A/N: Okay, before I get any shit for it, these chapters come up completely unedited. It's partly because I'm lazy, but mostly because I'm too excited to get these chapters up for you guys. I'm really excited about this fic and what I have planned for it. Don't worry you Joshaya shippers, they'll get their moments. All in due time. Anyways, don't mind the typos and grammatical errors that are scattered about, I simply just do not have the time or patience to edit them out at the moment. That is all.

Maya blinked, unsure of where she was for a second. Her vision was blurry but she could see Lucas staring down at her, tears streaked down his face and jaw clenched tightly.

She remembered she was in Riley's bed, now two days after Missy Bradford's party. She still felt like shit, but there was only so much you can do about that. What did that fucker give her? Her head hurt and so did everything else. She sat up, body feeling a little unused to the sensation after having been in bed for over twenty four hours. Her joints creaked and moaned at the effort. Her mouth was the Sahara Desert.

"Here," a voice said from her left. Farkle was sitting there holding a glass of water. Smart Farkle, reliable Farkle.

She took the water and drank the whole glass. When she set the glass down, she could feel everyone's eyes on her, watching her every move like a hawk. Belatedly, she realized her left hand was in Lucas's tight grasp, though she made no effort to remove it. She was safe here with all of her friends, and she was happy knowing they were all there for her.

"Guys, I'm okay," she whispered, trying not to put too much strain on her recovering vocal chords.

"Bullshit."

Maya looked towards Lucas in surprise. His eyes were hard and suspiciously red. "Don't pretend for us, Maya. You can't pretend that this is okay!" he told her.

Maya stayed quiet. She didn't want to admit just how much this had affected her, and how scared she truly was. Not only that, but now everyone was scared for her. The guilt weighed heavily on her, extrapolated by the shameful and dirty feelings she still felt.

"Riley, can I take a shower?" she asked, turning away from Lucas and looking towards her best friend.

Riley looked at her sympathetically. "Of course, peaches."

Maya spent at least a half hour under the hot, steaming water. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to keep her sobs quiet. They were all so good to her, so willing to pretend they wouldn't see her any differently, or so Farkle had said. She believed them, to some extent. They wouldn't treat her any differently, but inside they would know that she was dirty and used like some old dishrag hidden beneath the kitchen sink. How can she face them? How can she face any guy who might have any sort of interest in her without feeling that fear, that panic she had felt when Charles Hollis dragged her into Missy Bradford's upstairs bathroom?

She didn't deserve anyone. And no one would want her now that she was tainted.

In Riley's room, everyone gathered near the bay window to discuss their next course of action. Riley sat in between Farkle and Lucas, with Zay standing off to the side. They kept their conversation quiet, lest Maya hear them from the bathroom next door.

"What are we going to do? Our entire class was at that party and I'm sure they know what happened by now. Mine and Maya's parents practically barged in demanding where we were," Riley groused, running a hand through tangled brown hair.

Farkle thought about it. "Well, technically they don't know what happened, unless someone else knew about it. There will be rumors to deal with regardless, but school doesn't start for another two weeks so it should all die down by then."

"Guys, I think we're missing the point!" Lucas interrupted, not looking any calmer than he had an hour ago when he showed up, "Maya got… hurt," he choked on the last word, "and she needs us right now, to be there for her. We don't need to be worrying about what anyone else thinks."

No one wanted to say the r word, it was too much. It happened, and they would all get Maya through it together, but the word was as disgusting as the act and no one could fully bring themselves to say it out loud. Except for one person.

"Just say it, Lucas!" Riley bit out. "She wasn't just hurt, she was raped! And I will never forgive myself for not staying by her side. Don't you think I know how serious this is?"

Lucas kept quiet. Everyone was weary of Riley's reaction. There was only so much time you could spend in Rileytown before the real world caught up to you. Riley looked as if her world had been shattered, and as much as he knew Maya was hurting, Riley was hurting too. They both needed their friends. Riley wasn't equipped to deal with such a traumatic event on her own, not when she tried to look for the best in people and the bright side to every situation.

There just wasn't a bright side in this situation.

