Chapter Four: Girl Meets Father
My alarm was the first thing I heard this morning, but instead of groaning I was happy. I don't really know why I was so happy all of a sudden. Maybe because I saw Chase yesterday it brightened my mood. Also it could be that won't be the last time I see him. I got out of my bed and went in my closet so I could get dressed. After I put my hat on my head I grabbed my bag and walked out of my room. I skipped into the kitchen while humming. Everyone was in the kitchen including Maya and I could feel them all staring at me.
"Is there a problem?" I asked. "No." they answered. "So why is everyone staring at me?" I asked. "Well I would like to know why you came home so late last night." Topanga told me. "And I want to know about the jacket that you were wearing when you got home." Riley added. "What's so special about the jacket?" Maya asked. "It wasn't her jacket and it looked like a guy's jacket." Riley explained. "So what happened last night?" Cory asked.
"I saw someone I haven't seen in a long time when I went to do something that I had to do." I told them. I got up and grabbed an apple before grabbing my bag and walking towards the door. I turned around to look at Maya and Riley. "Are you guys coming?" I asked. They got up and grabbed their stuff before walking out with me. I don't think any of them need to know about Chase yet.
"Look at that ninth grade girl." Riley said. I turned around from my locker to see a girl applying lip gloss to her lips. "We're going to be ninth grade women someday." I saw Maya's eyes widened. "This things goes to ninth grade?" Maya asked. Riley and I nodded. "Why that?" Riley asked as she pointed to the girl putting on mascara. "Brings out your eyes." Maya told her. "Why would I want to take out my eyes?" Riley asked. "She's not taking out her eyes because if she was then I wouldn't have eyes because I use mascara." I told her. "And I think she is." Riley said. I looked to see the girl using an eyelash curler.
"It's an eyelash curler. It doesn't even hurt." The girl said holding up the eyelash curler for Riley to take. Riley laughed and took it. "I have eyelashes." Riley said taking the curler from her. "Watch this." Maya said to the girl as we walked towards her. "Ahh!" Riley screamed as the curler made contact with her eyelashes. "A normal person would have stopped by now." I commented. "Anybody else would stop." Maya told her. "Ahh!" Riley screamed again as her dad walked by. "Open it." He told her. Riley opened it and stood up straight. "Thanks daddy." Riley said. "Yeah okay." Cory said walking away.
"Ladies." Farkle greeted walking up to us. "Farkle." We greeted back. "School dance. I'm gonna put you three down for dance numbers one through all of them. We will alternate, you and me, me and you, you and me. When you are not dancing with me you may not dance with anyone else. You may sit and wait until you dance with me again." Farkle told us. I shook my head at Farkle's crazy idea. "Yeah no of this is happening." Maya said. "Never in a million years." I added. "Oh." Farkle said disappointed, "Well then may I have one dance with each of you?" "Sure." Riley answered. "Ha! That's all I wanted. You just got played by Farkle." Farkle said walking away. Did that really just happen?
"Hey guys." Lucas greeted as he walked by us. "Lucas!" Riley shouted raising her hand. "Hand." Maya said. "Lucas!" Riley shouted this time without raising her hand. "Grown up voice." I reminded her. "Lucas, hello." Riley said walking up to him. "Hey." Lucas greeted. "Hey, hee haw." Maya greeted. "You going to tick tock shake your body time?" she asked. "Cause, you know it's not a square dance, so not gonna be a whole lot of do-si-do." Maya finished. "Well then I'm sure I'll have no idea what to do and you can make fun of me." Lucas said. A smirk found its way to my face because I know that Lucas acting like this is going to bother her. "You're not playing this right!" Maya shouted pointing at him. "Well, that's certainly not my intention. I'll try harder next time." Lucas said. "I will break you!" Maya shouted. "Well, if that's what makes you happy then I certainly can't wait for it mam'." Lucas said tipping an invisible hat at Maya. Maya shuddered. "Ohhh!" She shouted and then turned around.
