Meeting the world

Chapter 31

Riley's pov

~

When Mr.Goodwin knocked on our door, I never expected him to hand me a package. And I never expected the package to be from Maya.

I took the gift, thanked Mr.Goodwin, and brought it to my room. I wasn't about to open it in front of my parents. Besides, my father was having too much fun with his best friend Shawn, who always comes for the holidays.

I read the card first.

Dear Riley,

It's been quite awhile since I talked to you. I'm sorry I haven't written, or told you were I was. Don't worry. I'm fine. These past 2 months have been great. I'm writing you this letter to wish you a merry Christmas, but I know you're dying to know everything. So I'll tell you.

The day I left, I went to meet my mother. She got in touch with me and said she wanted to meet. So we did. She told me what happened after my father got arrested. She was in hiding, and she hadn't learned about my father until a few weeks after he got arrested. She wanted to spend time with me, now that my father was gone for good.

She told me she had a mobile home. Her cousin gave it to her. We both live in it now, together. I'm fine, we eat well and I'm in good hands. My mother has finally gotten a job so she is able to take care if me. I finally get to have breakfast, lunch and sometimes even supper.

You can tell Farkle and Lucas, if you don't want to keep this to yourself, I didn't tell them this in their letters. I figured you can explain it to them.

Riley, you were honesty the best friend anyone could ask for, and I'm sorry I was never able to be the friend you were for me. I appreciate you standing by me all these years, but now it's finally time we parted. I'm no good for you, and I'm sure your parents agree. Even if it wasn't me who brought you to that party, I was probably going to do something equally dangerous at some point. This is what's best. You don't deserve a friend like me. You need someone like Farkle and Lucas. Someone you can count on to guide you, and to show you the right path.

Merry Christmas Riley. I don't know if I'll be able to write you other letters, so if this is the last time I talk to you, I want you to know that I love you with all my "hart". (See what I did there? :-) aren't I clever?)

Wish your family merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Love Maya

Tears rolled down my cheeks. I missed her so much. I needed to see her. But knowing that she's okay made me so happy that I didn't care that I couldn't see her. I was so relieved, so glad she was doing alright.

I opened the gift. It was a locket. Inside, was my favorite picture of us.

We were about 8 or 9, and she was squeezing me so hard my face was red and I want making a super weird face. Maya's face was squished against mine, and we were both smiling.

I wiped a tear away. This was the best gift I could ever ask for. I put the necklace on and went to join my family, finally ready to talk.