"The thing about grief is that it's a roller coaster - it's up, it's down. The emotions sometimes take over" Brent Sexton

Riley walked into the school building and could feel a bit more at ease. She could still see people whispering around her but the current rumors that Darby was pregnant took the cake. Riley knew it wasn't true when she had caught the blonde crying in the bathroom one afternoon. Riley reassured her a rumor, was just that, a rumor. As she reached her locker she saw a familiar face pop up with a muffin.

"Breakfast," Zay offered.

"I ate, you can check with my mom," Riley assured.

"Okay," Zay said and took a bite of the muffin.

Riley still had regrets from her confession from a few days ago. Zay was the first to ask if what she said was the truth. Riley hadn't even realized she had told everyone she had an eating disorder. However, once it was out, her friends watched her even closer.

"Ready for a day of learning?" Zay asked with his mouth full.

"Yeah, sure," Riley said and then saw from the corner of her eye Lucas walking with Jeff and Dave.

Lucas frowned as Riley turned away from him. She buried her head into her locker and pretended to look for something. She didn't want to allow him to come to talk to her. Once she knew he was gone, she pulled her head out. Zay had raised an eyebrow in question of her actions.

"He feels guilty," Zay said.

"He should," Riley said and slammed her locker.

"Come on Sugar, can't he get a small pass, he has done so much good," Zay said.

Before Riley could tell Zay anything, Charlie had walked over.

"Hey Ri," Charlie said and Riley smiled.

"Hey Charlie," Riley said softly.

"Can we talk … alone?" Charlie pleaded and Riley squeezed Zay's shoulder.

Zay warily walked away from the two but still glanced over his shoulder at them.

"What's going on?" Riley asked as she clutched her books.

"I talked to Billy," Charlie admitted.

Riley could feel her blood go ice cold and she blinked in confusion. She hadn't heard him correctly, because Charlie was on her side.

"What?" Riley asked.

"I talked to Billy," Charlie repeated.

"Why?" Riley asked as her eyes widened.

"He called me, and I don't know something compelled me to pick up so I did. I believe you Ri don't worry, I am on your side but the things he told me … I think we should talk to your mom," Charlie said.

"What things?" Riley asked.

"I don't want to say, at least not at school," Charlie said and adjusted his backpack.

"After school, come over, and we can talk to her together," Riley said as her stomach twisted.

"That sounds like a plan. Want to walk to class?" Charlie asked as Riley nodded numbly.

"How are things with Friar?" Charlie asked.

"There are no things," Riley said.

"I can't believe these words are coming out of my mouth but … give him a second chance," Charlie said.

Riley stopped mid-step and looked at Charlie. Charlie sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I know, I know, what am I saying but … as much as I don't like Friar, ever since all of this has happened. He has been there, and I get it, it's a total violation of your trust by reading your private things but he's worried about you. We all are, we love you," Charlie said.

"How can I know he's being genuine? Was he all nice because poor Riley has …" Riley didn't finish her sentence as people passed by.

"No, Ri … Lucas loves you, he's in love with you. He looks at you … the way I do," Charlie said and Riley could see Charlie was uncomfortable.

Their breakup was still fresh, they were together for three years. Riley didn't know how to deal with Charlie admitting he was still in love with her, but also acknowledging that Lucas was too.

"I can't," Riley admitted.

"I know … I know … I don't mean to put you in this position. I am here as your friend, and so is he, just don't push us completely away," Charlie said.

"Never," Riley said and Charlie reached forward and moved some hair from her face.

It was a simple act, just a friend helping another with their appearance. However, she could feel eyes on her, and over Charlie's shoulder, she could see a pained Lucas. He didn't turn away from her, and Riley felt her stomach twist once more. He looked down and disappeared into a classroom. Charlie smiled at her, and Riley forced a smile on her face.

"Class?" Riley asked.

Charlie motioned his head and the two walked to their class.

Riley had her textbook opened on the table and she could see Charlie struggling with his homework. She could tell as he chewed the end of his pencil and ran his hand through his hair multiple times.

"Trig?" Riley asked.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" Charlie said as he moved his binder away from himself.

"You're doing that hair thing you do," Riley said and Charlie chuckled softly.

"You know me so well," Charlie said with a smile.

"Yeah," Riley said as she trailed off.

She heard footsteps and saw Auggie with Ava coming from his room.

"Hey Augs," Riley said.

"Hey, Riley … hey Charlie?" Auggie said with a puzzled look.

"What?" Riley asked.

"Nothing, just … didn't expect you to have company," Auggie lied.

Riley could see that wasn't the truth but Ava interrupted before they could continue.

"Hey Princey," Ava joked to Charlie.

"Milady," Charlie joked back.

"What have you two been up to? You didn't come out of your room for the last thirty minutes, and you didn't even greet me" Riley asked.

"Talking," Auggie said simply.

Riley turned to Ava who looked uncomfortable and she nudged Auggie's shoulder.

"We're just getting a snack, and we will leave you two alone," Auggie said and walked over to the fridge.

"Want some?" Charlie asked Riley.

She knew she had no choice but to accept because just like Zay. Charlie knew the truth about her eating habits.

Charlie walked over to the cabinet and expertly maneuvered in the kitchen. He moved around Auggie and grabbed peanut butter and pretzels for him and Riley. Auggie grabbed two apples from the basket and looked over to Charlie and Riley. Riley looked back at Auggie, and the two Matthew siblings had a silent conversation.