"You going to the school dance, Lucas?" Riley asked. "Thought I would, you?" Lucas asked. Maya mimicked a gagging sound. "You hear me?" Maya asked. She did the gagging sound once again. "You'll both be there. He'll be the one in the cowboy hat going like this." Maya said. She then started to do some sort of cowboy dance. I turned to look at Lucas, "Do not forget your hat." I told him and he nodded his head. The bell rang and Lucas looked at us. "You two going to class?" he asked. "Thought I would." Riley answered. "I have nothing better to do." I told him. "You?" Riley and I said to him. We turned and walked away from Maya.
We were back at the apartment and Riley asked me to come with her while she asked her mom something. "Mom can I ask you a question?" Riley asked as we walked towards the couch. Instead of Topanga answering Auggie did. "You can ask me a question." He said. I looked at him and smiled. "It's a girl thing Auggie." I told him. "You think I don't know about girls?" he asked. Riley looked at him before speaking, "Okay I'm at a certain age-. " Auggie cut her off by saying, "I don't care." He got up off the couch and walked away.
Riley and I sat on the couch and looked at Topanga. "You're at a certain age?" Topanga questioned. "You had to know this was going to happen." Riley told her. "I know a lot of things are going to happen." Topanga said. She gave Riley a look. "Which one is this?" she asked. "Makeup." Riley answered. "Oh good." Topanga smiled. "I can have some?" Riley asked. "No." Topanga answered. "Why not?" Riley asked. "Caroline wears make up." I glared at Riley because I saw Topanga throw me a look. "We'll talk about that later." she told me. "And well make up leads to other things that I-." Riley cut her off. "We have our first school dance on Friday night." Riley told her.
"And we're there." Topanga stated. "What's the difference between day time make up and night time make up?" Riley asked. "No difference because you're not wearing any." Topanga told her. "But what about when I do?" Riley questioned. "When we decided that you're at the right age to start wearing makeup-" Once again Riley cut her off by saying, "Friday." Topanga replied by saying, "No."
"You might find that you prefer a more natural look during the day. Some women prefer to go a bit bolder at night." Topanga explained. "You are not allowed to hand out with those women." She looked at me. "Neither are you." I nodded in understanding. "I want to paint my face." Riley happily exclaimed and I shook my head.
Topanga smiled at Riley before realization washed over her face. "Wait the dance is Friday?" she asked. "You're doing that thing with your voice." Riley told her. "But Friday is the last night for the Coney Island Cyclone." Topanga pointed out. "But it's our first dance." Riley explained. "And dad takes me to ride the roller coaster a bunch of time, right?" Topanga shrugged her shoulders. "Your father thinks of it as a tradition." Topanga told her. "How bad is this?" Riley asked. "It's not going to end well for you." I told Riley. "Your father thinks of it as the reason he wakes up in the morning." Topanga said. "Yep this is going to end bad for you." I informed her.
"Maybe he won't remember it this year." Riley said. The door opened and Cory came in. "Three days till Cyclone day." Cory cheered. He walked in and closed the door behind him. "When's my birthday?" Topanga asked. "148 days from Cyclone day." Cory said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Topanga turned to look and Riley and smiled. "Good luck dear." She said. "Daddy." Auggie cheered as he ran into the room. "Auggie." Cory replied. Cory ran towards Auggie and picked him putting him on the bench. "Tell me stuff." Cory demanded with a smile. "Riley wants to wear makeup and Caroline wears make up." Auggie told him. "Hey little spy." Riley and I said in unison. Cory looked at me and Riley." Don't call him a spy." Cory said putting his hand on Auggie's shoulder. "He is not a spy."
"I am a spy you made me a card." Auggie said pulling out a card that said 'Auggie Matthews. Spy'. Cory turned to look at us and we all shot him a smile. "Alright he is a spy and guess what he's working for me and he just got promoted." Cory informed us. He reached into his pocket and pulled out another card before handing it to Auggie. Auggie looked at the card. "Super spy." He cheered. We smiled at Auggie.
"Dad." Riley said while getting up, Cory turned to look at Riley. "Yeah?" Cory asked. "Dad." Riley got up and gave him a hug. Cory turned to look at Auggie. "Hey super spy tell me stuff." He said to Auggie while pointing at Riley. "Riley wants to go to the school dance on, dun dun, Cyclone day." Auggie told him. "Oh wow." Cory said looking at Riley who nodded at him. "It's the same night?" Riley nodded her head. "I understand." Cory said walking past Riley. "I understand completely." He turned to look at Riley. "I'm sorry you're going to have to miss the dance."
