AN: Hi there! Welcome to Teenage Wasteland. If you're here, I'm assuming that you're a fan or familiar with Skins as a show but for those who aren't please note that there will be underage sex and use of drugs and alcohol, as well as storylines dealing with mature themes, such as mental illness and race. That being said, when reviewing please keep in mind that this story is listed 'M' for a reason. Another reminder, which honestly goes for all my stories: I am not a native New Yorker, so I'm bound to make a mistake about locale or directions.
I left another note about how I'm treating the GMW canon in this story at the end. For now though, enjoy reading!
She felt the cold phone vibrate in the middle of her bare chest. It was the last alarm. Wincing, she opened her sleepy eyes to read the text, although she knew what it said. It always said the same thing.
good morning peaches! :)
Truth be told, if it wasn't for Riley's annoying mass greeting texts every morning, Maya might never wake up. The city was crying with car horns and carrying voices of her neighbors on their stoops. It was the middle of February but Maya continued to sleep in the nude. Although, she didn't love her body, Maya liked to be naked. It felt powerful to her, instead of vulnerable. She dragged herself from her bed and massaged her ruffled, blonde scalp. Her pet ferret crossed her feet and she picked her up, saying hello and kissing her (or him, she didn't really know). Then, Maya looked out her window to admire sherbet colors melting against the buildings. She walked over to her closet, tossing garment after garment on her bed to find her leotard for her dance class. After taking a sink shower because the shower head was broken, brushing her teeth and getting dressed, Maya sat in front of her vanity mirror.
She stared at her face for a long time then at the drugstore makeup on her counter before lightly pulling at the corners of her mouth and eyes, sighing. She didn't think any of it actually made her look better or older. Not to Josh, anyway. She balled up her hair into a ballerina's bun, thinking about how Mrs. Kossal would make her stand on her toes for being tardy again. She packed her phone and house keys into her self-decorated backpack, next she grabbed her leather jacket from the floor and jet out of her shoe-box of a room.
In the living area, her mother was passed out on the couch. Maya went hurriedly to the refrigerator, just to pour her some orange juice and leave her two aspirin on a plate. Placing the breakfast on the coffee table Maya leaned over Katy, trying not to inhale the stench of Smirnoff's. She blew a kiss over her forehead to bless her, then made her speedy exit. But not before locking all five locks on the their door.
Maya was late again. During warm-ups, she crept inside and dropped her dirty back-pack in the pile of PINK and Nike gym bags. Quickly, she fit between two girls that could be mistaken for her twins, except they were taller and their noses were much pointier. They eyed Maya up and down, then continued to focus on their own feet. After the warm-up, the girls huddled around their instructor, Mrs. Kossal. Maya tried hiding behind someone, but it was no use.
"Mrs. Hart?"
Shyly, she peaked behind the tallest dancer, raising one index finger, "Present."
"You know the rules, Mrs. Hart. En pointe for 60 seconds, let's go." Mrs. Kossal snapped her fingers and Maya obeyed.
Mrs. Kossal's dance class was on the Upper East Side. Maya resided in lower Manhattan. When she first heard on the free class for intermediate learners, she knew that it was going be a pain in the ass to get there every Saturday but she loved to dance. She did it years 10-13, she was apart of the community center training program but her mother couldn't keep up with the payments.
Being a trained dancer was expensive. Tuition for regular ballet classes is the greatest overall expense. At the top tier of ballet schools — where students who hope to become professional dancers typically seek to train — those core 15 years of training cost a median of about $53,000. Maya could only dream of someone who could just give away that kind of cash - well, maybe Farkle. And, maybe the other girls in her class, who were just there for the extra practice.
When she was on her 53rd second, Maya fumbled. She heard a snicker, a snicker that sounded especially snotty. Maya glared in the direction of the sound and her upper lip was twitching, like all someone had to say was 'sick her' and she would pounce. Maya hasn't been in many fights but these bitches from Uptown would be easy.
"60. Good job, Miss Hart. Try not to be late again, please?" Mrs. Kossal had her hands on her hips.
"Yes, Mrs. Kossal."
She would be late again, this everyone knew. It was disrespectful, considering that out of the goodness of her heart, Andrea was giving this extra help away. Still, Mrs. Kossal didn't see passion in the other girls' eyes. They had technique and drive, but no fire. Maya Hart was definitely the sloppiest and most inexperienced but when she really worked, she could shine with the best of them. A former dancer herself, Mrs. Kossal could see who wants it more. Maya wants it the most.
Often after class, Maya would use the space to practice some more and create choreography to contemporary songs. Sometimes, her other friend - Zay, maybe his name was - would join her. Today, though, he wasn't there. From the shadows of the doorway, Mrs. Kossal watched Maya rehearse the dance from Kehlani's music video, The Way.
Her blonde hair fell around her shoulders as she moved. When she was not underneath the strangling control of training and the pressure of keeping up with her classmates, Maya was as elegant as a bird. There was such a magnetism in her poise and attitude, that no one could take their eyes off her. She floated with precision and confidence on the floor. Maya had a gift and she should know it.
Impressed but discreet, Mrs. Kossal revealed herself after Maya decided to take a break and get some water. The bottle was pressed to her thirsty lips as caught Mrs. Kossal's eyes on her. The younger girl was frozen when she saw her teacher walking towards her with a knowing smile and arms crossed.
"Trying to drown yourself with that water bottle?" The woman joked, noting that Maya held that Smart Water against her mouth for at least two minutes.
Embarrassed, she slowly set it down. "I'm dehydrated."
"Uh-huh. Maya, do you think I'm someone you can bullshit?"
Maya stammered, never hearing the woman curse before and never wanting to offend someone she respected so much, "No, no, Mrs. Kossal - "
"OK, then tell me why you come to my class. I've been watching you for the past two years. You never miss a weekend but you're always late and seemingly disengaged. You do care about dancing, don't you?"
"More than anything. Mrs. Kossal... When I dance, I just feel all my problems melt away. When I move, I feel like I'm strong enough to move the world with me. Dancing is the only way I can express myself, be myself. Please don't kick me out of your class, I know I'm not as good as the others - "
"Maya." She cut her off, her tone sincere. "My darling girl, I would never kick you out of my class. You're my favorite student."
Her worried face softened into a smile. "Really?"
"Although the other girls definitely have more education about dancing than you, to me you have the most potential and love for this. I want to help you learn more and get better but I need to know that you want this."
