September 6 (First Day of High School) -
Maya could not believe she actually made it the whole summer without Riley, Farkle, Lucas and Zay. At first it was horrible since all her friends left her for 3 months for vacation. Farkle and Smackle had this genius camp up in Canada from July till the last week of summer, Lucas and Zay went back to Texas right after graduation. While Riley and her family went to Philly to spend time with the family and help take care of Josh who got into a real bad accident.
Flashback:
"I can't believe you're really leaving for the whole summer." Maya said as she watched Riley pack her luggages, she was suppose to be helping but she wasn't really trilled about spending the summer with just Farkle, since Zay and Lucas (who she hasn't talked to since their heart to heart conversation before graduation) left for Texas the day after they graduated.
"I Know it sucks Maya, but Grandma and Grandpa need help with things around the house up there. Since Josh's accident he's been confined to the living room and well-"
Yeah, Maya knew about Josh's accident. It was his graduation party and some kids were fooling around playing games and stuff, she doesn't know the full story, just that Josh got real hurt that he needed to get surgery that's why he and Riley's grandma couldn't make it to their graduation. From what Maya heard from Riley's Aunt Morgan, Josh is healing fine and all he has now is a few scars and a broken leg and arm. The Matthews were going to help him pack for NYU for the fall and then they'll all spend the rest of the summer at their family lake house. Maya was of course welcomed to go with them, but she said no because she had a summer job teaching at the youth center as an art and crafts teacher. It wasn't the most glamours but it paid so she would have money to spend. Then she'll also help her mom at the cafe.
"Yeah teenage boys are messy. It's just, you know 3 months is a long time."
"We'll vidchat and call everyday. It'll be like I'm with you 24/7" Riley said as she zipped up her luggage.
Present day:
Maya was starring up at her new school for the next 4 years. She was going to meet Riley later, since she will arrive with her dad, who seemingly got promoted to teach world history in their school, much to Maya and Riley's dismay. Student's were already packed in the hall way. Freshmen, like herself, were getting their lockers and schedules. While the Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors caught up and crowded the halls. Maya was looking for one particular person who she hasn't seen yet. But she looked to the line and saw him talking to his friends, friends that she has gotten to known in the last few months. He saw her and waved her over, she smiled and walked up to him and gave him a hug and greeted his friends.
"I thought you were going to be late." He said
"Nah. I thought I would give the teachers good first impressions then crush it as the year goes by." They laughed, Maya took his hand as they waited to get their lockers and schedules.
Maya wasn't planning on getting into a relationship this summer and she surely wasn't expecting that her boyfriend was going to be someone she never really paid much attention to. It was just there, to say it was complicated would be an understatement. Considering his feelings for a certain brunette and her confusing feelings for a certain cowboy. Charlie Gardner was a pleasant surprise to her in the summer.
Flashback (July; After Farkle and Smackle left for Canada):
Maya was working her shift at Topanga's when Charlie and one of his sisters walked in. She looked like Charlie from the green eyes to her smile. But while Charlie was brunette, the girl with him was blonde. Charlie saw Maya and waved at her, she smiled back. he was the first familiar face she saw the whole month. She was currently taking some woman's order while Charlie and his sister sat on the couch looking over the menu. She told her co worker, Megan, to watch the register while she went up to Charlie.
"So what can I get you guys?" She asked, it was a new policy Topanga and her mom were trying. Interacting with the costumers.
"I don't really know, I've never really been here." The girl said.
"Maya we'll take 2 mango-orange smoothies and a danish." Charlie said, his sister looked at her then back to Charlie,
"You know each other" she asked,
Maya nodded, "Yeah we use to go to middle school together. It's weird to say that, use too,"
"Oh hi. I'm Charlie's sister Ella, I go to Boston University." Maya shook Ella's outreached hand.
"Nice to meet you. Your orders will be ready in 5." she said. Maya went back to the counter and sat down. She heard footsteps follow her. She knew it was Charlie, he was always too curious for his own good, Maya admired that.
