IDINA

"Current events. Somebody tell me what's going on in the world," Cory addresses the class.

"All the news is about the elections," Lucas replies.

"So are all of the commercials," Farkle adds.

"Why should we care about the elections when we don't get to vote?" Maya asks.

"Who else feels that way?" We all raise our hands, "Well, that's a shame because this world's gonna belong to you soon. You guys are supposed to be optimistic. Future leaders. You don't get cynical until high school."

"Well, then why don't you elect people who care enough to make things better?" I bluntly reply.

"I like to think I do every time I vote. But the truth is I'm not responsible for the quality of people running for office."

"So how are these people even chosen?" Riley asks.

"Well Riles, the parties, the Republican and Democrats choose the best candidates they can come up with," I reply.

Suddenly Eric bursts through the front door of the history classroom, panting, making my jaw drop. I haven't seen him in a few weeks, and to be honest I've really missed him, but I didn't expect him to just waltz into my history class!

"I am running senator the grape state of New York. And I need your votes!" He shouts out of breath.

"Kids don't vote," I chuckle, and his eyes widen.

"Everybody close your books. It's the end of the world," Cory jokes with a serious tone.

"I'm really dizzy. I've done this in every classroom," he says grabbing onto Cory for support. I smile at him, and say something just loud enough for my friends to hear but not him.

"Welcome back Eric. Some people have missed you here..."

TOPANGA'S CAFE

"So they plucked me off the street and they hustled me into a limousine like I was fancy," Eric starts. Riley, Maya, and I sit on a bench across from him, separate by a table while Lucas and Farkle listen from the chairs next to us.

"Who was in the limousine?" I ask.

"The bow tie man with the big glasses. He was a whisperer, right? He was one of these whisperers. He came up to me he was like," then he screams, "'Eric, you are the only one that has a chance to defeat senator Jefferson Davis Graham in the primary!'"

"That's not a whisper, Eric," Cory observes.

"I also don't know what a primary is!"

"Well, the primary is the first election where the voters select each party's candidate. Then the winners of the primary run against each other in the general election to see who goes to Washington," Farkle enlightens. Eric leans down next to him with wonderment.

"Are you a robot?"

"I'm a real boy," he says shakily.

"Birth certificate?" Cory asks.

"Still looking," he glumly replies. I grab his hand.

"Don't worry Farkle, I think you're a real boy," I smile and he grins back.

"Eric, Davis Graham is a six-term senator," Cory points out.

"Eric, you don't have enough money to run against him," Topanga adds.

"Eric, the bow tie man said he would help me with all of that," Eric mocks with an answer.

"Eric, you can't beat this guy,"

"You know Eric, he's done some really bad things," I say. He looks at me.

"And, people who do bad things shouldn't be in power. I want to beat him," Eric says.

"Eric, you don't even have a campaign team. Who's your team?" Topanga asks hesitantly.

"Well, that's why I'm here. I want Riley and her friends to run my campaign," then he looks specifically at me, "And I want Idina to be my campaign manager." My eyes widen as everyone stares.

"M-Me? Why?" I ask standing.

"Because, I believe in you Idina."

"Y-You believe in me?" I ask

"Of course,"

"Thanks, that means a lot to me," I say smiling, "I'd be honored to Eric."

"Eric, they're kids. Do you really think this is a good idea?" Topanga interjects.

"It's a great idea," from behind Eric we all look to see a young man with black shaggy hair and glasses looking at us, "The senator took money from schools and gave it to his rich friends.

"Why would he do that? Who are you?" Eric asks.

"Because his rich friends are the ones that got him elected. I'm TJ. TJ Murphy."

"So he chose his own future over ours?" I ask.

"Beat the bad bad man, Eric!" Maya shouts.

"I'm gonna do my best, Moesha."

"How do you know so much about this?" Lucas asks.

"I'm the one that caught him. I have a website called 'Thorn In Your Side', I'm the Thorn."

"So letting the kids run Eric's campaign-" Topanga starts.

