Back To Basics

Chapter 7 - "Redo"

After being confronted by a ghost from her past, Riley decided the best thing for her to do was confide in her best friend. She was tired of holding these secrets inside so she promised herself she would tell hereverything. She ran straight to Maya's house and caught her just as she was heading out the door. She grabbed hold of her best friend, trying to catch her breath. Her feet ached, her legs were wobbly, and she slipped outside on the icy ground a few times, so her pants were wet and her hands were scraped but she didn't care. She felt like she was going to implode.

"Maya! Maya I need to talk to you. Bay window right now!" She charged inside her friend's house, heading directly for her bedroom.

Maya was startled, "I don't have a bay win– Riley? Riley!" She ran after her.

"What the hell is going on?" She asked, watching her pace back and forth.

"There's so much I haven't told you." Riley breathed, her eyes filling with tears.

"Okay..." Maya sat down on her bed, "I'm listening."

So Riley told her everything. She told her about Sam and how she fell hopelessly in love with him. She told her about how he would cheat on her and then switch the blame and say it was her fault for not being mature enough. She told her about how he had everyone fooled; that in public he would treat her like a princess but when no one else was around he was cold and acted like she was invisible. And then she told her about her anxiety, and how she's been struggling with it for years.

Maya sat there teary eyed listening to her friend's confession. It wasn't until then that she realized those 5 years Riley was gone really changed who she was as a person. She always thought it was weird how drastic of a change it was. When Riley left for California she was this sweet innocent kid who was always smiling and happy. Everyone knew her as 'Smiley Riley.' She never imagined Riley would grow up to be the complete opposite. She was introverted now, more guarded and a lot more quiet. Maya put two and two together and a lot of things started to make sense; like how Riley hated when people called her a dumb kid, or spoke down to her. She allowed her friend to finish venting before she spoke her thoughts.

"Riles...you have to tell your parents the truth." Maya's voice was soft. She tried not to sound too harsh.

"I was afraid you were going to say that." Riley collapses on her bed.

Maya flops down next to her, holding her hand. "You don't have to go through this alone you know. I'm always here."

"I've missed you Peaches." She admits.

Hearing that nickname brings a smile to Maya's face, "I've missed you too honey."

"Will you please sleep over?" Riley asks, propping her head up.

"Uh-Duh"

♡♡♡♡

On their way back to Riley's house, she and Maya decide it made more sense to wait until Sam was gone before she told her parents the truth, just to avoid any unnecessary drama.

They climb up her fire escape and through her window.

"What time is it by the way?" Maya asks, pulling off her coat.

Riley glances at the clock on her bedside table, "7:06." – Shit.

She walks out her bedroom and knocks on Josh's door. She hears him yell 'come in' over the loud music.

"Did you remember to go get Auggie?" She asks, pressing her body against his door.

Josh, Lucas, and Zay are all sitting there playing video games. Sam is nowhere in sight.