GIRL MEETS HIGH SCHOOL SEASONE ONE:
GIRL MEETS A CHRISTMAS STORY
T'was four nights before Christmas, and all through the streets; the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping was sweeping everybody off of their feet. This way and that way, through and fro bags upon bags of Christmas presents were making their way through the snow. But in an old building just up the street, the spirit of Christmas has yet to be seen. But four special humans were on a mission tonight, to spread Christmas joy to the most special of kids.
Farkle happily placed the final present in the back of the Matthew's car. It was time for the annual tradition that he and his friends had taken part of each and every single year. Just like every other year, they were on their way to deliver a mountain load of Christmas presents to the New York City orphanage. Topanga had introuduced them to this special tradition when Riley was just in the second grade. And it was something that all of them enjoyed doing. Well…Almost everyone…
"I still can't believe you buffoons are still doing this silly gift exchange." Maya laughed.
"It's called giving back Maya. Although I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know what that means because you simply haven't given back yet." Zay teased.
"Why couldn't you have gone home to Texas with Ranger Rick?!" Maya moaned.
"Because what fun would it be? I'm having much more fun back here trying to get on your nerves." Zay laughed.
"And just a piece of info, I think it's working." Maya growled.
"Come on Maya giving back on Christmas is one of the best feelings in the entire world. Why don't you come along this year and try it with us?" Riley suggested.
"Most definitely not. I do not need all of that jolly cheer in my life." Maya shivered. "Just saying that grosses me out."
"Looks like we know who's getting a lump of coal this year." Zay laughed.
Maya simply flung her sneaker at him, but luckily Zay dodged the shoe and managed to run into the Matthew's apartment building. Topanga was coming down the staircase with the final round of perfectly wrapped presents.
"I heard yelling outside, I guess you trying to convince Maya didn't work out did it?" Topanga asked.
"Unfortunately Mrs. Matthews that girl is heartless. She couldn't do a good deed even if it depended on her life." Zay laughed.
"Everyone has good in them Zay." Topanga laughed. "Some people may just take a little while longer for them to find it." Topanga explained. "I've known Maya for most of her life, although she doesn't show it she has some good in her. She just needs to express it sometimes."
"I think it would be a Christmas miracle if she was able to show her capability of doing a good deed." Zay joked.
"Although I don't condone teasing, I actually would like for her to do some good as well." Topanga laughed. "Now we better hurry along, these Christmas presents aren't going to deliver themselves."
Back on the streets, a young blonde girl walked; towards a tall townhouse filled with joy and love. But one question continued to burn the back of her mind "who cares about Christmas? And who has the time?"
Maya walked into her family apartment with a smirk still on her face. She couldn't believe that her friends were still doing the silly tradition of giving back to some orphans. They never had anything to begin with, so Maya was quite confused as to why her friends always helped them out.
"Hey kid back from the Matthew's apartment this early?" Shawn said shocked as he took his eyes away from his laptop.
"Yeah the gang's all headed up to the orphanage again to do their annual traditions." Maya laughed.
"Hey giving back to those kids isn't a bad thing." Shawn laughed.
"Good grief not you too. I already had the rest of my squad try to convince me that Christmas is about the season of giving back." Maya sighed.
"Somebody's a Christmas Grinch." Shawn said sitting down on the couch next to Maya.
"I am not a Christmas Grinch. I just don't see what the big deal about Christmas is." Maya laughed.
"Well, to be perfectly honest with you, growing up I never saw the big deal about Christmas either." Shawn explained.
"Because you never had the chance to fully experience a happy Christmas?" Maya wondered.
"Exactly." Shawn nodded.
"Then what changed?" Maya wondered.
"The Matthews. That's what changed. Growing up, they were the closest thing to family that I've ever known. They were able to show me what the true meaning of Christmas really means. Spending time with the ones you love. It's not all about the gift exchanges, although that is my favorite part of the holiday." Shawn laughed.
"I just don't think Christmas lives up to all of the hype that everyone makes it out to be." Maya laughed.
"Oh trust me, it's really become so commercialized and I think that it's only become about who gives the best present." Shawn stated. "But I think the true meaning of Christmas is still around." Shawn smiled.
"I still can't believe you got sucked into this entire thing." Maya teased. "You're such a softie."
