A girl I go to school with tells me she hates me all the time and just kinda treats me like shit, and honestly, I don't think she'd stop if she knew it was lowering my self esteem and making me hate myself even more than I already do...

~ JM/SS/CW

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"I-I loved her. And I know she's gone, but why? Why did it have to be her?"

It takes all of my willpower not to run up on the stage and hug him, maybe even just stand there with him until he's finished talking. Although I didn't listen to what either of his parents had said, I'm latching on to every word that comes out of Auggie's mouth.

"She was my only sister a-and... I just want her to come back. All I have now is Maya."

He doesn't seem upset by the steady volume of his voice -- what gives it away, though, is his choking sobs.

"R-Riley..."

I'm incredibly surprised to hear him say her name, but it quickly diminishes when I look up to see him walking slowly toward the casket. He's shaking, I can see it. Fearful, I start to stand, but Topanga grabs hold of my wrist like she knows exactly what's going on.

"Why did you do it?! Why?! Come back, please! I don't want you to be gone forever! I know you killed yourself, Riley, why?!"

I continue to struggle against Topanga's grasp, and as the last sentence is yelled out into the silent church, she lets go of me so suddenly that I almost fall to the floor. Regaining my balance, I basically sprint to Auggie's side, letting him squeeze the breath out of me and sob into my shirt the way he did just a week ago.

After he's all cried out, I crouch next to him and say so quietly that only he can hear, "You're going to be okay, I promise."

"So, about what you said at the church..." I know Topanga and Cory are talking to Auggie, and I shouldn't listen, but I almost feel the need to do so.

"She told me."

Silence.

"Maya?" Absolutely not. That boy's happiness is my main priority.

"No, Riley."

"Honey, Riley couldn't have --"

"She told me before she did it."

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Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, now, I present to you..........

A cliffhanger.