Art: So much for getting a new episode every Friday, guess that will be changed to Saturday, along with a brief re-edit, thank you commenters!

Eric: Hi, I'm Eric Matthews

Maya: and I'm Maya Hunter

Riley: and I'm Riley Matthews

Eric: In this episode, we recommend understanding that there are triggers of sexual assault and offense, it relates to a topic that greatly talks about public education and the issues coming out of it

Riley: If you or your loved ones have had some effect as this, please speak up to someone

Eric: Thank you Niche

—-

And now, for something a little different…..

ABIGAIL ADAMS HIGH

Shades, it all began with the shades in class. Usually, there wouldn't be any reason for Riley, Maya, and the gang to look at Missy Bradford, but she had gained attention with the simple and average pair of black shades she now wore in class; annoyed by the slightest of sounds or natural light, it was no secret that she clearly was hungover. While Riley and Maya, with the rest of their gang, had stuck together for their place in high school, it would be correct to say that Missy still hadn't known where she belonged, so the crowd of seniors, alcohol, and even some minor drug use had pulled her in instead. Riley had gone above and beyond once even to try and pull her away from it all, but what she had gotten made Maya's blood boil

Getting on my good side for when I take Lucas back?

The out-right nerve of the girl was irritating, to say the least, but Maya had held her tongue, more importantly, her fist. But something was different today, and it really showed up in English class.

English class had become most of the high-school girl's dreams, a new young teacher by the name of Mr. McClosky had taken up the task. He was 32, unmarried, brunette short hair, well-defined muscle all over his body, and pale gray eyes that were nearly silver reaching into the soul; of course, most of the girls took notice of him. They're some things among them that were said and should never be repeated, everyone besides Smackle, Riley, and Maya who had done their best to discourage such things. However, Missy had gone above and beyond with her flirting with the teacher whether it was the direct remarks she made (she had constantly made jokes directing his attention to her body) or wearing the most low-cut v-necks she could get away with by school code. However, today would put her in a silence

"My apologies class, but I have to make a call," Mr. McClosky said as he left the class, a few minutes passed

*ding*

Missy looked at her phone, Maya took note that this was the first time she had ever seen the look on Missy's face; the face of fear, of actions done that could never be truly undone, the look of mistake as Missy turned pale and her eyes (she had taken off her shades at the sight of the message) were trying to hold back tears. This wasn't the most foreign thing to Maya, she had begun to have more care for others as whatever was happening with Josh, was bringing out the best in her even for those she couldn't stand. Though Missy was one of the worst people, a mistake like that is never good to go through alone

"Hey Missy, you gonna be okay?" Maya asked

"Huh? What do you care Hunter?" asked Missy "Just forget it, I guess I deserve this," she said as she grabbed her backpack, the bell ringing as she was within a foot of the door.

"Seems that call took longer than expected, see you all tomorrow and remember your homework due a week from now," Mr. McClosky said, Maya however, wasn't going to let this go as easily, something deep in her wouldn't let her.

"Peaches, coming? History is the last class" said Riley, but Maya gave her a look that said otherwise

"In a minute Riles"

"Peaches…"

"Riles, give me a chance here please" Maya had a more serious tone, something gave Riley full confidence in her friend that very moment, so she nodded and she took Maya's bag with her to History.

Maya couldn't have known, she could never have expected to hear any of the conversations, nor what happened next.

"You realize that's technically child pornography right? having nudes of an underage girl is a crime, especially when she is one of your students in your classes at a high school"

"That is true" the words of McClosky himself almost felt malicious to Maya as she had to put her hand over her mouth to keep it shut "it's also a huge damage to the reputation of a high-school girl to have these leaked over the web"

"What do you want from me?" asked Missy

"I just want, a few extra assignments completed for me," said McClosky

Maya was in disbelief, this couldn't be occurring at their high school, this couldn't be a teacher accepted here by their school district doing this to a student, but here she was hearing it all happen. She wanted to convince herself it wasn't that, that it was anything but. It had to have been fifteen minutes before she heard ruffling, the sound of a belt buckle, and the sound of Missy holding in a sob; Maya quickly went around the corner, making herself inconspicuous while at a drinking fountain with which Missy came around the corner. Her eyes looked empty, and the air around her even felt cold, but what actually killed Maya deep down was the fact Missy didn't even address her when she walked past without a single mean thing said; that haunted Maya til the last bell of the day

