(A/N: Hello Everyone! Welcome to my first Girl Meets World Fanfic! As I said in the Summary, 30 minutes just was *not* enough for this episode, so I decided it needed a nice sizable expansion! I know, I know, I need to finish Open Wounds at some point too...I'll get there don't worry. You'll have another chapter hopefully by November).

I sadly own nothing with the exception of the expansion of the storyline and everyone's thought process/dialogue that has not yet been written by Michael Jacobs/April Kelly & Co. respectively...Additionally, I was inspired by "Odd Girl Out" which is a short book series, but I came across it thanks to a Lifetime movie, starring Alexa Vega. I don't own that either. Any coincidence is purely that. No wrongdoing or infringement is intended whatsoever!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this story! Remember, this my first attempt at writing these characters, but I hope I did well in getting inside of their heads. Thanks for reading, and please review! ~The Rising Phoenix~)

Chapter #1 - Maya

"Look Riley, the farther away she goes, the smaller she gets."

I smiled as I wrapped my arm around Riley's shoulders.

I knew that while this was a win for the current battle, something told me we were far from finished dealing with Riley's bully.

I tried to push the negative thoughts from my mind, instead attempting to focus on hope, and giving that back to Riley.

Later, after ice-creaming her back (I love how obliviously observant she can be), she, Lucas, Farkle, and Zay all went their separate ways.

I decided to hang back, waiting for my mom to finish her shift. Now that she was working at Topanga's, she was making a good chunk more of money than at the Night Hawk Diner. While the increase was great, we were still, somehow only just getting by...

I've offered to take up a few shifts myself, just to give her a break, but she says school was my job and every time I tried to talk to Riley's mom, she would cut me off because my mom already spoke with her. Mrs. Matthews kept stating I had to wait two more years, when I was 16 to start working.

But working with Geralyn really helped me learn about work ethic…Well that and watching my mom work her butt off of course.

Pretty much it was a closed door. Oh well…

As I sat with my latte, I glanced around thinking of nothing in particular; just relaxing.

I took in the sounds, scents, and considered what I'd draw next.

'...I'll put my foot in your stupid, happy face.' Riley's crying voice suddenly invaded my ears from earlier the previous day.

This was so far from over...

Even I'm not sure at what severity this could get; all I knew was that we were tiptoeing there rather quickly...

How could someone not only bully Riley, but threaten her physically? What did she ever do to anyone?

I knew this was bigger than any of us.

And, while I'm glad Mr. and Mrs. Matthews let us handle this and help Riley on our own, with the understanding that we would go to them if we couldn't...I think the fact that she was physically threatened is definite cause for concern...

We learned how to deal with a bully ourselves, but this is a larger issue…

All I could feel other than pain as Riley bawled her eyes out, was unabashed anger.

And that scared me.

After Mom and I got home, I did my Art homework, my History homework, and my English homework. I would do my math and science tomorrow with Riley.

Mr. Matthews and Harper knew, and always believed in me, even so far at what felt like my worst. I will forever be grateful to them, and am still interested in becoming a teacher...Potentially art, perhaps–?

'Maya! Snap out of it! You're 14, and don't even like school that much.'

I shook my head out of the "potential" fog, and decided to check in on Riley. After sending her a text, I received one back a moment or two later, saying she was okay and that both Farkle, Lucas, and even Zay had checked in with her too.

I smiled, and sent a heart emoticon, as she said she was going to bed.

I laid on my bed after getting into my pajama's, placing my phone on a small set of books on my headboard to let it charge during the night.

As I proceeded to get comfy, Riley's words, the tears in her eyes, the fear and pain in her voice filled my head once again.

I had to save my best friend...Especially since this bully has been at it for a few weeks, and who even knows if this stunt of showing the whole school her "Riley Awards" so the bully wouldn't, would even work?

I didn't dare tell Riles that though.

My Little Plant doesn't need to wilt at a time of such growth.

I eventually fell asleep, hoping I could save her even a fraction of the numerous times she's saved me…