A/N sorry it took so long, but finally, here's an update!

Maya had arrived at our apartment early, reluctantly doing as Riley had asked. Along with my mom, Maya and I had failed at waking up my sister so the three of us gave up and retreated to the kitchen for breakfast.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Riley complained walking in as I swallowed a mouthful of coco pops. "It's electives day. The earlier we sign up, the better the chance we have of getting all the good ones." She reminded us as she snatched the freshly made piece of toast out of our moms hand and sitting down beside Maya.

"I tried to wake you up three times." Mom informed her with an amused look as she took a seat beside me.

"You know I don't think you're serious until six times. You know the first three times I'm still checking for chicken pox to see if I can miss school." Riley defended herself.

"I licked your face." I told her with a toothy grin causing her to grimace while Maya chuckled.

"Hey, I tickled your toes." Maya defended herself.

"Well, that explains the Logan dream." Riley said thoughtfully with a dreamy grin. It was my turn to grimace.

"So, what electives are we hoping for?" Mom asked us excitedly.

"We are hoping to get out of them." Maya answered, taking a bite if her toast.

"Actually, it's not gonna happen, sister. These are service electives." I retorted, taking a sip of fresh orange juice.

"Not only do they expect us to be students, but now they want to give us jobs." Riley complained.

"How are we supposed to work and go to school at the same time?" Maya whined making me snort.

"Yeah, who does that?" Riley agreed shaking her head.

"How you doin'?" Our dad greeted with a sarcastic salute as he came to stand at the table.

"Oh, hey, honey. Where you going?" Mom asked standing up beside him.

"I'm going to school." He answered playing along.

"Oh, whatcha gonna do there?" Mom continued questioning.

"I'm gonna work." He told her.

"Wait, you're gonna go to work and school?" She questioned, letting out a mock gasp.

"At the same time." Dad stressed as the three of us shared a look.

"Wait but, just for a couple of days, right?"

"No, no, no. This is forever. But Topanga, surely your responsibilities are temporary, right?" He asked turning it around to her.

"Oh, no. I have to do everything all the time." She answered.

"Bravo!" I exclaimed as the three of us clapped sarcastically for their performance

"No more. No more." Maya told them as we finished applauding.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." They said bowing.

"We will be here for the rest of your lives." Dad declared grabbing his briefcase.

"Have a good day, honey." Mom called after him as he made his way out the door.

"I hate parent theatre." Riley told Maya and I.

"Yeah, we did set them up pretty good." Maya commented as I nodded with a smile.

"You know, when I went to law school, I held down two part-time jobs." Mom told us.

"Yeah, but now your life is a piece of cake." Riley dismissed.

Maya gasped "Would you make us cake?" She questioned hopefully making me chuckle.

"Get to school." Mom ordered.

"You'll be here, making cake?" Maya questioned as the three of us stood.

I put my plate in the dishwasher before grabbing my bag and heading to the door with Maya "Hey, Riley, you can put your dishes in the dishwasher." Mom called after her.

"Later, mom. I promise. Job and school. Job and school." Riley told her making me shake my head as she followed after us.

"Uh, you could at least put them on the-" I heard before Riley closed the door.

"Who here knows about the great depression?" Dad questioned as we sat in his history class.

"I thought it was called the grand canyon?" Riley and I asked confused.

"Excellent." Our father chirped sarcastically "Who here knows about the great depression? Maya?" He continued.

"Nothing's gonna beat that, sir." She answered with a shrug and amused smile.

"Farkle, save me." Dad pleaded.

Farkle stood from his seat "The year was 1929, the stock market crashed, everyone lost their money and their jobs. And the people who were comfortable were now lost and became known as..." He trailed off.

"The forgotten." Dad filled in pointing the the same words written on the chalkboard "Working class people, the heart and soul of our country, basically taken for granted in the first place, and now, discarded and forgotten." He taught.

"How could that happen, sir?" Lucas questioned leaning forward.

"It shouldn't have, Mr. Friar." Cody retorted.

"But that could never happen to anyone in the grand canyon today, could it?" Riley asked our father, making me look at him expectantly.

