Hey, y'all! How are you guys doing in this crazy time? I hope you all are safe out there and just drink lots of fluids. STAY HYDRATED, IN THE HOUSE, and WASH YOUR HANDS. Look for the signs and just be careful and mindful of your surroundings and wear a mask even if you don't think you have the virus wear a mask. It is the extra steps that are going to help us stay healthy and safe in the long run.

Anyway, I recently deleted the author's notes because I made up my mind that I need to stop letting comments ruin the way I think. I think this story is great and if you don't like the story anymore just stop reading and stop commenting on what you don't like. One that is rude and two I am going to delete the comment because I can and will do that now. I love how I write. I like to leave something shocking in the previous chapter and then satisfyingly solving it in the next chapter or even the next five. I like suspense and if you don't, then stop reading this.

For the comment from the guest, I am sorry if you all thought that I posted a new chapter. I hate it when that happens to me so sorry. I could ramble on all day but y'all get the point.

I don't own any characters besides the ones that I created and that is sad because I love these characters! I leave all the creativity to the brilliant minds of BMW and GMW.

Previously on Just the Beginning...

"So, did you guys hear?" Riley asked Josh, Maya, and Shawn.

"Yeah, we did. I can't believe that Lucas is such an asshole. I never would have convinced Cory to allow you two together if I had, but what is this about you going with Charlie to Italy?"

"What!?"

Lucas and Missy Bradford holding hands. That can't be good, especially since Zay and she are boyfriend and girlfriend. Maya thought.

"What do you mean you are going to Italy with Charlie?" Lucas gripped Missy's hand pulling her forward towards the group. She grunted in pain at the tightness. If she was honest, she didn't understand why he was holding her hand anyway. She just came to the cafe to get a cup of coffee when she saw him walking towards her. She wasn't really listening to him and so she didn't really know what persuaded him to even touch her so intimately. She would guess to make Riley jealous as it seemed like every three months they were on a break from an argument.

She would have said something about the tightness but seeing as he was Zay's best friend and one of the members of the Scooby gang that she wanted to make a good impression of; she didn't. She was however confused at why everyone was glaring at them. She could definitely understand why because he was a jerk that everyone just excused because he was sorta cute.

Missy having caught a summer cold had missed about two weeks of school, so she wasn't exactly caught up with the drama.

Man, she really wanted that coffee and it looked like there was a fresh pot that had been brewed. She loved coffee especially with a good book or tv show with something sweet. She would have texted Zay to spend some time together especially since she had gotten better, but she knew from their phone calls that he wanted to spend time with his friends before college and life happened.

As Riley explained to her mom, Shawn and Katy, her friends and her that Charlie Gardener, her now-boyfriend, was going away for six months to Italy. Riley wasn't sure if she wanted to go to college yet and decided that she would start school in the spring semester. Missy thought that it was great and courageous that Riley decided to wait for school and not rush anything. Maybe she would do that considering she couldn't decide on what she wanted to do.

Also, when did she and Charlie Gardener become a thing? she thought as Lucas pulled her forward with him towards the group. He tried to put his arm around her but she slapped it away. She tried a couple of times to release her hand from his and Shawn finally came to her rescue and freed her from his grasp.

She would have preferred Zay but this was not the time or place to spill the news about their relationship. So, she gave him a look that said stop but Shawn must have less patience for Lucas nowadays because he came to her rescue quickly.

Zay already looked extremely uncomfortable and angry at his best friend's actions toward his unknown girlfriend. Honestly, Missy would prefer it if their relationship wasn't so public anyway because it was special and sweet and she thought that it was romantic. Of course, Maya had found out when they went to Texas and she dropped in on them unexpectedly in his old bedroom kissing. Missy laughed mentally at Maya's reaction about them back then.

Maya had screamed cheater at him and was very upset about their relationship. Missy had gotten angry herself because she wasn't that type of person to cheat, but when they explained their peculiar friendship it sorta made sense.

"You cheater! How could you! This was supposed to be OUR trip, Zay!"

"Uh, come on. This ain't what you think?"

Both girls put their hands on their hips and glared at him. "You mean to tell me that you invited me here with you to get to know each other while Maya Hunter is your girlfriend!" Missy went to grab her stuff and leave, but they moved to block her from the door.

