PART 2


Later that afternoon. Matthews' Home. Living room.

Topanga is trying to repair the door without much success. Cory stands next to her, holding a glass of Orange juice. Auggie walks in from the kitchen and stares at them for a while.

"Dad, aren't you going to help mommy?" Auggie asks.

"No, Auggie," replies Cory. "Because the thing is, I realized I didn't have to prove myself to anybody. Not to my wife... not to Shawn?"

"What does this have to do with Shawn?" asks Topanga.

"The point is, I realized I don't have to fit to the definitions of what I should be like. I'm going to be myself even if people think I'm whiny and weak. "

"So, that's why he's relaxing while I do all the manual work," adds Topanga sarcastically.

"And maybe you should do the same Topanga," says Cory. "Stop trying to prove that you're good at everything, when you clearly have trouble fixing the door. You don't need to prove anything to me."

"Cory Matthews!" laughs Topanga, "you think I'm doing this because I have something to prove to you?"

"Um... no..." says Cory in a scared voice. "So, maybe we should just call a professional to replace the door instead of trying to fix it ourselves?"

Riley enters the room. Upset. She walks right to the couch without talking to anyone. Topanga and Cory ignore her.

Cory continues, "I just think the damage is beyond control and maybe it's time for a replacement. Sometimes, you just have to let go."

"But she is my best friend!" Riley cries out. Both Topanga and Cory look at Riley.

"Riley, what are you talking about?" asks Topanga.

"What are YOU talking about?"

"We're talking about the door sweetie," replies Topanga. "Your father thinks we should replace it."

"Because apparently with all our brains combined," adds Cory before Topanga gives him the look. "I mean, with Topanga's brain, we... she can't figure out how to fix this."

Riley continues, "What if you try so hard to fix this door that you love so much but then you realize that it isn't what you thought it was? What if you realize it was something different? Keeping secrets from you? Would you still love it?"

"It's just a door, Riley," says Auggie as he leaves the room.

"Riley, is there something bothering you?" asks Cory.

"I don't know, dad," replies Riley. "I mean I thought I knew her. I thought we trusted each other. But I think something is wrong with Maya. I don't think she is normal."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because, dad, I found Maya... in the closet. She was... kissing... another... girl."

"Oh!" Both Cory and Topanga take a deep breath as they take a seat next to Riley.

"Is Maya sick, mom?" Riley asks. "I just don't understand why she would do something like that? Is this some sort of a disorder? Is she going to be ok?"

"Of course she is," replies Topanga touching Riley's hair. "Maya is okay. And there is nothing abnormal with what she did."

"But she is a girl. She is supposed to like boys. Why would a girl be attracted to another girl?"

"Because, Riley, we're all different," replies Cory. "Each one of us is unique. Different people are attracted to different types of people - boys, girls."

"Riley, love is such a magical and mysterious thing," adds Topanga. "Love wants it wants. Love doesn't limit itself to gender or the definitions of what's normal. Because love is love. And it's beautiful."

Riley thinks then asks, "So, why is Maya different from me? We're best friends. Is it because of the way she was raised? Is it because her father abandoned her?"

"Not at all Riley," replies Cory. "Although the environment may have some influence in discovering who you really are, sometimes being gay or straight is simply a part of you. You're just born that way but it's okay because it's completely normal. There is nothing wrong or unusual about a girl liking another girl."

"But I thought Maya likes boys," says Riley. "She even dated Lucas."

"Sometimes it takes a while to discover who you really are," replies Topanga. "You don't discover yourself in one day. And sometimes, you find out who you are but you're afraid of change. So you pretend to be something you're not, just to convince yourself that you're like everyone else. But what you don't know, is that you're already perfect."

"And that's probably what happened with Maya," adds Cory. "We all know she never really liked Lucas. She did it because she was trying to be you. She was trying to be someone she wasn't. But then she realized that she needed to find herself. She needed to be Maya."

"I guess that makes sense now," says Riley. "But I don't understand why she would hide it from me. I'm her best friend. We tell each other everything."

Topanga replies, "Maybe Maya was scared of what you'd think of her. Coming out or even telling one person about it is a big step. And you never know how they're going to react. You don't know if they're going to accept you."

"Because, Riley," adds Cory. "Sometimes the world isn't as accepting as we want it to be. People are afraid to accept something that's different. Traditionally, love was between a man and a woman. And some people still believe that is the right way. And so they're not as open minded as we are. They're not willing to accept change."

