Because it's You
Season Three, after "What I Mean to Say" but before "The Grass is Always Greener."
The final bell rang, and Shawn almost ran out of math class. Cory headed for his locker at a slower pace, knowing he would unfortunately be saying after school today.
"Wanna go to the arcade after school today?" Shawn said as he slammed his locker shut. "I don't have detention today!"
Cory sighed as he placed his math book in his locker. He wished he could say "yes." Playing pinball with Shawn sounded a lot more fun than Topanga's science fair. He pictured himself watching that little ball roll around and couldn't help grinning. Even if Cory had never won a game of pinball in his life, watching Shawn succeed would be enjoyable.
Why did Topanga's science fair have to be on a day when neither Cory nor Shawn had detention? "I can't," he said, not even looking at his best friend's face. "Topanga's got this science fair thing after school. For some reason, she stays after school even though she doesn't have to and does extra credit stuff even though she makes all A's."
Cory shook his head. There were a lot of things he still didn't understand about his girlfriend, but her obsession with school was at the top of the list right now.
"Man, you can't let Topanga do this to you!" Shawn said in a loud voice. "It's just like I told you before. Topanga's got all the power in your relationship now. She's even making you stay after school when you don't have to. Come with me, Cory, and prove to her that she doesn't own you."
For a second, Cory wondered if Shawn might be right, but then he remembered they were speaking about Topanga.
He whirled at Shawn. No one said anything bad about Topanga around him, as his desire to protect her was too strong. Not even his best friend. "She isn't 'making me do anything.' Topanga would never do that, and you know that." He grabbed Shwan's leather jacket for emphasis. "I don't even think she knows I'm coming today. All she told me was that she had the science fair after school."
"Okay, Cory," Shawn said putting his hands up in the air. "Whatever you say."
OOOOOOOOO
Entering the science lab, Cory had second thoughts as the room was full of chemicals, nerds, and cardboard cut-outs that made no sense. It was official. Staying in school when one didn't have to was pointless.
But none of that mattered when he saw his Topanga. She wore a lab coat, just like the other contestants, and her long hair was pulled back, but she was still the girl he loved. "Cory why are you here?" she said. "You don't like science. I thought you'd be doing something with Shawn this afternoon."
Cory grinned, feeling all warm inside. He was so glad he hadn't given into temptation to play pinball with Shawn. "I don't," he told her softly, taking her hand. "But I came because it's you. I'd like to see you win this thing."
The look she gave him in return made his decision more than worth it. Her eyes appeared to glow from within, and the smile she gave him was one she reserved only for him. "Oh, Cory," she said tenderly. The other science fair contestants, along with their projects, seemed to disappear.
"My project is about alternative to fossil fuels," she said pointing to different diagrams on her cardboard cut-out. He didn't have any idea what she was talking about, but that never mattered to Cory around Topanga. Because it was her.