A/N: Thank you for all the love on this story! Trigger Warning: Mentions of Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorder
"Everyone has a breaking point. Deny it, and you'll blind yourself to know when you've reached yours." ― Dorothy McFalls
Riley's eyes fluttered open as she could see a bright light and could hear the faint voices of Maya and Zay. Riley sat up quickly and could feel herself get dizzy again. Maya was at her side in an instant and stabilized Riley from moving.
"Riles are you okay?" Maya asked as Riley tried to figure where she was at. Zay sat in the seat and stared at her, his eyes reddened from crying.
"What happened?" Riley groaned.
"You passed out, the Nurse said from low blood sugar and possibly a panic attack, are you okay?" Maya asked.
"Charlie?" Riley asked as everything came flooding back.
She grabbed the bed and realized that she was in the Nurse's office. The bright fluorescent lights gave everything away, and she could see a bandaid on her finger.
"He had to go to class, only two people could be with you, and they would have to pry you out of my cold dead hands before I ever leave you alone," Maya said as Riley smiled.
"Zay?" Riley called and Zay walked over in silence.
"You scared the shit out of us, Sugar," Zay said and Riley sighed.
"I need to talk to Charlie, fix this-"
"You need to rest," Zay said and Maya nodded in agreement.
"No, I really need to explain that nothing happened!" Riley cried.
Maya shook her head no and grabbed Riley by her shoulder.
"No, you don't, if Charlie believes a stupid rumor then he is dumber than I thought, you need to relax Riley, slow down," Maya said as Riley sniffled.
"I can't I need to fix this, Lucas and I didn't do anything, he is also getting accused, I can't mess his life up and-
"They're both big boys," Maya said, and Zay sighed.
"I'll handle them, can you promise to at least rest for another period?" Zay asked.
"Zay it should really be me," Riley said and Zay gave her a look.
"No, I am your best friend… well, one of them," Zay said as Maya gave him a glare.
"You need to rest, and as one of your best friends, I will talk to both boys, they both like me and I need you alright Sugar," Zay said and Riley sighed.
She knew it didn't matter what she said right now, Maya and Zay had grounded her. Riley didn't want Zay to take the brunt of the work, but the look of fear in his eyes told her to give up.
"Okay," Riley said as Zay smiled.
"Thank you Sugar, Maya, keep an eye on her," Zay said as Riley sighed.
Maya nodded and jumped onto the cot next to Riley. Zay grabbed his bookbag off a chair and gave the girls a smile before he left. Maya threw her arm around Riley's shoulders and hugged the small brunette.
"Riles you're scaring me," Maya said.
"I don't mean to, I just panicked, ever since the attack, everyone whispers about me, I want it to stop, all of it to stop, I am so tired," Riley said and sighed.
"I got you, honey, don't worry and Zay will knock sense into both of those knuckleheads," Maya said as Riley stared at the door.
"Riles you have to rest," Maya said as she could see Riley trying to figure a way out.
"Look, I have some snacks, you should eat something," Maya said as she grabbed her book bag.
She opened the bag and pulled out a chocolate granola bar and held it out to Riley. Riley looked at the bar and shook her head no, and went back to the door.
"Riles the nurse said you have to eat, your blood sugar was low," Maya said as she opened the bar.
"Not hungry," Riley said and avoided Maya's inquiring look.
"What did you eat for breakfast?" Maya asked.
"Eggs, sausage," Riley lied.
"Riley you're lying to me, I went to your house this morning, your mom made waffles, Riley when was the last time you ate?" Maya said as the pieces clicked.
"Last night with Lucas," Riley whispered.
"Eat the granola bar," Maya demanded, and Riley shoved it away from her.
"Riley, ring power," Maya said, and Riley didn't take the bar.
"How long?" Maya whispered and Riley could feel the tears prick.
"How long, Riley! God, I am so stupid to not catch on. How long have you been doing this, this starvation?" Maya yelled.
