A.N.- Takes place in their 8th grade year. Maya's grandmother does not live with her, instead she lives in a nursing home.
I apologize that I tend to focus more on the actions and descriptions vs dialogue; I just think actions speak louder then words, plus this story needs a lot of background. You will find I am also a big fan of anaphora. I apologize for the weird format of this story too, but logically speaking this was the only way I could do it so no one would get confused. I plan on updating ASAP; I already have the rest of the story pretty much written so.
Enough of me rambling nonsense. Enjoy the story!

PROLOGUE:

It was Thursday, March 26th when he entered Maya's life. It was Wednesday, April 29th when she exited his. Her mother had brought home some interesting characters before, but never had she met someone so utterly and irreversibly horrible that she lost all faith in the world. That is, until he was introduced.

He was a tall man, towering at 6 foot 8, and he had had a happy life, according to her mom. Filthy rich parents (which was probably why her mother started dating him) that loved him so, a superb education, and enough charisma to charm any woman to fall at his feet. That should have raised up red flags right there; for who, with the pick of the litter, would willingly choose a waitress that worked a few dollars over minimum wage at a shabby diner? Maya learned a lot about this man in the first few days of her mother's relationship. But when the fourth day rolled around, that happy little filter she had over her world came crumbling down.

Sure, her mother had dated jerks before, but she was smart enough to know to get out then. Why would this time be any different?

CHAPTER 1:
Monday, March 30th

Maya had just walked in the door of their apartment at 7 in the evening after spending the weekend at the Matthews. It had been the first weekend of their spring break, thus her and her best friend decided to have a little get together weekend and enjoy the start of their time off.

She heard muffled sobs emanate from her kitchen, so she followed the sound to investigate. She walked in just in time to see an open hand fly through the air and slap her mother in the face, knocking her to the floor. She stood paralyzed for a second, and the man just kept mumbling obscenities at her. "What do you think you are doing?" Maya shouted over the man's grunting.

"Maya, quiet-" Katy Hart said in a quiet and desperate voice.

"Why? You're shutting up enough for both of us." He did not like that. In three short strides he was in front of Maya, towering over her. The stench of alcohol on him was strong, and it stung her nose.

"Why don't you listen to your mother?" He growled, and followed the statement by backhanding her, causing her to fall to the ground, grasping her cheek. Tears swelled up, and she quickly ran into her room and shut the door.

An hour or so later, after a bit more of yelling and loud booms, she heard a soft knock on the door. "Sweetie?" Maya did not look up from her drawing when the door opened. A minute or so passed. "Talk to me."

"I thought you said you were done with guys like him." Maya said, not looking up from her work.

"I thought we decided you would not get involved."

Maya slammed her pencil down on her sketchpad and stood up, spinning around to face a black-eyed Katy Hart. "I thought you said you wouldn't pretend with me!" Her mother stood speechless at the outburst. Her daughter continued on. "I thought you said you could handle yourself. I thought you said you had more respect for yourself then that. I thought you promised me that if and when you needed money, you would tell me so that I could get another job and-"

"Baby girl, please stay out of it, this is bigger then you-"

"Oh, because I'm still a little girl who believes in the tooth fairy, and Santa Clause, and you?" She gave a short, cynical laugh, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "Please."

"I'm sorry." Her mother said after a moment, choking back tears. She reached out to touch her daughter's red cheek, but she evaded the touch before it can come in contact.

She heaved a sigh. "Just go. I've got homework." Her tiredness was evident in her voice.

"But I thought you said it was your break this week?" Maya could not muster up enough energy to explain what she was really doing, so she just gave her mother a look that told her to leave.

Katy Hart just nodded and left, shutting the door behind her. Maya sat back down at her desk and folded her arms over her sketchpad, one she had received from the Matthews for Christmas, and dropped her head into her open arms. Silently, she wondered how much longer this man would be prevalent in her life, although the way she phrased it was not as age appropriate for a ninth grader.

