Love at a Price (re-write?) - a GMW Joshaya fic

Twenty

The argument took place during a game night at the Matthews' not long after Farkle and Riley got together. Smackle put on like she couldn't care less, that she was actually happy for them. Cory and Topanga had left the house to go to a late movie, trusting us to be responsible and behave the same way we always had. Auggie had been out of the house, staying with his friend Dewey.

Trying to be rebellious teenagers, we – actually, Zay and I – decided that it would be fun to spice up the night with a little under-age drinking. Riley was apprehensive, but Farkle surprisingly went along with it, so that was enough to convince her. I mean, she was still in the delirious puppy-love stage, after all. Lucas and Smackle both agreed that it was 'incredibly stupid' and 'not to mention dangerous' to be drinking underage.

"Come on, Cowboy," I jeered, "As if you've never done it before."

"I'm not proud of it!" He snapped, but took a deep breath and shook his head. "I can't be here if you won't listen to reason." He was glaring daggers at me and Zay, and something deep inside me warned me to call it off, but I didn't listen. Lucas ended up leaving, just wanting to go home. He offered to take Smackle but she said she was fine. I think we all wish that she would've just left with Lucas that night, or that he would have stayed and kept control of the situation.

We were playing Never Have I Ever, which was following countless rounds of Kiss, Marry, Kill, Two Truths and a Lie, and stupid drinking games where we'd take a shot each time somebody jumbled their words. The five of us were actually having a good time, and it definitely helped that we had been drinking enough to lose our filters, so we knew what we were saying but didn't care what came out, and that made everything all the more funny.

So, Never Have I Ever started, and it was just stupid stuff, mixed in with the occasional sexual comment that had us all in stitches because it seemed so random. About ten turns in, Smackle broke. I don't know if it was how hands-on Riley and Farkle were all night or the fact that they clearly moved very quickly in the month or so they'd been together. I'm sure that the few drinks she eventually had only escalated the situation.

"Never have I ever stolen a friends ex and then completely whored myself over to him!"

Silence fell across the room, and it took Riley a few seconds to fully understand what was said. In that time, I was on my feet, red in the face and ready to smack her down.

"Say that again!" I dared her, and I was pulled back before I could even lift my arm. Smackle started to cry, which just pissed me off even more.

"I hate you, Riley! You knew what you were doing when you took him, and you knew that it would hurt me, but you still did it!" Smackle was on her way out the door, the four of us staring after her as she blubbered and raged. Then the Matthews came home, getting in Smackle's way as she tried to storm out.

Cory took one look around the room, noticing the drinks around us and fighting for some level of control. His usually easy-going stature was nowhere to be seen and he looked the most like a father I had seen him be for months.

I forget what he said, or what Topanga did. I forget how they shut us up, I just remember sitting on the couch, Riley sandwiched between me and Farkle. Topanga was systematically calling our parents, apologising over and over for how late it was, and that she wishes she didn't believe it was absolutely urgent to call. I think it was just past midnight.

Cory paced back and forth in front of the couch, lecturing us in whispers. After Topanga hung up for the final time, he really let rip. It wasn't exactly yelling, considering he had neighbours to consider, but it was terrifying.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in?" He started, staring us all down. "Because this is not okay!" But he stopped, realising something was wrong. "Where's Lucas?"

Nobody was willing to speak up, so he snapped, demanding again. I finally whispered an answer, keeping my eyes glued to the floor, "He left as soon as – as soon as I started... grabbing drinks."

Cory cursed under his breath and had to stop. "All of you should be like Lucas. If you can't stop a stupid friend from making a stupid decision, you get help or you leave. Simple as that. How many times have I told you this, Riley?"

"I'm sorry..." Riley trembled, but he cut her off.

"Just forget it. This is about all of you right now. Your parents are on their way."

Both he and Topanga went off on us about irresponsible behaviour, and reckless decision making, and how we were all in so much trouble, that they had half a mind to bring the police into it. Throughout the entire lecture, I couldn't look up from my hands.

Shawn showed up first, followed by Farkle's dad, Smackle's mom, and Zay's dad. They lectured us more in the living room, then we all confirmed that it continued heading home. I think it was worse for Riley; it was her house, her parents had trusted us. She had already been attacked by a so-called friend, and then she bore the brunt of the blame.

We didn't talk to Smackle for about a month after that, try as we might. Sure, the first week it was mutual. And then it turned toxic. She was just coasting around with the other geeks and freaks, and I use the terms endearingly, and would coil into herself if we got near her, just completely shutting down.

We tried going as a group, and then just sending one or two of us at a time. But nothing seemed to help. She'd said what she said, and she knew that it was wrong. Obviously. And it was torture seeing Riley fighting to mend our group. She was the one who deserved to be pissed off, to be talking shit behind Smackle's back, telling us she didn't want to see her ever again. But Riley's too good of a person. She went to Smackle's house and coerced her way inside. She never told me exactly what was said, just that they left things on good terms. But, if they made up, then why does Smackle still refuse to be around us outside of school?

–

It seems like no matter how much love Riley pours into the people around her, life is always going to come back around and destroy things. She hasn't been through a thousand different hardships, but she's an emotional, caring, loving person who takes things to heart. She's still sitting in her room, loud sobs echoing around the apartment. I know that her parents are only shocked or scared, that they aren't really this angry, but it's hard to listen to, and it must be even harder to experience.

I break away from Josh and go into her room, throwing my arms around Riley immediately. I discover that the crash from earlier was a thrown book shattering the ornate glass frame I gave her for Christmas. I try not to let it bother me, knowing that she wouldn't have meant to break it, she probably wasn't thinking. She's a shaken sobbing mess, folded in two as she struggles to take a decent breath. Josh waits a moment by her door, his heart clearly aching for her as he approaches us and sits on her other side.

Nobody knows what to say in times like this.

AN: HAPPY NEW YEAR! ... Well, I am about a week late. But, uh, this is the argument chapter. As I said last time, I've had this chapter, basically, since I first started working on this story. Next time, you'll get to witness the confrontation with Farkle, where everything is laid out in the open. But, in any case, I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and will stick around to see what is to come. 

Sorry for the late update, by the way, there's really no reason. But that's life, I guess. 

I wish you the best for this year and hope you're staying safe, happy and healthy.

Elise.