Wanting. The feeling of wanting was not foreign to Maya. She wanted to dance around the world. She wanted her first kiss to be with Josh Matthews, quiet and slow. She wanted her father to come back and at least apologize for abandoning her and her mother all those years ago. Maya wanted a lot of things that just weren't to come true. It wasn't anyone's fault; it was just life. Maya didn't even have the grades to make it out of 11th grade probably, let alone out of New York. Josh Matthews barely entertained the prospect of them being a couple, other than admitting that she was beautiful a while back at his niece Riley's 15th birthday party. Lastly, she hasn't even seen her father since she was in preschool. He picked her up from daycare, said a lot things that she didn't remember, gave her a long hug and walked away. Wanting things doesn't make them happen and it just hurts more when they don't. Wanting things was useless. Hope was for suckers.
"Maya, I'd be willing to work with you more, if you were more willing. There's this summer program that I teach at. It's a sleep-away camp in Poughkeepsie."
Back down to earth, Maya replied, "Mrs. Kossal, I appreciate it but I could never afford that."
"I know, that's why you wouldn't have to pay for it. I would take you in as a scholarship student. How are your grades?"
"... They could be better." Maya's grades could be a lot better if she turned in homework.
"Well, I'll just say that you were recommended by someone of great prestige - me." They both giggled, then seriously Mrs. Kossal put her hands on her shoulders, transferring her weight. "But Maya, if you want to do this, I'm going to need your birth certificate, social security card and parental approval by next class. Everything needs to sent in by March. Please, if you want this, show me."
Maya gulped as she was handed the application packet, muttering to herself, "Well, fuck me up." She looked over the American Ballet Company packet, before realizing that Mrs. Kossal was still in front of her with an amused look. "I-I'm sorry, Mrs. Kossal, I didn't mean to... It's just that - "
"I believe in you, Maya Hart. I expect great things from you, my darling girl." The older woman gave her a grin. "And if I don't get them, I will fuck you up."
Maya's face had to be looking pretty strange right now. She's never smiled longer than a second in her whole life. Unless she was dancing, high or with her friends, nothing else gave her so much joy. She sat on the steps of the library, waiting for her best friend. Her leg bounced with energy, barely being able to contain herself. She was given the opportunity to work on her craft with other dancers that hopefully, weren't as stuck up as the girls she had to dance with in Mrs. Kossal's class. Even if they were, she belonged there. Because Mrs. Kossal said so.
After being lost in her own happy thoughts - happy thoughts? - the literal ball of happiness was coming up herself. Riley's face and earmuffs matched the red and yellow cheerleader uniform she was wearing underneath her black coat. She jumped on Maya in a warm and generous hug.
"Hiiiii!" Riley dragged out the word squealing but suddenly, she pulled back. "Ooh, I'm not late, am I?"
"Of course not, Honey." Maya giggled.
"Oh, goody!" She pulled Maya off the step and held her hand. They walked together on the streets back to Greenwich Village, where Riley's parents were getting ready for Josh's appearance for a birthday dinner at their home. His birthday was actually the week prior, but the college student was getting through midterms at the time. He promised his New York family would see him after. Maya was OK with it; it was one week less spent with him but an extra week to prep. However, now with the added event of going to ballet camp in the summer, her mind was elsewhere.
Until, Riley stuffed a water-bottle of red juice in her face, commanding sweetly, "Try this!"
"OK," Maya agreed in confusion, tasting the fruit punch. "Mm, Koolaid."
"Koolaid, with amounts of Bacardi 151!" Riley corrected with a smile. "I finally got the proper ratio down for my perfect Jungle Juice! Now, I can't get too drunk but I can get a nice buzz without tasting a thing! Remind me to thank Farkle later." She tried to get her concoction back but Maya reached her arm further away.
"Do you think it's a good idea to get wasted before dinner with your family?"
Riley made a knowing smile before taking the bottle from her friend's fingers, "They won't know the difference anyway." Riley was a very unpredictable drunk. Sometimes, math actually worked and a positive plus a positive would equal a negative. She would start screaming and crying, becoming a hurricane of bad vibes. Yet other times, Riley would become even more the life of the party. It was almost scary for Maya to wait for either one to surface. "It's always 'Riley the Drama Queen," Riley droned, taking another sip.
"Riles, I got to tell you something..."
"Well, I'm just fulfilling my role. What they think they see, is what they're gonna get! Maybe. Who knows."
"Riley!" Ending the brunette's tangent, Maya held her face with her bare hands.
"Your hands are cold, Peaches."
She shook her blonde tresses, "I got into ballet camp, Riley. I got into one of the most exclusive ballet camps in the nation."
"What?!" The cheerleader yelped excitedly and started jumping as high as the clouds and Maya laughed. "Yay! Yay, Maya!" Riley came back to down to the ground, getting the breath to ask her questions, "But, wait, when did you apply? Where did you apply? How did you even audition? Can you afford this? How? Why didn't I know about this?"
The necessary questions were being shot at her so fast but Maya answered them all in one sentence, "My dance teacher said today that she thought it would be good for me, so she's fitting the bill."
"Hooray!"
"Yeah. Apparently, she really believes in me."
"Of course she does! What's not to believe in? You're Maya Hart! Oh, it's such a good day!" Riley wrapped her arms around Maya like a scarf as they started walking again.
"Yeah... " Maya trailed off, thinking. "Oh, God." She groaned.
"What? What's 'Oh, God'?"
"I have to tell my mom." She remembered. "I need her to get my birth certificate and all my records and shit."
"... Still not seeing the big deal, Peaches."
"The big deal, Honey, is that my mom is screw-up, OK?" Maya said, irritated. "The woman couldn't even remember when my career day was, remember?"
Riley nodded sadly, "Yes, I remember."
"It's like, the more I want something that involves her, the better chance it's not gonna happen."
"Maya, maybe if she sees how much you care about this - "
"Riley, I know my mom, OK? She's not like your parents. She definitely not Topanga and not even Cory on a good day. She's not a mom; I call her Katy and she says nothing! It's totally cool to her. How am I supposed to trust her to do this? To just be a parent, for once?" Needing relief, Maya opened the small compartment of her bag where her Marlboro Menthol cigarettes usually were. She forgot them was she rushing. Stressed, Maya pushed her hair from her face.
"What is it?" Riley asked.
"I left my cigs at home." Maya pouted.
Riley wasn't a tobacco smoker and rarely a weed smoker, so she had nothing to appease her friend. She looked up and saw that they were in front of a corner store that was sure to sell some.
