It Would've Been Me
Summary: Riley and Maya are walking to school. Maya doesn't see a truck coming while crossing the street. Riley pushes Maya out of the way just in time, but Riley is hit head on. Will Riley be okay? How will Maya and the others cope with this tragedy? Read on to find out!
Rated: T for mild thematic elements and injury
Riley and Maya are walking to school. The bell rings, but Maya and Riley are not in class. Cory thinks they are just late. 20 minutes later, there is still no sign of Riley or Maya, and Cory begins to worry that something has happened to them. Cory's phone rings. It's Maya. He picks up the phone, but it is not Maya on the other end. Cory walks out of the classroom and answers the phone.
"Hello, Maya? Where are you guys?"
I'm sorry. This isn't Maya. Is this Cory Matthews?"
"Yes…Who is this?"
"My name is David Anderson. I'm afraid there's been an accident."
"What?! What kind of accident?! Is everyone okay?"
"Well, there were two victims. Both young girls."
"Oh my God! Are they alright?"
"Whosever phone this is, I think you said Maya, she's alright. It looks like she dislocated he right shoulder, and she hit her head pretty hard. She's unconscious, but I promise you, she's okay."
"Okay and what about the other one? That's my daughter, Riley. How is she?"
"I'm sorry, Riley is hurt much worse."
"Oh my God! How did this happen?"
"I saw the whole thing. Maya didn't see a truck coming, and Riley pushed her out of the way and she was hit. I called 911, so help is coming. I'm sure this is the most awful thing to hear, but I promise you that your girls are in good hands. I am a paramedic and another bystander is a nurse. The ambulance is here. I'm so sorry I have to tell you this."
"Oh my God, Riley! Thank you so much for your help, David. I am going to call my wife and I will be right there. If either of the girls wakes up before we get there, please tell them that we are on our way, and we love them."
"I sure will! Bye Cory."
Cory calls Topanga and lets her know what happened. He comes back into the classroom with red, puffy eyes.
"Mr. Matthews… is everything okay?" asked Lucas, worriedly.
"No Mr. Friar, Cory sighed. " I'm afraid not. Lucas, Farkle, come out in the hall please."
"Mr. Matthews, what's going on? Farkle was now getting panicked.
"Riley and Maya were in an accident."
"What!? Are they okay?" Lucas yelled.
"What happened?" Farkle asked.
"Riley was hit by a truck. She pushed Maya out of the way."
"Oh my gosh! Are they okay?"
"Maya's fine. Just some minor injuries. Riley, on the other hand, not so much."
"What does that mean? Lucas croaked
"I don't know much. responded Cory. Just that they are both going to need us more than ever right now. I know you guys will do that."
"We definitely will, sir. Farkle half smiled. .
"Can we come with you, Mr. Matthews? Lucas asked.
"Sure, Lucas. Go ahead and call your parents to let them know what happened and where you are. Meet me in the parking lot. I am going to go talk to Principal Brown."
Phone conversation between Lucas and his mom.
"Hi, Mom?"
"Lucas? Aren't you in class?"
Mom, Riley and Maya are hurt. They were in an accident. I am going to the hospital with Mr. Matthews."
"Oh my! I hope they are okay! Keep me updated and please call us when you need picked up. I love you, Lucas."
"I love you too, Mom, and I will. Bye."
"Okay, bye sweetie!"
Phone conversation between Farkle and Stuart Minkus.
"Dad?"
"Farkle? What's wrong? Why are you calling me during school?"
"Riley and Maya were in an accident. They're hurt really bad. I am going to the hospital with Mr. Matthews and Lucas."
"Oh my God! What happened? Please let me know what's going on!"
"All that I know is that they need us. I will update you as soon as I know more."
"Okay, son. I love you."
"I love you too, Dad. Bye."
In the car, Lucas says a silent prayer, Cory replays his conversation with David over and over again in his head, and Farkle stares out the window, crying.
