Author's Note - I know starting a story off with a note from the author can sometimes spoil the reading experience but I felt it was necessary to make this before the story began. What you are about to read is what I truly feel in my heart is what would have happened if in some alternate reality Girl Meets World made it to season ten. Now yes, this is a future where Riley and Maya are married which is going to please a lot of people out there. However there are events that are going to happen in this series that may shock you. You might wonder, why would I have these dire circumstances happen to these beloved characters. Well the truth is: it's because these are circumstances that happen to real people in the real world. In order to stay true to a beloved television that tackled so many relatable issues, it just felt right to tell the following story which may be hard to read for some, but please know, it's much harder for those that experience it in real life. However rest assured that by the end of this ten part story, just like in the Girl Meets World TV series, important life lessons will be learned, and things will get better. With that being said, I hope you enjoy this series.
Scene 1:
-In a small room: a young girl named Grace sat on her bed looking outside a window at the night sky in a room all alone. With the exception of a bed, a small dresser drawer, and a small bag, the room was otherwise completely empty. As Grace looked at the night sky, she gently pushed away some of her long hair behind her shoulders as she continued to draw on a piece of paper that she had placed on top of a clip board. On the paper, Grace had already drawn a replica of the night sky. However, she was now drawing a strange dragon like creature flying through the sky in the picture. As Grace drew this, she spoke to herself.
Grace: And so the dragon flew through the sky. He was all on his own, and he was okay. He was free to be anything he wanted to be. He didn't need anybody.
-Suddenly the door to the room was opened. Grace turned to see what caused the door to be opened. Then she saw walking in from the hallway was another child much younger than her; a boy named Sammy. Sammy began to walk forward as he spoke to Grace.
Sammy: Hi there. I'm Sammy. What's your name?
Grace: Grace. You're the new boy that lives in the room next to mine?
Sammy: Yeah. I live here now because my mommy died. Do you have a mommy or a daddy?
Grace: This is an orphanage you're living in now. No kids here have a mommy or a daddy.
Sammy: But the person that brought me here said that after I get here, I'll soon get a mommy and a daddy. Don't all kids here get that?
Grace: Some do, but most of us don't. I've been here since I was a baby, and I've never had a mommy or a daddy. But I'm fine being on my own. I don't need anybody.
Sammy: But do you ever get sad or cry that you don't have a mommy or a daddy?
-Suddenly an elderly female adult named Ms. Wilson walked into the room and interrupted the conversation.
Ms. Wilson: Sammy. You're supposed to be in your room with the other boys. Is everything okay?
Sammy: Yeah. I just wanted to meet my new neighbor.
Ms. Wilson: Well get back in there. I know this is your first night here but we do have rules.
Sammy: Okay.
-Sammy then left the room while Ms. Wilson began to look right at Grace.
Ms. Wilson: Is everything okay Grace? Do you like having your own room to yourself now? If you want, there's still space in the younger girls' room with…
Grace: I'm okay. I like having a room to myself. I'm fine being on my own. I don't need anybody.
Ms. Wilson: Okay. Well if you need anything, just… Oh my. I can hear one of the babies crying down the hall. Gotta go. Good night Grace.
-Ms. Wilson then quickly turned off the only light in Grace's room and rushed into the hallway as she closed the door. Grace then put her picture on the floor and started to pull a blanket over her body. However halfway through pulling the blanket over her body, Grace suddenly stopped moving and began to cry. Tears began to flow out of Grace's eyes as she had her face fall into her pillow and then began to scream into it. Grace then began to have her fists hit her bed hard as the tears from her eyes continued to stream out of her.
Scene 2:
-In a crib, a small baby girl was screaming. Suddenly Maya appeared and picked the baby girl up and held the baby close to her. Immediately the baby stopped crying.
Maya: There, there now Erika. Mommy has got you. No need to keep crying.
-Suddenly a smiling Riley walked into the room.
Riley: How come she always stops crying when you hold her? It takes her up to an hour with me.
Maya: What can I say? She's mommy's little girl.
Riley: So why can't she be other mommy's little girl?
-Maya smiled as he put the baby girl: Erika back into her crib. Maya and Riley then sat in chairs in front of each other as Maya touched Riley's hands.