"I don't know, Riley. I'm sure you would never take anyone for granted, right?" Dad replied with a pointed look.

"I would never." Riley denied making me shake my head amused.

"And do you think there's anyone who cares about you who goes underappreciated or overlooked?" he added looking at her.

Riley took a moment before a look of realisation crossed her face "Maya!" She gasped turning to look at our blonde friend "My life is so much better for having you two in it." She told her smiling as she held one of her hands in both of hers.

"I know pumpkin." She told her with a fond smile.

Riley smiled back before turning to me "And Raven. My little bird. I don't know what I would do without my twin. I love you Rave." She told me with a happy smile.

I grinned at my sister "I love you too Riles."

"Thank you, Dad. For the first time, I've actually understood something that you've tried to teach me." Riley told our father who looked to be in pain.

"Please, bell, ring. Ring! Ah-ha." He exclaimed exiting the room, briefcase clutched to his chest.

"You could do that?!" Maya questioned excited at the prospect of using it in future.

"I wonder what electives we're gonna get. I hope we get good ones." Riley gushed as we stood in line at the cafeteria.

"Why do they call them electives if they make us do them?" I questioned curiously.

"I don't know. And why do they call it shop class? That was the biggest disappointment of my little life." Riley pouted as we reached the counter "Yum, blob." Riley commented sarcastically as the lunch lady spooned a ladle full of slop onto her tray

"All right, no blob for me, please. Not because it's not good, only because there's no taste and no flavor." Maya told her. We watched as she ignored Maya and give her a big spoonful of slop anyway "Okay." Maya finished.

"You know I made that myself." The lunch lady told us.

"What is it?" Riley questioned.

"I call it, "Tuesday."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion "But it's Thursday..." I trailed off looking up at the lunch lady expectantly.

"Mm-hmm." She replied putting slop onto my tray when suddenly a roll of bread landed in front of her "No throwing rolls!" She exclaimed loudly.

"Well, she's in a good mood today." Riley commented as we took our trays and made our way to the table that Lucas, Logan and Farkle stood at.

"That's the happiest I've seen her." Maya agreed.

"Look, I don't care what electives we get, just as long as we don't end up in..." I trailed off as we took a seat.

"dun-dun-dun!" Farkle sang theatrically.

"Cafeteria duty." I finished as Maya, Riley and I shuddered.

I gasped when a piece of slop suddenly landed on my nose. I went crossed eye as I looked at the sticky food, watching as it dripped onto the table. I looked up to find Lucas smirking at me, spoon in hand. Everyone at the table was laughing. I was just about to retaliate when my dad approached the table "Do you guys ever actually eat the food?" He questioned as he watched Logan and Farkle build a volcano with their lunch.

"No." We all answered in sync, shrugging making Dad nod and walk away.

"Hey, how do you guys actually make this thing erupt?" Maya asked curiously, taking the straw from her apple juice carton out.

"Maya, don't!" Farkle shouted just as she reached over and flicked some juice from the tip of her straw into the volcano. "She's gonna blow!" Farkle exclaimed as we all ducked down as we watched gravy erupt and run ramped through the model made of food.

"Why do they build their villages so close? Why?" Riley asked, frowning sadly.

The bell rang causing us all to get up ready to leave "Hey, hey, hey. Where are you guys going? What's the rush?" Dad asked coming over to stop us "Geralyn, janitor Harley, can you come over here for a minute? So, you guys don't think you should have to clean any of this up? Geralyn, do you think they realize when they waste their food like this it makes you feel bad?" He asked the lunch lady.

"I feel bad." She confirmed in her angry voice.

"And janitor Harley, do you think they realize when they make a mess in the cafeteria, it makes you feel bad?" Dad asked, turning to the janitor.

He shrugged "I actually feel I deserve what I get. But I have all kinds of different issues." He admitted.

"You know, in just a few minutes you guys played with your food and you left a mess without any regard or respect for anyone else." Dad scolded.

"It's not just us." Maya defended.

