A/N:Chapter 1


Metamorphosis

Chapter 1


Maybe this would teach you not to believe in things…..

Maybe Riley should have known that once those words were spoken, more specifically towards her, that things would start to change. Not that they haven't already. But more as if she started to change. It wasn't pre planned, maybe to the celestial being or beings up there or down here they knew what will happened. But Riley didn't. And Riley knew that no one expected her to change the way she did. And Farkle, he was the one who said those words, and Lucas who in his head affected her with his words though she will never admit it, might have felt as if they were the ones who started the ball rolling and catalyst her change. But this was a long time coming. Metamorphosis was coming towards her.

Ava Morgernstern's dad just left. Riley liked Ava. The girl had spunk and while her rough and slightly rude demeanor gave for a slightly impressionable first impression; Riley always believed that the girl was something. And something she was. Riley could see how affected she was by her dad leaving, she saw years ago when Maya's dad left, but Ava had managed to put a brave front and still allowed for Auggie to see her soul. Ava could still become who she was meant to be. Even without her dad. Maya certainly did.

So Riley did the Riley thing and took care of her. She wanted Ava to grow and become everything that Ava could be. With that in mind she spent more time with Auggie and Ava then she did in middle school. Riley divided her time between Ava and Auggie, Maya, her family and her friends and the other activities that she decided to sink her hands into.

She was alright with her friends. They had all made peace with what happened at the beginning of high school. They were as close as they could be but they were all growing and changing. Sometimes one of them drifted away for a while but they came back. Everyone moved except maybe her. It happened separately and simultaneously for all them. But Riley was constant, at least that was what she thought the others view her as. But her views of the world changing slowly. And she wasn't scared of that. In fact that quiet growth gave her this calm quiet force that was not easily trampled. Whatever obstacles she faced Riley knew for certain that there is tomorrow and tomorrow was limitless. With that in mind she never felt the need to give up or give in to whatever it was that was suppose to be the bane of her current teenage life.

Soon enough 6 months had passed. It was one of those days where somehow everyone was together at Topanga's and doing their own thing. Her parents were situated at the counter. Katy wasn't in today but that didn't stop Maya from claiming a table to herself. She had an art elective project while Zay was at the same table watching videos on his phone. Farkle and Lucas were probably doing school work at a table close by. She used the term probably because she really didn't know. They could be discussing video games for all she knew. Riley was with Auggie and Ava helping them with their school projects. They were suppose to do built a diorama of the solar system. Riley was told that the best diorama will be given a special price. Ava and Auggie obviously were a competitive duet.

"So Jupiter will be here," Riley said as she placed the small big planet on its holder letting Auggie glue it with the hot glue gun.

"I like Mars," Ava announced. Her voice carried over the whole shop.

"Do you know in ancient times people associated mars with the god of war?" Riley said. She didn't at all want Ava to feel as if she was being patronised but wanted offer small little interesting facts. After months of being on babysitting duty she had a knack of collecting facts that she thought would be interesting for Auggie and Ava.

"Well what about love?" Auggie asked

"That's Venus, I think," Riley said. She will need to google that one later. And give a relevant explanation about ancient times and when people believed in warlocks and gods and legends.

"What about Pluto?" Ava asked.

"Pluto is not a planet silly," Riley said absentmindedly helping Auggie hold Neptune down so Auggie could glue it. She didn't know that what she said, while they hold no significance to her at this point of time, captured the attention of her group of friends. Her group of friends who were looking at one another with confusion before settling on eavesdropping on the conversation.

"Why not?" Ava asked.

"It used to be but it's not anymore," Riley explained while looking for the cap of the hot glue gun.

"Will it become a planet again?" Ava asked

"I wouldn't put your hopes up," Riley said as she placed the last detail on their diorama, "Okay so we are done. I think your teacher would like this very much."

"I think my mom would like it too. Auggie you want to follow me to show mom?" Ava beamed.

"Sure" Auggie replied.

"You guys can pack up here. I need to grab my bag and then we can head towards the apartment" Riley said as she made her way to the tables that her friends were at. She could hear Auggie's and Ava's okays as she turned to collect her stuff from the table her friends were situated at.

"Riley" Farkle called out for her attention.

"Hold on," Riley said looking distractedly at Farkle before she faced the direction of the counter and called out, "Mom I'm going to bring Auggie and Ava home."

Riley barely paid attention to her mom's reply, she was grabbing and stuffing all her things in her bag. She had so much things that she needed to do. There was an english essay and some maths and she had a biology quiz tomorrow. After she dropped Ava off, she needed to study.

"Riley," Farkle called out more urgently.

"What?" Riley said finally facing him, not understanding why he looked so dumbfounded. As if she was giving him a complicated puzzle.

"You just said that Pluto is not a planet" Farkle said.

"It's not" Riley said silencing him. She felt something shift between her and her group of friends. Did they feel it too?

"But to you it is" Zay supplied. The rest of the group were quietly soaking up this revelation.

