Girl Meets Deleted Scenes

Just Like Water

** Author's Note **
Set in True Self before Maya finds Riley drunk in her bedroom.

Riley is heartbroken from her breakup and trying to deal with the pain. What Lucas said got to her, and despite her best efforts, she hasn't been able to stop thinking about it.
**

How could he?! Riley threw a framed photo of her and Lucas across the room, causing the glass to break on impact with her wall.

He has accused her of wanting to be with Maya. It's ridiculous. I don't like girls. He is just stupid! Trying to put this on Maya because I wouldn't have sex with him...

"I need to do something!" Riley yelled to her empty room. "I can't just keep sitting here."

She made her way downstairs only to find the apartment deserted. Way to be around when I actually need to talk to you people.

She went to the kitchen to get a drink of water, maybe that would help her calm down. It had always worked when Maya brought her water when she was upset. No, don't think of Maya right now. As much as you want to see her you need to handle this alone. Prove him wrong.

Riley opened the cabinet to get a water class and noticed her parents liquor supply on the highest shelf, out of reach of Auggie... but not out of reach of Riley. If there was ever a time to try drinking...

She grabbed a clear bottle and went back upstairs.

"Vodka? It's clear. That means it'll go down like water, right?" she asked herself while unscrewing the cap. She took a drink from the bottle and choked it down. "Not like water!" She gagged at the burning sensation in her throat.

Riley stared down the bottle. "I didn't like coffee at first either. Are you like coffee? Do I just need to keep drinking before we are friends?" She took another drink. "What did I ever do to you, bottle?"

I'm alone. I need Peach- no! Don't think it, Matthews.

"Fuck it," she downed another few swallows.

"He's wrong. This is his fault. This has nothing to do with her!" Riley desperately tried to convince herself. "Nothing to do with Maya." Beautiful, wonderful Maya. "No!"

Riley stood up from the bay window and immediately felt dizzy. "Woah." She blinked a couple times, trying to get a baring on her soundings. "Heeeyyyy, you are my friend!" she said looking down at the glass vodka bottle on the floor next to us. "Good job, friend."

See I can make myself feel better without Maya. I'm capable. I don't need her. I don't love her like that. Wait... he never said I did.

"Oh my god."

No. This is the alcohol. Lucas did this. He hurt you. You weren't ready, and he hurt you. Men are the problem. Bad bad men. Just give up men all together. Find a pretty girl like - "NO!" Years started pouring down Riley's face. "What is happening to me?"

She desperately wiped away the tears. "You're ok, Matthews. Everything is fine. Just going to take the train to Rileytown. Think of the sunshine and the rainbows and not how you're going to be alone forever. Think of the bunnies." She picked up the bottle and took another drink. "Bunnies are good. Know who isn't good, bottle? Lucas. Men! Men aren't good. Maya is good though. She's there for me, but not like how bad Lucas says though. She's my best friend, and she's always there for me. Because I love her and she loves me, bottle. Like you love me! You're a good listener. You're kind of blurry, bottle. Are you ok?"

Riley went to place the bottle back on the floor, and as she did fell backwards into the spot she had stood up from a few minutes ago, "Woah." She successfully returned it to the floor before throwing her head in her hands and closing her eyes, hoping the room would stop spinning.

Damn him for making me feel like this! Just make it go away! Make it all go away.

The opening of the bay window and the voice of Maya caught her attention.

"Mayaaaaaaa," Of course she would come for me. That's what best friends do.