"We all know how serious this is. There isn't much we can do, though. Maya is going to need counseling, at the least. We just need to be there for her, ready to give her anything she needs," Farkle said, being the voice of reason.

Maya stepped out of the shower feeling marginally better than before. Her skin was scrubbed raw and pink from trying to wash the feeling of his hands off of her. Her eyes were swollen and puffy from the therapeutic cry she had. Her bruises weren't something she could do much about, but if she wore pants and long sleeved shirts she'd be able to ignore the majority of them. The ache between her legs would fade soon enough. She needed to forget any of it happened.

After changing into the leggings and long-sleeved wool shirt she stole from Riley, she stepped out and into Riley's bedroom again. Everyone was seated at the bay window, save for Zay who was standing, looking rather serious.

"Why do you all look like that?" she asked, trying to sound light-hearted.

Riley looked up at her and shot her a very fake smile. "Nothing you need to worry about, Maya. Are you hungry? We should get some food in you," the brunette offered politely.

Lucas glared in Riley's direction, very not okay with pretending that something very serious didn't just happen. Like it or not, Maya was going to need to deal with it. Counseling would help, but she needed to know that she didn't need to hide anything from them, him especially. He could understand her not wanting to break Riley's spirit, but no one should have to go through something like this and not be able to confide in their friends.

"Maya," he said sternly, standing up from his seat, "I think we need to talk, first."

He saw the confidence in Maya's eyes falter, her walls being shoved at but not falling. "I don't know what you're talking about Lucas. I'm just fine," she said.

"You're not, and like it or not, you need to talk to us,"

"He's right, Maya," Riley said quietly, looking down at her feet. "You can't do this alone. I'm… we're all here for you,"

Maya felt her resolve crumbling. She'd already shown weakness to Farkle last night, and there wasn't much she could do to deny her best friend. It didn't help that they were right. She didn't know if she could do this alone. If she spent any amount of time by herself she felt so much shame and self-hatred. The shower she just took proved as much.

"I don't know what to say…"

Maya suddenly felt very small. She moved to sit on the bed and pulled her knees up to her chest. So much for her plan of making everyone else feel better. Inwardly, she knew they weren't about to let her suffer alone. It wasn't exactly like she could make everyone forget, especially if they already knew. Still, they didn't know everything. And if they really wanted to help her, she wanted at least one of them to have full disclosure.

The space beside her on the bed dipped with weight. She knew who it was without even looking up.

"You don't have to say anything now, Maya," Lucas told her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into him, "But please talk to us about this. You can't carry all of this with you by yourself."

Maya nodded, allowing herself to fall into Lucas's safe embrace. If there was one place she knew she'd always be safe, it was with her friends and her family. Lucas's protective nature, Riley's cheery personality, Farkle's level-headedness, and Zay's refreshing goofiness were all things she needed in her life, she just didn't realize it until now. Even Smackle, who was pure in the way that she was still learning social etiquette, was a necessity in her life now.

"Thank you…" she hiccupped, feeling hot tears fall once again. It was nice to be held, to have a shoulder to cry on when she was in need.

And not for the first time in her life, Maya was reminded that she's not alone.

In the living room, the adults were also beginning to start their day. Topanga had to go to work, though she was extremely reluctant to do so. Cory had convinced her that it would be okay because he knew that the whole gang was in Riley's room and Shawn, Katy, and himself would still be around. Topanga had without a thought given Katy the day off, or however much time she needed to be with Maya, from the bakery, calling in some of her other workers to hold the fort down.

While Shawn and Katy made breakfast, Cory lounged on the couch. School thankfully didn't start for another couple of weeks and he'd been enjoying his summer off until now. As much as he wanted to be there for Maya, he knew there was only so much he could do and he longed for busywork to keep his mind off of everything. Though it seems in all the commotion he forgot about one thing…

"My brother!" Josh shouted as he waltzed through the door, casual as always.

Cory looked up in confusion. "Josh, aren't you supposed to be down in Philadelphia? School doesn't start for another month for you?"

