Maya finally got back to NYC, just in time for Riley, Lucas and Farkle's Gr. 8 graduation. She didn't talk to any of them on her journey back to New York, so they didn't know she was back yet. And they wouldn't know until graduation, which was in 3 days. She had her dress and heels picked out, but she didn't know what she would do for three days.
Later that evening, after going to Central Park and just barely avoiding Lucas and Farkle there, Maya decided to FaceTime Kenzie. She answered after a minute, and was overjoyed to see one of her best friends, home safe.
"Hey Maya!" Kenzie said, as she shooed her younger sister out of her room.
"Hey!" Maya said back, hoping to not be too loud.
"So, how is being back in New York so far?" She said, smiling from ear to ear.
"Pretty good so far, I just barely avoided Farkle and Lucas today at Central Park today." Maya said, giggling.
She laughed as well. Suddenly all you heard was the slamming of a door, and someone running upstairs, on Kenzie's end of the line.
Maya tensed up. 'Was there a threat in the house? Could I have left at worse time?' She thought, and heard a door open, and Kenz take a deep breath.
"Is everything okay?" Maya yelled, concerned for one of her best friends.
"MAYA!" Is all she heard from the other end of the line. For a second there, it sounded like Kenzie screaming for help, but then she realized...
"Liv!" Maya said, as Olivia came onto the screen.
"Hey!!" She said, waving, with a huge smile.
"How's a goin down there?" Maya said, as Olivia pushed Obi, Kenzie's dog, off of her.
"Good, summer for us just started. We're having our start of summer sleepover today. Caitlyn should be here soon. It's become tradition for us to host one, to celebrate our 10 months of hard work. This year it's extra special. It marks 100 months of hard work in school, and now we're heading into high school. It's really scary if you think about it." Kenzie explained, as they headed downstairs to set up the couch to hopefully survive 3 teenaged girls.
"We wish you were here Maya!" Olivia exclaimed, as Caitlyn's voice was heard in the distance.
"Caity!" Olivia screamed as she ran off camera. Soon enough, Caitlyn was downstairs as well.
"Hey Caitlyn!" Maya said as she settled into a little bay window in her new apartment.
"Oh hey Maya!" Caitlyn said, waving and smiling.
The 4 girls sat and talked till it was 11:30, and Kenzie's mom forced them to turn it off. They said their goodbyes, and Maya promised that the next time she called them, Farkle, Riley and Lucas would be by her side.
Three Days Later
It was finally graduation day. Maya had received numerous messages from Lucas, Farkle and Riley, all saying things like:
"Peachesssssss, are you back from Canada yet? We're graduating today!"
Or
"You said you'd be back by our graduation. Today is the day. Where are you?!"
Or
"Hey Other One, you gonna make it to the graduation? Or are you still stuck in the cold?"
The last text made her really mad. Sure, Canada had cold winters, but during Summer and Spring, it was sure as heck not cold. Their summers were scorching, their springs were cool in the morning, and boiling in the afternoon. He was stereotyping an awesome country. But alas, she still liked him, she still made sure it didn't say "read at...." and she still didn't respond. She would see them face to face for the first time in exactly a year, tonight.
Later that evening
She walked up to John Quincy Adams Middle School. The graduation had already begun. She came at this time for a reason though. She had talked with the principal, and before calling Riley's name up for her diploma, he'd say "Ms. Matthews, we have a surprise for you and your friends", he'd call up Lucas and Farkle, and I'd walk in, surprising them. It was go time now. No turning back.
'Time to see your best friends again, Maya.' She thought, as she heard her principal call out Riley's name.
Maya peeked through a crack in the door. Riley walked up to the stage, she was sad though. The scavenged the crowd, looking for Maya... She saw Lucas and Farkle look around as well. They were all looking for her, with no signs of finding her. They all had sad looks on their faces.
"Ms. Matthews, we have a surprise for you and your friends, and family. Mr. Friar, Mr. Minkus, Mr. And Mrs. Matthews, please come onstage." The principal said.
Maya took a deep breath, when Riley suddenly called out
"I don't want this surprise without Maya here."
Then everyone started to agree.
"I, sorry everyone, I know you want Ms. Hart here with you for this surprise, but I'm afraid that can't happen. She isn't here." The principal said.
Everyone stood on the stage. They took deep breaths, tears in their eyes. Maya had promised them she would be there for their graduation. She wasn't.
Maya smiled to herself. Lucas was still as handsome as ever, Farkle was still Farkle, and Riley was still a complete ray of sunshine. She took a couple of breaths, and she saw the principal nod his head.
She opened one side of the doors, staying hidden behind it. She could feel the anxiety, waiting to see who was behind the door.
The principal then said "Would you all mind turning around?"
Reluctantly, they turned around. Maya quietly tiptoed down the isle, earning a few quiet gasps from her old classmates.
She stood at the edge of the stage.
"Turn around" the principal said, and everyone turned around to a tearful Maya.
The crowd erupted with screams, Riley, Farkle, Lucas, Cory, and Topanga started crying and laughing at the same time. Maya hugged Topanga and Cory, then turned to face her best friends.
Riley had the biggest smile on her face, Farkle was trying to calm his little Farkle heart. Lucas was just standing there, staring at her. She had a slim fit purple dress, black pumps, a pearl necklace (given to her by Kenzie, Caitlyn and Olivia before she left) and loosely curled hair.
Maya faced Riley. She squealed as her and her best friend hugged for what felt like forever.
She then turned and gave Farkle a hug, which also lasted awhile.
Finally she turned to Lucas. He was still staring at her, but this time, at her light pink lips, and bright blue eyes.
She motioned for him to come down onto the ground, where she was. He stepped down, and they stood face to face. She looked at him, he was still looking at her lips.
She giggled, said "No need to be shy Huckleberry," then proceeding to grab him by the tie, and kiss him passionately, but quickly.
"I never stopped liking you while I was gone." She finished.
They headed back to the seats, Lucas' cheeks flushed. They continued with the rest of the graduation, and afterwards, they all headed back to Riley's place for their own Graduation sleepover.
Lucas and Maya got stuck in the back with each other, but she made sure it wasn't awkward.
"So Huckleberry, Riley and Farkle," she started, getting their attention. She then finished up with
"I made 3 friends while in Canada. I want you guys to meet them tonight."
And meet they did.
Also, later that night, Lucas finally asked Maya out. It was the perfect way to fall asleep. In between Riley and Lucas. She rested her head on his chest, and drifted off to sleep.
I'm really proud of this chapter you guys! I think I'm gonna turn these last three chapters into a full length book, with more detail and, a lot more feelings! (I. E. : Riarkle, Lucaya/Joshaya circle) Stay tuned! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I know I sure enjoyed writing it. So many feels! I love you all 😘
- xoxo Kenzie