"I know. And you're the good ones. I'm gonna go ahead and assign you your electives now. Girls, your electives will be, and I don't think anybody saw this one coming." Dad started.

I shared a look of despair with my friend and sister "Oh, no." I mumbled.

"Cafeteria duty." Dad finished.

"How you doin'?" Geralyn asked wrapping her arms around the three of us, pulling us closer together.

"I've been better." Maya ground out as I sent a thumbs up from where I was squashed in the middle. Geralyn sent us a grin before releasing us and walking away.

"Wow." Farkle scoffed while Logan laughed

"That's the worst elective in the school besides janitorial services." Lucas gushed, completely amused at our situation. I smirked watching janitor Harley come up behind the boys. "Oh." Lucas sighed in defeat, taking notice of the man.

"How you do in', boys I own? Meet Mr. Mop." The janitor introduced passing it over to Lucas "And his pals, Mr Soap," he continued passing Logan the bottle of cleaner "and Mr. Bucket." He added giving the bucket to Farkle "First, you'll clean Mr. Mess in the cafeteria. Then I'll introduce you to the always delightful Mr. Vomit." He finished.

Farkle nodded "Thank you, but I have enough friends." He retorted trying to hand back the bucket. I smiled smugly at Lucas as Janitor Harley simply pointed to the door making Farkle drop his shoulders in defeat and make his way over. Lucas sent me a mock glare before silently trailing behind him, with Logan.

Maya, Riley and I had been given uniforms to put on: white jeans, white polo shirts, a red apron adorned with the John Quincy Adams logo and a red bandana. Maya wore hers around her golden curly mane, while Riley tied her hair into a side ponytail and wrapped the bandana around the crown of her head. I pulled my ebony tresses into a messy, high bun before tying the red bandana around it. The three of us were on our way back from the changing rooms, playfully pushing one another "Hey, pretty lunch ladies." Maya greeted Riley and I "You two are killing this thang." I complimented as we made our entrance into the kitchen.

"Stop it. Stop it." We gushed flipping our hair and swiping a hand like a cats paw- our signature handshake.

"What about me? Am I not the cutest thing ever?" Geralyn questioned, hands held firmly on her hips.

Riley sheepishly approached the woman. With an agonising slowness she reached up fro Geralyn's hair net and pushed it backwards "Actually, these are being worn on the back of the head this season." Riley informed her.

"I have my own distinct sense of fashion!" Geralyn barked loudly, making the three of us jump and Riley to cower back to her place bedside me. "Welcome... To the cafeteria. We have a lot of fun here. And by fun, I mean potatoes. And by potatoes, I mean, we peel them. And by we, I mean you."

"Well, this actually doesn't seem so bad." I admitted as Riley nodded in agreement, turning to face Maya and I.

"There's more, aren't there?" Riley questioned knowingly.

"Look behind you, scarecrow." Geralyn told the girl with a smile.

"Oh, I have a nickname." Riley cooed before turning around to see shelves filled with sacks of potatoes "That's a lot of potatoes!" Riley exclaimed, pointing desperately at the brown sacks.

Geralyn sent her a look "When you have completed the peeling of the potato, you place the potato in the pot. That is all you do. Now, I will finish preparing tomorrow's lunch. You ladies will do what?" She questioned, looking down at us.

"Peel the potatoes." Riley repeated.

"Put them in the pot." I added.

"That's all." Maya finished

"What do you not do?" Geralyn asked sternly, placing a hand on her hip.

Riley and I sighed "Anything else."

"I believe we have communicated. Except for one thing. This is a one-week class for you, a grade. But this is my world and I care very much about what happens back here. Understand?" She questioned.

"Yes, Ms..." Riley trailed off, none of us knowing her last name.

"Thompson." Geralyn informed us.

"Thompson. Sorry." Riley nodded.

"We should have known that." I said, biting my lip in guilt.

"Mm-hmm." Geralyn hummed.

Riley stuck her hand "My name is-"

"Riley Matthews. Loves fish stick Fridays." Geralyn interrupted, taking Riley's hand and shaking it.

