𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 | Joshua Matthews

9| First Dates

  𝑱𝑶𝑼𝑹𝑵𝑬𝒀'𝑺 𝑺𝑴𝑰𝑳𝑬 widened as soon as she stepped into the Matthews' home. "Hello, second family," she greeted warmly, though her tone carried a playful lilt.

  Her entrance barely disrupted the heated conversation in progress between Maya and Lucas, but Topanga quickly broke away to greet her.

  "Hi, JoJo! It's always nice to see you," Topanga said, walking over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

  "Love the hospitality," Journey quipped, her calm energy balancing the room. She reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a thick book. "Also, I come bearing gifts."

  Topanga's eyes lit up as she took the book and began skimming its pages. A smile crept across her face as she landed on a picture. "Cory, look at this!" she said, holding the book up to show him a photo of Riley and Maya that Journey had taken on Christmas Eve.

  Cory's face twisted into dramatic concern. "See this? Stay like this forever, Riley!" he exclaimed, jabbing a finger at the picture.

  Journey raised a curious eyebrow at Topanga. "What exactly is prompting that reaction?"

  "Lucas asked Riley on a date," Topanga replied with a knowing smile.

  Journey tilted her head, amused. "Well, that explains the tension."

  "JoJo, tell Riley she's too young to date! You're the babysitter—help me out here!" Cory pleaded, his voice rising with urgency.

  Journey crossed her arms and squinted at him. "I'm Auggie's babysitter, not Riley's," she said, her tone dripping with mock seriousness.

  "Just do it!" Cory groaned, throwing his hands up.

  Sighing, Journey walked over to Riley and rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Riley, just be safe and make sure you trust the person you're going on a date with," she said, her calm demeanor grounding the conversation.

  Riley nodded, grateful.

  Journey turned to Lucas, her sharp gaze softening just slightly. "And you," she said, pointing at him, "you better keep her safe."