Riley Matthews, Maya heart, Farkle Minkus and Lucus Frier three of them had know one another their whole lives. Lucus had come in late but he was just as part of the friend group as the others. Today they had woken up in three strange houses and they were all looking for one another around town with panic
Now she was waking up somewhere she didn't know without her parents. She didn't know if she would ever see them or her friends again and it scared her. ''Honey, are you OK?'' It wasn't her mothers voice. This wasn't her room, this wasn't her house. ''Riley honey, can I come in?''
''Okay''. She said softly still scared out of her mind. The woman opened the door and entered the room. She was blonde and young, to young to be her mother. She sat down on the bad as Riley slide out of the bed.
''How are doing?'' She looked at the young girl in a way that told her she felt sorry for the girl. ''Last night wasn't fun for you''.
''What happened? I don't remember''. She lied but she really had no clue what was going on. ''My friends_''
''Are fine they are all in Foster homes close by''. This was some kind of magic or something like that. She wouldn't wind up in a foster home otherwise. ''School will start tomorrow''. School?! There was school tomorrow?
''School?'' It was the middle of summer.
''School, until you can find a permanent home''. How long would she be here? Riley just nodded. She wanted to see Maya, and Lucas and Farkle ''Then you can go to a different school''. She glanced at the date on the calendar. She gasped making her foster mom jump.
''Permanent?'' She said. ''There's no need for me to be adopted! My family is looking for me I know it!'' She began to shout while her Foster mom tried to calm her down. Riley was not normally a shouter but this was a problem.
''This Can't be forever!'' She yelled. ''We have to go home, in at least a month, I have a English paper due...''
''Riley, Riley honey lets talk about this later, we need to get you to school''. She said. ''Come on do you need some water?'' She led Riley down to the kitchen.
''No I don't need water, I need help!'' She said her voice raising. ''I need to go home''.
''Are you two OK about this?'' He was watching Lucas and Farkle, mostly Lucas. ''You two haven't said a word all morning''. They looked at one another. Then kept eating. ''Come still with the silent treatment!'' Lucas sighed. ''You two are strange''.
''Aron leave them alone, they're just processing whats going going on'' Lucas just shrugged. The whole morning went like this. Then they made it to school with out a issue.
It took fifteen minutes before she came out of her room, and let them drag her to school. When she was dropped her off she was in a really bad mood. When her friends met her at the door she was storming around.''Of course you guys end up in normal houses''. Maya muttered as they walked into the school she slammed her backpack down on the ground. '' Even in the 90's I'm poor and pathetic''. They all looked at one another.
''Maya stop''. Riley said as the girl picked up her bag and pushed past all of them. ''Maya!'' She followed her best friend followed by Lucas and Farkle. ''Maya, where you live doesn't tell us who you are''. Maya smiled a bit.
''Shawn told me that after the day those kids were mocking me about the apartment I live in''. She took out her back pack and took out the book Shawn had sent her from when he was in Canada. ''He put in some of those photos he showed us from when him and your parents were growing up. Like the one your parents gave you, then there's pictures of me and him...''
''Its alright Maya, we don't care where you are, you'll still be our best friend.'' The bell sounded and they walked toward the lockers and threw their backpacks inside. ''Farkle lets get to math''. She said as She spun around and out of Riley's grip leaving her and Lucas alone.
''That did not go well''. She commented.
''We all have lunch together we'll talk to her then.'' He shrugged. ''You know Maya she'll cool off and be cool later. Now come on where're late''. He pulled his friend towards the door of history class. ''I doubt that history here will be any different from history at home, your dad talks about_''
''Not here''. Riley cut him off fast. The kids sat down side by side.
''Miss Matthews, Mr Friar, nice of you to join us''. Riley and Lucus flinched as Cory and Shawn turned to one another and looked at Riley and Lucas. ''Not a good start to your first day, I gather you were late to homeroom too? Mr Turner said he didn't see you in''.
''Yes Sir''. Lucas said flushing. ''That would be correct''. Mr Feeny just rolled his eyes. And Riley gave her boyfriend a smile.
''Now, can I get on with class?'' They all nodded and listened to the teacher her father always talked about and the class was interesting just like her Dads classes but just not the same.
''This IS just like your Dads classes'' Lucas mutter to Riley ''Life lessons that compare to real life'' . They all sat through the class like they did in Cory's class. They listened and took notes to be honest they missed their own school and their own history class. When the bell sounded the two kids stood outside the classroom. They were aware that Cory and Shawn could probably hear them.
''This is weird''. Lucas commented. ''I miss our school''. Riley nodded crossing her arms across her chest. ''To be honest I just want to go home I don't mind Mr Feeny he's just like your dad''.
''I don't care, my home life sucks one way or another''. Maya stormed down the hall past them and leaned against the wall. ''You have a nice home to go back to I have a crappy trailer. '' She kicked a locker aware that her Dad and uncle could see.
''Lets just go Riley, Maya wants to be alone''. Riley wanted to help her best friend, but Lucas was right if she knew Maya she did want to be alone and wouldn't listen to her. He lightly put his arm around her.
