p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2c34024ae9b6bce1b48bda3ded46311a"span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);""Look at that ninth‐grade woman." Riley said and I turned around to see an older girl putting on lipgloss. "She's putting on makeup. We're going to be ninth‐grade women someday." Riley told us. Maya's eyes widened. "This thing goes to ninth grade?" she asked. Riley nodded. "Why that?" Riley asked, as she pointed to the girl who was now applying mascara. "Brings out your eyes." I told her. "Why would I want to take out my eyes?" Riley asked. "She's not taking out her eyes." I told her amused. "And I think she is." Riley said. I looked at the girl to see her using an eye lash curler. "It's an eyelash curler. It doesn't even hurt." The girl said, noticing us looking and holding up the eyelash curler for Riley to use. Riley chuckled, "I have eyelashes." she said, taking the curler from her hands. "Watch this." Maya told the girl, as we walked up to stand beside her. "Ahh!" Riley screamed as the curler touched her eye. "Anybody else would stop." I told her. "Ahh!" Riley screamed again just as our father walked past. "Open it." Dad ordered her before she opened it and stood up straighter in relief. "Thanks, daddy." Riley said. "Yeah, okay." Dad said as he walked away. "Ladies." Farkle greeted, walking up to us. "Farkle." We greeted back. "School dance. I'm gonna put you three down for dance numbers one through all of them. We will alternate. You and me, me and you, you and me. When you are not dancing with me, you may not dance with anyone else. You may sit and wait until you dance with me again." Farkle told us. I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, none of this is happening." Maya told him "Oh." Farkle said, disappointed, "Well, then may I have one dance with each of you?" he asked hopefully "Sure." Riley answered. "Ha! That's all I wanted. You just got played by Farkle." hes aid, walking away. "Hey, guys." Logan greeted, "Hey Little Bird." Lucas said with a smile to me as they walked by us. "Logan!" Riley shouted, raising her hand as I gave Lucas a smile. "Hand." Maya said. "Logan!" Riley shouted. "Grown‐up voice." I reminded. "Logan, hello." Riley said, walking up to him. "Hey." Logan and Lucas greeted. "Hey, hee haws." Maya greeted, "You going to tick tock shake your body time?" Maya asked the two, "'Cause, you know, it's not a square‐dance, so not gonna be a whole lot of do‐si‐doin'." I finished with a teasing smile. "Well, then I'm sure I'll have no idea what to do and you two can make fun of us." Logan said. I smirked knowing how Maya would react. "You're not playing this right!" she shouted whilst pointing at him. "Well, that's certainly not our intention." Lucas started, "We'll try harder next time." Logan finished. "I will break you!" Maya shouted at them. "Well, if that's what makes you happy, then I certainly can't wait for it Madam." Logan said, tipping an invisible hat at Maya and she shuddered "Ohhhh!" she shouted, and turned away. "You going to the school dance?" Lucas asked. "I would've but my dad, Riley and I have this tradition we do at the theme park near by and it's on the day of dance so I can't make it." I told him, "That's too bad, I wanted to show how cowboys really dance." he told me with a teasing smile before Maya made a fake gagging sound. "You hear me?" Maya asked. She fake gagged once again. "You'll all be there. They'll be the ones in the cowboy hats going like this." she said as she started doing what she believes is a cowboy dance. As the bell rung more people joined the forming crowd. "Want to head to class?" Lucas asked me and I nodded with a smile before we walked away from Maya with Riley and Logan following behind us. "It isn't for you!" I heard Maya shout just as I rounded the corner and left the hallway. br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I was sitting on the couch in our apartment, my mom and Auggie beside me as they read one of Auggie's books when Riley walked into the room "Mom, can I asked you a question?" she asked. "You can ask me a question," Auggie said from his spot beside mom "It's a girl thing, Auggie." Riley told him. "You think I don't know about girls?" Auggie asked and I chuckled softly, "Okay, I'm at a certain age " Riley started "I don't care," Auggie said, cutting her off. He got off the couch and walked away. Riley took his place on the couch. "You're at a certain age?" Mom started. "You had to