Zay's POV
My bro was completely broken. He was always in pain. I would sit next to his bed as I talked to him. He would lay there flat on his bed occasionally nodding his head or answering in a whisper. Since he had started physical therapy he has become even less functional, he could barely move is legs. I would stay for about two hours then my dad wanted me home for dinner.
Lucas' POV
Riley and Maya avoided visiting me when I couldn't come to school. Some days it was too exhausting to make it though the day so I would call in sick so I could rest. Zay would bring me my homework. I would slowly pull myself into my wheelchair and wheel to my desk where I would do the homework. About the fifth time I called in sick Zay came over and did the usual of talk. Zay had only been there a few minutes when a soft knock at my door startled us. I was completely flat on my bed at that moment so I pulled myself up as Zay attempted to help me. Riley's tear stained face slowly showed from behind the door. I was immediately concerned because if this had to do with Maya and Zay's problems there was no use making an innocent girl like Riley cry. "What's wrong with Sugar?" Zay asked. I took this more seriously as he gave me a glance to say something. "What's wrong Riley?"
Riley's POV
I realized how stupid it was to blame Zay and ignore my friend who needed me the most. I came to this when a bully approached me and he was not there to help me, Maya didn't see how serious this was and left to go to the bathroom. While Maya was there the bully told me I was nothing and hit me on the side of the eye. I ran. To somewhere safe, where I could be forgiven, but I didn't expect Isaiah to be there. "I… I am so… sorry Lucas… for not being there for you… and Isaiah… I cannot even put it into words how much I regret…" "It's ok Sugar." Isaiah smiled. "Luucas…?" I stuttered. He did not give a smile.
Lucas' POV
I would have smiled if I had not noticed. Those tear were not I realized what I have done tears; they were tears that were startled or hurt. "Riley?"I said as I tilted my head down a little keeping my eyes on Riley trying to communicate I knew something was wrong. I noticed something on her face where her hair was covering up I motioned for her to sit down on the side of my bed. As she cautiously walked, she looked like she was walking towards an alligator's mouth. I sat up straighter as she sat down. I brushed her hair back on the left side; there was a nasty blue- purplish bruise on her left temple. I was appalled, as she looked down refusing to make eye contact. "Riley, what happened?" "You weren't there neither was Zay, Farkle or…" "Maya?" "Yeah…" she started to shiver. "I..I.. was really scared Lucas…" she started to Cry again. I pulled her into my arms for a hug. I tried to calm her down but she was really shaken up. Zay nodded as if he was about to leave, I shook my head telling him no. "It's not your fault Riley…" I knew the poor kid was not being supported by Maya, because whenever they had a fight they both fell apart. "I want you to go with Zay to school tomorrow ok?" "Why?" "Because he will be there for you, unlike Maya." Zay nodded as he put his hand on Riley's shoulder. "As long as we stay together no one will mess with you." After calming down Riley left a couple hours later. Zay promised he would not leave Riley's side tomorrow at school, unless, she went into the girls bathroom.
-The next day-
My homework was done by the time Zay came over with the next bunch. Riley was with him.
Riley's POV
I thought having Zay around would make things worse; it actually made things 100% better. He kept his eye on me like I was going to run away but he knew I needed someone to take Lucas' spot.
Lucas' POV
I never saw Maya the next four weeks of going to school and recovering.
-5 weeks later-
I told Riley that the wheelchair would be around for another three weeks, even though it wasn't true. Zay informed me that she would meet him on the front steps of the school. I was on crutches, but I was on my feet again, and that meant a lot to me. I came around the back of the school and made my way to the front. I saw a uniquely dressed brunet waiting for her protector. I came up behind her and whispered into her ear "Who are you waiting for Riles?" She whipped around and nearly screamed. "Lucas! Your.. your… Walking" "Yes I am" I was not extremely strong but I was strong enough to support myself when she lunged at me with a hug. I may have been on crutches but if someone hurt Riley I was ready to swing one of my two makeshift deadly weapons at them. She stuck close, I could tell whoever it was, they really were scaring her.
-A week later-
I was off my crutches… FINALLY! The truth was only Zay knew this. I rushed in the doors looking for Riley. I had to take it slow but I was back on my own stable feet (without crutches) I was unable to find Riley so I checked the back hallways and to my horror I saw Riley being bullied. Two boys wearing City school jock jackets had her pinned against a wall. First of all she is a Girl! Second she was my Girl (Well I have two girls) I stormed in and then trouble ensued.
Riley's POV
The two boys had been threatening to hurt Lucas again if I talked. I held it in, but they pinned me to the wall anyways. Just then, in the window, I saw his eyes look at me. He stormed in with a thunderous step, his eyes were filled with anger. Suddenly the boy who was pinning me placed his other hand on my throat. I started to get extremely panicked. Lucas used his arm to push him off me, in an effortless manor and grabbed my side and pulled behind him. "Get out." He said in a dangerously low tone, to the two guys. The two boys fled. I was so shaken up I had been shaking. In an effort to help calm me down Lucas took me into his arms and held me.
Lucas' POV
"Get out." I spoke in a threatening tone. I watched the cowards flee as I felt terrible that I brought Riley down with me. Her arms were shaking in fear, I held her tighter. "Than…kkk.. yoouu" she stuttered." "it's my fault." I helped her calm down until class started. Thank goodness I was there when I was. I told Mr. Matthews. He told the principle and then the hallways were monitored and the useless doors were locked. I knew Riley was trying to recover from this event so I moved onto my next problem… Maya.
I knocked on Maya's apartment's door, "Come in!" yelled a voice from the back. As I entered I saw Maya's mom pointing a kitchen whisk at me. "Don't come any closer or I will shoot!" "Shoot what… cake batter?" She smiled. "I got a job as a bandit on a wild western show I am the perky side lady." "Good for you Miss. Hart, where is Maya?" "In Her room." She said as she got back to her practicing in the mirror.
Maya's POV
I heard a voice talking to my mom, but I was too far away to recognize it. Then, I heard a knock at my door. "Maya?" asked Huckleberry, I should have known it would be him. "What?" "Can we talk?" "Sure." He walked in staring at me with his emerald eyes. "Don't worry… I'm fine." He spoke in a soft tone. "hh..how did you know I needed to hear that?" "I just did, I realized you have been avoiding me because you were very worried about me and my stack of pancakes doesn't want me to see that." "Yy..yes…" I replied.
Lucas' POV
Suddenly, Maya gave me a hug. I took note that she wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon. "I missed you Ranger Rick…" she whispered. "I missed you pancakes." I replied. Things were returning to normal slowly. If it was that simple, but it isn't.
The End