Riley's POV

I stood up from the bed and took a few steps toward him. Wow, I completely understand why Maya ran away. It's taking every ounce of courage I have not to run out that bay window right now. Where was that conviction I had just a minute ago? I could sure use it now.

"Dad," I started. I looked at him and tears started welling up behind my eyes. "Did Shawn tell you?" My voice was already breaking by the end of that question. Maya came over and put her arm around me, clutching my shoulder. Here come the tears.

My dad looked confused. I tried to be more specific but now I was actually shaking. I leaned against Maya for support. My dad looked from me to Maya.

Maya's POV

"I think what Riley is trying to ask is: did Shawn tell you why I went to see him the other day?" I looked at Riley and she nodded in agreement. Mr. Matthews shook his head.

"No, Maya. Shawn didn't tell me any details about your visit with him."

Riley was leaning on me even more than before. I could feel her shaking with nerves. She looked like she was trying to say something, but she just started sobbing instead. "Okay, honey. Why don't we sit you down?" I suggested. I helped her to the bay window and sat next to her, with my arm still around her.

Mr. Matthews looked at both of us with great concern. "Girls, whatever it is that you're dealing with," he looked at Riley, "I'm your father," and then he looked at me, "and I'm your teacher. You can talk to me. I'm on your side." Mr. Matthews' supportive words, although well-intentioned, just seemed to make Riley break down even further. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. Her elbows were resting on her shaky knees for support. I could feel her whole body trembling.

"Maya," he started. I looked up at Mr. Matthews. "Is there anything you want to share with me?"

I looked at Riley, but she was still sobbing into her hands. I looked back at him. "I want to, Mr. Matthews," I looked back at Riley, "but maybe now isn't the best time." He nodded in understanding.

"Okay, girls. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'm here." Mr. Matthews left the room and closed the door.

Riley's POV

I lifted my head up and turned into Maya's shoulder. I cried uncontrollably for about a minute. She held me tightly. I felt like she was the only thing holding me together in that moment. I tried to take a deep breath. It took several rounds of deep breaths before I could stop crying long enough to speak.

"I'm sorry, Maya" I managed to get out.

"Oh, honey, there's no need to be sorry," She said.

"I wanted to be brave," I pushed those words out over a sob.

"I know you did, Riles. It's okay, I got you." she comforted me.

"Maya, I'm scared," I confessed.

"I know you are, honey. I am too. And you know what? It's okay to be scared. Nobody says you have to face your fears right this minute," Maya said. She planted a kiss on my head.

Her phone made a ding. A text messagey sounding ding. I released her arm that I had been clutching onto for support. She pulled out her phone and read it.

"But it looks like I may have to go face mine," she said.

I sat up and looked at her. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"It's my mom," she said. "She wants me to come home, says we need to talk."

"What is this? First my dad, now your mom." I remarked.

"And it's not even national coming out day," she joked.

"Do you want me to come with you?" I offered.

"No, sweetie. You've been through enough today. I can do this."

I know she can. Maya is the bravest person I know. I love that about her. I wish I could've channeled her courage, I just didn't know how. She kissed me goodbye, and climbed out the bay window. I lied down on my bed. I was both emotionally and physically exhausted.

Maya's POV

My mom was waiting for me in the kitchen when I got home. "Hey, Mom." I greeted her. "What's up?" I asked. She looked down at the counter. My sketchbook was sitting on the counter.

Wait.

My sketchbook is on the counter?

I opened my backpack and searched in disbelief, because surely I wouldn't have left it lying around. I always bring it to school with me. But of course it wasn't in my backpack, because it was sitting right there on the counter. How is this happening?

"I found your sketchbook on the floor. You must have dropped it this morning," she began. "It was open when I found it." She continued.

Uh oh.

She opened the sketchbook to show me the drawing she accidentally discovered. "And I couldn't help but see this lovely drawing of Riley," she said.

Oh no. Not good.

"I'm sorry if you think I invaded your privacy Maya, but I looked at some more of the pages."

Oh my gosh. Is this seriously happening right now?

She flipped through the pages of my sketchbook. "And every single page was another beautiful drawing of Riley."

Kill me. Just kill me.

She continued to turn the pages. "It's just Riley, after Riley, after Riley, oh and look some more Rileys."

Why, Universe? Why do you hate me? Please, let me get struck by lightning right now.

"Maya, this entire sketchbook, every single page, is Riley." She finally closed the sketchbook and looked up at me. "Is there something you want to tell me?"