"Wait here," Riley told Maya.
"Why?"
Riley went in calmly and seconds later, ran out yelling at Maya to run. No questions asked, Maya followed suit when she saw the man yelling in Arabic beginning to chase them. When the girls found an alleyway, Riley stopped to shake two cartons of Maya favorite cigarettes from her coat.
"Riley!" Maya scolded, with a disbelieving smile.
"What? Did I do something wrong?" Riley posed with a grin. Sirens rang out that could have been for anyone but they weren't taking any chances.
"Keep going!" Maya pushed Riley along and the jogged the rest of the way home, sore toes and all. Thank God Maya changed into her combat boots. So much better than her second hand pointe shoes.
Riley did not like the thought of Maya and Josh together. Maya? The closest thing she'd ever have to a sister and Riley has a lot of friends, but none like Maya. No one could ever touch her. Josh? Her uncle that was weirdly too close to her in age but it made them bond that much easier. Only three years apart, it felt more like Josh was her brother at times. Her brother and her sister? Dating? Ew.
The word 'Ew', or any phrase of disgust was used each time Maya brought up "Uncle Boing". Maya didn't care, though. People could think it was weird. Hell, Josh thought it was weird and that's why they still weren't an item but she'd wear him down. She fantasized about it all the time. Wearing the boy down and out. Sex was still something imagined by Maya. The most heated moments she's ever had was a game of doctor with Riley in their younger years, an accidental hand kiss from Farkle and an almost real kiss with Lucas. But porn was easy to find, a little too easy once thanks to Farkle not erasing his search history and their group of friends had only two non-virgins: Lucas and Zay.
Zay was not as forthcoming with his sexuality. It would make him embarrassed and sad, because he and Vanessa parted ways. Lucas, however, would kiss and tell but only if he was asked by someone in the clique. Maya was curious and amused by Huckleberry's never-ending game with the girls and boys of Abigail Adams High School off the court and field. His last conquest was Missy Bradford, captain of the cheerleaders and HBIC. Maya loathed her just as much as in the 7th grade and Lucas told her she had to let that middle school shit go. Whatever. She had bigger, college fish to fry.
High school boys were so immature. Josh was not in high school; Josh is a man. In fact, he's no longer a teenager at all. He'd treat her with respect and kiss her properly. Hold her hand when she was upset, come to her recitals, protect her. All the time, he'd shower her with compliments that she's beautiful and smart and talented. Most of all, he'd never leave her. He'd be everything a true man should be for a girl.
The only problem was getting Josh to realize that he wanted to be that for Maya.
She sat at the Matthews' dinner table, gazing at Josh as subtly as possible. Maya studied how he smiled when he spoke about school and crossed her legs when he chuckled at something Auggie said. He'd make such a good dad. When the conversation wasn't about him, she had a moment to get him all to herself. Sort of. They were talking about Auggie trying out for baseball. Tossing the left over Red Velvet cake around on her plate, Maya slid forward, gently hitting Josh's leg. Becoming older, the girl became a lot more careful and cool in her flirting. Josh noticed, looking back at her ever so slightly before shifting his leg away. The tip of her boot found it and met side of his Chuck Taylor, caressing the side of his ankle. He covered his mouth, trying to hide the smile trying to sneak onto his face. Maya bit her lip and tilted her head at him innocently, winning the game of Footsies.
While everyone was distracted by Auggie, Riley caught on to their little sport. To deflect immediately, she blurted, "Family! Guess what? Our Maya has been accepted to ballet camp over the summer!"
"Really? Maya that's wonderful!" Topanga got up to hug the girl.
"I'm not really in yet. I have to get my papers in order." Maya uncomfortably relenting to Mrs. Matthews' embrace.
"Maya, that won't take any trouble to get." Cory added.
"Sorry, Matthews, have you met Katy Clutterbucket?"
Cory pursed his lips, not wanting to speak badly of Maya's mother. "Your mother tries her best. Maya, it's as good as done. You worked hard for something and you got it. Be proud of yourself. We are."
Riley put her arm around Maya and she leaned into her best friend. Auggie piped up, "I'm proud of having a full summer of the house to myself."
"That's it!" Maya threw her napkin down and chased Auggie into his room screaming. The rest of the Matthews clan laughed along.
At the end of the night, Riley, Auggie, Topanga and Cory were asleep on the couch in front of Marley and Me. Perfect family movie for the perfect family. It would make her sick, if she didn't wish to have that with her mother so much. Maya looked on from the kitchenette, when Josh was coming back from the bathroom. He decided he would get something to drink, then dip out. Maya stared back at him, arching her backside out a tiny bit with her light hair over her shoulders. He was extremely flattered that she was still interested in seducing him but worried too, because she was getting better at it.
"So, watcha' doin', Darlin'?" Maya asked just for Josh to hear.
"I'm about to head out."
"Oh, really? You know, I should be getting home as well. It's late."
"I thought you were spending the night here?" Josh squinted.
"Yeah, but I changed my mind." Maya shrugged. "Riley snores and I can't really get comfortable in bed with her. I like to sleep naked."
When Josh didn't know what to say to Maya's come-on's - which was often - he just laughed. Blushing, he continued, staring at his shoes, "OK, Kid. Get your coat." Now, he couldn't do anything but picture her without clothes, which is probably exactly what she wanted. Shit. Maya and Josh strolled to the Arianda Apartments, where she lived. Coming from Philadelphia, Josh was pretty used to seeing some extreme poverty and it was a shame that Maya didn't live that differently. She stood outside the main door, holding her keys off her pinky.
"So," Maya started. "You wanna come up?"
Josh erupted in incredulous laughter, "You're crazy, you know that?"
"C'mon, it's your birthday. What if I told you I had a present for you upstairs?"
"I don't think that present should be for me."
"That's weird because it has your name on it."
Fuck.
Desperate and dizzy, as Maya being so close to him and faintly smelling some fruity body spray, Josh tried to speak to Maya's sense. "Maya. I'm 20. You're 17 - "
"I'll be 18 in September. That's less than 7 months away." She leaned into him and Josh kept his hands to himself.
"Waiting for a girl to turn 18. Now, that doesn't make me feel predatory."
"Too bad, you'd look hot in orange."
Josh scoffed, staring down into her clear, blue eyes. "You just want me to get into trouble, don't you?" His voice was thick and low. There was heat pooling the bottom of Maya's stomach as the air he exhaled warmed her face. The college student didn't even feel himself about to kiss the girl, until a passing car flashed its bright lights, breaking the spell. Josh blinked tightly and backed off of Maya, leaving her to sigh longingly.