"Hey I care about others. You should try it sometime kid." Shawn laughed.
"Yeah right. Me doing a good deed is like California getting out of it's drought. It's never going to happen." Maya laughed.
"Well you never know kid, sometimes the goodness in people finds it's way out just when you least expect it. You never know, one day the people you love could be ripped away from you." Shawn kissed Maya's cheek. "You're a good person Maya, you just need to let it show sometimes. Trust me, it's not a bad thing to do a good deed. Because maybe, you could be making that persons day or changing that persons life." Shawn said getting up.
"Again I don't think the good deed doing is actually for me. But I do admit you made a great effort." Maya laughed.
The Christmas Spirit wasn't that far away, it was just a couple of blocks away. Where we find the rest of the gang spreading the joy of the holiday season to all of the orphans. Children were lining up waiting impatiently for their presents, except for one little soul. Who also had a little doubt about the true spirit of Christmas.
Riley smiled as she placed the final present on the table in front of all of the orphans. She had always loved giving back at this time of year. It made her feel extremely heroic knowing that she was not only giving back to her community, but making a special Christmas for the kids who deserved a little joy in their lives.
"Now kids I do want everyone to line up in single file…" Zay began to say, but before the rest of his words even left his mouth, the kids cheered with excitement as the stampede of orphans made their way towards the table filled with presents.
"Save yourselves!" Farkle yelled hiding under the table.
"Farkle would you get out of there?! This happens every single year!" Zay laughed pulling Farkle back onto his feet.
"Just because it happens every year doesn't necessarily mean I enjoy it happening." Farkle laughed.
"OK guys lets just bring the focus back on the real reason as to why we came here today. We're here to spread a little bit of Christmas cheer right?" Topanga said walking in with several gingerbread house kits.
"Just as long as we get to eat one of the gingerbread houses after this whole shindig is over." Zay commented.
"Zay these are for display not for eating." Farkle sighed.
"Then let's just say one display might not make it out OK." Zay laughed.
"If I need to lock you in the closet again to save the gingerbread houses trust me I am not afraid to do it." Farkle laughed.
"Wait are we missing somebody?" Topanga wondered.
"No it looks like everyone is here mom." Riley replied scanning the kids one more time to make sure that all of the kids were actually in the room with them.
"I swear I think someone's missing there's only twenty kids lined up here there needs to be twenty one." Topanga replied.
"And I think I found her." Riley replied.
She pointed to the lonely boy who was sitting alone in the corner. He was twiddling his thumbs and just staring blankly at the door to the kitchen. Riley smiled sadly feeling guilty that he was missing out on all of the Christmas festivities.
"Well that's odd why is he sitting all alone in the corner?" Zay asked. "Usually all of the kids come running for the presents."
"That is odd. I don't think he was here all of the previous years so he must be new here to the orphanage." Riley replied.
"Then maybe that's why he's sitting alone this might be his first Christmas alone." Zay replied.
"It could be. Well I know one thing for sure, a kid should never be alone on Christmas." Riley smiled. "Well what do you say you two shall we make sure this turns out to be the best Christmas ever for our new friend?"
"I think that's a wonderful idea sweetie." Topanga smiled. "Maybe if you get to convince him to join us soon, he will be here for Christmas dinner."
"I think we're getting ahead of ourselves mom like I said before this might be his first Christmas alone." Riley replied.
"Well now it's up to you three to work on bringing that Christmas spirit back into his life. " Topanga replied.
"Do you think we can?" Zay asked unsure of the plan.
"It's the power of the spirit of Christmas. It changes everyone." Topanga replied. "And I have full belief that you three of you can be able to open his eyes to the true spirit of Christmas."
"Well let's give it a shot." Farkle smiled.
The three teens approached the young child who was still twiddling his thumbs and staring at the door. Riley had a new look of determination on her face. No matter how bad his past might have been, she had full intentions of making this Christmas season happy.
"Hey kid why are you sitting back here alone?" Zay asked.
"Are you kidding me Zay?" Farkle sighed. "What he means to say is why aren't you with the others?"
"I just don't feel like it." He mumbled.
"But don't you want to get your present?" Riley wondered.
"Not really." He sighed.
