direct messages | gmw

twenty-four | THEIR MEETUP #7

DAY 11

author's note
hi! I just wanted to tell y'all that from now onwards, whether the chapter is about them chatting online or irl, it won't be included in the title anymore! instead, I'll write it in the beginning of each chapter, whether it's in real life, or online :-) continue to leave comments and vote so I know how I can improve!!! ☺️☺️

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IN REAL LIFE

midnight

MAYA
at Riley's house, with the rest of the gang

"Hey, it was amazing at the park today. Wait. Technically, it was yesterday, since it's midnight... okay, never mind." Riley laughed at herself.

"I agree. Well, we can finally talk about it since your parents were bugging us just now..." I rolled my eyes as we all recalled how Cory (Riley's dad) and Topanga (Riley's mum) were asking us so many questions as we ate with them right after coming back from the park.

"Woah, they probably asked us like a million questions!" Zay laughed.

"Well, it happens when you have overprotective parents... and sometimes they get too... overly protective... that the—" Riley stopped in the middle of her sentence and she looked down at her hands.

"Riley, if you have any troubles and stuff, you can just tell us! We're here for you." I smiled at her and touched her right knee with my left hand.

She looked up and smiled back at me.

Smackle continued, "Yeah. That's what friends are for."

"What happened?" Lucas asked in concern.

"Riley? Are you okay?" Farkle's eyes were full of concern as he hugged Riley from the side.

"I'm fine." She wiped away the teardrops that had fallen when she was looking down, and smiled cheerfully. "So, how was your time at the park just now?"

Everyone started murmuring at the same time, and Riley was obviously trying to put up a brave front again.

"Alright, everyone! Excuse me and Riley for a second!" I pulled Riley out of her room and into the hallway.

"Riley, what's wrong? Don't tell me it's nothing because I know something's up." I asked her firmly.

"Nah, I was just crying because I was touched at how my parents were so nice to me!" She grinned and patted me on my shoulder. "I'm fine, Maya! What would you think otherwise?"

"Because you acted weird the moment you started talking about your parents!" I said in exasperation.

"Tell me, or I'll never talk to you again." I told her.

"I— fine, okay. My mum hits me... once in a while. She's extremely protective of me, and she would beat me with a cane if she feels I'm doing something against her wishes. Like when I'm on the phone chatting with you guys a lot, she would cane me if she noticed."

What? And she never told us?

"Why didn't you tell us? How could you not tell us? Riley, we'll always be here for you, alright? Maybe we've only met for a few days or so, but the week of chatting has told me that you're someone worth being friends with and worth sacrificing for. I love you so much, and I hope you know that." She broke down and cried.