"Goodnight, Maya." Josh waved before walking away and not looking twice at her.
"Goodnight, Boing." Maya said to herself.
The many flights of stairs had Maya come down from her Josh-drunk state. For now, she was to enter the Lion's Den she called home. By now, her mother - who liked to be called Katy by all - would be getting ready to go to the bar. Maya even called her by her first name but more to be ironic. What's worse is that she was never reprimanded for it. In the daytime, Katy worked as a waitress at the Silver Sun Diner. At night, she was Katy the Barmaid thespian, taking bets from customers to recite lines from Gone With the Wind after guzzling three pints of beer. Though her dreams of becoming a famous actress were long over since the birth of Maya Penelope, she still loved to act breezy all the time, like nothing was ever a big a deal. Katy turned every hardship or sucky event into a dramatic story-line that she needed to overcome. She turned her life into a movie and she was always the star.
Turning all the locks, Maya opened the door to see the same scene as always: Katy wearing something small and sparkly, doing her makeup in her compact mirror. She made a cheery smile toward her daughter, "Oh! Hey Maya! How was your day?"
"Good." Maya deadpanned.
"Oh, it is bound to be a slow night but no worries! A shotful of sugar makes the medicine go down!" Katy took a sip of Whiskey left in her spotty glass and shook it down with a whoop.
Maya knotted her eyebrows at her mother's sleeveless dress, "Don't you think you'll be cold in that, Katy?" The older woman looked down at her strapless black mini adorned with sequin.
Katy shrugged, "You know what they say: Some like it hot! And besides, skin equals tips, Babygirl!" Her mother walked like a giant in her pumps as she looked for her purse. Slowly gaining courage, Maya approached preoccupied Katy, holding her own hands.
"Actually, something did happen today. Something really, really good."
"Damn it, where is that thing?"
"Katy?"
"I'm listening!"
"I got invited to go to this camp for dancing, over the summer." Maya tried to sound nonchalant.
"Uh-huh... Ah! There you are, you little scamp." Katy found the purse under the couch. Ginger must have been using it as a chew toy again. "I'm gonna cook that ferret, I swear to above..." Her fingers began to rummage through it, making sure it had all it's belongings.
"I need to turn in the permission slip by next Saturday, in order to go. And I need you to get my social security card and birth certificate. They need it."
Katy popped up from the couch and admired Maya's leather motocross jacket. "Hey, Babygirl, can I borrow that jacket? It'd go so much better with my outfit tonight."
In a puzzled daze, Maya took off her jacket and handed it over. "I really want this."
"I know! You love that jacket, I'll have it back by tomorrow. Promise."
"Jacket..? No, mom!" The word 'mom' struck Katy and made her look her hopeful daughter in the eyes. She hasn't heard it in what felt like forever. "Mom, this is so important to me. Please, please don't forget." Since she was four, Maya didn't remember asking her mother for anything. Not ponies or dolls, not even a Christmas gift. She learned to be grateful for whatever she did get. Now, she was asking for more than Katy might be able to give but she had to try.
Katy's amber brown eyes were glassy as she held Maya's head between her hands, "If it's important to you, Babygirl, then it's important to me too." She pulled her into a long hug.
"Super." It was strange to have her mother become so emotional and it was sad that Maya didn't know if she was acting or not. Still, she said OK, so it was a win. Now, she'd just have to wait. Maya would have to trust Katy. Easy.
Sike. Right after telling her mother about getting her information, Maya couldn't sleep a wink. All day on Sunday, she thought about just gently reminding Katy about it but then she'd get that wounded look from her and feel bad. She forgot about her birthday once. Fourteen year old Maya woke up alone, thinking that maybe Katy was out getting a cake or trying to fool her. She waited the whole day until her mother came strolling in, quickly making her dress change out of her waitress uniform. Talking fast and animated as always, Katy slipped on a cocktail dress and had Maya zip her up. She thanked her, kissed her on the cheek and went on her merry way. Maya never said a word to anyone.
The girl couldn't let history repeat itself. No, Maya needed to have a backup plan. Genius, heir to the Farkle Enterprises fortune and the nerdiest friend she had, Farkle Minkus was usually pretty easy to find. If he wasn't at school at one of the many clubs he founded - Future Scientists of America, Fanimes (hybrid of the words 'anime' and 'fan'), Follies Acapella - he resided in the humongous edifice that he called home. The size of his bedroom was comparable to Maya's entire apartment. No wonder he spent most of his time walled up in there, the Minkus mansion had anything anyone could ever want or need. Except love, maybe. Who cares, though, the boy had a train!
Maya shown her state and school ID for permission to get inside the building and the doorman buzzed the lonely boy upstairs to let him know she was coming to see him. Farkle had all AP and college prep courses, so they didn't have much time to spend together like in middle school. Frankly, most of the time their common denominator nowadays was Riley. She didn't think he'd mind if she asked him for a teensy little favor. If so, she could always blackmail him.
Farkle's room was at the very end of the hall. She heard The White Stripes coming from his room so loudly, it sounded like they were playing a concert. Maya knocked and turned the locked knob. Before she could yell for him, he opened the door.
"How'd you know I was outside?"
"I've calculated the it would take for you to travel from the lobby to here, factoring in all variables. I see you didn't stop to get something to eat in our kitchen. Our chef should be making dinner right now."
"He was making voulez-something-with-fish." Maya recoiled with her tongue out and followed Farkle into his loft. With a remote he turned the music down and sat on his bed. He was still in the school uniform: a bright red blazer with the Adams High School insignia and the matching tie, white shirt and khakis. His socks, however, were of the universe's planets.
"What can I help you with, Maya?" He offered, turning his attention to his computer.
"I need you to hack into my records to get a copy of my birth certificate and social security number."
Farkle quirked an eyebrow, "I thought you were leaving it to your mom to do that."
"I am," Maya said, sitting on the edge of his bed. "But, I just need insurance, you know? Just in case she's still Katy Clutterbucket."
Farkle sighed, "Maya, I think you should just wait and see what your mom does. She could surprise you."
"Farkle, I think you should tell Riley that you love her already, so you can have sex with her in real life and don't have to spend your trust fund watching cheerleader porn on BangBros."
