Girl Meets NYU
In middle school Maya never really tried in academics, she thought there was no point to school. Most of the time she just showed up to be with Riley and her friends. The only thing she could really succeed in was her art class. Barely even trying had allowed her to slide through middle school with mostly C's and only a few D's, and Maya was content with that. Though, ever since freshman year, when Maya realized that she had the potential to get A's in all of her classes, she decided to stick to it. She got so excited and happy anytime she saw that her hard work had paid off.
Even though studying wasn't her favorite thing in the world, she made time for it. At times she would mix her favorite thing and least favorite thing together and make study groups with all of her friends. This really helped Maya a lot, especially for the SATs that she had taken her junior year. She managed to pull off a 1480 as well as finishing off with a 3.9 GPA that year. She could practically get into any college she wanted to. The one that stuck with her for a while now was NYU. She would give anything to go there. She applied back in October, but now it was December… Would she ever get her acceptance letter? She was about to graduate with high grades that she worked so hard for, would it be worth it?
Maya got woken up that morning by her mom, Katy. "Hey baby girl, look what I got!"
Maya rolled over trying hard to open her eyes, barely seeing how bright it was already. "What is it?"
"It's a letter from NYU!"
"WHAT?!" Maya jumped out of bed excitedly and grabbed the letter. As she was about to open it, she thought of Riley and Mr. and Mrs. Matthews. They were the ones who supported her the most, Mr. Matthews even helped her apply for the school. "Mom, do you mind if I open this in front of the Matthews. They're the ones who gave me the idea to apply and-"
"Of course, baby girl. I understand where you're coming from. I have to get ready to go to work anyways. Just promise me that you'll come by Topanga's later and tell what power this envelope holds, alright?"
"Of course, mom. Thank you!" Maya was so excited to go over the Matthews' with the envelope, that within three minutes she managed to run to the bathroom to brush her teeth, put on her boots and coat, give her mom a hug, and run out the door without even changing out of her pajamas. She was eager to see what words were printed onto that piece of paper. There was only one word that would determine her future, and that was either Accepted or Denied.
Maya busted into the Matthews' door half scarying everyone around the table to death.
"Maya, what brings you here?" asked Topanga, still trying to settle her nerves.
All Maya did was hold up her envelope.
"Is that from a certain school that you've been waiting forever to hear back from?" Riley asked almost excited as Maya was to find out what was held inside it.
"It is! NYU NYU NYUUUUU!"
"Did I just hear Maya mention the word "NYU" without my name in the same sentence?" Josh had emerged from around the corner. Maya had forgotten the Josh was staying with Riley and her family for a few days over Christmas break. He must have come in last night.
"Yes, Boing, I have the capability to do that, you know."
"So what's going on, then?" Josh was very curious as this point, saying that he had no idea what was happening.
"Well, Josh, this lady right here," Maya said pointing to herself. "Had decided to apply to NYU back in October, and after waiting for what felt like centuries, I now hold an envelope in my hand that has New York University stamped on the left hand corner."
"Well open it!" Josh was very pleased to hear that Maya had decided to apply to NYU. What if she got in? He could be with her more, and do what? Possibly date at college? Be the cutest couple? Josh had high hopes for this.
"Yeah, go on! Open it!" Everyone else cheered.
Maya was very nervous to open it. What if she got rejected? She would have to share the bad news with everyone. Would they be disappointed in her? Would they say that she should've tried harder? Would they shun her for the rest of her life? She knew her thoughts went a little far on that last one. What if she got in? Everyone in the room would be thrilled with the good news. Would the Matthews' treat her like royalty in that moment? What if Josh got excited, too? Could they possibly date then? It was time to open it. She tore the top of it, pulled out the folded piece of paper, and stared at it. She froze, scared of what would come next. You can do this, Maya. This letter only tells you how awesome you are or how big of a failure you are. That's not terrible, right? Quit being a scaredy cat, just do it! She felt everyone starringat her. Now or never. She slowly unfolded the paper with her eyes closed. She opened her and read the words. Dear Ms. Maya Hart, We are happy to inform you- Maya started to grin -that you have been accepted- a tear now rolls down her cheek –into New York University! "I GOT IN! I GOT INTO NYU! NEW YORK UNIVERSTY HERE I COME!"
Everyone joined into one big group hug. Congratulations scattered throughout the room. As all the excitement was going on, Cory picked up her acceptance letter which had fallen on the ground when every started hugging. "Maya," Cory spoke out.
"Yeah, Mr. Matthews?"
"It even says here that you also got a full ride scholarship due to your outstanding academic achievements!"
Maya started jumping around the room screaming and crying with excitement.
"Wow, Maya. Even I couldn't manage to get that. Congratulations!" Josh honestly was so excited for Maya. He couldn't believe that this girl that he liked for years now would be attending the same college as him. He thought that their future was right in front of him now.
"Thank you, Josh," Maya said sincerely as she walked over to Josh to give him a hug.
The next few hours went by at the Matthews. Everyone was talking about how they imagined college would be for Maya. Josh even shared some stories and gave out tips. She was very pleased to know that she would be an art major at her number one school of choice. What she was even more pleased to think about was her and Josh. She knew that there was a possible future for them, but now it seemed more realistic and attainable than ever.
