Maya stood, going back and furth, between biting her index finger knuckle, clenching her fists, and biting her lip. To say she was anxious was a serious understatement. It was getting dark quickly, as the hours painstakingly rushed away. Time with Riley, still here, slipping through her fingers. She sat, for a while, Trying hard to decide if she should call Mr. Matthews, or Shawn, or her mom. Ultimately, she decided on Shawn, as she was a bit scared of how mad Topanga probably was. He picked up immediately.

"Hey, where are you?"

"Still at the bakery. I need to tell you something."

Silence fell for a moment, and picked right up,

"...? Okay, you can tell me."

"I know where she is. Or at least where she was. I am worried if I tell that everyone will swarm her, and make everything worse."

"Maya, you know they have a plane to catch, Topanga has meetings already planned. Somehow, as much as it hurts, we can't keep them here."

Maya was too distraught, knowing in her heart that he was sadly right.

"Life has no replacement for her. It's going to kill me to have to say goodbye again."

Understanding that the landscape of their relationship had changed, Shawn tried to appeal to what Maya was going through.

"I know that is difficult, it's hard for me too. We are all grieving in a way, but when it's the people who matter most, you go through it with them. You hurt with them, for them, and for yourself. That weight is heavy."

He let that sink in, and continued.

"Maya, if anyone can coax her, it's you. I believe you know what the right thing to do is. I have faith that you will do it. This isn't our decision to make. We have to respect Topanga and Corey on this one. It's the only real choice we have."

"I will say one last thing. If you lie to us, I want you to understand there will be consequences. This is serious, and I trust you to make good choices, you need to understand that much."

Maya was conflicted on what to say, but she knew that Shawn and herself were on the same sinking ship on this, that both of them were losing people incredibly close to them, keeping in mind Maya and Riley were not quite friends. Somewhere in the night before what was between them morphed into something more, something deeper, so Shawn tried to be considerate of that heartbreak.

"I understand." Maya said, reluctantly, then continued,

"How upset are they?"

"Well, they have no idea where Riley is, she almost got hit by cars in traffic. She is jeopardizing any of them making that flight. I think more than anything, Topanga especially, first wants to know Riley is safe and not hurt. Second to that, I think they both feel betrayed. Riley agreed to this, and also, they are her parents, and she is 15."

Shawn decided to switch gears,

"Is she okay?"

That's the question, isn't it? Maya thought to herself.

"She went over to see a friend on campus, and they are going to see if they can get Riley to meet me. I think if I can talk to her, she might be willing to come back."

"Maya, she needs to talk to her parents, not just you."

"I don't want to walk her into a trap."

"She can't just keep running from what life is trying to change. Trust me, it is not possible, I know. The good change, or the hard change, it will always hit or, you either move with the wave, or you drown. Friends don't let their friends drown."

Maya took that word, and sat on it. Friend. Hmm. Yes, they would always be best friends, but they also danced, held onto each other, kissed each other. Riley would always be her person. She knew that deeper somehow, and understood it differently.

He insisted to Maya,

"Don't let her drown. She needs to come back."

Maya sighed, knowing he was right.

"I am trying to get her Washington Square Park. It's the unofficial quad of NYU, and I think she wouldn't panic."

"Maya, I need to go talk to Corey and Topanga-"

"Can you just meet me there? I think she will bolt if she sees them, and that park is so open, and there's too many places for her to run off again."

Shawn clicked his tongue, clearly getting stressed.

"I can't promise you anything Maya. I think you're right, that wouldn't be safe, but I have to tell them and let them decide. Okay?"

"Okay."

"I love you Maya. Thank you for trusting me. I'll call you back."

He hung up, and Maya stopped and breathed for the first time since they started talking.

Maya stared into her phone, Riley's voice echoed in her head.

"That's the problem Maya, I want to come home. I can't go, I can't do this Maya. I'm scared, I don't want to go."

She noticed Charlotte had texted her again.

Call me when you can.

Gosh, Maya thought as she dialed Charlotte again. She wasn't sure if she had ever made this many important calls in one day.

The line picked up, but she could hear Gretchen's voice.

"Hey what's going on?"

"Riley is throwing up, and hasn't stopped for a while. She needs to relax, and seems to be completely breaking down."

Maya felt her heart sear, hearing Riley being so stressed.

"Can you guys see if she will walk with you over to Bobst library? Josh is there, and is waiting to meet her."

"Don't you think you should come help?" Gretchen coldly asked, Maya swore she heard Charlotte remark at her for being rude.

"I am not nearby right now, not sure if she will get scared again. Please I am trying to sort this out, I can't let her drown."

"What?" Gretchen said, confused.

Maya shot up, and took one last look at the bakery before walking away, knowing she had to get over to campus.

"She has to stop running. I am headed over now. I'll head to Bobst, and if she can't get there, we'll sort it out. I'm sorry if this interrupted your night, but Riley is having a life crisis right now. All I can ask right now, is that you try to help me help her."

"Alright."

She couldn't let Riley drown. Friends don't let friends drown.