start at Smackle's locker and lead her through the school to all the places that are special to me and her, and then end in Mr. Matthews' classroom. I want to set the room up to look like a planetarium and have 'It's written in the stars. This dance will be out of this world if you go with me.' spelled out across the ceiling. What do you guys think? Do you think Smackle will like it?"

Although his question is directed at all of them, Farkle's eyes fall on Riley, staring at her expectantly.

"I think it's perfect Farkle," Riley says, her voice dreamy as she holds his gaze. "Smackle will love it."

"Yeah, Farks I didn't think you had it in you," Maya cuts in. She glances over at Riley, her hands coming up and covering her heart. "We did good Riles. Our little boy is all grown up." Maya pretends to wipe away a tear, earning an eye roll from Farkle as Riley and Lucas both laugh.

"All jokes aside," Lucas says as their laughter dies down. "that's an awesome idea, but when and how are you planning on pulling all this off?

Farkle glances around the table, a guilty smile spreading across his lips.

"Well, I was hoping that you guys could help me set up today after school. I have everything I need for the scavenger hunt, and to set up Mr. Matthews's classroom. I just need your help putting everything together in time," Farkle explains. "After class, can you guys meet me at my locker?"

"We'll be there," Riley says as the rest of them agree.

Farkle goes on to explain the plan, and then the group's conversation turns to other things as the lunch hour dwindles down. Maya tries to stay tuned in as everyone chats, but she can't help noticing that Riley has been extremely quiet. From the faraway look in Riley's eyes, Maya has no doubt that her best friend is lost somewhere deep in Rileytown.

When there's about 15 minutes left before lunch ends, Zay and Smackle rejoin the table. As Zay starts explaining how well things went with the bake sale, Riley suddenly stands from her seat, grabbing her nearly untouched tray and her bag.

"I need to go get something out my locker before class starts," she says to no one in particular. "I'll see you guys in History."

Riley takes off before Maya can offer to go with her, and she watches as Riley dumps her uneaten food in the trash, before dropping off her tray and exiting the cafeteria.

"That was weird," Smackle says. "Even for Bubbles."

"Yeah it was," Zay agrees. "What's wrong with her?"

A look passes between Maya and Farkle before Maya is rising from her seat.

"I don't know, but I'm gonna go find out."

Maya rushes off in the direction Riley went, not sparing her friends a second glance as she makes it out into the hallway. She wastes no time heading for Riley's locker. Rounding a corner that will lead her to Riley, she picks up her pace, determined to catch up to her best friend. However, the sight of Riley halts Maya's steps. Instead of standing in front of an opened locker like Maya expects, Riley is sitting against them with her knees pulled up to her chest.

"Oh Honey, what's wrong?" Maya asks, rushing over and kneeling in front of her.

"I feel awful Maya," Riley says, peeking up at her from her knees. "My fight with Lucas made me realize that I was a horrible girlfriend to him."

"Not possible. You are the greatest friend anyone could ever have so there's no way you'd be anything less than a great girlfriend."

"Being someone's girlfriend is different than just being someone's friend," Riley says softly. "I guess I never really figured out how to be a girlfriend to Lucas. And maybe I didn't try hard enough to learn how. He was right, you know, about the whole effort thing. I expected so much from him, but never tried to give the same effort back."

Maya sighs, not knowing what to say to that. Denying it won't help, considering that Riley's confession about her relationship with Lucas, is something Maya already knew. She knew how high Riley's expectations were for Lucas and their relationship, but as the newness of Lucas being her boyfriend wore off, Riley seemed to lose interest. She'd no longer turn into a puddle of mush anytime Lucas simply smiled at her, no longer got adorably awkward anytime they said hi, and had stopped talking about him with Maya altogether. It was like Lucas was Riley's boyfriend in name only.

Shaking those thoughts away, Maya moves to Riley's side, sinking down beside her.

"You know I'm not so good at the advice thing, but I think you should talk to Lucas. Maybe, it'll be good for both of you to get some closure."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Riley says, loosening her grip on her knees. A moment of silence passes between them before Riley leans over and lays her head against Maya's shoulder. "Hey, thanks for following me out here Peaches. You always know when I need you."

Maya smiles to herself as she rests her head on top of Riley's.

"Please," she says, playfully rolling her eyes even though Riley can't see her. "You know I'd follow you anywhere."

"Yeah, I know," Riley says, the smile clear in her voice. "And you know there's nowhere you could go without me being right behind you, right?"

Maya's smile widens as she leans into Riley more.

"I know."