Maya's Hart

Chapter 38

Maya's POV:

I woke up in the middle of the night. It started snowing. Riley and I had absolutely no idea where we were. It sure as hell wasn't New York City. It has probably been 2 weeks since we ran away, and today everyone got off winter break.

I decided to check Riley's bag, we had very little food left. Pretty soon, we would have to start buying food with Riley's money. I counted all her money and organized it. 520$. This girl sure knew how to save up. It was still pretty dark out and I couldn't go to sleep. I would've got up and walked around to waste time, but I didn't dare leave Riley alone, especially not when she's sleeping.

I guess drawing was the best idea right now. I looked around for inspiration. I looked down at Riley. She looked absolutely adorable and innocent when she was sleeping. So I started sketching Riley.

"Can't sleep, huh?" Riley asks drowsily.

"Yeah. Just thinkin about stuff." I sigh.

"Here, I'll help you sleep." She held out her arms so I could cuddle besides her. I jumped into her arms and snuggled up.

"Riley?"

"Yeah?"

"Why would you follow me? You've got a nice family that cares deeply about you. They're probably worrying their asses off for you. I, on the other hand, got nothing."

"Well, I wouldn't be able to survive without my girlfriend and bestest friend ever." She said, closing her eyes.

"But you can survive with me in the freezing cold, barely any food, and high chances of getting sick?" I ask confusingly.

"Basically... Now be quiet and sleep."

I held her arm tightly and shut my eyes. A tear streamed down my face as I drifted to sleep.
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Cory's POV:

It was Monday morning. Time for school. I hesitated into going, but I couldn't just ignore my job because my daughter and her girlfriend were gone. Plus, I should really use my days for emergencies.

I walked into school. The hallways were almost empty. I walked to my class and sat in my chair. I had to decide what lesson to teach today. I just went with some slavery lesson from the book. I graded papers until a student walked it.

"Hello Mr. Matthews!" Farkle greeted me. "What's today's lesson?"

"Slavery." I said coldly, staring at the papers. The one I had in my hands was Riley's.

"Are you ok sir? You seem to be down! It's not like you."

"I'm- I'm fine Farkle. Thanks." I still stared at the paper, tearing up. Farkle came next to me and looked at the paper.

"Are you tearing up? This is Riley's paper why do you seem so sad about it?" Farkle looked very confused. Lucas suddenly walks in. I remained silent though.

"Hello sir!" Lucas greets, he looks at Farkle and I. "Everythin' ok?"

"I don't think so. He seems to be depressed about Riley's paper for some reason..." Farkle replies.

"Guys... Riley and Maya won't be here today." I say.

"Why? Are they sick? Very sick?" Farkle asks.

"I don't know."

"How can you not know sir? You live with 'em." Lucas states.

"Not anymore."

"Wait, I know what happened! You and Topanga got into a huge fight so then her, Riley, Auggie, and Maya moved all the way to California!" Farkle jumps.

"No Farkle. No. You guys, Maya and Riley ran away on Christmas Eve. Nobody has seen them since then."

"What...?"

"That was two weeks ago! Sir, what happened?"
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Riley's POV:

Monday morning, cold winter air, cold flakes floating from the sky. I stretched and slowly tried to wake up Maya. I called out her name several times and nudged her. There was no response.

"Maya? MAYA? MAYA!?" I kept saying louder and louder. She let out a horse-like cough.

"I'm awake." She said in the most quiet voice. She sat up and coughed again. Then she quickly slumped back down.

"Maya? Are you ok?" I ask.

"I'm fine. I just don't feel so good." She coughed out. Her voice was weird and groggy.

"Does anything hurt?"

"My stomach does... And so does my throat."

I put my hand over her forehead, it burned like fire.

"Maya! You're burning!" I yell. She shrugged and went back to sleep.