//

It finally the end of summer and time for school.

"Shawn, we gotta get to school," Cory called, entering Mr. Turner's apartment.

"What? You don't know the way without me?" Shawn asked.

I roll my eyes, adjusting my bag. "Just come on."

"Fine. This pizza's bad anyway," Shawn said before pausing. "No, wait.
It's you," he told Cory.

"Oh, no. Too much cologne. I knew this would happen. Cologne," Cory sighed, spinning.

I groan. "Oh, I knew something was stenching up my nose when we walked here."

"Nice clothes. The spinning. How could I forget? It's Wednesday," Shawn said. "T-day."

"Topanga's back from her summer trip," I say, grinning.

"Oh, yeah," Cory said, smoothing down his clothes.

"Does this mean I have permission to-" I began.

"We've talked about this, you are not playing Cupid," Cory cut me off.

"So you're gonna do it, huh, Cor?" Shawn asked. "You're gonna ask her to be your girlfriend?"

"I really hope she says yes," Cory said, excited. "But come on, come on. We're gonna be late."

Shawn scoffed. "Lateness."

"Oh, here we go with the bragging," I sigh.

"A problem for me once," Shawn said to which I mouth the words along. "That was, of course, until I got me a teacher roommate. John!"

Mr. Turner came out of his room. "Yeah?" Then saw Cory. "Hey, Betty, Matthews, nice outfit," he told Cory.
"Job interview?"

I snickered as Shawn said, "Watch," Shawn whispered. "Listen, John, I'm dragging a little this morning. I'm gonna need some extra time. You think you could jot a note for me?"

"Sure," Mr. Turner responded. "No problem," grabbing a notepad.

"Oh, wow," I say, thinking he wouldn't actually go through with it.

"You know, anything you want-late, doctor. Have fun with it," Shawn added.

"You got it," Mr. Turner responded.

"No way," Cory said, looking at the note.

"What'd he write?" I ask.

Cory showed the note. "'No way'."

"That's right, pal. Your butt's in homeroom before that first bell rings or TV no way, snacks no way, dates no way. Okay?" Mr. Turner told him.

"Snacks?" Shawn questioned.

"I'm new at this. Now, get out of here." We all walked towards the door, but Mr. Turner called. "Shawn? Aren't you forgetting something?"

Shawn paused, thinking before realization took over his features. "My books."

He grabbed his backpack and shoes off the couch and left with us. "That's not...okay," I say, closing the door.

***

At school, Cory said, "Guys, it's a new year, a new me. You notice the spring in my step? Boxer shorts."

"Oh! You wild man," Shawn told him.

"Oh, yeah."

I chuckled to myself. "You crazy little goose."

That's when we saw Topy back from her summer trip. She looked like she changed, got a little older just as I did. "Cor, Cor, there she is," Shawn told our friend who wasn't standing beside us anymore. I turn around and look for him, he was backed in the corner where the school statue was.

"Cory, what is this?" I ask, walking over to him with my hands on my hips.

"It's John Adams. He was a president.
School namesake. He was a father of our country," Cory came up with, looking at the statue.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Shawn pushed aside. "Cor, why are you hiding?"

"No, I-I'm not hiding. It's just-" he walked over, getting a better look at Topy. "Look at her. I mean, look at Topanga. I thought I missed her over the summer, but I miss her even more in person. Wow, she's pretty."

"Well, come on, Cory. Just go up to her and say hi."

"Yeah. You've known her your whole life," I add for encouragement.

"Yeah, but that's not the Topanga I've known. I mean, it's like she goes away for a summer and comes back a woman," Cory replied.

"Yeah, so did Coach Franklin," Shawn said. I look to him confused. "But that's another story."

I sigh. "Cory, look. We have been over this a thousand times. Just walk up to her and ask her to go steady."

"All right. Here I go," Cory said, but he was still at our side. "Am I moving yet?"

