COLD TO THE TOUCH || RILAYA

F O U R T E E N

"Oh really? That's great" my mom says into her phone.

"What, Mom?" I ask as I put my coat on.

"I can't wait to tell Maya!"

"What? What is it?" I persist, sitting next to her on the couch.

"Hold on!" she mouthed to me.

I swipe the phone from her hand put it against my ear.

"Hi, yes, this is Maya. WHAT ARE YOU HIDING FROM ME?"

"We're not hiding anything!" Topanga yelled through the phone. "Riley's getting released today. So you guys don't need to come and visit."

I hesitate and I feel a smile creep onto my face. "No, I'm definitely coming. I need to see her coming out of that room. I'll see you there."

"Wait, Maya-" I end the call and drop the phone onto the couch as I run to the closet.

"Maya!" my mother yells as she stands up. "What the hell was that?"

"We need to have a welcome home party for Riley! I'm gonna go buy some flowers, be right back!" I said as I ran out the front door.

I quickly ran to the nearest flower shop and bought a bouquet full of roses, lilies, and tulips. I saw balloons for sale and bought a few bundles of purple. I ran into a Rite Aid nearby and bought a card with the rest of the pocket money I owned.

RING RING

"Mom?"

"Shawn ran out to get a cake. Be home soon if you want to ride with Riley back home," she said as she hung up.

"Wait- ah, damn it," I whispered to myself as I shut my phone off. I sprint back home, making sure the flowers and balloons aren't lost. As I make my way there, I notice Shawn on the opposite sidewalk with a cake. I walk to the nearest crosswalk and wait for the light to change to red so I can meet up with him.

"Hey, Shawn!" I hollar which grabs his attention.

"Hey, kid. I love the gifts you got her!" he says as he wraps his arm around me, holding the cake in the other.

"Gee, thanks. I just can't wait to see her, ya know? It's like that feeling when Mom gets out of work and you get to see her but like, ten times more."

"Oh yeah, I know how you feel, don't need to compare us to you and Riley. You guys have something really special. Don't lose that," he replies with a kiss on the top of my head.

"Thanks, Sh- Dad. Thanks, Dad."

-- AT MAYA'S APARTMENT --

I run at the front door and begin to rapidly knock, trying to get my mom's attention.

"Door's open!" I hear her yell from the inside. I vigorously wiggle the knob until it opens and I burst inside, still having a tight grip onto the flowers and balloons.

"You guys got everything?" she asks as she finishes wrapping a box.

"Yeah, what's in there?" I ask, pointing at the gift.

"Just a lil something for her."

"Can I know? I'm her girlfriend, you better not one-up me here," I persist as I place the bouquet on the table.

"It's just a little something from me to her. You'll see it when she opens it. Take a deep breath, honey. You're stressing out when there's nothing to worry about."

I take a deep breath and relax.

She's right. This is a happy time. Riley's finally coming home. Chillax, Maya.