The idea had seemed so easy and simple at the time of its conception. Get the girls to Shawn's cabin so they could all talk about what had happened and finally fix this whole mess. Putting that idea into practice, however, was not as simple or easy. They had underestimated the amount of effort it would take to actually get the girls to agree to go in the first place. After a couple days of nagging, pleading, negotiating, and making promises, the girls finally considered the idea. Albeit, Riley was more open to it than Maya.

"Come on, we don't want to get there too late." Topanga was gathering her final items when the intercom buzzed. She made her way over and pressed the talk button. "Hello?"

"It's Farkle."

"And Smackle."

"And Lucas."

Topanga looked over at her husband.

Corey gave her a nod. Maybe seeing her friends for a few minutes would be good for Riley and make her feel somewhat better.

She buzzed them in.

It wasn't long before there was a knock at the door. She made her way over and opened it. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Riley invited us over," Farkle stated simply as he, Smackle, and Lucas entered the apartment. Topanga closed the door behind them.

"I see." Topanga looked over at her husband again. He merely shrugged. This was news to him too. They had no idea that Riley had been talking to her friends. "Lucas, shouldn't you be with Maya?"

"She hasn't been answering any of my texts or calls. Her parents said she didn't want to see anyone. I'm trying to give her some space."

"Okay. Where's Zay? He isn't with you guys?"

"He went back to Texas with Vanessa for the break."

"Are you guys going somewhere?" Smackle asked once she noticed all of the packed bags.

"Uh, yes, actually. We're taking a family trip to Shawn's cabin," Corey answered as he made his way over.

"Cool. Are we invited?" Farkle questioned as Corey scowled.

"Emphasis on family. No friends allowed."

"Dad, they are my family," Riley complained with a roll of her eyes as she appeared with her own bag in her hand. This was the first time she stepped foot outside of her room since the big fight between her and Maya. She looked exhausted, even though she had spent the past few days in bed. Her eyes were slightly red and puffy, as if she had been crying recently. Her hair had been thrown up into a messy pony tail and lacked its usual shine.

"How come you guys are going, anyway? You haven't traveled anywhere during the holidays since everyone started coming here for Christmas."

"We're trying something new this year," Topanga explained briefly, not knowing how much Riley had already told them or wanted them to know. "Besides, we'll hopefully be back in time for Christmas."

"Mr. Matthews is breaking tradition?"

The small group of three collectively let out a gasp. Riley showed the smallest hint of a smile.

Corey rolled his eyes as he grabbed some bags. "More like starting a new one." He turned his nose up and headed out into the hall.

"You guys can meet us out there in a couple days, okay? I think we need to spend some alone time together. Just the four of us." Topanga grabbed a few bags herself before she left to help her husband load the car.

"Sure thing, Mrs. Matthews."

"Thanks for coming guys," Riley said once her parents were gone. She plopped down onto the armchair.

"That's what friends are for." Farkle, Smackle, and Lucas sat down together on the couch. "So, what's been going on with you and Maya?"

"What do you mean?" She put on a face of ignorance.

"We're not stupid, Riley. We can see that something is going on."

"I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Everything is fine." She continued to play dumb, hoping they would drop it. No such luck.

"Everything is definitely not fine," Farkle kept trying.

"For one thing, this is the first we've heard from you since break started. We still haven't heard anything from Maya. And since she's not here with you, something must be up," Smackle explained as Farkle nodded.

"Nothing's wrong, you guys. I promise. And why would Maya not being here mean something is up?"

"You guys are like Siamese twins; practically attached at the hip," Farkle commented as their friends nodded.

Riley rolled her eyes. "We are not. And just to reiterate, everything is fine."

"Riley, I know when you're lying to me. What's going on? Why are you really going on this trip?"

"It's no big deal. Maya and I had a… disagreement about… something. Uncle Josh suggested that we get away for a few days to relax and clear our heads. A vacation, if you will."

"Is Maya going with you guys?"

"No. She's not. But she'll probably be around for Christmas. I hope so anyway. If she doesn't have any other plans or anything. You know how busy people can get. Do you guys have anything planned?" Riley rambled, trying to lead the conversation away from the current topic.

"What was your fight about?" Smackle asked.

"What?"

"You said you and Maya had a disagreement. What was it about?"

Riley gave the other girl a smile. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"We're your friends, Riley. Of course we're going to worry," Lucas said.

Riley looked at him for a long minute. It was as if she was trying to formulate a reasonable response in her mind. "Well, there is nothing for you to worry about. I'll be fine. And we all know how tough Maya is."

"Yeah, but this seems serious. No one had even heard from either of you in days. We still haven't heard from Maya. The two of you haven't spoken to each other in that time. This is the biggest fight you have ever had," Lucas insisted as he leaned forward in his seat.

Smackle and Farkle waited quietly for Riley's response.

The brunette blinked away her tears as she watched her friends watch her. "It's fine. Everything is fine."

The three didn't believe a word she said, but they didn't push her any further. They saw how much she was struggling with this.

"Can you at least tell us what the fight was about? Maybe we can help," Farkle offered as Riley looked down at her hands.

"I told you, Farkle. It's nothing that you need to worry about. Okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

The group descended into silence. No one knowing what else to say. They were about as convinced that Farkle would keep his nose out of it as they were that Riley was actually okay. He was known to meddle in their lives. He had good intentions, though. He just wanted everyone to be truly happy. And right now, he could see that something was wrong. It was killing him that he couldn't help to make it better.

"I think this trip is a good idea," Riley suddenly said. The others looked to her, waiting for her to elaborate. "I think it'll be good for me to get out of the city and think about… stuff. Clear my head and get some fresh air. And you guys will join us in a few days. It'll be fun."

The others nodded, not knowing what to say. They let her continue to act okay. Even though they could see that she wasn't. They just hoped that she was right. They hoped that this trip would help her.