Chapter 4: Girl Meets Heroes
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or settings of Girl Meets World. I do, however, own the character of Remigius "Remy" Bellamy. I seek no profit from this act of fiction, merely recognition from the community of readers. Thanks to all who have followed and favorited this. It means a lot. Hope ya'll brought your climbing gear, because this chapter might just lead ya too a cliff...
[Flashback 2 days earlier]
The witching hour had passed, and November was in full swing. The chill in the air had grown colder, the leaves of the trees had begun to decorate the busy streets of New York City, and the courtyard of Thomas Jefferson High School was no exception. As the usual five shuffled into the school, Farkle smiled upon seeing Lucas put his arm around Riley's waist. It was only a moment, and everyone knew they still weren't a couple, but it certainly looked like his plan to get the ball rolling of sorts had worked. On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. he also noticed that in the weeks since Halloween,Remy had become more withdrawn from the group. His music hadn't been as present, nor had his smile. I wish I knew what was wrong, but every time we ask he says it's nothing and that he just hasn't had anything to play, or say, and that he has a lot of stuff he's been helping with at home so he hasn't learned anything new he's excited to show us.
Maya had noticed too, probably more than anyone, how much Remy had drifted away from them. I wish he would just tell me...us...someone...what's wrong. I know he doesn't know it; but we've always been the kind to help. Hell, when Farkle was worried he was autistic we looked it up. We studied. We assured him he wasn't. When they threatened to take away the Arts at JQA, it was literally our combined effort that save them. Whatever is going on...I just know we could help. We're not heroes, but we can help. She thought to herself as she looked back at the musician who now trailed behind the group, seemingly lost in thought.
The bell tolled, telling everyone to hurry to class. The group all shuffled into room 63 and looked at the white board. In red dry erase ink was one word: Thanksgiving.
After the bell rang for the final time, Cory looked around the room and began speaking. "Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Now, everyone knows the supposed story of Thanksgiving, and plenty of people talk about the "real" history of it...but I believe the most important thing is discussing what the meaning of the holiday is." Cory looked around the room and smiled. "Your assignment, due after the holiday, is to write a 2 page paper on who and what you are thankful for."
With a groan, the class merely nodded. Remy's was indeed lost in thought, but he heard the assignment clear as day. Easy...there are people I can't express how thankful I am to have in my life.
[Present Day]
The sounds of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade muffled the constant beeping and hissing in the hospital room as Remy gingerly nursed a cup of coffee. The hot liquid, a chestnut color from his mixing of cream and two sugar packets, slid down the ceramic cup and over his lips. His mother smiled over at him. "I remember when you were little, you used to get up just to watch the parade with your Pa and he'd make you your own cup of "coffee" because you wanted to be just like him. You sipped at it the same way, even though it was barely warm coco." She chuckled, patting his knee gently. Where had all the time gone...he wasn't her little boy anymore. He had grown into a man all his own. He had his father's hair, and his eyes, her chin and cheeks...but his heart was all his own. His style was reminiscent of her husband when they first met just out of high school. I wonder what the world will do with you...and what you'll do with it. How you'll meet this world...and who you'll face it with. Her thoughts wandered as he put his hand over her's.
"Days like this I miss him more than usual, but at least we've got each other, right ma?" He questioned softly, her answer coming in the form of a tight squeeze on his fingers.
"Always son. You have your friends too though, and never forget that. You spent Halloween here with me instead of them. You abandoned a night of fun and fright to be here with your Momma...please don't waste another holiday in this stuffy hospital room. Go, be with them, or see the city. Enjoy the autumn air. It's a day to remember what we're thankful for, and I am always thankful for you. You should be thankful for them...so go my boy." She gestured toward the door just as one of the doctors walked in.
"Sorry to interrupt the holiday, but we need to borrow you for a bit to run some tests Maribeth." He solemnly spoke, moving toward the bed and putting his hand on her shoulders.