"-would show that Eric would rather build schools." Riley finishes.

"Would show that he cares about our future as much as his," Farkle adds.

"What's your deal, man with the ideas?"

"I believe in you. I'd like to help," he says standing.

"Hmm. I need to have a secret meeting with my team. What do you think?"

"Clearly, we need all the help we can get," Maya replies.

"Welcome abroad, PK," Eric replies getting TJ's name wrong, before running out of the cafe.

"My, what a weirdo he is," Riley says.

"Yeah, what a weirdo," I reply smiling, "just like me," I whisper.

THE NEXT DAY

"As you are about to see, we've had our share of election surprises. But America loves an underdog," Mr. Matthews starts as our school janitor, Harley, pushes a TV into the classroom.

"Matthews, you mind if I stick around for this class?"

"Of course, Harley. You're interested in politics?"

"I'm interested in why school budgets are being cut. I'm interested in why they take away art and music."

"You like music?

"Without music, I'd do something," he cracks his knuckles.

"I know, Harley. I know you would," he slightly fearfully acknowledges. Eric runs into the classroom for the second time this week.

"Hey, you guys. We don't need to be afraid. We can win this thing. We just need to remember the wise words of president F.D. Rosevelt, who said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear..." he seeks our janitor, "wow! Ha ha! This looks just like Harley Keiner. Oh, Harley Keiner. Harley Keiner. If I could do my whole life over again, I would give that guy such a what-for. You do. You look a lot like Harley Keiner. You got the whole Harley Keiner head. The Harley Keiner face. It says Harley on your shirt. Oh, this is terrible." he says fearfully.

"Eric here is running for senator. Can we count on your vote?" I ask.

"I don't know," he circles Eric, "What are you gonna do for the little guy?"

"I never really thought of you as a little guy, Harley. You know something? I'm sure this school is really well taken care of. "

"Okay, Matthews. You got my vote."

"All right, well, hey, there's one," he leans over Farkle's desk, "Now how many do we need, robot?"

"Three million."

"And how many do we have, robot?"

"One."

"Now burn me with your laser eyes. No, don't. Okay, do it. Do it. Let's not. Let's not, let's not. Okay. Okay, phew. You know, we get along really well, don't we, robot?

"Yes, because with you around I feel really good about myself."

"Ha!" he high-fives Farkle before going to the back of the room. I chuckle, glad Eric and my boyfriend get along well since I'm hoping they're both going to be around in my life a long time. Wait, what? I twist my head shaking out those thoughts and focus on my teacher as he pulls up a picture of a past president.

"In the 1960 presidential election, a young senator from Massachusetts was not expected to beat Richard Nixon, the current vice president. But then they held the very first televised debate-"

"And John Kennedy, the underdog, became the 35th president of the United States," I interrupt.

"Yup. That's how powerful the media is." The bell rings and we all shuffle out.

"So Topanga's?" Eric asks putting his arm around my shoulder.

"Where else would we plan to win?" I reply smiling as we head to the New York City cafe.

As we busily work away an older man who's face I recognize from TV walks in along with a tall slender dark-skinned man beside him.

"Is that who I think it is?" I whisper to Riley.

"Senator Graham," Topanga addresses.

"Topanga Matthews, isn't it? I never forget a face. Especially one that came out against me."

"What did you do Mom?" Riley asks.

"My law firm opposed the senator's plan to charge admission to parks and recreational areas that were previously free. A dollar for kids to run around and play, wasn't it, senator?"

"It's all about making money for the state."

"At the expense of our children?"

"Well, we don't have enough money and they're so many children."

"That's enough," the tall guy behind him says.

"Okay," the senator holds up his hands, surrendering.

"Eric, is this bow tie, big glasses, whisper man?" Cory asks. Eric stands to examine the man.

"This is him."

"He works for Graham."

"No. He likes me."

"Oh, I do like you," the man responds to an oblivious Eric, "Who's running your campaign?"

"The children."

"The children? Ha! Yet, interesting."

