Chapter 7 – Hello Again
Riley avoided the rest of her past as she visited Josh at the crack of dawn. They did not talk about her encounters with Lucas but she could feel that he wanted her to tell him as well. She knew that Farkle would tell and Riley was beginning to let him do it. She could leave and would not have to deal with the consequences.
"What's on your mind squirt?" Josh asked as he leaned up in the bed.
His face was paler than it was yesterday and bruises appeared on his arm. Riley leaned in the chair she had shoved into the corner of the room right behind the door and sighed.
"Farkle … he knows about Izzy, and he wants me to tell Maya and Lucas but Maya first, and that stupid dinner is tomorrow" Riley said as she leaned forward.
"That's good and I agree," Josh said as the nurse walked in with a tray of food.
"Josh how are you this morning, I got your favorite, bland scrambled eggs, pale sausage and over-processed juice with carton pieces," She mused as Josh smirked.
"Julia … you are after my heart this is an amazing meal," Josh joked as she placed the tray onto his table and pulled it close to him.
She pulled out two red jello cups and handed one to Josh and the other to Riley.
"Oh thank you," Riley said as Julia checked Josh's fluids and then his chest.
"Maybe I should-" Riley was cut off by Julia's hand.
"Darling I am just checking his vitals and he is in perfect health," Julia said as Josh tilted his head with a smile.
"Just a little cancer," Josh said as Julia chuckled.
She ruffled his hair and patted his arm before she walked out the door. Riley uncomfortable with the talk shifted in her seat. She knew it was his way of dealing with things but it did not sit well in her stomach. She wanted to wish away the pain for him, or suffer through the pain. Josh did not deserve it and she felt she needed the punishment for lying.
"Riles its how I make it through, they don't give me those sympathetic looks you guys do, they understand me," Josh said as he opened the jello cup.
"Its morbid Josh … I mean you might make it and-"
"Riley it's fine … I am not going to and I have accepted it," Josh said as Riley began again as the door swung open.
Riley was expecting to see Julia back with more hidden treats but instead met with long wild blonde hair Maya. Riley knew that Maya could barely see her especially since the door perfectly hid her until it closed.
"Josh!" Maya said as she did not see Riley in the chair. Instead, she trotted over to Josh's side with a wrapped package and a brown paper bag.
"Maya-" Josh began.
"No worries I saw Julia and she already told me she checked you out. I just wanted to check in on you before I went to work and show you the piece I made for you" Maya said as she sat on the edge of the bed.
Riley could barely breathe and knew once Maya saw her it would be a problem. Riley shrunk into the chair as Josh turned to her. Maya followed his gaze and the soft smile dropped and replaced with fury in her blue eyes. She glared at Riley and stood to her feet before sharply turning to Josh.
"Sorry I did not know you had company," Maya snapped as Josh sighed.
"Riles likes to come in the morning … she wants to start the day with me," Josh said as Maya rolled her eyes.
She crossed her arms across her chest and continued her glared at Riley. Riley stood to her feet and went to grab her jacket when Josh spoke up.
"Riles … can you get me an apple from the cafeteria … Maya show her where it is," Josh said as both girls stared at him.
They knew they would not argue in front of him but they sure as hell did not want to be around one another. Riley's mind began to whirl with excuses she can come up with to avoid being with Maya when Maya sighed in defeat.
"Sure anything for you Josh," Maya said and rushed past Riley out into the hallway. Riley glared at Josh as he slyly smiled at her. He directed his hand to the door and Riley grunted in anger before following Maya's steps.
"I can do it myself," Riley mumbled as Maya stood in the hallway arms still crossed.
"Let's go," Maya snapped as she walked down the dimly lit hallway towards a fire door.
Riley not in the mood to argue followed her down the hallway. The silence was suffocating but Riley knew better than to poke at the angry blonde. She could hear Maya huff with each step and the loud slam of the fire door. Maya began to walk down the stairs when Riley stop mid-step.
"I didn't ask if he wanted green or red?" Riley gasped.
"What?" Maya questioned with annoyance.
"Josh I didn't ask him what he wanted, I should go back to him," Riley whispered and turned back slowly.
"So we will get both it's not a big deal Matthews," Maya snapped.
"Can you drop the fucking attitude?" Riley snapped back.
Her demand shocked Maya for a second but it was replaced with malice. Maya walked back up the stairs and stood in front of Riley. She crossed her arms and stood too close for Riley's liking.
"Want to repeat that?" Maya teases.
"It's hard enough to see him like this I can do without the nasty attitude from you!" Riley gritted.
"Nasty attitude you have a lot of nerve!" May began as Riley turned away to stomp off.
"Run! It's what you do best!" Maya screamed as her voice broke.
