It had been five years since Maya had last seen Riley. The Matthews had moved to the District when Cory had the chance to be part of a committee that promotes better educational opportunities for under privileged kids.
It wasn't far, Maya knew. Not a four hour drive, but not a five hour drive either, it was confusing. Still, she couldn't stop herself from spilling her feelings to Riley on that last day. Riley didn't say a thing, not even when Maya begged her to say something, anything. Maya crawled out the window after it felt forever in that uncomfortable silence. She knew it was over.
The aftermath wasn't pretty, either. Maya told Shawn and her mother what it had happened, she cried herself to sleep every night. She finally understood her mother and all those sleepless nights after her father left. Sure, Riley didn't abandon her with a child, but Riley was all she knew, Riley was her hope and had been her family when everyone else was gone. It stung.
Maya wasn't the same afterwards. The rest of high school wasn't easy either. Lucas found out about Maya's feelings and that was the end of their friendship. Zay would say hi to her in the hallways and sit next to her when they shared classes with only each other. Farkle and Smakle just got stronger, and although Maya remained close to them, thirdwheeling wasn't her favorite past time.
Then came college. Lucas went back to Texas to become a veterinarian. Zay went to Oklahoma State, both Farkle and Smackle went to M.I.T.; Maya chose to stay and attend art school at N.Y.U.; Riley was attending Georgetown.
Maya doesn't know how she had gotten away with avoiding the Matthews all this time. Cory and Shawn were still best friends and actually saw each other quiet often for two people who lived in different states.
Last year, during one her general ed classes, Maya met a girl, Zoe. They've been dating every since. Maya wasn't too serious about it, she hadn't even introduced her to her mom or Shawn. Sure, they met by accident one night at one of Maya's showings at school, but nothing Maya planned. Maya became really private since Riley's departure. She wasn't good at making friends, Farkle remained her best friend and every summer she would visit him in Boston.
It wasn't the best life, but Maya was content. She was making art, she had a family, a best friend, and a girlfriend. Maya must admit that she is not the best girlfriend. She often forgets special dates, and if you ask her, she is not in love with Zoe, but Zoe is good. Zoe understands and sticks around, so Maya takes her.
It was another ordinary morning; Maya was trying to finish an essay due in an hour at the campus coffee shop. Zoe was by her side, doing who knows what. Maya feels her phone on her pocket vibrate. It was Katy.
"Mom?" Maya knows something is wrong, Katy's voice is cracking and she can hear her sobbing.
Maya and Zoe made it to the hospital some twenty minutes later. Shawn had been hit by a truck on his way to the gallery.
Shawn had open a gallery a few months after moving to New York. He would present his pictures and some other local artists' work, and sometimes even Maya's work, whenever she was willing to display something. The gallery also held poetry readings two Friday's out of the month.
"Mom!" Maya ran to Katy as soon as she saw her. Zoe trailing behind her.
"What happened? How is he?"
"It was a truck, it ran the red light when Shawn was crossing. He is in the ICU, the doctors are not saying much, all I know is that he is unconscious" Katy's voice was trembling and her face was stained with tears, eyes tired.
"It's okay, mom. He is going to be fine, he is going to be okay" Maya said while holding her mother in her arms. "It's okay, mom. It's going to be okay".
Maya was trying to be strong, as much as she wanted to break down right there and then. She couldn't.
"I'm really sorry about this, Mrs. Hart" Katy looked up at the sound of Zoe who was standing next to them.
Maya noticed that Zoe had called Katy "Mrs. Hart". Maybe she had gone too far with the whole being a super private person thing.
"Mom, you remember Zoe" If Katy noticed that Maya was trying to avoid an even more awkward encounter, she didn't mention it.
"Sure, hi Zoe, thanks for coming. Please call me Katy"
So, she noticed.
"Is there anything you need, Katy? Something I can help you with?"
"That's so kind of you, Zoe. But for now all we can do is wait"
The three women sat there. Maya holding on to Katy's hand. Standing up every once in a while to pace around. Some three hours passed before the doctor came out with some news.
"Shawn?"
