Riley Matthews was your ordinary thirteen year old girl. She had good grades, a stable and loving family, and two best friends: Farkle and Lucas. It seemed as if everything was going her way.
Maya Hart, however, was the exact opposite. Maya had D average grades, half a mom, and lived in a rough part of New York. True, she has a rough life, but through it all, she has been tough.
This is the story of how two girls from opposite worlds collide. It starts at a place named John Quincy Adams Middle School.
Maya Hart didn't want to transfer to a new school. She didn't care if her mom thought that she needed "a fresh start." No, Maya was perfectly fine at her old school in downtown New York City. She may have not had many friends, but still, it was the only school she knew.
Maya now had to go to a new school closer to the upper parts of New York City. Because of the distance, Maya had to now go through the subway to get to her school on time.
That was where she was right now. Maya, in her army jacket and leggings with Jean shorts over them, gripping the metal pole on the subway car for balance. She sighs and scans the subway car.
There was a business man yelling at what Maya guessed was an employee. Across the car was a woman with a crazy hat who smiled at her before turning back to talk to an old man with a beard. In the back of the car was a boy about Maya's age with short, brown hair and blue eyes who busily texted on his phone.
Maya sighs looking out the window of the subway car and waits for her stop. Finally, the car stopped, and the doors opened to her stop. She prepared herself for the daunting day ahead of her.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before she stepped off the subway onto the ground below. A couple other people stream out behind her, but Maya doesn't really pay attention. She looks up at the ceiling and sighs. A long day was ahead of her.
Riley Matthews sighs happily as she eats her oatmeal with her family. Cory Matthews, her father, notices the good mood. He glances at Topanga, his wife, nervously. She smiles and nods at him reassuringly. Cory gulps nervously.
"Is there a particular reason you are so happy this morning, Riley?" Cory asks reluncatantly.
Riley grins, "Yeah, actually. Mom said I might be able to get my subway pass tomorrow! She said I'm old enough to make the world my own!"
Cory grips his chest, and his eyes go as wide as saucers, "YOU WHAT?! Topanga! My little Riley isn't ready to make the world hers! It's my world still! Only I get to tell her when she can have a subway pass!"
Topanga rolls her eyes, "Cory, sweetie, I think Riley can handle the subway. It's not like she is leaving the house forever."
Cory opens and closes his mouth like a fish. Auggie, Riley's younger brother, giggles. Riley grins happily and looks at the time.
"Mom as much as I love to watch Dad acting like a goldfish, I have to get to school," Riley giggles.
Topanga nods, "Oh yeah! Come on, Riley, before you are late."
The mother and daughter race to the car and quickly drive to the school. Topanga hugs her daughter and waves goodbye before driving away to her law firm. Riley grins and walks into the school. She walks to her locker and puts her backpack away. She grabs her books and shuts it, finding her friend, Lucas, beside her locker.
She giggles, "Hey Lucas! What's up?"
He shrugs, "Nothing much. Subway was boring as usual. Farkle kept me company by texting me, though. What about you?"
Riley smiles happily, "My mom said I could get my subway pass tomorrow!"
Lucas grins, "That's great, Riley! I can finally have some company."
She nods and looks at her watch, "We better get to my dad's class. It's 7:58, and class starts at 8!"
Lucas nods, and the two friends run to the class. They get into their seats quickly. Riley looks at the desk beside her. It was always empty. She wondered if someone would ever take that seat or if it would always be vacant. She shrugs and looks to the entrance of the classroom. The bell rings, signaling class to start. Cory walks into the room and smiles.
"Good morning class! Today we have a new student. I'll let her introduce herself," Cory says and motions at the door.
The door opens and a blonde girl with an army jacket, white graphic tee, and jeans with leggings under them stands beside Riley's dad.
She nods at the class, "Uh, hey. My name is Maya Hart. I transferred here from a school located in lower New York City. That's pretty much all you need to know."
Cory nods, "Alright, Maya, we have a desk in the front that is open so please take a seat."
Maya shrugs and puts her books inside the desk. She slouches in her seat and looks around the room. Riley tilts her head at the new student. She smiles and holds her hand out to Maya.