know this was going to happen." Riley told her. "I know a lot of things are going to happen," Mom assured, "which one is this?" she asked "Makeup." Riley answered. "Oh good." Mom smiled. "I can have some?" Riley asked, hopefully. "No," Mom rejected. "Why not?" Riley asked "Well," Mom started, "because makeup leads to other things that I -" "Raven and I have our first school dance on Friday night." Riley told her. "And we're there," Mom said. "What's the difference between day time makeup and night time makeup?" I asked curiously. "No difference because you're not wearing any." Mom told us. "But what about when I do?" Riley asked. "When we decide that you're at the right age to start wearing makeup " Mom started to say, but Riley cut her off. "Friday." "No. You might find that you prefer a more natural look during the day. Some women prefer to go a bit bolder at night," Mom explained. "neither of you are allowed to hang out with those women." she told us "I want to paint my face!" Riley exclaimed, happily. Then it hit me. "Riley, Friday is the last night for the Coney Island Cyclone." I told her. "Wait. The dance is this Friday?" mom asked, "Uh-huh." I confirmed "But it's our first dance," Riley protested, "and dad takes us to ride the roller coaster a bunch of times, right?" she asked and Mom just shrugged, "Your father thinks of it as a tradition." she told her "How bad is this?" Riley asked. "Your father thinks of it as the reason he wakes up in the morning." Mom said. "Maybe he won't remember this year." Riley said, hopefully. Just as she said that, Dad burst into the room. "3 days until Cyclone Day!" he shouted excitedly as we turned to look at him, "When's my birthday?" mom asked him "Honey, 148 days from Cyclone day." Dad said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Yeah, good luck with that," I told Riley. "Daddy!" Auggie cheered, running to Dad. "Auggie!" Dad shouted, picking Auggie up and placing him down on the bench. "Tell me stuff." he ordered. "Riley wants to wear makeup." Auggie informed. "Hey little spy," Riley said. "Don't call him a spy," Dad said, putting a hand on Auggie's shoulder, "he is not a spy." dad told her "I am a spy. You made me a card." Auggie said, pulling out a card that said, 'Auggie Matthews Spy'. Dad turned to us and we all gave him a smile. "Alright, he is a spy," Dad admitted, "and guess what, he's working for me and he just got promoted. He reached into his pocket and pulled out another card before handing it to Auggie. Auggie looked at the card. "Super spy!" He cheered and I giggled. "Dad," Riley started getting up. "Yeah?" Dad said. Riley walked up to him and gave him a hug, "Dad." Dad turned to look at Auggie. "Hey, Super spy, tell me stuff," He told Auggie while pointing at Riley. "Riley wants to go to the school dance on dun dun dun, Cyclone Day!" Auggie announced. "Oh wow," Dad looked at Riley, who nodded at him. "It's the same night?" Riley nodded again. "I understand. I understand completely. I'm sorry you and Raven are going to miss the dance." he told her "Try again." Mom spoke up. Dad looked at Mom before clearing his throat and turned to look at Riley. "I'm sorry you and Raven will have to miss the dance," Dad tried again. "nope, same thing." he said, looking at Mom. He sat down next to me on the couch, and Riley sat down next to him. "But it's our first dance, dad." Riley told him. Dad put his hand over his heart and grunted. "Oh boy." Mom muttered. "No, no, I'm down with this," Dad said. He leaned over us to Mom and said, "yeah, I said that." I smirked "Dad when it comes to this stuff, I don't think there's anything you can teach us." Riley said, honestly. "Oh boy." Mom said again. Once again, Dad grunted and clutched his other hand over his heart. "We're growing up, Dad." Riley said. "Oh boy." mum uttered once again "Goodbye." Dad grunted, leaning back into the couch. "You're breaking him!" Auggie exclaimed. "You were a great father to us when we were kids," Riley started and I frowned, "Riley..." I warned "Don't take this the wrong way, Dad, but there's just some things that Mom can naturally teach us. Like what do you know about makeup?" Riley asked. "I know that's what you're going to have to do with me," Dad said, sadly. He got up and walked away. Auggie and I got up to follow him. "We're sorry, Daddy." Auggie said. "Hey you still got us." I said, hoping to cheer him up. Dad gave us a small smile before pulling us into a hug. "I know Bird, I know."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Friars." dad greeted, as we all walked into the class the next day, "Farkle. Hart. Matthews. You." The last one he said referring to Riley. "Dad, I didn't‐" Riley began as I sat down. "Ferp!" Dad said, cutting her off. "Okay." Riley said. She walked to her seat next to me and sat down. "Well, guys, I've got your test results on Darwin to give back to you. And, uh, I'm pleased to see some of you have evolved since the last quiz." he said. Dad looked at us waiting for us to laugh and I gave him an encouraging smile "Ha!" Farkle shouted. "Thanks, Farkle." Dad thanked. "Well, you were drowning, sir." Farkle told him.