"Oh...well, I guess I'll see if any of the group aren't too busy. Mom, I love you. Happy Thanksgiving. I couldn't ever hope to express just how thankful I am to have you as my mother, and my best friend." He picked up an overnight bag from the corner of the room and smiled. "Take good care of her doc." And with that, he shuffled into the elevator at the end of the hall. After a quick shower and change of clothes at the floor dedicated to families of patients, he pulled out his phone and slid through the contacts. Names and numbers from his past slid by like rain on a clean window, giving way to his newer friends and contacts. He looked down and pressed on Farkle's name.
"Hey buddy. So, somethings came up and Mom is going to be busy all day. She kind of insisted I get out and enjoy the holiday...I know it is kind of family oriented, but any chance you have some time for a friend?" He typed out, questioning whether he should even bother. He teetered between sending it and just walking the streets for a bit...and decided to not be a burden. If he remembered correctly, Farkle had mentioned something about traveling for the holiday weekend anyhow. He strode over to his guitar case and lifted it up slowly. He put it over his jacket clad torso and felt the familiar weight drop onto his shoulder.
After a short subway ride, Remy found himself wandering down the crowded streets before sliding down a small path through a park. He sighed and sat up under a willow tree, pulling out his maple wood beauty and strumming random notes. There was no song, no true rhyme or reason, simply notes that swirled around in his head like the hundreds of thoughts he had every day.
This is so difficult...going through this alone. I mean, sure, Mom is literally going through it...but I can't tell her how it makes me feel to see her poked and prodded. To remember her last test results as much as I remember my school assignments. I don't have Dad...hell, I haven't had him for seven long years. He went through his own health trials, but I was to young to grasp all that. Damn...seven years of just Mom and I...and 2 years of poking and prodding and worrying about her heart. I suppose there is the comfort that every test they ran on me came back negative. I remember how she cried that day...they were tears of joy. She was so glad she hadn't burdened me with the same defect she had. The doctor's still can't place what caused the reemergence of her symptoms. She had a clean bill of health for 30 years. Last time her defect gave her any trouble was on her twenty-fifth birthday, and even then it was nothing that one over night stay in the hospital couldn't fix. She told me that story all the time...it was when Dad asked her to marry him all over again. It had been too many overnight stays to count at this point...hell, we don't even have a home up here. I'm literally living at the hospital...and no one knows that. No one knows where I go when I 'head home'. No one knows what I do when I have to help Mom… His thoughts rambled, and so did his notes. His sporadic strumming stopped when a small ray of sunshine hit him directly in the eyes for a second, peaking through the falling autumn leaves...and that in itself made him think. He heard the few birds that remained chirp and call softly throughout the crisp autumn air. No one knows...but they all still care...
He strummed a couple notes softly, then again louder I sure hope I remember how this went…
"Sunshine came out today, and it's shining all over the world. Shining all over the world. The sunshine came out today, and it's shining all over the world. On every man, woman, boy and girl. And it sure feels fine when the sunshine shines. It warms your skin. And your soul within...and the birds sing…
Doo Doo Doo . Doo Doo Doo Doo. Doo Doo Doo. Doo Doo Doo Doo. Doo Doo Doo. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo" The gentle, happy melody slipped from his lips like water down a cliff, a gentle waterfall of happy notes and optimism.
Walking down a street that ran alongside the park was none other than Shawn Hunter, en route to the Matthew's apartment that was a few blocks away. He heard the music and stopped for just a minute, curious as to who was performing. "Eh, a couple minutes won't do any harm…" He reasoned aloud as he walked down between the small rows of trees behind the metal railing that sectioned the park off from the bustling city streets. He followed the melody until he arrived in front of a young man, no older than Maya, that strummed on a beautiful acoustic guitar. The wood was neatly polished, the case that sat to his side was what Shawn could tell to be spanish leather. It was as if the guitar was his most prized possession...and then something clicked for the roaming photographer. Maya had been talking about a new kid in her school who was a pretty skilled musician who always carried a leather guitar case with him. What did she say his name was...Roonie? Randy? Reggie? He racked his brain as he heard the young musician finish out the last verse of the song.