"Try again." Topanga spoke up. I got up and stood next to Riley. Cory looked at Topanga before clearing his throat and turning to look at Riley. "I'm sorry you'll have to miss the dance." Cory said to her. "Nope same thing." Cory said looking at Topanga. He sat down and Riley moved to sit next to him. "But it's my first dance dad." Riley told him. Cory put his hand over his heart and grunted. "Oh boy." Topanga said. "No, no I'm down with this." Cory said. Cory leaned over to Topanga and said, "Yeah I said that."
"Dad when it comes to this stuff I don't think there's anything you can teach me." Riley told him honestly. "Oh boy." Topanga said again. Cory grunted and clutched his other hand on his chest. "I'm growing up dad." Riley told him. "Oh boy." Topanga said. "By-bye." Cory said leaning back into the couch. "You're breaking him." Auggie exclaimed. "You were a great father to me when I was a kid." Riley started. Cory sat up and looked at her. "Don't take this the wrong way dad, but there's just somethings that mom can naturally teach me. Like what do you know about make up?" Riley finished. "I know that's what you're going to have to do with me." Cory said sadly. He got up and walked away. Riley scooted closer to her mom. "That went better than I thought." Topanga told Riley and I just shook my head.
"Friar." Cory greeted us as we walked into class the next day. "Farkle. Hart. Howard. You." The last one he said was to Riley. "Dad I didn't-" Riley began when I took my seat. "Ferp!" Cory exclaimed cutting her off. "Okay." Riley said sadly. She walked to her seat next to me and sat down. "Well guys, I've got your test results on Darwin to give back to you. And uh, I'm pleased to see some of you have evolved since the last quiz." Cory said. He looked at us like he was expecting us to laugh or something. "Ha!" Farkle shouted. "Thanks Farkle." Cory thanked. "Well you were drowning, sir." Farkle said.
"Ms. Hart." Cory said as he began to hand out our tests. "Mr. Friar, nice work." "Thank you sir." Lucas said take his test. "Mr. Farkle." Cory said handing the test to Farkle. "'A' number seven hundred. Huzzah!" Farkle shouted and blew into a noisemaker. "You." Cory said handing Riley her test. "Ms. Howard." He gave me my test before going to hand out the other tests. I looked down at my test and saw that I got an 'A'.I was so happy that I was able to keep up my straight 'A' average even after moving from Britain.
I looked up to see Maya just staring at her test, like it put her in a trance. "You okay?" Riley asked, finally noticing Maya's behavior. "He gave me an 'F'." she told us still looking at her test. "That's nuts." Riley mumbled, but Maya and I were able to hear her. "Yeah you're a solid 'D' student." I added.
"Mr. Friar, I took particular note of your position that evolution does not preclude the existence of, how did you put it" Cory asked Lucas once he handed out all of the test. "A guiding hand that has your best interest at heart." Lucas read. "Ms. Howard I also noticed how you answered the question. Please read?" Cory asked. I complied by finding the question he was talking about. Once I found the question I read my answer out loud. "A choice that is made by God that will help us, even if we don't know it." I read, Cory nodded.
Maya raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Hart?" Cory asked. "You failed me." Maya stated. "Why don't we talk about this after class?" Cory suggested. "What's there to talk about? You failed me," Maya said standing up. "You think I'm a failure. There's nothing more for you to teach me." She handed him her test. "Oh come on! Both of you gotta say that? What? You mean I lost both of you? I lost two out of three of ya?" Cory asked. Maya looked at Riley and me before she began to walk out of the door.
"Maya!" Cory shouted at her. Maya stopped and turned around. "You do not walk out of her!" he shouted. Maya looked towards us and I shook my head at her. She looked at me and Riley once more before she walked out. Riley and I raised our hands. "Go." He told us. Riley and I ran out of the door and to Maya's locker. We found her there emptying her locker.
