It was Tuesday, 16 January. Maya's birthday. She never thought it would feel so weird. She's supposed to be seventeen but she doesn't feel that old. She doesn't even feel fourteen like she would if it was three years earlier. She went to the kitchen and Shawn stood ready with breakfast.
"Happy Birthday," Shawn said and gave Maya a hug. "Thanks Shawn," Maya said. "I have a gift for you. A photo of your fourteenth birthday," Shawn said. "Thanks. Where's Mom?" Maya asked. "At work. When I woke up she was..." "Gone? She usually does that. Ever since I was ten. Granma usually takes care of me," Maya said. "And now I will. Your mother did tell me to give you this," Shawn said and gave Maya a locket.
She opened it and looked at the photo Shawn gave her.
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"Riley: Are you really here? Shawn: Yep, I'm here. Riley: Uncle Shawn! Shawn: Hey there. Hey. Maya: Hey. Shawn: [hugs Maya] Maya: Okay. Riley: It's her birthday. Squeeze her good. Shawn: Oh, Happy Birthday, kiddo. You doing something special? Maya: This is it. Topanga: Honey, hide the cake before Maya gets here. Cory: I know, but you know what we should do? We should bring this cake to Maya's mother just in case she forgot to get her own kid a cake. Topanga: Oh, you think that could actually happen? Cory: Honey, I grew up with Shawn Hunter. Remember his mother? She forgot where she lived. See, my biggest worry is that forgetting to give your kid a cake is the first step to forgetting where you live. Topanga: Oh, that's not your biggest worry anymore. Cory: Maya's behind me, isn't she? Why is everybody always behind me? Okay, Maya, I'm not going to turn around because I'm all embarrassed, but you know how much I like your mother. Maya: I know you do. You always defend her. Cory: Because at least she's not- Topanga: No, everything's fine! Stop talking. Cory: Shawn's mother! What a cuckoo. "Ah, it's Tuesday! I better run away!" [laughs] You have to laugh, huh, Topanga? Nice face. Topanga: You want to turn around or you want me to turn you around? Cory: How you doin', Shawn? Shawn: Well, it ain't Tuesday, so pretty good. Cory: Shawny! Cory: Ah! How you doin', buddy? Shawn: Just here doing a photo essay "Weekends in New York for under $100." It's impossible. Can I stay here? Riley: We found him on the couch. Can we keep him? Topanga: Wait a minute. Who let you in? Shawn: I have a key. Topanga: You gave him a key? Cory: Fine, I'll give you a key. Topanga: You love me! Cory: I do love you. You have the key to my heart. Riley: So who has the key to your heart? Maya: Yeah, you ever been in love or what? Shawn: Angela time? Topanga: Seems unavoidable. Riley: Angela. Spill it. Maya: Yeah, was she all tortured poet-wanderer-female-you type? Cory: You guys want to know how they fell in love? Topanga: He went through her purse. Riley: What? Shawn: I can explain that. Topanga: Girls, trust us, it was very romantic in high school. Riley: So basically he fell in love with a concept? Maya: It was doomed from the start. Riley: Never let me do that. Maya: I would kill it immediately. That's what best friends are supposed to do. Maya: Ring power! Riley: Ring power! Maya: Thunder! Riley: Lightning! So, where's Angela now? Shawn: I don't know. I tried to make it work. Maya: But you couldn't commit? Shawn: No. You know, people have it all wrong about me. I was all in. She's the one who left. I got left. Maya: Yeah, I... I get a lot of that too. Who's on your list? Shawn: Mother, father, girlfriend. Maya: Wow. What is it with us? Shawn: [laughs] What is it with us? Riley: Window! Window right now! Not you. Maya: But, it's my birthday. Riley: Yeah, I know. Maya: I never knew what happened between my mother and father. She just tells me not to be upset with him and never wants to go into details. Shawn: Why not? Maya: Because she did something to make him leave. You and I are the ones that get left, not like her. That's why we understand each other, right? Where have you been? It's my birthday. And when did you guys show up? You've all been in there talking for the past hour? Riley: Actually, we said what we needed to say in 10 minutes. Looks like you two have been talking for the past hour, though. Maya: Yeah, well, you wouldn't let us in your room, so it's like you trapped us out here. Riley: Uh-huh. So of course we've been talking for the past hour. Farkle: Actually, according to my watch, it's only been- Maya's Voice: Maya is within five feet of you. Maya: What the-- Maya's Voice: Danger danger! [Maya takes Farkle's watch and stomps on it; Farkle then pulls out a similar-looking watch] I love you, Farkle. Farkle: Yeah, okay. Maya: Riley, I thought we were doing something for my birthday. Riley: Yeah, I'm pretty sure something's going to happen. Maya: You three. All: Us? Maya: Window now. Lucas: