Trigger Warning for Anxiety Attack and Self-Harm

Without even looking at each other the boys bolted upstairs to Riley's room where the source of the crash came from. When they came in they were completely unprepared for the scene that lay before them.

Riley was red in the face sobbing throwing things every which way, Lucas ducked before her notebook could hit his head. Josh tried to intervene on her rampage,

"Riley what's wrong?"

"It's not working! There's too much and it's not perfect. It needs to be perfect! Where's my lighter?"

Josh got a look of horror across his face, "Riley no."

Lucas snapped into action trying to get close to her but for every step he took forward she took one back. He spoke in his gentlest tone, "Riley shh we can fix whatever it is. Okay?"

Riley was looking around frantically, "No we can't! It's not perfect and it doesn't work and it just. No. I need the lighter Josh."

Josh was stern, "Riley no."

She started to scream again grabbing at papers on her desk, "I NEED IT"

Josh took a deep sigh, "Lucas you have to grab her. Grab her and make sure her arms are contained. We have to take her downstairs"

Lucas looked stricken but before he could move Riley was screaming again and ripping the papers in her hands, "NO. I NEED TO MAKE IT PERFECT; I NEED TO GET AN A. PLEASE. IT HURTS" There was no more paper for her to rip or throw so Riley had started to scratch at her arms crying harder and shaking.

Josh got stern "Lucas grab her now. I'll call my parents. But we need to get her out of here."

Lucas nodded and went for her just as she was reaching for the chair she was kicking at him crying for him "NO BLUE PUT ME DOWN I NEED TO FIX IT. PUT ME DOWN. NO I NEED TO STAY" He held her close to his chest arms wrapped tightly around her torso so her arms couldn't scratch anymore.

She was still crying when he got her down her chest heaving up and down, "Blue, it wasn't perfect. I couldn't get it right."

Lucas nodded; "I know Riley it's okay, shh it's okay" Riley had stopped struggling against him but she was still crying and one of the scratches on her arms was bleeding from where she scratched it. Lucas sat down on the couch and Riley turned in his arms, he rubbed her back soothingly making shushing sounds and telling her it was okay.

He wasn't completely sure what had happened but it was something with what looked like their English paper not being perfect, and he just knew that she was upset and needed comfort, he would get all the details later.

"It hurts Blue" Riley whimpered into his chest

"What does?" Lucas asked using his softest voice

"My head, and my eyes. And where my arm is bleeding" Riley whimpered

"When Josh comes down we'll take care of your arm okay, just breathe okay?" Riley nodded her eyes dropping down. Just as Lucas said that Josh was down with the first-aid kit

"Alright Riley, Mom and Dad are on their home okay? You know how it goes, until Mom or Dad gives the all clear you cannot go into your room." Josh told her gently his voice completely from the stern command he gave her earlier

In a small voice she answered, "Okay" Lucas gave Josh a questioning look at the already establish procedure, Josh motioned that he would fill him in later.

"Let me see your arm Bunny." Riley held it out and Lucas watched as Josh cleaned it and put a Cuddle Bunny Band-Aid on it. "There you go a Bunny Band-Aid for my Bunny"

Riley gave an exhausted puff, "You only call me that when it's bad Josh. Is it bad?"

Before Josh could respond Lucas cut in, "Shhh we're not focusing on that. Let's focus on something good okay?"

Riley hummed, "Okay Blue tell me something good"

Before Lucas could reply, a frantic Cory and Topanga burst through the door,

"Riley! Are you hurt on the outside?" Cory asked first crouching down to give her a once over

"Just on my arm, but Josh gave me a Cuddle Bunny Band-Aid for the cut, he wouldn't give me the lighter. And before I could throw the chair Lucas brought me down here" Riley answered in a tired small voice

"My boys did good" Topanga said coming over with a glass of water she sat on the table in front of them putting down the glass and petting Riley's hair. Riley sighed and leaned closer to Lucas. "Here Riley drink some water hun okay?"

Lucas got the water and helped Riley drink it, "Okay how are we feeling now?" Cory asked as he watched her.

"I just feel tired, I just want…I want" Riley closed her eyes and tried to get her thoughts together "I want to watch a sappy movie"

Lucas kissed her head and her parents spoke up, "Sure sweetie, what movie?"

"Can we watch the Holiday?" Riley asked her voice still small, Lucas heart hurt she seemed so frail in this moment sitting on his lap snuggled against him her face streaked with tears, her eyes red and puffy, her face blotchy.

"That sounds perfect, I can stay as long as you need Riley okay?" Lucas told her

Cory and Topanga gave him grateful looks as did Josh, the movie was put on and Riley turned slightly to see the movie but did not move up from Lucas' lap. Her parents ordered pizza after the movie was over, Lucas made sure Riley ate some even though she claimed she didn't want any she couldn't resist Lucas. The only time she left Lucas' lap was when she went to the bathroom and Topanga went with her, which didn't seem odd to anyone but Lucas.

While she was in the bathroom Josh gave Lucas some pajamas to change into so he could be more comfortable, when Riley came back out they matched.

Her voice was raw as she snuggled back up to him, "We match because these are old Christmas pajamas."

They watched the Princess Bride and before long Riley had fallen asleep soundly snuggled in Lucas' lap gripping his shirt.

Riley's family asked if he wanted to put Riley guest room for the night or if he needed to go home, but Lucas had Josh fill in his parents and inform them he was staying the night. He didn't want to leave Riley in this stare or risk waking her, for that the Matthews were grateful.

By the time the movie was over both Lucas and Riley were sound asleep, Josh had gone up halfway through. Topanga covered both of them with a big blanket and kissed both of them on the head.

"Get some rest you two, you'll need it for tomorrow."