"Redecorating your locker?" Riley asked. "Nope cleaning it out." Maya told us holding up a creepy doll with no head. "You want one? Cause it's the last one you're going to get." Maya said, holding up two cotton candy sticks. Riley and I nodded and Maya stuck the two sticks in her locker while circus music began to play. It stopped and Maya handed us the cotton candy.
"Maya, it's just one 'F'." Riley said. "Yeah it's no big deal." I agreed. "It's not about the paper Riley, Caroline. Riley your dad failed me." Maya said. "Yeah I know. And I'm not going on the Cyclone, I failed him" Riley told her. "Riley." I told her. "Right, can't we just call it even?" "No. We can call it I'm leaving." Maya said walking towards the stairs. Riley and I turned around and faced her. "Maya I know you. You'll make a big deal about this, pretend to leave school forever, and you'll be back by gym class." Riley told her. "No this time I mean it." Maya said.
"Alright Maya, we'll see you tomorrow." Riley said. "No you won't." Maya told her. "You'll pick me and Caroline up at 7:00." Riley said. "I won't be there." Maya said and with that she walked up the stairs. Once she was up the stairs I couldn't see her.
"Riley I think she's serious this time."
"You made your point okay." I said to Maya. I was sitting on Riley's bench in her bedroom by her windows with her and Maya. "You didn't come to school today and your teacher is really upset with you." Riley continued. "He's not my teacher anymore." Maya told us and I rolled my eyes at her. "I now attend a prestigious online academy." Maya told us.
"Welcome to the Frank Mantucci on da computer school, where youse get out what you put into it. And what you need to put into it is 400 dollars, gimme." A guy on the computer said in a Brooklyn accent. "You paid that?" Riley asked. "It's a free trial. I took the test to see if I qualify for the free trial." Maya replied. "Maya it's a scam." I told her. "They take anybody." "Congratulations!" the computer guys shouted. "I got in!" Maya said with enthusiasm. "You are the first person to ever fail the Frank Mantucci on da computer school. How'd ya do dat?" the computer finished. Riley and I gave each other a knowing look. "How'd ya do dat?" we asked in unison mimicking the guy on the computer.
"We asked: "Name?" You didn't put nuttin'." The dude said. "Well at least you were smart enough not to give them your name." Riley pointed out and I agreed with her. "It's not that I'm smart enough." Maya told us. "Then what is it?" I asked. "Maybe sometimes I'm not so proud of who I am." Maya replied. Riley's door opened revealing Topanga. "How's it going in here?" she asked. "Mom tell Maya to come back to school, regular school." Riley ordered and I nodded. "Hmm, so you two don't like this, huh?" Topanga asked. "Of course not!" Riley and I shouted in unison.
"Maya always comes to school with us." I stated. "She always picks us up at-" Riley started. "Like a tradition?" Topanga asked cutting her off. I saw where this was going. "Yeah!" Riley shouted. After a moment realization struck Riley. "Oh." Riley muttered. "You know even though you're a mother that was creepy good." I told Topanga. "So Maya doesn't show up like she's supposed to and how does that make you feel?" Topanga asked. "Oh." Riley said. "Honey you have to go to him. He feels bad, you have to go to your father." Topanga told her daughter. "I feel bad. Will he come to me?" Maya asked. "No, he's your teacher." I pointed out. "He doesn't have to." Riley continued. "But he will." Topanga finished.
"What?" Maya asked in disbelief. "He doesn't have to, but he will." Topanga answered. "Why?" Riley asked. "Because he's always there." Topanga replied. The door opened again this time revealing Cory. "Always." He said. He grabbed Maya by the hand and led her out of the room.
"Read it." Cory told Maya. Riley and I were standing in the doorway which lead in the hallway. Maya had her test in her hands. "I don't want to do this, Mr. Matthews." Maya said trying to stand up. "Sit down." I ordered. "You can't tell me-" Maya began. "I just did." I said cutting her off. "Thanks." Riley said as we sat down on both sides of Maya. "Go ahead." I said.
"Darwin animal studies were thought to be when the travels he took on the boat with the Beatles." Maya read from her test. "Are you kidding me?" Riley and I asked. "Do they have to be here?" Maya asked. "What were you trying to do?" Cory asked her. "I tried to write like I was smart. Like Caroline." Maya said. I looked at her in shock and disbelief. "You are smart Maya." I told her.
