"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
One is the loneliest number, much, much worse than two
One is the number divided by two

~ 'One', Harry Nilsson/Three Dog Night ~"

Wheel of Fortune (Upright): Good fortune, the cyclic nature of time, progress, windfalls, new friendships, and acquaintances
Wheel of Fortune (Reversed): Consequences, ill fortune, "almost but not quite", losses, random chance

She did it again; instead of turning right, Maya walked left to Matthews' old apartment. When had she climbed those slick, metal rungs? How long had she slept on the platform? Red lattice lines marked her cheeks. Her knees ached. Even the traffic and stench from down below couldn't wake Maya from her haze. Nine years wasn't enough time with Riley. They were supposed to be each other's bridesmaids and drive their nurses crazy in their nursing homes. It's not fair! This world wasn't fair but it never promised Maya fairness or justice. This world gave her Riley in kindergarten yet stole her father away from her. It gave her art, an ability to express herself, and a fire to take what she wanted. Just as her sophomore year began, life took Riley away from Maya, too.

"Hope was for suckers."

Maya knelt in front of the window and rubbed circles into the glass. Any proof Riley existed was in her old bedroom and as days slogged on, time erased that certainty. Birds sang around her. The heat burned her. Maya pulled her palette knife and hair pins from her backpack and tinkered with the padlock. The tumblers turned and the lock snapped open. Sunlight chased the shadows away that flooded Riley's bedroom. Finally, Maya crawled through the window and walked into the past.

The hardwood planks squeaked as she left footprints in the dust. Riles would be pissed dirt was on her floor. Spiders lived in the closet now and mice scuttled across Maya's feet. Their bay window was moth-eaten. Maya coughed the dust off the cushion.

Childhood siren songs hung in the air. A memory of little girls toppling each other, playing tag, and laughing played out in front of Maya. Maya imagined Cory barging in through the door begging them to sleep. She wished Topanga would evaporate in the room and hug her. I'm tired. How many of Riley's sayings would Maya take to keep Riley with her? The curse of hope was you longed for possibilities but it crushed you when reality hit. Whatever god Riley believed in was cruel for taking Maya's hope from her. For someone who demanded fairness, it wasn't fair to pile heavy responsibility onto one person.

Morse code rapping sent Maya out the window. She slammed the window closed, lock and all, and scurried down the fire escape.

Displeased that Maya skipped school again, Katy asked Farkle to walk Maya to school. For weeks Farkle picked Maya up in his family's limousine because Katy didn't trust her daughter to ride the subway by herself. Farkle pushed Maya through the double doors and was purposely late to his own classes, so Maya attended hers. There were times that Maya couldn't pick up her paintbrush and days when the most she could do was sleep. And with Cory gone, the five of them shared Harper's Literature class instead of History. It was strange not having lessons focused on them. How else could their peers learn their names? A teacher ensuring, they learned lessons was unfathomable. Maya complained when Harper assigned her to the front row. Harper pulled her student aside ushering her into the hall. She'd seen Maya's grades and wanted to help her "love reading." All Maya learned was she wouldn't get a nap in Harper's class.

Within this short time, they learned how much their friendship depended on Riley's presence. The thread binding them together frayed apart. Teen Mensa meetings consumed Smackle and Farkle's afternoons. Football practice limited Maya's time with Zay and Lucas too. Not helping matters was the love triangle lessening Lucas and Maya, they didn't want their thinking they were dating. Maya never learned things the easy way but the triangle made her realize she loved Lucas as a brother. No other reason explained why she enjoyed messing with him so much. Their busy schedules meant their Riley Protection Committee meeting was delayed until September.

Usually, meetings were held at one of their homes, today Maya held them at Topanga's Bakery. Zay ordered their drinks as an excuse to flirt with the new barista. Smackle and Lucas shared a seat. Smackle's attention was her while Lucas updated them on Riley's situation. Maya herself, lounged on the sofa next to Farkle. He typed the minute notes while she drew mustaches on strangers in her sketchbook. Their topic: "How Do We Honor Riley's Memory." Purple days and Pluto pins were thrown out as suggestions. One of them offered an official skip day where they picked a location to visit that Riley loved. As their meeting drew to a close, Smackle and Lucas' whispers were grating on Maya. Annoyed, she threw a paper airplane at them barely missing Smackle's glasses.