"Say what you gonna do when the clouds come. You gonna hold your head high. Said what you gonna do when the storms come, keep your eyes to the sky, and I'll tell you why. Cause one day…The sunshine will shine again. Shine all over the world. One day, the sunshine will shine again. Shine all over the world. On every man, woman, boy and girl. And it sure feels fine, when the sunshine shines. It warms you skin, and your soul within...and the birds sing Doo Doo Doo..." He strummed a small refrain before just letting the melody echo on the breeze.
"Remy?" Shawn accidentally thought aloud, only to have his query answered by the young man putting his guitar away and standing up.
"That's what they call me. Sorry to ask but, have we met?" Remy said, cautiously extending his right hand.
"No, we haven't, but I've heard a lot about you. You go to school with Maya Hart, right? My name's Shawn Hunter." He said, shaking the teen's hand quickly and firmly.
"That was a really nice tune you had there. What are you doing out here by yourself on Thanksgiving though? Shouldn't you be with your family?" He questioned.
"Well, normally yeah...but Mom had some things to attend to that has her out of the house all day. She told me to go out and do something instead of being cooped up all day, so...here I am." He meekly answered, adjusting the strap of his guitar case after their handshake broke. "You're heading to Casa De Hart I take it?" He counter questioned.
"Negative Ghostrider. Casa De Matthews, the little Hart and Momma Hart are already there. So, I had better take my leave." He said, beginning up the same path he came down just minutes before.
"Ah, right. Well, nice meeting ya Mr. Hunter. Happy Thanksgiving." Remy half heartedly called out, beginning to sit down again, stopping only as he heard Shawn shout.
"Hey...why don't you join us? I'm sure Topanga won't mind, and Maya would blow a gasket if she knew you were out here alone on Thanksgiving." He hollered back, ushering for the teen to follow him. In a moment, Remy was walking side by side with him.
The walk was relatively uneventful, filled with simple talk between two people who were getting to know each other. Things like what style Remy preferred to play, what Shawn did for a living, how school was going, how long Shawn and Katy has been dating, and et cetra. Before he knew it, Remy was standing in front of the Matthew's family apartment door. Shawn produced a key from his inner jacket pocket and slid it into the lock, opening the door slowly.
A lump settled in his throat. Remy wasn't certain how well this was going to go. He'd hadn't done much with the group outside of school. A few trips to Topanga's, three of his Kick Start program classes, a trip to the library, and one adventure out to the zoo. As of late, he had been so tied up with everything going on at the hospital that he had become more and more like a stranger He stood behind Shawn, realizing that the older male completely kept him hidden from line of sight.. Should I even be here...He was shaken from his thoughts at by a scream of excitement.
"Shawnie!" Cory screamed as his best friend stood in the door frame, quickly enveloped in a jumping up and down embrace. "Cory!" Shawn said with half the enthusiasm of his best friend. After their almost ritualistic greeting ended, Remy stepped out from behind Hunter and gave a wave.
"Um...I hope I'm not intruding, I was just playing some tunes out under one of the trees in the park down the way and...um...Mr. Hunter kind of insisted I join him." He eked out, rubbing the back of his neck in mild discomfort. Surprisingly, Topanga was the one to stepped forward and pulled him into the apartment.
"It's a holiday for being with people that are thankful for you, of course he told you to come with him. Riley and Maya always talk about you, and the few times we've seen you in the cafe, I can say you're very important to them. Now, sit down and enjoy yourself!" She said, shoving him onto the couch to the left of Maya.
"Um...hi." He said, chuckling at his sudden placement next to the girls. After pulling himself up a bit, he looked around and took in the apartment. He'd never been there. The movie night would have been his first time, but everyone knew how that turned out.
"Hey Music Man." Maya said in between sips of water. "Why aren't you with your Mom today?" She said, putting the glass down on the coffee table before them. He always talked about spending time and doing things for his mom, so it struck her as odd that he wasn't with her on a family holiday.
