"With a smile, she brings me light
She can make my whole world bright
She brings out the sun at night"
- 'Sunshine', The Beach Boys

8 of Wands (Upright): Sudden News, New Travels and Beginnings

Eight of Wands (Reversed): Delayed Travel, Delayed News, False Starts

Riley and Maya were linked arm and arm as they skipped to the Matthews' apartment. University was three years away but Riley decided to forgo Yale and attend community college with Maya. Peaches will need someone to help her pass her classes. It's better that I stay with her. Riley pushed her key into the lock. She already had their first day, college outfits picked out. Their home was warm, filled with laughter and knickknacks. After school, Auggie and Ava played pretend, today not only was Ava missing but Auggie twiddled his fingers and swung his legs off the couch. Usually, the girls beat her father home, now he stood behind Topanga and massaged her shoulders at the kitchen island. Papers were scattered across the table. Behind them the phone rung, hung, and swung off its hook.

Riley slid into the seat besides Cory and Maya took the space next to her. They laced their fingers together bracing themselves for bad news. Topanga glanced at her daughter. She was a shark in the courtroom and a taskmaster at home. Who or what silenced this woman?

"Mom?"

"You know I was a good student; I was hired by a prestigious law firm after college. I moved up fast but I always wanted to be partner." Topanga said. "My bosses just called and named me partner. I'm head of our London branch."

"I'm so proud of you Topanga. Did you get a raise in salary?"

"I'm proud of you too, Mom."

Tears flooded Riley's eyes, her voice cracked. Topanga wrote a number on a piece of scratch paper and handed it to Cory. Cory puffed out his chest. His eyes widened with crinkled lines around them. Cory flashed his family a camera-ready, toothy smile. So this was where Riley inherited her sunshine smile.

"Long live the Queen!" Cory marched around the room as if he were a member of the Queen's guard. "Hip hip! Elton John! Chimney sweeps! Crumpets!"

The brunette girl couldn't stop her tears now; they mingled with Maya's own sobs. Topanga patted her daughter's hand assuring her that whatever her decision was had nothing to do with money. She added that she told her bosses that she need to discuss the topic with her family first.

Two days passed before Riley found out about her mother's decision. Stars glittered in the nightscape sea. Cory drove the girls ‒ and Auggie ‒ to the bakery. The family car was a sailboat that glided along the road. One left turn. One right turn. They were minutes away from their destination. If it weren't for her bubbling nerves, Riley would have dozed off as Auggie and Maya had in the backseat. Riley spun the radio dials searching for a calming radio station. All that played were politicians and bad comedians. Maybe it was better to drive along in silence.

Peaches and Honey. Riley and Maya.

Soon there would be a Riley without Maya.

Yes, they existed without each other, however, Riley couldn't fathom it. And yes, she would be fine if they moved to London but what about Maya? Who would do Maya's homework for her? Who would sleep over when Mrs. Hart was away at an overnight rehearsal? No one else cooked healthy meals for Maya when she got sick. How can Maya stay out of trouble if she's in London? Maya would swing her bat the girls who spread rumors about her. Last week, Riley spent hours scrubbing permanent marker comments of the bathroom walls. Much of the graffiti was so hurtful Riley refused to even think them. Four bottles of borrowed Lysol was what it took to erase those hurtful words. How could anyone not love Maya? Riley thanked the stars for Maya, grateful that May chose her as her best friend.

And what of their other friends? Or of her boyfriend? Or of other loved ones that Matthews left behind?

Whether he was Dark or Light Lucas, Riley loved both sides of him. It'd be a shame if he tossed away his growth for his anger. Farkle might as well have been Riley's second brother, who would keep him open-minded? Would he still feel his emotions if she were gone? Of course, their group wasn't complete without Smackle and Zay around. Could anyone stop Zay from gossiping? Probably not. Smackle was loved despite her Autism and Farkle was great at reminding her that. Yet Smackle often turned to Riley when she felt estranged from the clique.

The other five needed her advice, needed her to their fix problems, and they wouldn't get them fixed if Riley moved across the Atlantic. Perhaps Maya was correct. High school hadn't forced them apart but this move could. Whatever happened to them all remained in the unknown.

