"We learn the rope of life by untying its knots" - Jean Toomer

Lucas was the first to wake and groaned as the sun shone right into his sightline. His fingers still intertwined with Riley's and he softly removed his hand from hers. He looked for his phone and could see that it was seven in the morning. It wasn't hard to put it together that they had fallen asleep together but he was surprised no one woke him. Lucas peered over and didn't see a sign of Maya in Riley's bed. Mind full of fog Lucas got up off the floor and stretched. Despite having carpet it was quite uncomfortable to sleep on Riley's floor.

He stifled a yawn and started to walk out of the room. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Riley still in deep slumber but with a small smile gracing her face. As he left the room he saw Auggie leaving the bathroom, and the younger boy smiled at Lucas brightly. Auggie hugged Lucas tightly and left without saying a word. Lucas smiled and made his way into the Matthew's kitchen. Topanga was already at the stove making breakfast with Maya at the table waiting. Maya was dressed in fresh clothing but by the looks of it, Riley's clothes.

"Oh you're awake now," Maya teased as Lucas raised his eyebrows.

"Why didn't anyone wake us?" Lucas asked.

"Riley woke up, and ate exactly one slice of pizza before she went back to sleep," Maya said and Lucas smiled.

"That was you wasn't it?" Maya asked as Lucas sat down next to her.

"Yeah, but still doesn't explain why anyone woke me, my parents must be freaking out," Lucas said as he went through his phone.

"We called them last night, we figured you deserved the rest, they were fine with you spending the night," Topanga said and Lucas nodded.

"Thank you," He mumbled.

"Thank you, Lucas, you have been a big help with her with eating. We appreciate it," Topanga said and Lucas smiled.

"You slept over too?" Lucas asked.

"On the couch, someone was in my space," Maya said.

"I was on the floor," Lucas retorted.

"Potato, Potatoe," Maya mused.

"Hungry?" Topanga asked as she brought plates of food to the table.

"Starving," Lucas said and grabbed a slice of bacon.

"You should be, you slept for like twelve hours," Maya said as she took her plate.

"I guess I was just really tired, drained," Lucas said.

"I get it," Maya said as the bell rang.

"That's odd you're both here, who could that be?" Topanga said and wiped her hands on a rag.

She walked over to the bell and buzzed it to see who it was.

"Farkle!" Farkle announced.

"Us too!" Zay's voice called in the background as they heard Smackle mumble something.

"The rest of my children are here," Topanga joked as she buzzed them into the building.

She opened the front door slightly and walked back over to the stove, and started to make more plates. As she continued to serve, the rest of the clique six walked into the apartment. They looked as frazzled as Maya and Lucas, drained just as much.

"Hey," Farkle said as he walked over to the table.

"Minkus," Maya said and pointed her fork at him.

"Good morning Mrs. Matthews," Zay said as Topanga handed him a plate of food.

"Good morning, I want to say I am surprised to see you guys here but I'm not, she's still in bed and I don't think she feels like going to school today," Topanga said as she handed plates to Farkle and Smackle.

"We figured, but we wanted to stop by," Farkle said.

"Plus your mom said you were here," Zay said as he patted Lucas's shoulder.

"We brought your bags," Smackle announced and the two blondes noticed their backpacks on the couch.

"I was thinking of skipping myself," Maya said.

"No, you guys should go to school, get some normalcy back. Besides Cory and I need to talk with Riley and would like some privacy doing so. You guys can stop by after school," Topanga said and Maya frowned.

"It's for the best," Topanga added and Lucas's shoulders dejected.

"So we just pretend yesterday didn't happen?" Zay asked and Topanga sighed.

"No but … I would feel better if I knew you guys were together at school. Riley is fragile right now and she needs some space about everything. After we talk to her about some things then you guys can come right on over," Topanga said.

Farkle nodded and continued to eat his breakfast. Lucas and Zay shuffled their food around their plates while Maya stopped eating. Smackle ate in silence as they all mulled over Topanga's words. Cory walked into the room to see the teens with somber looks on their faces. He felt a bit bashful being in his pajamas but he was happy to see them.

"Oh goodie more teens," Cory joked as he tried to lighten the mood.

"We should head out," Farkle announced.

"Yeah," Zay said as he got up.

"Please treat the substitute teacher nice today," Cory said as the teens shuffled together.

"Thank you for breakfast Ms. Matthews," Smackle said as she placed her plate on the table.

Maya and Lucas both gave a strained smile and got up from the table. They grab their respective bags and start to head out the door.

"We will be back right after school," Maya announced as they closed the apartment door once everyone was out.

"You do know they aren't going to school right?" Cory said.

"Yes," Topanga sighed.

Just as she said that Maya was in the hallway with her friends. A crossed look on her face and she gave a half-smile.

"Want to go to the park?" Maya asked as the others nodded.