"Oh...she had a bunch of things to get done that have her tied up today. She told me to get out and do something instead of being cooped up. I was going to see if Farkle wasn't busy, but I didn't want to burden any of you guys on, like you said, a family holiday." He said, his hand finding that familiar place on the back of his neck. What he heard next made him slowly drop his arm...and his jaw.
"Well, yeah, it's a family holiday. You are family, silly." Riley said, standing up and walking over to him, pulling him up and giving him a tight hug. After the initial stun, he reciprocated with his arms locking beneath her's, his fingers resting between her shoulder blades. It was an embrace that felt familial, almost sibling in nature.
"Hey, what about me?" came a small voice from the hallway that lead to the three bedrooms of the apartment. Standing in a pair of jeans and a Rolling Stones t-shirt was Auggie Matthews, smiling wide as he came running toward them and joined the hug. "Hi, I'm Auggie. Dad and Riley have talked a lot about you. Is it true that you have a song for everything?" The nine year old looked up at the teen, a cheeky smirk spreading across his lips after his playful query.
"Did they say I do? If your dad said it, it's probably true. I've learned that much." He mused, looking over at Cory as he ruffled the younger boys curly hair. He broke away from the hug slowly and looked around the room once more. All the years he spent growing up in Louisiana, he never had anything like this. Sure, he had friends, and he had been to their houses. He knew their parents. He had crashed with them a few nights here and there...but none of them were family. None of them ever expressed feeling like he was anything more than a school mate or a neighbor.
Cory looked over and caught Remy's smirk. "Shawn, window. We need to talk." He said, walking backwards and sitting down on the bench just beneath the window in the living room. His best friend tilted his head slowly and followed suit, sitting next to had just got done saying hello to Katy and asking how things were when he heard the request for words.
"Yeah Cor...what's up?" He was perplexed as to the sudden need to 'talk' after looking at Remy.
"He was sitting in a park playing music? He wasn't with anyone...his mother perhaps?" Cory pried just a smidge. His mental tick of needing to make things right was showing itself, but he also had to be sure of a few things.
"Yes, and no. He was totally alone, guitar in hand, sitting underneath a willow. The song was nice, but he seemed like he certainly needed some Matthew's family magic." Shawn looked over at Remy as he sat back down with the girls and Auggie, all laughing. Maya's smile seemed to shine a bit brighter when she looked at the kid, putting her hand on his shoulder as they had a conversation he couldn't quite make out. "Besides...look at 'em. Seems to me like he belongs here."
"Yeah, I guess he does, huh? Thanks for bringing him Shawn." Cory stood up and hugged his best friend tight. "Ya know, the apartment above is for rent again…" He said, half joking and half in seriousness.
"Still not your wacky neighbor." Shawn said, punching him gently in the arm. He looked back at Katy Hart and smiled. "Unless it's a three bedroom…" He chuckled.
"Woah...you're serious? Shawn Hunter, the personification of the wanderer, formerly the man of thousand dates, is thinking about settling down?" Mock surprise laced Cory's words. Shawn and Katy had been exclusively dating for nearly 3 years. He remembered the day he asked her to actually 'go steady' as they used to say. It was the Monday after Maya and Riley's eighth grade graduation. To quote Maya it was "the best thing that had happened that week."
"Maybe Cor. Maybe." He said, walking over and putting his arm over Katy's shoulders
"Everything okay, Mr. Shawn?" She asked coyly, playfully using a name she had used before they began dating.
"Right as rain, Miss Katy." He hugged her a little tighter.
As everyone enjoyed conversations about life and sports and school, Remy stood up and walked to the kitchen, joining Topanga.
"Um..this when I would normally be cutting rhubarb or washing strawberries for pies. I feel a little outta place not being in the kitchen so...anything I can help with Mrs. Matthews?" He said, looking at the small woman moving like a blur. A hurricane of a housewife.
Topanga stopped in her tracks at the question. ""Woah...what? Someone other than Auggie offering to help? I...sorry, I needed a minute to process that. You're a sweetheart. If you don't mind, can you peel that bowl of potatoes over by the sink?" She pointed as she finished basting the turkey and placing it back in the oven.