"Who are we?" Maya challenged, gesturing between herself and me.

"Raven Matthews, I always give you extra tater tots because Tater Tot Tuesday is your favourite." She started looking at me "Maya Hart. I always give you extra to take home." Geralyn answered making us blink in shock "I know all my kids. Well, I will leave you ladies to it." She finished before making an exit.

"So, this is easy. What could possibly go wrong?" Riley said as she and I began peeling.

"Look at all these spices." Maya exclaimed, pointing excitedly to the rack filled with various tubs.

"Oh no." I muttered.

"You know what these are?" Maya asked, picking up a tub.

"What?" Riley and I asked, continuing to peel.

"Taste and flavor. The kids will love us." Maya gushed, opening the lid.

My sister and I sighed "Peel the potatoes," Riley started

"Put them in the pot." I finished throwing my freshly peeled potatoes in the metal bowl.

"I can't hear you. Ba-da-da-da, da, da-da spicy!" Maya sang, sprinkling herbs and spices into the already mashed potatoes. I shook my head before pulling a new sack of potatoes free from the shelf. I let out a squeal as the rest if the sacks came tumbling down around me.

After the long, hard day, the three of us headed to our apartment only to collapse into the chairs in exhaustion. Riley and Maya shared the couch while I stretched on the bay window behind them.

I didn't open my eyes as the front door opened "Hey girls. Would you like to help me with the groceries, please?" Our mom questioned, heels clacking on the wooden floor as she made her way to the kitchen.

"We worked all day for 45 minutes." Riley groaned as I slowly got up.

"Could you rub my back?" Maya pleaded.

"Oh, sure Maya. I would love to rub your back. Just right after I bring in all the rest of the groceries by myself and then cook dinner for the entire family." Mom retorted sarcastically.

"Okay, hurry up." My friend replied, happily.

"Riley, I asked you to clear off the table this morning." Mom complained before sending me a thankful grin as I set down a few shopping bags.

I heard Maya groan as there was a shuffling sound, I turned from the kitchen table to see the two sitting up on the sofa "Mom, you are not being very sympathetic to us." Riley retorted.

Maya nodded "We worked." She started.

"In a kitchen." Riley added.

"45 minutes." Maya continued.

"In a row." I grumbled picking up another bag.

"Rub my back." Maya pleaded with my mom once again.

"I'll do it." Riley volunteered with a grin.

"No." Maya retorted instantly.

"When you do it, it's like spiders poking at you." I informed my sister as I walked past the couch.

"But that's my spider move." Riley said, ticking Maya with her fingers.

"Ew." Maya shuddered, pushing her hands away.

Mom let out a sigh "Girls, could you please help me and Raven bring in the rest of the groceries? Other people had a hard day, too."

"Yes, Farkle, Logan and Lucas had to clean." Riley informed our mother.

"45 minutes." Maya added in disbelief.

"In a row." I chirped as I placed the new milk into the fridge.

"Wow, I had no idea." Mom muttered making her way out door "Poor, poor kids. I'll just go get the rest of the groceries by myself."

"Wow. Raven, Maya, you know that lesson about "The Forgotten" this morning?" Riley questioned suddenly.

"Yeah." I answered, glancing over my shoulder from where I was putting away the yogurts in the fridge while Maya nodded in answer.

"It's us." Riley informed her making me shake my head with a chuckle as my mom sighed in defeat, overhearing as she made her way to the kitchen as well.

Once my mom had set the bags on the table I wrapped my arms around her. "What's this for?" She questioned.

I pulled back slightly to look up at her "I just wanted to say thank you for being such a great mom. I don't know what we would all do without you. I love you mom." I told her with a soft smile.

My mom grinned before placing a kiss on my forehead "I love you too little bird." She murmered.

"All right. The potatoes you prepared yesterday will be served today." Geralyn told the three of as we stood in the kitchen just before lunch.

"When do we get paid?" Maya questioned.

"The grateful looks in everyone's faces will be pay enough for me." Riley informed the woman with a smile.

"You want a pat on the back, you better get a longer arm. This is not the job for 'attaboys' or 'you go girls'." Geralyn retorted.