"I mean I was 12," Riley said feeling a little embarrassed about how she put so much of her time in Pluto, "You can change your opinions." Riley looked to where Auggie and Ava were. They were almost done and she was pretty sure they were going to be bored and restless if she didn't move now. It had nothing to do with the fact that she didn't want to be analysed by her friends, "I have to go, I'm pretty sure those two have no problems getting into trouble. See you guys in school."

She didn't give much time for her friends to speak before going back to the kids. It was only when she reached home after sending Ava off did she realise the enormity of her words. Pluto is not a planet.

She made her peace with the fact that she was no artist and no scientist(not to Farkle and Isadora's calibre). She was not physically gifted hence not a cheerleader. She was just not. That was the way she defined herself. Not this, not that. Not enough and in the back of her mind that might be the reason why she is too much for some people. Talk about mental overcompensation.

She didn't want to be a not. She didn't want to feel that word being the reason why she was so unhappy. So she did things. And she found out that it was so much more fun to do things then think about things. Thoughts never helped anyone unless they become actions.

So she didn't think about 'girlfriend' and 'girl friend'. She didn't think when people automatically assumed her naive and stupid. Let them think what they wanted. She just moved forward. It wasn't like before when she had blindfaith. She knows how to dip her toes in and test waters. She starts knowing how to read people or at least know what they will do. But she doesn't tell anyone about that particular talent. Instead she writes and writes and writes. She writes until 2 in the morning before her eyes force her closed.

And she reads. She reads a lot. It is only in these two places will she allow herself to hope and imagine. It is there she believes good and right and that characters could be more. That she could be more and no one says she is too much or she should stop believing. Where who she is is more than enough and that is not a bad thing.

That part of her is closed to the world but one day she hopes she can open to someone. It didn't need to be a boy that she is going to fall in love with but a person. Someone she could talk that was a neutral party that knew nothing of her past or future. Their only interaction would be the now they created. And she would show them the places that she discovered alone when she deliberately misses her train stop home and allows herself to discover the world through her eyes and her eyes alone. Unfiltered from her parents thoughts and her friends opinion. It was freeing and she craved it more than she would care to admit.

Pluto was not a planet. And she was okay with that.

"Dad wants to come back" Ava said, "What do I do?"

There was a pause. Riley could see her parents giving communicating through looks. The boys, well most of them don't really know how to talk to a little girl, kept their mouth silent. Shawn looks like he wants to say something but is looking at Katy and Maya. Probably to make sure they are alright given that once upon a time they were in this position.

Time had passed since that day at Topanga's. Things were the same and yet different. Riley wishes Uncle Eric or Josh was here. Uncle Eric knew what to say and Josh well even if he didn't he knew how to keep you distracted. Maya was the first one to speak.

"You give him a chance," Maya said. Her answer might have surprised everyone but not Riley. It was no secret that her and Kermit's relationship had deteriorated. Maya still saw him every once in awhile but those meetings were tense and awkward and always ended with her and Maya having a sleepover with lots of junk food and ice could see how everyone would view it as brave. However Riley knew that Maya would always want family, "It's not going to be the same but he is still family. You don't give up on family. Your mom and dad are going to have to talk a lot but you and your dad, your relationship with him is not suppose to end because of your mom. Don't give up on him."

Riley could see the pride that resided in everyone's eyes. She saw the way Lucas looked at Maya. She couldn't place the emotion and honestly she was tired of over analysing every single thing being said and done. She was glad that Maya was able to give that advice. She was glad how far Maya had come. But what she didn't like was the feeling that came over when she watched her parents, her godfather look at Maya like that. She didn't like how she felt, she was suppose to be supportive. But those looks made her feel as she was never going to be good enough. That regardless of how much she reached, it would just be slightly out of her grasped.

"Riley," Ava turned to her. There was a need for affirmation. For the past year, Riley made sure that Auggie and Ava were okay. Not as kids or the couple they are but as individual people. There were nights where Ava and/or Auggie would crawl underneath her covers and she would hold them. In the morning when she wakes up they would be peacefully asleep and she would quietly get ready for the day. Ava doesn't mention those nights and neither does she but there was a kinship between them. Riley would do a lot for that little girl. If she said yes, Ava would give her dad a chance. Her words were going to impact this little girl. Which was why she hoped she was doing the right thing.

"Have you ever heard of the phrase fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me," Riley asked as she moved to sit in front of Ava. Ava automatically closed the gap and allowed Riley to hold her. It took all of Riley's willpower to ignore the confusion on everyone's faces and focus on Ava. This was, after all, about her. Ava shook her head.

"The first time someone hurts you it's on them," Riley said trying to explain, "The second time it's on you." Riley paused to let the words sink in. Riley knew that she wasn't really explaining this right and spoke up once more, "I'm not trying to tell you not to give your dad a chance. I'm trying to tell you to protect your heart. Because no one is going to protect it the way you do."

Riley knew that her stance was going to be somewhat confusing to the people in the room. Her family and friends probably thought she would say yes and give Ava rainbows and magic and happily ever after. She wished she could to.