"Dear God, Please let Maya and Riley be okay. I need them in my life. I don't want to sound selfish, but I'm a different person because of them. Just please make them okay.
Amen."
At the hospital
Receptionist: "Hi, Can I help you?"
"Hi, my name is Cory Matthews. My daughter and her best friend were in a car accident a little while ago."
"Cory? I'm David."
"Oh, Hi David. Thank you again."
"Absolutely. I'm glad I could help."
Receptionist: Mr. Matthews, which is your daughter?
"They both technically are, but Riley is my biological daughter, Is she okay?"
"I'm not allowed to say very much, but I can say that Maya is awake getting her shoulder put back in place, and Riley is in surgery. You can go see Maya if you want to.
"Okay. Lucas, Farkle, Maya is awake. Let's go."
Receptionist: Miss Hart is in room 232. It's on the second floor, so you can take the elevator. 16th room on the right. They may not let you in right away."
"Okay. Thank you, ma'am." Lucas said.
In Maya's Room
Maya: Please stop! OWWW! STOP! That hurts!
Doctor: I'm sorry Miss Hart, we have to get this shoulder back in to place.
"OWWWW!" Maya screamed.
"That's our Maya." said Farkle.
"Yep." replied Lucas, wincing.
Doctor: "Okay Maya, On 3 I'm going to set it, okay?"
"Mmhmm (through clenched teeth)"
"Okay, 1...2…SNAP"
"OWWW What the heck?! You said on 3!"
"It hurts less if you aren't expecting it, Trust me." The doctor chuckled. "Can I get a sling please?"
Miss Hart, you have some visitors. Can I let them in?
Maya: "Umm, sure. Wait! Who is it?"
"Lucas, Farkle and Mr. Matthews."
"They want to see me?"
Cory: "Yes, they do."
Farkle: Hey, Maya. I'm so glad you're okay!"
"Yeah. I'M fine."
Cory: Maya, don't blame yourself. We are all very glad that you are okay."
Lucas: "Yes, we are. I was really worried about you, Maya."
(Topanga enters)
Topanga: "Hi, Maya. How are you feeling?"
Maya: "Oh, hi Mrs. Matthews. I'm okay. How's Riley? Is she okay?"
Topanga: "No news yet, honey. Just focus on getting better for right now, okay?"
Maya: "How can I if I don't know if Riley is okay? This is all my fault!"
Lucas: "Maya! Don't you even think this is your fault!"
Maya: "If it wasn't for me, Riley would be fine!"
Cory: "She is going to be fine, Maya!"
Topanga: "Speaking of which, We should probably go see if there's any news on Riley.
Cory: "Yes, we should. Lucas, Farkle, do you guys want to stay here with Maya?"
Farkle: "Sure, Mr. Matthews. We'll stay right here."
(Grabbing Maya's injured hand by accident)
Maya: Owww, Farkle! Other hand!
Farkle: Oh my gosh, I'm sorry! Are you okay?
Maya: "I'm fine."
Topanga: "Okay guys. We will be back when we hear something. Rest, Maya."
( Topanga and Cory leave)
Maya: "Do you guys think she is going to be okay?"
Lucas: "I honestly don't know. I sure hope so."
Farkle: Me too. I'm really worried about her."
Back in the waiting room, Topanga and Cory anxiously await news on Riley's condition.
A half an hour later, the doctors finally come out of the operating room.
Doctor: "Riley Matthews' family?
Topanga and Cory: "Right here!"
"Follow me please. Before you see her, I wanted to let you know that she is in very critical condition and she suffered many very serious injuries."
Cory: "Oh my God! How serious?"
Doctor: "Well there are a lot but a few of the most serious would include a collapsed right lung, several broken ribs, a slipped spinal disk, a broken pelvis and right arm. Her legs were also crushed and she has a very serious concussion. Your daughter saved her friend's life. I know it sounds like a lot and it is, but if everything goes well, Riley will make a full recovery."