I pouted "I love a good 'you go girl'" I mumbled sadly as Maya patted my back.

"Yesterday was the hardest I've worked in my life." Riley admitted.

I nodded "Me too."

"I have no doubt of that. Now, for the actual hard part." Geralyn started.

Maya and I shared a look "That's a joke." I stated hopefully.

"You're funny, right?" Maya asked, taking a step forward.

"When that lunch bell rings, brace yourselves, rookies. It's about to get real in here. You're in charge of the potatoes. You scoop them up, you plop them down. Scoop, then plop. Say it." Geralyn ordered.

"Scoop." Riley repeated with a grimace.

"Plop." I added, frowning.

"Say it." Maya finished voice breaking.

"Now, after those plates go out, guess what happens next." Geralyn told us.

"We can go home." Riley said with a smile making Geralyn laugh heartily.

"You can go home... No!" She barked making us jump "Those dishes come back with twice the fury. They come in here. You scrape. You rinse. They go on here, where they go on their little dish journey, where they are reborn as clean dishes for tomorrow. Hallelujah! Say it." Geralyn ordered.

"Hallelujah." Riley and I shouted fearfully.

"Say it." Maya shouted, face contorted into a grimace.

The lunch bell rang "This is it. You ready?" Geralyn questioned.

"How bad can middle school lunch get?" I said, waving the woman off.

"Goodbye, tiny little girls. Let's do this thing." Geralyn said wrapping her arms around us once again.

The sound of the students screaming as the piled in the cafeteria made the three of us scream a loud war cry before getting into position at the counter ready to serve.

"Whoo." Riley exclaimed putting down the ladle as the three us turned away fro the counter.

"They have been served." Maya added happily as we approached the large, metal island.

"By us." I chirped.

"The servers." Maya finished with a smile.

Riley suddenly frowned "Except no one smiled."

I nodded "And nobody said thank you."

"And nobody even knew my name. " Riley realised "I go to school with these people."

"Welcome to my world." Geralyn told us.

"Well, at least the hard part is over." I commented with a shrug.

"No, now comes the actual, actual hard part." Geralyn retorted.

Maya frowned "Why do you keep making that same joke?"

"Look over here. Wait for it." Geralyn said gesturing for us to stand beside her as we watched the conveyer belt start to move "Here it comes. Wait for it."

"What? This is it?" Riley questioned, incredulously as she lifted the one plate that had been returned to be washed. "Oh, I got this. This is nothing. I'll do it all. Scrape." She said scraping the scraps into the bin before heading over to the sink "Rinse." She added, hosing the plate "Hallelujah." She finished seething the plate onto the next converter belt "Rave, Maya, you might as well go home." Riley added confidently.

"How bad do you think this is gonna be?" Maya asked, leaning closer to Geralyn.

"That was the first rain drop." Geralyn retorted.

"Before what?" I muttered with a confused frowned.

"Noah." Geralyn answered ominously.

"Raven! Maya!" Riley screamed, pulling us into a group hug as a mountain of dirty dishes came pouring into the room.

"We did it." I said as Riley rested her head on my shoulder. The three of us were covered in leftovers and our hair was messy beyond control.

"Please tell me there isn't another actual, actual hard part." Maya pleaded as I rested my head on top of her as she leant into my other side.

"No, you're done." Geralyn promised.

"Hallelujah." The three of us chorused exhausted.

"Why don't you three go to the locker room, hit the showers, and freshen up." Geralyn suggested.

"I'm filthy." Riley said as the three of us groggily stood up.

"We don't want anybody to see us like this." Maya said pulling at her foods oversee apron.

"Well, I don't see where you have any other choice." Geralyn retorted.

"Ah ha!" I gasped easing my pointer finger in realisation.

"There is." Riley added mimicking my movement.

"There is another way." Maya realised, holding her own finger up before we turned around and took a spot int he covey eye belt behind us. Maya reached over to hit the bug, red button to turn it on as we sat with our legs crossed ready to go.

