Saying goodbye was hard for Riley. She was leaving for a better tomorrow as her father so eloquently put it but Riley had scoffed at that. She was leaving because her family didn't know how to deal with her.
Riley turned to Auggie who was happy she was going to be 'super nurse' but everyone else looked sombre. Riley didn't understand why they were upset she was leaving because surely it was easier for them to let her go?.
Riley turned to Farkle who pulled her into a hug.
"I'm gonna miss you"
She didn't reply, admitting she will miss him meant she had someone to hold on for, that would mean what she was doing was wrong. So she kissed him on the head and said.
"Well you can visit" as if she meant that he could just hop on a plane. She turned to Zay, the only other friend that knew.
"Make sure they survive" Zay smiled at her but his eyes searched the floor.
"You reckon that they'll survive without you?" She didn't answer because everyone knew the truth.
Maya was the risk taker, Lucas was Prince 'charming', Farkle was the Brainiac and Zay was the joker. Individually they wouldn't stand a chance but they had Riley. Riley was the glue and now she was drying out and the group lost the glue.
Riley finally turned to her parents. They didn't really need to say anything, Riley had had her emotional farewell with them. So she flung herself at them and pulled them in close.
"I'll try"
They knew what she meant, she'll try to get better.
"We know, have faith Riley"
Riley wiped away a few tears, keeping the urges to lose a bit of red at bay. She turned around and walked towards her uncle Josh and Eric. They waved a final goodbye to everyone and boarded the plane.
Josh and Eric seemed to be talking telepathically over how to approach Riley who was staring out the window. They had been told in advance about her various coping methods. The good and the bad. So they didn't really know how to talk to their niece. Yet before they could even say anything Riley spoke up.
"Can I get a drink?" She asked nervously. Eric grabbed some money and Riley left. She came back just as the plane started the decent.
When they got off the plane Eric turned to Riley, who was shaking like a leaf.
"Welcome to your recovery Riley, welcome home"