Lucas and I take Math together in one of the middle skill sets. Since we are the only two of our group, we usually sit next to each other. When I get there, I'm late because I was talking to my dad, and the seat next to me is occupied by Darby.

"You're late, Riley." My teacher says as I try to slip silently into my seat.

"I know, I'm sorry, I just had to ask my history teacher about the homework." I make up. I hear her whisper something under her breath about how parents shouldn't teach their children, then she tells me to sit down.

"Hi, Darby." I smile. "Did Lucas ask to switch with you?"

"Yeah, something about how he isn't ready to talk to you yet." She explains. I look to the other table at the boy, who is sat next to Sarah. He is hunched in his chair, but isn't shaking anymore. It's as if I imagined him in history.

He glances quickly in my direction, and sees me looking. I take the opportunity to shoot a confused annoyed face at him. His eyes look helpless.

"So, Riley." Darby interrupts my thoughts. "How much of what Marly said is true?"

"Did she say something else I don't know about?"

"She's been going on about how obvious it is that you and Maya are in love with each other or something."

"Well... I know we're really close, but we're like sisters... We're not together, and I'm pretty sure we're not gay. Why, do you believe her?"

"Well, you two are really close, and it would be really cute if you guys were the first gay couple. I mean I used to think Maya and Lucas were the cutest couple, but when we got to High School I realized you two are even better. Nobody would judge."

Innocent Darby. She has a point, everything is more possible when you're older and know more about the world. In middle school nobody would dare be gay because they'd be told they're too young to know.

But she's wrong about one thing. We would be judged. We're not even together and we're being judged.

When class ended I made sure to catch Lucas before he could run away again.

"Lucas, don't go, please. What's wrong?" I grab his shoulder, and he turns around.

"I don't know! Somethings happening, Riley. I'm scared, and annoyed." wow. Lucas isn't usually the one to be scared. "I need to be brave for the group, but how can I do that if I don't know what's happening?"

"You don't need to be brave for all of us." I try to comfort him.

"You don't know everything." He almost growls, then calms down. "You can't help everyone, Riley."

"Farkle, help me." I don't ask. I tell him.

"People are acting weird?" He assumes, correctly.

"Yes! My dad is being blamed for what Maya did, she's still forced to go to therapy and everyone's scared of her. She still hasn't told me whatever you said she needs to. Some guy made fun of us, then later he claimed Maya beat him up. And Lucas... he isn't okay!" I blurt out.

"Farkle, for some reason, you seem to know everything that's going on. Why?"

He stands in front of me, face emotionless. He obviously already knows everything I just said. "Riley..." he tries to find where to start. "It's unfair that your dad is being blamed for what Maya did, but the educators are usually where psychologists go first. They're the people who influence teens the most."

"You're not on their side?" I mutter.

"Of course not, Riley." He sighs, and lets out the tension in his shoulders. "Maya... she needs time. She's your best friend, you know she will tell you in time. Don't worry about her too much. People will get over what happened, that's how it goes in high school."

I know she's my best friend. But she's distant, I thought when the suspension ended that everything would go back to normal. I guess for things to go away, they have to get worse first. That's how it's goes in high school.

"She's under pressure. I can't tell you if she really beat up that kid, I don't know, but it is possible. But don't be one of those people who are scared of her."

"I would never..." I trail off.

"She needs a safe place right now. Someone who treats her the same." He explains. "To trust."

"So she doesn't turn into the person everyone think she is." I guess, and he nods. "Lucas? What about him? How does he tie into this?"

"I think it's because he doesn't."

"What?" It doesn't make sense.

"Since he came to our school, he's been in with us, he's been your crush, or Maya's. Your boyfriend. Your protector. But now, he didn't know anything that was going on."

I think back to when we left the subway, and Maya tackle jumped Farkle. When she said something to Lucas, he shook his head. He didn't know anything.

"But I told him he doesn't have to protect us anymore."

"People fall apart in high school, Riley. He doesn't know who he is if he's doesn't have to protect you guys. Look, I might be wrong, but just give him his time."