Riley furrowed her eyebrow, tilted her head to the side, and placed a finger on her cheek. Did they start their committee so she'd solve their problems? Did Maya and Farkle begin the committee to hold her back? But Farkle loved the girls the same and Maya was her self-proclaimed Bad Influence. Why would they want to stunt her growth? Yet Maya had lied to her before, like during their love triangle. Were there other things Maya kept from her? Cory smiled at her when she let out a sigh. Cory turned the car into the parking lot. Auggie slid down the banister then lifted his arms for Cory to carry him. The girls followed him down the steps as Cory led them inside the bakery.

Everyone had arrived!

Uncle Shawn with Aunt Angela had flown in from Prague. Rachel and Jack returned from their stint in the Peace Corps for this event. Riley's grandparents had come in from Philadelphia and Uncle Josh had from his studies for Topanga's announcement. Even her parents' former teachers ‒ George Feeny and Johnathan Turner ‒ arrived as well. Angela and Rachel flanked Topanga's sides from behind the cashier counter. Shawn slapped Cory's back in congratulation. Maya and Riley took their places on the center sofa.

Chocolates and sweets were everywhere. Champagnes bubbled and fizzed in their glasses. Katy flicked the lights on bathing the room in warm colors and bright lights. Topanga walked around the counter and clapped her hands together. Maya picked at her nails whereas Riley chattered her teeth. Topanga cleared her throat then smiled.

"We're moving to London!" No one would accuse Topanga of vagueness; she was never one who minced her words. "This is what I always wanted. I don't want to miss this opportunity and regret it."

For the umpteenth time, Maya and Riley burst into tears. They were huddled together and kept their heads bowed in sorrow. Music played in celebration but the girls were an island separated from the rest of the party. Josh sandwiched himself between the blonde and brunette duet. He held Maya's hand and let Riley rest her head on his shoulder.

"What do we do now, Boing? This is the end of us isn't it?"

"Riles is unstoppable, Maya. You guys will run up Cory's phone bill from talking so much. Riley will send pictures of all the cats she meets and email you her adventures. You'll message her about the babies you scared in the hospital." Josh kept his voice soft, smiling when he heard the girls chuckle at his joke. "And Maya won't forget you Riles, you're the princess to her knight. The world won't end because you guys aren't together. Right Cor?'"

Cory wave him away. "Whatever Josh said."

The party continued into the night. The Matthews weren't moving until the end of the summer, giving them enough time to cancel service, bills, and send resignation letters. They needed to break their lease and find a new home in London; Topanga would fly out in two weeks to tie that loose end. Later, Cory called the movers to ship the family's possessions overseas. Auggie and Riley both needed a new wardrobe and school uniforms as well. There were countless more tasks that weren't mentioned but it was a start. None of this made final goodbyes and final memories any easier, but Riley was determined to make the remaining time count.

Maya and Riley spent every day together and were the sole constant for the other girl that summer. They swore that they would call, text, and email each other every day. If all else failed then they would send old-fashioned postcards and letters. Looking back, the memories made with her other friends were the most memorable.

In mid-June, Smackle and Riley attended a cosplay convention dressed as magical girl heroines. When the month ended, Zay bought them shared tickets to Riley's favorite rock band, Cuddlefish. Her casanova friend bought her all sorts of merchandise: band shirts, hoodies, albums, and more. At one point, Riley caught the drummer's drumstick. At another, Zay convinced Riley to crowd surf but she just sat on his shoulders due to the insane mob of fans. Rocking and swaying to the music was just as nice.

Nothing beat a night out with Isiah "Zay" Babineaux.

July was split between Farkle and Maya. They shopped at the mall or watched movies at the theater. Riley cheered Maya on at the batting cages while Maya (reluctantly) attended poetry readings. Both girls alternated breakfast days and sleepover nights at the other's apartment. Farkle days were vastly different. Some days they played video games, their favorite being Zombies in the Shower. Who would have thought that a sweet girl like Riley was a gamer? OOn otherdays they visited museums and solved mathematics equations for fun. However, it was at the planetarium where Riley had the best Farkle memory.