"Wait, what? No, that isn't what I meant? That is not what she meant? Are you seriously thinking that I am her, his, type?" They exclaimed at the same time mashing their sentences together.

"Okay, now I am confused." Missy was ten seconds away from pushing them both from her view and moving on. Yes, she would miss Zay but she was not a cheater and she wasn't going to form a relationship of it.

They calmed down and chuckled for a few moments while Missy was still frowning. She didn't get what was so funny. Were they cheaters or not?

Maya spoke up noticing the frown on Missy's face. "It is a joke between us that's all. We aren't in a relationship but we have relied on each other for emotional support, so if one were to get into a relationship that is romantic or platonic...we would consider it cheating, especially if we had plans and it ruined it like this weekend." Maya stated the last part with a glare in Zay's direction. He looked ashamed and apologetic.

"I am sorry, but I don't get it." If there was one thing that this group was, it was confusing as hell.

"It is just we were the odd ones out in our group since everyone has a girlfriend or boyfriend, so him taking you with him on this trip that we planned and me having something very important to get out right now, it just feels like...like you are taking away my best friend and support system right now."

It took a minute for it to process in her brain that Zay and Maya were strictly platonic and this was just a Monica and Rachel and Julie situation. Huh, it was kinda funny.

"Oh. That is understandable. I guess. Look, I know that we haven't been on the best of terms since forever but I really like Zay and I hope that we can become friends."

"Yeah me too, but now I don't have anyone to talk to and I can't find Lucas anywhere."

She walked over to the cake stand to see what she would like to have with her coffee. She decided on the carrot cake. As she paid for her meal, she couldn't help but notice the tension in the group and Nia? What was she doing here?

Before she could censor herself, she asked out loud: "Nia, what are you doing here in New York? Where's Casey at?" Missy looked for her favorite nephew. Oh, the cutie could kill a puppy and get away with it. The group turned toward her and she almost laughed out loud because it looked like they were having a western cowboy stare down like the ones on tv.

Nia made her way over to give her friend a hug. Casey screamed as he lunged for Missy. "Woah, buddy! Watch out for the hot coffee. Hey, little guy." Missy placed her stuff back on the counter where Topanga was making funny faces at Casey as Missy picked him up.

"Uh, I moved here and I am getting a job here at the cafe." Before Missy could respond, Lucas did. "Wait, you are getting a job here? Why?"

"Uh?" Nia exclaimed scared of the confrontation that was going to erupt from her answer. Missy knew that Lucas didn't care for Nia or Casey and he often took out his anger on the young teen mom. Missy didn't like that not one bit.

"Lucas, don't be so rude. Why is it your concern anyway? Why do you even care?" Missy exclaimed putting herself in front of Nia; she was not going to let him hurt her feelings anymore.

Yes, it wasn't fair to Riley that they cheated and conceived Casey behind her back, but even though Nia had made a mistake in trusting someone she thought had loved her didn't mean that she had to take any of Lucas's shit.

She didn't really care for Lucas, junior high was junior high. Missy thought that he was a jerk and that he didn't really care for other people besides himself. The way he handled the situation with Nia was just disgusting and horrible. She would never understand why Zay stayed his friend.

Lucas took a step towards her and Zay stepped in between them putting his hands on his friend's chest and pushing him back. "Don't touch them or talk to them. Just go, Lucas. You will always be my best bud, but this is getting out of hand. You have already voiced that you don't want anything to do with Casey or my cousin. Just go on."

"Oh shut it, Zay! None of this would have happened if she had just gotten rid of it when I asked her to. She caused all of this by keeping it and lying to me about it."

"You took advantage of my 14-year-old cousin...Zay please...No! He needs to hear this. You took advantage of her and then left her to go back to Riley. You told a 14-year-old girl to get rid of a baby! My cousin! Lucas! You didn't comfort her or talk to her again until a year later when Riley still didn't want to sleep with you. You broke my little cousin to bits when she saw you and Riley together after you promise her that you would break up with Riley and help her raise Casey, your son! So no! Don't tell me to chill or shut up because I am done making pathetic excuses for your fucking filthy and dumb behavior. You don't want anything to do with Casey that is fine, but it takes two to tango buddy and I don't hear Nia blaming you for fucking up her life with your bullshit excuses for love."

