"What's next?" asked Riley as she held Lucas hand. It was almost Noon and they still had a few hours until they needed to be home. Riley didn't want this day to end, neither of them did.

As Maya was walking with Shawn, she started venting out more to him than she has in the past. Shawn has been like a second Dad to her and has been there for her when even her Mom hasn't. She has grown to like him more like a friend than a mentor.

"Shawn" sad Maya as they were walking "My mom " she said trying to not try. There was something that Maya has been hiding, something that Riley didn't even know about. "lost her job" said Maya. "We are about to lose everything we had" she said now crying "I am been trying to hide it and I just can't anymore"

Shawn knew all about Maya's Mom, he knew that she would the type of person to lose her job or even quit a job. He wanted to help but it didn't know how and he didn't want to get Cory into all of this because that will make it into even a bigger mess than it is.

As they walked around the mall some more suddenly Riley got an idea. In her early ages she had always wanted her ears pierced and since she has an adult with her, she thought in her mind maybe just maybe she will be able to today. After all Shawn is like another dad to her and has been around more than he has in the past.

"Shawn" asked Riley "Can I get my ears pierced?"

"No" said Shawn

"But why?" asked Riley

"Because I am not your parent" he said

"You are like an uncle to me" Riley replied back

"If you think of it that way" Shawn thought for a moment. He knew that Cory and Topanga would be mad if Riley came home with pierced ears. But on the other hand, he was like another Dad to her. If Cory ever found out he allowed this Shawn wasn't sure what Cory would do. "Riley" said Shawn after a few moments "I don't know why I am saying this but I'm letting you get your ears pierced" Shawn replied

"Thank you so much" said Riley as she gave Shawn a hug "I don't know how I can thank you" she replied

"Stay young as long as you can. It goes by too fast" said Shawn as he gave Riley a hug.

"So are you scared?" asked Maya as Riley sat in the hair waiting to have her ears pierced. "Not really" Riley replied

It wasn't as busy in Claire's as it normally is when Riley and Maya go in on the weekends but today was only Monday so most people are at work. As Riley goes in, followered by Maya and Lucas and Shawn. Riley is greeted by this lady named Tanya who had on jeans and a long tan sweater. She smiled when she saw them because most of the time she didn't get many customers on the weekdays.

"How can I help you?" she asked them as she came toward them.

"My daughter is here to get her ears pierced" Shawn replied

"How old are you?" Tanya asked Riley

Riley thought for a moment "Today is my 15th birthday" she said with a smile "So that makes me 15" today

"Well a Happy 15th Birthday to you" said Tanya

"Thanks" Riley smiled

As Shawn signed the form for Riley, he regretted it even more now. There was no turning back now because within a few seconds Riley's ears were pierced.

"You can take those studs out in 6 weeks" said Tanya "2 months is better thou" she said with a smile.

"Okay" said Riley

"And again Happy 15th" said Tanya

After Clare's, it was now Shawn's turn to do what he wanted. He had been mostly quiet this whole time.

"Arcade" said Shawn. "Lets Go"

Lucas seemed to be the only one excited about this one, Maya and Riley didn't seem to happy. It wasn't like they didn't like arcade's, it was just that they rather have looked at clothes more than anything else.

After the arcade it was almost time to go home. Lucas wasn't sure what they could do next. "Let's ride the carousel" he said as he turned around.

"Ok" said Riley

As Riley, Maya, Lucas and Shawn got in line for the Carousel they heard a voice that they

all knew behind them.

Back home, Cory was still sleeping when Topanga came home. As she put the groceries away and put her coat away, she headed upstairs.

"Cory" she said when she came in. "Feeling better?" she asked him.

Cory just shook his head. He was nearly able to get any words out of his month without coughing. Topanga knew the doctor would be here in a little while and she knew that Cory wouldn't be too happy but she needed him better as well as herself.

"Cory" Topanga said as she came closer "I called the doctor and he'll be here around 5" she said

"alright" coughed Cory

The house seemed quiet as Topanga changed into some warmer clothes, sweats and a sweatshirt. She didn't feel much better than she felt earlier but the medicine she took seemed to be helping.

When Auggie came running in after school, he had something very important to tell his Mom but when he came in, he found Topanga asleep on the couch. He tried to wake up but she wouldn't wake up.

"Auggie" said Ava when she came in "Want to play" she asked him

"Sure" said Auggie "Mom is sleeping so we have to be quiet" he told Ava

"Ok" Ava smiled at him

Topanga woke up an hour later, with a bad headache and barely any energy to move. The front door was open and Auggie's backpack was right near the front door entrance. So many things came to mind when she saw that.