"Hey Chipmunk! Do you and Lieutenant Dan wanna share something with us?"

"Thank you, ma'am." Lucas tipped his imaginary hat in Maya's direction. She shuddered but with everything changing, Maya was thankful that their game hadn't changed. "But someone as slow as Forest shouldn't interrupt."

Maya cackled. "Keep it up and I'll cut off something more important than your legs."

Zay and Farkle covered themselves. Lucas nudged Smackle and whispered she should tell Maya what concerned her. Smackle wrung her hands, Maya sipped her smoothie and watched Smackle stutter. "What is it Chipmunk?"

"First, I'd appreciate it if you didn't refer to me as a rodent," Smackle said. "Second, what's the purpose of this committee now that Bubbles resides in London?"

Maya rolled her eyes. "To remember Riley."

"Lucas and I discussed why have a committee at all." Smackle approached Farkle as he made room for her at his other side. "Beloved, you've known Riley longer than I. Why do you believe she requires a committee?"

Farkle stuttered and stumbled. He shut his laptop closed and cleared their full and half-empty glasses. Maya cast her sketchbook aside and pushed herself off the couch. She shoved Zay out the door with Lucas. Smackle collided with Farkle when Maya shouted, "Meeting's over!" With the other three gone, Maya yanked Farkle's collar and gritted her teeth. "What did you tell them?"

"Nothing! Do you think I want them telling Riley that we started this committee?" Farkle said. "You and I know we can't protect her if she found out about the committee."

Slowly, Maya released her grip on him and then rubbed the stress and ache out of her fingers. Farkle smoothed out the wrinkles adding Riley wouldn't forgive her if she found out Maya's reason for beginning the committee. Maya swatted his words away and began sketching again.

"Riley forgives everyone. She'd understand that I did this for her."

He nodded his head down, his eyes were unblinking. "I'm not talking about your excuse Maya. I meant your real reason for starting this."

On one level, Maya understood Farkle meant well by warning her of the consequences. She didn't expect anything less from the boy who promised he loved the girls the same. Maya just wished Farkle wasn't so blunt with his advice. If Rilaya ended, it would have broken Maya even more. Pain could have been prevented if they realized their feelings were mentionable and not avoidable.

Since then, the committee meetings dwindled from weekly, to monthly, and then to none at all. Making things worse was Riley's communication stopped too. Had someone kidnapped Riley or hurt her? Worse! Had she found a new best friend? Logically, Maya knew Riley wasn't mean or a threat, so she wouldn't intentionally harm Maya. Perhaps she should have stowed away on the Matthews' plane, Maya was tiny enough to squeeze herself into the luggage section. And if Maya were in London then she'd know that Riley was safe. Riley's silence was a nightmare come true. Despite Riley's promises, the two girls had drifted apart.

The next day was better, especially since she and Lucas clobbered the other team in dodgeball. Earlier, Lucas received his license so Maya wouldn't have to ride the subway to and from school. Cowboy and short stack burned off energy by playing hacky sack down the halls. They joked about television shows. Maya wondered if Lucas would let her control the radio this time. I'm tired of hearing his mixtape of repeat. They passed row after row of class president posters. She ripped the one with Missy Bradford's face from its tacks and crumpled it into a paper ball. Lucas quit student cancel because it interfered with his football practice.

"You're a better president than Missy Bradford."

Lucas held open the door for Maya and led the way to his truck. Maya punched the palm of her hand as Lucas switched off the alarm just a few feet away.

"Huckleberry, I need pig's blood. Bradford has to pay for calling me a blonde bitch. I swear, if girls were so dramatic, I'd have more of them as friends."

Lucas chuckled. "For someone who hates drama, you cause a lot of it."

"I'm the least dramatic girl you know." Maya playfully slapped his shoulder as Lucas unlocked the truck. "Hurry up so I can drive."