"Maya drop it," Riley said and Maya stood in front of Riley.
"You are my best friend, and I will not let you leave until you eat every single bite, because I love you, and I need you, Riles," Maya cried and Riley could see the tears in Maya's eyes.
Riley took the bar from Maya and took a bite. It felt like glue in her mouth, and she could feel the saliva build up in her mouth. It made swallowing tough, but Maya's determination was going to win this one. Riley took another bite and forced herself to swallow. Well, everything
Zay waited outside the chemistry lab and counted the seconds till the bell rang. He figured Charlie would be the better two to speak to first; he was less hard-headed than Lucas. As the bell rang, he could see the herd of people walk out of the lab and Zay spotted Charlie with Billy.
"Get rid of that slut," Billy said.
"I know you're not talking about Riley," Zay snarled.
"Oh, sorry Babineaux didn't see you there but yeah I was, look at what she is doing to my boy," Billy said and Charlie grunted.
"Riley is your girlfriend, and you're going to let this dick talk about her like that?" Zay accused Charlie.
"Billy cool it, what do you want Zay? Is Riley okay?" Charlie asked as Billy rolled his eyes.
He walked away from the two and Charlie looked at Zay with a pleading look.
"She's awake, she's broken, but awake, you know those rumors are rumors, right?" Zay said as Charlie sighed.
"Yogi saw Friar leave late. What am I supposed to think? She has been pulling from me, and into Friar's arms. I get it, something happened at the cafe but… she isn't the same Riley, how can I be sure they are just rumors?" Charlie said.
"Because you know Riley, you know she wouldn't do that, and you haven't been any easy either man! I saw the way you treated her yesterday. Snapping at her? She has anxiety about the cafe, why don't you be a better boyfriend and help her!" Zay gritted.
"Look, Zay, I know Friar is your best friend, and you will always choose his side but you need to look at the facts, Friar is in love with my girlfriend, and he will do anything to get her. How do we know he wasn't the one to attack her?" Charlie said and Zay shoved him.
It was a reflex, but Zay had snapped for a second, as Charlie fell backward into the lockers. The loud slam caught the attention of some other students. Gasps could be heard and Charlie groaned. Zay never got physical, he always got himself in messes, but fighting wasn't his style. His fist clenched, and he glared at Charlie with fury.
"You have no right accusing my best friend of hurting another one of my best friends, I thought talking to you would be easier than Lucas but your head is so far up your ass it's spewing shit," Zay growled and walked away before Charlie could talk.
Zay needed to find Lucas and get to the bottom of this mess when he spotted the Texan with Farkle and Smackle. Zay still fired up from Charlie and shoved Lucas's arm as he approached him.
"What the hell, Zay?" Lucas asked.
"You and Gardner are being grade A dicks today, and I am already pissed. What the fuck Lucas?" Zay said.
"I didn't do anything, we didn't do anything, we worked on our project," Lucas said.
"You're messing with her!" Zay said.
"Zay calm down," Farkle interrupted.
"No, Charlie and Lucas treat Riley like some prize to be won! She's fragile as it is. You are fucking up her life too, Lucas," Zay spewed and Lucas flinched.
It was one thing when Charlie said, but when his best friend said it, it hurt.
"I know," Lucas said and Zay softened.
"No man, I crossed a line, I am just… angry because of Charlie, and everyone accusing Riley of shit she didn't do, I am taking extra anger out, I just want everyone to back off her," Zay said.
"Statistically speaking, it won't happen. Riley's life is too gossip-worthy," Smackle inserted.
"How is she?" Farkle asked.
"Awake but fragile, and these rumors need to be squashed!" Zay said and growled.
"I didn't sleep with her," Lucas said, and Farkle raised his eyebrows.
"What, you don't believe me?" Lucas asked.
