Their World | Rilaya

5: Fears

"My mom is at work and she won't be home for a long time. Why can't you just leave me here alone?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, but that's not how it works. Since you aren't an adult, I have to leave you with a parent or guardian. Is there anyone else you can think of?"

She rolls her eyes before mumbling, "yes."

It's Friday now, three days have passed since the fire alarm was pulled.

Lucas was given the punishment of cleaning all of the lockers after school for the past few days. While Maya had been suspended from school from the rest of the week.

Despite her best efforts of calling, texting and even going to her house, Riley has been unable to talk to Maya since Monday.

The last bell of the day rings, and Riley heads home on the subway like usual.

She misses her best friend and girlfriend, and starts to wonder if Maya still thinks of her as either one of those.

Riley and Maya hadn't gone this long without talking to each other since they first met.

The girl reaches her stop, and gets off and heads home.

She spends most of the afternoon in her room, thinking of Maya, but has given up on trying to call her at this point.

When dinner is ready the Matthews family gathers around the table, but Riley doesn't do much talking. Instead Auggie goes on about all the troubles of second grade.

The family is interrupted by their intercom, "hello, this is Officer James from the NYPD. I have a girl with me by the name of Maya Hart. We have already been in contact with her mother and she has agreed to let us relinquish her daughter to your family until she can come get her. Is it okay if we come up?"

Topanga and Cory had already gotten up from the table and where headed to the door to buzz Maya and the officer in.

Riley stands up from the table and turns to the front door.

Topanga opens the door as soon as the officer knocks.

"Mr. And Mrs. Matthews, I would assume."

The two nod.

"Maya was caught vandalizing a statue today."

"Vandalism?" Topanga exclaims.

"Indeed. I need to turn her over to an adult, and her mother said it was okay to leave her with you until she gets off work. Would you be willing to keep her until then?"

"Of course," Cory replies.

"Okay, then," he states releasing he girl. "She's all yours," the officer says before leaving.

"Sit," Topanga demands of the blonde.

Maya just stares back at the older woman.

"Maya, I said sit," she reaffirms.

"Why?"

"What? Do you think you are just going to get away with this?" Topanga questions.

"Why do you care?"

"Why wouldn't we care, Maya?" Cory asks.

The blonde simply roll her eyes, "so, let me guess," she starts. "I'm going to go sit on the couch, you guys are going to tell me this isn't me, that I need to be a 'good girl' and that getting arrested is bad and so on?"

"Well, yeah," Cory answers like the answer was obvious.

"Yet when I am a 'good kid' I'm told that I'm not myself and I need to be the 'Rebel Maya.' Why can't I choose who I want to be?"

"Maya, that's not what Farkle meant."

"Riley, I don't need your help anymore. Just go away," Maya says in her anger.

Cory and Topanga's mouths drop.

"Maya..." The brunette utters, tears forming in her eyes.

"Do you know what, I'm out of here," Maya says starting towards the door.

Riley marches over to the girl and grabs her wrist. "Bay window, now."

"Let me g-"

"I said now," Riley says before dragging he blonde into her room.

They get into the room and Riley forces Maya onto the window seat.

"Who are?"

"I am who I always have been, Riles. You can never change that."

"But I have, Maya. You were getting good grades and behaving."

"Yeah, well I guess I just lost myself for a second."

"That's not what he meant."

"That's exactly what he meant. He said I wasn't me."

Riley pauses, "what about us, Maya?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Riley asks holding back tears. "Do you not remember that we are kind of dating?"

"Oh, yeah... I think it would be best if we stopped that."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said, Riley! But I was wrong to say what I said."

"You're not in love with me?" A tear escapes the brunette's eyes.

"That's not what I meant. Just trust me on this, Riley. We would be better off."

"How would we possibly be better off?"

"You don't understand, Riley."

"What are you so afraid of?" Riley shouts.

This stops Maya, she opens her mouth, but she is unable to say a word.

"Maya, I'm sorry," Riley says, realizing she hurt her friend.

"My fears, Riley. They became true... And that's what I was always afraid of."

"Maya..."