Auggie comes back into the room. Topanga goes to distract him from overhearing the conversation.

Cory continues, "A lot of gay and lesbian teens have suffered through discrimination. And sometimes all they need is someone to listen. Someone to be their best friend. Someone who is not scared of them because they're different."

"You mean like the way I ran away from Maya?"

"Exactly, Riley" replies Cory. "Just because she's found out who she really is, doesn't make her different. She probably needs a friend now more than ever. And she's still the same Maya."

"My best friend in the world." Riley says as she starts to walk up the stairs to her bedroom. "I have to go fix things."


Riley's Bedroom.

Riley puts on a warm jacket ready to go out and meet Maya. Right about then, Maya knocks on the bay window. Riley lets her in. The girls hug without saying a single word.

Then Maya begins, "I'm really sorry, Riles, I didn't tell you about this."

"It's okay, Maya, I under-"

"No, let me finish," interrupts Maya. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way. For a long time, I've been searching for myself. To find out who I am. I tried being you but it didn't work out. But Darby made me feel something I never felt with Lucas. She made me feel like I was alive. She made me feel like I found the missing part of the puzzle that's me. And I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid you wouldn't approve. And when you found us and ran away, you confirmed my fears."

"But Maya..."

"Your friendship means everything to me and I wouldn't let anything ruin that. So, I told Darby it's over. I'm sorry, Riley."

"Are you done now?" says Riley after a short pause.

"Yes. Yes, I'm done."

"Good," says Riley. "Because I am the one who should be apologizing Maya. I'm sorry I freaked out. Maybe, we're a little different but you're still the same Maya I love. Nothing can change that. And I promise to love you the same. And I want you to feel free to come to me with anything."

"Wait, so you're okay with this?" Maya asks as she looks Riley in the eyes.

"Of course, Maya! And who cares who you love anyway? Who says what's normal and what's not?"

"Why does that sound familiar?"

"Dad's lesson about Lincoln?" thinks Riley. Then she quickly turns to Maya, "Oh my God, Maya, you told dad before me?"

"No, Riley. I've not told anyone else. No one else knows except you. And Darby."

"So, are we going to tell the others? Like Lucas and Farkle?"

"I just want us to keep this between us for now. I'm not ready to come out yet."

"I completely respect that," replies Riley as she puts her arm around Maya. "And I will be there to support you when the time comes."

"Thank you, Riley. I'm so relieved you know now."

"Speaking of Darby, isn't she dating Yogi?"

"Oh please," says Maya. "Darby is just Yogi's babysitter. You didn't actually believe they were dating."

"Of course I knew they weren't dating," says Riley with fake confidence.

"No, you didn't!" says Maya as she playfully slaps Riley on the back.

"No, I did not!" admits Riley as she takes her phone and starts texting.

Maya sees it and asks, "Riles, who are you texting? Is it Lucas?"

"No. I'm texting Darby," replies Riley. "I want her to come over so I can apologize and help you two make up."

"You don't have to do that, Riley," argues Maya.

"Yes, I do. It's my fault that you broke up. You were happy and I ruined that. And I have to fix this."

"Riley, you can't fix everything!"

"And... send!" Riley says as she hits the "Send" button.

Maya tries to grab Riley's phone. Riley jumps on the bed and lays on her stomach, trying to hide the phone from Maya's reach. Maya jumps on her and starts tickling her. Riley starts laughing as she gets weak and let's lose of the phone. But Maya doesn't go after the phone. She continues tickling Riley.

Then there's a knock on the bay window. Lucas and Farkle want to crawl in through the window.

"GET OUT!" Maya yells as she hits Lucas with Riley's phone. Both Farkle and Lucas lose balance and fall on the ground. Cats run away screaming. Maya laughs, "Ha! In your face cowboy!"

"Maya! That was my phone!" Riley shouts.

"And are you surprised?" asks Maya.

"Of course, not. You're Maya. And I don't want you to ever change." Riley pauses as she sits down on the bed. "But, I want you to promise me, one thing, Maya."

"Anything, Riles."

"Now that you and Darby , promise me you won't spend more time with her and forget about me."

"I promise. Always!" reassures Maya.

"Thunder?"

"Lightning!"


THE END


Thank you for reading. Hope you liked it.