"No I do, it's just why did these rumors even begin?" Farkle asked,
"Riley has been under a lot of pressure, and last night we were working on our history project, and we fell asleep! When we woke up it was late, and she walked me out, Darby and Yogi saw us, that's it, we didn't do a thing. I am respecting everything she wants, and I would never pressure Riley to do anything she doesn't want to," Lucas said and sighed.
"Well by teenage drama, that is a formula for disaster," Smackle added and the three boys gave her a sigh.
"Well, it is! Look, it's clear that Lucas has feelings for Riley, it's why his entire persona changed three years ago and now," Smackle continued.
"Smackle," Lucas sighed.
"The right thing to do is talk to Charlie," Farkle chimed in.
"No, I can't talk to Gardner, it won't end well," Lucas mumbled.
"Can't you try? For Riley?" Zay asked.
Lucas rolled his eyes and ignored the way that Zay is trying to use that card on him right now. He thought it over and threw his arms up in frustration. As much as he didn't want to, he knew he would cave for her.
"I am going to need you guys there because I don't know what will happen if it's just him and I," Lucas said.
Zay patted Lucas's shoulder and nodded.
"Of course buddy we not dumb," Zay said as the two snickered.
"After class, let's go," Farkle said as they shoved Lucas towards their next class.
Lucas could feel the bile build in his throat, but he swallowed it down. He had to do this for Riley. This was all for Riley, but that had to be shoved over for Math class. As he stumbled into the room, he could see Charlie with Billy in the corner. Lucas just had to make it to the end of class and swallow his pride for Riley.
During class, Lucas could feel the presence of Billy and Charlie. He glanced over his shoulder and could see the two staring at him with Billy whispering to Charlie. Lucas was unsure what was being said, but he could tell it would not be going well. As soon as the bell rang, Zay was in front of Lucas's desk with a smile.
"It's now or never," Zay said.
Lucas begrudgingly grabbed his books and walked out of the room. He leaned against the wall and waited for Charlie and Billy to come out of the classroom. As soon as Charlie appeared, Lucas sighed and called him over.
"Gardner," Lucas said, and Charlie spun.
"Whoa Friar, why are you calling my guy out right now?" Billy asked.
"Billy, this doesn't involve you," Zay chimed in.
"Says you, look Friar, we're cool but look I am on my boy's side, especially if his girl is sleeping around," Billy said with a chuckle.
"This is how you let your best friend speak about Riley!" Lucas said looking past Billy to Charlie who looked conflicted.
"She cheated on me," Charlie said plainly.
"No, she didn't! Seriously Gardner, if you think Riley would do that, do you even know her?" Lucas said as Billy laughed.
"I know she was fine until you came along, you think because you saved her, you have a right to be in her life, did you forget you tormented her for the last three years?" Charlie said as Billy stood in front of Charlie.
"I didn't mean to," Lucas stuttered.
"Well, you did! For three years you teased her, made her feel like she couldn't be part of her own group of friends, she cried to me, she told me, she came to me, because you made her life hell! You claim to care so much, but we know that's just bullshit! What? Are you trying to take advantage of her? I am trying to protect her, and you're manipulating her!" Charlie snapped.
Lucas clenched his fist and Zay stood in front of him to prevent him from swinging.
"Fuck you," Lucas spewed as a crowd formed.
"Come on, Charlie let's just go," Billy said.
"Charlie, you can't let people think this of her!" Zay said as the crowd got larger.
"I don't want people to," Charlie started.
"Come on, Charlie! You know she did the nasty with Friar, you can't be naïve!" Billy jokes.
It happened so quickly both Charlie and Lucas were unprepared for Zay punching Billy. Zay growled and Billy spits the blood from his mouth onto the ground. He swung at Zay, but Zay dodged it and punched Billy in the stomach. Classmates started to record the fights with their phones, and Lucas knew he had to stop this before it got worse.
"Zay!" Lucas called and pulled Zay back from swinging another punch.