On Saturday, Cory woke his daughter up at 7:30 in the morning. Mr. Minkus ordered a driver for Farkle and Riley's special day to drive them out of state. The drive was long but Farkle bought Riley all the gummy bears Riley wanted. It turned out that the Minkuses reserved an entire planetarium for the day, giving the best friends the building to themselves. There was a room where visitors rented astronaut suits and "experienced" zero gravity space. They had a marathon of space documentaries and threw popcorn at each other. You could point out constellations and paint new ones on an erasable blank wall. Only when they returned home did Farkle give Riley his present.

Riley leaned against her apartment building, she unravelled the ribbon, and pulled the heavy object out of the box. Farkle had given her a telescope.

She juggled it in her arms and gave Farkle a hug. "This must have cost a lot."

"Mom and Dad can buy me a new one. Don't stop looking at the stars Riley," Farkle said. "If anyone could make Pluto a planet again it would be you."

"I love you Farkle."

"I've loved you since the first grade."

Time.

It bleeds into the next day. The sands of time turned seconds into hours and those hours into days and weeks. In less than a week, the Matthews began their lives as Londoners. Finally, Riley knew what she wanted to give Lucas, she texted him saying: "How about we make this a moment we remember?"

Of all the adults in her life, Riley trusted her godmother the most and could not ask for anyone better than Angela. It was no wonder why Angela and Topanga were best friends. No world existed where Shawn would not marry Angela. Angela never mocked Riley nor treated her as if Riley were made of glass. If she needed someone to cry to, Angela was there for Riley. She encouraged Riley researching her Lebanese and Swedish ancestors for Cultural Day. Like how Shawn encouraged Riley's photography talent, Angela did the same with Riley's poetry skills. And if it were not for Aunt Angela, Shawn and Riley would have never connected. It made sense that Riley asked Angela for a favor.

Back-to-school shopping was a treat. Godmother and goddaughter shopped at Urban Outfitters and quirky thrift stores. They played the "ugly shoes game" and drank delicious milkshakes that day. Angela's travel stories always interested Riley, and she was grateful for the traveling advice that Angela gave her. Riley saved her request until they climbed into Angela's car.

"Aunt Angela, how did you know you wanted to be with Uncle Shawn?"

Angela backed out of the parking space and drove onto the main road. "I thought Topanga told you how Shawn and I met. Are you asking how I knew I wanted to marry him?"

Riley shook her head. "I don't want to wait like Mom and Dad did. Is it weird the first time? Is it hard getting the pill? Where's the best place to do it?"
Her questions spilled out and went on from there.

They lurched forward when Angela stepped on the breaks. She pulled over over to the side of the road, Riley looked past the barrier railing. Angela pursed her lips and pinched the bridge of her nose. She raised a single finger telling Riley that her that she needed to collect her words. She pressed her hands together as if in prayer.

"Are you already having sex, Riley?"

"I love Lucas. I want to do it with him." Riley voice squeaked like a whisper. "Is that wrong?"

"It's not but are you being pressured into this?"

"No."

"And you're sure you're ready? It's not because you're leaving soon, is it? This is a huge step for anyone, honey."

"I wanted to do this since Biology class. And Lucas already bought condoms yesterday."

"I don't want you acting reckless. I'd rather have your first time in our spare bedroom than in a car." Angela said, she rubbed her eyes. "There's a free clinic up ahead where we can get you birth control."

"Yay! Thank you Aunt Angela!" Riley clapped her hands and bounced in her seat. She clasped her arms around Angela's neck. "Can we go get them now?"

Angela chuckled at Riley's enthusiasm and restarted her car. On the drive to the clinic she told Riley, "I'm proud of you for being responsible about this. You're growing up into a lovely young woman." Pride? That was a new feeling for her; no one ever told Riley that they were proud of her for anything. In fact, her father had explicitly told her that he was never proud of her. No surprise that this girl wouldn't trust her parents with such a milestone. Riley shook that feeling out of her head. That feeling should be saved for an event where no one could doubt her. I'll know that I deserve Aunt Angela's pride then. Maybe then people would believe in her for once.

"You're not moving to London young lady!"

