Topanga was speechless, had she heard right? Did Riley just said she was "moving" with her father?
-M… moving? To where? Shawn's cabin is too far for you to go to school everyday. - she pleaded
-Not there, Dad got an apartment right here in New York.
Topanga's eyes opened wide.
-But… why? I need you, the baby, we talked about this and
-You lied to me, time and time again! You said it was Dad's… but it isn't!
Maya began to worry, the tears on the eyes of her best friend combined with the rage she could feel in each word coming out of her showed her a side of Riley she had never seen before.
-Sweetie, please calm down don't say something you might regret
She was met with the teary face of her friend
-Are… are you on her side?
-W.. What? NO! I'm not on either side… just… just let's go OK?
-Riley… I love you…
Maya had to hold her brunette friend as she moved towards Topanga
-Don't say you love me… if you actually loved me you would have never cheated on Dad… if you actually loved me you would have never lied to me…
-Riley you don't understand…
-Understand… goodbye mom… and don't worry about Augie… Grandma said he can stay with them for as long as we need…
Riley walked out pulling her suitcase with Maya close behind, the minute the door closed she slid against the wall and began to cry.
-Riley…
-what did I do Maya?
-Something I'm still shocked sweetie… do you want to go back inside and
-no… I can't be near her…
Riley texted her dad and after getting the address of the building her and Maya went to the subway. For the first time in years none of them uttered a word. After traveling for several minutes they got to the station where they had to get down. After walking for a block they arrived. It was a beautiful building. As they walked in they were greeted by the doorman.
-Excuse me, where are you girls going? - he asked
-I'm Riley Matthews, my Dad lives here and
The man smiled. Apparently he was aware of her arrival. Walking towards the front desk he retrieved a keyring which was a miniature version of Barry the Bear, Riley's favorite teddy bear. On it was a key.
-Your father is not home at this time but he instructed me to give you this key. Apparently he was expecting your arrival.
Surprised he took the key and was directed to the elevator located at the end of the hallway as the apartment was in the third floor. The teenagers entered the place. It wasn't as big as the one were now only Topanga lived but it was cozy, as they went to the bedrooms they noticed there was two, one that was evidently her father's and the other that had a sign on the door, it had flowers all around it and Riley's name in a beautiful calligraphy. Tear began to roll down the teenager's cheeks.
-Sweetie…
-He knew Maya… he knew all along that I was going to come here…
-He's your Dad… he knows you even more than I do…
Closing her eyes she opened the door. The room resembled a lot the one back at Topanga's… and there was one thing… it had something close to a bay window. Maya ran and looked out the window.
-YES! IT HAS A FIRE ESCAPE!
Riley managed to smile a bit, for the first time she wasn't the naive one.
-Maya, it's a building regulation. The law says that all buildings must have a fire escape.
Riley sat on the bed and glared at her surroundings.
-Maya.. Is this how it is?
-What? How it is… what? - replied the blond girl
-You… you know… when your… your parents divorce…
She sat beside her best friend.
-Look… you're sixteen… you won't get asked to stay with them one weekend at a time… that will be for Augie… you… you'll get to decide when… and if… you want to go see T
-Don't… don't name her… please…
Maya's eyes opened wide.
-Riley she's your mom…
-She lied to me! To my face Maya! Time and time again… it… it…
Maya hugged her as she began to sob. Normally it was she the one all broken and Riley the one fixing it, now ti was the other way around and she had no idea of what to do or even what to say to her best friend. Both walked back to the living room as they heard the door open. It was Cory who had brought fried chicken, Riley's favorite food.
-Dad… how did you know we were here? - she asked
-Oh, I asked Mr. Williams to call me if you showed up.
Although she was hungry Maya thought that it was for the best to leave Riley and Cory alone, trying not to be noticed she began to walk to the door, she failed miserably thanks to the eagle eye of one Cory Matthews.
-Maya where are you going? I brought food for all of us - Cory said
-I… I thought you two needed to talk…
Riley smiled.
-Maya, you're part of this family. MY family. You're staying for dinner and for a sleepover.
The blonde girl smiled and hugged her best friend
As they ate Cory glared at Riley.
-What? - the brunette asked
-I know I shouldn't say this but… I'm happy you're here.
Riley glared at her dad for several seconds.
-I couldn't stay there Dad… it was… too much.
-This is your home know baby, you can stay here as long as you want.
As they went to bed Maya couldn't sleep, she knew that it was her turn to try and help Riley, it was close to four in the morning when she finally made a decision. And it involved not telling Riley and skipping two periods at school. As she showered the following morning she kept thinking about her decision.
-I'm going to help you Riles… it's my turn to fix this… somehow…
To be continued…