Riley turned squarely on her feet and went to scream when she could see the tears streaming down Maya's face.
"Maya?" Riley questioned her voice softened.
"You think it's easy for me to see him like this? And then on top of it, you're here! It took Josh dying for you to even make an appearance and then to put the icing on the cake you were going to avoid us! Riley, I can't believe you would be this way, especially to me! What did I do wrong, for you to abandon me!" Maya cried through the gasps.
"Maya I-" Riley began.
"You were there when my dad left, you knew how hard that was for me and you go and do it as well! What was so horrible that you abandoned me of all people! What did I do?" Maya cried.
"I was pregnant" Riley confessed.
Maya didn't utter another word but instead, her mouth gaped open and she blinked. Riley's hand perspired and could feel the pit in her stomach grow. She didn't expect to tell Maya as such, she played the moment over and over in her head for the past four years. It was never in the staircase of the hospital where her uncle was dying.
" I was pregnant … that's why I left," Riley whispered.
"Was? Did something happen" Maya began.
"Oh no … Izzy is great she's actually at my parents" Riley said with a soft smile.
"Izzy?" Maya croaked.
"Isabella," Riley confirmed.
"Your daughter?" Maya questioned.
"Yes," Riley answered and shifted her weight.
"Lucas?!" Maya gasped her blue eyes widening.
"Yes," Riley answered.
"Did … did … did Josh know?" Maya asked as the pieces clicked.
"My entire family does," Riley said. Maya didn't say another word to Riley but instead shoved her out of her way. Maya bounded up the stairs in fury and back to Josh's room. She slammed the door open and Josh jumped.
"Maya?" Josh asked.
Riley trickled into the room as she watched Maya stars at Josh with reddened eyes.
"You knew!" Maya snapped.
Josh did not have to ask because by her body language he already knew what she was referring to.
"Maya" Josh began but Riley interrupted.
"What is your problem?" Riley asked.
"You! How the hell can you keep that a secret, from us, from Lucas! Who the hell do you think you are! You're not Riley Matthews, I don't know who the fuck you are but you're not her!" Maya screamed. Julia walked in and saw Maya's frazzles state.
"Is there a problem?" She questioned.
"No," Josh answered as Julia raised her eyebrows.
"No not at all because I'm done! Josh I …. goodbye!" Maya rushed and grabbed her jacket from the chair.
Riley was quick on Maya's tail and grabbed her arm.
"You're overreacting!" Riley said.
"You're a bitch! How dare you rob Lucas of his child, Riley do you hear yourself! If anything I'm severely underreacting," Maya said and yanked her arm from Riley.
"Farkle said you would understand," Riley said and ran a hand through her hair.
"I'm sorry what!" Maya shouted.
"Ma'am!" A nurse accosted.
"Farkle he … said you would understand," Riley squeaked.
"Who doesn't know!" Maya growled.
Riley stuttered as Maya raised a hand to silence her.
"Lucas doesn't know" Maya teased with malice.
"Maya please!" Riley cried as her eyes watered.
Riley began to shake and looked around for an escape. Her chest tightened at the thought of Lucas finding out. She did not know how he was going to react. Would he hate Isabella, would he take her away from Riley, would he actually want nothing to do with Isabella. She couldn't fathom any of those ideas and she had to run.
Riley pushed past Maya as she ran down the hallway. She heard the faint yells of Maya but she couldn't process what she was saying. Riley ran, she didn't stop running as she flew past Ava going into the brownstone of her childhood home. Her keys fumbled from her hands as she tried opening the door. As the door swung open she saw a bleary Auggie confused at what she was doing.
"Izzy!" Riley screamed.
"Riley, what's wrong?" Topanga asked as she walked out from the kitchen table.l
"Izzy!" Riley screamed.
Zay walked from around the corner and could see the panic on Riley's face.
"Riley?" Topanga asked.
"She's going to tell him! Maya she's going to tell Lucas! We have to go" Riley stuttered.
Auggie shifted uncomfortably and mumbled he will go wake, Isabella. Zay sighed and walked over to Riley. The tears streamed down her face as her mind raced with fear.
"Riley … honey … maybe it's time" Topanga began.
"No, it will never be the right time! I cannot lose her or worse have him resent her! It's better if he just doesn't know!" Riley snapped and wiped her face with the sleeve of her sweater. She realized that she left her jacket back at the hospital with her phone.
"Fuck" she whispered as Zay places his arms across her shoulders.
"And what are you going to do hide!" Topanga snapped.
Riley stares at the door and then nodded. Topanga pointed for Zay to leave the room. Zay hesitant but obliged with Topanga' request. Riley turned to her mother and could see the anger swells in Topanga' eyes.
"No!" Topanga whispered.
"I'm not a child you can't tell me what to do!" Riley snapped.