Farkle narrowed his eyes at the girl's smirk. Touche. "Let me see the packet again." The blonde shuffled through her bag, past her drawings and doodles to hand him the application. In excitement and because of Riley's big mouth, Maya passed it around to show her family of friends at lunch. Farkle read through the back-half with his glasses and tapped a specific sentence with his finger. "Yep, I knew it." He declared.
"What?"
"They need an original copy."
Maya dismissed, "So? You have a color printer, right? You're rich!"
Farkle scoffed with a laugh, "They're still printed on government, banknote paper. Paper that I don't have."
"You could get it, right? I mean, you are rich."
"Maya, it won't work." Farkle's tone was final.
"What won't work?" In came Lucas, with a plate of wild salmon and a bib tucked in his school shirt. "Hey, Maya."
"Hey, Huckleberry." She shifted, pulling the pleats of her tan skirt down. "The hell are you doing here?"
"I wanted to look over Farkle's notes from Calculus." Lucas sat by her. "And their chef is cooking French tonight." He asked, eating the sliver of fish with his hands.
"I thought you spent all your free time in extra-curricular activities now."
"I like to have time to spend with my friends, too."
"Hm, including Missy?"
Lucas rolled his green eyes with a smile, "You know, I think you and Missy would get along great if you just dropped this petty, middle school crap. Even her and Riley get along now! She's not so bad. Sometimes."
"Yeah, I'm sure I'd like her too, if she was sucking my dick."
"Actually, she's not great at that." Lucas replied, without thinking.
"Really?" Farkle and Maya said together, amused. The athlete just shrugged and finished his dinner.
Lucas and Maya left Farkle's castle together and took the train back to where the lessers lived downtown. She had the application out again. She brought it out after passing 30th street and started to fill it out. She didn't know why she hasn't already. Maybe it would be too real. No longer stalling, Maya put the pen in her hand and starting to answer the paper's questions. She filled out her name, address and phone number without a problem. Then, it asked for her parents' information.
Maya could write down most of Katy's information without struggle, though she did have to sift through her phone to find her work numbers. Next, the application asked for her father's information. She paused and let the tip of the pen rest on the line for his name. Every now and again, she would become pensive about where he was, if he had a new family, if he was happy. Did he ever think about her? Suddenly, Maya felt Lucas' breathing hard and leaning over her shoulder.
Seeing that she was stuck on answering the father portion, Lucas did an imitation of Darth Vader, "Maya... Maya, I am your father."
Slowly, she looked up at Lucas with the utmost agitation, "You're such a fucking loser, Ranger Rick." Lucas chuckled and sat back. When his smile faded away, Maya took the earnest moment to ask him, "Lucas, what kind of person do you think you'd be if you didn't have your father around?"
Clearly not expecting the deep question, the boy raised his eyebrows and carded a hand through his hair "OK, just fuck me up."
"Could you not be a Captain Cact-ass for one moment and answer the question?"
"Well, I declare, fuck me right up ya'll!" Lucas put on his best and deepest southern drawl to up the ante. After losing Pappy Joe, Lucas let his true personality fly a little higher, so if she wanted Captain Cact-ass, well...
Her face lit up before spilling over into laughter, "You are so annoying! I'm serious, Ha-hurr!" She slapped his shoulder in an effort to make him stop laughing with her.
Getting his breath, Lucas said, "I know, I know and I don't know, Maya. I think maybe, I might be a little less concerned with my "image" and what other people think. My idea about what a man is and should be definitely would be something different. But at the same time, I'd always wonder about him too. Why'd he leave and things like that, be sad about it. Like you." Maya stared down at her hands. "If I had no dad or father figure around, life no doubt would've been harder for me. But I kind of have faith that I'd still be a pretty good person. Stronger and more down-to-earth. Again, like you."
A small smile cracked in the corner of her lips as she whispered, "Thanks."
"Where are you right now?"
Maya shook her head. "I just have a bad feeling. I know my mom, I know my life. What if this doesn't happen for me?"
"Then, something else will." Lucas insisted.
"But, how do you know that?" Maya asked, impatient.
"Because, you're talented! There is not one artsy thing that you don't do well, Maya. You can dance and draw and sing... You're the whole package." Lucas turned to Maya, wanting to choose his words very carefully. "Look, I know that your mom is a bit - a bit of a mess, from what you've told me and everyone else but she's still your mom. I'm sure she cares about you, even when she screws up and forgets things. She loves you, Maya. Try and remember that."
Maya bit her lower lip and thought out loud, "You know, I don't think I can remember the last time she said she loved me."
"She does, Maya." He assured, with his hand on her knee.
"She does?"
"... She stuck around, right?" He shrugged.
The subway car halted and the boy realized he needed to get off. Quickly, he squeezed Maya's hand and released. Maya could've sworn they had at least two more stops together. "Wait, do you get off here?"
"I'm going to see Missy, help her with 'homework', " he answered, over his shoulder. "I'll text you. See you, Shortstack." He threw a grin towards Maya.
Maya waved goodbye to Lucas and watched him jog up the stairs. Riding the train alone, she pulled out her phone. Right now, she'd be finishing up her shift at Silver Sun. When they communicated, it'd usually just be to pass information along to the other. Katy rarely checked in on her but also, Maya didn't check in either. Never once has she tried to see if her mother was all right after working until almost 3 in the morning or wait up to see if she was going to coming back at all. Although, Maya wasn't an adult, she wasn't a kid anymore. Subconsciously, she knew relationships - good ones - need efforts from both people in order to work.
Holding her in breath, she texted Katy.
please remember to get my social security card and birth certificate.
love you.
It was Friday. The permission slip was due on Saturday morning and Maya still didn't have it ready. She texted her mother everyday to remind her, as she couldn't speak to her often because of her crazy schedule. It was the last day. Maya was spiraling, to say the least.
When John Adams Middle School and Abigail Adams High School combined to make The Adams School, it was important to the administration to have one garden quad for all students - no matter social standing, class or age - to meet, connect and just talk in the grass.
But it was too open and if kids were to be, say, smoking out there, they would get caught for sure. Therefore, Riley, Maya, Lucas, Farkle and Zay had to hide on the open rooftop, near the in-house farm that the sixth graders were planting. The gang looked on as Maya unraveled, pacing and bouncing and twirling.
"It's Friday." She sounded manic. "It's Friday and still no social security card, still no birth certificate. It's like I have no identity! I don't even know who I am anymore! Who am I?!" She grabbed Farkle by the tie and yanked him into her.
"You're freaking out, is what you are." Zay interjected and calmly released her grip.
