Maya had dark bags under her eyes, as she went to Riley's apartment door. Riley opened her door.

"Hi Maya! Yeesh, what happened to you? Are you okay?" Riley asked concerned. Maya nodded and sat

down at their table, full with breakfast. Maya put a lock of hair behind her ear. Truth is, Maya wasn't okay.

Her mom has been yelling over the phone to her ex boyfriend, and has been hitting Maya more than usual.

Maya never told anyone about the abuse. Not even Riley knows that she gets abused. Maya visits Riley's

house numerous times. The two girls left after a few minutes followed by Riley's dad. Riley's dad drove his

car, while Riley and Maya took the subway. Maya sighed deeply while they waited.

"Hey guys" Farkle and Lucas walked up to the girls. Riley gave a warm smile to the boys.

"Did you guys do our history assignment?" Lucas asked.

Maya looked at him with a death stare. "No".

"Someone's grumpy today" Lucas smiled.

The subway bus came and the four kids got on.

Lucas sat by Maya and looked her way.

She looked back at him. Her skin was paler than usual and her eyes were not bright and witty. They were

dull, and uninteresting. He studied her face expression. And could tell something was not right.

"What? No mean remarks about how stupid I am?" Lucas looked at her dark bags.

She shook her head gloomy.

"Let me tell you a story Maya. There once was a boy who never asked questions. He was forever lost, and

confused, wondering what he lived for. I'm guessing, you're in the same situation" Lucas spoke.

Maya just stared at him.

They got to the subway stop and began walking to school.

"I think something's wrong with Maya" Lucas whispered to Farkle and Riley.

"I know. She wouldn't tell me" Riley frowned.

The three looked at Maya as she walked infront of them.

"I bet, I'll get her to tell me" Lucas boasted.

"What does that mean?" Riley looked at him jealously."I mean, Maya and I- share a bond. You know" Lucas smiled.

"No I don't know!" Riley frowned.

"Riley, I don't know. She's pretty cool. I thought she was just another girl. But I was so wrong" Lucas smiled.

Riley's face turned red. "So you like her or something" Riley frowned.

"I never said I did, and I never said I didn't" Lucas smirked.

They arrived at their school and Maya went to her Locker.

She heard footsteps and looked behind her. Her blue eyes met, a pair of green ones.

She blinked.

"Here's the deal Maya. You tell me why you're acting all, weird. And I'll tell you anything to want to know." Lucas smiled at the blonde.

"I'm not in the mood Lucas" Maya frowned.

"Oh come on Maya. No, 'get lost ranger rick'? Or 'howdy cowboy'? Maya, I'll take anything" Lucas frowned.

Maya studied his green eyes and sighed. "Can you leave me alone Cowboy!".

Lucas frowned. "Maya..."

"I have to get to class, okay?" Maya tried to walk away.

"No" Lucas grabbed her hand, and lead her outside.

"I'll skip class Maya. Tell me what's bugging you" Lucas sat her and himself on the steps of the stairs.

Maya had a flashback of the very first punch her mom threw at her face.

Lucas stared at Maya and sighed.

"It started when I was seven" Maya started,