"I am tired of everyone saying shit about Riley! For all you noisy ass people! She didn't sleep with Lucas! Those are just rumors!" Zay snapped.
Charlie checked Billy and then glared at Lucas.
"See Friar, you just bring disaster with you!" Charlie spatted.
"Fuck you, Gardner," Lucas said,
Billy chuckled, and it made Zay furious. Lucas held him back and glared at Charlie with Billy.
"Stay away from her, that's how everything can stop, all you do is ruin her," Charlie said.
"No, he doesn't,"
Charlie turned to see Riley and Maya as they pushed through the crowd.
"Ri," Charlie started.
"Yes, Lucas picked on me, but I forgave him, it's not your choice on what I do, I forgave Lucas and I would like it if all of this fighting to stop," Riley said.
"I think you're defending the wrong guy there, Matthews," Billy said.
"This doesn't involve you, Billy," Riley snapped.
"Oh, come on Riley we know who you are, you act all pure but I know you and your lace black underwear with polka dots and all, you spread for anyone and you've been taking Charlie down this path to just screw him over because you're just a slut," Billy snapped back.
"Billy!" Charlie said and shoved him softly.
"What?" Riley whispered.
"What? Surprised that someone is calling you out on your 'innocent act'" Billy asked.
"I only- how did you-… it was you?" Riley stuttered.
"Riles?" Maya asked.
Riley felt herself get pulled back as Lucas threw Billy against the wall. Billy groaned, and Charlie and Zay tried to get Lucas off of Billy. Lucas wrapped his hands around Billy's throat and the light in Lucas's eyes dimmed.
"It was you?" Riley whispered and could feel her chest tighten again.
"Lucas let go, man, he can't breathe!" Zay said as Lucas tightened his grip.
"Where is a teacher?" Someone screamed.
"Lucas! Lucas! Stop," Maya screamed as Billy gasped for air.
"You attacked me," Riley asked as Billy blinked.
"What?" Charlie and Zay asked in unison.
"You tried to rape me?" Riley asked.
People started whispering, and Riley started to cry. Maya gripped her shoulders as Zay and Charlie let go of Lucas.
"Lucas stop!"
Lucas knew the voice was Cory, but he couldn't. He wanted to kill Billy. And could see Billy struggling to breathe. Billy's eyes were slowly closing, and Lucas gripped tighter. As teachers came closer, the crowd dissipated. They didn't want to get in the crossfire of any punishments.
"Lucas stop!" Riley screamed as she tried to grab Lucas's arm.
Lucas could hear her voice, and it pulled him out of the darkness. He had to do right by her, so he listened to her voice.
"Lucas!" Riley screamed and he let go of Billy who slumped down to the ground.
"Mr. Friar," Cory said as he reached the group.
"What is the meaning of this?" Cory said as Billy struggled to get up.
"He attacked Riley at the cafe," Lucas said with clenched fists.
"That is a serious accusation," Cory coughed but gave Billy a side look.
"He's not lying," Riley whispered.
Billy stumbled to get up and glared at Riley. She trembled and Lucas held her hand tight in his own. Lucas stepped slightly in front of Riley so she was out of Billy's gaze. Billy coughed and then looked at Cory.
"She's lying, I wouldn't trust a thing that comes out of her mouth, she's clearly lying about screwing Friar," Billy scoffed.
"Mr. Ross, may I remind you that is my daughter you're speaking about," Corry said and glared at Billy.
"Rape?" Charlie said and punched Billy at the side of his head.
Riley gasped as Billy fell to the ground. Zay went to kick Billy when Cory grabbed him.
"Mr. Gardner, Mr. Babineaux" Cory said as Riley placed her face into Lucas's back.
"Maya get security," Cory said as Riley clutched Lucas's hand tighter.
"Ri … I … I'm sorry," Charlie said as Riley sobbed into Luca's back.
"I'm so sorry," Charlie said as Riley cried harder.