"I don't want an accident because you can't see over the dashboard."

It was a banter that could have continued all afternoon until Maya remember her idea she needed to tell Lucas.

"I learned a tackling move that'll help your game."

"Uhh, can it wait."

"There's no fun in that."

"I don't think—"

Maya lunged! She pulled Lucas from the driver's seat and yanked him to his knees. Lucas' chin hit the steering wheel. Gravel crunched. Car horns blared and students looked up to see what was going on. Maya hooked Lucas' neck in a choke hold. "Hurrrr- Hurrrrrrrrr!" Lucas winced. Instead of spit splattered across his face, it landed in his ear. His lips soured. His nostrils flared. Lucas toppled backward on his feet. Finally, Maya let go of his neck. Lucas popped his ears and brushed off his jeans. When Maya finished her farmyard call, she had a sugary smile on her face. She twisted herself side to side with her hands clasped behind her back. Maya looked as if she could skip away in pure bliss.

"I think Coach would pull me from the team if I did that."

"Think of the goals you'd score 'cause no one would see it coming."

Maya had to hop into the passenger seat just to get in the car, then she reached for the radio dials when Lucas started the ignition. From the side mirror, Maya saw a pair of motorcycle boots walking towards them. Harper pulled off her helmet and order the two teenagers out of the car.

"Maya! Lucas! Over here." Harper crooked her finger at them, gesturing for them to follow her.

Harper didn't appear like a teacher with her motorcycle and backpack, that's what made her more approachable to Maya. Also, most teachers backed down when they discovered Maya Penelope Hart at the center of a situation. That Harper didn't flee from Maya, made her courage more impressive. This Indonesian woman earned Maya's respect, and Maya didn't want her teacher to lose it. So Maya pushed Lucas forward as they followed their teacher.

"Why were you guys fighting?"

Maya shrugged. "We were just playing around, Harper? What the big deal?"

"Is this true," Harper asked Lucas.

"Maya had better control than last time," Lucas answered.

Harper held her helmet under her arm and then told Lucas to go home.

"I should send you to the principal."

"What? Why? I didn't do anything."

Harper softened her tone. "Maya, if I can't tell the difference between you joking with someone versus fighting with someone, other teachers can't either. It's my job to make school a safe place for students to learn."

Maya threw her arm out, pointing to where Lucas had been. "Why aren't you punishing Lucas then?"

"If he started this, then I'd have the same conversation with him as I am with you," Harper said. "Call your mom. Tell her you'll be home late tonight."

Maya grumbled under her breath, "What happened to the cool teacher?" How could Harper have turned against Maya like that?

Detention with her wasn't too bad since Harper allowed her to make up her missing assignments and draw on the blackboard when she was done. However, Maya hadn't forgiven Maya for calling her dramatic. Other girls gushed over Teen Beat heartthrobs; Maya admired rock stars. Unlike Riley, Maya felt no desire to meddle in others' business, she only shared gossip that she knew was true. Maya tapped her pencil and bit her lip. "Dramatic." It stayed with her when she rummaged through her refrigerator for food. Why would Huckleberry and Harper think that I cause drama? In the end, Maya shook the thought away and convinced herself that the others were exaggerating.

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's all passed without hearing a word from Riley. Well, that wasn't exactly true, Maya received a postcard from her friend when Maya turned sixteen. What had she done to make Riley ignore her? Had she found a new best friend? But that postcard had given Maya hope and she rushed home hoping to find a lavender envelope each month. Maya found a different letter waiting for her. In rainbow-colored ink, the letter read:

Dear Maya,

I'd be the last person you'd expect to hear from. We don't speak to each other in class and you'll likely rip this letter when I tell you the reason why. My mom encouraged me to reach out to you in a letter so you can reread this and "soak this in." I've always wanted to meet my little sister. Kermit finally admitted you and I are half-sisters. Whatever you've heard, Kermit didn't tell us he was still married to Katy, and a few years later he left us for a flight attendant. We haven't heard from him since.