OUTSIDE OF TOPANGA'S

Maya didn't know what to do here, but somehow she had ended up at the front of Topanga's; It was no surprise that a certain brunette was now working, happily handing off coffees to a few college students. Maya couldn't help but notice one of them was a redhead who quite frequently visited when Josh was working, she recalled Josh telling her how she was in his English class, Jessica was her name. They had stayed to chat together for a bit when Maya walked in, but like any time Maya came into his sight, Josh was immediately distracted by her, sure he would go on talking with the college girl but his eyes were nearly constantly on Maya. She had the biggest grin on her face as her eyes met with his, shades of blue doing the waltz they never wanted to end

"Joshua?" asked Jessica

"Sorry Jess, I was distracted, what were you saying?" stated Josh, his face changing to be noticeably sadder as he took his eyes off his favorite blonde

"Why have we never gone out on a date?" asked Jess, this caused Maya to go pale, Jess was beautiful she had to admit charisma too, Maya felt like nothing in her shadow; why hadn't Josh gone out with her?

"I was, am, already very fond of someone else," Josh said, wiping down the counters, Maya never wanted to connect more with his eyes in that very moment, just to confirm what she was hearing; her cheeks turning a light pink. Jess left, almost with a hint of something like frustration or….maybe jealousy but as she left so entered someone Maya knew she needed to talk to, in entered a very broken and down looking, Missy

"Hi…" Missy didn't even make eye contact with Josh as she approached the counter, and from what Maya noticed even Josh could see something was wrong

"Hey, are you okay?" Josh asked softly, an empathy coming from him that knew a broken heart, a broken trust when he saw it

"Can….Can I have a caramel frap" said Missy, tears beginning to fill her eyes and nearly breaking down herself. Maya had never witnessed it before, the way Josh moved across the counter to catch Missy before she fell. If it were possible, his voice had gotten softer to the point. Any jealousy Maya had for the way he was interacting with Missy, was erased by how she noticed he was almost being….fatherly to the poor girl, like a daughter having a bad day.

"Sure" Josh stated as he helped Missy on the stool closest to him at the counter "In fact, it's on the house" he added causing Missy to smile

"Do you say that to all the pretty girls?" she whispered, moving a strand of her hair behind her ear

"Just the ones having bad days" Josh grinned as he made the drink up "Here," he said, adding an extra caramel drizzle to it

"Thank…." Missy was cut off as she heard a laugh, his laugh. Maya saw her face turn back to the brokenness at the sound, and in fact, near one of the furthest corners was McClosky talking and laughing with what seemed to be an associate over video chat. Josh observed all of this as it went on "Hey there" he put a hand on Missy's shoulder "look at me" the fearful brown irises met with the serene baby blues "take a deep breath, take a sip, think about something amazing" Josh stated, as he walked over to McClosky, but not before giving Maya a look that practically said it was her queue without knowing exactly what she needed to do

"Just who is that?" asked Missy as she took a sip, nearly spilling her frap as Smackle appeared out of nowhere "That's Joshua Gabriel Matthews, Maya's Boing" she stated matter of factly; with which Maya couldn't help but have a big grin on her face as she took a seat next to Missy.

McClosky was taken aback when a simple male barista shut his laptop down in the middle of a meeting, he was more shocked when he mentioned his name

"Matthews? Like Cory Matthews, my fellow teacher?" asked McClosky, suddenly intrigued

"Yeah, he's actually my older brother" Josh stated, though he wasn't looking for recognition on that merit, what Josh wanted to observe was the eyes of McClosky. Josh, the one who described himself as an observer, favored the eyes as a window truly into the soul of a person which with one look into McClosky's sent a shiver up Joshes spine. A moment of silence hovered over the two, almost like a battle of intimidation alone

"Well, what can I do for you Joshua?" asked McClosky

"One of the girls over there" Josh gestured to Missy "seems very terrified of you"

