Josh felt his heart plummet when he saw Riley's face pop up on the screen. He was in the middle of class and did the only thing he could. He jumped up, and ran out of the room saying something about needing to urinate. He answered his phone
"Riley?" he asked breathlessly.
"Josh... I just realised. You weren't in class where you?" he nodded as though she was right in front of him.
"Yeah but its fine, I'll think of an excuse. What's up?" there was a silence before she spoke.
"I saw Auggie about a month ago… erm and it's been three weeks since I saw you. I just they think I'm ready to go home and I want to tell you about my recovery" Josh sighed. He knew he shouldn't have expected the worst but he couldn't help it.
"That's great Riley, I'll tell you what, I need to finish college for the day but as soon as I do I'll jump on the first plane home" she murmured an okay and hung up.

When Josh entered the classroom his teacher looked at him.
"How was the phone call?" Josh smiled tightly.
"Sir… it's time for me to go" everyone looked confused.
"That family emergency?" josh nodded and not for the first time Josh was so glad he had told his tutor about his niece. He had been more than helpful, josh grabbed his stuff and was out the door before he could question him. He ran smack bang into his girlfriend, Melony.
"Woah, Josh calm down" she helped him pick the stuff up.
"I'm sorry Mel, I gotta go. Riley is coming home" Melony smiled and kissed him lightly.
"I'm glad, now hop along you can't be late. I hope she's okay" he smiled and ran off shouting that he loved her, she smiled.

When Josh finally got to his parents' house he was welcomed by cheers. He walked inside to see Riley on her phone giggling. He looked to his parents, Amy laughed.
"She's talking to Farkle, it's been three weeks since they talked" he looked at his mum confused. When Riley saw Josh she bid goodbye to him and walked to Josh. At first glance he couldn't believe that she was the same person, her ankles were bandaged and the scars on her wrists had faded. She exuberated happiness and had a real smile. He just held her.

It was a few hours later when she began to explain, getting nervous.
"When Auggie left I knew that his innocence would be crushed if I didn't survive so I did something about it. I told my councillor I had been having suicidal thought." She took a deep breath and looked down.
"She put me in isolation for a week before giving me access to this home where children who had attempted it stayed" she paused as if waiting for him to say that's where she should be.
"I went there every day and talked to the people. It helped me to know I wasn't completely nuts. The nurse gave me anti-depressants. I don't really take them, they tried to make me but in the end they made me worse. Eventually I kept a log of how many days I'd not relapsed. It was coming to nearly three weeks when I said I was ready to go home. The nurse came up with a plan, so long as I went to the councillor at school and took any medicine prescribed I could go home." Josh looked surprised.
"Are you sure you're ready?" he asked. Riley frown and scratched her scars.
"No… not really. I don't think I'll ever be ready but I do know the moment I start being the way I was that I'll be here before I can really do anything. I need to try Uncle Josh…. I can't hide forever" Josh pulled her into a hug.
"In that case I'll be by your side."

When Riley got ready to leave the next morning she hugged her grandparents.
"Thank you so, so much for believing in me." Allan kissed her forehead
"We love you Riley, I know it hasn't been easy but we are so proud of you" Amy just kissed her cheek.
"We'll stand by you, no matter what" Riley then turned to her uncles and Aunt.
"Thanks for coming and seeing me off" the all hugged her and together the Matthews boarded the plane.

Riley text Farkle hurriedly and Eric laughed.
"You'll be seeing him in a few hours Riley" she glared at him and Morgan laughed.
"They love each other Eric"
"Yeah, that reminds me we should probably protect the kid from Corey" Josh piped up. This had them delving into an argument about how Corey would kill Farkle. Riley smiled, she loved how silly her family was.

When the plane began to descend she felt terror flitter through her system, how could she possibly return, this was stupid.
"You'll be fine Riles, we have your back" Josh said, smiling at her as Eric and Morgan argued in the backroad. Riley held josh's hand, she held it as the plane descended, she held it as they got off the plane and as they entered the baggage area where her family stood with Farkle and Zay. She held it until Farkle hugged her tightly. She smiled as she smelled his aftershave. She smiled when she realised her journey to recovery was just beginning, she smiled because above all else she was home.