"Hey why so glum? You should be happy Christmas is just four days away." Zay smiled.
"I was never really into the Christmas thing. I never saw what was so special about it." He shrugged.
"There's a ton of things special about it. Getting presents, food, spending time with people who care about you the most." Farkle listed.
"I never got to experience a good Christmas." He replied finally looking at the three of them. "My mommy and daddy would always be fighting and they would never buy me any presents, or decorate the Christmas tree like all the other families did." He sighed. "I always wanted to experience what it was like to spend Christmas. But it never happened."
"Well what if we told you that we could make that dream happen?" Zay smiled.
"You mean experience Christmas?" He asked.
"You got a name partner?" Zay asked.
"Ty." He replied shyly.
"Well Ty we're going to be making this childhood Christmas dream come true." He smiled.
"You seriously think you can make it happen?" Ty asked.
"Well we got four days to give you the best Christmas experience ever I think we can pull it off." Riley smiled. "Now let's do the best thing about Christmas first." Riley said as she took Ty's hand. "Opening presents."
"I never got a present before." Ty said shocked.
"Well looks like your about to get your very first one right now." Riley said excitedly.
"Is this really for me?" He asked shocked.
"Absolutely. It's a little something to brighten up your spirits sweetie." Topanga smiled.
"I've never gotten a Christmas present before…" Ty said shocked. "What do I do with it?"
"Well first…" Zay said taking Ty's hands and placing it on the perfectly wrapped present. "You need to open it up and see what's inside."
"Do I really get to keep it?" He said shocked.
"Of course you get to keep it sweetie. It's a special gift from us to you." Riley replied.
Ty looked at the wrapped present hesitantly and had to smile to himself. He was still in disbelief that he was holding a physical present that was especially for him in his hands. Ty excitedly ripped open the box and pulled out the present.
"What is it?" He asked holding it up.
"Well this…" Zay said taking the present from Ty. "Is Woody the smartest and most loyal Cowboy in the country." Zay said smiling. "Now pull his string." Zay laughed. Ty looked at Woody curiously as he pulled the string attached to the back of his shirt.
"There's a snake in my boot!" The classic line once again came out of the cowboy.
"And this here..Is Buzz Lightyear." Zay smiled. "Keeping the galaxy safe from harm and most importantly being Woody's partner and crime."
"To infinity and beyond!" Buzz's famous quote once again emerged from his mouth.
"Does opening presents always feel this good?" Ty asked as he held Buzz and Woody in his arms.
"Oh for sure." Farkle smiled. "Now presents isn't the only thing that's great about Christmas."
"What else is there?" Ty asked curiously.
Riley turned towards the window and for the first time this season, it was snowing and a lot of it was accumulating on the ground.
"This is our first official snowfall this year!" Riley said excitedy.
"It's about time to show you my favorite thing about Christmas." Farkle smiled.
"What's that?" Ty asked curiously.
"Playing around in the snow of course." Farkle smiled.
"I've seen everyone play outside in the snow before but I never joined them." Ty shrugged.
"Well why not?" Zay asked.
"Isn't it cold?" Ty asked curiously.
"It's cold but it's definitely a lot of fun." Farkle said.
"But people throw snow at each other? Isn't that mean and hurtful?" Ty asked worried.
"It's only for fun Ty." Riley laughed.
"Now come on we need to build a snowman, build a fort, have a snowball fight with everyone else we need to have a blast!" Farkle said excitedly.
And for the next couple of hours that was exactly what Ty did. He built a gigantic snowman with everyone else, had a massive snowball fight, and most importantly had the most fun that he's ever had ever since he could remember. He never had this much fun before, and now that these three people were able to fully open his eyes to the magic of Christmas.
"I've never had this much fun ever!" Ty said excitedly over a hot glass of hot chocolate in his bedroom.
"Didn't we promise you that we could have as much fun as possible?" Zay laughed.
"I didn't think Christmas could be this exciting." Ty laughed. "How many days till Santa comes again?"
"Just four more days." Riley smiled.
"Do you think he got my Christmas letter?" Ty asked curiously.
"Of course he did." Farkle nodded.
"Great! So my mommy and daddy are coming back for me!" Ty said excitedly.