I'd understand if you don't want to be friends or sisters. (I'm sorry Missy changed the yearbooks in middle school and that I went along with it. She wanted to get back at Riley for dating Lucas. I thought you guys – you, Riley, and Prince Lucas – could take a joke. If no one told you 'sorry' then I am.) We could talk more if you'd like or at the least, you'll let me tutor you in English class. Your D- last week wasn't something to brag about in class. What happened to parading with fire sparklers instead?

Whatever you want is fine by me. You know the truth about Kermit being even worse than you thought. You know that your sister is nearby and that you have an extra friend if you need one.

From,

Sarah Elizabeth Craft

Neither girl hung out in the other's social circles, and if they spoke it was because they were paired together for an assignment. It wasn't fair! What made Sarah and her mother better than her and her mom? But on Friday, dinner for three became an invitation for four. Meatloaf greeted Maya when she entered the apartment. Pasta cooled on the counter and ragtime music played on Grandma Hart's record player. The music surrounded Maya as she dropped her bag on the chair. Picture frames were perfectly shined and dusted. Katy placed glasses and plates at each place setting. Pie and ice cream with extra frostings waited behind the women for dessert. It was like there was a golden edge to the scene, colored like a Thomas Kincaid painting. If Maya painted this scene she would layer colored pencils over paint to achieve the same effect. Who was so important that dinner was a festival?

Seated in the middle was Maya's new sister: Sarah.

Forks scraped across plates. Maya stabbed more vegetables and meat than she finished. How was Kermit? How was Mrs. Craft? Did Sarah mean she'd tutor Maya? How was her playwriting coming along? "I don't know." "Fine." "Yes, she can start their sessions tomorrow." And she was writing a slice-of-life play at the moment. Riley was Maya's sister and she wasn't letting a forgotten classmate take Riley's place. Maya glared at Sarah between bites.

"Does your mom feel bad that she tore apart our family?"

Plates clattered. Mrs. Hart's record screeched to a stop. Katy silently mouthed to her daughter she was grounded, but Maya couldn't have mixed a better shade of red for Sarah. Her glasses slid down her nose, Sarah pushed them back into place. It wasn't long before Sarah composed herself and had a response for Maya. Sarah drank from her glass and cleared her throat.

"I can't speak for her, but couldn't you tell us because you can't keep your hands off girls' boyfriends?"

"Since when? Name one person who'd say that about me."

"Everyone thinks so. There's a stall dedicated to you and how to keep you from flirting with our dates." Sarah took a bite from her meal and smiled when Maya shot her another look. "I mean you definitely need help if you didn't know not to steal girls' boyfriends."

Maya scoffed. "If that were true then why haven't I gone after Wyatt?"

"He wouldn't want a desperate girl even if you tried."

"I will break you if you keep talking."

"Is that why Super– Riley left, to protect herself from you?"

"And what would y—"

Katy sent her own mother to bed and zigzagged between the seats. She gathered the plates and then shoveled the food down the garbage disposal. Her laugh sounded like tinkling, broken bells. "It's been less than a week and you girls are already arguing like sisters."

Sarah was sent home while Maya was sent to her bedroom. All night Maya wondered why Katy wasn't angry that the reminder of her ex-husband's affair ate with them. Why hadn't her grandmother defended her against Maya's allegations? It wasn't fair! Sarah had no right to throw that mistake in my face! Dinner turned into another reminder that the only family that mattered was Riley. It made Maya more determined to discover what kept Riley silent.

Unsurprisingly, Maya and Sarah hadn't spoken after that night. In addition to being grounded, Maya's punishment included working at the bakery after school. When she returned to school, Maya saw her name scribbled next to nicknames such as the popular"blonde bitch" and "Hart-breaker" among others. She still couldn't understand how anyone thought those things about her. They knew nothing. They'd be lucky to have her as a friend if they knew the truth. A small part of Maya wondered if Sarah – though not the anonymous writers – was correct. Did the boys really think Maya was desperate?