Topanga: "Oh my God, my baby!"
Cory: "Oh, Riley! Is she in pain?"
Doctor: Well that's the other thing. Riley's injuries have put her in a coma that we are not sure she will wake up from. We're doing everything we can, but it's up to Riley to wake herself up."
"You're not sure if she'll wake up?!" Topanga sobbed falling to her knees.
(Cory pulls Topanga in to a hug)
"I'm sorry I had to tell you this. You can see her if you would like. I will warn you though that it looks really bad."
"I want to see her." Topanga sniffled.
"Okay, follow me." answered the doctor.
In Riley's Hospital Room
Topanga's POV
As we walked in to Riley's room, I could feel myself getting more and more terrified every step I took. At first, I couldn't see her. I just saw a dark room that was lit up like a fire by a bunch of beeping machines. This couldn't be real. This is a nightmare. It has to be. There was no way that my beautiful Riley was lying in that bed. Wake up Topanga! This isn't really happening. But it was. I finally got the courage to look at her. She was lying so peacefully. Almost angelically. She looked so beautiful, but as I got closer, I started to see the pain. The bandages, stitches, bruises, everything she had been through. She looked so peaceful, yet so vulnerable and broken at the same time. I felt tears fall from my eyes. I looked at Cory and he was just as in shock as I was. I couldn't believe what I saw. How were we going to tell Maya, Farkle, and Lucas about this? What if Riley never wakes up? What if I never get to hear her voice again? Or see her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes? What if we lose her? No, I can't think like that. Riley will be fine. She'll wake up and everything will go back to normal. Like none of this ever happened. Riley will wake up and she will be just fine.
Surgeon: "You can talk to her. She can't respond, but most comatose patients are aware of their surroundings and can hear when people talk to them."
Topanga: Okay. Hi, baby. It's mom. I love you.
Cory: Hey sweetie, it's dad. Lucas and Farkle are with Maya. She's okay by the way. I'll have them come see you soon. I love you, Riley…Riley? …RILEY!
The beeping machines starts getting louder and faster, then she starts violently shaking. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, and her color slowly faded away along with her life. That was by far the most petrifying experience ever. We were rushed out of the room and the door was shut behind us.
"She's seizing!" I hear someone yell "Quick, someone get me a crash cart!"
"Charge to 200!"
"Clear!"
According to the doctor, Riley had a seizure. They don't know what caused it. They are running more tests. He said her heart stopped, and she flat lined for 11 seconds before they brought her back. They told us that it could make things even worse. That it could lower her chance of survival further, and if she did survive, there could be permanent effects on her brain. I thought my heart stopped when I heard him say that. "Permanent effects on her brain." I remember gripping onto Cory's arm to keep myself from fainting, but the next thing I knew, I was laying on my back staring at the ceiling with Cory hovering over me looking terrified.
"Topanga, are you alright"
"What happened?" I asked.
"You fainted, honey." he replied.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why did I faint?" I was really confused. Why was I at the hospital? What caused me to faint? At first, I had no idea what was going on, but after a few seconds, everything came rushing back. We were here because Riley and Maya are hurt. The doctor had just informed us about Riley's seizure. The tears began to fall when I remembered the doctor's last sentence. Riley's brain could be permanently damaged. I sat up slowly and looked around. "Riley, where is she?" I asked while Cory helped me get back on my feet.
"They're doing tests to figure out what caused her seizure. We should let the kids know what's going on. Do you want to stay here? I can go alone."
"No, I want to come too." I replied, still a little dazed.
Back in Maya's Room
No one's POV
Maya is asleep and the boys are texting their parents
Topanga and Cory walk in with tears staining their faces
"Mr. and Mrs. Matthews…Lucas looked up from his phone. "Is Riley…" He couldn't finish his sentence as tears formed in his eyes.