"I don't know that to do," Ava confessed. Riley could here the confusion in her voice. She wished she could make it go away.

"That's okay," Riley said hugging Ava a little tighter before speaking up again, "This is not just about your dad."

It wasn't a question. It was a fact and Riley looked at Ava trying to convey that whatever it is that was bothering her is not dumb or stupid.

"What if mom leaves this time?" Ava said softly. She knew that no one else hear that. It was only meant for her.

"Do you love your mom?" Riley asked. Her voice was soft but it was heard through the silent room.

"Yes why wouldn't I," Ava said looking at Riley trying to figure out what was coming next.

"Do you love your dad?" Riley continued. There was a silence. Everyone was waiting for Ava's answer.

"I don't like that he left us," Ava finally admitted.

"What type of relationships you have with people is not only up to you. Its up to them too. He might want you back and you can forgive him if you want to," Riley said, "If you don't then don't.

"What if I don't know what to choose?"

"Then you move forward," Riley advised, "Let him be a part of your past. And just focus on what is important to you now."

"You'll be here right? Even if i choose wrong?" Ava asked. There was something in her eyes that reminded me of who she used to be a long time ago. Afraid of the uncertainty of tomorrow. Riley didn't comment that Ava could never choose wrong. Instead she ran her fingers through Ava's hair.

"For as long as I can," Riley replied.

"So can we talk about your take on the advice you gave Ava?" Riley heard Maya start. Riley sighed and faced the impending slaughter she was about to receive. Ava's mom had collected Ava and Auggie who were heading towards the movie theaters. That left her alone in a room of people who were no doubt about to start asking questions.

"What about it?" Riley said as she made her way to the kitchen area. It was nearer to her room as compared to the living room.

"It's a little bit too harsh don't you think," Maya tried. It made Riley frown. She was tired of trying. She was also annoyed that just because Maya was very similar to Ava, everything that had the slightest hint of broken families was under Maya's jurisdiction. In the past it might have made Riley feel small but now it didn't. Because Riley knew where she stood.

"No," Riley said honestly, "If I were her, I would want to know the truth and not a sweetly covered white lie."

"Riley," Shawn intervened, "I think what Maya is trying to say is that Ava is young and we should let her hope for the best. We can't destroy her hopes. Every girl should have a family.

She should have conceded, the adults were getting involved and it was startling clear whose side they agreed on, even if her parents were just watching.

"Every girl should," Riley agreed before saying, "But I think that at all of us can agree not all family comes from blood." She wanted to throw it into Shawn and Maya's face that they should obviously know "Blood isn't that much thicker than water. I rather let her know what she is getting herself into. I rather prepare her."

"Come on Riley' she's young," Zay piped in, "She should be believing in fairytales and dreams coming true. She's a little girl."

She was once a little girl, Riley thought and look how everything turned out, "Exactly. She is a little girl. The faster she learns about how the world truly is. The better."

"Since when did Maya become the hopeful dreamer and you," Lucas trailed off realising what he was about to say. Whatever had happened in the beginning of high school was over, she left those bitter feelings along time ago but the way this was playing out reminded her of what had happened. She felt her heart clench just a bit and refused to feel hurt. At least not where she is being watched.

"Cynical?" Riley offer sarcastically, "I'm not. I'm just being more realistic about things"

"Riley, this is not you," Maya said. Riley could see it in her eyes that Maya truly believed that there was something wrong. She could see it in all of her friends' eyes except for Farkle. Farkle was the only one beside her parents that kept quiet about the whole ordeal.

"I'm getting really tired of hearing that," Riley said before announcing to the room, "I'm going to my room."

Riley left the crowded living room area and went to her room. She was trying to get a grip on her feelings. This wasn't fair. She didn't want to be this overly emotional mess that they assumed she would be. They are probably in the living room saying that Maya was right and wondering what is happening to her. There will probably be a knock on the door and an intrusion where they ask if everything is alright. Because god forbid her thinking anything less of what is good and wasn't fair. At all. Since when did Maya become…

It felt as everyone wanted to her to be the sun. Always bright always shiny. They will complain if she's not around as much they will complain if she there too often. The moon well the moon is exclusive. And few have seen all it has to offer. And now that she thought about it she can't stop thinking. She feels herself being so restricted in the room and she wants to be free. She didn't want another whole questioning or for her to bare out all her feelings because they are finally seeing something has changed. She looked at the wall clock; it was only 6:30pm. Without thinking she grabbed her phone, her metro card and some cash and exited her bay window. It was time to be free.


Okay hi all. So this is a new story. It started off as some scenes that I wrote down but did not fit into any of the stories that I was previously working on, so I just wrote this. I have not wrote down or planned out this story at all so I think I would be just as surprised as you guys would be at the direction of how the story would go. I have zero clue how many chapters this would be or how fast I would update this (I'm still writing the story line for the sequel of my other story) but if you like it well I'm glad I could make you happy. So this is an AU sort of story, I mean most fanfictions are. And now I'm just rambling. Well hope you guys like this, see you all the next time I post :)