Turns out that graduating college is not as exciting as graduating high school; at least it wasn't for me. However, you still get presents and checks. Most importantly, you get checks. Yea money! Between the endless, droning speeches and the seventy five million names to call though, I was just ready to go home.
Finally the moment came, and as caps were being thrown into the air, I raced towards my family. "I'm so proud of you!" yelled my mom into my ear as she squeezed the air out of my lungs. Next was Shawn who squeezed me even tighter until my back popped in a way I know it definitely wasn't supposed to. Last but not least, my baby sister jumped on me and sent us both toppling to ground.
Basically, when all was said and done, I was congratulated into a pulp.
It took forever, but eventually Shawn was satisfied and had snapped his last picture of me. Thank goodness! As we walked towards the Matthews' residence, I practically ripped my graduation gown off of me, revealing the new baby blue sundress I bought just for today.
Upon arrival, I saw Riley ahead of me on the sidewalk, clearly just returning from her own graduation. Sadly, both were scheduled at the exact same time, so we quickly decided that if we couldn't see each other graduate, we would at least party together. We ran towards each other, screaming excitedly the entire way. I don't think I have ever hugged her as tightly before as I did in that moment. I barely noticed Cory and Topanga move forward to wrap their arms around and congratulate us both before moving to unlock the door. Still, we didn't let go of each other.
Morgan pulled Riley off of me some time later to receive her own hug from me as everyone else started to move inside. Next, was Eric who spun me around until I was dizzy. After he set me down and the world righted itself, I found myself standing in front of the last remaining sibling.
Josh had both of his hands in his pockets, unsure of what to do. Things between us had been weird ever since the hallway confrontation to say the least. Granted, we weren't avoiding each other. In fact, things between us had been pleasant. A little too pleasant. So pleasant that everyone else in the office had caught on that something was definitely wrong.
Last week, we both moved towards a door at the same time. After the fifteenth "after you", "no after you", Elizabeth finally just pushed me through it. I still have that bruise.
"Congrats" he said, breaking me out of my thoughts. I noted we were the only two still outside. He still had his hands in his pockets and was shifting his weight from one side to the other. "I can leave if you want me too" he said gesturing back behind him.
My eyes and heart softened simultaneously. This argument or whatever we were having was so stupid anyways. I quickly moved forward, wrapping my arms around his neck. For a moment, I simply breathed him in, basking in the warmth his hugs always brought as he slowly returned my embrace.
"Please don't go" I muttered into his shoulder. "I am so happy you're here and I've missed you."
He squeezed me a little tighter in response. I felt one of his hands move up into my hair, lightly caressing the back of my neck. It soothed more than anything in this world.
Someone cleared their throat behind us and we released each other to see Garrett standing there with an unreadable expression. His gaze befell to me and a slow smile graced his face. "Congratulations, Maya." he said, handing me a small box.
"I told you not to get me anything!" I exclaimed, but I smiled even brighter as I stepped away from Josh and took it from his hand. Garrett reached out and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me close, almost possessively, before pressing a kiss to the side of my head.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Josh turn his face away. "I'll see you guys upstairs" Josh said, moving towards the door. Before I could even tell him we would be there soon, the front door was clicking shut behind him. I frowned slightly.
I stepped out of Garrett's embrace to turn and face him with a childish smile. "So what did you get me?" I asked, bouncing on my heels excitedly.
"Open it and see" he said, smiling back just as widely. I tore through the paper like a child on Christmas morning. I gasped when I saw what was inside. I pulled out an early edition, maybe second or third, of The Great Gatsby, my all time favorite book. How did he find this?!
"Thank you. I don't know what to say." I told him in awe, still staring at the book in my hands.
I felt Garrett's fingertips underneath my chin, tilting my head up towards him. Before I could even register what was happening, he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to mine. I didn't have time to react for it was over as soon as it started. My eyes slowly blinked open as he pulled away, smiling gently.
"You don't have to say anything, Maya. Congratulations." he said, dropping his fingers down to his side once more.
Smiling sweetly at him, I reached out and grabbed his hand, intertwining our fingers before pulling him along and heading towards the front door. I bit my lip and looked over at him as we ascended the stairs to Cory and Topanga's apartment. I hadn't been kissed in years. It didn't surprise me that Garrett's kiss was sweet and sincere, just like him. What did surprise me was that even after that beautiful moment and the gentle warmth that was slowly spreading across my chest, I was still completely unsure.
Topanga Matthews always did know how to throw a party.
I looked around the room at all the people I loved and held dear to my heart. Shawn, Daniel, and Garrett were talking in the corner, laughing about something or other. Ever since Garrett had come over to my parent's place and presented my mom with flowers and Shawn with a bottle of scotch, they had really hit it off.
Josh and Auggie were on the couch, talking about Auggie's crush. My mom and Lily were helping Topanga with the dishes. Morgan and Eric were throwing things at Cory. Everyone seemed to be having a great time.
Riley and I, however, were both currently propped against each other in the living room bay window. There's a good chance that we may have eaten one too many fried raviolis.
