Chapter 1 Riley's POV

I was 16 years old when I found out about Aleyna and I was didn't know how to feel. Things were changing and happening so fast, that I didn't know what to do. But from the moment I knew about her, the more I wanted to protect her, take care of her, to love her. To this day, she is the best thing to ever happen to me and my family. My name is Riley Matthews, and I am a 17 year old senior at John Quincy Adams High School. I live with my mom, my dad, and my little brother Auggie. I met my best friends, Maya when I was 5 and Farkle when we were just babies. These are the people I go to when things are good and definitely when things are bad. There was one more person apart of our little clique before life got beyond our control. My friends and I met Lucas Friar in 7th grade when he transferred from Texas. I instantly took a liking and he did to. He and I dated from 8th grade to the beginning of junior year. Something happened, that made Lucas just pull away from us all. With no warning or explanation, he broke up with me, stopped talking to Maya, Farkle, and myself, and began dating Missy Bradford. His best friend Zay moved up here our sophomore year and he was our friend too, and he still is, but his best friend takes top priority and that's understandable. We still hang out with Zay from time to time, but never with Lucas. Today is the first day of my senior year and I don't know how I feel. So many decisions have to be made now that high school is almost over, and though I have a pretty good idea where I'm going, it's getting there that I am worried about.

"Riley? Sweetie, time to get ready," informs my mother as I rise to a sitting position in my bed.

"Okay mom," I yawn and stretch before getting up and going through my closet to search for an outfit for myself and Aleyna. Right on cue, Maya climbs through my window just as I am going into the rest room while she does what she normally does in the mornings. Twenty or so minutes later, I exit the bathroom to find Maya with a freshly cleaned and dressed Leyna.

"Thanks Maya," I say sitting next to my two fave girls, besides my mom of course.

"Stop thanking me! I live for these moments. So are we excited for senior year?!"

"I'll let you know. I can't believe we have 9 months before we are finally free," I say in amazement.

"I know, so much has changed, some good, some not so good, and some great," she says kissing Aleyna's chubby cheek.

"Yeah. When is Farkle supposed to be getting here? I don't wanna be late," I ask grabbing my bags before heading to the living room with Maya and Leyna on my tail.

"Right before it's time to leave, you know this. He should be here around the time we finish breakfast." We sit at the table with my whole family present, except Farkle, which I wouldn't have any other way.

"So dad, what's the lesson plans for today? Gonna take it easy on us?"

"Hmmm," he starts. "No!" He and my mom laughs as Maya and I pout.

"Oh come on Matthews! It's senior year, our last hurrah before college, have mercy," Maya begs looking up from making faces at Aleyna.

"All the more reason to learn as much as possible before entering the world," he replies with mom nodding in agreement. The rest of breakfast goes by pretty much as usual, when Farkle comes through the front door.

"Ladies!"

"Farkle," Maya and I answer at the same time like always.

"Matthews!"

"Hey Farkle," my dad answers as he sit right next to Maya.

"Hey honey, breakfast?" mom offers.

"No thanks Mrs. Matthews. We actually need to get going if we want to make it on time, after dropping the munchkin off." I check the time and realizes that he's right.

"Yeah, we have to go. Auggie are you coming with us or going with mom and dad?"

"Mom and dad." I nod my head, and kiss both of my parents, and hug my brother goodbye before gather everything I needed before heading out to my car. We make it to the daycare in record time and we all go in to drop off Leyna.

"Hey Katy," I greet as I enter the building.

"Hey Mom!" Maya greets with a kiss to the cheek.

"Mrs. Hart," Farkle smiles.

"Hey guys! You ready for senior year?"

"As ready as we can be. Here's baby girl, we kind of have to get going," I say passing Aleyna to Maya so everyone can say their goodbyes until after school.

"Bye LeeLee, I will see you later," Maya coos as she plants infinite kisses all over her face.

"Bye munchkin, be good, don't run the staff crazy," he says kissing her cheek before he grabs Maya's hand and goes to the car.

"I know it's hard to leave her, but take your time baby girl," Katy says as she walks off. And she's right. It's always hard to leave this little one behind no matter the length of time.

"I will see you soon baby, and then we can go to the park and play and have ice cream. How does that sound Leyna?" She just giggles at me, which makes my heart melt. "Okay, I have to go. Love you sweet girl," I kiss her just as much as Maya did, and hand her over to Maya's mother, giving one last wave before walking out the door. I don't notice the tear until Maya hands me a tissue as soon as I sit in the driver's seat.

"She'll be fine Riles, she always is. Plus she's with mom, she's in good hands."

"I know, but leaving her will always be hard for me, she's my baby girl," I say wiping my face before starting the car. Did I mention that I was a teenage mom?