"I thought you'd like that." A voice comes from behind "Bow Tie Man". TJ looks up from his computer at the counter. Bow Tie Man scowls.

"Murphy."

"Wolff."

"I'm sorry. You guys know each other?" Eric asks.

"Another face that came out against me. This guy's a little instigator who just won't go away."

"Three debates," he initiates.

"As many as you want," the senator replies.

"One debate," Bow Tie Man insists.

"We have held this office for three decades. We will dictate all terms."

"I'm sorry. You work for him?" Eric asks.

"Sure. Let's go with that."

"But you picked me to run against him. You said I was the only one that had a chance. "

"That's correct. You are the only one who has a chance to make the senator look good again in the eyes of the public," he turns to us leaving a frozen heartbroken Eric, "See you at the debate, kids."

"They played me. I'm just supposed to lose."

"Supposed to," TJ points out.

"Like Kennedy was," I make the connection.

"To Nixon," Riley adds. He rubs his forehead and sighs.

"I'm done. I'm going home.I'm gonna miss you, Scarecrow," he addresses Lucas, "Lion," to Maya, "Dorothy," to Riley, "Robot," then to me, "Toto. I think I'm gonna miss you most of all," he pats me on the back, then walks out of the cafe.

THE DAY OF THE DEBATE

"Current events. Somebody tell me what's going on."

"We should always have parks to play in," Riley says.

"We should always look out for the little guy," Maya adds.

"We should lower the voting age," Lucas suggests.

"We need to treat this planet better," Farkle replies.

"We need to make sure everyone feels heard, and no one is silenced for standing up for what they believe in and know is right," I finish.

"So suddenly you guys are involved in your world."

"It's the only one we've got, isn't it?" Lucas asks.

"That's true. So what can do we to make it better?"

"You have the vote," Maya says.

"Why don't they let us vote? Don't they trust us? I would vote to make sure everybody takes care of each other. Everybody should have food and shelter and a warm coat for the winter," I say. 

"I approve that message," Riley replies.

"Well, I agree with you guys. And, Idina, you wanna lower the voting age? Show us you can be trusted. Find your issue. Find your passion. Because we don't have enough. In the last election, the voter turnout was the lowest in our history. Change that. Teach us to care."

"Well, how do we do that if we can't vote?" Lucas says.

"Find somebody you know who can.

"Our parents?" Farkle guesses.

"Yeah, your parents. And we'll listen to you. You know why? We love you. You guys live in an age where you can send your message with just one click. The media is even more powerful now. So have a message. Because it's your world too."

As the bell rings I stand, adjust my gray jacket with a white pattern that covers portions of my yellow blouse, then walk straight out of the classroom set on finding a man I know will listen.

I push open the door of the Matthews apartment. Eric lies in the bay window on the couch. I pull his blanket off him.

"HEY!" he screams, then sits up glumly as I scoot next to him, eyes wide open, ears ready to listen, "They made me sad.:

"Well, get up. We need a voice!" I urge. Maya and Riley come and sit too.

"Eric we need you," Riley replies.

"If we want anything in our world to change, to be better for us, then it starts right here, right now," Maya adds.

"With you," I finish.

"No, not getting up. And there is nothing you could do that's gonna make me possibly get... oh! Oh. That's just a big chocolatey bowl of goodness. Gimmie that," I realize Maya is holding a bowl of cereal. He grabs it and starts eating

"So you're in?"

"You know, they set us up to lose, Maya," he says after taking a big scoop of cereal.

"You know my name?"

"Of course, I know your name. Your one of Riley's friends," he looks at me, "Idina you were a great manager, but those days are over. How am I suppose to create change for the people I care about?"

"Well, if you care about me, then help me grow up in a better world."

"How?"

"Win."

"You think we can?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Why?"

"Because we completely believe in the impossible," I say.

"We believe that we can change the world," Maya adds.

"Why?"

