Chapter Fourteen

      Mr. Matthews looked at the gang. "Go" he said signalling whoever to go help Riley. Suddenly Maya and Smackle stood up and walked out. Smackle? Why Smackle?       Smackle and Maya ran into the hallway to see Riley sitting on the steps outside of the class room. They sat down Riley in the middle of them.      "Riles?" Maya said. Riley looked up at her. "Stop stepping back." Maya said Smackle agreeing.       They know. They know im stepping back. They cant know. I cant hurt anyone anymore. I cant. I just wont.  Riley thought then looked at them "Im not stepping back." she said sternly "I didnt mean to step back" she continued her voice softening.      Smackle noticed the guys standing in the doorway but no one noticed she noticed. Smackle looked at Riley "We know." she said smiling. "You and Farkle were together first. I ruined your relationship. How can I like a guy when im hurting others?" Riley said looking down. "No Riley. You arent hurting anyone. Where did you get that idea?" Smackle said looking at Maya.       Riley looked up at her confused. "But I thought-" Smackle stopped her. "I know what you thought. Youre wrong everyone knows youre wrong." Smackle said. Riley immediately loosed up.       All of a sudden Zay tripped and since he was in the back all of the guys fell out of the doorway. Everyone busted out in laughter.      They got up and everyone calmed down. "So Topangas after school?" Zay asked "Ye-" Riley started but her phone dinged. Her mom had texted her.   The text read:

    Hey Riley. I need you to come straight home after school. I have some news.

      Riley texted back:

   Okay I will be home ASAP. Should I be worried?

Yes.

Why?

Riley just come straight home after school.

Please tell me.

     Rileys mother read the last text but ignored it. Riley looked up with a worried expression on her face. She zoned out.      She got deep in her thoughts thinking up the worst scenarios. "Riley?" Maya said she was completely zoned out. "Riley? Hello? Riles? Are you okay? Riley youre scaring us!" Maya yelled. Riley came back and jumped like she didnt even know anyone was there.       "Huh? What? Hold on. What?" Riley said completely lost. "Topangas after school?" Farkle said catching her up to where she zoned out. Riley was thinking up a lie because didnt want her friends to worry about her or her family.       "Um I cant. I um I have to babysit. Yeah. I have to babysit Auggie." Riley said hoping her friends believed her. They didnt. "Your mom said that Auggie was staying with Doy the next few nights." Maya said catching Riley in the middle of her lie.      "Riley. You dont lie to us." Lucas said everyone was confused. Riley just handed Maya her phone. After everyone read it they looked up and Riley was zoned out again. Standing still. Not moving. All of a sudden the bell rang and it scared her and she fell back. The gang helped her up.      "Thanks gotta run." Riley said grabbing her phone from Lucas. Before anyone could reply she had run out the door.        They followed her slipping and sliding (it was mid December) on the ice and snow. Eventually they reached Rileys house.      Riley walked in and her friends sat on the fire escape watching and listening.        Riley walked in to see Shawn, Cory and Topanga sitting on th couch. They all realized this was very important because all three were together. They all got nervous awaiting the news.