''She's my best friend, I'm not leaving without her Lucas''. Lucas smiled at her and pecked her on the lips. ''You go i'll be there later''. She said in a small voice. Lucas nodded and kissed her on the cheek. Riley walked towards Maya and way to near Shawn and Cory. ''Maya its OK''. She whispered. ''Tell me where you ended up.''
''All I care about is when we go home, hopefully by Christmas''. She walked away from Riley who watched her go.
''Hi''. They were about thirteen seventh or eighth. Cory and Shawn were alone in the hall and she knew they were listening to her and her friends. ''I'm Shawn and this is Cory'''.
''I'm Riley''. She replied ''Riley Matthews''. They narrowed their eyes at her and she had never been so scared realizing what she'd done.
''You and your friends seventh graders?'' Riley nodded.
''You to?'' Then nodded and Riley was glad they weren't ninth or tenth or they might not want to talk to her. ''Are you related to Cory?'' She felt her heart speed up. But she lied she couldn't say yes!
''No, its a common last name''. She shrugged. ''My Dad grew up in New York her dad didn't have any relatives in New York. It was a good lie.
''So I over heard you saying your only here for a little while.'' Shawn commented.
''Hopefully, our parents are missing except for Maya's mother uncle Shaw_ my dads friend whos taking care of her, went missing her mother left a few weeks ago and, her dad couldn't take her. Doesn't think he's a good enough father to her. Even though he has two other daughters.'' She shouldn't have said that. ''Don't tell her I told you''. She added. She and Shawn and Cory talked for a long time.
''So she's never met her father?'' Shawn seemed a little miffed and she knew why.
''No''. The bell rang and Riley realized she'd skipped class and Cory had left. She'd been so busy talking to Uncle shawn she hadn't noticed her father had left. They talked for a long time after that.
''Riley''. Maya walked up and saw Shawn and backed up slightly emotion in her eyes, she missed her father figure. She was crazy about Shawn now. He had moved in instead of leaving her alone in the house. ''We found a seat in the lunch room''. She said not taking her eyes off Shawn. '' Lucus and Farkle are waiting.''
''Hi there, whats your name?'' He winked at her. Riley shuttered her Godfather was flirting with her best friend. He said it in a voice that told her. Maya backed in to the wall. Thinking along the same lines.
''Maya heart.''
''Nice to meet you Maya Heart''. He gave her a flirty smile and Maya shuttered giving Riley a look. ''Let me know if I can show you around.''
''I think I'm good, come on Riley. Bye Shawn''. She took Riley by the arm and Dragged her into the lunchroom. ''Your boyfriend is waiting''. She said wiggling her eyebrows.
''Maya...'' Riley knew Maya was hurting.
''Seeing him is to painful Riley, I miss him'''. She looked behind her as Cory met Shawn by the door she gave the boys a smile as Maya dragged her away. ''Please don't make me talk to him''. They sat down at the table a table to themselves like always.
''Hi girls, we were just talking about what our Foster homes are like''. Lucas said Riley sat down next to him. ''Mine live just down the street, the two older ones are jerks the older one threatened to beat me up.'' Maya huffed again.
''You guys get to be in the same home? Riley lives a block away and I live in the_'' She cut herself off and looked around. ''Across town''. Riley shook her head and glanced at her best friend. Why was Maya acting so strange? She made eye contact with her other friends who shrugged.
''Maya where are you living?'' Riley asked again her friend Maya shook her head.
''Drop it Riley.''
''Maya_'' Lucus started to say as he took Riley's hand.
''I said DROP IT''. she hissed and she got up and stormed out of the lunchroom taking her lunch tray with her. ''Just forget it''.
''Maya''.
''I just want to be alone Riley, can you guys please just not ask about my Foster home?'' She said softly. ''I'm going to go eat in the hall, please just leave me alone''. They all looked at one another an Maya sniffed as she sat down on the floor to eat. Shawn had been like what Mr mattews was to Riley and her mom and her had just began to become close. It wasn't fair. Why weren't the others suffering? Why was it only her?
She took out her Book. Photos of all the things that meant the world to her. Her and her friends, her and her mom, her and Shawn her and the Matthews all the letters Shawn had written her. She'd been living with him since the start of the summer and they'd had a blast while Shawn looked for a new Job. He'd promised her they wouldn't have to commit to this.
''Hi Maya.'' She assumed it was Lucas.
''Lucas, I asked you guys not to ask where my Foster Parents live. I don't want to talk about it. Not right now at least please go back to your girlfriend.'' She stood up to walk away, but she ran into him. She looked up to yell at him. Then took a step back. She was face to face with Shawn. ''Hi Shawn''. She spotted the open book on the floor and bent down and picked it up. ''Sorry, I thought you were one of my friends, they've been hassling me and i'm sick of it''. Those eyes. They were the only thing the same as the man that was taking care of her back home.
''I understand''. he commented picking something else up. Her locket. He handed it to her. ''I gather this is important to you?'' She nodded.