Riley sat at her desk and clicked through the tabs of her browsers. She looked at the various links that led to teen help forums. Absentmindedly she continued her search for a semblance of hope in the links but it brought her nothing but frustration. As she closed her laptop, she sat back in the computer seat and glanced at the window. It was well past noon when she got out of her bed and realized Lucas and Maya were gone.

When she shuffled into the kitchen for a glass of water, her parents announced they needed to have a talk. She was numb as they explained they wanted Riley to start seeing her therapist more frequently and suggested a weekend getaway from the city. All she wanted to know was what was going to happen with Billy. Yet she didn't ask and mutedly listened to her parents plan things for her.

Cory had slid her a piece of paper with websites that she could peruse that may help her. She took it but she felt that it wasn't going to be any luck. A website couldn't fix her nor stop the anxiety that wracked her body. As she got up to leave, Topanga offered a slight pain reliever by mentioning her firm would be taking on Riley's case and that they were pressing charges. Riley nodded as they talked and without a word made her way back into the room.

As the minutes ticked by she wondered when her friends would come back. Would they tell her how school went? Or would they pretend all is right in the world and move on? Riley's thoughts were interrupted when she heard a soft knock on her door. She spun in the chair and saw her mother stick her head in.

"Hey," Topanga said softly.

"Hey," Riley replied.

"Look um I know you're not in the mood to see anyone but you have a visitor, and I think it might be best if you talked to him," Topanga said.

"Is it Lucas?" Riley asked.

"Um no … it's Charlie, he's really shaken up sweetie, and I don't feel right turning him away," Topanga said.

Riley wrung her hands and could feel the palms begin to sweat. Charlie was in her home, and he wanted to talk to her. Was he going to defend his best friend? Was he going to finally ask about what the hell has been going on with Lucas? Would he just stare at her like she was a pariah? All those thoughts rushed through her mind but she still somehow agreed to see him.

As Topanga disappeared a familiar flop of brown hair appeared with a strained small smile. He didn't enter her room and waited for her to allow him into her space. She got up from the chair and sat at the bay window. As she opened the window to let some breeze in, she motioned for him to come in. Charlie walked further into the room and stopped short of her. She could see he was deciding where to sit.

"You can sit with me," Riley said.

"Oh I wasn't sure if that was okay," He said as he sat at the bay window but far from her.

"Charlie, what's going on?" Riley asked.

"What's going on? Ri I have been worried about you all night and morning. You haven't answered any of my texts," Charlie said.

Riley shut her eyes and realized she never turned her phone back on after leaving the school.

"Charlie I'm sorry I … had a long night and never turned it back on," Riley said.

"I'm not mad Ri, I was worried, and then your friends didn't show up today. I thought the worst happened, so I ditched," Charlie said and Riley made a face.

"They didn't go to school?" Riley asked.

"No, and that freaked me out more. I'm glad to see you're okay though," Charlie said.

Riley sniffled and bit her lip.

"I'm not okay though," Riley whispered.

"Ri … why didn't you tell me you were sexually assaulted?" Charlie asked.

"I was embarrassed," Riley admitted.

"You did nothing wrong," Charlie reassured.

Riley leaned her head back onto the window and sighed.

"I have though, Charlie … I kissed Lucas, and I have been emotionally cheating on you with him. You don't deserve that, you're a great guy, and I am a total mess. You deserve a girl to treat you right," Riley confessed.

"I … kind of know, I mean I had an idea about you and Lucas getting close, not about the kissing, wow," Charlie said as he looked down at his feet.

"Do you hate me?" Riley asked.

"What?! Of course not Ri … look I am upset about the kiss, and obviously about Friar, but I know you didn't intentionally mean to hurt me. I have felt you pull away since the attack. I just wished you would have told me. I wished you would have come to me," Charlie said.

"I'm sorry," Riley said.

"Don't apologize, I should be apologizing, Ri I didn't know Billy robbed the cafe," Charlie said.

"You're not responsible for him, he made his own decisions," Riley said.

"I feel like it is my responsibility, he's my best friend or was," Charlie said.

"Did he tell you he did it?" Riley asked.

"I haven't talked to him since I punched him, I don't plan to talk to him. If he did what you said he did, I never want to speak to him again," Charlie said and clenched his fist.

"Charlie … I didn't sleep with Lucas," Riley said.

"I know Ri, ugh I know, I just … Billy was goading me, and then the rumors. I could feel you pull away, and I could see you two getting so close," Charlie groaned.

"I'm sorry … it's just … he was there … he saved me. I knew I could trust him again, and all these feelings and confusion … I'm sorry," Riley whispered.

"Stop! Just stop apologizing, I'm not happy with it but don't be sorry for your feelings Ri," Charlie said.

"Are we breaking up?" Riley asked.