"Because we're kids. Isn't that why you wanted our help?" Riley asks with a smile.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Two podiums stand on top of the stage in the auditorium of our humble middle school. One with the senator's name carved into it with the other wearing the name of the voice of the children, Eric Matthews. Students along with the school staff members start to file in, with Riley and Maya greeting the people on the right, while Farkle and I greet the people on the left. Lucas and Zay show the spectators to their seats. As things start to die down one girl with chunky glasses and black hair is hugged awkwardly by Riley and Maya, before they bring her over to our side.

"Farkle!" She smiles at him. I start to tense up, feeling a little territorial of my boyfriend.

"Smackle, good to see you my fellow ex-archnemesis."

"Farkle, who's this?" I ask.

"Oh! Idina, this is Smackle, she goes to Einstein Academy. Smackle this is Idina, Eric's campaign manager, a fellow classmate, and... my girlfriend." I smile at her and she seems a little shock before smiling.

"Good for your Farkle my ex-crush," she replies, I assume she notices the wave of relief I feel since I loosen up a bit now, and grin at her, "Pleasure to meet you Idina."

"Same," after talking for some time before the debate starts I can tell this girl is very special, and I like her a lot. She reminds me of myself with a hint of Farkle.

"Wanna be best friends?" she randomly blurts out then looks down ashamed, "I'm sorry I'm not very good at this whole friendship thing." I take her hand.

"Hey, neither am I. Wanna figure it out together?"

"I'd like that very much," from behind her I see Zay every once in a while staring at Smackle, before looking down and pretending not to be checking her out.

"Hey, I wanna introduce you to someone," I reply to her, then whistle at Zay and he comes over, "Zay this is Smackle. She goes to Einstein Academy, and she's now officially my best friend." Smackle blushes as Zay takes her hand and plants a kiss on it.

"Howdy ma'am. Pleasure to meet you."

"I-uh..." she clams up.

"You know, Smackle was just looking for a seat since the debate is about to start."

"Well, there's a free one next to me. Care to join?" I talk on behalf of the frozen girl.

"What's in it for her?"

"Would a cup of coffee at Topanga's after the debate do?"

"S-Sure," she replies as he takes her hand, "I'll catch you later Idina." he leads her away but I see her turn to me and silently scream. I give her a thumbs up and head to my seat chuckling. Looks like Smackle's got a new crush. I sit down next to Farkle as the lights dim and the debate heats up.

"Okay. First, the question to senator Graham," Cory announces. The janitor raises his hand.

"Harley Keiner, head custodian. I'm proud of my school and the environment I help create for my kids," we all clap, while myself and the rest of Eric's campaign team (AKA Riley, Maya, Lucas, and Farkle) sit next to me in the front row and turn to see Harley, "Aw, really? Thank you, my kids. My question is, what are you gonna do for the little guy?"

"I have never believed there are little guys. I've always believed that all voters are equal in stature."

"I already don't believe you."

"What about non-voters?" Lucas asks making the senator chuckle.

"This election isn't about them. They'll have elections of their own soon enough."

"Lucas, you're not allowed to interrupt. The senator has one minute," Cory responds.

"Thank you."

"Time. Mayor Matthews, your response?"

"Of course, this election is about them. Every election is about them. We have children and we make our whole lives about them."

"I'm sorry. Hold on a minute. Did you just say you had children? Because you don't actually have any children of your own, do you, Matthews?"

"No, I don't. I have a niche and her brother who's my cousin Auggie!" he jokes.

"I have come here to this fine school to stand in front of you children, even though you do not vote because you're too young to understand what's important in this world."

"Well, we understand that we want our chance to get to live in it," Farkle says standing.

"And that's what should be enough to lower the voting age so we can get a chance to vote against people like you," Lucas says standing as well.

"To vote for whom? Him? This man-child who doesn't even have experience in his biggest issue? He has not raised children," he now talks directly to Eric, "Convince me you have a right to lead them, and I will concede the future to you and to them." he looks down and sighs, then looks back up.