"I told you I was coming in because I'm leading an orientation group for the rest of this month," Josh replied, crossing his arms, "Don't tell me you forgot. You told me I could crash here until I got my place set up."

Cory inwardly groaned. He remembered that conversation now. In reality, it had only been a couple weeks ago that Josh called asking if he could stay over for the last couple weeks of August until his lease began in September. He also did mention landing a job as an orientation leader. It felt like so long ago now, he's not surprised he'd forgotten.

"Right, that's it," he told his brother. "Alright, well the guest bed is all set up, I think. Or at least, it should be. No one's slept there since Christmas."

Josh looked around, noticing that the house was quieter than usual. Katy and Shawn were seated at the dining table eating, but there was no conversation and they looked so tired. Cory did too. "So where is everyone? Still having that summer vacation fun?"

That got Shawn's attention. "No, Riley's here, along with Maya. I know that's who you wanted to see when you showed up," he said, squinting at the young man. "She's in Riley's room. I don't think now is a good time to bother them though, Josh."

Josh quirked a brow. He couldn't think of a time Maya didn't want to see him. "What's going on? Did I miss something?"

Cory sighed, suddenly feeling very, very tired. "Maya's just going through a really hard time right now, and Riley is helping her through it so you don't need to worry."

"If she's going through something, maybe we can talk about it? Maya and I have great conversations," the younger man commented, slowly beginning to make his way towards Riley's room.

Shawn stopped him. "I don't know if this is a conversation she wants to have with you."

The statement left Josh taken aback, and suddenly he grew worried. Over the summer he and Maya talked a lot. The Long Game was very much still in play and she knew that. They were good friends who hung out and laughed and shared their trials with one another. So for Shawn to say that Maya didn't want to talk about it, what possibly could have happened?

Against his brother and Shawn's wishes, he made his way up to the room anyways, determined to see Maya and figure out what the hell was going on.

Maya was still wrapped up tightly in Lucas's arms when a knock came from the doorway. Riley mumbled something about her dad not wanting them to miss breakfast before going to get it. The adults didn't barge in on them the entire morning or last night, respecting that their friends were there to help. They never worried about the kids being up to something they shouldn't be.

"Josh?" Riley said from the doorway, making Maya look up in panic. "What are you doing here?"

Riley stood protectively in front of the doorway, blocking Josh's view into the room. It wasn't that she didn't love her uncle, but she knew that Maya wouldn't appreciate letting him in without consulting her first. Maya cared about Josh's opinion a lot because she liked him, and Riley wouldn't put Maya in a spot that made her uncomfortable.

"I'm uh, here to see Maya actually," he said, trying to look over her head. At that moment, Riley was thankful for the growth spurt she'd had over the summer, putting her almost at Josh's height. He wouldn't be able to see over her.

She looked behind her briefly to see Maya shaking her head furiously, looking panicked. "I don't think now is a good time, Josh. Maya isn't feeling well," she told him sympathetically

Josh sighed. "Look, I know she's going through a rough time. I'd hope she trusts me enough to talk to me about it."

Riley closed the door, going back to sit next to Maya who reached for her hand and squeezed it gratefully. "Thanks, honey. I know he means well, but he can't see me like this."

"Maya, I'm pretty sure my uncle Josh knows you're not made of steel. He's pretty good at making people feel better, and you should trust him," Riley said.

"Also, if you really hope to have a relationship with him in the future, you should be open with him about how you feel. Maybe not tell him everything, since we know you don't want to talk about it. But maybe give him an explanation," Farkle said reasonably.

He knew from his own relationship that communication, while difficult at times, was key. Plus, he liked Josh and he knew that Josh cared about her a lot, and it was probably hurting him to think that Maya didn't want to talk to him.

Maya sighed, knowing Farkle was right. Even though Josh wasn't as inner circle as the rest of her friends, they were still close. She didn't want to tell him everything though, knowing that his perception of her would change as soon as he knew. He would be nice, treat her the same as he always did, but knowing she was used and dirty would shoot all chances of a possible relationship with him out the window.

"I'll talk to him."

While the boys gathered in the living room for some breakfast and to give Maya and Josh some privacy, Riley went to go get her uncle from the guest room. When she arrived, the door was open and he was unpacking a suitcase into the closet.