"I think it was a long time coming Ri, I still love you though, and I think I am always going to love you but, I don't think you're in love with me. I think you're in love with Lucas, and I'm not happy about it but … I can't stop you from your feelings," Charlie said.

"I'm not sure what I feel anymore, is this trauma? Do I think I love him because he saved me? Am I even meant for love? I do want to say I do love you, Charlie. That I am sure of," Riley said.

Hesitant of his reaction she placed her hand softly over his clenched fist. He softened and opened his hand. Their hands interlocked, and he squeezed it gently.

"I love you too Ri, but I don't think we're meant to be," Charlie said.

Riley sniffled and nodded as Charlie sighed. Tears streamed down her face as Charlie tried to calm his breathing.

"I don't hate you, and I want you to be happy, even if it means it's with him. I want you to know I will be with you every step of this situation whether it goes to a case or not, I am here for you Ri," Charlie reassured and Riley smiled.

"Thank you, Charlie, thank you for the last three years, you supported me when I felt I was losing everyone, I'm so lucky to have you in my life," Riley sniffled.

"You will always have me Ri, always," Charlie reassured and squeezed her hand once more.

"This has to be the nicest break-up ever," Riley tried to joke and Charlie chuckled softly.

"Do you mind?" Charlie said as he motioned to her cheek.

She shook her head no, and he wiped the tears from her face. Riley smiled and sighed happily as he caressed her cheeks. She leaned forward and gave him a soft loving peck. Charlie smiled and pulled away from her. The two stared at one another with their hands interlocked.

When Lucas returned to the Matthews with his friends in tow, he didn't expect to see Charlie leaving. Neither boy said anything to the other, just a silent agreement to behave for Riley's sake. As Charlie bid farewell to the rest of the clique six, Lucas slipped away to check on Riley. He knocked soft on the door and heard her invite him in. He poked his head in, as saw Riley sitting on her bed, with a pillow clutched to her chest.

"Hey," He whispered.

"Hey," She whispered back.

"Saw Gardner," Lucas said and Riley nodded.

"We had to talk, it was a long time coming, but we figured out what we are," Riley said as she picked at the pillow.

"What?" Lucas asked.

"Friends, he and I are friends," Riley said.

"So you guys broke up?" Lucas said and tried to control his smile.

"Yes … but I'm not ready to be in another relationship, I need you to be a friend as well," Riley said as Lucas nodded.

Riley smiled and Lucas couldn't help himself and smile back at her. The two stared at one another till Maya rushed into the room with the rest of their friends hot on her tail. Her face paled, and she was clutching her phone. Zay looked furious and Riley looked at them puzzled.

"What's wrong?" Riley asked.

Maya opened her mouth but nothing came out. Farkle placed a hand on her shoulder and she started to stutter. Lucas grabbed her phone from her hands and saw Instagram was open. In the latest post was an IGTV with Billy's face, and it was titled The Truth. Lucas could see there were hundreds of comments, and he clicked through them.

"Maya!" Riley called.

"It's Billy, he's … he's saying … you two were cheating on Charlie together, and that you're making this incident up to cover up your other cheating scandal with Lucas," Maya said.

Riley could feel her stomach turn and she leaned over the side of her bed. As the vomit flowed from her mouth, Zay jumped into action and grabbed her small trash can. Maya ran over and held her hair back from her face. Lucas clenched Maya's phone in his hand and went to turn to leave when Farkle grabbed his arm. The genius pleaded with the Texan to not react for Riley's sake. Smackle left the room, presumably to get Topanga.

"He's lying!" Riley gasped as she wiped her mouth.

"We know honey, we know," Maya said as Riley leaned up.

Riley could feel her chest tighten and a flush of warmth across her face. It was getting harder to breathe and she leaned onto Maya.

"Hey Sugar, don't pass out on me, come on," Zay said as he sat Riley up.

"He's released? They let him go?" Riley questioned as Maya struggled to come up with an answer.

"What's wrong?" Topanga said as she walked in, Smackle behind her with a glass of water.

"Mom … he's lying," Riley cried as Lucas passed Topanga the phone.

"That's it, this is over," Topanga said.

Riley sniffled as she wobbled between Zay and Maya. Smackle walked over with the glass of water and handed it to the dizzy brunette. Riley took a sip but it burned as it went down her throat. Her body was weak from the incidents.

"Farkle, can you download that video and all the comments, my firm is going to need it as evidence. Riley, I need you to calm down and breathe sweetie. I am going to take care of this, don't you worry, your friends and I are here," Topanga said as she walked over to Riley.

"I'll help!" Smackle announced and followed Farkle out the room.

"Hey we got your back," Zay said and Riley nodded.

Lucas unclenched his jaw and nodded towards Riley to let her know he agreed with Zay. She took a look around and was met with reassuring faces of her loved ones. It had been weeks since she felt safe, but at that moment she never felt safer.