Girl Meets Timeline - Chapter 1

It was a very special day for the 8th graders of John Quincy Adams Junior High because it was graduation day; the last day of their adolescent lives before moving on to then next phase of life, high school. But before they could do that they had to walk across the stage in the gymnasium and receive their diplomas. It was a big day and everyone was a little nervous but especially one student in particular. Lucas Friar had been pacing the hallways for about a half an hour because not only was today the day he finally graduated from middle school, it was also the day he was going to ask Maya Hart to be his girlfriend.

The pair had gotten closer in their final days at J.Q.A; actually they've been getting closer ever since they came back from their impromptu trip to Texas to see Lucas ride Tombstone the Bull. Since that night in front of the campfire Lucas had been trying to figure out his feelings and turns out all it took was one New Years Eve kiss from Maya to be set straight. Of course he had gone to Maya's best friend Riley Matthews first to get her blessing and she gave it without hesitation; turns out that Lucas and Riley really did work better as friends. So now there was nothing stopping Lucas from asking Maya to take that next step in their relationship. He wanted more than just a few speechless dates and stolen kisses by the lockers when Maya was sure no one was looking. He wanted to walk proudly down the halls of their new High School with Maya's hand in his telling everyone that she belonged to him and he belonged to her, Lucas would never say that out loud however for fear of Maya's reaction to being someone's property. Keeping all negative thoughts out of his mind, he finally stopped pacing and searched among the sea of students for his blonde beauty. He found her sitting on the bench across the hall from Mr. Matthew's classroom.

"Hey I need to talk to you about something." Lucas said as he sat next to her suddenly noticing she was staring at one singular spot on the floor.

"Huh? Oh hey cowboy. Did your chaps fit okay under that graduation gown?" Maya said in a shaky voice, failing to hide her nervousness under her usual witty banter.

"Oh yeah, they fit just fine. I even had room for my lasso." Lucas said playing along so she would feel comfortable.

"Well just keep that thing to yourself Huckleberry I don't need to see any rope tricks today."

"Are you okay? You look white as a ghost?"

"I'm fine." Maya insisted.

"Well you don't look fine, you look nervous."

"Please, me nervous? I don't get nervous."

"You do when something's important to you."

"I hate that you know me. Ugh okay fine, if I tell you something you have to promise you won't tell anyone else?"

"I won't tell a soul."

"I am nervous, I'm nervous about high school."

"Why?"

"Because I know everything's going to be different. I mean Riley and I won't have every class together, and you won't be behind me all the time." Maya said as she stood up and started pacing much like Lucas had.

"I'll always be behind you, and if I know Riley she's made it so she'll never leave your side. There's nothing to be nervous about, I mean come on. You're Maya Hart, you're the toughest girl I know, if anyone can rock High School it's you. And sometimes it's good if things are different, sometimes that makes them better." Lucas said stopping her in her tracks.

"As usual you're right, I hate that." Maya said as she stood facing him.

"Glad to be of assistance ma'am." Lucas said tipping his imaginary cowboy hat.

They stared into each others eyes, like they have been doing a lot lately, before Maya asked,

"So what did you need to talk to me about?" Maya said giving Lucas that smile that he always thought was reserved just for him. Just as he was about to answer Riley came from around the corner,

"Hurry up you guys, we're starting to line up." she said disappearing as quickly as she came. Maya and Lucas shared one last look before going to join their fellow classmates.

They lined up in alphabetical order so Lucas and Maya ended up next to each other and a couple rows down Riley and Farkle were together as well. They walked in just as they had practiced before taking their seats on the stage next to the podium. The principal walked onto the stage and started talking but Lucas didn't hear a word. All of his attention was focused on the girl sitting next to him and the question he had for her. He wondered if maybe he'd missed his chance for that day and he'd have to wait until the next moment he could get with her alone. As he sat there trying to plan his next attempt, his train of thought was interrupted when the principal announced,

"And now it's time to present this year's valedictorian Farkle Minkus."

Lucas watched with pride as his best friend got up from his seat and made his way to the podium.

"Welcome Parents, Teachers, Fellow classmates and Friends. It didn't come as a surprise to me that I was this year's valedictorian, but it did come as a surprise to me how I reacted to the news. I thought I would've been elated, which I was, but there was also a sense of responsibility. I will be the last person to address my fellow classmates before we take the next step in our educational journey and I wanted to say something meaningful. So to the parents I say thank you for getting us to this point with your love and support. To the teachers, especially you Matthews, thank you for guiding us through all the information and life lessons that crossed our path and I hope you feel we are ready to take this next step because I can assure you we don't. And last but not least my fellow classmates I hope you all take on this next phase in stride and remember that you can accomplish anything as long as you try, that nothing is impossible, and that timing isn't everything so long as you go for it, whatever it may be. Congratulations graduates now let the commencement commence. Thank you I am Farkle." Farkle said striking his signature pose before returning to his seat. Lucas cheered as loud as he could for his friend, suddenly feeling empowered by his speech. As Lucas walked across the stage and received his diploma he heard Farkle's voice in his head and decided he wasn't waiting any more. Once he returned to his seat he watched Maya get her diploma and make her way back to hers. He gave her a hug as he stood there and amidst all the cheering he turned to her and said,

"Maya?"

"Yes Ranger Rick?"

"Remember that thing I needed to talk to you about before?"

"Yeah?"

"I need to say it now."

"Right now?"

"Yeah."

"You can't wait till after graduation?"

"No it's too important. I need to say it now."

"Okay shoot."

"I really like you Maya."

"Yeah and I really like you too. Was that it?"

"No, I mean yes. Maya I really like you and if everything is changing then I want, well I hope, that something else will change too."

"What are you trying to say Huckleberry?" Maya said gazing into his eyes.

"Maya, will you be my girlfriend?" Lucas said searching in her eyes for her answer. After the initial look of shock wore off she gave him a smug grin before replying.

"What do you think?" she said before pulling his face down to hers in a passionate kiss. Lucas kissed her back, smiling into her lips; he picked her up to his level holding her in mid air. When they pulled apart they realized that graduation was over and it was raining graduation caps. As Lucas and Maya threw theirs into the air, Lucas pulled her flush against his side feeling that the if the next phase of their lives looked anything like this amazing moment in time, well life didn't get any better than that.