"That's my husband" Katy and Maya rushed towards the doctor. His face preoccupied.
"I'm doctor Lynch. I'm taking care of your husband"
"My Katy, this is my daughter Maya. How is Shawn?"
"I wish I had better news for you. He is stable, we ran some tests and unfortunately he will have to undergo surgery. His brain is swollen and we need to relieve some of the tension and make sure there is no further damage. I need you to sign these papers so we can start as soon as possible. If you come with me I can explain more"
"Yes, sure. Babygirl, wait here for me"
"Mom, I want to know"
"And you will. Please just wait here"
Katy was inside the doctor's office for about thirty minutes. She paced the whole hospital hall several times. Katy found her sitting on the floor.
"What did he say?"
"Well, they're preparing him to go in the OR. He was explaining some after care and consequences the operation might have. But he is going to be fine, Maya. Okay? I need you to trust on this"
"How can you ask me that when you didn't let me go with you? Please don't hide anything from me"
"I'm not. I promise you. I need you to trust me, Maya"
"Maya, your mom is right. Everything is going to be fine" Maya was taken aback by Zoe. She had forgotten she was still there. She felt terrible about it, but then again she had never been the best at being a girlfriend.
Maya felt hopeless, helpless. She wished there was a place she could go and feel safe, even if it's was for a while, even if it's was fake. She was falling apart inside with nothing holding her together.
"I'm gonna go get some coffee" Was the only thing Maya could think of saying.
"I'll go with you. Katy, do you want anything?"
"I'm fine, Zoe thank you"
"I'll be right back, mom" Maya kissed the top of Katy's head and walked off, Zoe bye her side.
They made it to the cafeteria, Maya wasn't hungry. They had been in the hospital for about six hours now. She mindlessly stirred her coffee.
"Your dad will be fine, Maya"
"I think you should go" Maya looked at her girlfriend, barely in the eyes
"What? No, I want to stay with you. Maya you don't have through this alone"
"I'm not, Zoe. My mom is here and she needs me. I really appreciate you being here and wanting to stay. But right now I need to be with my mom"
"I know what you're doing, Maya. I know you're trying to play strong, and that's fine, just please let me be here for you"
"Zoe, please. I need to be with my mom. This is how I am; this is how I cope. I… it's easier for me if you just leave"
Zoe sighed, this was battle she knew it was lost.
"Fine, but please promise me you will call me later and let me know how your dad is doing. I'll stop by tonight"
"Thank you" Zoe got closer and hugged Maya.
Maya desperately wanted for Zoe's hug to feel alright, to give her hope, but she didn't find it there. She only felt a cold rush through her veins and a knot on her throat.
"I love you, Maya"
This wasn't the first time Zoe had declared her love for the blonde beauty. It wasn't the first time Maya had just nodded and smiled.
Zoe left, leaving Maya to walk the way back to the waiting room by herself. Maya was cold, and the know on her throat had extended to her stomach. Her legs felt heavy and she hadn't felt this helpless since she was four.
She stopped, leaning on one of the walls and realizing she had left her coffee in the cafeteria. She turned around to go get another one, but decided against, turning back again. She saw a figure slowly walking and she lifted up her head. The figure stopped. Maya was speechless and frozen. She stared walking again, taking her time, and with each step the tears rolled faster down her cheeks.
"He's going to be okay, Maya. He's going to be fine"
Those are the words Cory said as soon as she reached him and he had embraced her in a tight hug. She cried into his chest while he tried to comfort her. It felt so good. She missed him so much.
Cory was Maya's second dad, if you don't count Kermit. And she missed him, and with Shawn lying on a bed fighting for his life, Maya had never been more thankful for Cory. She felt safe.
She sobbed, and sobbed, she didn't think she could stop. Cory just kept on holding her. Maya was barely aware of some footsteps getting closer, and then stopping. When she had calmed down enough for Cory to let go, he slowly turned her, leaving his chest and finding Riley's.
It had been five years, but she could recognize Riley anywhere. Maya didn't look up, she just let the brunette hold her as her tears kept on falling, every time slower. Maya felt safe, and for the first time in forever, she felt home.