(A/N: Hello! Thank you again for the fantastic reviews, and any new followers and anyone who has added my story/stories or myself as a favorite! Here is the next chapter! Please review. ~TRP~)
Chapter #9 – Small White Lies, Four More Days, and How to Help.
Riley's POV –
The rest of Tuesday was okay. I didn't speak to Lucas the rest of the day. I could tell Farkle and Maya wanted to say something to me, but I gave them a look, indicating that I didn't want to discuss it.
Wednesday and Thursday were okay too. Dad had our grops meet to finish up any last minute work for our oral reports the next day.
At the end of the day Thursday, my three friends all but cornered me.
"Riley, look, we're really worried about you." Farkle started.
"What's going on?" Maya demanded.
Lucas didn't say a word, he didn't have to, he just stared into my eyes.
"I am fine!" I stressed. "Let this go already. Nothing is happening."
'Push them away. Push them away. Push them away. It's the only way they'll remain safe…' I reminded myself.
For whatever reason, the bully had paused in her cyber-torture.
Of this I was grateful, but didn't hold my breath about it being finished completely.
I had a feeling the worst was yet to come.
"Guys? Is everything okay?" My dad asked.
"Dad! Great! I'm glad you're here!" I said, as I pushed my way through what could be considered a Red Rover, Red Rover chain-link line by my friends. (According to my dad, that was a game he used to play during recess when he was a kid. Now it's banned because it's considered dangerous…I wish they would ban dodge-ball…)
My dad looked at me, confused for a second.
"I forgot to tell you, I have cheer practice in 5 minutes, so I'll be home late. Love you, see you guys later!" I called as I bee-lined it down the hallway towards the gym.
Maya's POV –
I narrowed my eyes in the direction Riley just disappeared from.
'She did not just do that!? What is up with her?!' my mind screamed.
Before I could move to follow her, Farkle spoke.
"Oh. I didn't realize baseball and soccer had cheerleaders."
"They don't." Lucas replied with a groan.
"Guys, in my room. Now please." Mr. Matthews ordered.
Mr. Matthews closed his classroom door, as we all took our usual seats.
"This needs to stop. Now. Riley's mom and I are getting involved."
"Mr. Matthews, with all due respect, I don't think you're going to get anything accomplished right before the weekend…." Lucas said.
'Where was he going with this?' I thought.
Whatever train of though t Lucas was on, Farkle seemed to pick up on it faster than I.
"I think Lucas is right, Sir. Give us until the end of the weekend." Farkle requested.
"Yeah! I'll ask my mom if I can sleep over this weekend. That way one of us is always with her." I caught on.
"Against my better judgment…Okay. You have until the start of school Monday. That's it. This is ridiculous." Mr. Matthews ordered.
We all nodded as we filed out.
Cory's POV –
I can't believe my daughter is lying, avoiding people she cares about, and pushing those she loves away.
I am at a loss as I no longer know what I can really do to help her, short of, as her father and teacher, demanding to know what's going on.
I am afraid to push her, but at this point, nothing else any of us has tried is working.
Topanga hasn't gotten anywhere yet.
Hmm…Maybe I can ask the principal if we can arrange an assembly on bullying next week.
Lucas does have a point, it was too short notice to do anything on it by tomorrow.
And I don't think we'll have any answers either.
I can't necessary ground Riley…The only lies she's really told are that nothing is wrong and the bullying has stopped, and that's out of fear of further bullying.
She took responsibility for her test grades and homework, and without saying it, she probably already grounded herself for that.
I can't help my daughter, or her friends.
It's the worst feeling in the world to have to watch your child suffer and not be able to comfort them.
Hopefully the assignments due tomorrow will help.
Friday –
I looked at my class after their presentations. Everyond did well, and I was proud of them. Everyone's group did well.
I looked at Riley, Maya, Lucas, and Farkle.
All of them, except Riley, seemed to have felt something positive with the presentations overall.
I was very concerned.
"Next week, we will discuss another factor of Friendship, Growth, and Feelings. Remember, even though we started out with it sounding destructive, all issues and situations have two sides."
"You're not going to tell us what it is?" Lucas asked.
"Nope. And that ladies and gentleman is what you call a cliffhanger!" I concluded as the bell rang.
"Enjoy your weekend!"
As the class filed out, I stopped Riley.
"Riley, please stay for a minute." Riley paused in her stop, Maya looked at me hesitantly. I simply nodded my head, as she and the guys waited outside.
"Riley, I'm worried."
"About what, Dad?"
"About you. You seem…down."
"I'm fine, Dad. Really."
"What did you learn today?" I asked simply.
"What?" She asked. I saw the flicker of confusion, surprise, and then something almost calculating as she tried to anticipate what I may have wanted to hear.
"What did you learn today?" I calmly repeatd.
She looked at the floor, no doubt so I wouldn't see the shifting of her eyes back and forth to come up with an answer. I thought she looked a little preoccupied today while the other groups gave their presentations.
"Well…That people change people, and everything is a combination of everything else. Luc, being present, how you react, and circumstance…"
"Riley…" I shook my head gently.
"People change people; I taught you that months ago. That is an everyday lesson. And while, yes. What happens to people, good, bad, indifferent is all of those things and more. Additionally, it's that because people change people, what you or I do affects those around us. Our own choices have consequences, not just to ourselves, but family and friends – even if the consequences aren't immediate."
I saw the tears begin to well up in her eyes as she digested what I was saying. Some might think she was faking it, but I've always known it's genuine and legit.
I think I broke both our hearts.
I caved, because as I went to hug her, she stepped back and with a swift shake of her head, she blinked the tears away.
That I haven't seen before in her.
"Dad, of course. I know that. It's part of gravity; of the gravitational pull. Of course what I do might affect those I love. I know that. That's why I'm careful, so anything I do wont' hurt others."
I zeroed in on that.
"Okay. Can you give me an example, please?"
"Dad, really? I get it, I promise."
"I'm sure you do Riley, but I would still like an example – as your teacher."
She sighed. I could tell I was pushing her, but it was something I needed to do – as her father.
"Fine…When I babysit Auggie, and have wanted Maya to come over, or when I do spend a lot of time with Maya, Auggie feels left out and alone."
She was referring to when she babysat for Auggie last year, on Topanga and my anniversary and when I introduced the Forgiveness Project early.
Yet, I should have known, but wasn't expecting that answer myself.
"Is that acceptable?" Riley asked, clearly wanting to leave. "I need to go to my next class please."
'Darn!' I think she played me at my own game. She was getting good. Unusually good. She is her mother's daughter.
I nodded my head, and held my hand up to have her wait a few seconds more, as I wrote her, Maya, Lucas, and Farkle late passes.
"Thanks Daddy. See you later."
"Riley." She stopped at the doorframe.
"I love you."
"I love you too Daddy." She replied as she waved at me, and left the room.
I sat in my chair, and put my face in my hands, a further loss at what else to do.