"Yeah, Maya. Relax. If your mom said she'd do it, then she's going to do it." Lucas said. "The more pressure you put on the situation, the crazier you're going to get."
"I agree," Riley added. "Peaches, you're going to ballet camp. It's as good as done! You should be celebrating!"
"Oh, yeah? Riles, if it's done than why can't I stop shaking?" Maya jumped around like she was about to transform.
"OK, I think some herbal refreshment is in order, right about now." Zay went into his back pocket to fish out a quarter-sized bag of weed. "Anyone got paper?"
"I do." Farkle answered, going into his messenger bag.
"Hey, did you guys know that in the UK they call them skins?" Riley quipped.
"I did not know that, Riley." Zay pretended to be enthused, making the blunt.
"I didn't know that." Farkle lied but sounded sincere. Riley smiled at him and he blushed.
"Luke?" Lucas threw Zay his lighter and sparked up the joint to give to Maya. Yet, she was still quaking pretty bad, so instead of handing it to her, Zay put the joint in front of her lips slightly. "OK, now inhale, exhale." Her lips felt so nice around the joint and even better when she took in its magic. Her nerves dissolved into the smoke that blew threw her nostrils. "Good girl."
"Guys... " Maya didn't finish her thought because they all could read her mind by now.
"Maya, look, it's basic science that the more you observe something, the better chance you change it's outcome." She passed the joint to Farkle for his advice and he took a drag. "I think you need to just trust your mom."
He passed to Riley, "Right, I mean even if she missed your career day and accidentally stepped on your guitar and lost your locket that was supposed to be a gift that one time - "
"Riley, I think that's enough." Lucas told her.
Realizing that she made her best friend feel even worse, Riley didn't even take a hit and gave it to Lucas. "I don't deserve pot. I didn't say anything good." She grudged, matter-of-factly.
"Guys, we got to get to class." Farkle announced, looking into the face of his watch.
When most of the gang began to go downstairs, Lucas took a breath from the joint, then turned his attention to Maya. Drawling, "It's like Pappy Joe said: Don't count your horses before they're born."
Maya knotted her eyebrows at him before snorting a laugh. "Really, Huckleberry? When I'm in need, you say the most Huckleberriest of things?"
"It made you laugh." He retorted, simply. Maya rolled her eyes and tried to stop her cheeks from reddening. "Now, c'mon. We'll be late."
The couch was an old source of comfort. It was inherited from Gammy Hart, who now lived in a old folks' home in Florida, a.k.a retiree's paradise. When she was little, the Hart matriarch would let her granddaughter lay her head down on her lap. Her intelligent hands would stroke her hair, humming a Motown diddy. Gammy Hart wouldn't remember now, as her dementia was pretty advanced. They didn't expect to have her much longer but this mustard brown sofa would stay forever as a cherished piece of Clutterbucket-Hart memorabilia.
Gammy probably wouldn't approve of Maya having a cigarette on it, but then again, she wouldn't approve of a lot of things that were going on recently.
The jitters in the teen's leg were running through her veins and nicotine just wasn't cutting it. She snuffed out the flame of her cigarette and took off the Doc Marten's she got for a bargain at Cheapo's Vintage. Her phone was dead because she kept checking to time on it, so no music. That was OK. In fact, she was probably better without it. Maya dropped on the carpet and massaged her ankles, to only stand back up and do her exercises. Some heel raises, balancing on her toes, flexing her calves. Pointe work was what she need the most work on, but it was too dangerous. A cardinal rule for ballet dancer was never to do pointe on carpet, which was Maya's entire house. Barre work would have to do.
Maya held her stance on the mantel of the useless fireplace. She was just doing basic positions, remembering not to go to seventh. Then, she began to do her stretching. The end of her foot effortlessly reached to a rising angle on the surface. Maya folded into herself, letting both hands climb to her higher ankle, then making one hand reach behind her. In control, she breathed into her stretch. Closing her eyes, Maya dared to imagine the cabin she'd stay in over the summer and fresh, woodsy breeze. Dancing with the branches in the wind. She wasn't sure if she'd get along with the other campers but it didn't matter because she was there. She was good enough.
The sound of the locks clicking made Maya break from her form. Katy came in, tiredly hanging her coat up and wiping the sweat from her brow. Her keys jingled then dropped on the coffee table, with their pom-pom key chain. So drenched in fatigue, Katy almost didn't see her daughter looking at her with anticipation and fret. Maya was usually in her room, or somewhere, when she got in. It was too late for Maya to be just getting out of school, but she was still in her Adams attire.
"Hey, Babygirl." Katy greeted her with an uneasiness. "I usually don't see you when I'm going through my dress change. What a nice surprise."
Skipping pleasantries, Maya asked, "Do you have my birth certificate, mom?"
"... What? Why would I have that?" In the deep recesses of her mind, the last time she saw Maya's records was probably in their storage unit.
It was nothing short of tragic how hard and fast Maya's heart sunk.
Warily, Maya took a delicate step towards her mother, "Mom. Last weekend, I asked you to get my birth certificate and social security card for a prestigious summer ballet camp. They were all I needed to get in. You said to me, 'If it's important to you, it's important to me.' I texted you, everyday, about it this week. Tell me, please, that you have them."
Lost for words, Katy barely responded, "Maya, Honey, I... "
Maya turned her back so she could crumple privately. She bowed down, holding her face repeating, "I knew it, I knew it, I knew it..."
"OK, Babygirl, don't worry! Mama's gonna go out right now and - "
Maya twisted around to fire her words like a cannon, "It's too late for that, Katy! It's almost 9'o'clock! Nobody's fucking open! I needed it for tomorrow morning!" She licked the tears on her lips. "Everyone said that I just needed to trust you and I was being too hard on you. But they don't know you and how you are. Not like I do."
Sometimes, Maya would make smart remarks to insult Katy and the mother would let it slide because she knew she wasn't around like she should have been, but the way the teen was speaking to her right now was just too much to bare.
"How I am?" She repeated then firmly, Katy replied, "Maya, I am sorry that I forgot about this, I really am Babygirl but maybe, you can consider that things slip my mind when I'm working 18 hour days to keep a roof over our heads."