"What did you mean to say?" Cory asked. "Darwin studied animals." Maya replied. "What kind?" Cory asked again. "I don't know." Maya admitted. "She does know." Riley said. "I don't know. You think I don't know what I don't know?" Maya asked. "I think you know more than you don't know, but you don't know that." Riley replied. "You know what?" Maya asked. "What did Darwin study?" Cory asked. "Birds." Maya answered. "There you go." Cory said. "Really? I got that one wrong." Riley admitted. "You want to be smart Maya? Say what you mean. I understood that perfectly and you're correct." Cory told her. "That's all I had to say?" Maya asked.
"What was the name of his boat?" Cory asked. "The Beatles." Maya replied. I shook my head. "The Beatles are a band." I said. "The Beagle. It's a tiny difference, but an important one." Cory said ignoring what I had said. "Because if you now it, Maya you won't fail." "I want to not fail." Maya told us. "What kind of birds did he study?" Cory asked. "I don't know." Maya said shrugging. "You do." I told her. "Finches." Maya answered. "And what else?" I asked. "Finches and mockingbirds" Maya replied. "Yes." I told her. "How did you two know she knew?" Cory asked. "We know she listens to you." Riley answered. "I listen to you." Maya said. "Then you won't fail and neither will I." Cory said.
Topanga walked in. "How about some turkey sandwiches?" Topanga asked. "Darwin didn't study turkeys. He studied finches and mockingbirds. His boat was the Beagle." Maya said. "And for extra credit?" Cory asked. "Galapagos. The islands he studies were the Galapagos." Maya answered. "Because she listens to me." Cory told Topanga.
"Hey Maya watch this." Cory said. He took a red pen and changed Maya's F into an A. "You're giving me an 'A'?" Maya asked in disbelief "No, I'm giving you a 'C+', but I want you to see how easily an 'F' can become and 'A'." Cory told her "Nothing to be ashamed of anymore Maya." Riley told her and I smiled. "My dad doesn't live with-" Maya started. I squeezed her hand and gave her a small smile. "It's okay." I told her. "He's got this new family." Maya said. "Maya you don't have to-" Topanga started. "I do have to. I have to be able to talk to you." Maya said cutting her off. "If you give me an 'F'. If you decided I'm not worth working on-" "Maya look around you." I told her cutting her off. "We're all here for you. Does this look like we think you're not worth working on?" Cory asked.
"I just don't want to fail, Mr. Matthews. Thank you." Maya said. "I don't want to go to the dance! The dance doesn't matter to me at all! I want to go on the Cyclone with you more than anything in the world!" Riley shouted. "You're going to the dance." Cory told her. "Hooray!" Riley cheered dreamily. "I'm going to chaperone." Cory said. "What's that mean?" Riley asked raising her hand. "Hand." Maya told her. "What's that mean?" Riley asked lowering her hand. "Grown up voice." I told her. "Luca, hello." Riley said. "What's that mean?" Cory asked and I giggled.
I was seated at a table watching Lucas and Riley dance. It was a slow dance, but they were dancing very weirdly. I looked closer at Lucas and realized he was wearing the cowboy hat I gave him when I went to Texas. I took out my sketch book and worked on one my designs. I don't know how long I was sketching, but I heard the music stop playing so I put away my sketch book.
"Well guys, it looks like the night is winding down. We hope you all enjoyed the dance. But before we go I notice some fathers have arrived to pick up their daughters. I wonder if we might have one last dance." Cory suggested. Everyone in the room cheered at his suggestion. "A father daughter dance." Cory said. I looked down at my boots because my father wasn't here. He was somewhere else with one of my brothers. As music started to play I looked up to see a sight that brought a smile to my face, Cory dancing with Maya. Cory looked over at me and offered me his other hand. I stood up and took it with a smile. Riley also joined us and we spent the rest of the dance dancing, before we had to go home.
The front door to the apartment and Maya appeared. "Sup goofballs?" She greeted. "Hey Riley, Caroline 7:00." Maya told us. Riley and I grabbed our bags and walked out of the door with Maya following us.