''My mother got it for me before she left me''. She opened it and looked at the picture inside. ''My father went with her, not that I care I only met the guy once when I was a baby. But he wanted to prove he still loved her. She thought i'd be better off here. I would have went with her''. She said this softly. Shawn obviously wanted a change of topic because he nodded toward Cory and Riley.
''Looks like those two would make a good couple''. Maya's eyes widened. ''Ew no for one thing they have the same last name for some strange reason. Another, Riley and Lucus belong together, they've been dating since spring of last year''. Not to mention they were father and daughter. Just like she wanted with Shawn.
''Do you want to come over later?'' He asked as he picked up his bag. She paused she wasn't the only one who felt a connection between them otherwise he wouldn't have asked.
''What about Topanga?'' She wanted a easy out and she forgot she wasn't supposed to know about her.
''What about her?'' he said and Riley brushed it off.
''Never mind, I'd love too.'' She spun around and flipped her hair. ''See you then Cory''. She was smiling when she walked away. She met Maya on the other side of the hall. ''Shall we?'' She asked hoping they would be able to forget all this. Lukyily Maya smirked and they walked off together.
''You know, this might not be too bad you and Cory, me and Shawn. We don't really have to miss them a lot. They ARE here''.
''Yeah but I almost called my dad, Dad five times today, and I almost called Shawn, uncle Shawn at least six times. ''And what about Farkle? He can't even say his last name.'' Riley said as they walked to their next class.
''How does someone come up with the Name Farkle anyway?'' Lucas asked as he walked up behind them. ''Farkle Minkus, what a name.''
''Daddy said his father was just as strange as Farkle''. Riley commented. ''Thats how I guess.'' They all parted ways to go to their Classes, except for Riley who had a free period. She sat down on the floor and opened her book. She closed the book this, she missed this. There was a note to she opened it and read it word for word. This was the note Shawn had sent her telling her why he'd had trouble even looking at her before. He wanted what her Dad had. But now he did, with Maya. ''Hi Riley''. She looked up and Cory sat down next to her.
''Cory hi''. She perked up right away seeing her father.
''Are you OK?'' She knew her father wouldn't let it go because if he was her, she wouldn't until she could help this person.
''I miss home''. She admitted. She didn't want to talk about it so she changed the subject. ''Do you like Topanga?''
''How did you know?!'' She rolled her eyes.
''Cory its like me and Lucas last year, you like one another you both know it. You just don't know how to make that next step. ''. She spotted Lucas across the hall she smiled at him. To her shock he was talking to Topanga. ''Only you've known Topanga longer''. His eyes narrowed. She wasn't supposed to know that. ''Shawn was telling me''. She explained. ''It was true just not Shawn now.''
A few hours later Riley and Maya and the others were standing at the school doors. ''I'll see you guys tomorrow. When Lucas said this he was looking right at Riley. Every one seemed to notice. He took her hand.
''I've got to get home too, my Foster parents don't want me walking home in the dark''. She explained. ''see you guys.'' As they walked off and Riley was left with her father and uncle she paused.
Lets follow her''. She announced standing up. ''I need to know where she's living shes my best friend.''
''Riley stop''. Shawn turned her around. ''She asked you not too.'' She almost smiled he hadn't changed since he was a teenager.
''Shawn, I need to know what shes not telling ''me. Now are you in or are you out?''
''I'm in''. Cory said this right away.
''You would be''. Shawn said shaking his head. ''You could be the love chid between him and Topanga ''. She laughed a nervous laugh.
''Very funny, now come on''. Shawn huffed.
''I don't like this''.
''I'd do the same for you''. Cory commented as they started to follow Maya.
''I know you would''. Shawn Commented. ''Even if I didn't want you too.'' He said giving Riley a look. They walked in silance as they got closer and closer to the part of town her foster parents had told her not to go to.
''She's living near here? Why would the social workers let her live there?'' Shawn commented and Riley looked in his direction. She'd forgotten he'd lived close to here too. ''Riley I think you should go, its not safe here Maya wouldn't want you here.''
''What about you?!'' She asked exasperated.
''Cory and I have been here a million times. I can bail us out. Lucas wouldn't like you here either''. Shawn pointed out.
''Guys i'm not alone, i'm with you guys I'm safe.'' Maya took a turn and there reveled the Trailer park Shawn had grown up in. She gasped. ''Here?! She's living here?!'' Shawn took her arm.
''Okay you know now leave''. Shawn said. ''Please Riley, I don't want you to get hurt this place isn't safe.'' His voice was so serious it made her think he really might know what was going on.
''How would you know?'' He put his arm around her turning her around to leave.
''I live here''. He said. ''Riley, you need to go. Please.'' She didn't know why he was so passionate about this? Maybe he somehow knew? Maybe he knew she had something to do with Cory. ''Please don't come back alone''. She knew Uncle Shawn wouldn't want her here.
''Alright fine just don't tell Maya I was here''.
''Of course not''.
Maya sat in her room doing her homework but she couldn't focus. She didn't want to be here she wanted to be somewhere like where Riley was she sat on the bed. Maybe she could all she had to do is leave. They were asleep she put on her coat and snuck out to the living room. She stepped outside and closed the door gently and she took off into the night.
She didn't realize, she'd dropped the book.