Maya continued to be unsympathetic, seething, "A roof that leaks? A shower that doesn't work? And none of it is ever a big deal! You treat everything shitty that happens to us like some big plot-line in our already fucked up lives! 'Oh, look Maya, we have that skyline we always wanted!' We don't live in the penthouse, Katy! We live in the Arianda projects! I can't see the sky when I look up, I just see the darkness of the rotting apartment above our heads.'We'll be so natural and organic, without the shower! It'll be like a spa!' I haven't bathed properly in two weeks. Two. Weeks. And, newsflash, spas have showers. Oh, God and my favorite one: 'Your daddy loves you so much Babygirl, that he had to go away because he's sick and he doesn't want to hurt you. When he's better, he'll come back and you'll never miss him again.' It's been 13 years, Katy. He's not coming back. He left us. He left you. We weren't enough! I'm so goddamn sick of you forcing me to live in your warped reality!"
"Contrary to what you may believe, Maya, everything that I've ever done or said was to help you have a better life! Do you think I like this? Do you think I like living this way? I got pregnant with you at 16 and ever since then, I have always been about you and getting what you need. I know I'm not the perfect mother, but it's not an easy job, Babygirl. Not for anyone."
"Especially not for someone who couldn't close their legs as a teenager!"
Katy was used to hearing words like that in Oklahoma from people. That's why she left with Kermit when Maya was still learning to crawl. Never in her wildest nightmares did she think her own daughter could say something so cold-blooded. Something inside of her took over and convinced her to think that this couldn't be the girl that she raised. This had to be someone else, someone who didn't understand her or what she went through. Her daughter would never be so unkind, ungrateful. So, she handled it the same way she did back home: A clean smack across the face.
Suddenly, as the stranger held her face in a mix of shock, pain and emptiness, Katy saw Maya again. She looked in the same eyes that would cry as a child when she heard thunder and eyes that would twinkle when she sang her a lullaby. Instantly, the tears that she held in escape as she reached for her daughter, deeply sorry, "Oh, oh Maya, I'm sorry. Babygirl, I didn't mean - Maya, Maya, please!"
Maya's blonde hair covered her expression, she rushed to the door. She grabbed her coat and left, slamming the door behind her.
She didn't have shoes. Maya brought her coat but no shoes. Not even those damn ballet slippers. It was fine, though; it was a distraction. Sometimes, she'd be crying from hurt her feet were getting from the cold concrete and ice but eventually they became numb as her feelings. In her jacket was her transpass, her school ID and 43 cents. No doubt any one of her friends would take her in but she didn't want to see them. She was ashamed of being right. Maya didn't want any pity, hugs or pep talks right now. She just wanted to get fucked all the way up.
Maya sat on the subway, barefoot and broke, thinking of where she could go. There was that one bar that didn't card her but it was a slow night. On the weekends, the bars were mostly dead as most of the people came to watch football games or elections. She wanted to be somewhere full of life. Hearing a shrill laugh ringing, Maya turned to left and saw a gaggle of girls that were slightly older than her, maybe. It was definitely below 30 but they were all in formal party dresses and heels higher than her hopes. Their fully made up faces cackled about all the fun they were going to have that night. They started to leave the train, single-file. The stop was NYU. Maya decided to follow them.
Thankfully, she didn't have to walk too far. Stealthily, Maya tread behind them on a tree-lined street near campus. Looking at the alien like symbols, she figured out that she must be in the Greek community. A few people visibly judged her lack of footwear but Maya just kept her eyes on the girls. They ended up leading her to a house filled with people and flashing lights. With wonder, Maya went inside. As small as the girl was, there was barely enough room for her it was so crowded. She shoved her way through, not going anywhere in particular. Then, Maya felt a sneaker step on her foot. As she writhed from the hurt, she unexpectedly bumped into a table near the wall. She might as well have bumped into Heaven. Grey Goose, Jose Cuervo, Hennessy. All types of liquor, all top shelf.
Maya was overwhelmed with all of her choices of poison that she couldn't choose. So, if there was a cup that was abandoned and full, she claimed it. Red cup, after red cup, Maya became a disposal for all alcohol, no matter where it came from. A passerby saw her intake accelerating and suggested that she slow down, tiny thing that she was. Maya answered him with her steely blue eyes never breaking away as she stole his cup from him to drink. Her fingers tossed it elsewhere and made her way to place where everyone seemed to be dancing.
The music was amazing. It was so booming, it felt like it was filling up her whole body. It reminded her of the playlist she would hear at Zay's family cookouts; some reggaeton, some trap, some old-school hip-hop, some contemporary. Her jacket slid off her shoulders and Maya felt like she was transitioning through states of matter. Solid to liquid to gas. Her body no longer existed in reality, only through the music. When guys she didn't know put their hands and lips on her, she didn't care because she didn't own her physical form anymore. Maya was not one person, in one form, in one place. She became everything, all at once.
Midterms obviously had everyone feeling real messed up because thus far, this had been the craziest college party Josh had been to. First week back's always wild and then there's Sprung Break but... This was nuts. Everyone was wasted or high or both (himself included but just a little). Students had lost their clothes and dignity all in the name of cracking under pressure. The friend he came with, Andrew, was down to his boxers and tube socks, licking what could be cocaine off a girls body. But maybe he was just seeing things. It was when his brown eyes locked on a girl that looked like Maya, he for sure thought he was just incredibly fucked up.
She had on this uniform skirt that was a least a whole foot about the knee and had tied her white button down under her chest in a neat knot. She literally stepped out of his retro Britney Spears wet dreams. Hit Baby One More Time, indeed. There was a guy behind her, with his hands sneaking up the skirt to touch the milky whiteness of her thighs but then, she leaned into him and started to strut in Josh's direction. Maya's doppelganger went for another drink she didn't need, while Josh held up the wall. Trying to be discreet, he looked underneath his eyelashes at the girl. His investigation went AWOL, when she came him staring.
Josh acted like his lack of Whiskey was crazy interesting, until the girl came up to him, wailing, "Josh!"
Right before she dove in for a hug, he noticed the voice. Only one girl he knew had that deep and kind of sexy voice, "Maya?" She was glued to his torso and he had to detach her. "What are you doing here? Is Riley with you?"
"No, no. Riley doesn't know I'm here. She's got a good head on her shoulders." Maya replied, while Josh was taking the rest of his drink to the throat. "Unlike me. People say that I just give good head." That statement made Josh cough almost violently as Maya giggled.
"Maya, you look like you had a lot to drink."
"You look like you had a lot to drink." Suddenly, the girl gasped. "You should dance with me!" Maya arched her ass into his crotch and wiggled, warming it up.
"No, I should be taking you home." Josh strained.
"Well, I'm not going home."
"Well, you're leaving, one way or another." He challenged. "You shouldn't be here."
