(Author's Note: Today is this story's birthday! I can't believe that one year ago, today I began publishing it on . I also can't believe that I have reached my word count goal! I started writing this to see if I was capable of writing something equivalent to the length of a young adult fiction novel, which is 50,000 words, and this chapter puts me over that. That means that all of you who have read it all the way through to this chapter have basically read an entire young adult fiction novel about Riley and Maya. Thank you all so much for reading and leaving feedback and helping me grow as a writer. It's been an amazing journey so far. I never thought my words would be read by thousands of people. It means so much to me. Thank you 3 )

Riley's POV

"Belgium 1831," my father began.

"Really?" I asked

"Yeah. Today is the today," he said.

"Wait!" Farkle demanded. He looked at me and then at Maya. "Is anything about to happen to either of you?" He asked skeptically. Maya and I looked at each other and then looked back at Farkle, shaking our heads.

"Farkle-" said my Dad.

"Don't play with my emotions, Hambone!" Farkle exclaimed.

My dad looked offended by the accusation "Me? I would never!" He said.

Farkle took a deep breath. My father continued with his lesson.

Maya's POV

I'm sure this lesson is important, but I couldn't get my mind off of Riley. I know that she cares about how other people think of her. I know the realization that people will think less of our relationship must be hurting her.

"Before 1831, what is now Belgium, used to be the southern provinces of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. The people of those southern provinces launched a revolution and seceded from the kingdom. Belgium declared it's independence."

"Just like we did," Farkle said.

I glanced back at Lucas. He was looking at Riley. He really doesn't respect that Riley isn't his to look at that way anymore. I don't know why I'm surprised. He wasn't the most cooperative when he and I broke up either. Even though I told him we were over, he still tried to kiss me at the talent show. He didn't actually give up until I told him I was a lesbian. But Riley isn't. Her feelings for him were actually real. As real as whatever he feels for her. He's not going to give up on Riley, is he? Even though Haley is totally into him.

"Just like you will," Mr. Matthews replied to Farkle.

I can't help but wonder if Riley is really happy in this relationship, or if she would be happier with Lucas. Honestly, I hate to say it, but what bisexual girl would actually choose a girlfriend if she could be just as happy with a boyfriend? Her life would be so much easier with him.

"Like we will? I was referring to the American Revolution in 1776," Farkle said, confused.

"And I was referring to you leaving this place," Mr. Matthews explained.

"So how does half a kingdom decide to leave? Is it tougher to leave something you love? Or stay when you could be missing an opportunity?" He asked.

Ugh. This lesson. You're killin' me, Matthews.

"Well, that depends," Haley answered.

"On what?" Mr. Matthews followed up.

"You have to weigh your options," Haley said. "See how what you would be leaving behind measures up to what you would be leaving undiscovered."

Ugh. You're killin' me, Haley.

"But how can you determine the weight of something undiscovered? It's just speculation." Farkle reasoned.

"To be fair," Lucas said. "I think it's important to know what's waiting for you." He looked at Riley. "It could be something better."

UGH! You're killin' me Huckleberry!

Riley must have been intrigued by his words. She was looking back at him now.

"It could be something that was meant for you to discover all along," he continued.

Okay. Belgium 1831 is us. I looked past Lucas, at Haley. I watched Haley watching Lucas look at Riley. I then watched Riley looking at Lucas and could see Haley watching me out of the corner of my eye. I suddenly started to feel the United Kingdom of the Netherlands unraveling.

"What happened after Belgium left?" Riley asked.

Belgium must have felt the unraveling too.

I answered her question.

"The United Kingdom of the Netherlands completely fell apart."

Just like I will when she leaves me. It's inevitable isn't it? We're going to meet so many people in our lives. And I have to compete with both boys and girls who will try to steal her heart from me. Am I naive to think this relationship can last when it started so young? I know she believes in it, because she is the product of Cory and Topanga. But is that realistic?

"Maya, you researched something?" Mr. Matthews asked in surprise.

"I didn't need to. I am the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, and I know what will happen to me when my other half breaks free," I said.

Riley looked at me as though I had just said something absurd.

Mr. Matthews said, "King William didn't accept it at first. He tried to get Belgium back, but he failed. It took him 8 years to accept it and recognize Belgium as independent."

I nodded. "Sounds about right." I mumbled to myself. "I'd fight for Belgium too. And I'll probably be in just as much denial when she leaves."

Riley slammed her hand down on her desk and shook her head vehemently.

"Ok, enough! Maya, you're not the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, and I'm not Belgium 1831," she declared.

"Yes, you are." Farkle disagreed with Riley.

"No, I'm not." Riley reaffirmed.

"Sure you are, we all are." Farkle stated, confidently.

"You are all Belgium 1831. You're all graduating. This is the last day of classes. This is the last lesson for a reason," Mr. Matthews said.

"What if we're not ready for this?" Riley asked with a worried expression on her face.

"You are," her father assured her. "Each one of you is now a free sovereign nation, ready to meet the world on your own terms. It's time for you to meet the world outside the walls of John Quincy Adams. So, go and meet the world, Belgium."

Okay. We need to talk.

"Bay window?" I asked Riley.

She nodded.

"Bay window, after school," she agreed.