Maya groaned, brushed past her mother, and slammed her bedroom door behind her. She broke out her sketchbook, trying to sketch away her troubles by drawing Ginger. Once Riley was gone, Maya's only friends would be Farkle and her ferret. Smackle was more Riley's friend than hers, so that friendship wasn't a loss. Maya tolerated Lucas for Riley's sake. Just because Riley's boyfriend didn't make him Maya's friend. If Huckleberry learned to not be annoying then we could be real friends. Then there was Zay but their friendship was weak at best since he was the newest member of their group. That left Farkle who promised he'd love them the same. No matter how hard the genius tried, he couldn't take the ache that stayed when Riley went away.

"You're not moving to London!"

What Maya's mom didn't understand was that Maya wanted to move for Riley's benefit and not her own. Maya set her sketchbook aside and let Ginger out of her cage. Ginger arched her back and snuggled in Maya's hands.

I'll have our friends with me, but who will Riley have? She'll be alone in London. With beady eyes, the ferret looked at its owner. Maya knelt down and watched her pet scurry through its slinky, ferret tunnels. Yeah, Riles gets straight- A's but she acts like a ditz the rest of the time. She'd cross the street on red if I weren't with her. Riley needed Maya's protection and who would protect her in London. The ferret just ignored its owner.

She shouldn't have waited until after Riley was bullied to start the committee; it should have begun sooner. If time travel were possible, Maya would have traveled four years back in time when they were eleven. At that age, Maya discovered how clumsy Riley was and should have started the committee then.
Even then the girl when bound to each other; there was rarely a day when they weren't together. When Maya thought of the past she couldn't remember much unless Riley was in the memory.

The skate park closed early that day and Maya wanted to show Riley the new trick she learned. Totally worth the scar on my knee. Toddler toys were littered everywhere; legos hid underneath the carpet and trucks rolled over to Auggie's playpen. I'm glad I'm an only child. Maya stepped over toys and probably broke others she didn't see. She inspected her nails as she waited for Riley to exit the bathroom.

"Hurry up, Riles! You have to see the flip I learned!"

"Coming Peaches."

They weren't even in middle school and Riley craved perfection. Why couldn't she enjoy the messy side of life? Unbeknownst to Maya, there was already enough imperfection hidden in the Matthews family. The four of them never allowed outsiders ‒ Maya included ‒to see their problems. The "perfection" was an act, no one allowed Riley to be messy or imperfect.

Riley spun around the wall standing on the top step. With neon toys in the living room, no one thought to check the steps for matchbox cars. It was one step forward with another downward. Riley pressed her foot down causing a car to shoot into the air. The tiny racecar broke a photo frame and clattered to the ground. Her leg flew up and over her head. Riley's arms were propellers that circled at her sides. She wobbled back. She teetered forward. Her other leg slipped behind her.

Thud!

Riley fell forward and carpet burned her face.

Maya doubled over, clutching her aching stomach. Tears stung her eyes as she laughed. Riles is so funny! Always good for a laugh! That was one of the things she loved about Riley, whenever Maya was down, she could always count on Riley to cheer her up. Maya offered Riley her hand pulling Riley onto her feet.

Riley glanced at Auggie and blew her hair out of her face. "Auggie! Did you have to leave your toys there?"

As Maya's laughter faded into a giggle, she clapped her hand on Riley's arm. "Don't blame Augster, Riley." Maya said. "I still love you and your left feet."

"But I didn't ‒"

Cory and Topanga walked down the steps picking cars up along the way. It would be a while before Topanga had gotten her figure back, and Cory had taken another paternity leave while Topanga eased back into work.

"Hey Mr and Mrs. Matthews! Riles just fell down the stairs."

Both her parents laughed at the news, causing Riley to burn bright red. Behind their daughter's back, Topanga nudged Cory's ribs and muttered under her breath, "Cancel those cheerleading lessons, Cor."

Since the first time was great, Riley figured that her and Lucas' second time would be better. Unlike their first time, the young lovers decided to sleep together in her (soon-to-be) old bedroom. Drizzle drummed on the window plane. Curtains billowed and ballooned in the breeze. Bare bricks, wires, and nails decorated the walls instead of photos and posters. Riley's closet was empty; the only clothes were the ones strewn on the hardwood floor. Cardboard boxes blocked her bedroom door and Riley was up while Lucas was sprawled on her bed.