"Ah well, is that right? Well you know, she has acted very flirtatious with me since the beginning of the year" said McClosky, the confidence and ego dripped from his lips like bile from the sewers to Josh "fear is a common occurrence when we have small crushes after all" he ended with a sip of his coffee

"So she's afraid over infatuation? a small crush?" asked Josh, sitting back; making himself appear to relax allowing comfort for the young teacher

"Of course, Joshua, one I have been careful to shut down at every turn possible" McClosky on this however was noticed, his eyes had a quick dart to the left after which most wouldn't notice, but Josh did, was how he stared briefly at Missy with a look of not concern, not care

something more predatory

"well that's good news then" Josh got up from the table "It was a pleasure talking with you" he took the young teacher's hand "You wouldn't believe how much hatred I have for when a teacher abuses the trust and responsibilities they have over the students" to which Josh glared into the very soul of the teacher when he left him.

"Missy, I know what he did," said Maya grabbing Missy's hand, Missy didn't even try to pull her hand away, in fact to Maya's surprise; Missy calmly took a sip of her drink then spoke, "so what?"

"So what?" Maya asked "Missy, he sexually assaulted you after extorting you," she said, her face grimacing "Tell me what was in that last text message, tell me what he has on you"

"Everything Hunter, he has everything on me," said Missy, the defeat in her voice caused tears in Maya's eyes "He has video of me with my now ex-boyfriend Dan in a sex video I trusted him with, he has photos of me….every part of me" Missy broke right there and then, tears poured down her face only to be interrupted as Maya took her into a hug and started slowly singing to her "why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Who's the school district gonna believe, the slutty drunk student or the well respected young and promising teacher?" asked Missy, through sobs, and violent intakes of breath "Listen to me," Maya said, shifting Missy so she locked eyes with the blonde fury

"I know the superintendent, I know he would surely want to hear about this" Maya knew Grandpa John would be furious, not to mention her second father would be beyond words as-well

"I have no evidence Maya" Missy stated, Maya was never sure till this moment that Missy even knew her first initial, never mind her whole name

"We'll get some" Maya said, taking hold of Missy's hand more securely; a new trust feeling established

Josh sighed, as he took a seat behind the counter once more. This wasn't exactly what he had predicted encountering at the small coffee shop, but he was glad if it had to happen with anyone that it was him that was chosen for it.

"You just can't stop playing batman can you?"

The man on the other side of the counter lowered the newspaper revealing himself with a look of utter happiness, and Josh would notice the curly black hair of his best friend anywhere. A small smirk appeared on Joshes face "Enoch!" he was ecstatic to see the young man as he bumped fists, leading off from an explosion gesture with their fingers, then both of them putting out their hands for a handshake then combing their hair back "Joshua"

"ahem," a similar age woman put her paper down to face Joshua as well "Abigail!" Josh moved quickly to gather them both up in a big hug "what are you guys doing here? the last time I saw both of you had to have been…"

"It was November, you were excited to be visiting your brother for the holidays and we were all bummed having to go our separate ways for a bit" Abigail rattled off, remembering the scene as if it were yesterday "but you seem far happier than when we last left you, did you find new friends?" she looked at him as a concerned sister

"I made a few friends, I got into NYU, I had a bunch of craziness going on," said Josh as he made up a cold brew and iced chai tea, passing them to the respective drinkers

"Bless Joshua," said Enoch as he took the cold brew

"Who's the girl Josh?" asked Abigail as she took hold of the chai tea, Josh went still for a couple of minutes doing his best to fake skepticism "What would give you the idea that there is a girl in my life?" he asked as he did his best to avoid contact with Maya, they weren't official, and no one knew everything about their….mutual liking

"Let's see, the confident smirk but you mean it, the light flicker in your eye of something special, the fact you are working in a coffee shop that's still a little distant from your college, and finally there are numerous girls in this shop giving you an eye but you don't see a single one" Abigail listed them off without missing a beat as she spoke which caused Josh to let out a light chuckle

"What?" asked Abigail

"You don't change," said Josh, a glimpse showed him Enoch focusing on every word Abigail said "neither of you does" he added as he moved back behind the counter

