How Rare and Beautiful // Rilaya

You taught me the courage of stars before you left.

"Don't leave!" I begged Riley as she drug me across her living room floor. 

"Maya I have to. Now let go of my leg." Riley chuckled. 

"NO!" I objected tightening my grip around her limb. 

"Please, my parents are going to leave without me." Riley complained. 

"Let 'em!" I growled. 

My thoroughly frustrated friend sat down and I let go of her. 

"Thunder." She looked me in the eyes, holding up her hand. 

"Lightening." I took her hand after a second. 

"Maya, I'm going to Europe. I will be on vacation for two weeks! Then we will be back together again. You have to let me go. I may never get a chance to go again." Riley bargained. 

"I know." I frowned. "But two weeks is still too long. Take me with you?" 

"Aww Peaches! You know I would if I could." Riley rubbed my shoulder. 

We sat there a moment longer, staring at each other before Matthews came up to see what was taking Riley so long. 

"Are you coming?" He asked Riley. 

"Yeah dad. Just a second longer." My friend said not taking her eyes off of mine. 

Her father turned away and returned to the car where Topanga, Riley's mother, and Auggie, Riley's brother were waiting.  

"You gonna be okay?" She asked with a caring smile. 

I sighed and took her hand. "Of course."

"That's my girl!"Riley laughed and then stood up, our fingers still interlocked. Riley pulled me in for a hug and I buried my face in her soft brown hair. It was only going to be a couple weeks, but I was going to miss these hugs. 

"I love you honey." I whispered. 

"I love you too Peaches." Riley pulled away smiled at me. I smiled back and wiped the tear from my eye. 

"I'll bring you back a souvenir!" Riley called back to me as she walked down the hall and out of the apartment building.  When she was out of sight I closed the front door and rushed to the window to watch her leave. Mr. Matthews shoved her suitcases into the trunk of a taxi cab and and the whole family piled into the car. I watched them carefully as they drove off into the distance. 

I stared intently at the point in the horizon where they had disappeared, hoping they would turn around and come home. Maybe they'd miss their flight and they'd have to come back and I could convince Riley to stay with me. But of course they did not come back. After an hour I turned around and sat down on the bay window in the Matthews' living room. 

I'd been away from Riley before. She'd gone on vacations and sometimes I had too. There were times when Shawn had business in other states and he would take me with him. Of course I was thrilled Riley was about to go to Europe! It's a once in a lifetime ordeal! 

However, something still plagued me. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. I didn't feel good about this trip, like something bad was about to happen. I wanted to tell Riley but I didn't want to scare her.  

The buzzing of my cell phone stole my mind away from irrational fears. 

I jumped up and walked to the table where it sat. 

Four messages:

Riley: I'm at the airport. We're going to be boarding in a little while. I already miss you! 

Mom: I'll bring food from the dinner tonight for supper. 

Mom: Shawn's going to meet us at the Matthews'. Is that okay?

Farkle: How are you holding up?  

I messaged my mother telling her it was okay before opening Riley's text. 

Maya: That's great Sunshine! Send me pics from 33000 feet!

I joked. She saw it and replied immediately. 

Riley: Of course! XD

Maya: Is it too late for you to come back? :(

I asked. 

Riley: Maya why are you being like this? I'll be home in a few weeks. You are going to be fine without me. I have to go now, we're boarding. I love you. I text you when we land. Sweet dreams tonight! 

Maya: I'm sorry. I love you too. Sweet dreams yourself. <3

I sighed out loud and started to text Farkle back. I'd told him about how I felt about Riley's trip and the scary thing was he felt the exact same way. 

Maya: Not good. :/

I answered and buried my face in my hands.