Life is the Long Game

Chapter 28

Josh's POV:

As soon as I heard Maya's voice begin to crack I was already running to her place, I was almost there by the time she dropped the phone.
I run into her apartment, putting on a brave face, to not show her my panic over the matter. She is on the floor rocking her and Amelie back and forth. I gently go over to them a hold them so tightly.
"They're gonna be okay. They have to be okay. I can't live without them. They have to be okay. They are gonna be okay, right?" She asks me weakly.
"Honestly. I don't know."
Then her big blue eyes widen.
"I need to call her parents. I need to call Lucas's dad. I need to call her and just see if she'll pick up." She stands up handing Amelie to me and wiping her tears away and taking our her phone.
"Topanga?...Did you see the news?...I-I don't know... I'll get him to call him...Keep in touch." Maya signs as she hangs up.
"Should I call Cory?" I ask. She nods, I place Amelie who is fast asleep down and call my brother.
C: Hey bro!
J: Cory, I don't know how to say this,
C: What is it?
J: Lucas and Riley's plane crashed.
C: What? Where's Topanga? Never mind, I know where she is, she'll already know but we need each other.
J: Okay?
C: I have to go.
I go and hug Maya, then my phone rings. It's Farkle.
J: Hello?
E: Hi Joshua, it's Enid on Farkle's phone.
J: Oh, um hi?
E: Farkle saw the news, he is having a major panic attack. Please tell me you know something about the crash?
J: I'm sorry. Can you get him over here?
E: Yeah, sure I'll try.
J: Thanks. See you.
E: Bye.
"Josh, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just Farkle's having a panic attack after seeing the news."
I hug her tightly, and we go and watch Amelie sleep.
"What if they are dead? Amelie won't have any parents. She'll grow up and orphan. That can't happen Josh." Maya sobs into my chest.
"It won't, they are strong people, they'll be okay."
"And if their not?"
"Then Amelie still has, you, me, my brothers, my sister, Topanga, my parents, Mr Feeny, Shawn, Auggie, Rick, Pappy Joe and Cletis. She'll never be alone Maya. We just have to be strong for her though."
"I-I need some space a second." She gets up and goes off to the bathroom. After a few seconds it dawns on me. I rush to the bathroom, which Maya hasn't locked.
"Don't, please don't do what I think you've come in here to do." I tell her, as I see her sat in the corner crying.
"I can't do it though Josh. I can't be strong, I need something to help me, and this does."
"No. That's what I'm for. How many times will I have to tell you? I love you and you come to me when you want to do this. Please, don't do this again." I kiss her forehead.
"It's so hard to not, though."
"We are gonna get through this."
"But I'll still have the scars." Then I take her arms and kiss every scar.
"Wait Maya, you have a bloody blade but no fresh cuts on your arms?"
Then she lifts up her top and pulls down her jeans.
"I'm sorry I lied Josh." She says, sobbing.
"It's okay, I forgive you. I need to help you though."
I then clean all of her cuts on her thighs and stomach before kissing the cuts and scars.
"In going to try and ring them." She says changing the subject and redressing herself.
"Come on Riles, pick up." She whispers, and I presume she doesn't as then Maya dials another number. "Lucas, please answer the god damn phone...Lucas! No, no, no. You're meant to protect her! No!"
"What? Maya, baby, what is it?" I plead.
"It's Riley. She-Riley, is....