This idea sprung to mind and I couldn't not write it. Sorry if the tissues come out while reading, and yes, in advance, if you want to know, there will be more…
"Yes, this is she. Right, okay, thank you for letting me know. We'll be there as soon as we can."
I notice from my seat on the sofa where Riley and I are sat watching TV as her parents exchange a look; an unreadable look and reach for the TV remote to switch it off as they rise to their feet…
"Hey!" Riley proclaimed
"Maya," Topanga speaks "I have bad news…"
I swallow a lump in my throat, and that's the minute my world is turned upside down forever.
MAYA'S POV:
My Mom is in Intensive Care, and Shawn is gone. The man I looked to as a father, even before he became engaged to my Mom, was gone. Over the two years since I'd met him he'd become my friend, my confidant and an amazing partner to my Mom, and now he was gone…
"Hey." Riley greeted me as she walked into my Mom's room where I was sat by her bedside "Can I get you anything?"
I shook my head and kept my eyes focused on my hand that was entwined with my Mom's…
"What if she's not okay, Riles?" I questioned "What if I lose them both?"
"Hey," she proclaimed, her arms wrapping around my neck from where she stood behind me "she's strong, and she's gonna be just fine. It may take time but she will be, I promise."
"How's your Dad?" I asked
"He's okay." she replied
"You don't have to lie to me," I informed her "Shawn was his best friend."
"He's devastated, so is my Mom. Why don't you take a break and we'll get some food?" she suggested
"What if…?" I began "Who am I kidding?"
"What?" Riley inquired
"Nothing." I replied "Yeah, I could use something to eat."
LUCAS'S POV:
Riley texts me the news, and together, Farkle and I make our way to the Matthews house when she tells me they're home from the hospital. Opening the door to us, I smile at her weakly and as we step inside, I notice the change in the atmosphere immediately. Normally the house is full of fun and brightness, but now, it's different. The mood is dark, sad and tense…
"Where's Maya?" I asked
"Upstairs in my room." she informed me "She said she wanted some time alone."
"How long has she been there?" I questioned
"Half-an-hour, maybe a little longer. She needs time to get her head around what's happened." she replied
"Do you mind if I…?" I began, raising an eyebrow at her
She shook her head… "Go ahead."
MAYA'S POV:
The door to Riley's bedroom opens and my eyes meet Lucas's as he steps into the room and shuts the door behind him…
"What are you doing here, Huckleberry?" I asked
"Riley let me and Farkle know." he informed me "I'm so sorry, Maya."
"It's my Mom you should feel sorry for," she replied "when she wakes up, she's gonna be heartbroken all over again."
"I feel sorry for both of you." he admitted "I know how important Shawn was to you."
"But he was so much more important to my Mom," I sighed "she let him in. She allowed herself to fall in love with him. She was going to marry him."
"Can you stop acting as if your feelings don't matter?" he questioned "Because they do, Maya. They matter so much. You're allowed to be sad and you're allowed to cry. You're allowed to be angry and you're allowed to scream and shout until you feel that little bit better."
"He was my Dad, Huckleberry." I replied
"I know." he informed me as he moved to sit in the bay window "I know."
"Why do bad things happen to good people?" I inquired "I'm a good person, aren't I?"
"You're one of the best I know, Maya." he replied
"Then why do bad things continue to happen to me?" I questioned "I just want everything and everyone around me to be okay. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
"No, Maya, it's not." he replied as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, my head moving to bury in the crook of his neck "And I wish I had an answer on why bad things keep happening, but I don't, and I'm so sorry."