"That was incredible." Riley sighed. "I'm going to get up."
"Don't you dare!" I told her, still feeling slightly nauseous from the last time she barely moved. I was using her shoulder as a pillow. Against my wishes, she slowly peeled my head away and propped me upright. I protested the entire time.
"You two alright there?" asked Topanga as she brought over two ginger ales. Riley nodded. I just groaned. Topanga snorted as she handed me my drink and then Riley's. I might have glared at her a little as she returned to the kitchen.
After a couple sips, I started to feel better. Good thing too, because the night was far from over. Riley and I finished our drinks then looked at each other and grinned.
"Ready?" she asked already standing up.
"Ready" I answered, getting up and following her to her room.
An hour later, I was standing in front of Riley's mirror admiring the short black lace dress. It was tasteful, but still showed a fair amount of skin, particularly in the leg region, but it was also somewhat backless. I had fallen in love with this dress the moment I set eyes on it. Plus, A guy had tripped over himself as I walked out of the dressing room last week so I felt slightly powerful in it.
Now that the family party was over, it was time to go out and celebrate. A new jazz lounge had opened and I was beyond excited to try it out. Josh, Morgan, Garrett, and Daniel were currently downstairs waiting for us. Elizabeth, Aaron, Dylan, and a few friends of mine from college were planning on meeting us there. Some friends of Riley's from NYU were coming too.
"Can you zip me up?" asked Riley.
"Yeah, hold on just a second" I replied slipping my last earring into place. I walked over admiring Riley in the teal silk dress that clung to her perfectly. "Wow, Riley. Seriously wow." I told her as I finished with the zipper. I placed my hand on her shoulder as I turned her towards the mirror. "You are breathtaking." I told her. "Daniel is going to go out of his mind."
She blushed. "Thanks Maya." She then turned around and began appraising me. "Woah" she said, staring at me. She shook her head, almost as if in disbelief. Which is kind of rude if you think about it. "I have no other words. Just woah." she said.
"I'll take it" I said smiling before moving over to her bed to find my shoes. Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"You girls almost ready?" I heard Josh ask through the door. I nodded at Riley, giving her permission to open it as I slipped on my last shoe. I stood slowly and wobbled slightly. Heels are so dangerous.
Riley opened the door and Josh stepped through. "Aww" he said immediately twirling her around. "You look lovely Riley."
His eyes then shifted over to me and he stood there frozen. I shifted uncomfortably, pushing a piece of freshly curled, fallen hair back behind my ear. "Do I look alright?" I asked, suddenly self-conscious. He stepped forward, snapping out of his trance, before coming to stand right in front of me.
"I write articles. Words are usually my strong suit" he laughed nervously at himself before becoming serious again and lifting his eyes from my dress to look straight into mine. "But now I am truly at a loss" he continued.
He swallowed audibly and it seemed as if I had forgotten how to breathe as I stared into his eyes and waited for his next words.
"You are gorgeous, Maya" he whispered.
I exhaled sharply, not even realizing I had been holding my breath, as his words swept over me. I couldn't control the tears that came to my eyes or the broad smile that was slowly forming on my lips.
"Thank you" I whispered in return. I vaguely noticed Riley in the background with a hand over her heart and tears in her eyes.
Josh held his arm out. I smiled brighter before slipping my arm through his. Then he turned towards Riley and offered his other arm. She grinned and stepped forward, repeating my actions on his other side.
"Well, let's get going then ladies."
A/N: Question Time! Some of these have already been answered individually but oh well! Here we go!
You keep alluding to this one disastrous prom for Maya. Are we ever going to know the story there?
Now there's a temptation! Maybe I'll write a one-shot about it! What do you think?
Do you update on specific days or just randomly?
Randomly. As soon as I finish a chapter.
Did Aaron take Dr. Tate's job or did he just move into the office space?
He's an interim for Dr. Tate right now. I don't see him as having the right degrees yet to be the head of a department.
Can you do a chapter from Josh's POV?
I have a very specific scene that will be in Josh's point of view. So yes, I will!
When you say you give clues to what's coming next to those that review with an account, do you mean clues or spoilers?
Both!
Why did you add so many characters when it's difficult to write a plot for each one?
Because I had no idea what I was getting into. Kidding! Kind of. Lol. We have time. This isn't a short story. Also, everything is from Maya's perspective so that makes it a lot easier.
Will we be seeing more of Farkle?
Yes! You'll be seeing more of everyone.
Why is Lucas avoiding them? What did he do?
I swear it's coming up soon! I swear it!
Why won't Josh just tell her already?
Basically Josh doesn't want to be a home wrecker. He thinks Maya and Garrett are more serious than they really are and Maya didn't set him straight in that hospital hallway. So it's all a huge mess!
Will you read my story?
Of course I will! If it's already on here. I haven't signed up to be a beta reader on here yet, but I'll look into it. Message me. Not going to give my email address out though guys.
Sometimes you have two people talking in the same paragraph and it is confusing. Can you fix this?
Yes! Noted! Thank you! Bring on the criticism guys. I want to fix things like this.