Girl Meets Senior Year

Christmas Part 1

"Our first Christmas, Maya!" Riley said excited.

"Riles, we've had many Christmases together. So many I lost count."

"But this is our first as a couple!"

"You're going to point out every first we have aren't you?"

"Until I run out of firsts. And then I'll have to start counting lasts. Oh no! Peaches, we are going to have lasts of things!" Riley started to panic.

"Riley, calm down. Breathe. There you go. Good girl. Just breathe." She coached Riley to calm down as she had done a million times before. "We are never counting lasts. Every day with you is a new adventure. We will have an unlimited number of firsts for you to count."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Honey."

Riley leaned over and cradled her head on Maya's shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too. Forever."

"And ever and ever and ever," Riley added. "Oh!" She sprung back upright. "I was talking about Christmas!"

Maya laughed. "Yes, sweetheart, you were."

"We need to do something special."

"Are you implying it's not special enough just spending it with me?" Maya faked being insulted.

"What? No! Of course not, Maya!"

"Calm down. I'm kidding! You are too easy."

Riley scrunched her face up, "Well. You're a butthead."

"I'm a butthead? That's the best you got, Riles?"

"And you're a beautiful jerk face."

"Ok," Maya said with a smile. "We need to work on your insult list, Honey."

-

The intercom buzzer rang, causing Cory to spring across the room to it. "Shawn?" He yelled hopefully.

"It's me," came Shawn's voice through the machine.

A few moments later Shawn and Katy were at the Matthew's front door.

"Where's Maya?" asked Topanga.

"Where do you think?" Shawn gave her a knowing look.

-

Maya ascended the fire escape to Riley's window as she had done countless times. She thanked herself that it hadn't snowed in a few days so she could do this safely. When she reached the window she noticed Riley was still curled up in bed asleep. She opened the window as quietly as possible, climbed through, and closed it behind her to prevent the icy winter air from coming through with her.

"Riles?" she gently shook Riley's shoulder.

Riley moaned and turned her face into the pillow.

"Riley... Riley Matthews," she sang.

Nothing.

Maya jumped on top of her, "Wake up, Riley. It's Christmas." She bounced up and down.

"Five more minutes," Riley groaned.

"I guess you don't want your presents then?"

"Presents?" Riley opened her eyes and looked at Maya over her shoulder.

"You have to be awake for presents, princess."

"I'm a princess?" Riley smiled at her.

"You're my princess. Now let me spoil you! Wake uuuuup." Maya bounced up and down again.