It was 3 am and nothing was silent. The sounds of biker gangs driving up and down the rundown streets, looking for their next victim or the newest play thing. The sound of Ms. Dwits' new baby could be heard over in the next apartment. The building even seemed to take part in the noise-it's foundation creaking and groaning as if it was considering falling to pieces any minute.

17 year old Maya Hart was usually one for city noise-she found each to be a small part to her own lullaby. But not tonight.

Maya was curled up on top of the mattress, the sheets and bedding lying in a pile on the floor. Even though it was a warm spring night, Maya was dressed in a pair of thermals her mother had bought on sale at the end of the winter season. She had never worn them til now and it was the only thing to keep the bile from rising up her throat.

Tears trickled down her face as she pressed her hand against her lips, hoping and praying her mother wouldn't hear. Which was a silly fear, considering the woman hadn't heard the slamming door at midnight or noticed the shower had run for two hours straight.

There Maya sat, hands pressed tightly and body slowly dying from heat and fear.


Lucas Friar sat in the middle of English class staring at the seat in front of him. Maya hasn't shown up for class again.

Now this wasn't the most unusual thing to happen, seeing that Maya was known to play hookie every once and awhile. And, to be fair, with the way the weather had been the last two days he would have ditched as well.

But every time she texted him, he would get short, curt replies that weren't like the blonde at all. After all, the two had grown close over these last few years and often sent back playful insults and nicknames. It had become a game for the two of them to see who could come up with the best insult or name for the day. Maya usually one but Lucas also possessed his fair share of wins as well.

But the more curt responses Lucas received, the more he worried.

Riley said she was sick and Lucas should calm down. Maya wasn't a fan of being sick and her mood always tanked whenever that happened. Farkle had agreed with his girlfriend, stating that Maya rarely got sick but when she did, the girl was a bitter witch.

The bell shook Lucas out of his thoughts as he gathered his papers and headed to history. Maybe he will pay the girl a visit after school, if she was sick she was probably bored out her mind with the lack of company.

"November 11, 1918," Mr. Matthews looked around his class, hands placed on his desk. His eyes darted to the empty desk in the front where the blonde girl used to be. "Can anyone tell me the importance of that date? Lucas?"

"It was the end of the first World War," Lucas stated, raising an eyebrow at the man. "But what does that have to do with us?"

Mr. Matthews shot the boy a knowing smile. "At the end of the war-"

Before he could finish the door was thrown open and Maya Hart was there in the doorway.

All Lucas could do was stare. Maya looked...Maya looked like she hadn't ever been sick. The only thing that was odd was the girl seemed to have a slight limp.

"Maya?" Mr. Matthews stared, not understanding why the girl was currently here. After all, Riley had said Maya was "really sick, like, the vomit and soul-sucking kind of sick."

"Hey Mr. Matthews," the girl gave the man a two-fingered salute. "I know you missed me."

"Maya," Riley said. "Maya I thought you were sick?"

"And now I'm better," Maya said curtly, sitting down. "That's all you need to know."

"Maya was it because your mom couldn't take care of you so you came?" Riley asked, cocking her head to the side. "Cause you could have come over and I-"

"No, Sunshine, that isn't it." Maya's fingers tightened into fists as she forced a smile. "I just was feeling a lot better today."

"Because I know your mom-"

"Riley! That. Is. Enough." Maya nearly growled.

Lucas reached out and placed a hand on Maya's shoulder. "Maya are you-" the girl winced under his touch.

"Can we just...just get back to the lesson?" Maya asked, her voice a lot smaller than before. "Please?"

Mr. Matthews nodded as tapped on the board again.

"So at the end of the first world war, a committee of countries gathered together to discuss what should happen after this great travesty. And what happened, Maya?"

Maya sat quietly in her seat for a moment before stating clearly, "The committee decided that the whole thing was Germany's fault...and ganged up on Germany. Taking a lot of its money and its stability."

"That's not true," Riley shook her head. "It wasn't all Germany's fault...they didn't gang up on Germany."

"Actually, they did," Mr. Matthews said. "Maya's right. They took a lot of stability from Germany and threw the country into poverty."

"Then Germany deserved it, right?" Riley asked.

Mr. Matthews just gave a small smile. "You have an assignment. I want you to do go out and figure out who is to blame. Not just who started, but who is at fault."

The bell rang. Kids stood up and rushed towards the doors. Except for Farkle, Zay, Riley, and Lucas who stood and watched Maya stand slowly up.

"I'm so glad you're back Peaches!" Riley opened her arms and threw herself at the girl. Maya winced, unable to wrap her arms around the girl.

"Um, Riley can you let me go?"

"Oh," Riley stepped back and let me go. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," Maya nodded. "I'm just a little sick still."

"Oh Maya!" Riley reached out and placed a hand. "We're all here for you. Do you want to come in so we can help you?"

Those around nodded.

"Yeah Maya," Farkle reached out to place a hand on the girl but she winced away.

"I'm...I'm good. So I'm just going to...going to go home. I...I just am going to leave."

Maya hurried out of the room, her back held tight in her grasp and her head down. Her limp more prominent now that she was trying to move faster.

"What do you think is going on?" Riley asked as she glanced after her best friend. "She seems different… And… and I don't know what to do about it."

"Guys," Mr. Matthews glanced at the group. "I think Maya needs some support right now...In, whatever she's facing."

Lucas was the first one out of the door. Hands tightening, he began to jog after the girl with hair the color of sun.


AN: This is my first GMW fic and I hope you all enjoy it! Thanks for reading!