"You didn't answer me Josh" Abigail spoke with determination, Josh knew from experience that this trap was practically inescapable, and he sighed with defeat while readying his whole story about Maya. However, before he could, he felt a hand wrap around his own, and he saw a pair of blue eyes he would always know; every sound around him became silent or muttered aside from her voice, every color or sight aside from her becomes blurry, and he only hears one thing for his last moments in Topanga's as he mutters to Katy to please watch the shop while she's out

Bay Window, Bay Window right now

BAY WINDOW AT THE MATTHEWS

"That was fast" Josh stated, sitting at the bay window, he barely recalled the flurry of colors, scents, and sights as he had been physically pulled there by the blonde beauty herself. He couldn't determine how she had led him up the fire escape, however, he also had no complaints about it either. Now she just stood there, a look on her face that kept cycling between frustration, depression, and anxiety "what are you doing?" Josh asked while holding back a chuckle. Maya just looked at him blankly for a moment before seemingly having the inspiration of exactly what she wanted; she plopped herself down in Joshes lap as he sat there, arms wrapping around his neck as she buried her face in his chest, taking in scents of campfire and graphite

"Maya…" Josh said

"I missed you, and everyone else was getting to hog you. Especially velcro there and his multi-eyed blonde" said Maya, keeping her face buried, the nicknames broke Josh as he finally let out a loud laugh which Maya accompanied with a giggle, something that only happened around Josh

He always has this effect on me, I never want to lose it

"I missed you too Maya, also those two were my friends so I hope you don't mind meeting velcro and his multi-eyed blonde" said Josh, this brought Maya a big grin of excitement at Josh bringing her further into his own life "but you brought me here for something else" Josh stated knowingly as he just looked down at the snug blonde

Her hair smells of dark cherry, shining like the sun; how could I ever have her attention

her hand had left his neck to do circles on his chest "You saw Missy today" said Maya still not showing her face "Joshua, I want to help her"

"Isn't that Bradford? the one who tormented Riley? How has she earned your care?" Josh rattled off the questions, knowing he would be there to help but was curious

"she is, and she's an utter witch, but no one deserves that, especially when its suppose to be someone you trust like a teacher"

"do we have evidence?"

"No, but we can probably get some," said Maya, as she gestures to the recording app on her phone "If she could just have it open and recording at the right time, we could easily get him" she added

Josh nodded "You've been thinking about this" he added

"Yeah, yeah I have," said Maya, as she looked at Joshes face she could read something of worry on it "Josh, what's eating at you?"

"That could have been me Maya," said Josh, which earned him a puzzled look from Maya "at least, that's what I feared, what if I had misled you or manipulated you with our age difference" Josh went off, slowly paling at the idea "what if I just wanted you for something, what if I was playing you and I didn't even know" he added, defeated he looked away from Maya

"Joshua Gabriel Matthews," said Maya, turning his face back to hers and locking her eyes with his once more "You did not groom me, or manipulate me, you did not isolate me from my friends or family, you did not and still haven't made a single move on me" she put her forehead against his

"I just really don't want you to wake up one day and find this isn't what you wanted," Josh said in a whisper, Maya's heart hurt to hear the fright in his voice

"Joshua, our story is something greater than that, something beyond regret" Maya smiled sweetly at him, a graceful intensity behind her eyes "I have spent years waiting on you to wake up and see my feelings, do you really think now that you are stirring and waking up that I'm going to get cold feet now?" she added

Josh could do nothing, say nothing but stare at the sunshine before him

"I still want you, just you" grinning Maya brought his forehead to hers, and there they stayed for a bit, both smiling from the presence of the other.

