what if?

1| the move

This was the day I had been dreading for weeks. This was the day that I would no longer be seeing my best friend. This was the day of the move.

It was a bright and sunny Thursday morning in New York City. Summer break had begun not too long ago and Riles and I tried to accomplish as much as possible in those short two weeks.

But despite all of our preparing, no one was ready for this day. The rest of the gang had said their goodbyes the night before and it was quite an emotional scene.

Lucas told Riley that he loved her for the first time and will wait until she comes back from London. A little dramatic in my opinion, but I didn't say anything for I was in a emotional state as well.

Farkle and Riley spent a good hour talking, just the two of them. Before he left he whispered something in Riley's ear that seemed to leave her speechless and a bit flushed.

Although Smackle and Riley were never close friends, Smackle managed to show emotion for this occasion and cried, full on sobbed, for which she appreciated Riley's kindness that she had always shown to Smackle.

Zay acted as if he wasn't too affected, but we all knew deep down he was hurting just like the rest of us. He cared so much he even gave her a whole batch of cookies that his grandmother made, a little joke they now laughed about.

As for me, well I spent the night at the Matthew's house for one last time.

Words cannot describe the amount of hurt I was in. I felt like I was robbed a part of my body. Riles was always there for me, through the good and bad times. Who was going to be there for me now?

Riley and I sat in the infamous bay window one more time. The bay window was our safe place. Where every ounce of drama that had ever happened in our lives. From when Farkle would peek through and say "Ladies". From all the conversations we had about Lucas. From the time I hatched my idea to go to a college party. To the time Riley figured out I wasn't me. To now.

We sobbed into each other's arms for a whole 5 minutes. After we cried until we could not cry anymore, we wiped our tears and smiled at each other.

We were not exactly sure what we were smiling about, but for some reason it just seemed right to smile. "It's going to be okay Peaches," Riley whispered as she wiped one last tear from her eyes.
"How are you so sure Riles. How am I going to get through this whole life thing without you? I can't do it, I just can't," I felt myself beginning to cry once again until Riley lifted my head and looked into my eyes. "Maya you're going to be fine. You're tough unlike me. We are going to see each other again soon and  we can always FaceTime whenever."

"It won't be the same as seeing you in person." Riley enveloped me in a huge bear hug. I felt safe in the arms of my best friend, but I knew it wouldn't last.

"Riley, I'm sorry but we have to go," Corey said in a slow manner. He gave a look of sympathy toward the two of us and I could tell he wanted to fix this situation, but he can't.

"So you're finally leaving me Matthews," I said with a jokingly tone in hopes to lighten up the setting. And it worked. Corey and Riley chucked in response and gave me wide smiles.

"I'm gonna miss you Hart. Please stay out of trouble." 
"I'll try."
"And please remember this Maya. You are smart, you just don't let people see it. Let people see it, you are going to great things, I just know it."

His kind words were enough to make me break down and cry again, but I managed to contain myself. Instead I gave him a smile and said thanks.

"Come on guys, we are going to miss our flight," Topanga said with a slightly worried look on her face. A part of me wants to be upset with Topanga because she is the reason for this move, but I know that it is not fair of me to despise her after everything she has done for me over the years. She is like my second mother after all and I love her.

Riley and I both knew that it was time for them to leave despite our wishes. This was actually happening. I couldn't believe it.

Outside was waiting a cab to take the Matthews family to the airport. Auggie and Ava were having their heartfelt 'break up' and Riley and I were having ours. I gave each Matthew family member a loving hug. When I got to Riley I could've sworn we stayed hugging for an eternity. The sight of two best friends saying goodbye, possibly forever, was a tearful scene.

Riley pulled away and held up her hand to reveal our friendship ring. "Thunder."
"Lighting."
"Forever."