Back To Basics

Chapter 3 - "Anywhere but there"

A month had gone by since Lucas drove Riley home the night they argued. Riley decided it was best to just leave him alone outside of school. She knew they'd have to be civil since they were lab partners but she had no intention of getting close.

Last night she went out with her friends and actually had fun. However, waking up the next morning felt like a chore. Riley was lucky enough to get home before her parents so when she got there all she had to do was throw on some pajamas and get into bed. She got half way through the first chapter in her calculus book before she knocked out. She knew waking up this morning she'd have a lot to do before first period. She got out of bed, quickly got dressed and proceeded to finish the homework she slept on.

She finally finished her work and just as she was about to climb out onto her fire escape she heard a knock on her bedroom door. "Riley? Can I come in?" It was her mother's voice.

She reluctantly climbed back inside and sat on her bed. "It's unlocked." She called out.

Riley's mom, Topanga, peaked her head in and gave her daughter a suspecting smile. "Had a late night?" Topanga walked in, closing the door behind her. It was clear she knew something. Riley let out a dramatic sigh but figured it was best to just be honest with her mother. "Kind of. I went out with Maya last night." She tried to sound apologetic.

Topanga made her way to her Riley's bed, taking a seat on the edge next to her daughter. "Sweetie, it's okay to go out with your friends. What's not okay is not asking permission first. I know your seventeen now but you know the rules. What if something had happened to you?" Topanga's voice was stern now. Riley shifted in her seat, trying not to make eye contact. She heard her mother let out a deep breath. "You're not in trouble. Just don't let it happen again."

Riley leaned her head against Topanga's. Since the move happened she hadn't seen much of her parents, or Auggie. She couldn't help but feel like that was slightly her fault. It's not that she didn't enjoy being around them, it's just whenever she was she felt like she was under a microscope.

"I know you don't like talking about it...but I have to ask." Topanga shifted her body, now facing Riley. She knew exactly what her mother was going to say but she could still feel herself embracing for the impact.

"How is your anxiety lately? You know... with the move and everything else that's been going on." Topanga asked gently.

Riley felt her body tense up. The only people who knew about her anxiety were her parents and her brothers. None of her friends knew and she wanted to keep it that way. She wanted things to stay the way they were and she knew if her friends found out they'd all start treating her differently. "It's fine. I'm a lot better now." She almost convinced herself she was telling the truth. Her mother knew prying would get her nowhere so she gave Riley a hug and set off for work.

Later on at school, Riley felt like something was off. Maya who's normally chatty Cathy barely spoke more than 3 sentences to her. Iz and Farkle were nowhere to be found and even Charlie was distant. She tried not to get paranoid. They were all hanging out together last night and everything was fine. What could have possibly happened in the short amount of time they weren't together? Her stomach started to ache. Was it possible someone told them about what happened back in Cali? She could feel her heart beating faster. Try not to worry, she told herself. Worrying just makes it worse.

Her last class of the day was biology. She hoped Lucas was there. Things might have been weird between them since that night in his car but at least she could count on him to act the same. A note hung on the class door. It read, Absent for the day. "Seriously?" Riley looked inside and saw a substitute sitting behind the teachers desk, looking at his phone. There were only 3 students inside the class. One of them was doing the work and the other two seemed to follow in the subs lead and were on their phones as well.
Well I guess I'll just go home then, she thought to herself.