"Absolutely." He said, sliding across the tile floor and picking up the peeler. He focused on the task, mindlessly peeling away the brown skins of the spuds and rinsing them off, until Topanga walked up behind him and patted him on the shoulder.
"I really appreciate this Remy. I know you could have just stayed over with the girls." She said, looking over her shoulder at the kids on the couch. Remy looked back and saw Maya laughing at something, likely a silly joke from Riley. Her smile and her laughter...it was just like that ray of sunshine that hit him earlier that morning. Subconsciously, a smile spread across his lips as he peeled away at the potato in his hand. "Happy to help Mrs. Matthews. Honestly...nowhere I'd rather be right about now." He put the last potato down into the bowl and turned completely around to face her. "Anything else I can do?"
"Yeah...go have fun." She said, pushing him out into the living room with a laugh. He stumbled at the sudden shove, but found himself caught by Cory. "Woah there! You could have at least yelled timber Topanga." He said as he held his student up and they shared a laugh.
"I'm not a tree for god sake...but thanks Mr. Matthews. Ya know...you always seem to be there to help keep us students upright." He noticed. He walked over toward the couch, reaching out for his guitar and smiling as Auggie enthusiastically handed him the case.
"You have a song for Thanksgiving?" August questioned happily.
"I told you, if your dad says I have a song for everything, it must be true." Remy quipped back, pulling out the guitar.
"Mr. Matthews, you told us to write a paper on who and what we're thankful for, because that is what this holiday is truly about. Well, I've completed that assignment, but I do my best writing when I listen to music, and I came across a song that fit this all perfectly. So, this one is for you Mr. Matthews, and for Riley, and Maya, and Lucas and Farkle. It's for my Momma. It's for everyone that I'm thankful for."
"As the sun goes down in front of me, reminds me where I want to be, with you and you alone. Pull me in like you were made for me, I'm losing faith in gravity, and I just need to let you know. I just need to let you know...I'm not gonna come down, down off of these clouds. All these heroes come and go, but you're still standing, You teach me to rise up, to open my eyes up. All these heroes come and go, but you're still standing." He choked up a bit as he strummed through to the next verse. You're still standing...Ma…
"You know the world's confusing, I don't care. I'll crawl into your atmosphere. I know you'll make it right. You're all I need tonight. I'm not gonna come down. Down off of these clouds. All these heroes come and go, but you're still standing. You teach me to rise up. To open my eyes up. All these heroes come and go, but you're still standing." He took a deep breath and looked around the room slowly, his eyes resting on Riley and Maya, who sat shoulder to shoulder on the couch, Auggie looking up from the floor between their feet in awe at the musician.
"I believe that you can save me, and you'll never let me fall." He smiled through small tears welling up in his eyes before turning and looking at Cory. "I believe in what you've shown me, maybe there's a hero in us all." He wiped the tears from behind his wire frames and finished out the acoustic rendition. "I'm not gonna come down…" All these heroes come and go...but you're all still standing.
Wow...he does have a song for everything. Auggie thought, clapping as the last notes still bounced off the walls of the apartment. "That...was...awesome!" He exclaimed as he beamed at Remy.
The rest of the household wasn't as enthusiastic, enjoying the sentimental meaning behind the song. Topanga stood with her arm around her husband's shoulders, his own wrapping around her waist. Riley and Maya both looked at their friend in awe, Maya's thoughts memorizing one line in particular. I believe that you can save me, and you'll never let me fall...Her eyes drifted over to Shawn Hunter who affectionately had his arms wrapped around her mother's waist, standing behind her.
"Wow...Remy...that was really touching. Thank you, and I think Riley said it best...you're family. We don't let family fall down around here." Cory lightly spoke, Topanga nodding with her husband's sentiment.
"Yeah, if you ever need somewhere to come, you always have family right here." She chimed in.