"Charlie Gardner," she said turning to face him, she can never say his name without saying his full name in her funny 50's accent.
"Maya Hart." he mimicked her, all in good fun. "So you're working here?"
"Yeah. My mom needed the help and I needed the money. Plus with Topanga out of the state I thought I would help out."
"Wait Riley and her Family aren't here?" Charlie asked, Maya shook her head. She handed Charlie his drinks and pastry.
"Nope, they're in Philly for the summer."
"So you're just hanging out with Lucas and Farkle?"
"No, actually they aren't in the state either, heck Farkle isn't even in the country. Lucas is in Texas with Zay for the summer while Farkler and his girlfriend are at some camp up in Canada. So I'm a lone ranger this summer. Saving up for stuff."
They were quiet for a while. Then as Charlie was walking away, he turned and said,
"Hey some of my friends are in a band and they're playing at an all ages club by NYU do you wanna come?" She's never really hung out with Charlie before and she doesn't even know his friends. She knew he saw the hesitation in her eyes,
"the friends I meant are Sarah and Darby. They're in a cover band." Oh the sounds better, she knew Sarah and Darby.
"Okay sure when is it?"
"TOnight a 7. When do you get out?"
"6:30." Charlie nodded and pulled out a flyer,
"Here's the address of the place." he handed her the flyer. "Do you have my number?" He asked, "YeaH I do."
"Okay well if you need anything for tonight just call." And with that Charlie went back to his sister as Maya looked down at the flyer.
Present Day:
"Hey Maya, you okay?" Charlie shook her out of her trance. She looked at him and nodded,
"Yeah I was just thinking of our technically first date." Charlie smiled and nodded his head. "Yeah that was a weird night, but it was worth it." He kissed her and she smiled.
"Gross, we're in public pull apart." Charlie's friend Max, and Sarah's boyfriend, said. Sarah hit him in the stomach.
"what?" Charlie laughed and so did his other friends. They finally reached the front after what seemed to be a hour long line. Maya looked for her name on the list and found her locker. She took her schedule from the administrator and walked out of the line waiting for Charlie and the rest of them. She looked at her schedule and saw she had World history for 2nd period on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Maya's Class Schedule:
English I - Everyday ; 1st period Rm 212 (Teacher: Ms. Harper Burgess)
World History - MON, WED, FRI; 2nd period Rm113 (Teacher: Mr. Corey Matthews)
Math - Tues, Thurs; 2nd period Rm 124 (Teacher: Mrs. Abigail Collins)
Gym - Everyday; 3rd Period Gymnasium ( Coach Michael Cass)
Lunch - Freshmen are not allowed to leave school grounds for lunch. ; 4th period
Chemistry - Mon, Tues, Fri; 5th period Rm; 118 ( Professer Adam Macken)
Free Period/Study Hall - Wed, Thurs; 5th to 6th period ( Mr. Corey Matthews)
French - Everyday - duel hours from 7 to 8th period ( Madame Vivian Lois)
Maya: I Have Matthew's again for history, seriously Riles?! It's a big school why!? And It's Wednesday today! Where are you guys?
Great she had Matthew's twice on Wednesday. She looked around for her other friends, but didn't see any of them yet. She texted them her schedule,
She immediately got a reply from Riley
Riley: He printed out my schedule yesterday. I have him the same days as you so that's plus. I showed him your schedule and he's isn't happy you have him twice on Wednesday too.
Maya: The Universe is punishing honey.
Then Maya got a text from Zay
Zay: seriously? Matthew's is teaching us again? That doesn't happen in real life.
Maya: No kidding. Are you here yet?
Zay: Yeah Lucas, Farkle, Smackle and I are in this long ass line.
