Happening >>Riley Matthews<<

Chapter 6

Her eyes were so lost. Farkle's head soon came up like a dog's when you call his name. When Lucas's head came up and I saw those caring, green eyes hurt, I broke.

I started crying. I curled up in a ball and cried. My hands came around my legs instinctively and pulled them close to my trembling body. My head fell between my knees as they had earlier today. I could feel my shoulders shaking and the noises that I made sounded like a hiccuping horse.

I felt Maya sit to my left. I could tell because her hair brushed up against me as she sat down. Farkle sat to my right. I could tell because he's not as heavy as Lucas. I didn't know where Lucas ended up, but I honestly didn't care. Maya was rubbing my shins. Farkle was rubbing my back. But no Lucas. This made me cry harder.

Suddenly I remembered that my parents were home. I tried to muffle my sobs by hiding them deeper in my knees. It worked. It also calmed me down.

I started feeling woozy again like I was going to faint. I guess my friends must've seen it because I felt Farkle get up from off the bed and do something that I couldn't make out because my vision was blurred by pools of salt. It was then that I felt strong arms around me. Lucas I thought.

He carried me from the edge of my bed to where my pillows were so I could lean up against the headboard. Which I did willingly. I still felt light headed and I was sure I was going to blackout. But then I felt something cold and refreshing on my face.

Once my vision cleared, I saw Farkle standing beside my bed with one of those squirt water bottles. He handed it to me and I gratefully took a sip.

Maya crawled up next to me and slid my covers over my legs. She pushed my damp hair behind my ears and started rubbing my back. Lucas sat next to me and put his hand on my kneecap. Farkle was now sitting across from me, another full water bottle in hand. I'm assuming in case I drank the one he had given me.

"Farkle? How did you get these so fast?" I asked, indicating toward the water bottles.

"Oh," he said. "The one you're drinking out of now is mine and this one is Lucas'." He finished, raising the one he had in his hand. I smiled at him and mouthed thank you because my throat was clogging up again.

"Riley?"

"Yes, Peaches?" I asked. My voice came out muffled and nasaly. My nose was so stuffed up with mucus that I sounded as if I were talking an octave lower. Farkle brought me some tissues and I blew my nose for a while. Peaches was so kind as to wait until I was done.

"Are you okay?" She asked as Lucas got up. He brought over a trashcan for all of the tissues that I just completely destroyed.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I wiped my eyes as if I were taking off mascara (I've never actually done it because I can't wear makeup but I've seen other girls do it).
"Riley?"

"What?! I'm fine!" I snapped.

"Riley, tell us the truth." Farkle interjected.

"Friends don't lie to each other." Lucas reminded me from his perch right next to me.

"Okay... I thought I was fine." I admitted. "I'm not." I quickly added afterward. I leaned over and cried on Maya's lap. My tears seemed to be a never ending stream. A dam would be put up to try and contain them but then Maya, or Farkle, or Lucas would come and knock it down. I am thankful for that.

Before today, I never cried. I never let my emotions flow ever since this thing started happening to me. "Shhhh." Maya comforted me. "Shhhh." Her hands started petting my hair. "Shhhh..."

I felt two hands on my back. One of them strong and firm. The other one, small and gentle. I love my friends. I love how they are always there for me. They're not even there. They're here. Right where I need them.

After I calmed down, Maya picked my head up and helped me straighten my back. It was then that things started getting a little awkward. I don't think they knew how to deal with what I sent them.

"Hey, Lucas?"

"Yes?"

"Can you grab my phone for me please?" He retrieved my phone from my dresser and brought it back to me. I had asked him because he was the closest one to it.

"Riley? Why are you checking your phone?" Farkle asked. I looked up from my screen and I knew what he was referring to. When I was being cyber-bullied.

"Don't worry. It's no biggy."

"Riley? It's not happening again, is it? Cuz if it is, you just give me a name and I promise you I..."

"Lucas!" I interjected. "Nobody is texting me, okay! It's fine! Nothing like that is happening to me! Don't you trust me?!"

"How can I when for the past two months you've said you're fine?!" He stopped, realizing what had just come out of his mouth. "I'm sorry I got mad." He whispered.

"It's okay." I put my hand on his knee. "I understand."

Farkle took his hand and pulled him out through the window. "Wait, where are you guys going?" I let my emotions take over. "Why are you leaving me? You can't leave me! I can't be alone anymore!" I yelled.

"Don't worry, Sunshine. We'll be right back." Farkle said as he dragged Lucas out. I looked over at Maya and saw her hurt expression.

"I'm sorry, Maya. I forgot you were here."

"It's okay." She pulled my head to lean against her shoulder. I did for a few moments and then continued on my quest.

Riley: where r u guys?

Mom: I took you're dad and augs out for a walk so he wouldn't bug you guys. Ik today was hard

Riley: how long u guys gonna b out?

Mom: hopefully another hour. Your bother wants to do some shopping. Your mamma does too

Riley: okay, have fun thnx cya

Mom: Kk bye

"Riley, who are you texting?" Maya leaned over my shoulder to look at my phone.

"I just asked my mom where they went. There was no possible way that they couldn't have heard me if they were home. She said they all went out for a walk."

Maya just nodded her head. I think I know what was running through her mind but she didn't want to say it because it would just make the situation more awkward.

Yeah, you were crying really loud.

That would not have helped at all.

Maya and I sat there in silence for a little while before Farkle and Lucas came back through the window.