Maya was flooded with longing. If she caught Wyatt and Sarah kissing, Maya noted how he fogged Sarah's glasses. She saw the same small smile appear on Smackle's lips when Farkle kissed her. What did kissing feel like? Did it hurt if your nose bumped the others? How did their breath smell and taste? What did you do with your hands? Was it suffocating or safe when a boy pulled you against him?

Flower buds sprouted on trees. Vines crawled up the brick walls leading to the door. These questions roamed through her mind as she headed to the bakery. They wouldn't stop when she scraped gum off the counter and bussed the tables. Why won't boys ask me out? Is that why girls don't like me too? These insecurities weren't ones Maya could have confided in Riley about. Boys fell to the pretty brunette's feet without her trying. Riley was the first of their group to date and dated the most popular boy in their school. "Riley wouldn't know what it's like to be rejected."

Once her chores were done, Maya poured herself a smoothie and took her place in the bakery's hideaway nook. During moments like these, Maya half wished Lucas kissed her at the campfire, to get it over with. "A Huckleberry would ruin it," making Maya glad he didn't kiss her. She considered kissing Charlie, if he was good enough for Riley then he was good enough for Maya. However, the blonde girl knew she didn't have a chance with a boy like Gardener. Then Maya remembered the cute girl in her art class and online videos where boys went crazy seeing girls making out with each other. On the other hand, if Sarah was right, then not even girls would be interested in her. A boy who ogled her but didn't love her isn't a boy Maya should want. In all honesty, Maya wanted to be ready for her someday with Josh.

"Boing deserves a good kisser for a girlfriend."

She did it again and walked left instead of right to the Matthews' apartment. Their former landlord informed Maya he leased their apartment suite to a new family. Day faded into night, the sky was charcoal black. There wasn't a point in scaling the fire escape now that someone else lived in their home now. The bench Maya sat on was cold, and unforgiving, but when she tried leaving, something kept her glued in place. Then she'd crane her neck up towards Riley's old window and see a lamp flicker on and off. Was there family a loving family, one that made you feel safe? Whoever lived there now, did they meet their bad influence? Did that pair share secrets and fears? What were their names? Shooting stars sprinkled and mixed with the city lights. Maya couldn't find herself in he past anymore, maybe she could find herself in the moon that Farkle compared her to.

Right on time.

Farkle draped his jacket over Maya and let her cry on his shoulder. They reminisced about their far-flung friend like their favorite saying of hers, and how the three of them met. Finally, someone missed Riley as much as Maya did, someone who acknowledged Maya's pain.

"...In middle school, I was the class criminal. Now people can't stand me." Maya said. "Is this what it felt like when Billy called you 'nothing?'"

Farkle nodded. "Where is this coming from?"

Maya retold Farkle everything. Everything such as the first times she returned to the empty apartment. The genius laughed when Maya mentioned her accident with Lucas and hugged Maya when she told Farkle she had a sister and Kermit intentionally separated them from each other. She swallowed her pride and admitted how insecure she felt about being the last of their clique to start dating. Although, when she asked Farkle if she was dramatic, he wouldn't answer her and just tugged his collar.

Farkle's chose his words carefully. "If you were a guy, would you want your girlfriend to beat you up?"

"If I were I guy I wouldn't think that."

"I know you're joking, Maya, but don't."

"If you weren't dating Smackle, could I practice on you?" Maya said. She ribbed Farkle's side as he chuckled with her.

"What are friends for?" Farkle said. "You'll find a guy who can handle you."

The next several months were uneventful but with Farkle's help, Maya stopped lingering around the Matthews' old apartment building, however, the best news came from Josh Matthews himself. Scattered in the mail pile underneath bills, catalogues, and play rejections, was a yellow envelope with his name on it. Maya tore off the edge and flopped onto her couch. She propped her feet on the table and began reading:

"Hey Lil Ferret,

My phone died or else I would've called you with this information, but I'll have it replaced by the time you get this letter. And why not revive the ancient art of note passing from the 1990s? I'll fill you in on Riley first and what she's been up to. Riles is fine, she didn't want you worried that her move wasn't as peaceful as she wanted it to be. (Also, she didn't know long-distance calls were so expensive, and it would have taken too long to train a carrier pigeon to send messages.) She hasn't called now because she wants her gift to you to be a surprise. She swore me to secrecy. I can't spoil it for you but here's what I can share with you.

