𝑬𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑴í𝒂 | ᴮᵒʸ ᴹᵉᵉᵗˢ ᵂᵒʳˡᵈ

55: New Year, New Us

"Cory, Cory, guess what!" I exclaimed as Shawn and I ran through the back door and into his kitchen.

"For New Year's Eve, I got us a limousine." Shawn told him.

"A limousine?" Cory asked. "Yeah, yeah. That's short for limo. My uncle Laslo's stretch limo. He's not busy that night, so he's gonna be our chauffeur." "Whoa, that's great. You know, Topanga is gonna love this. I mean, we can go to any party, any time."

"Boys, Miss Flores," Mr. Feeny said as he came through the back door. "Quick, where are your parents?" He pointed to Cory. "Oh, they're out, Mr. Feeny. Why?" "My cab to the airport is waiting, and all I have is traveler's checks." "You're asking us for money, aren't you?" Shawn questioned. "Yes, I've hit bottom." "Welcome."

The cab driver honked his horn. "Please, if I miss this flight, I kiss my week in the Bahamas goodbye." "Mr. Feeny, my man. You're in luck. I just happen to have some of my–" Shawn cut off Cory. "No, no. Cor, please, allow me." He stepped forward. "Would, uh, twenty bucks get you to the airport?" "I suppose." "Cory, lend me twenty bucks." He extended his hand to him.

He handed over the money, and Shawn went to pass it to Mr. Feeny, but stopped. "You know, if you would have thought about this ahead of time, you wouldn't be in this situation." "Yes, yes, yes." Mr. Feeny murmured. Shawn smelled the money before Mr. Feeny snatched it, and the driver honked again. "Thank you." He said. "Huh? Excuse me?" "Thank you!" He exclaimed. "Hey, hey, you don't have to shout."

Mr. Feeny left and went to the cab. "Penne arabiata!" Shawn exclaimed out the door. "Shawn, you just wished him a spicy pasta." I told him when he stepped back inside. "I know." He replied, sheepishly.

"Oh, my God!" Eric exclaimed from the living room. We ran in to find him on the phone. "No! No way!" "Eric, what's the matter?" Cory asked as Eric hung up the phone. "Ha-cha-cha!" He tossed the phone to him.

"I heard screaming. Is something wrong?" Mr. Matthews asked as he and Mrs. Matthews came inside holding groceries. "Oh, Dad, thanks for giving birth to me." Eric said.

"Um, I was there too." Mrs. Matthews said. "Oh, right. Kudos, mom. Get this– your firstborn, the fruit of your loom, has a dream date this New Year's Eve with supermodel Rebecca-Alexa." Eric told them.

"Rebecca-Alexa, the jeans girl?" Shawn asked. "Yes!" Eric exclaimed. "The one with the–" I punched his arm. "Ow! I mean, pfft, who is that? Rebecca-Alexa? What kind of name is that?" He said, letting out a nervous laugh.

"Eric, how did you scam this?" Cory asked. "Oh, she's Jason's second cousin. She's here from out of town and she needs a date, so she's going out with me." He answered. "I– I am just so happy!"

"All those long, hard years of dating finally paid off, huh?" Mr. Matthews said to Eric. "Well, not for her, but..." Cory responded, placing a hand on Eric's shoulder. Mr and Mrs. Matthews began to walk away.

"Oh, no, no, just think, I mean," Eric said, going after them. "When that clock strikes twelve, I'll be kissing the famous blonde lips of supermodel Rebecca-Alexa in front of all of Philly. Oh, mommy, daddy, catch me." Eric fell forward and landed on the ground.

♥

Shawn burst through the front door of the Matthews as I trailed behind. "Come on, everybody! Let's get crazy!" He exclaimed. "He's on my side." Cory said to his parents.

"Cory, Uncle Laslo and our limo await." He gestured out the door. "Why does that limo look so strange?" Mrs. Matthews questioned. "Maybe because it's a hearse." Mr. Matthews responded. "It's not about the ride, Mr. Matthews. It's about the destination." I told him.