It was in that moment where the three best friends looked at each other with complete and utter fear. They knew that Ty's parents were huge drug addicts and that they would never be back to claim him. And they had absolutely no idea how they were supposed to break the news to him.
"Ty buddy Santa may have gotten your wish but he has a million kids in the world who want something." Zay began. "He can't cover everyone's whishes."
"I know." Ty said sadly. "You know what my number one thing I wished for Christmas this year was?"
"Why don't you tell us? Maybe we can make that happen." Riley encouraged.
"I want to be with a family who loves me." Ty smiled."It doesn't have to be mommy and daddy maybe some other family will come by and be willing to take me home just like some of the kids here. They go home with other families happy." A frown began to form on his face. "Wait…Do you think somebody will still come for me?"
"Of course they will." Riley smiled. "You never know they could be on their way soon."
"You really think there's hope for someone to adopt me?" Ty asked.
"Anything can happen. Again, it's Christmas maybe it could be a Christmas miracle." Zay smiled.
T'was now three days before Christmas, and all through the streets snow was covered resulting in a commuter regret. Horns blasting, curses shouted, middle fingers making an appearance all in the stress of driving to their destinations. But a much happier tone in the orphanage was to be seen, but nobody knew how quickly that could change… Especially in a quick moment…
The gang was back and they found the kids still playing with the toys that they received from the day before.
"Hey Ty your looking happier today." Riley smiled.
"Because you and your friends showed me what it's like to truly experience Christmas." He laughed. "Thank you again so much. "
"Hey now you can play with everyone else." Farkle laughed.
"I want to do something different." Ty smiled. "Can we bake Christmas cookies?"
"Well it just so happens that I was going to bake some for the rest of the kids here so why not?" Topanga smiled.
"I always wondered how sugar cookies tasted like." Ty commented.
"Like heaven in your freaking mouth." Zay said over his own handful of Christmas cookies.
"Just like the gingerbread houses yesterday, if you eat all of the samples how are we supposed to show the kids how their supposed to look like?" Farkle sighed.
As soon as all of the kids were gathered in the kitchen, Topanga began to get all of the ingredients together on the counter to make the delicious treats.
"OK kids just remember that you all need to stay here in the kitchen and not wander off and most importantly we do not touch the oven." Topanga explained.
"But the icing looks so good!" One of the orphans moaned.
"I promise you kids it's going to look even prettier once this entire gingerbread house is finished." Topanga smiled.
The rest of the kids groaned impatiently as Topanga began to get the items organized on the countertop to help make the gingerbread houses. As the hours passed, it looked like all of the gingerbread houses were finally coming together. Ty was being his super excited self. Everything that the gang had been able to show him over the past few days about Christmas made him fall in love with the actual holiday all together. Besides baking sugar cookies, building gingerbread houses, and decorating several gingerbread men, they were also making a festive cake. Between all of the excitement, Topanga wasn't paying attention on what was currently happening behind them. The intoxicating smell of carbon monoxide began to make it's way into the kitchen. Riley had to pause from putting the rest of the gingerbread men into the over when the scent came into contact with her nose.
"Mom we need to get the kids out of here before something bad happens." Riley pointed out.
"What could go wrong?" Topanga asked curious.
"Wait…Are you referring to that smell?" Zay asked. "It's like somebody set this kitchen on fire."
"Riley's right…" Farkle commented. "That's the smell of carbon monoxide. I think it's coming from that pipe in the back. There's a gas leak!"
Topanga's eyes grew wide as she realized what could possibly happen next. In that instant she immediately placed all of the baking materials on the countertop and made sure that all of the kids had her full attention.
"OK everybody we need to head out of the building OK? This is a very dangerous situation." Topanga said in a big jumble.
"What about our holiday baking?" One of the kids asked sadly.
"I promise we will finish baking soon but this is an emergency OK?" Topanga explained.
"Riley is everything going to be OK?" Ty asked scared.
"I promise everything is going to be OK we just need to get to safety OK?" Riley smiled.
In a huge rush Riley picked up Ty easily as the rest of the kids made their way out of the orphanage and away from the desperate situation. The two things that they forgot was the fact that the oven was still on and one of the windows was open…
Meanwhile…
Maya was sitting on the couch with Katie and Shawn as the three of them were enjoying a bucket of cookies and cream while casually flipping channels trying to find something interesting to watch. Maya sighed as she flipped to the one channel that she really didn't want to.