"Ms. Hart." Dad said and gave Maya her graded test, "Mr. Friar, nice work." I heard dad say "Thank you, sir." Lucas said, taking his test. "Mr. Farkle." Dad said, handing the test to Farkle. "'A' number seven hundred. Huzzah!" Farkle shouted and blew on his noise stick . "You," Cory said, handing Riley her test, "Daughter." and he passed me my test. As he walked away to hand out the rest of the tests, I looked down to see my grade, and as usual, I got an "A". I set my test down on top of my desk and glanced over at Maya and noticed she was just staring at her test. "You okay?" Riley asked, also noticing how Maya was acting . "He gave me an 'F.'" Maya said in a trance and I frowned, "What?! You're a solid "D" student." I exclaimed. "Mr. Friar, I took particular note of your position that evolution does not preclude the existence of how did you put it?" Dad asked Lucas once he had finished handing out all our graded tests. "A guiding hand that has your best interest at heart." Lucas read. Maya raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Hart?" Dad asked. "You failed me." Maya told him. "Why don't we talk about this after class." Dad suggested. "What's there to talk about? You failed me," Maya said whilst standing up, "You think I'm a failure. There's nothing more for you to teach me." She handed him back her test. "Oh, come on! Both of you gotta say that? What, you mean I lost you both? I lost two out of three of ya?" Dad asked. Maya glanced at Riley and I before she headed for the door. "Maya! Dad shouted at her. She stopped and turned around. "You do not walk out of here!" Dad shouted. Maya looked at me and Riley. I shook my head and mouthed "Please, no" to her. "I'm sorry" Maya mouthed back before walking out the door. Riley and I both raised our hands. "Go." He told us and we ran out the door to Maya's locker, where she was clearing it out. "Redecorating your locker?" I asked hopefully. "Nope. Cleaning it out." Maya said, holding up a headless doll."You want one? 'Cause it's the last one you're gonna get." Maya said whilst holding up two cotton candy sticks. Riley and I nodded. Maya put the two cotton candy sticks in her locker, and circus music started playing. Once it stopped Maya handed us our cotton candy. "Maya, it's just one 'F.'" Riley said. "It's not about the paper, Riley, your dad failed me." Maya said. "Yeah, I know. And I'm not going on the cyclone. I failed him." Riley said. "Can't we just call it even?" I asked "No. We can just call it I'm leaving." Maya said, walking away to the stairs. "Maya, I know you. You'll make a big deal about this, pretend to leave school forever, and you'll be back by gym class." I told her. "No, this time I mean it." Maya said. "All right, Maya. We'll see you tomorrow." Riley said. "No. You won't." Maya told her. "You'll pick us up at 7:00." Riley said. "I won't be there." Maya told us and walked up the stairs until she was out of sight "Riley. I think she meant it this time." I told her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You made your point, okay?" I asked Maya. The three of us where sitting at Riley and I's bedroom window. "You didn't come to school today and your teacher is really upset with you." Riley continued. I nodded in agreement. "He's not my teacher anymore." Maya started, "I now attend a prestigious online academy." Maya told us. "Welcome to the Frank Mantucci on da computer school, where youse get out of it what you put into it. And what you need to put into it is 400 dollars. Gimme." A voice came from the computer. "You paid that?" Riley asked. "I took the test to see if I qualify for the free trial." Maya replied. "Maya, it's a scam!" I shouted, "They take anybody!" "Congratulations!" The computer guy shouted. "I got in!" Maya said enthusiastically. "You are the first person to ever fail the Frank