Maya looked at the line and saw the guys in the back of it. Smackle and Farkle wrapped up in their couple world and she couldn't see Lucas but she knew he was there. Where every Zay or Farkle were, Lucas was bound to be there. Charlie stood next to her and looked at where she was looking. Maya stepped away from him, not because she was ashamed, but because she hasn't really told her friends about them, Charlie understood. They weren't looking so Charlie gave her a kiss and said,
"I'm going to go find my locker, let me see your schedule," Maya nodded and handed him her schedule.
"We have English, Gym, Lunch and Free period together. But I'm guessing you'll be sitting with your friends during lunch?"
"Charlie-" Charlie smiled, he understood. It's not like he didn't have friends and he knew Maya's reservation. Because unlike his friends, with whom Maya didn't have and tension with, he had tension with her friends, minus Zay.
"It's fine. I'll see you at first period." He gave her a quick peck on the lips and left with Max. And in the right time too because she heard Riley's voice.
"Peaches!" Maya turned and smiled at her best friend. She cut her hair, it was still long but it was shorter than before.
"Riley you just talked to me this morning" She said hugging the brunette,
"I know but we haven't been face to face, without a screen between us, for 3 months." Maya laughed. She's missed Riley.
"So it looks like we have every subject, minus english, last period, and gym together. Our schedule is exactly the same." Maya let out a silent sigh of relief, at least it wouldn't be weird with Charlie and Riley. Since in gym everyone does their own thing, unless it's team day.
"What's wrong Maya? you seem really quiet." Riley asked, her face going on serious.
"Nothing I just can't believe we're in High School."
Riley's faced lit up again, "I KNOW RIGHT! WE'RE HIGH SCHOOLERS NOW!" Riley yelled, Maya laughed and shushed her. People were looking including the boys and Smackle. They were in the front now, getting their schedules.
The 4 of them walked up to Riley and Maya. They all greeted each other with hugs and hellos. Maya hugged Zay, Farkle, and gave Smackle an awkward squeeze since she was still awkward with the touching, outside of Farkle. She looked at Lucas and smiled at him,
"hey Huckleberry. Looks like you've gone all cowboy on us again." She teased, she looked at Zay, "You too Zay." And they haved, both Zay and Lucas were wearing plaid shirts. But while Zay's shirt was unbutton, showing his Killers band shirt and had combat boots on, Lucas was wearing his shirt half button with a white shirt underneath, and his dark jeans with combat boots as well.
"What can we say Maya. Texas done us good and intouched with our roots." Lucas said and Zay nodded.
The bell was going to ring in 15 minutes, so they all looked for their lockers, which were all in the same hallway (Weird Again). Maya and Riley's locker were next to each other, of course, while Lucas and Zay's locker were across their's. Farkler and Smackle's lockers were a bit separated from the 4 of them but they were still close enough to see.
Maya was too busy stuffing her stuff into her locker that she didn't hear Riley's question. She wanted to put her art work in her locker but she left her sketchbook at Charlie's. She'll get it today and start making her locker hers tomorrow. She needed to tell Riley about Charlie soon, she hated lying to her.
"Hello. Earth to Maya," Riley said as she waved her hand in front of Maya, "What is with you today? You seem so distracted."
"It's the first day Riles and my brain is already tired. I guess school has that effect." Maya shut her locker and turned to face Riley, behind Riley a few lockers down from their's she saw Charlie with Max and Billy. His eyes caught her's and smiled. She gave him a small smile,
"Wha- what are you smiling at?" riley said as she followed Maya's gaze, luckily Charlie looked away to talk to Max.
"Oh god. Charlie's in this hall too?" Riley has been avoiding Charlie since after New Years, she felt bad at what happened and didn't know what to say. Maya's been afraid to ask, since now she's dating him it's even more awkward.
"Riles you knew he was going to be going to school with us. And you knew they tend to group the freshmen in one hall. And you knew-"
"I get it I get it." Riley stopped Maya.
Maya smiled at her best friend and linked their arms together. "It's a new school year honey let's get go of the past."