Maya: Give her some more time. Oh, by the way. For our anniversary this Saturday, I thought we could go to a certain little restaurant that serves amazing pizza.
Riley: Oh my gosh! You don't mean…
Maya: Yep. The same place we had our first sort of date after we got married. Don't worry though. I won't say anything if you fall into the mud again. I'd actually like to reenact the first time I carried you like a princess. And don't fret about child care needs. Got babysitting covered. Smackle and Farkle said they'd be happy to watch Erika.
Riley: Aww. Thanks for covering all of the bases honey.
Maya: Any time. I'm with ya till death do us part. Well… I'm about to head to class.
Riley: And I'll be taking Erika over to see her grandma.
-Maya then began to walk out of the room while Riley walked towards the crib and began to pick up Erika.
Riley: Come on baby girl. You ready to… to… Maya... MAYA!
-Maya then ran back into the room.
Maya: What's wrong?
Riley: Erika… I think she isn't breathing. Call 911.
Maya: What? Are you sure she's…
Riley: CALL 911 NOW!
Scene 3:
-Grace wore an old slightly tattered jacket as she stood near a curb right outside of a school building with several other children. Suddenly from nearby, a tall girl walked out of the school and stopped when she got a good look at Grace.
Tall Girl: Why does your jacket look like something from a dumpster?
Grace: It's the only jacket I have.
Tall Girl: And your shoes look like they're from "Pay-Way-Less". And I'm not gonna even start on how out of style your pants are.
Grace: I wear whatever's donated to the orphanage I live at.
Tall Girl: That's not something to brag about.
Grace: People usually only donate baby clothes to where I live. I…
Tall Girl: Whatever. My mom's here. Later.
-The tall girl then ran over to a grown woman and gave her a hug. Grace watched the tall girl and her mother hug as several tears came out of her eyes. Suddenly Grace's thoughts were interrupted when she heard the sound of a voice.
Ms. Wilson: Grace. Get in the van. Almost all of the kids are in. Time to go.
-Grace turned her head to see Ms. Wilson standing next to a van several other children were getting into.
Ms. Wilson: Come on. We've got to get back to the orphanage in ten minutes. The volunteers I have there are leaving soon. By the way, are you crying? Anything I can help with?
-Grace quickly wiped the tears off her face as she moved towards the van.
Grace: No. I'm okay. I don't need anything… and I don't need anybody.
Scene 4:
-In a hospital waiting room, Riley sat in a chair with her hands lightly pressed against her nose and mouth as she breathed heavily. From nearby Maya walked over to Riley and stood near her.
Maya: Okay. Your mom and dad are on the way. I called my mom and Shawn too, and they said that they'll get here as soon as they can. I left messages with Farkle, Smackle, Lucas, and Zay too. Now I… I…
-Maya then suddenly fell into a chair next to Riley as she had a look of uncertainty on her face.
Maya: I'm not sure of what I'm supposed to do now.
-Riley closed her eyes as she kept her hands on her face and began to speak.
Riley: I didn't know what to do Maya. I did the appropriate infant version of CPR. Tried patting her on the back. But I… I feel like I might've missed something. Maybe I should have…
-Maya then had her hands grab onto Riley's hands pulling them down gently. Riley opened her eyes as she looked right at Maya.
Maya: Don't keep thinking like that. You did everything correctly Riley. Plus, I don't think I've ever seen an ambulance arrive after being called that quickly ever. Erika is in the best hands that can care for her now. We just have to wait and…
-Suddenly both Maya and Riley heard the sound of a door opening near them. The two turned their heads to see a male doctor walking towards them. Maya and Riley noticed his face was downcast as he could barely look at them. The male doctor stopped once he was right in front of the two and began to speak.
Male Doctor: We did everything we could. I'm sorry but…
-Suddenly tears began to come out of Riley's eyes as she tried to lift herself out of her chair.
Riley: No. Let me see her. I need to see my daughter now. Let me…
-Riley who was on the edge of her chair seat suddenly fell out; but a quick moving Maya caught her. Riley then put her arms around Maya as she began to make loud sobbing noises. Maya simply had a look of shock on her face as she held a screaming Riley close.