Maya stood up from the couch and looked at everyone surrounding her. "Well I should get going, I have to tell my mom the big news. Thank you guys so much for helping me. Mr. Matthews, thank you for helping me fill out the application and helping me realize that I had potential. Mrs. Matthews thank you for pushing me to do my best, even though I wasn't the easiest person to get moving. And Riles, oh Riley. You're my biggest supporter, I don't think I could make it anywhere without you."
"Thunder"
"Lightening"
Riley now stood up and gave Maya a hug. "Goodbye, Peaches. Call me later when you're free. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, Riles. Bye," Maya now put her boots and coat back on. "Bye everyone. Thanks again so much."
Everyone said goodbye as she walked out the door.
As she pasted her apartment building she was debating on whether or not to change out of her pajamas. After stopping for a moment, she decided against it. She was just wearing sweatpants and a band shirt. That was fine, right?
She was about two blocks away from Topanga's when she turned around to the sound of her name being yelled behind her.
"MAYA!" Josh yelled running towards her waving something in his hand.
As Josh got closer she realized that it was her letter from NYU, she must have forgotten it.
"Here." Josh handed Maya the envelope. "You forgot this."
"Thanks, Boing. It's hard to believe that I would forget something like this."
"You're welcome. Hey, do you mind if I join you?" Josh was hoping she would say yes. He wanted to talk to her alone earlier, but never got the chance.
"Yeah, sure. I'd like that." Both Josh and Maya smiled at each other and then started walking.
After a few minutes of walking in silence, Josh decided to speak at last. "So NYU, huh? I didn't know you were applying."
"Yeah… I didn't want to tell you, because I was scared. Scared that you would think that I was just trying to follow you and also scared that I wouldn't get accepted. I'm actually surprised that that crazy family of yours kept their mouths shut that long"
Josh chuckled. "If you were scared that I would be freaked out by you applying to the same college as me, you were wrong. I was actually hoping that you would consider NYU."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously." Josh smiled looking down into Maya's eyes. "Maybe in the next year while we're both there, perhaps we could finally give this a shot."
"Yeah." Maya looked down biting her lip. "I'd like that."
"Me too," Josh exclaimed. "Maya?"
"Hmm?"
"I like you."
Maya smiled. This was the second time that Josh had said this to her, and she loved hearing it. "I like you, too."
Josh took the envelope and stuck it in his pocket and then grabbed Maya's hands to face her and to stop them from moving ahead.
"What I'm trying to get to is that I've liked you for longer than you think. Ever since you came to NYU the first time and crashed that party, I've come to realize that I actually had feelings for you, well I should say discovered actual feelings. I thought I had feeling for you before then, but I hid them and threw them out the window. All I could say to those thoughts were that you were too young. Now… age is just a number. I want you, Maya. I really do."
Maya was absolutely speechless. She wanted to say something back, but what? She couldn't think of the right words to say. In fact, she couldn't think at all.
"You know Riley wanted to be the one to bring the letter back to you?"
"Really, now?" Maya wondered how Josh won that round. Usually Riley won anytime it came to her best friend.
"Really. I had to fight her off to bring it, though."
No surprise there, Maya thought. "Please tell me how you won."
"Well… we were bickering back and forth until Topanga interrupted and asked why I cared so much about bringing it to you." Josh let go of one of Maya's hands and they began walking again. "I didn't know what to say at first, but then Auggie stepped in. 'Oooooo Uncle Josh has a crush on Maya.' Everyone laughed, taking it as a joke a first, but then stopped when they realized that I hadn't said anything to deny it. They all looked at me. Their expressions could not be read. Were they angry? Surprised? Happy? Confused? I honestly had no idea. That's when Cory stood up with a smile on his face. 'It's about time you let it out.' I was shocked by what he said. I even asked him why he wasn't mad. That's when Topanga took his spot. 'Josh, you were young when Cory and I were together. You grew up with the "Cory and Topanga" idea in your head. You wanted your own Topanga… I think you found your Topanga.' And then came in Riley. 'You should hear the way she talks about you. You should see the way she looks at you.' 'And the way you look at her, little brother. There's only one Cory and Topanga, but there can only be one Josh and Maya. Go get it.' And that's when he grabbed the envelope from Riley and handed it to me."
"They knew?" was all Maya could manage to get out.
"Apparently." Josh stopped the two of them. "Well it looks like we're here."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Well, I'll leave you, so you can be with your mom."
Maya looked down. "Thanks, Josh. For the walk."
He nodded and turned to walk away. As Maya approached the door, she hesitated on something, but then decided to go for it. It was her turn to run for Josh.
"HEY, BOING!"
Josh turned around and met her once again.
"I really want you, too, and nothing but you." She pulled his coat to bring him closer and kissed him. She was nervous to do this, until she felt Josh's lips kiss her back. He lifted his hands up to her cheeks. She felt the sparks fly. She only kissed one boy before, but never was it as magical as this. Both Maya and Josh separated and smiled at each other. "And I forgot this again," Maya said as she grabbed the envelope from Josh's pocket. She kissed him on the cheek and then ran off into Topanga's.
This clip has been my favorite to write so far. I had butterflies in my stomach the whole way through. From her opening the letter, to her walking with Josh, and to her kissing Josh. I actually didn't plan for them to kiss. I hesitated on it just as I was writing that Maya was, too. I hope you guys enjoyed this one, and I hope it makes up for the last one. Thank you to everyone who has read, favorited, followed, and reviewed these clips. I really do appreciate it. As always, please leave a review!