Mantucci on da computer school. How'd you do dat?" The computer finished. Riley and I exchange a look and we turned back to face Maya. "How'd you do dat?" We said in unison, mimicking the voice from the computer. "We asked: "Name?" You didn't put nuttin'." The voice said. "Well, at least you were smart enough not to give them your name." Riley pointed out. "It's not that I'm smart enough." Maya told us. "Then what is it?" I asked. "Maybe sometimes I'm not so proud of who I am." Maya replied causing me to frown. Our bedroom door opened to reveal our mom. "How's it going in here?" She asked. "Mom, tell Maya to come back to school regular school." Riley ordered and I nodded. "Hmm. So you two don't like this, huh?" Topanga asked. "Of course not!" Riley and I shouted in unison. "Maya always comes to school with us." I told her. "She always picks us up at‐" Riley started. "Like a tradition?" mom asked, cutting her off. "Yeah!" Riley shouted. Realization crossed Riley's features. "Oh." Riley mumbled. "You know, even though you're a mother, that was creepy good." Maya told mom. "So, Maya doesn't show up like she's supposed to and how does that make you feel?" mom asked. "Oh" Riley said again. "Honey, you have to go to him. He feels bad. You have to go to your father." Mom told her Riley. "I feel bad. Will he come to me?" Maya asked. "No. He's your teacher." I pointed out. "He doesn't have to." Riley continued. "But he will." mom reassured. "What?" Maya asked in disbelief. "He doesn't have to, but he will." mom answered. "Why?" Riley asked. "Because he's always there." mom replied. The door opened again and there was our dad "Always." he said and he grabbed Maya's hand and lead her out of the room with Riley and I following style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Read it." Dad told Maya as Riley and I stood in the archway that led to the living room. Maya held her test in her hands. "I don't want to do this, Mr. Matthews." Maya said, trying to stand up. "Sit down." I ordered. "You can't tell me‐" Maya began. "She just did." Riley said, cutting her off. Maya sat back down in defeat. "Go ahead." I said. "Darwin animal studies were thought to be when the travels he took on the boat with the Beatles." Maya read from her test. "Are you kidding me?" Riley and I asked. "Do they have to be here?" Maya asked. "What were you trying to do?" dad asked her. "I tried to write it like I was smart." Maya said. I looked at her in disbelief. "You are smart, Maya." I told her. "What did you mean to say?" dad asked. "Darwin studied animals." Maya replied. "What kind?" dad asked, again. "I don't know." Maya admitted. "She does know."I said. "I don't know. You think I don't what I don't know?" Maya asked. "We think you know more than you don't know, but you don't know that!" Riley replied. "You know what?" Maya asked. "What did Darwin study?" dad asked. "Birds." Maya answered. "There you go." dad said. "Really? I got that one wrong." Riley admitted. "You want to be smart, Maya? Say what you mean. I understood that perfectly, and you're correct." dad told her. "That's all I had to say?" Maya asked. "What was the name of his boat?" dad asked. "The Beatles." Maya replied. "The beagle. It's a tiny difference, but an important one." I told her, "Because if you know it, Maya, you don't fail." dad finished. "I want to not fail." Maya told us. "What kind of birds did he study?" dad asked. "I don't know." Maya said, shrugging. "You do." I told her. "Finches." Maya answered. "And what else?" Riley asked. "Finches and mockingbirds." Maya replied. "Yes." I told her. "How did you two know she knew?" dad asked. "We know she listens to you." Riley and I answered in unison. "I listen to you." Maya said. "Then you won't fail. And then neither will I." dad said as our mom walked in. "How about some Turkey sandwiches?" she asked. "Darwin didn't study turkeys. He studied finches and mockingbirds. His boat was the beagle." Maya said. "And for extra credit?" dad asked. "Galapagos. The islands he studied were the Galapagos." Maya answered. "Because she listens to me." dad told mom. "Hey, Maya. Watch this." dad said and he took a red pen and changed Maya's F into an A. "You're giving me an 'A'?" Maya asked in disbelief. "No, I'm giving you a 'C+'. But I want you to see how easily an "F" can become an "A. Nothing to be ashamed of anymore, Maya." dad told her and I gently smiled. "My dad doesn't live with‐" Maya started. I grabbed her hand in mine and squeezed. "It's