𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐚 ⊰ gmw

t h r e e

  Mackenzie was more than relieved when the school day was finally over, not because the day wasn't good but because she was exhausted. And while she didn't particularly enjoy being at home, she could always hide away in her room. Mackenzie waved at Lani as they exited their classroom before she began making her way to Auggie's classroom. She ran her fingers through her hair, standing in front of the large bright blue door. She greeted Auggie's teacher who then proceeded to call out for Auggie. Mackenzie smiled brightly at him as he ran up to her, hugging her legs tightly. 

  "Kenzie!" He smiled up at her.

  "Hey, buddy! Did you have a good day?" She asked as she led him towards the entrance of their school. She listened intently as Auggie recounted everything he did in class today, nodding occasionally to let him know she was still paying attention to him. Once they pushed past the big metal doors and made it down the stone steps, they both caught sight of their mother's car parked in front of the school and waiting for them. 

  "Auggie! Mackenzie! Over here!" Topanga yelled out to them after rolling down the passenger side window. This caused other lingering students toward them, much to Mackenzie's complete embarrassment. She quickly helped Auggie into the vehicle before climbing in herself. Once the car door was shut, Topanga drove off. 

  "How did your first day go you two?" Topanga questioned, glancing at them from the rearview mirror. Auggie proceeded to tell everything he told Mackenzie to Topanga and Mackenzie looked out the window, letting her little brother have his time in the spotlight.

  "Mackenzie?" The sound of her name made her snap her head in Topanga's direction, eyes wide in confusion. 

  "W-What?" 

  "I asked how your day went, but it looked like you were somewhere else." Topanga gave her a small smile through the mirror. Mackenzie stared at her mother's face for a while. She always thought her mom was beautiful, especially when she smiled. Mackenzie wished that her smile would be directed towards her more often. She glanced back out the window.

  "S-Sorry. It was fun. I made a new friend today." Mackenzie replied simply.

  "That's great! What's their name?" Topanga asked enthusiastically, keeping her eyes on the road. 

  "Her name is Lani. She has really pretty eyes." Mackenzie responded, her tone becoming lighter as she saw how intently her mother was listening to her. 

  "Aw! Well, maybe you can invite her over sometime! Oh, look Mackenzie it's your dance studio!" Topanga exclaimed as they drove past a large white building. Mackenzie and Auggie both peered out of the window to where their mom was pointing.

  "M-mom, are you gonna come with me today to practice?" Mackenzie asked hopefully, letting a small smile slip out in hopes it would convince her mother to agree.

  "Of course sweetie! I'll be there." Topanga gave her daughter a reassuring smile, before turning her eyes back to the road. Mackenzie's smile grew and she sat back in her seat, feeling special and happy. 

♡♡♡

  Topanga, Mackenzie, and Auggie had arrived at their home about 25 minutes ago. Once they had gotten through the door, Mackenzie rushed to her room to change into her dancewear which consisted of a light blue sports bra and matching spandex shorts. She threw on a large hoodie over them before grabbing her black and pink dance duffle bag. Quickly tying her hair into a ponytail, she skipped out of her room and over to the living room. 

"Hey, mom! I'm ready!" Mackenzie paused in her steps when she saw Topanga sitting on the couch with Riley. They both looked up at her when they heard her come in, seeming to have paused a conversation.

  "Oh, Mackenzie sweetie, can you take the subway to dance today? I'm sorry, but something came up with Riley. You don't mind do you?" Topanga gave her an apologetic smile and Mackenzie felt her shoulders automatically drop. 

  "N-no, it's fine." Mackenzie quickly walked out of the apartment, bumping into her dad along the way.

  "Hey, Mackenzie! Have you seen Riley?" He questioned. She simply pointed over to the apartment door to which he patted her shoulder and headed inside. She sighed before continuing on her way to the subway station. 

♡♡♡

  Mackenzie laid in her bed. She had gotten home hours ago, having been dropped off by one of the other moms at the dance practice. Unlike her own mother. Mackenzie's room was pitch black, like the rest of her house. Everyone was asleep and the house was completely silent, which made her thoughts louder than usual. She was laying on her side, staring at the wall across from her. 

  "Of course sweetie! I'll be there."

  "I'm sorry, but something came up with Riley. You don't mind do you?"

  How many times has she heard those words? And yet she never learns. 

  Mackenzie thought back to how special she had felt in the car, how happy she was, knowing that her mom would accompany her to dance practice. That she wouldn't be the only girl there whose mom wasn't there to watch and support her. 

  How stupid could she be?  It will always be Riley. Riley will always come first. 

  Mackenzie blinked and a tear rolled down her cheek. Her eyes had watered up without her even noticing. She jumped when she heard her door being opened, quickly wiping her eyes. Small feet could be heard padding against the hardwood floor of her room before she saw Auggie standing in front of her.

  "Kenzie? I had a nightmare, can I sleep with you please?" 

  "Of course you can buddy." Mackenzie sniffled and helped him climb onto her bed. The two siblings lay there, facing each other for a while before Auggie spoke up.

  "Why are you crying, Kenzie?" 

  "I had a nightmare too buddy. Let's go to sleep okay?" She lied and hoped Auggie wouldn't catch on. Relief flooded through her when he nodded his head before flipping over onto his other side so that his back was facing her. Mackenzie flipped over herself and as she laid there, next to her baby brother she could feel the tears pouring down like waterfalls. 

  She covered her mouth with her hand as she curled up into a ball, not wanting her sobs to come out and wake up Auggie. And although holding them in made her chest feel tight, she would never want anyone to hear how much pain she was truly in.