"We bring you the latest news from the historic New York City Central Orphanage." Maya squinted as she saw the orphanage in definite flames. "Due to a carbon monoxide gas leak the historic building is now engulfed in flames."
"Oh my god…" Maya whispered.
"Those poor kids. That's not a great way to celebrate Christmas." Katie sighed.
"No mom you don't understand. Riley, Farkle, and Zay went back to the orphanage again today. They were in there when this was happening…" Maya said frantically.
"Honey are you sure?" Katie asked starting to get worried as well.
"Mom they do this every single year they help out at that orphanage until Christmas day… Mom their in there…" Maya said freaking out.
"Then what are we sitting around here for? We need to make sure that their OK…" Shawn said immediately getting up from the couch.
"We need to hurry…" Maya said worriedly.
The only thing that was running through Maya's mind was if Riley and the rest of her friends were doing OK. Maya couldn't help but wonder if she had been with them maybe she would have been able to get them out of that burning building safely and they would all be together. But her selfish pride had made her stay behind just like every other year. As Maya nervously twiddled her thumbs as they continued the drive to the orphanage, the one thing running through Maya's head was the fact that maybe Riley was right… Maybe being grateful for the people who you have in your life and all the blessings that life gives you really is the true meaning of Christmas. Maya had no idea what she would do without her best friends. She only hoped that she wasn't too late. As soon as Shawn pulled the mini van to the front of the orphanage Maya flew out of the car in search for the three people who meant the most to her life. She pushed through all of the people who were standing in the street watching in pure terror and the media as the orphanage continued to burn. After what felt like an eternity Maya found Topanga standing with the rest of the orphans and the rest of the gang.
"Oh thank god your all OK…" Maya said pulling her three best friends into a bone crushing hug.
"Yeah I'm just so glad we all made it out OK." Topanga said giving Katy and Shawn a hug.
"Yeah all of the orphans made it out OK too…" Zay said.
"Wait…" Riley said turning around and analyzing the group of kids gathered right behind her. "Did you guys see TY? He was just here a couple of minutes ago…" Riley said concerned.
"You don't think he ran back into the building do you?" Topanga said shocked.
"Guys…" Farkle said holding up Buzz. "If he did run back into the building I think we know the reason…"
"Oh my god…" Riley said as she began to run towards the building.
"Riley you are not going back into that burning building!" Topanga shouted.
"Ty needs my help mom!" Riley argued.
"No…" Zay said stepping up beside Riley. "Ty needs our help. What do you say peeps shall the four musketeers team up as usual?"
"You do know there's only three right?" Riley said confused.
"I couldn't think of anything else OK?!" Zay argued back.
"Zay's right! I say we work together to get him out of there." Farkle added.
"Then I'm going in with you guys…I almost lost you all once I am not going to risk losing you again." Maya said.
"It's too dangerous…You four kids cannot go in there without any help." Shawn pointed out.
"The firefighters are inside I'm sure they will be able to help us." Riley pointed out.
"That still isn't enough for me…I'm going in with all of you to make sure that you are all going to be OK." Shawn pointed out.
"Shawn the fire is getting stronger, it's way too dangerous inside." Katy pointed out.
"We can't just let him burn inside!" Maya yelled.
"Promise me that you will all be careful inside…" Topanga said desperately.
"Of course we will…" Riley stated.
The five of them started to make their way through into the burning building once again. They did their best to try to find their way back towards the kitchen which was where the main source of the fire was, also where Ty probably ran back to.
"This is all my fault." Riley gasped in between as she tried her best to not inhale the smoke.
"Why is this your fault you didn't do anything wrong." Maya wondered.
"I carried him out as fast as I could he probably lost grip of Woody which is what caused him to drop him. " Riley pointed out.
"You did the right thing kid…" Shawn coughed.
The gang finally made their way towards the kitchen and right in the middle of the room was Ty and also the flames seemed to be getting bigger. The five of them looked at each other worriedly. They were going to be walking directly into the source of the fire, but it was definitely going to be worth it.
"Ok here's what we're going to do…I'm going to run in there and quickly grab Ty and then we are then going to make a run for it back outside to protect ourselves." Shawn explained.