"Hi! I'm Riley Matthews. Nice to meet you!" Riley says friendly.
Maya looks at her hand before slowly nodding, "You already know me so yeah. I guess I'm sitting next to you in this class. At least, you seem to be okay."
Maya turns back to the front as Cory begins talking about the ancient Egyptians. Riley grins at Maya and puts her hand down. To Riley, Maya seemed mysterious and cool. To Maya, Riley seemed like the kind of person who had always been protected, not a single ounce of distrust or rudeness in her.
The blonde girl sighs. "Riley and I are from two different worlds. It would never be possible to let these worlds collide. Riley doesn't need to see the dark world of hurt, anger, and betrayal in my world. I wouldn't fit in her world. In my world, no one needs anybody. You can't trust anyone. So why is it that I feel like I can trust Riley?" Maya thinks as the class continues.
The rest of the day goes as a blur for Riley and Maya. They were in all the same classes, and in some odd coincidence, they always were seated next to each other. Finally, it was lunch time.
Riley smiled as she headed over to her friends with her lunch tray in her hands. She sits down, and Lucas and Farkle greet her. She sighs and talks excitedly to them.
"Today is a good day, guys! My mom said I could probably get a subway pass tomorrow, I got an A on our science test, and the new girl actually is kind of friendly to me."
Lucas looks at Riley, clearly confused, "Maya? I heard that she used to get into fights at her old school. Riley I don't trust her. She's from a different part of New York City."
Riley frowns, "Lucas, that's ridiculous! Farkle, what do you think?"
Farkle shrugs meekly, "I kind of agree with Lucas. I mean, Riley she is from a bad part of New York City. They steal, mug, and fight down there. Face it, you two are from completely different worlds."
Riley gets a little angry, "Hey! Guys it's not cool to assume stuff about Maya. Seriously, I thought you guys were more understanding."
Farkle and Lucas look down at the ground guiltily. Riley scoffs and looks around the lunchroom. She spots Maya sitting at a table alone. Riley gets up and walks over to Maya's table. Maya looks up at Riley.
"Hey, is it okay if I eat over here?" Riley asks with a grin.
Maya shrugs, "Sure."
Riley sits down and begins to eat. She looks over at Maya who had slowly been eating. She glances up at Riley.
"What?" Maya asks cautiously.
Riley shrugs, "Nothing."
Maya shrugs and continues to eat. Riley finishes her food and waits for Maya to finish. When she does, Riley grins at her.
"Do you want to come to my house after school? I'm sure my dad won't mind," Riley asks.
Maya looks up, clearly surprised, "Me?"
Riley giggles, "No one else is here, now are they?"
Maya grins a little, "Yeah. I would love to, actually."
"Great! We can hang out, watch some TV, and you can stay for dinner! We coul-" Riley says excitedly.
Maya nods, "Slow down a little! Riley I'd love to come over to your house, I really would, but I don't think it's a good idea."
Riley stops her rambling, "What? Why?"
"You've heard the rumors. People think I'm going to steal or hurt them... They think I'm some... some crook, okay?" Maya mumbles out.
"I know people think that, but that's where they are wrong. Maya, I don't care about the rumors. I just want to know the real you, okay?" Riley says assuringly.
Maya sighs, "Alright. I'll meet you in front of Mr. Matthews classroom."
Riley grins. The lunch bell rings, signaling that lunch is over. Riley takes their lunch trays and puts them on the conveyor belt to be washed. She turns back to Maya, but she is already gone. Riley pouts, but she reminds herself that Maya needs time. "One step at a time, Riley. I know that I can become her friend. If this is my world, I want Maya to be in it." Riley keeps that thought in her head as she heads to her last class of the day, literature.
A/N: Well, hello there! This show has caught my attention so here's my contribution to the fandom! Yeah, I know, not the best story ever, but I am trying XD So thanks to those readers who enjoy it, and even if you don't, thank you :3 Alright so if you want more or have suggestions, put them in that review box! Also, make sure to follow/favorite! Thank you for reading and stay awesome!
~rsbaird :3