"Our apartment isn't much, but it's open as well. Any friend of Maya's is always welcome." Katy said, smiling at the young man. She could see what her daughter went on and on about. He really was a change.
I'll always save you, you shiny pebble… Maya thought as she nodded to her mother's statement.
"I've never been so happy to pick up a stranger." Shawn chuckled.
"Thank you...all of you. My heroes." Remy nodded, turning his head to the kitchen as the timer for the turkey dinged.
"Time to eat." Topanga said, a small grimace on her face. "Hopefully it'll last more than five minutes this year…"
"Oh come on honey. My parents and Josh aren't here this year. It should at least last seven." Cory jokingly reassured her.
"Ya know it is a pity that they couldn't make it out for Thanksgiving. It's always fun to see Mom and Dad, and Auggie love seeing his Uncle Josh." Topanga said as she pulled the bird from the oven.
"Yeah, and Maya loves seeing him too." Auggie said in a teasing tone. Maya bowed her head for a moment at the jab, hoping Remy hadn't heard...but he had. It didn't seem to phase him though as he walked over and pulled her seat out for her, then Riley's for her as well.
"Yeah, and Uncle Eric being so tied up with his senatorial stuff stinks…" Riley said as she helped set the table.
"At least they assured us they'll be here for Christmas like always. Let's just enjoy the company we do have here." Cory answered and began carving into the bird.
As everyone ate and conversed, nothing could remove the smile from Remy's face...until his phone rang.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I have to take this." He said, seeing the hospital's number scroll across his screen. He stepped into the hallway in front of the bedrooms of the apartment.
"Hello, this is Remy." He answered, listening and nodding with various 'uh hu's and 'of course's. He shook his head. "So what does this all mean?...I understand...thank you. I'll be back this evening then. Tell her I love her, and that I went to the Matthew's for the holiday, okay? Thank you." He hung up the phone and slowly slid it into his pocket, sliding down the wall slowly and cupping his face in his hands. A few moments later, he felt a familiar hand grasping his shoulder. When he looked up, Cory Matthews stood with a hand extended to help him up.
"Want to talk about it?" He said, ushering toward Auggie's bedroom door. He figured no one, other than perhaps the young owner of the room, would bother them in there. Remy nodded and walked into it.
"Things aren't looking good Mr. Matthews. The reason I was out today was because they needed her for testing and transfusions and such all day. She didn't want me spending, as she put it wasting, another holiday in the hospital. That was the doctor...her BP is constantly dropping every time they run their tests. The meds aren't working and they have to keep upping the dosage. This time last week it was only 3 pills, now it took 5. She's not getting any better. I...she...we...we knew coming into this that it was a clinical trial and there was no guarantees...but still..." He said, tears actually failing to fall. His voice was hoarse and raspy as emotions mingled and melded into a strange amalgamation of anger and sorrow, frustration and confusion, and lingering joy of at least being there instead of being alone.
Maya's curiosity got the better of her, worried about the musician who had been distancing himself for the past month. She excused herself to use the bathroom, but in all honesty she was on mission to gather intel. She saw the light in Auggie's room was on, and she heard Cory and Remy talking.
"Well, is there anything you think that you can do?" Cory asked, knowing the question didn't have a real answer, but wanted to gauge where his student's head was at. He was the only person that knew the situation originally, sharing with Topanga and not another soul otherwise. The principal of the school filled him in, and despite being told not to mention it with Remy and being advised it was probably best if he didn't know that his teachers knew, he took him aside one day and told him he was there if he needed to talk about it.
Maya listened intently, not certain what the conversation was about but hoping it would give her some kind insight as to what was troubling her friend so much.
"I don't know Mr. Matthews. I just...I feel like I'm losing her."
Maya's jaw dropped. L...losing her? Losing who?
End of Chapter 4 Author's note: So...how's about that cliffhanger though? Haha. I know, I know, you all will hate me for it. I promise though, it'll all be worth it. I'll even give you a sneak preview...in the form of the title. Keep following where this is going when Girl Meets Growing Up returns with Chapter 5: Girl Meets Secrets.