You want to see a rope trick? Riley: Maya, it's important that you know that what we're about to do to you is for your own good. Riley's Voice: Maya, it's important that you know that what we're about to do to you is for your own good. Maya: Farkle. Farkle: I'm the wonk! Maya: Okay, I get it. Now what is so important? Lucas: You want to see a rope trick? Maya: Will you stop distracting me with that? It's not like I actually believed you're a real cowboy. Lucas: Yeah, 'cause if I was, then I could do this. Maya: Why did you tie me up? Riley: Oh, Shawn's going to meet your mother. Maya: [growls] Why would you want him to meet my mother? My mother drives men away. This will end up just like my father, Riley! Shawn will run for the hills! Riley: Run for the hills? Who says run for the hills? [Maya growls again] Run for the hills! Riley: Whoa. Maya, I tried. It didn't work. Maya: Riley, I told you, some things can't be fixed. She does this. She makes men leave. Shawn's probably in Mexico by now. Why did you do this? Riley: You're angry at me. Maya: I am. Riley: How about now? Maya: Right now I'm kind of, like, furious. Riley: Should I untie you then? Maya: I wouldn't. Riley: If you want to give me back the friendship ring, I'll understand. Maya: I am never giving this friendship ring back as long as I live. Riley: Wow. You said kind of a nice thing in a really mean voice. Maya: Riley, people only get upset with each other when what they're talking about is important to them. Riley: Huh. Then maybe there's still hope. Maya: Thank you for untying me. Riley: Are you still angry at me? Maya: I'll think about it. Yes! Riley: So do you want to sleep over? Topanga: We just wanted to give you a birthday you'd never forget, Maya. Maya: I appreciate it. I do. Some things are just impossible. Cory: I used to not believe that. I still don't. Shawn: Happy Birthday. Everything you think is wrong. Katy: I asked you not to tell her. Why would you do this? Shawn: Because she deserves to love the parent who stayed. Maya: What? Shawn: Your mother had nothing to do with your father leaving, Maya. All right? All this time she's just been protecting him for you. Maya: Mom? You got left? Katy: I'm sorry. Shawn: She's one of us. Come here. Katy: I couldn't afford to get you what you wanted without working a couple extra shifts, but I got it, honey. Shawn helped me. Maya: A locket? Katy: Yeah. Maya: Where is it? Katy: It's in my purse. Shawn: I'll get it. Katy: You can't go through my purse. Riley & Maya: Let him! Shawn: Did you see what I did there, Cor? I got Maya and her mother together. Cory: Yeah. You did great, Shawn. Shawn: Well, I'd be happy to include you in my next scheme. Cory: Sorry, buddy. I got me a new partner now. Shawn: So you're with her now, huh? Cory: Me and her. You're on your own. Shawn: Come on! What fun is pulling off schemes by yourself? Maya: Oh, it's you and me now? Shawn: Well, hey, I'm in the market for a new partner in crime. Maya: Yeah, all right, I'll try you out and see how you do. Topanga: Cake time. Katy: Happy Birthday, baby girl. Make a wish."
"You okay?" Shanw asked. "Yeah I'm fine. Can you drop me off at school?" Maya asked. "Sure. Let's eat something then I'll drop you off," Shawn said.
"Happy Birthday. How does it feel to be seventeen?" Riley asked. "I didn't even know how it felt when I turned fourteen so don't know." "You'll figure it out soon. Maybe you just need some time," Maya said. "What I need is to get on with my life. Which class?" Maya asked. "Spanish," Riley said.
Spanish teacher - Bold Maya - normal text
"Buenos dias clase." "Buenos días, Señora Feinstein-Chang." "Buenos días Maya . Escuché sobre el accidente. Como estas?" Estoy bien, gracias Señora Feinstein-Chang." "Bueno saber. Empecemos."
It was much later the day and everyone was at the Matthews house. Maya hasn't been a very good Maya and a bit short of temper. But of course everyone didn't see that as soemthjbg major. Just... Well just Maya when she was thirteen. Josh came in the apartment and Riley smiled.
"Watch out. She is extra mody today," Riley said. "Would you just stop?" Maya said and stood up from where she was sitting with Auggie. "Would you all just stop nagging and leave me alone?" Maya said and ran outside. "Okay that's enough. Next person who says a word has to do with me," Josh said and went outside.
"Why is she acting like this?" Riley asked. "She needs some time. That's all," Cory said. "On her birthday of all times," Shawn said.
Josh went to look for Maya and he found her on the roof. Where he thought she would be. But still. It was bad to see her like this.
"You okay?" Josh asked. "I just need some air," Maya said. "Yeah I figured. I'm sorry about Riley. She can get a bit much," Josh said. "It's okay. Not like I was expecting much. Let's head back in," Maya said.