My brother and Topanga are treating her better, though she wouldn't say exactly what caused the sudden change. (I told Cory he needs to be himself and not channel his inner George Feeny. Cory was a teenager once so should know they're smarter than adults than they give them credit for.) Riley proved it when her grades promoted her to number one in the school, giving her more A's than Topanga.

Second, she's made new friends but is worried if you and Farkle will accept them. One of them bought her photo in the photography competition and the other gave her a new makeover. She misses not having to wear a uniform to school but it's one less stress in her life: finding the perfect outfit for class. More importantly, she's sorry she hasn't been there for you more. She wanted to prove to you she was strong, to make you proud of her if she handled her problems on her own.

I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit much. A weekly phone call doesn't make up for it. I don't have much free time after studying and work, but here's some advice that's actually helpful. I can't promise you those girls will ruin their lives after high school, but when you graduate, you'll be too busy to think of them. And as someone with an older sister, I can tell you they mean well. Fighting happens every other day but there's more happy memories than bad ones. Give Sarah a chance and she'll give you one.

You won't have to wait for my present though. May's almost over. Meet me at The Purple Cat this Saturday at 10:00 pm.

Good Luck,
Josh

P.S. Here's a photo of Riley and her friend at the park."

Josh always had a way of making Maya feel better, whether it was remembering yellow was her favorite color or being one of the few people she could bounce her ideas off of. For safekeeping, Maya stuck Josh's letter in her sketchbook, and the next day she'd tape London Riley's photo in her locker. Yet there was something off about the photo Josh sent her. Both Riley and her friend wore uniforms, it looked like she could twirl out of the picture. Her sister stood beside a dreadlocked, punk rocker whose smile was as wide as Riley's. But something didn't match. Maya craned her neck and turned the photo in circles to figure it out. Those eyes! Riley had storybook eyes, the kind inviting you to learn all about her. In this photo, those brown eyes were a chasm, they pierced through you, they dug up your secrets. Maya couldn't read Riley if Riley were calm; it scared her to think she didn't know her sister as well as she thought. London Riley terrified her; she hid a knife behind her smile as much as her smile showed kindness.

What did her London friends do to her?

Saturday couldn't arrive fast enough even if Maya had the ability to fast-forward time. Once it did, Maya was doubled over in pain clutching a heating pad to her stomach. Why couldn't boys get periods too? That would be fair. Her head throbbed and back ached, dinner rumbled and lurched forward in her stomach. It hurt when Maya heard her door squeak open.

Sarah.

What was Sarah doing here handing her tea and painkillers? Shouldn't she avoid a heartbreaker like a plague? Furthermore, Maya perfected her image – sarcastic, reckless, a girl so tough you couldn't touch her – to make people fear and love her. All year, Maya tried to get the nickname "Little Miss Badass" to catch on but failed. If Sarah told Darby this then Maya needed to start a few fights to get her reputation back.

To Maya's surprise, Sarah didn't mock her. She sat on Maya's bed and fluffed her pillow. Maya propped herself up then took the pill in Sarah's hand and swallowed it. Her glasses reflected her ghost grey, blue eyes. Sarah wasn't a Hart but they have the same eyes.

"I'll keep this a secret but I'm using this in my play," Sarah said.

Maya scanned the girl up and down, looking for deception. She cleared her throat and finished her water. If the Matthews taught her anything, it was when someone acted without expectation when they followed through on their promises, then they meant well.

"You don't have to worry about Wyatt," Maya said. "But if he hurts you he'll need a body cast."

"Wanna tell me why went after Lucas?"

"I love Riles. I'm not letting Huckleberry hurt her. I won't let anything happen to her or hurt her."

Sarah pointed at Maya. "That's weird."

"'Course she's weird. That's why we're friends!"

