Where We End Up
Chapter 1—Where Do We Begin?
A/N: Hey all, new story here! If you don't know me, I typically write for Austin & Ally, but I came up with an idea for Girl Meets World and thought that I'd give it a shot. There isn't much to say, so I hope you all will like it! The chapter here is pretty short, but there will be more to come!
"A government held an unsatisfactory rule in the eyes of the people, concerning economic; political; and social institutions," Mr. Matthews began the class. "The people were unhappy with the law of the land. So they thought that something had to be done. They weren't sure of what just yet, but eventually their wish was granted. Their wish led to a revolution."
"Haven't we been through this already?" Maya interrupted with a bored expression on her face. "The U.S. fighting against the British?"
Cory grinned and nodded at this. "We have. Many countries around the world fight for what they believe through a revolution in hopes of something better to come. Even in our own nation, there have been countless fights and revolutions because of what may people think as wrong."
Lucas then raised his hand. "Well, Sir, the revolutions we have talked about all resulted in success. What happens when you don't succeed?"
"Yeah," Riley agreed. "Do things just go back to normal or does something else happen?"
Cory saw Farkle then raise his hand and called on him, "Farkle."
"There are always consequences to actions. If a revolution occurs and the people don't win, it's likely that the government will punish them, and that punishment will vary in respects to a specific time period."
"Now, that," Cory pointed out. "We'll talk about later. Right now, let's talk about what and who the people were before the revolution happened. So we know people change people, but what came before those changes ever occurred? Who were we before our own personal revolutions happened? And who are we afterwards? What made us want change?"
Cory paused to write on the chalkboard. "I present to you—and you're gonna love this: Belgium 1831."
Farkle then gasped and exclaimed, "Yes!" and pumped his fist into the air. "It's finally happening, it's finally happening, it's finally happening...," he squeaked in his small victory moment.
It only took until the near end of the 8th grade, but it was definitely happening this time.
"All right, guys, so before what was to be the Belgian Revolution, the people were under rule of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands."
Riley said innocently, "Neverland? Where you never have to grow up?"
"No, Honey, the Netherlands."
"I'd like a place where we don't always have to grow up," Maya said. "Sounds great to me."
"What," Lucas asked. "You've never seen Peter Pan before?"
"Hmm, no, don't think so. But I bet you have, Heehaw. Watched it in black and white in the old barn under the stars?" Maya smirked at him.
Lucas thought about this before responding, "No...but thanks for the idea." Then he titled an imaginary hat at her with a "Ma'am."
"What is it going to take with you, Ranger Rick?"
He grinned at her. "Don't know. But I'll be here all week."
Maya replied and turned back forward, but not before letting out an "Ooohhh..."
"People, people, let's get on with it." Farkle stopped her, knowing that they were getting dangerously off track. "Matthews, let's go."
"Actually, Farkle—" Cory said, walking over to the board.
"No."
He continued, picking up with the eraser, "The idea of a Neverland..."
Farkle stood up from his desk. "Stop right there."
"Actually furthers the concept of what it's like to never grow, to stay in the same place." Mr. Matthews tossed the eraser up and caught it with his hand, knowing what he could just very do.
"Put the eraser down." Farkle still commanded.
"Oh, come on, Farkle," Riley tried to calm him down. "Do you really think he's going to stop the lesson? This is all that's happening right now."
"Yeah, for now. We've been interrupted so many times before," Farkle said worriedly.
Despite the ongoing conversation, Mr. Matthews kept on going. "Because if such a land exists for the people under Netherland rule, how could they grow and realize that change was to be made so that they could fight for what was to be a better nation?"
At this sentence, Farkle collapsed in his seat in relief. "Oh, thank goodness."
"See," Riley said. "There is nothing at all to worry about."
"Yeah, okay." Cory put the eraser down. "So here's what I want you to do. Two days from now, I want you to come back to class with a single page describing your thoughts of what you were like as a person in the past and how you've changed into the person you are now. How has your own personal revolution—whatever that is—changed you, either for better or for worse? Talk it out with someone. You might be surprised at what you discover about yourselves."
During lunch, the foursome sat together like they always did. The cafeteria was crowded like it always was, a constant chatter between all students filling the school atmosphere.
"I have a certain feeling about this," Riley couldn't help but observe.
"Yeah, I'm not feeling lunch today either," Maya said, picking at her food a little.
"No, I mean about the homework. Who we were before and who we are now."
Lucas questioned, "Well, what do you mean? This doesn't seem that bad of an assignment."
"It's not that. It's the lesson."
"Well, frankly, I loved it," Farkle said, assuming she was talking about Belgium.
"We know you did," Riley told him. "But what I mean is, what is my father trying to teach us? It's never just about history itself. Because, we are what makes history, right?"
"He said to talk it out with each other, didn't he?" Maya said. "So we'll just talk like we always do. Okay, Riles?"
"Okay. Window, window—"
"We're still at school, Pumpkin," Maya reminded her.
Riley finished, "Right when we get home!" Then to Lucas and Farkle, "You guys want to come, too?"
"Of course," Farkle immediately said.
Lucas, on the other hand, pondered about this for a second. "Uh, I was going to hang out with Billy for a bit after school today, so maybe?"
"Sure, Lucas," Riley said. "Drop by anytime you can."
"Well, as exciting as talking about doing our homework is, which isn't even due for a couple days," Maya switched the subject. "Riley and I have to head to our next class."
"Really? You're excited for our next class? That's a first."
"Oh, not at all. The bell's about to ring in the next minute."
"Huh, well, that's...not much of a first, but I'll take it anyway."
"Well, Farkle, Ranger Rick," Maya addressed the two boys.
Riley completed, "We'll see you guys later." The two walked out of the cafeteria right after dropping off their lunch trays just as the bell rang.
"They are really something, aren't they?" Farkle said to Lucas, still admiring the two girls.
"Yeah," Lucas agreed. "I guess they really are."