Piece By Piece (GMW Fanfic)

Part 16: Maya

I step up.
"No, I think I'm the one who should explain" I tell my mother.
She nods, letting me continue.

"For most of the time I was away, I was living in an empty house. I think the owners are away or something. Anyways, I went around the city. Visited a couple art galleries, those sort of things. It helped me clear my head"
I pause for a bit. I see their faces, silently urging me to continue.

I clear my throat.
"Well, I realized, I had lost myself again. I was in too deep, it just wasn't right" I say.
Riley speaks up. "Oh Maya, if I knew..."
"It's okay Riles, it's not your fault" I smile up at her, reassuring her.
She smiles back then tells me to go on.

"Well," I say, "I needed help again to find myself. I couldn't think of anyone else to call, so I went to him"
I nudge my head towards Shawn, who was standing behind me.

"I went to his house, and I asked him to let me stay for a while. His only condition was that I tell you guys where Riley was"

"Wait," Topanga interrupts, "you're the one who posted Riley's location, am I right?" and I nod.
"That's what's really special about you guys" says Lucas.
"What?" I ask confused.
"Well, you take care of each other even when you're far apart" Farkle explains, which makes me smile.

"Well anyways, Shawn brought me back. Now here we are" I say.
Then my mother turns to Shawn.
"Thank you," she tells him, "for taking care of Maya"
He smiles, "I will always care for her."
Then he pulls her into a tight hug.
"You know," says my mom after they hug, "I'm gonna maybe regret this and enjoy this but..."
Then she kisses him.

I find myself smiling, and I look around the room.
Everyone has the same expression.

Then Riley speaks up once more.
"Dad?"
He turns to her.
"Yes Riley?"
She smiles sadly, then looks to her mother, then back to him.
"Don't you have something to say too?"