okay." I told her. "He's got this new family." Maya said. "Maya, you don't have to‐" mom started. "I do have to. I have to be able to talk to you." Maya said, cutting her off, "If you give me an "F," if you decide I'm not worth working on‐" "Maya, take a look around you." I told her, cutting her off. "We're all here for you. Does this look like we think you're not worth working on?" dad asked. "I just don't want to fail, Mr. Matthews. Thank you." Maya said. "I don't want to go to the dance! The dance doesn't matter to me at all! I want to go on the cyclone with you and Raven more than anything in the world!" Riley shouted. "You're going to the dance." dad told her. "Hooray!" She said, dreamily. "I'm going to chaperone." dad said. "What's that mean?" Riley asked, raising her hand. "Hand." Maya told her. "What's that mean?" Riley asked, lowering her hand. "Grown‐up voice." I told her. "Logan, hello." Riley said. "What's that mean?" Dad asked panicked as I style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2c34024ae9b6bce1b48bda3ded46311a"span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"I was slow dancing with Lucas, with Riley and Logan dancing together beside us. I glanced over and saw Farkle and Maya dance their way across the floor and I let out a giggle, I looked back to Lucas to see him looking down and smiling at me, my cheeks heated up a bit. I raised my hand and tapped his cowboy hat, "You guys love messing with Maya don't ya?" I asked with a smirk, "I do not know what you're talking about Little Bird." he told me with fake innocence and I chuckled. "How you liking the dance cowboy?." I asked him with a smile that he returned, "Well it's no square-dance," he started with a teasing smirk causing me to giggle, "but I think this may just be better." he told me with a soft smile as he pulled me a bit closer. "Well, guys, it looks like the night is winding down." I heard and looked to see dad up on the stage at the mic, "We hope you all enjoyed the dance. But before we go, I notice some fathers have arrived to pick up their daughters. I wonder if we might have one last dance." he suggested, "A father‐daughter dance." dad said. Dad made his way over to where Riley and I stood with Maya as Lucas, Logan and Farkle were around the table behind us. Dad stopped in front of Riley and I and gave us smile. We both gave him a smile back before stepping aside allowing him to face Maya where he offered his hand to dance. I linked my arm with Riley as we watched our father and best friend dance. Dad held out one of his hand to us and we headed over and joined to father-daughter dance. "So, looks like we may have a new tradition." Riley stated with a smile, "That's okay," Dad assured, "traditions are supposed to evolve... just like daughters." he told us looking between the three of us. We all put our arms around each other, "Sometimes daughters just need..." dad started before leading us over to Lucas, "what was that again Mr. Friar?" he asked Lucas who was leaning against the table with his arms crossed "A guiding hand that has your best interest at heart." Lucas quoted with a smile before dad led us away back to the dance floor, "There's still a whole lot I need you to teach me dad." Riley told him, "Thank you Riley." he said "Ther's still a whole lot I need you to teach me too." Maya told him, "Hey, he's our father." I protested playfully, "Whatever you say." she told me with a smile "You do know that you're our father, right?" Riley asked our dad gesturing to herself and me "Yeah I'm your father." he assured "Thank you Riley." he said. "How's that for makeup?" she asked "Perfect." He told her before we grabbed each others hands and continued to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I was sitting at the table eating breakfast with my family, "Raven, Riley, I never want our daddy-daughters story to end." he told us "Neither do I dad." we both said in sync. "It doesn't end." Mom told us with a smile "In any good book, you turn the page and there's another chapter." she continued "Daddy, since Raven and Riley are too big for you, maybe we could do something every year." Auggie suggested and I smiled "Of course Auggie, what do you have in mind?" dad asked him, "You and me. A singles cruise to Alaska." Auggie told him enthusiastically whilst pointing at him. I chuckled into my hand as we all shared amused looks, "Well i guess some traditions are meant to change." Mom said looking to dad before the door opened, "S'up goofballs?" Maya greeted as she walked through the door "Hey guys, 7 o'clock." she informed us as we got up from the table and grabbed our backpacks. "And some should always remain the same." I heard dad say before we closed the door. /span/p
