LUCAS'S POV:

Maya had been resting against me for the last hour, and as I dared to look down at her, I saw she was asleep. Easing her into a sitting position, I held onto her and rose to my feet, carrying her over to Riley's bed and lying her down, pulling a blanket from the bottom of the bed over her, sighing heavily as she pulled it further around her before leaving the room, switching off the light as I went…

"How is she?" Riley inquired as I walked back into the lounge "You were gone for ages!"

"We talked and just sat," I informed her "but she's okay now. She's asleep."

"Thank you, Lucas." she replied, pressing her lips against my cheek

"For what?" I questioned

"For giving my best friend the comfort that I couldn't." she informed me

I smiled at her warmly… "Maya's gonna need you. She's gonna need all of us."

"And we'll be there for her." Farkle interjected "Friends forever, right?"

"Friends forever." Riley replied

"Friends forever." I mirrored

"Friends forever…" Maya's voice whispered

Turning my head, I saw she was stood in the doorway, the blanket I'd pulled over her wrapped around her…

"Hey," Riley greeted her as she moved over to her "Lucas said you were asleep…"

"I was, but then I see the crash and I wake up." she admitted

I watched as Riley wrapped her arm around her shoulder and brought her over to me and Farkle, both of us stepping in to join them…

MAYA'S POV:

"It's getting late," Mr. Matthews admitted "I should get you two home…"

"Can they stay?" I asked "I know this isn't my place and I don't have any right to ask, but can they, please?"

"Topanga?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow at Riley's Mom

"If it's okay with their parents then it's okay by me." she replied

"Guys?" I asked, turning to Lucas and Farkle

"I'll go and call my Mom now." Lucas informed me

"Me too." Farkle replied

"You doing okay, Peaches?" Riley asked as they left the room

"Not bad. It's easier with you and the guys by my side." I informed her

"We're always gonna be by your side." she admitted

Smiling at her warmly, I moved closer to her and pulled her in for a hug… "Thank you."

"We're good to stay." Lucas announced as he and Farkle made their way back into the room

"I'll go and sort some bedding. Will you help me, Cory?" Mrs. Matthews asked

They both left the room and Lucas and Farkle took their seats on the floor next to Riley and I once again, the four of us going back to watching TV…

RILEY'S POV:

"Riley, why didn't your Dad say anything about us all sleeping in the same room?" Lucas asked as the four of us lay in sleeping bags on blow up air-beds later that evening

"It's neutral ground." I informed him "My bedroom is off-limits to boys, but the lounge, not so much. And besides, given the circumstances…"

"Yeah," he replied "how you doing, Maya?"

"I'm okay." she admitted "How could I not be with you three by my side?"

"Always, Peaches." I informed her

"Always." Lucas and Farkle mirrored in unison

With Riley, Lucas and Farkle by her side, do you think Maya will manage to get through one of the hardest times of her life or not?