"What a beautiful day!" Riley exclaimed, as she sat down for breakfast. " The day is sunny, the birds are singing, and spring is in the air."

The rest of the Mathews clan stared at her, confused as to why she was in a good mood. Anyone who knew her, knew that she was a generally happy person, but this was too cheery of a mood, even for her.

"Honey?" Her mom ventured. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Why of course, mother," Riley answered. "It's the Monday after spring break and I can't wait to go back to school!"

"Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?" Cory yelled.

"Dad, I'm just really excited to be able to see my friends again after going to Philadelphia to visit Grandma and Grandpa this weekend," Riley explained.

"Yeah, but you literally spent every other day with them," Auggie quipped. " you seriously spend more time with them than your own family."

"I know, but it's our senior year of high school," Riley said. "We have less than a fourth of the school year to spend together and then we're all going our separate ways." Riley looked at the floor. Just thinking about how little time she had left with her best friends,made her tear up and put a lump in her throat. It especially worried her that it was her last chance with Lucas.

They tried dating 8th grade, but that didn't turn out so well, and now that they were older, she knew that the pressure put on them before wouldn't happen. So they could possibly get back together, date forever, get married, and live happily ever after, just like her parents. But she's not her parents. She's scared. No. She's terrified. They've changed so much over the years and Lucas has dated many girls since middle school, never lasting more than two months. He said because they weren't the one. Whatever that meant. Riley hadn't dated anyone since Lucas, because even though she talked and acted like she was over him, and still flirted with other guys, she still liked him as much as that fateful day on the subway. Heck, she might even be in love with him. But it wasn't her place to be with him. Because he's in his longest relationship ever with a gorgeous girl that Riley thought she could never compare to. So her love would just remain a deep dark secret that not even Maya knew about, because if she did, she knew Maya would meddle and cause more trouble than it was worth. So for now Riley would have to put on a brave face until graduation.

"Riley?" She was snapped out of her thoughts by her mother.

"What?"

" I said don't worry about graduation until it comes,okay?" Topanga said. "We understand why you want to spend as much time with your friends as possible because you're all going different places, but trust me when I say you guys will still be close."

"Easy for you to say. You guys and Uncle Shawn all went to the same schools your entire life, including college. That's not the case with me and my friends. Lucas is going to Texas A&M, Farkle is going to Harvard, Maya is going to Chicago and I'm stuck hear at NYU!"

Both of her parents stayed silent, knowing they had ruined their daughter's mood. Neither knew how to comfort her because for once, they hadn't experienced what Riley was going through. In the awkward silence, the buzzer when off.

"Maya," came through the intercom.

"Well I should be going," Riley said. "I'll see you guys later." And with that she went out the door.