She perched herself on the bay window with a throw blanket draped over her. She didn't need a mirror to know that her hair was a flyaway mess or how a sliver of her breast and thighs peaked out of the blanket. Riley poked her stomach and pinched at her flesh. There wasn't a difference between virgin and non-virgin. She was the same Riley before and now. Sure, her legs ached from being stretched out but there wasn't the pain that other girls talked about. (Angela confirmed that Riley's experience was normal.) Did her teachers lie to her? Boys don't look like the zucchini you practice on in class. Did those magazines and websites lie to her as well? She and her boyfriend spent hours craning their necks, wondering how those stars contorted themselves into strange positions. Aunt Rachel worked in those films after college. Could she give us pointers? Would Cory notice Lucas' stains on Riley's bedsheets? Cory would not allow Lucas in her room again if he found out what they'd done. In reality, people don't expect fifteen-year-olds to be professionals in bed. And wasn't it better that they learned and experimented together?

Riley crawled back into bed, she poked Lucas' chest wanting to "make sure he was real." His voice was low, and groggy, but warmth and kindness lived in Lucas' smile.

"Hi."

"Hi"

Their limbs tangled together; Lucas' body followed the curves of Riley's body. One hand pressed against her belly, his free hand cradled and kneaded her breast with his thumb brushing and flicking her nipple. Simple touches like these sent lightning throughout her body. Riley wanted him inside her again, she felt her body begging and tingling for his touch. She felt him harden behind her. Lucas sparked so many feelings in her and was the only boy she'd let see her and explore her.

But Riley asked herself the same question: Why did he choose her? Other girls were made of fire and took command. What made her so special to him? These thoughts shook her, racked her body, burrowed and ran through her mind.

Don't cry. Smile.

Don't bother anyone.

Why can't you smile? Riley buried her head in Lucas' chest and tried to practice her smile. Instead, it wavered and twitched and turned into a frown. Lucas and I are summer rain but Maya and Lucas are fire. Everyone sees it. Those words spun round and round in her mind, they were a carousel looping around. They got caught in her throat and then thrown back at her. Lucas deserves the best. He deserves Maya. Why can't you be more like Maya? Riley's chest heaved up and down. Her lungs wouldn't take the air she breathed in.

You're fine. You're fine. You're fine. I'm fine. Practice smiling and you'll be fine.

Lucas gently shook Riley out of her thoughts. "Riles, are you okay?"

A word from him was enough to calm her down. Riley laced her fingers with his. She focused on their joined hands until her tears fell away.

"How are you so sure about us?"

Lucas shrugged. "I'm sure about you."

"What if you met a better girl than me."

"No girl's better than you."

"You say that now. A week, two weeks, three weeks, I'll be gone and you'll say, 'Riley who?' She grab you. Argue with you. Anf you'll love her fire and will like kissing her instead."

Lucas slapped his forehead. "Why is it so hard to believe that I chose you?"

"You called Peaches the Blonde Beauty."

"I swear one day Zay's gonna make me snap," Lucas said. He rolled onto his side and faced Riley. "We weren't talking about you guys Riley. Zay and I were talking about was hotter: Taylor Momsen or Mila Kunis. I mean, don't girls talk about this stuff too."

Riley nodded. Aparently Zay liked messing with Lucas which is why he left the second part of the conversation out. But that didn't explain why Maya looked so pleased, elated when Zay made that Blonde Beauty comment.

"Zay said, 'If Taylor's a blonde beauty then you gotta like Maya. She's a beauty too.' I told him that it wasn't true, that I like pretty brunettes who never give up."

"Beauty is better than pretty."

"And stunning is better than that. So?"

Riley looked down for a moment. "I want to be someones first choice for once."

Lucas hovered over Riley. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his voice was thunder when he whispered to her. "You're beautiful."

He caressed Riley's face as he kissed her eyelids, cheeks, nose. Lucas' mouth was feverish on her neck. Riley tasted peppermint and Texas memories on his breath. He trailed kisses down her body and Riley arched her back when his teeth caught on her nipple. She crushed her body against his wanting to share his heartbeat. Riley would take both the pleasure of their moment and the pain of being separated from him later.

Further, further down. Lucas' head was between her thighs and his talented tongue lapped at the wetness that dripped down her legs.