"This tastes so good," Charlie said as he sat back down.

He opened the peanut butter and placed it between him and Riley. He passed her some pretzels and she hesitantly grabbed one.

"We will be in my room," Auggie said.

"Door open," Riley said as Ava shook her head.

The two younger ones disappeared down the hall and Riley turned to Charlie.

"What isn't Auggie only ten?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah well he's growing up pretty quick," Riley said as she nibbled on a pretzel.

"Yeah but you're insinuating they were doing something," Charlie said.

"Ava, talking queen was embarrassed, they were doing something," Riley said.

"Ri," Charlie said softly.

"You're right, I'm just … just being a good big sister. Look I better go apologize," Riley said and got up from the table.

She walked down the hall to Auggie's room and could hear Ava's voice.

"So what's going on with that?" Ava asked.

"I wasn't expecting to see Charlie, I just expected Lucas, he's the one that's been here the last few months," Auggie mumbled.

"Why don't you just talk to her?" Ava asked.

"And say what? Hey Riley, Ava, and I have been in here talking about how worried I am about you? She has enough on her plate, and now her ex is here. What if they get back together?" Auggie asked.

"Would that be terrible?" Ava asked.

"No, I like Charlie, he's a nice guy. He even taught me how to skateboard but … I see the way Riley looks at Lucas, and vice versa, it's like my parents. I don't want anyone to get hurt, and I especially don't want Riley to be upset, not after everything she's been through," Auggie said and Riley could tell he was crying.

She was about to go into the room when she heard Topanga's voice. She hurried back to the kitchen area and motioned for Charlie to not say anything.

"Hey honey," Topanga said as she dropped her briefcase on the table.

"Hey mom," Riley said and sat back down.

Charlie gave her a puzzled look but Riley grabbed a pretzel to distract him.

"Charlie it's nice to see you," Topanga said and Riley could see the hint of confusion that Auggie had.

"He is actually here because of ... Billy," Riley said.

"What's going on?" Topanga asked as her tone changed.

"Um, Mrs. Matthews … Billy and I talked. I know I shouldn't even be giving him the time of day but … he was my best friend for years. I had to hear him out but … he said some pretty terrible things, and he mentioned how the case was going to go. He claims to have proof that Riley is lying, and that his lawyer is going to use it to hurt Riley's credibility. He didn't say what it was but I could tell it wasn't good but … he offered to show me. I thought maybe if I see him … I can catch him in a lie," Charlie confessed.

"What! Charlie no!" Riley exclaimed.

"Charlie please don't put yourself in that position, Billy … he isn't someone you should be around," Topanga said.

"I want to do this for Riley," Charlie stressed.

"Charlie," Riley sighed.

"Charlie, I can't stop you but I highly recommend you stay away. Billy could use this meet-up as a manipulation tactic, I don't want either of you to get tangled in his mess," Topanga said.

"He's not going, you're not going right?" Riley said as she looked at Charlie.

"Ri … I can't say I'm not if we can find something to stop him," Charlie said.

"Charlie! No! Promise me," Riley said and she started to tremble.

Charlie got up from his seat and walked over to Riley. He hesitantly reached out for her and smiled.

"Hey, I will always protect you, you know that?" Charlie said.

Riley nodded and relaxed as Charlie brought her hands to his lips. Riley smiled but felt instant guilt as she saw Charlie light up at her smile. These moments they were having were complicating everything.

"I better go," Charlie said and Riley could see he noticed.

"Thank you Mrs. Matthews for your hospitality," Charlie said as he walked over to his books.

He quickly shoved them into his bag and then threw his jacket on. As he shrugged his book bag over his shoulder, he gave Topanga a bright smile. He waved to Riley and quickly shuffled for the door. He bid them another farewell and left the apartment.

"You okay?" Topanga asked.

"Fine," Riley mumbled.

"Riley, I saw the way he was looking at you. He is still in love with you. I know this complicates your life. However, I just want you to know that leading him on isn't okay," Topanga said softly.

"I am not leading him on Mom! Charlie and I are just friends," Riley sighed.

"I know that look in his eyes, he's going to try to fix this, in hope to fix your relationship," Topanga said.

"What's wrong with that? Charlie is a nice guy, he's been there for me longer than others, and he hasn't betrayed my trust," Riley said.

"It's wrong because you're in love with Lucas, you're just upset with him. It is not fair to either boy to mess around with their feelings because you're upset," Topanga said.

"I can love them both," Riley mumbled.

"I'm going to say one last thing, and we will move on from this topic. You can love them both, it's your feelings. However, because you're upset with one doesn't mean you use the other. They both care about you deeply, and vice versa. Besides I think you should take a step back anyway, your mind should be about school right now," Topanga said.

Riley swallowed inward and nodded at her mother's words.

"I'm just going to excuse myself," Riley said as Topanga turned to start dinner.

Riley quickly walked out of the room, and towards her room. She threw the door open and plopped onto her bed. She stared at the ceiling and tried her best not to cry. She knew that Topanga was right. She was being unfair to Charlie, however, Riley couldn't ignore their past. It was three years of them against the world. She also knew some of her feelings for Lucas came from him saving her. It was a mess of feelings that were all twisted into one another. However, she knew deep down inside as much as she loved Charlie, she wasn't in love with him. Her heart belonged to Lucas but how could she love someone she doesn't trust. Riley's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her window. She instantly sat up and saw one of the last people she wanted to see, Lucas.