"Yeah. As curious as I am, to see what would happen to you, I've grown to like you three. I'm very proud of you. You did me and my kitchen proud today. So... No." Geralyn said, turning off the machine.

The three of us sighed before crawling back to the kitchen "Thank you, Ms. Thompson." I told her as we stood in front of her.

"I think you three can call me Geralyn." She told us. The three of us shared a look before giving her a small, tired smile.

At that moment, Farkle, Lucas and Logan trailed in with Janitor Harley behind them "You guys are a mess." Farkle commented with a chuckle.

"We got the school so clean yesterday. Today was the easiest day ever. And janitor Harley said it was the least pukey day he's ever seen." Lucas gushed, seemingly pleased. I sent him a soft smile and my cheeks heated up as he beamed back.

"Wait a minute, boys." Janitor Harley stated, turning to look around.

"What's the matter?" Logan questioned the man.

"There's a storm a-brewin'." He responded.

"What kind of storm?" Farkle questioned.

I gagged as the sound of vomiting echoed around us "We're too late!" Janitor Harley exclaimed, walking backwards until he stood beside the boys.

"Oh, my. Logan, Farkle, run!" Lucas shouted.

"I am running! I'm just not a good athlete." Farkle shouted in a panic as his legs hadn't moved from his spot.

"Save yourselves. They're all about to blow." Janitor Harley shouted pulling down the shutter, shielding us in the kitchen.

Geralyn took a ladle of the potatoes and took a taste "All you had to do was peel the potatoes and put them in the pot." She said exasperated.

"That's what Raven and I did." Riley retorted, wrapping her lanky arm around my shoulder.

"Peel the potatoes! Put them in the pot." Geralyn whined as the three of us turned to look at Maya.

Maya opened her mouth before closing it nervously "Funny story." She aid with a small laugh, pointing her finger at an angry Geralyn nervously.

Riley, Maya and I had retreated to the bay window. I sat in between my friend and sister as we stared blankly in front of us.

"Whoa." Riley and I breathed.

"Yeah." Maya agreed.

"Geralyn is really good at her job." I added.

"We are not good at Geralyn's job." Maya commented shaking her head.

"Yeah." Riley and I agreed.

"Whoa." Maya breathed.

Riley, Maya and I stood at one end of our dad's desk beside Geralyn while Farkle sat on top of it with Lucas, Logan and Janitor Harley stood at the opposite end as we presented to our history class about our elective experience.

"In 1929, our country fell apart. Not only because the economy suffered, but because we neglected the working class people who served us with pride and dignity." I started.

"And because we never cared enough to get to know them, they were easily taken for granted and became "The Forgotten." Riley finished.

"Can anybody tell us who this is?" Maya questioned, gesturing over to Geralyn.

"The lunchroom lady?" Sarah questioned from her desk.

"I think she has a name." Dad told her.

"I do. Three taco Sara." Geralyn confirmed making Sara smile sheepishly.

"This is Geralyn Thompson. And she knows all of your names. She's worked at this school for 20 years, and I can tell you that her job is not easy." I started.

"Because she has over 1,000 children and when you feed 1,000 children, you have to make sure it's something that everybody can eat." Riley continued.

"And even if she would like to spice things up a bit, she knows not to. Because it's what's right for everyone." Maya added.

"She takes pride in her work, her kitchen, her cooking, and us." I continued.

"And I'm proud that I was able to stand in her shoes for a day. This lady right here does it everyday... For us." Maya added.

"Geralyn. Remember that name." Riley continued.

"Whatever we end up doing in life, we have to do it with the same pride and enthusiasm as her." I finished making dad smile at the three us proudly.

"Boys." Dad instructed with a wave.

"We've seen things." Farkle mumbled as he rocked back and forth on the table, clutching his legs to his chest.

"You don't know, man. You weren't there." Lucas exclaimed, looking stressed.

"You weren't!" Logan shouted, eyes wild as he latched onto his cousins arm.

"They went in as boys, they came out as... I don't know. I don't know what they are now." Janitor Harley admitted.