Riley smiled. "speaking of the past. Have you and Lucas-,"
"I'm going to stop you right there. I'm done with middle school issues, while I'm friends with Lucas I don't like him like that anymore." Maya said, she didn't know what she was feeling. She still felt something for the cowboy but she didn't want to feel it anymore. It was too much, too crazy.
Maya can take crazy but she wanted sanity for now so Lucas Friar was crazy and she didn't need crazy right now. She likes steady and nice and calm and no issues, while Charlie is anything but no issues, he was calm and sweet and the total opposite of Maya, but yet he knows how to handle her, like Riley.
"Nothing. You like him? Go for it Riles, I'm not a factor. He doesn't like me." Maya hasn't told Riley what she and Lucas really talked about during graduation and she wasn't going to tell her. Keeping certain things from Riley keeps Riley happy in Rileytown.
"Maya I like you. I've always liked you."
"Lucas," Maya remembered those words. That confession, that build her world up, but also knocked it down.
Riley was talking to someone, so Maya looked at Lucas who was laughing at something Zay said to Farkle.
Flashback: 8th grade Graduation
"No huckleberry. You are not allowed to like me back. You can't, we can't, do that to Riley."
"Maya. Listen to me will you." Lucas said as he pulled her back
"NO. It's graduation Huck. I can't have this conversation with you" Maya started to walk away but he pulled her arms and pinned her in between him and the locker. She felt her breath hitch, she can feel his, or is it hers, heart beat. Lucas placed his finger under her chin so she would look at him.
"Lucas please. I can't." She said, her voice sounding very small. Everyone was at the gym, Riley was with her family, taking pictures and talking about the graduation party she's having. It was just her and Lucas alone in the hallway.
He didn't say anything else, he just looked at her. Like he was trying to find something in her eyes. She avoided his gaze at all cost, she looked at every thing in his face but his eyes. It didn't help, she can feel his eyes on her, both his arms on each side of her. Trapping her in between him.
She was wearing heel so she can actually see his face instead of his neck when she looks straight at him.
"Maya I'm going to do something. If you don't feel anything just walk away. If you do, then stay and we'll figure it out."
She finally met his gaze, he smiled at her and her heart swelled. He placed his hands on her cheeks as he slowly leaned closer, Maya couldn't move. She was frozen, Maya closed her eyes, the kiss was soft and slow, Maya kissed him back with the same hesitant feeling she felt from him. She felt him smile as the kiss went on, she wrapped her arm around Lucas' neck. His hands dropped from her face and down to her waist as he picked her up. The kiss seemed to last forever, and she wanted it too. But she came back to reality, she broke apart from the kiss she opened her eyes and saw a confused Lucas.
"I can't. I'm sorry," she felt her tears about to fall, but she didn't want him to see her cry, she gave him one last kiss, on the cheek.
"Have a good summer Huckleberry." Then she walked away whipping her tears. She was glad she wore water proof eye makeup cause she did not have the time or the care to fix her makeup.
Present Day:
Maya felt someone nudge her. She looked around and saw the halls starting to empty,
"It's time for the first class of the year." Riley said, Like had A.P. English for first period, so she wasn't with Maya. The A.P class was in the second floor so Riley had to run. She waved goodbye to her friend as she caught up with Farkle who also had A.P. He could have had AP everything but he didn't want to be apart from his friends. He did take AP Physics with Smackle. Once Riley was out of sight Charlie walked over to his girlfriend.
"She's right you have been pretty distracted today Maya."
"You seriously have a great sense of hearing." Maya said half jokingly, he actually, did it was weird. Charlie had a pretty shitty eyesight, but he wears contacts since his glasses have a very heavy prescription so they annoy his eyes.
"It's a gift and a curse." He said as they walked into the class, Ms Burgess greeting them. As she gave them her regular books, comics first then actual literature books. This time they were reading Avengers.
"I'll tell you later." Maya squeezed his hand as she sat down in front of Sarah.
"Good Morning class and welcome to High School. Before we start let's talk about what you did this summer."