"Uncle Josh?" she said, knocking lightly on the doorframe and getting his attention, "Maya wants to see you."

When Josh arrived in Riley's room, he found Maya sitting in the bay window, arms crossed over her chest looking out the window. Slowly, he made his way to sit next to her, taking in her appearance and unusual behavior. She didn't greet him as soon as she saw him, didn't even acknowledge that he had come in the room. Her body language really did say that she didn't want to talk to him, and part of him wondered if he did the right thing by pushing.

"Cory said you were going through a hard time," he said softly in place of a greeting.

Still not looking at him, she shrugged. "You could say that."

"Want to talk about it?" he pressed, not knowing what kind of answer he'd get. So far, nothing has gone the way he'd expected it to.

Maya turned her gaze to the floor. "No, not really. I'm sorry, I'm just not ready," she spoke, so lowly he wasn't sure he'd heard her.

"I understand, but will you please look at me?"

Maya lifted her head to look at him, taking in his concerned gaze that made her want to cry all over again. Part of her wanted to tell him everything, to relish in all the comfort he had to offer because he was a Matthews and they were made for moments like these. But she couldn't, because she knew what would happen once she did. He wouldn't look at her this way ever again if he knew.

Josh furrowed his brow, noticing something dark along her neck, barely hidden by her hair. "Maya, are those hickies on your neck?"

Maya gasped, flinging a hand up to cover her neck. "No, no they are not."

"They look like hickies to me. Is that why you didn't want to talk to me, Maya? Because you were afraid I'd notice them?"

She shook her head, mortified. "No, Josh. They're not hickies so please leave it alone."

"Look Maya, you don't have to lie about this," he insisted, "I get it, it's the long game. You're allowed to do whatever you want and I do what I want. Nothing changes."

Maya was getting angry. He wasn't getting it and he wasn't dropping the subject. And to think he'd thought she'd been messing around with some guy and was embarrassed about some hickies, how dare he!? Who the fuck did he think he was?

"Josh, I'd like you to leave."

Josh was confused. "What? Why? Maya I'm not mad at you."

"I don't care. Get out."

Maya's eyes were red rimmed with tears of frustration and anger. She'd done everything to keep from telling him the truth so he wouldn't think she's tainted, and then he just goes and accuses her of being some slut. And what was with the "I can do what I want"? Was that just to piss her off?

Not knowing what to say at this point, Josh left the scene, immediately calling Riley back to console her. He didn't know what was going on through her head.

"So, what happened?" asked Lucas as a frustrated Josh came into the living room once more.

"I don't know. We didn't really talk much. I asked about the hickies on her neck and she told me to get out. I've never seen Maya act like that before," Josh told them, plopping down on the couch.

Farkle refrained from telling him that that's exactly how Maya is, she just doesn't act that way around him. He also didn't want to tell Josh that what he saw on her neck weren't hickies, but bruises. He didn't want to expose more than what Maya was willing to tell him, and if she didn't tell him what the marks on her neck really were, he doubted she'd want him to know what really happened.

It was frustrating, because Josh had a very supportive nature and cared about Maya very much. If there was someone besides Riley who understood how to make her feel better, it would be Josh.

Lucas kept his jaw tight, irritated at how the situation had been handled by Josh. It was a little invasive to point out the bruises on her neck, and presumptuous to assume they were hickies. He didn't even try to make her feel better, instead probably making her feel worse. He wasn't about to say anything though, because before anything else, Josh was a Matthews. And he was currently in the Matthews' residence, and he didn't want to do anything that would potentially get him kicked out.

"I'm sure Maya will come around, it's just kind of been a rough weekend," Farkle assured the best he could.

"Yeah man, besides we all know she's crazy about you. She won't push you away for long," Zay added, munching on a bowl of cereal.

Josh smiled half-heartedly. "Thanks guys, and thank you for being there for her. I'm glad she has friends like you all."

At that moment, Riley came into the room, looking a little distressed.

"Lucas," she panted, "Maya wants to see you. Come with me."