Maya pouted, looking like she was going to throw a tantrum. "Fine!" She yelled and ran away from Josh, through the sea of people. He threw his cup on the floor to go after her. He had no obligation to; she was almost 18 and could make her own decisions. But he did anyway. That's what made him so nice. That's why she liked him.
Running through the street, Josh caught that Maya wasn't wearing shoes. Something really bad must've happened tonight. Inhaling the crisp air, he quickened the pace of his feet to catch up. Before he knew it, Maya was heading in the direction of the campus gym. Students need an ID to use it after hours but Maya hopped the scanner. The guard was about to chase after her too, but Josh scrambled to show his ID and say she was his guest. By the time he got to the hall of independent work out rooms, he saw a trail of clothes guide the way.
She didn't.
He stepped to the first article of clothing and saw that white dress shirt that said Adams School. Josh picked it up, next the neck-tie, the skirt, a b-cup black bra. He collected every piece she left behind, taking him to the pool. The green of the water left a very eerie glow. Cautious, Josh crept into the pool room.
"Maya?" His voice echoed. "Maya, this isn't funny!"
Walking around the pool, he saw her underwear near the edge. At the deep end, Josh hovered over wall of water and thought he saw a girl underneath.
"Maya," He said to himself, quickly taking his sweater off and his shoes. Ripping off his pants, he dove in after her. Josh swam 12 feet to reach her. Maya's bruised toes were walking on the pool's floor with her arms about her head. It almost looked as if she was trying to dance. Josh grabbed Maya by the hand and dragged her up to air. When they broke through together, fighting for breath, Maya looked almost blue. Still, she was laughing. Josh however, was far from entertained.
He held her body flush against him, not even caring that she was naked. Furious, he almost shook her in his arms, "Maya, what's wrong with you?! Are you fucking crazy?"
Maya laced her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on him for an answer. Josh didn't know what he wanted to do; punish her, for being so reckless or please her, because it was clear that something was really wrong. Maybe a bit of both. Pulling back for a second, he stared at her plump, cracked lips and connected their mouths once again, for kiss so deep, if she didn't feel like she was drowning before, she would know what it's like now. They floated in the water and he interspersed bruising kisses with thoughtful pecks on her cheeks and temples.
Josh had Maya's back against the wall of the pool. Holding her up, his palms kneaded her sensitive breasts. She was grinding her hips into him, getting high on the friction of them finally together. Finally closer. Finally. The college student was trying to hold in a groan when she stopped to pull down his boxers. Josh snatched her hands and put them behind her back. They looked into the windows of each other's mind, thoughts racing.
"Are you sure you want this?" Josh struggled to ask in a husky voice. Maya, feeling electrocuted by their skin sharing electricity in the water, nodded with fervor. His strong hand held the side of her face, initiating another passionate kiss. Her tongue moved in uncertain but Josh dominated, positioning his fingers on her neck so he gained the amount of access he needed. Underwater, her hand slid down his abs in into his boxers, feeling the weight of him in her palm. He hummed and shivered as his muscles tightened, taking her hand from his erection. Josh put her hands on his neck and grabbed her thighs. Slow and steady, he rolled into her center. Maya let out a moan, finding his rhythm easily and moving with him. A feeling of need boiled in the pit of her stomach as he began to quicken his pace. Heat was building up inside of her by degrees and all she need was that it felt amazing. She straddled herself into his lap and ground into him. Josh went berserk by the sensation and placed his hands on her rear, guiding her to move faster.
Maya placed her face in the crook of his neck, trying to conceal her high-pitched noises. Josh took that as her trying to articulate that she was close and he nodded, understanding her blight. She threw her wet hair hair back. She was on the edge of something and she didn't know what it was, but she wouldn't stop it for the world. Suddenly, her eyes shut and let herself make a squeak, pressing her forehead against Josh's. The last thing she heard was that he made a deep, feral groan from the pit of his stomach. Their breathing was jagged and uneven but in-sync.
Then, Maya blacked out.
Feeling the light sneak through the curtain, Maya's eyelids gradually opened. Her body felt different. Sore. Used up. Drained. Trying to sit up was very difficult, as with any sudden movement some type of invisible hammer beat against her skull. This hangover was certainly unforgiving, but when she turned and saw Josh snoring lightly next to her, things didn't feel so bad anymore.
Maya took in her surroundings, seeing NYU flags and pictures of Josh with his family and friends. There was an opposite bed next to them, but no one was in it. Maya shifted her dry legs onto the floor and it felt like she was the Little Mermaid walking on land for the first time. Horns honked, the city was waking up. Her body made it to the window and she slid the glass door open. It was cold so high up. She watched the golden sun touch the old campus buildings like Midas. She wanted to greet it and thank it for being consistently beautiful when nothing else was. Gracefully, Maya rose in imitation en pointe with the ball of fire. As her arms went above her head with a controlled slowness, tears formed in her eyes. She couldn't place why. Maybe because of her dashed ballerina dreams. Maybe because she became a woman with the man she's been longing for and she could only remember half of it. Maybe because of her mom. Or, maybe because she missed the sun's warmth that much.
Maybe none of those things. Probably all of them.
AN: Hi! Thanks for sticking with almost 11,000 words of nonsense! Seriously, I am so upset that this is so long but I guess all of it was important to introduce the world that's being created. That being said, let's talk about GMW canon. As you read, I'm taking apart the canon like a buffet; choosing what I like and tossing what I don't.
Here's what didn't make the cut:
- The triangle. Or at least, not in the way that it's presented to us on the show. Here, Rucas was a thing for like two months and they broke up amicably (sort of). Maya hasn't tapped into her feelings for him yet. So, no GM Texas or GM the New Year at all. (Lucaya almost kiss happened another way that I haven't thought of yet).
- Now, because I'm erasing all pivotal triangle moments, I'm sure that you can guess that GM Ski Lodge was nixed as well. 'The Long Game', isn't a thing here. I mean, obviously, right?
I think that's all I feel that's necessary to say right now. Any more questions or concerns you guys might have, don't hesitate to say in reviews! If you like what you read, please review. After the horrible news of cancellation, it really does help us to know that you want us to keep the stories going. Thanks for reading!
HELP US SAVE GMW!
Contact Hulu and Netflix, letting them know how important the show is and how it needs to be picked up! Don't have either of those streaming providers? Take to Twitter and/or Tumblr and Hulu and Netflix! We can't give up, guys. We've worked too hard. We are kings, we are patriots. We're in this together.
Next up: Riley.