"No, what you said was weird. Nothing would ever happen to Riley if you protect her like that. Are you trying to hold her back?"

Maya got out of bed, shuffled over to her dresser, and picked up a childhood photo of her and Riley. Their class didn't know her and Riley's history, how they met or even how their triangle affected their friendship, but what Sarah said struck Maya. Everything Maya did, she did for Riley, but had she stunted Riley instead? When Maya began the committee, she wanted to protect Riley from future bullies. As time passed, Maya wanted to make sure Riley never lost her smile and optimism. Now she just didn't want to lose her friend. Our reasons are hidden from us. We bury them with other thoughts we either can't or refused to think about. What was the purpose of the protection committee if Maya forgot her reason?

Sensing she'd gone too far, Sarah dropped the subject and head over to Maya's closest. Sarah said she'd make Maya perfect for her date with Josh. She suggested that Maya keep her beach blonde waves. A flowing, flirty top with denim shorts would be great. "Wear those studded boots and Josh won't stop looking at you." The girls took the long way out the door, Sarah wouldn't allow Maya to ruin their outfits by climbing out the window.

The Purple Cat was a karaoke bar with strobe lights that flashed on the small stage. Technician crews dimmed lights to a midnight hue and DJs cranked the volume so loud that you felt the music vibrate under your feet. Music became your heartbeat. Bartenders sold sparkling, fizzy sodas and saved the harder drinks for themselves. Ferns lined the path to the building. Wrought iron, railing balconies jutted out overhead. Maya crinkled her nose and cringed when the girls passed "advanced" kissing couples. Sarah dragged Maya by the hand to their dates, Wyatt and Josh, who waited for them at the entrance. Never thought a nerd like Sarah would be comfortable here. No one invited Maya to parties before, that was another advantage that Riley had over her because a geek party invitation was better than receiving none. It was thunderous, dangerous, adventurous, and Maya loved it.

Conversations were impossible at a karaoke bar; you shouted over off-key singers and pop ballads so your date could hear you. To make sure your friends heard you, one of you dragged the other to a shadowy corner. Dancing was different here. Unlike middle school dances, teenagers were closer and clustered together. There was still twirling, sliding, and jumping but still a difference that Maya couldn't place. It's not like Riles dance recitals either. No one here danced modern dance solos and tangos that Riley did. Though Maya realized that Riley was right about dancing in one regard. Balls would be boring, but dancing does bring people together. When Boing spun her and effortlessly caught her when Maya twirled back to him. He bought her a drink and watched it for her when she left to speak with Sarah. Advanced dances meant advanced tricks from perverted jerks. Perhaps there were other protection methods than what Maya was used to.

Minutes ticked forward to midnight. Most couples gave up on dancing by the point, making Maya glad she ditched high heels for boots. When Wyatt pushed her and Sarah onto the stage, over time singing became the girls' new hobby.

Technicolor lights flickered around Maya and Josh with muffled music seeping outside toward the tables. Josh smoothly slipped his hand into Maya's. He could keep looking at her, smiling at her all night and Maya wouldn't have minded. Her knees knocked against each other.

"I promised you someday, and —"

Maya bounced in her seat. "Boyfriend and girlfriend now!"

"I don't want you to regret this later because you made the wrong choice," Josh said. Maya notices a sadness to his tone, she felt his finger loosen from hers. "I saw that happened to my brother and Rachel, and I don't want that happening to you."

"I know how I feel. I like - love you, Josh."

"You're not gonna punch me if I kiss you, right?"

What was it about the Matthews' smiles that made the sun jealous? Specifically, a single word or look from Josh crashed the walls she built around herself down. Josh was there in front of her, he wouldn't disappear and wasn't going anywhere. There was a longing in Maya she wanted to end. She bit her lip. Her gaze lingered on Josh's lips. It took a second. Strike that, it was a fraction of a microsecond for Maya to make a decision.