"You're sure as hell acting like a child Riley! We let you make a mistake running away pregnant without telling Lucas! Josh is dying Riley! This should show you more than anything life is fleeting, you're robbing Izzy of her father!" Topanga yelled.
"Father? Mom, he's basically a sperm donor!" Riley snapped.
"Riley! He is her father whether you want to acknowledge it or not, you were a teenager years ago but you a grown woman! Start acting like it, if you do not tell Lucas … you won't be allowed back into my home," Topanga threatened.
"You're taking his side?" Riley questioned.
"I am taking the side of Izzy, Riley, a little girl who should not be robbed of her father because we let you make the mistake of running away, they deserve to both know … you can't do this any longer and whatever happens … should happen," Topanga spouted.
"And if he hurts her?" Riley questioned.
"Then she knows, it will be painful but then she will know the whole truth," Topanga finished.
Riley choked back a sob and ran past her mother into her old bedroom. Zay had Isabella wrapped in his arms on the bed as she slept. His eyes bore into hers and he sighed as he watched her crumble. Riley collapsed onto the bed and sobbed until she could no longer stay awake.
It hurt to open her eyes and the pounding migraine did not help but Riley knew she had to wake up. Being in New York and off her schedule was making her beyond sick. She felt the bed shift and heard Isabella yawn softly. Riley turned to see the small girl with her eyes closed clutching an old teddy bear and sat up.
Riley yelped when she saw Maya sitting at the Bay Window with her jacket and red eyes. Riley rubbed her eyes hoping this was a nightmare, a figment of her imagination. She rubbed her eyes and Maya was still sitting there.
"What are you doing here?" Riley asked.
Maya didn't respond which made Riley anxious and stand to her feet. Should she call her parents? Hide Isabella? Hope Zay would walk in and rescue her?
"She looks just like you," Maya whispered and Riley covered Isabella from Maya's view.
"Really Riley? More hiding?" Maya scoffed.
Riley didn't answer instead she crossed her arms across her chest. She could hear the bed creak behind her and another small yawn. Her heart began to beat faster and she bit her lip in fear.
"Mommy?"
Riley could see Maya flinch at Isabella's words and turned to the small child. She smoothed the hair from Isabella's face and smiled softly. She bent to her eye level and Isabella stifled another yawn from escaping. The small child rubbed her eyes and smiled but it widen when she looked passed Riley.
"Maya!" Isabella squealed and scrambled to her feet.
Riley looked down to her feet as Maya's own eyes widen by the small child's excitement. Isabella ran over to Maya clutching the teddy bear and stood in front of her. Her eyes widen in glee and Maya could see those damn eyes. They were bright green, she had seen those eyes on, Lucas Friar. There was no denying this little girl was his.
"Hi," Maya mumbled.
"Your hair is so long, mommy she looks like Rapunzel," Isabella said and reached for Maya's hair,
"Izzy ...personal space!" Riley scolded as Isabella giggled.
"I'm sorry," Isabella whispered to Maya and hugged her teddy bear tighter.
"Izzy, why don't you see if Zay can make you a small snack?"Riley said as she pulled Isabella away from the awkward Maya.
"Okay!" Isabella giggled and ran out of the room without a second glance.
"Small!" Riley called after the fading giggles.
"She knows me-" Maya began as Riley started to apologize.
"What?" Riley asked.
"She said, Maya … she knows who I am?" Maya questioned.
"Yes," Riley said and looked at her feet,
Maya popped her lips and Riley looked up at her with tears in her eyes.
"Maya … I told her about all of you, she knows of you … I made a mistake but … she was never one of them, I just want to protect her," Riley sniffled.
"You forgot your jacket and phone," Maya answered.
"What?" Riley asked.
Maya showed the jacket she was clutching and Riley reached for it.
"I'm sorry," Maya said as Riley raised her eyebrows.
Maya shoved the jacket into her hands and reached for the window.
"Why?" Riley asked and reached for Maya's arm.
"I don't understand, Maya I am the one who ran away why are you apologizing?" Riley said.
"Because I don't know what to say, Riley, it's easier to give a half-empty apology then yell especially when I saw her, she's beautiful but I look into those eyes, I see Luke! It's not fair," Maya cried.
"I know," Riley whispered and let go of Maya's arm.
Maya was hesitant but she let go of the window. Riley began to sob in her hands and gasped when she felt Maya's arms around her. She began to sob louder as Maya sobbed herself. They weren't sure how long they stood in each other's arms until Topanga appeared.
"Hey … snacks are on the table," Topanga whispered.
The two girls pulled away and wiped their faces. Both faces redden and puffy, eyes bloodshot but small smiles on their faces. Riley giggled softly as Maya sighed happily. They weren't friends but for now, they were not enemies.