On Monday March 30th, with a red cheek and glassy eyes, Maya learned to hold her tongue.

Thursday, April 2nd

Spring break had been awesome so far. She had spent nearly every waking moment with Riley, and never went home. After that Monday night, she worried about her mother, but a few phone calls reassured Maya that Katy could handle herself. The two girls had had a fun past few days, but it was beginning to weigh on Cory and Topanga's nerves, especially considering the two growing girls combined were nearly eating them out of house and home.

After an exceptionally rough day at the office, Topanga tumbled into their apartment. She immediately stepped out of her heels and let out a sigh of content that the stress had been removed from her feet.

"Hey, Mrs. Matthews!" Maya said, entering the kitchen and opening the refrigerator.

Topanga forced a smile and pushed to repress the grimace that was creeping up on her features. "Maya, you're still here. I thought you were going home today?"

The young blonde pulled an apple out and took a big bite out of it. "Yeah well Riley and I thought-"

Topanga interrupted her. "Maya, sweetie, you know we love you, but don't you think you should be spending some time this break at your house?"

Maya's smile began to fall, but she forced it back on, and tried to play dumb. "What do you mean, Mrs. Matthews?" She took another bite of apple.

"I mean, Riley needs some alone time. Maybe hang out with other friends. Maybe that Lucas?"

Maya nodded, trying to understand. Only one thing that registered in the young girls muddled mind: Mrs. Matthews did not want her around.

She realized she had zoned out and quickly recovered, placing on a 1000 watt grin. "Oh, I got you, Mrs. Matthews. No problem. I'll be back on Monday to walk Riley to school though."

She ran back to Riley's room, quickly grabbed her belongings, and scribbled a note that she would text her later. Riley was currently in the shower, so Maya was sure she could make her leave with as little stress on everybody as possible. After returning, she turned towards Topanga before exiting the apartment. "Don't think you can get rid of me entirely!"

"The thought never crossed my mind Maya." The older woman replied with a laugh. As soon as she was sure her daughters friend had shut the door, she spoke aloud. "One less mouth to feed." Topanga said to herself. A few seconds later, she laughed at her joke.

But Maya did not hear the laugh afterwords, for she pulled her ear away from the door immediately after hearing the statement. Her smile fell. She slowly meandered out of the apartment complex, wondering where to go next.

She finally decided on going home. It was 6 P.M on a Thursday, meaning Katy worked the late shift, so he would have no reason to be there.

The next night though, Maya would not be so lucky.

Friday April 3rd

Maya had done a decent job at leaving Riley be for the day. She texted her back every hour or so, but tried to keep up the front that she was busy with her grandmother. In reality though, Maya was busy collecting things for a job interview. There was a new little family owned restaurant a 20 minute subway ride away that was in need of assistance; they also were not exactly law-abiding owners as well, meaning they would gladly hire a 13 year old girl in need of some cash if she had the right identification in the case of an emergency. The papers were easy enough to get, making them look presentable though- that is a whole other ball game. The owners said they would meet her halfway with the legality issues, as long as she could and would work as many hours as possible.

Maya Hart did not turn them down.

She was to start Tuesday after school.

After thanking the owners and hanging up, she briefly thought of what her mother would say. Maya knew her mother hated the idea of her working late hours or even working at all.

But Katy Hart needed the money and, although she had always said she never wanted Maya's little arms coming home covered in pancake syrup, she will never question why her daughter comes home smelling like Chinese. Or where the money she is going to be given comes from. And Maya knew that is all that really mattered.

No good deed goes unpunished though, and that night Maya accidentally entered a scene she was not supposed to, and got a black eye to match her mother's. It was a good thing she would not see Riley for the next three days, for it could heal in that time. And if it did not, the wonders of make-up could easily conceal whatever need be. That night, Maya learned not to make eye contact if possible.

For the final duration of the weekend, she brushed up on her makeup skills. Lord knew it would come in handy.