Maya leaned forward. Josh's lips were fervent, feverish against her own. Her heart leapt into her chest. Her mind was bubbly, filled with feelings there weren't words for. Josh hugged her closer. Maya's nerves jittered in excitement. The leftover music slowed and hummed around them. Kissing was spinning on carousels so fast that you stumbled from dizziness. It was flying higher and higher and higher on swings, then jumping into the unknown. Everyday, Maya felt her anger simmer beneath her skin. Josh changed that anger, sparking it into passion.

Their kiss wasn't long enough. Inexperience ended their kiss early; Maya wasn't used to this kind of breathlessness. Josh drove them all home even though Maya wanted more kissing practice. Sarah, during their sleepover, pressed Maya about her first kiss. Sarah couldn't and wouldn't replace Riley, but Maya decided that that she likes have a blood sister. (By morning, Maya's sketchbook was filled with nothing but Josh drawings, and "Mr And Mrs. Matthews in the margins.") Sarah played with the ferret, while Maya thought of the best way to describe her kiss.

"I can't explain it but I can paint it."

Summer was great. Katy and Josh instantly got along, though Maya wasn't worried that they wouldn't. Whenever they went dancing again, Josh always let Maya take the lead. Arcade dates, hiking, concerts were the dates that Maya preferred to dinner and dancing dates. And if Maya had to choose, group dates were better than solo dates, mainly because she could look to her friends for dating advice if she needed it. June and July were perfect, however, August was more difficult. As all of them prepared for the new school year, Maya and Josh's dates lessened. And as they began the first year as upperclassmen, Maya's classes with her friends also decreased; only Sarah and Zay would be in every class with Maya since Smackle and Farkle enrolled in all Honors classes. Though, they promised Maya that they'd still share Harper's class and lunch period with her. But one tidbit of news made it all worth it.

Riley's surprise.

That weekend Maya received a call from Shawn. "Riley's moving in with Angela and me."

Maya counted and recounted those seven words. She said them forwards and thought them backward. Riley was across the Atlantic, living life and doing things whatever Londoners did. Riley bought her ticket? She packed her bags? Was she on a flight now? Riley's coming home. Spelling it backward didn't make Shawn's sentence less strange. Riley's coming home? .emoh gnimoc s'yeliR. Rewind it backward, play it forward. Farkle could change it to mathematical code, and it still took several minutes to process it. Riley's coming home? Riley is coming home.

Riley. Is. Coming. Home.

Riley'scominghome!

Riley's coming home!

RILEYS COMING HOME!

The phone dropped from Maya's hand, hitting the wall behind her. It was a dial tone song in the background of Maya's happiness. She ran and slid and slipped on the floor rug. Maya jumped on her mother's bed and shook her awake. "Riley's coming back home! She's coming back to New York!" Katy thudded to the floor. Grandma Hart clutched her chest and grabbed her medicine. Even Ginger hid in her wood chips.

Maya sprinted to the subway. She rode the elevator to Farkle penthouse and shouted the great news. She even forced him to buy Riley a giant stuffed cat for her welcome-back gift. It was time to bust out the Rileytown flag. She helped her grandmother bake chocolate cake. Forget painting the city black, Maya wanted to paint it violet for her best friend. Maya tossed unnecessary things, like her textbooks, out of her summer school locker. Riles'll need room for her things. She even made a tiny party hat for her ferret. Maya wanted everything ready for Riley's return.

Riley and Maya. Maya and Riley.
Peaches and Honey.
The princess and the knight.

Once again, Maya was proven right: she and Riley were unbreakable. No way this world could permanently rip the two girls apart. They'd rule the school, their peers would cower before them. Which one of us would be Blair or Serena? None of that mattered though. For now, we'll leave the Hart girl to her bliss, just know that homecomings don't go as expected.

A/N: I am sorry for not posting in February, that month was very hectic. However, I'm planning on uploading two chapters each month. (The next chapter, 'A Magician Appears' will be a Riley chapter.) Lastly, I've received messages asking what the main ship of this story is, and I can't reveal that without giving the ending away. I can say that the dominant romantic pairings are Joshaya and Rucas, but you could read this as a bisexual Rilaya friendship. Either way, keep commenting and leaving kudos.