Everyone stood shocked at Zay's outburst. Riley felt bad for all of this drama happening in front of Casey and in front of other people who were looking in and judging. They weren't judging Lucas but Nia.

Maya stood up and told Lucas that he should go.

"I'm sorry, Miss Topanga for bringing all of this into your place of work. I am really sorry to all of you for my dumb mistakes." Nia said as she cradled the upset toddler close to her chest. The sad part of it all is that Casey really loved Lucas and always asked about his Lukey.

"Oh, sweetie you have nothing to be sorry about. This is just some unfortunate events that have taken place in your life right now, but you will have all the support that you need here always. Okay." Topanga stated as she shooed away people from the cafe and put the close sign up.

"Yeah, this isn't your fault Nia. Lucas just has some issues to resolve and it seems like he isn't handling life so well right now." Maya stated as she came over to hug the young teen. Normally, Maya would keep her distance of new people but with the cancer happening and all, she learned a new perspective on life and living.

"And it is no one's fault that his behavior and actions towards this whole situation are horrible. Don't blame yourselves for not predicting that Lucas would become this way, okay." Shawn said as he gathered dirty dishes to help Topanga close up. Everyone stood in silence. They were all scared to discuss the elephant in the room. Which was Missy.

Everyone except Maya, of course.

"So, I think that we shoul...that we shou...ow." Maya grabbed her stomach and double over in pain before passing out onto the floor.

"Maya!"

"Baby!"

"Are you okay?!"

"Just breathe, baby, breathe!"

"Someone call 911! Now!"

Katy, Shawn, Topanga, Cory, Josh, Mrs. Matthews, Riley, Auggie, Zay, Jessica, Missy, Farkle, Charlie, Nia, Casey, and Isadora all gathered in the waiting area of the part of the hospital that housed cancer patients. This part of the hospital was colorful and the staff was nice and cheerful and ready to help when needed. Auggie and Ava were at the foosball table playing with other patients at the hospital that was their age. Everyone was awaiting news on Maya who was going in and out of consciousness in pain. At least that is what the doctors had stated when they were all updated five hours ago.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, hi I am Dr. Ramani. I am head of surgery here in this wing of the hospital and I was wondering if I could speak with you over the surgery that was supposed to be done on Monday. Could you come to my office with me? We can discuss this further there so that you can make the appropriate decisions necessary moving forward. Maya is in a lot of pain due to some new development to her body, but we have spoken to her about decisions that need to be discussed. I only need her parents, you all may go and visit her through that door. The room should be big enough to house all of you, only if that is cleared by her nurse. Follow me."

Katy gripped her husband's hand and prayed that her baby was gonna be okay. Josh practically ran to her room and burst in. He wasn't going to lose her not today nor the next. He just kept repeating himself as he made his way with the others to her bed.

Maya looked extremely pale and this is when it clicked in everyone's head that she really had cancer.

They were all scared shitless but they all had to be strong for her so that she could push through and fight.

Maya smiled at them weakly and waved a little because there was no way that a scream of pain wasn't going to pierce through when she opened her mouth. Josh bent down to kiss her forehead.

"Hey, peaches," Riley said not knowing what to say really. What do you say to a person who is in severe pain? Did you get those painkillers yet?

Maya sat up a little to help herself talk. She needed to tell them. She had already learned her lesson about keeping secrets from her loved ones? Once she got situated and comfortable enough to talk. She said it. Loud and clear. Now she was waiting for them to say something back. Nothing, but shock filled their faces. Well, Mrs. Matthews seemed like she was beaming and Nia was the only one to congratulate her and she wished her the best with her surgery that would be later on. The doctor wanted to do the surgery soon, but since she was still underaged she still needed her parents' permission first.

Farkle finally got out of his stupor of shock and said, "Wait, you're pregnant? How did that happen?"

Everyone suddenly burst into laughter at him. "No, seriously. How did that happen?"

Isadora stepped up and cleared her throat. "So back to page 73 where you always somehow forget the biological responses of the female body to the male body during sex. So, here we go one last time..."

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

Remember to drink your fluids (water) and practice isolation! Not safe distancing, but some isolation! Yes, some of you may have to work and keep making that money, but just isolate yourself after it okay. #staysafe