I roll my eyes. "If you're not going to ask my friend out or at least say hi, I will." I walked behind to Topy, tapping her shoulder. "Hi, Topy."

"Oh my Gosh, Betty, hi!" she smiled, hugging me to which I return the hug. She backed away, looking at me. "Wow, you look great."

"Aw, thank you, but your beautiful, Topy, as always."

"Oh stop."

I laughed. "What? It's true. So how was your summer?" I ask.

"It was amazing."

"Well, I'm glad your back."

Cory came up to Topy. "Hello."

"Cory, hi," she greeted back. "So, we're in all the same classes again."

"I'll just leave you two," I say, walking over to Shawn who was removing his bathrobe. "You got him to talk her."

"Yeah, but he thought I was following him," Shawn replied.

"Cory is a big boy, I believe he can ask her out." I noticed Topy's face slightly fell, but still grinning. "Or maybe not."

"Let me guess, you want to plag Cupid, don't you?" Shawn asked.

"Yes, I've been trying to play that all summer, trying to talk to Cory, but it's not working. I need your help for Mission: Get Cory and Topanga together."

"I like it, getting Cory with Topanga and being your partner in crime. So what's the first step?" he asked.

"I don't know, that's why I need you," I tell him before I shush him as Cory walked back.

"What just happened over there?" Cory asked. "I mean, I'm talking with you guys fine, but over there with Topanga, I became a-a sea monkey."

"That's a bad animal, man," Shawn told him.

"You do not want to be a sea monkey, Cory," I add.

Mr. Turner came up to us. "Hey, guys, guys, guys, guys You didn't hear, did you?"

"What?" we all ask.

"This year when the bell rings, it means get to class."

I didn't notice the bell rang. "Oh, sorry Mr. Turner," I tell him, going inside his class.

***

In class later-

"Cor, here's your chance. Just ask her out for movie night," Shawn told him.

"You got it, Cor," I reach over, patting his shoulder.

"Try and stop me," Cory smiled as Topy came over, passing out papers. "Topanga." She looked to him to which he raised his paper. "Thanks for this." He finished, saluting to her.

Once she was gone, Cory turned to us, "I saluted."

"We all saw," I sigh.

"Cor, you're making too big a deal out of this. Just act natural."

"You're right," Cory admitted, standing up. "So, uh, Topanga. Friday night, what's going on?"

"I don't know," she replied.

He paused. "Neither do I. Okay, then." He sat back down. "Guys. I did this." He gave us a thumbs up.

I groan, looking to Shawn. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" I ask, lowering my voice.

"I think so, but your mind is weird so I need help," Shawn said.

"We start Mission: Get Cory and Topanga together. And I think I just know the first step."

***

At home, I was in my room, painting. I went to Zack's room since he borrowed my paint over the summer. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cory waving frantically from the window of his house.

I walked over and look at him in questioning. He held one finger up, signaling to wait as he wrote something down on a notebook.

He turned it over to me, showing what he had written in big letters.

Are you busy?

I went to  Zack's desk, grabbing his empty notebook and a marker, scribbling my response.

A little. Why?

He wrote back.

Can you believe Shawn asked Topanga out? Are you okay with that?

I roll my eyes, but I write back what Shawn told me to if Cory asked.

No. He dumped me for Topanga.

Cory gaped at the message before quickly writing back.

Are you okay? Do wanna talk?

It was sweet Cory cared, but I think he did it to form some kind of plan of his own.

No and not right now. Can we talk after school at Chubby's tomorrow?

Cory read my message before nodding.

Part 2 of Shawn's plan is working, Part 1 was my idea, now let's see what happens now. He also happened to bet that I would get jealous as he was with another girl.

***

After school, at Chubby's...

"Cory, I'm glad you decided to talk to me. I mean, that whole Shawn and Topanga thing..." I pretended to be sad. "Really hurt me."