He thrust himself into her.

Rapture flooded and bubbled inside her. Riley felt everything, every nerve, and every goosebump too. She felt her self floating in the air, hovering above them. Why would she want to float back down?

Honking horns forced the lovers apart. They raced into their clothes and stammered when her father asked them questions. Like, why was she wearing Lucas' hoodie? And why was Lucas' belt on backward? At least Cory hadn't stolen another of Lucas' cowboy boots when he bolted out of Riley's window.

Screaming kids filled the airport, clutching at their parents' legs. Businessmen grabbed last-minute junk food meals. Metal detecters beeped when people passed through and other families ran to make their flights on time. Clear skies promised hope but it still rained in the teenagers' hearts. They were a flight away from losing a treasured friend, the one that had brought them all together. Each hug was a hug of desperation.

Farkle and Smackle remained stoic; neither were good with emotions after all. Zay cracked jokes and promised Riley that he'd keep her informed on the latest gossip. However, the goodbyes to Lucas and Maya were the most painful. His certainty of their relationship hadn't completely extended to Riley. It didn't matter that Maya was saving herself for her "long game" and "someday" with Josh; Riley couldn't trust that Maya wouldn't flirt with Lucas behind her back again. Yet the brunette hid her insecurities behind a smile.

Lucas fished a velvet box out of his messenger bag, in the box was a silver charm bracelet he snapped into place on her wrist. A Sagittarius glyph dangled off of one chain. A metal kitten chased a mouse. A tiny cake and cowboy hat hung in the middle of the bracelet. What caused Riley to collapse in Lucas' arm was a Valentine heart at the end. Etched on the back were the letters: "L.F & R.M."

Riley's voice was muffled. "I don't deserve this."

Lucas patted her hair and hugged her back. "You deserve everything. I want you to be happy, Riles."

The two shared a quick kiss, however, the most heartbreaking goodbye was reserved for Maya.

Both girls rushed toward each other, squeezing the other in a hug so tight neither couldn't breathe. They knew eventually they would have to part ways, but did it have to be so soon? There were three years of high school left.

Maya kicked the ground and twisted herself from side to side. This was the last time they'd see each other's blue and brown eyes. Riley was the only one who broke through Maya's tough girl facade, the one who lured out Maya's vulnerability that she convinced others she didn't have. And Maya was the one who brought out Riley's inner rebel, the one person that allowed Riley to speak out and speak her mind. What would they do without each other? How could they survive without the other? Could someone guarantee that they wouldn't be replaced with another sister?

Unspoken questions and terrifying words have habits of coming back later in their worst forms. So many consequences could have been avoided if the girls just talked to each other.

Cory cleared his throat and the unofficial sisters embraced each other again.

"Don't let anyone else be your bad influence."

Riley shook her head at the thought. "I'll miss you, Peaches."

They raised their fists in the air as if they were making a toast. Riley and Maya clasped hands until their knuckles turned white, and their Celtic friendship rings shone under the fluorescent lights.

"Thunder!"

"Lightening!"

Riley threw her backpack on when Cory dragged her away. The flight attendant closed the doors with the flood; the Matthews may as well have disappeared into the void or the Twilight Zone. In a few minutes, Riley plopped herself down in a much too small plane seat. Some kid behind her kicked the back of her chair. Her headphones couldn't block out the longing she felt for her friends. Back in the airport Maya stayed glued in place, her eyes locked on the airplane. Farkle wrapped a comforting arm around his blonde friend.

The plane crawled forward. The metallic bird's wing sprung out as it picked up speed. It drove faster and faster down the runway. Faster. Faster. Faster and faster and faster and faster. Maya's heart thudded along with the speeding plane.

Faster!

FASTER!

The plane angled upwards. It shot into the sky and zoomed further and further and further away.

Those pilots didn't care ‒ or more accurately didn't know ‒ that they ripped Maya's hope away from her. Whoever those men were hadn't a clue they had the largest part of her heart out of her. She scratched at the window, begging the Matthews to take her with them to London. Yet how could they hear her as they flew behind the clouds? Once they did Maya headed back to the waiting area and sunk into the hard, cold, plastic seats.

How would the clique six fare without their fixer?