"OK on the count of three we make a run for it…" Maya said as soon as Shawn rejoined the group.
"OK now run for it!" Riley yelled without waiting for the go signal.
The five of them ran as fast as they could out of the burning building and back into the real world. Ty was finally safe, and it was a little something that they considered to be a Christmas miracle. Topanga was glad that nobody was seriously injured and they were all OK. Especially Ty, because little did any of them know, his Christmas wish was finally going to come true.
It was finally Christmas, the day had arrived and all through Topanga's the orphans ran about cheering and playing with such joy and such thrill with their new toys that Santa gave them just as they slept. A local hotel gave them the roof over their heads, it was truly a Christmas miracle for them to be safe. This way and that way the snow flew through the air, painting the perfect Christmas picture right through the air. Which brings us back into Topanga's where it's all toasty an warm and a delicious Christmas dinner was about to be devoured… But of course, surprises were around every corner for it was Christmas… The day full of surprises…
Lucas shivered as he approached Topanga's. He had caught an earlier flight with his mom to come back home to the city. He had to see Riley in person to make sure that she was OK. Over the past couple of days, his eyes could not leave the TV screens. He had wished that he had been there not only to help out, but to protect anything bad from happening. Lucas immediately walked into Topanga's and snuck up behind an unsuspecting Riley.
"Merry Christmas my princess…" Lucas whispered as he kissed Riley's cheeks.
"LUCAS!" Riley squealed as she ran into her boyfriend's awaiting arms. "I missed you sweetie…"
"Babe I was only gone for one week…" Lucas said as he spun her around three times as he sat her back on her feet. "I am so happy that you are OK." Lucas said pulling Riley in for a passionate kiss. "I never want to be apart from you ever again."
"Promise me you won't leave for that long again?" Riley said innocently.
"I promise…" Lucas smiled.
"I'm so happy your home…" Riley smiled as she buried her face into his neck once again.
"I promise Riles I will never leave you ever again. I'm here to stay." Lucas said wrapping his arms around Riley tighter.
Meanwhile across the room Ty was playing with his Buzz and Woody figures once again he was finally glad that the two of them were reunited. He was finally able to experience what it felt like to celebrate Christmas and it was one of the best feelings in the world. He ran up to Riley with pure excitement written all over his face.
"Thank you so much Riley. You showed me how great it is to celebrate Christmas…I wish I could celebrate it every day…" Ty said happily.
"Well buddy now you have something to look forward to for next year." Farkle smiled.
"I can't wait for Christmas next year…" Ty smiled.
Roselie Collins who was one of the social workers who worked closely with the New York City orphanage walked into the small bakery and smiled as she saw one of her favorite kids from the orphanage smiling. In fact, this was actually the first time that she had seen him smile especially on this day in particular. She had developed such a strong bond with Ty that she had grown to love him just lie her own son. And today, she had come for a very important reason.
"Hi Ty…" She said kneeling down so she could look into his eyes.
"Hi Ms. Collins." Ty whispered. Whenever Ms. Collins would speak with Ty he knew that it was always going to end in bad news.
"Are you enjoying your Christmas?" Ms. Collins said cheerfully.
"Yeah it's a lot more fun now!" TY said happily.
"I'm so happy to hear that Ty." Ms. Collins said. "Now you know I only talk to you if I have news right?" She began. She saw Ty nod sadly. "But this time it's great news."
"Really?" Ty said innocently.
"Indeed. You're going to have a new family Ty…Remember that family with the puppy from two weeks ago?" She paused to laugh as she saw Ty nod excitedly. "They decided to bring you home."
"Really are you sure?" Ty asked innocently.
"Of course I am sweetie. Their paperwork just went through a couple days ago." Ms. Collins explained.
"My Christmas wish came true…" Ty said in disbelief. "Santa really does listen…" Ty smiled.
Maya had to shake her head as she watched the scene play out right in front of her eyes. Riley was right, maybe Christmas wasn't such a bad thing to celebrate after all.
Coming up Next in Girl Meets High School Season One:
Girl Meets First Kiss
A special Valentine's Day chapter where one of our core four will have their first kiss
A Corpanga and Shaty double date
Girl Meets High School will return with the second half of season one on February 12th…