"We'd be lying to you if we told you janitorial services was our first pick. But I wouldn't have traded this experience for a trip to the moon." Lucas presented.

"That was an elective?" Farkle exclaimed in disbelief, looking up at Lucas. I shook my head fondly at the boy.

"Janitor Harley is a good man. You have no idea what he goes through for you." Logan continued.

"You may not even notice that he's there. But I promise you this, you would notice if he wasn't there." Farkle added, looking around the room at everyone.

"The clean tables, the immaculate classrooms, the shiny floors; they don't magically happen. They take a ninja." Lucas declared as he and Logan clapped Janitor Harley on the back with a smile.

The janitor looked elated "Ninja." He repeated happily, getting into a ninja stance.

"People who go through things for you, people who pour their heart and souls into their jobs because they care should be valued and embraced. You should look them in the eye and say thank you." Dad taught us.

"Thank you." Lucas, Logan and Farkle said turning to Janitor Harley who smiled and wrapped his arms around them.

I smiled at the scene before tuning to face Geralyn along with Riley and Maya "Thank you."

Geralyn scoffed before milking at the three of us "I appreciate that." She said pulling us into a group hug making us giggle.

Riley and I were sitting on the couch with our dad after school. I sent my mom a grin when she walked through the front door while Riley took her bag.

"Thank you." Topanga said surprised at my sisters actions.

"I peeled potatoes for one day and I almost died. I love you." Riley admitted, leading our mother to sit down between us.

"I love you, too. Ooh! Spiders." Mom exclaimed as Riley gave her shoulders a massage "What is this for?"

"I get up in the morning, you're already up. I go to sleep, you're still up. There's food on the table, clean clothes. You take us where we need to go. You have a job and you still make time to take care of me, Raven and Auggie. And I know now, that may not be so easy. So, if I've forgotten to say thank you, I'm saying it now. Thank you." Riley admitted with a loving smile.

"Oh." Mom cooed pulling Riley into a hug.

"Oh, and you too, Dad." Riley added on as an afterthought while she kept her arm wrapped around her mother.

"Oh. Thank you." Dad replied with a sarcastic smile.

I smirked before scouting closer to my dad and wrapping my arms around him. "Thank you for everything you do dad. I know sometimes it seems like we don't appreciate your lessons, but we really do. We wouldn't be who we are today without you." I told him softly, while my head rested on his chest as he hugged me back. I glanced up to see his face as he looked down at me with a soft smile "I love you dad."

Dad leant forward and kissed my forehead "Thank you. I love you too sweetheart."

"Thank you." Riley chirped as Geralyn scooped some potatoes onto her tray.

"How are you today, Geralyn?" I questioned as I got my own scoop.

"I'm fine, Raven. Thanks for asking." Geralyn replied sending me a smile.

Riley, Maya and I shared a look before taking a step back and doing our handshake along with Geralyn "Stop it." We all laughed before taking our trays and sitting down beside Lucas, Logan and Farkle.

"I got this." Janitor Harley said about to pick up the boys' empty trays.

"No." Farkle stopped him.

"We got this." Logan assured before her and Lucas grabbed their plates and put them into the trash can.

"Hey, you missed." Lucas said after we watched a boy throw his banana peel towards the trash.

We all smirked as dad approached us and started for ramble "You know, it's a funny thing about teachers, people don't often realize that without the lesson, without the education, no one would learn anything at all. There would be no growth, no progress. There would be no doctors, or lawyers, or anything at all, really." I signalled for my friends to move and we all silently made our escape. I took the rear with Lucas crawling in front of me "In fact, when you think about it, teachers are the foundation of our whole country... our whole world. Teachers should be appreciated and never forgotten." Dad continued as we reached the door. I squeaked as Lucas suddenly stopped causing my face to hit his butt. Lucas glanced back at me with a grin making my face heat up.

"I appreciate you, baboon. Now, get out of here so I can go home." Janitor Harley told my teacher as he realised everyone had left while Lucas chuckled and crawled through the door.

"Yeah, okay." I heard dad mutter, making me snort as I closed the cafeteria door silently, face still red.