A/N I don't know much about American school lessons or timetables, so I have written it based on my knowledge and what I'm used to, so sorry if it's not according directly to the American system.

"Peaches?"

"Yes, Riles?"

I understand now why she didn't want me to touch her on the subway. Because she was worried what people were thinking. We're in the bay window now, sitting with our backs against the side, feet touching.

I pause before asking her "Why didn't you tell the principal what Marly said?"

I decide that is the best question to ask, without directly asking her why she beat Marly up. I'm glad her Mom and Shawn didn't ground her, because I think they know she and I both wouldn't last without seeing each other in school or home.

Mom and Dad are still worried, though, that she could have anger problems and she could harm me, but I'm convinced that she wouldn't do anything to me.

She has been staring at my face, examining it. "I don't want them to know about it. Why aren't you worried that I'm going to hurt you?"

"How could I see you hurting me?" It sounds ridiculous, because I just can't imagine her harming anything, let alone me. Then again, the events did happen this morning, I didn't imagine them.

"Everyone seems to think I will. My Mom and Dad..." she smiles weakly, still happy that she can call Shawn her Dad. Then her smile fades, and her expression becomes one of worry and anger. "They want to send me to a psychiatrist."

"Isn't that a good thing, you're going to get help?"

"I don't need help!" She shouts, suddenly hitting the seat beside her, making the bay window shake, and I feel it beneath me. "Sorry" she hangs her head a little, calming down.

"Peaches-"

"Don't you think it seems right?" She interrupts me. "What Marly said?"

"What do you mean? Look, Maya, I reacted the same way! I got mad, I hit the table. What do you mean she's right? She isn't!"

"Riles... you call me peaches, I call you honey. We never sit apart and can't live without talking to each other."

I'm staring out of the window now. I might look like I'm not paying attention, but I am. This must be what it was like when I interrogated her about becoming me.

"We take a million selfies a day, never argue and if we do it's serious" she continues. "We gaze into each other's eyes, hold hands and dance and sing, and sleep together"

"I call that friendship Maya, what's wrong with that?"

"What would other people think about it. It sure looks gay to me, if I think about it." She argues.

"You're just listening to Marly. You're not..." I pause. I don't want to say it. "I'm not gay Maya, and neither are you" I say quietly. She looks withdrawn now, still angry.

"Why are you so worked up about it?" I ask, concerned now, putting my hand gently on her knee.

"It's fine, Riley" she kicks my hand off. "I gotta go, we have school and I have therapy tomorrow. And I think I need to be on my best behavior."

We make our way to school together in silence, then break apart during first period. We don't have the class together, I just hope people don't talk too much, and that it hasn't spread.

She meets an assistant, who is set to accompany throughout the lessons, and keep an eye on her for the school days.

After the first lesson, I see her and the assistant teacher walking by. She glances in my direction, but we have to walk separately. I have chemistry next, so I plan to ask Marly what everything was about. Hopefully, she is in.

Thankfully, Marly is well and in school. I see her sat at our desk, and sit beside her before the lesson starts.

"Are you okay, Marly?" I ask her. She seems worried but looks down at the table as if I didn't say anything. Then I look down under the desk and notice a crutch lying on the floor.

"Woah, Marly, what happened?"

"I'm fine, Matthews, it's just sore, so my doctor told me I should use a crutch until it feels better."

"Did your mom say anything?" I ask. I know that, like Maya, Marly's parents split up when she was younger, and she lives with her Mom. It may be the reason that, like Maya, she is outspoken and, sometimes can come across as rude.

"No" comes her short reply. "Hey, Riley, you don't need to pretend to be friendly with me." She tells me. I glance towards Farkle, who is eavesdropping, not subtly at all.

"I want to be friendly. I need to know what's going on, and I want to be your friend."

"Okay, Matthews, but I don't know if blondie will agree with you"

"She can deal with it" I say sternly, and my eyes wander back to a Farkle, who looks taken aback.

At the first lunch break, I see Maya in a classroom, sitting at the front, writing in her book, taking a bite of her apple. Her legs are propped up against the chair next to her. The teacher looks up at me, disapprovingly, and I back away behind the wall, where I can only be seen by Maya.

She looks up, noticing that the teacher looked out of the window, and smiles half heartedly.

Then I go to eat my lunch with my other friends.

The next two periods pass by slowly. Every few seconds, I end up glancing at the time, which seems to be ticking by slower each second.

Dueing Lunch, Maya still isn't allowed out, and must stay in her classroom. I meet Lucas and Zay, and we sit with Farkle and Smackle. It still feels strange to have the empty seat next to me where Maya usually sits.

"Riley, what was happening with Marly in Chem earlier?" Farkle asks, concerned.

"She said she wanted to be friends with her" Smackle tells him.

"I know that, but why? You know what she was saying now"

Lucas and Zay look confused, and I need to stop the mini argument. "I need to know what's going on." I say, and Farkle stops shoving Smackle playfully.

"Marly must have had a reason to say what she did, and Maya must have had a reason to react how she did. Right?"

"I wouldn't trust her" Zay comments.

"I would" Lucas smiles, and Zay rolls his eyes.

"You trust everyone, Lucas, you're just like Riley."

"Oh, I am nowhere near as bad as Riley when it comes to putting too much faith in people."

Okay, time to change the subject. "So, did we have any homework?"

History finally comes, last lesson of the day. My Dad has been told to move some of the seats. Maya has actually taken Marly's seat, in the corner at the front, where Dad can monitor her, and the assistant teacher can sit on the side to keep her 'in check'.

I have moved back one seat to Maya's seat, as Dad thinks it's a good idea to also keep an eye on Marly, who has taken my seat at the front.