Scene 5:
-Grace sat on her bed in her bedroom alone while drawing a picture on a piece of paper held to a clip board. As the moon light shined through the window of the room, Grace drew birds with odd design patterns on her picture while she spoke to herself.
Grace: I'll call you all: The Great Birds of Planet Ransana. Birds that are free to fly over everything. Free to fly over anything or anybody.
-Suddenly from the door nearby, Ms. Wilson walked in.
Ms. Wilson: Oh, hi Grace. Quick word. Starting next week, you and all of the elementary school age children in the orphanage will be going to a local before and after school care place.
Grace: Oh. Okay.
Ms. Wilson: It's not that I don't like driving you all to and from school. It's just that it's getting hard for us to take care of and transport all of you and make sure the little ones are okay in the middle of the day at the same time. You understand, right?
Grace: Yeah. It's fine.
Ms. Wilson: Oh, what's that you're drawing? It looks very… Oh shoot. I can hear one of the babies crying. Well, I guess sleep is overrated. But before I go, anything else you need Grace?
Grace: No. I'm fine.
-Ms. Wilson then quickly walked out of the room as Grace immediately went back to drawing. As Grace drew, she continued to speak to herself.
Grace: The Great Birds of Planet Ransana. They could fly over the entire planet without anyone's help. Never needing anything… or anyone.
Scene 6:
-Maya lay in a bed sound asleep. However, her eyes immediately opened upon hearing the sound of a baby crying. Maya jumped up turning her head to follow the sound. Maya then opened a window near her only to see a young woman walking down a sidewalk holding a baby boy that was crying. Maya sighed as she turned away from the window. Maya then looked at the empty bed near her and sighed again. Suddenly the sound of a door being knocked on could be heard. Maya grabbed a blue bath robe and put it on as she walked out of the room and called out.
Maya: Coming!
-Maya then walked through a hallway into a living room cluttered with empty boxes, food wrappers, and used tissues all over the floor. Maya then went over to a locked door, quickly unlocked it, and then opened it. Upon the door being opened, Maya saw standing before her was Farkle.
Farkle: Hey Maya. You mind if I come in?
Maya: Yeah, sure. Sorry if the place looks messy. I just woke up.
Farkle: It's one o'clock in the afternoon.
Maya: Yeah… I know.
-Farkle then walked into the living room and sat on a couch, as Maya continued to speak.
Maya: So, um… can I get you anything to drink or something?
Farkle: Just some water if you got some.
-As Maya went into the kitchen, Farkle turned her head to see a framed picture of baby Erika sitting on a small table near her. Farkle made a small smile as Maya walked back into the room.
Maya: Here you go.
Farkle: Thanks.
-Maya then sat in a chair facing Farkle and handed him a bottle of water.
Farkle: So… I'm glad to see you still keep pictures of Erika around. I know it's been over six months since she passed away but…
Maya: Well, even if I wanted to put away some photos… I wouldn't want to do it without Riley being okay with it as well.
Farkle: So… how often do you visit her in the hospital?
Maya: Every day. Riley's condition hasn't gotten any better by the way. She just… lays down like she's asleep all day every day. You know… I would stay in that room with her for about eight hours a day during those first four weeks after she slipped into that coma. Now I only stay there for no more than two hours at a time. Should I feel guilty that I don't spend as much time with my wife as I used to?
Farkle: I'm sure you're there for her more than enough.
Maya: It's just… sometimes I wonder if some small part of me is mad at her… and if that part may be starting to grow. You know, Erika would've had her first birthday on the day Riley slipped into that coma. I remember we were just sitting at the table, eating breakfast. Since it was Erika's birthday, I simply mentioned the idea to Riley that this could finally be the day to go through Erika's things. And then Riley's head simply fell over and she just stopped moving. And of course she hasn't moved since. You know… I thought she was stronger than that. Could that much stress really cause Riley's mind to shut down?
Farkle: Maya, you've talked to the doctors more than anyone. You know that stress at best was only a small contributing factor to Riley's coma. It was a genetic abnormality that caused it.
Maya: Yes. I know. It was a genetic abnormality that just… happened. A lot like how that other genetic abnormality just… happened to take my daughter's life. Now let me guess. You're gonna tell me none of this is my fault, and that I shouldn't be angry about all of this.