ROXIE PARK

Riley grinned as her own hand found itself occupied by her favorite western hero, her boyfriend Lucas, they grinned as they watched a few girls play from their bench they occupied at Roxie Park, a small park near the Matthews apartment "Lucas, you never told me what gave you that look I found you with on the first night with Uncle Josh at Topanga's" the youngest of the three girls had stolen the soccer ball from her sisters "Yeah, I guess I didn't, I kinda ditched what it was about" Lucas stated while trying not to get up and cheer as the middle girl stole the soccer ball finally from what was most likely her younger sister "What was it though?" asked Riley

"A person on the road to Topanga's was handing out flyers on the Peace Core and it got me wondering about our futures, I was considering it as a possibility," said Lucas

"You aren't now though? what changed your mind?" asked Riley

"Well I figured I had already said veterinarian," said Lucas which drew out a chuckle in Riley

"Lucas, that was in middle school, we are now in high school" the older girl finally intercepted the ball "you are allowed to grow and change"

"I am?" asked Lucas

"Of course you are, as long as I am right here in your life as your girlfriend, I don't care what road you choose" Riley passes another grin toward Lucas who turns a bit red in the ears at the attention of his girlfriend

"Maybe Peace Core wouldn't be the worst idea then to keep in mind for possible options," said Lucas

"Maybe we could do it together," said Riley, squeezing Lucases hand a little tighter at the thought of them being separated so long

"I'd love that," said Lucas

ABIGAIL ADAMS HIGH

Things progressed fast from here, Maya felt she had to operate fast. She had convinced Missy for this once, to have her phone opened to the memo screen. The bell was two minutes away as Maya prepped Missy, informing her to start the recording and how to stop it if need be.

"You promise you aren't ditching me Hunter?" asked Missy

"Of course not," said Maya "I'll be right outside Missy, along with Josh" if Maya didn't know any better, she might have sworn she saw Missy become slightly flustered at the mention of Josh

*rrriiiiiiinnnnnggggg*

McClosky had stayed back to see if the students had any questions on their papers, but soon it was just him and Missy as Maya took a hard left outside the classroom.

"Hey you," said McClosky

"Hey," said Missy, no emotion traced in her simple greeting

"That almost sound's sad, but that can't be right, not after the special time we have had together on those personal projects" McClosky gave her a look over, maintaining purposely on her chest and hips

"That was when I thought you were someone who wouldn't break, I….I never expected you to go off on it" said Missy

"Well I'm sorry to hear that, but I have a few projects for us to take care of today" McClosky already had undone his belt as he spoke "and taking an F here results in certain photos being leaked" he added

"Please, please don't do this" Missy whispered

"you know how to do this assignment, come on" McClosky stated, carrying a professional tone even in this

Missy was on her knees, getting ready to unzip the pants of her English teacher when they were interrupted

"I told you I don't like the abuse"

McClosky didn't have time to react as while he was being excited by a submitting Missy, Maya had snuck up behind him, holding out her leg, while Josh had moved out of sight til he was right at the side of the teacher before calling attention as he gave a solid sucker punch to McClosky's face, who tripped onto his back thanks to Maya

Maya couldn't help but find it extremely attractive, but apparently, she wasn't the only one as Missy bored her face into Joshes shirt; Josh gave a panicked look to Maya, but she gave him a look that said it was okay under these circumstances.

After Maya and Josh, a traumatized Missy in tow had gone to Cory with all the evidence to explain Joshes actions, a meeting was brought forward that very night as Maya's grandpa Jon the super intendant, Cory Matthews, Principal Yantzy, and Cory's wife Topanga was brought as legal consultation for a meeting on the fate of McClosky. This meeting starred the recordings of McClosky, the young and upcoming teacher, and the nude pictures of Missy that had allowed him to extort the young student. McClosky was not only fired that day but also arrested, it got him on the registry for sex offenders.

The next day in the teacher's lounge, Cory had snuck Josh in as they were grabbing lunch "how could any person wanting to be a teacher, break such a sacred trust?" asked Josh still in disbelief about actually witnessing it "sadly, it's not uncommon, in fact, it's only becoming more common" stated Cory "did you ever have someone like that?" asked Josh to which Cory took a sip of his coffee "Let me tell you about a man named Stuart"

Back in class students were starting in on the class

"Thank you" Missy stated as she walked into class, walking past Maya

Maya just grinned "you're welcome"

"So you and Josh are a thing or…." said Missy leading off

"Mine, and only mine," said Maya to which Missy smirked

"soooooo who's showing up now?" she changed the subject

"They can't physically drag someone from the middle school to the high school, that just isn't reality!"

"I think they can," said, Cory

There stood in the doorway with him, none other than Harper Lee Burgess

Thanks for reading, as always please comment and review