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"Ms. Hart." Dad said and gave Maya her graded test, "Mr. Friar, nice work." I heard dad say "Thank you, sir." Lucas said, taking his test. "Mr. Farkle." Dad said, handing the test to Farkle. "'A' number seven hundred. Huzzah!" Farkle shouted and blew on his noise stick . "You," Cory said, handing Riley her test, "Daughter." and he passed me my test. As he walked away to hand out the rest of the tests, I looked down to see my grade, and as usual, I got an "A". I set my test down on top of my desk and glanced over at Maya and noticed she was just staring at her test. "You okay?" Riley asked, also noticing how Maya was acting . "He gave me an 'F.'" Maya said in a trance and I frowned, "What?! You're a solid "D" student." I exclaimed. "Mr. Friar, I took particular note of your position that evolution does not preclude the existence of how did you put it?" Dad asked Lucas once he had finished handing out all our graded tests. "A guiding hand that has your best interest at heart." Lucas read. Maya raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Hart?" Dad asked. "You failed me." Maya told him. "Why don't we talk about this after class." Dad suggested. "What's there to talk about? You failed me," Maya said whilst standing up, "You think I'm a failure. There's nothing more for you to teach me." She handed him back her test. "Oh, come on! Both of you gotta say that? What, you mean I lost you both? I lost two out of three of ya?" Dad asked. Maya glanced at Riley and I before she headed for the door. "Maya! Dad shouted at her. She stopped and turned around. "You do not walk out of here!" Dad shouted. Maya looked at me and Riley. I shook my head and mouthed "Please, no" to her. "I'm sorry" Maya mouthed back before walking out the door. Riley and I both raised our hands. "Go." He told us and we ran out the door to Maya's locker, where she was clearing it out. "Redecorating your locker?" I asked hopefully. "Nope. Cleaning it out." Maya said, holding up a headless doll."You want one? 'Cause it's the last one you're gonna get." Maya said whilst holding up two cotton candy sticks. Riley and I nodded. Maya put the two cotton candy sticks in her locker, and circus music started playing. Once it stopped Maya handed us our cotton candy. "Maya, it's just one 'F.'" Riley said. "It's not about the paper, Riley, your dad failed me." Maya said. "Yeah, I know. And I'm not going on the cyclone. I failed him." Riley said. "Can't we just call it even?" I asked "No. We can just call it I'm leaving." Maya said, walking away to the stairs. "Maya, I know you. You'll make a big deal about this, pretend to leave school forever, and you'll be back by gym class." I told her. "No, this time I mean it." Maya said. "All right, Maya. We'll see you tomorrow." Riley said. "No. You won't." Maya told her. "You'll pick us up at 7:00." Riley said. "I won't be there." Maya told us and walked up the stairs until she was out of sight "Riley. I think she meant it this time." I told her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You made your point, okay?" I asked Maya. The three of us where sitting at Riley and I's bedroom window. "You didn't come to school today and your teacher is really upset with you." Riley continued. I nodded in agreement. "He's not my teacher anymore." Maya started, "I now attend a prestigious online academy." Maya told us. "Welcome to the Frank Mantucci on da computer school, where youse get out of it what you put into it. And what you need to put into it is 400 dollars. Gimme." A voice came from the computer. "You paid that?" Riley asked. "I took the test to see if I qualify for the free trial." Maya replied. "Maya, it's a scam!" I shouted, "They take anybody!" "Congratulations!" The computer guy shouted. "I got in!" Maya said enthusiastically. "You are the first person to ever fail the Frank Mantucci on da computer school. How'd you do dat?" The computer finished. Riley and I exchange a look and we turned back to face Maya. "How'd you do dat?" We said in unison, mimicking the voice from the computer. "We asked: "Name?" You didn't put nuttin'." The voice said. "Well, at least you were smart enough not to give them your name." Riley pointed out. "It's