Farkle: Actually, I came here with a job offer.
Maya: A what?
Farkle: Yeah. A position at the Tree of Life Before and After Care Program. You know about the before and after school program me and Smackle started right?
Maya: Yeah.
Farkle: Well we could use someone that has some energy and an artistic background to help plan and create all of the art activities we promise the parents we'd do with the kids. We have some nice teenage helpers, but me and Smackle would prefer to have a young adult presence again in the program.
Maya: Look. Thank you for the free hand out but I'm not in any desperate need for cash. Riley's mom's workplace has the best insurance plan ever as it covers the medical bills of not just employee's children, but young adult children as well. And through the nice checks and free food I get from all sorts of friends and family every week, I'm surviving just fine.
Farkle: I'm not making this job offer to help you survive. Despite not having an extensive a background in child care, you're still one of the best young adults I know that has just the right level of patience, creativity, and ability to focus on a given task that I believe could be invaluable to the children in our program.
Maya: Thank you for the compliment but I…
Farkle: But I think you need to focus on something more than surviving Maya. You need something you can actually look forward to every day that'll force you to wake up in the morning and actually be productive. And I just happen to have something productive you can come and do. So come help me out.
Maya: And let me guess. Your plan is I'll warm up to the children in my care. You think all that love will fix the broken hole in my heart? Well I'm not exactly in the mood to let taking care of some random kids help me get over Erika.
Farkle: I'm not asking you to get over anything. But in case you didn't know, before she went into that coma, Riley helped me get a grant from the county to allow children from a local orphanage to start coming to our program. Despite her busy schedule, Riley said she was still gonna come a couple of days a month to help us out. Since she can't do that now, I thought you might wanna come sort of in her place. But of course, a job offer is still an offer. So do you want to help us out or not?
-Maya sat silently in her chair looking down as she began to think.
Scene 7:
-In a large auditorium room, many tables were set up with various activities such as games, toys, and various types of crafts. At one nearly deserted table, Grace sat by herself drawing with just a pencil. From nearby, Farkle walked over to Grace and stood near her.
Farkle: Hey Grace. Do you want to play that card game over there with Rowan or Sabrina? Or maybe you'd like to do some Lego building with Corey or Cecilia?
Grace: Nah. I just wanna draw.
Farkle: Well… you are doing an activity you're allowed to do. But I wish you would choose an activity other students like.
-Farkle then began to walk away as he saw Maya walk into the auditorium from another room.
Maya: Well your water fountain is working again just fine, and I made sure to replace that bad light bulb in your office.
Farkle: Thank you Maya. Your handy-woman services have proved to be very useful. Now could you please do some actual work with the children?
Maya: I told you. I don't feel comfortable leading any big activity or lesson plan.
Farkle: Yes, I know. But could you at least sit on the side and watch them, and make sure they're all being well behaved. If I have to leave for an emergency, I need to have you in here to ensure proper adult to child ratios.
Maya: Yeah, yeah. Sure.
-Maya then quickly looked around the room and saw what was going on at the many tables full of children. Then Maya slowly sat down at the table containing art supplies. Maya then noticed sitting right in front of her was Grace who was working on a picture of underwater sea creatures.
Maya: Hi. I'm Miss Maya.
-Grace then looked up for her drawing to look at Maya.
Grace: Hi. I'm Grace. You're the new teacher Mr. Farkle talked about, right?
Maya: Yeah. You mind if I sit with you?
Grace: If you want. You don't have to. I don't need anything or anybody.
Maya: Well neither do I. But since I'm here… you mind handing me a few crayons?
Grace: Sure.
-Grace then pushed a box of crayons towards Maya. Maya then began to work on drawing a picture as Grace proceeded to continue working on hers. As the two continued to work on their art, from the other side of the room: Farkle stood watching the two. As he stood, Farkle began to speak softly to himself.
Farkle: Well… let's see what comes from this…
END OF CHAPTER 1
Upcoming Chapters For the Series:
-Chapter 2: A Person With Purpose (Coming 4/24)
-Chapter 3: Amazing Talents (Coming 4/27)
-Chapter 4: The Field Trip (Coming 4/30)