"Well, you are my friend," Cory replied. "And I don't think it's fair to you that Shawn just broke up with you. You're probably one of the coolest girls I know."

I began to smile. "Really?"

"Yeah," Cory answered. "You're fun, outgoing, and there isn't many girls like you."

"You're sweet."

"Well, I need to ask you something. I think you need to be with a guy who treats you with respects. Asks you want you want-"

"Cory," I interupted. "Are you asking me out?"

"Uh," he paused and look to Shawn and Topy, who walked by, in which case, he reached over the table and took my hand. "Yes. Yes, I am. Friday night. Movies. You and me. Will you?"

I glance to Shawn who was watching. Jealous, I am not, but someone is. "Well, of course I will, Cory."

***

Friday night came and we were almost late to the movie.

Cory pulled me into the movie by the hand. "Come on, Betty. There are two over here."

We went to the two empty seats beside Shawn and Topanga. "Hi, Cory.
"Hi, Betty," Topy greeted. "I like your hair."

Cory giggled. "Oh, thanks."

"I think she meant Betty, Cor," Shawn told him.

Hey, you wanna step outside?"

"Cory," I call, pulling him back.

The lights went out and the previews began. Next to me, I saw Shawn wrap an arm around Topy.

Not...jealous...at all...

"Some people can't even make it through the cartoon," Cory whispered.

I cuddle into Cory's chest. "I'm cold, will you keep me warm, my little badger?"

Shawn eyed us for a moment before Cory wrapped his arm around me. "Just for you."

I look to Shawn who wrapped his arm tighter around Topy while he also dumped breath mints in his mouth.

Well, I have flavorful gum, so I'm better!

But then, Cory went for a kiss as I blew a gum bubble in which it popped against his lips.

"Oh, great. I've been gummed," he said.

"I'm sorry," I tell him. Not really.

The cartoon was over and Eric stepped out. "Hey! How about that coyote? What a moron, huh? All right.
Well, on behalf of the Film Society, and their friends, we would like to thank you all for responding to the underground invitations stuffed into your lockers. And now, here to introduce Leon's Revenge, the man you've all been waiting for. He played Leon the Gut Sucker in parts one, three, and four. Here he is, direct from the pits of hell, your worst nightmare. Come on. Here he is."

The curtains opened and lights darkened. It was just Mr. Feeny with a flashlight shining below his face. "Boo."

"It's Feeny!" Joey yelled from the back of the room.

I exit out with everyone, but Shawn was the last to leave. "Hey, I think it worked," Shawn told me, but I stayed silent, crossing my arms. "What's with the angry look?"

"Were you trying to make me jealous on purpose?" I ask.

He paused. "If I said yes?"

"Shawn!"

"What? It's cute when you get jealous. You get jealous easily."

"I do not."

"Really? Then, what was with the scrunched up faces at me for?" he asked.

"You went overboard with the mints and lovey dovey eyes," I tell him.

"Hey, Cory tried to kiss you and am I mad?"

I walk closer to him. "Oh, just shut up and kiss me."

He cupped my face, bringing out lips together for a sweet long, kiss. "I only have eyes for one girl. My girl, Betty Cooper."

"You're making me blush, Hunter," I giggle. "We should probably check on the mission."

"Oh, right," Shawn said, entering the theater with me. The first thing I saw was Cory and Topy kissing.

Shawn and I both clapped.

"Man, it's about time," Shawn said.

"We are so lucky this worked, Shawn," I say. "I almost had to kiss Cory."

"Wait, it was a setup?" Cory asked.

"Yeah."

"You played Cupid?" Cory asked me.
I nod once again with Shawn. "Come here." We walked with Cory back behind the seats. He paused, before throwing his arms around us. "Oh, thank you."

I laughed while Shawn told him, "Now go back there, you little sea monkey."

We walked towards the exit while Cory went to Topy. "So. Where were we?"

They kissed again to which Topy said,
"You little badger."