not that I'm smart enough." Maya told us. "Then what is it?" I asked. "Maybe sometimes I'm not so proud of who I am." Maya replied causing me to frown. Our bedroom door opened to reveal our mom. "How's it going in here?" She asked. "Mom, tell Maya to come back to school regular school." Riley ordered and I nodded. "Hmm. So you two don't like this, huh?" Topanga asked. "Of course not!" Riley and I shouted in unison. "Maya always comes to school with us." I told her. "She always picks us up at‐" Riley started. "Like a tradition?" mom asked, cutting her off. "Yeah!" Riley shouted. Realization crossed Riley's features. "Oh." Riley mumbled. "You know, even though you're a mother, that was creepy good." Maya told mom. "So, Maya doesn't show up like she's supposed to and how does that make you feel?" mom asked. "Oh" Riley said again. "Honey, you have to go to him. He feels bad. You have to go to your father." Mom told her Riley. "I feel bad. Will he come to me?" Maya asked. "No. He's your teacher." I pointed out. "He doesn't have to." Riley continued. "But he will." mom reassured. "What?" Maya asked in disbelief. "He doesn't have to, but he will." mom answered. "Why?" Riley asked. "Because he's always there." mom replied. The door opened again and there was our dad "Always." he said and he grabbed Maya's hand and lead her out of the room with Riley and I following style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Read it." Dad told Maya as Riley and I stood in the archway that led to the living room. Maya held her test in her hands. "I don't want to do this, Mr. Matthews." Maya said, trying to stand up. "Sit down." I ordered. "You can't tell me‐" Maya began. "She just did." Riley said, cutting her off. Maya sat back down in defeat. "Go ahead." I said. "Darwin animal studies were thought to be when the travels he took on the boat with the Beatles." Maya read from her test. "Are you kidding me?" Riley and I asked. "Do they have to be here?" Maya asked. "What were you trying to do?" dad asked her. "I tried to write it like I was smart." Maya said. I looked at her in disbelief. "You are smart, Maya." I told her. "What did you mean to say?" dad asked. "Darwin studied animals." Maya replied. "What kind?" dad asked, again. "I don't know." Maya admitted. "She does know."I said. "I don't know. You think I don't what I don't know?" Maya asked. "We think you know more than you don't know, but you don't know that!" Riley replied. "You know what?" Maya asked. "What did Darwin study?" dad asked. "Birds." Maya answered. "There you go." dad said. "Really? I got that one wrong." Riley admitted. "You want to be smart, Maya? Say what you mean. I understood that perfectly, and you're correct." dad told her. "That's all I had to say?" Maya asked. "What was the name of his boat?" dad asked. "The Beatles." Maya replied. "The beagle. It's a tiny difference, but an important one." I told her, "Because if you know it, Maya, you don't fail." dad finished. "I want to not fail." Maya told us. "What kind of birds did he study?" dad asked. "I don't know." Maya said, shrugging. "You do." I told her. "Finches." Maya answered. "And what else?" Riley asked. "Finches and mockingbirds." Maya replied. "Yes." I told her. "How did you two know she knew?" dad asked. "We know she listens to you." Riley and I answered in unison. "I listen to you." Maya said. "Then you won't fail. And then neither will I." dad said as our mom walked in. "How about some Turkey sandwiches?" she asked. "Darwin didn't study turkeys. He studied finches and mockingbirds. His boat was the beagle." Maya said. "And for extra credit?" dad asked. "Galapagos. The islands he studied were the Galapagos." Maya answered. "Because she listens to me." dad told mom. "Hey, Maya. Watch this." dad said and he took a red pen and changed Maya's F into an A. "You're giving me an 'A'?" Maya asked in disbelief. "No, I'm giving you a 'C+'. But I want you to see how easily an "F" can become an "A. Nothing to be ashamed of anymore, Maya." dad told her and I gently smiled. "My dad doesn't live with‐" Maya started. I grabbed her hand in mine and squeezed. "It's okay." I told her. "He's got this new family." Maya said. "Maya, you don't have to‐" mom started. "I do have to. I have to be able to talk to you." Maya said, cutting her off, "If you give me an "F," if you decide I'm not worth working on‐" "Maya, take a look around you." I told her, cutting her off. "We're all here for you. Does this look like we think you're