Chapter 5
10-year-old Auggie was at the door as soon as Cory and Riley stepped in. "Dad, how was the trip, when are you going to take my skiing" he asked. Cory, clearly still frustrated, paused to take a breath. "The trip was fine bud, we'll talk about it tomorrow, you need to go to bed now it's late". "But you just got home" Auggie protested. "Bed, now" Cory responded, leaving no room for argument. Topanga came in from their bedroom as a dejected Auggie walked past her and could see that Cory was visibly irritated. "Cory, what's going on, where is Auggie going, he has been waiting for you to come home for the last hour" she asked. "I sent him to bed" Cory responded, "it's late and he has school tomorrow. At least one of our kids knows how to listen." Topanga realized she clearly walked in on something and sank into the couch. "OK, since we only have two kids I assume this has to do with you Riley, what happened".
Before Riley could answer, Cory cut her off, "I'll tell you what happened, your daughter is grounded until she's 30, that's what happened, and if it was anyone else who caught her she might have been suspended". Topanga is still lost, the confusion written all over her face. "Suspended, Riley what could you have possibly done to be in that much trouble"? Riley opened her mouth to answer but Cory jumped in again. "She was in Lucas Friar's room, alone, doing God Knows What but it certainly wasn't good, and it isn't going to happen again if I have anything to say about it!"
Topanga realized that she had better take control of the situation before Cory spun out of control. She sat down in the middle of the couch, pointed to the spot to her right and said "Cory, sit", then her left "Riley, sit". Turning to Riley she continued, "Riley, tell me exactly what happened". As Cory started to interrupt, Topanga held up a hand and told him with her back still turned "talking to our daughter, you will get your turn, hold on a second". Ignoring a sputtering Cory, Topanga waited while Riley took a deep breath and answered "I realized on the ski trip that I never got over Lucas, that I love him, and I broke the rules and went to his room to tell him. He feels the same way and we are back together now if dad will ever let me see him again". Topanga could feel Cory leaning in and put a hand on his knee to settle him down. Turning to Cory, Topanga calmly told him "OK I see why you are so upset, your daughter very clearly broke the rules and went to a boy's room, and yes she should be punished. Has Mr. Friar been issued a punishment?" "Detention for two weeks" Cory answered, starting to ease up a little under Topanga's moderate tone. "Sounds reasonable" Topanga responded, "I assume Riley will also be in detention since she was the instigator here?"
"Oh no" Cory started bubbling up again, "if she has detention then they have to serve it together, and I don't want them anywhere near each other, she's grounded indefinitely, and that includes your phone, hand it over. Also Topanga, there is something your daughter omitted; she and Lucas did more than just talk in that room". Topanga tried to settle everyone down as Riley sighed and handed over her phone and Cory raged. "Cory" Topanga pleaded, "how could you know what happened, besides, the Lucas I know was always a gentleman". "I'll tell you how I know" Cory exploded, both their clothes were rumpled and Riley admitted it". Topanga, now concerned, began to whip her head back and forth. "Admitted what", she asked Cory, then turned to Riley, "wait, did you and Lucas have sex on this ski trip?!" Riley took a deep breath, "no mom, we didn't have sex, like you said, Lucas is a gentleman. Yes, we did make out some". "Just make out", Topanga asked, arching an eyebrow as she sensed her daughter holding back. "MOM!" Riley yelled, "I am not going into detail about this part of my life with either of you. We didn't have sex; we didn't come close to having sex, that is all either of you need to know. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to bed." Riley huffed off, leaving Cory and Topanga to exchange worried glances.
For the next three weeks, Riley was phoneless and grounded; Cory even chased Maya out of the window. Riley managed to see her friends at school, but because she and Lucas didn't share a lunch period and only had one class together, which happened to be Cory's history class, she only got to spend a few minutes with him a day before school and between classes. They tried to make the most of it, holding hands as they walked towards class, stolen kisses (the school severely frowned on PDA and neither of them needed to be in more trouble), quick conversations about their day, they didn't have time for anything deeper. Finally, it was the Friday before spring break.
"Riles I'm so jealous" Maya whined as she and Riley grabbed their books to go home. "You get to go on a cruise for 7 days to the Caribbean no less and I'm stuck here with my parents!" "And your boyfriend" Andrew interjected, putting his arm around Maya's shoulder. "Oh right, and you" she smiled, leaning up to kiss him, which started to quickly turn into a make out session. "OK you two cut it out before a teacher catches you" Riley smiled as Maya and Andrew broke apart slightly, "and sorry I'm leaving you Maya, but my dad probably wouldn't let me out of my room to hang out anyway. He's talking to me again, but still no phone, no friends, and no life". Lucas came up from behind her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her softly on her neck. "I'm really going to miss you baby", he crooned, "are you at least excited for your trip"? "I actually am" Riley answered as she turned to face him, "I've never been on a cruise, and St. Thomas and St. Martin look amazing, I can't wait to try parasailing and snorkeling, it just sucks that we can't see each other or even talk for a whole week. Even if my dad relents and gives me back my phone, there won't be any service on the boat". "Well, we'll just have to keep busy and talk when we get back, you enjoy the cruise, I'll go to Texas, and just know that I'll miss you every day" Lucas told her as he planted a kiss on her nose. "I'll miss you too" Riley told him sadly, "but I better go, if my dad finds you with me all progress might be lost." The two parted to head to their houses and start packing for their respective trips.