Finding Yourself

|seven|

Work began the next day.

Maya chose to invite Lucas to the park and I would get Farkle. Both would be told they were going on a blind date, but not with whom, therefore the date was blind.

As soon we arrived at school, Maya dashed off somewhere and I made a beeline to Farkle, who was already at his desk.

I put both hands on his desk and leaned towards him. "Farkle, I got you a date."

"Who?" He asked, perking up.

"It's a blind date. The park. 6:30. Be there." I replied simply.

"I see." Farkle clasped his hands together in that way that always made me nervous. "Tell me a bit about the lady I'm going to be seeing."

I hesitated, not sure how to respond, then simply answered, "It's not."

I left a curious Farkle behind and skipped to my desk, hoping he would show later.

~ ~ ~

Meanwhile, Maya was working on Lucas.

"Ranger Rick." She said coolly, leaning against the locker next to his.

"Hey, Maya." He looked at her cautiously. "What are you planning this time?"

"Blind date at the park. 6:30 tonight." Maya replied, inspecting her nails.

"With who?" Lucas inquired, closing his locker and turning to face Maya, who still didn't look up.

"It's a blind date, idiot. You're not allowed to know." She snorted, smirking.

"Fine. I'll be there." He nodded.

The deal was sealed.

~ ~ ~

Maya ran into the classroom and plopped down next to me. She glanced at me, an excited and wild look in her eyes. "It's set." She said simply.

"Same!" I squeaked out, grinning.

We both turned to the board, still grinning, as Dad walked in.

"Today," he began, "we will be talking about matchmaking and it's history." He proceeded to wink at Maya and I. "Matchmaking is the act of matching up two people you believe to be perfect for each other. It can cause alliances, it can cause wars. Above all, it is a skill to be used correctly. Does anyone know how to tell if two people could be a good couple?"

My hand shot up before I knew what was happening. Dad nodded encouragingly at me. I cleared my throat and glanced at Maya, who smiled at me. "Well." I began. "There are many factors to a good couple. You have to have disagreements sometimes. No relationship can be perfect and work well. Those two things never coexist. You need to fill in the gaps. For instance, what one partner may lack in math skills, the other has. And, well...true love. And true love...is hard to explain. True love is loving someone for their character, not for their beauty, their popularity, their skin color, even their gender. Those things are just bonuses. Real true love comes from the love of character. And the love of the bad things as well. If, say, your partner struggled with depression, you love that about them. I'm not saying depression isn't bad, but think of it as just another way for you to show them you'll always be there. Always. True love is loving someone for who they are inside and accepting the bad parts along with the good. If you can see that between two people...then, well, that's how matchmaking works." I folded my hands in my lap. The class was silent.

"Well said, Riley." My dad grinned. "True love is loving someone for who they are. Remember that, everyone. Don't love someone just for their beauty. Don't love a girl just because you're a boy, or vice versa. Don't love someone just because they're popular. Love them for being them. Thank you, Riley."

Everyone was looking nervously at each other. My dad finally spoke up again.

"Maya, Riley, is there something you'd like to...tell the class?" He winked, and my face turned bright red.

"No, why?" I asked, glaring at him. Maya glared as well.

"No reason." He shrugged and turned back to the class. "I'd like to remind you all that love has no limits. It can be between any two people, and I mean any two people, as long as it's really true love. It could be between a brother and sister for all I care, as long as it's true love. Remember that now."

I glanced at Maya and mouthed, "Is it true love? Us?"

She grinned and mouthed back, "If you love me for who I am, yes."

I smiled and mouthed back to her, "Oh Maya, I do."

~
Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been busy.
Almost 500 reads! Already? This fic must be good.
I changed my username as you may have noticed. I'll be writing stories for other shows. I'm starting a new one soon for Gravity Falls because that show is just the best.
Peace!