not worth working on?" dad asked. "I just don't want to fail, Mr. Matthews. Thank you." Maya said. "I don't want to go to the dance! The dance doesn't matter to me at all! I want to go on the cyclone with you and Raven more than anything in the world!" Riley shouted. "You're going to the dance." dad told her. "Hooray!" She said, dreamily. "I'm going to chaperone." dad said. "What's that mean?" Riley asked, raising her hand. "Hand." Maya told her. "What's that mean?" Riley asked, lowering her hand. "Grown‐up voice." I told her. "Logan, hello." Riley said. "What's that mean?" Dad asked panicked as I style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2c34024ae9b6bce1b48bda3ded46311a"span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"I was slow dancing with Lucas, with Riley and Logan dancing together beside us. I glanced over and saw Farkle and Maya dance their way across the floor and I let out a giggle, I looked back to Lucas to see him looking down and smiling at me, my cheeks heated up a bit. I raised my hand and tapped his cowboy hat, "You guys love messing with Maya don't ya?" I asked with a smirk, "I do not know what you're talking about Little Bird." he told me with fake innocence and I chuckled. "How you liking the dance cowboy?." I asked him with a smile that he returned, "Well it's no square-dance," he started with a teasing smirk causing me to giggle, "but I think this may just be better." he told me with a soft smile as he pulled me a bit closer. "Well, guys, it looks like the night is winding down." I heard and looked to see dad up on the stage at the mic, "We hope you all enjoyed the dance. But before we go, I notice some fathers have arrived to pick up their daughters. I wonder if we might have one last dance." he suggested, "A father‐daughter dance." dad said. Dad made his way over to where Riley and I stood with Maya as Lucas, Logan and Farkle were around the table behind us. Dad stopped in front of Riley and I and gave us smile. We both gave him a smile back before stepping aside allowing him to face Maya where he offered his hand to dance. I linked my arm with Riley as we watched our father and best friend dance. Dad held out one of his hand to us and we headed over and joined to father-daughter dance. "So, looks like we may have a new tradition." Riley stated with a smile, "That's okay," Dad assured, "traditions are supposed to evolve... just like daughters." he told us looking between the three of us. We all put our arms around each other, "Sometimes daughters just need..." dad started before leading us over to Lucas, "what was that again Mr. Friar?" he asked Lucas who was leaning against the table with his arms crossed "A guiding hand that has your best interest at heart." Lucas quoted with a smile before dad led us away back to the dance floor, "There's still a whole lot I need you to teach me dad." Riley told him, "Thank you Riley." he said "Ther's still a whole lot I need you to teach me too." Maya told him, "Hey, he's our father." I protested playfully, "Whatever you say." she told me with a smile "You do know that you're our father, right?" Riley asked our dad gesturing to herself and me "Yeah I'm your father." he assured "Thank you Riley." he said. "How's that for makeup?" she asked "Perfect." He told her before we grabbed each others hands and continued to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /**********br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I was sitting at the table eating breakfast with my family, "Raven, Riley, I never want our daddy-daughters story to end." he told us "Neither do I dad." we both said in sync. "It doesn't end." Mom told us with a smile "In any good book, you turn the page and there's another chapter." she continued "Daddy, since Raven and Riley are too big for you, maybe we could do something every year." Auggie suggested and I smiled "Of course Auggie, what do you have in mind?" dad asked him, "You and me. A singles cruise to Alaska." Auggie told him enthusiastically whilst pointing at him. I chuckled into my hand as we all shared amused looks, "Well i guess some traditions are meant to change." Mom said looking to dad before the door opened, "S'up goofballs?" Maya greeted as she walked through the door "Hey guys, 7 o'clock." she informed us as we got up from the table and grabbed our backpacks. "And some should always remain the same." I heard dad say before we closed the door. /span/p
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