"You're right. I don't have the experience that you have, but you've been doing this for a very long time, senator, and we don't see anything getting any better.  And, no, I don't have kids yet, but I care about them very much."

"But you can't prove it," the boys sit down, and there's a moment of silence, seeming like defeat.

"But I can," I stand up raising my hand. Eric stares at me with confusion, "My name is Idina Jennings, Eric's campaign manager, and I happen to think very highly of him. I also happen to be great friends with his niece, Riley. My mom is a single parent who's a veterinarian and is constantly working tirelessly to provide for me. Whenever Eric is in town, he always pays for my dinner. When I couldn't afford new clothes he bought me some, even going as far as to take me to my favorite store. My father is dead, but he was never really a good father, let alone man. Eric Matthews is the closest thing I've had to a true father. One who cares about me. And, I care about him too, more than he knows. I know he'll never be my father, but he's the best at what he does. Making people happy, making people smile, standing up for what he believes in, standing up for people, giving us, the kids, a voice! Unlike you senator, you'd rather take money from your rich friends to spend at fancy restaurants then build a park for us!"

"I-Idina, I didn't know you felt this way about me," he says, "Thank you."

"I concur with the girl," TJ says standing as well. I look over at him. I see people are recording my speech on their phones.

"But I'm still not hearing any proof!" The senator complains.

"But I can give you some," TJ replies.

"Excuse me?"

"My name is TJ Murphy. Thomas Jonathan Murphy. Eric Matthews knew me once as-"

"Tommy?" Eric is barely able to get out the one word. I sit down, knowing that he's probably already forgotten about me by now, focusing on his long lost friend. I know that it's important and touching, but I guess I just thought he'd care to notice me for even just a minute longer. I sit back down.

"Bye Eric," I whisper, knowing our connection is coming to an end. I don't know why I was stupid enough to let myself think it would last.

"Hi, Eric. The best thing Eric ever did for me was one of the hardest decisions he had to make. He gave me up to a wonderful family that raised me, but I've never forgotten what I learned from Eric, either. Kindness, honesty and more respect for human beings than I've ever known anyone else to have. Eric Matthews sacrifices himself for the future of a child. You sacrifice the future of children for yourself, senator. So here's my question: Is there really any choice here?"

"Man. Look at you. You grew up to be a really good person."

"Yeah, I learned from some really good people," Eric and TJ hug.

"And now you may applaud," Cory narrates.

"Well, maybe we don't have a vote, Lucas," Maya says patting him on the back.

"Did you just call me Lucas?"

"I've always known your name. I like us all very much."

"Maybe we do have a voice," Farkle says.

"So, what do you want to say, robot?" I joke. He looks at me.

"You. Me. Earth. Let's do this thing."

"Gladly," I reply. The rest of the team runs on stage to join TJ and Eric while I hang back. People are already filing out of the room, but for a moment, I just stare at the happy commotion lighting up the stage. I smile at it and move my hand to my face to wipe away a water droplet that escaped now closed eyelids as they look down in disappointment. I push open the side door of the auditorium, and pull close the string that seals up an idea I once thought was possible tightly shut.

AFTER THE DEBATE

"Eric, what's the first thing you're going to do if you win?" Maya asks.

"I'm going to adopt Tommy." he looks at the young man.

"Can't. But you can hire me. I'd like to keep being part of the campaign if it's okay with you."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

"You can have my job if you want. I'm planning on taking a hiatus to focus on school," I joke

"Thanks, and don't worry Eric, you'll have a kid when the time is right," TJ replies, "and who knows, maybe there's someone else who you'll adopt in the future."

"Yeah maybe someday," he replies to TJ, not noticing the direction TJ's looking: right at me.

"Yeah, maybe," I smile at him, but as he turns away feel glumness overcome me. Farkle rubs my hand and whispers something in my ear.

"Hey, you gonna be okay?" I sigh and look up.

"Do you think it's time? Should I let him go?" he smiles at something behind me.

"Maybe your someday is closer than you think," then I look at where he's looking.

"Idina, I wanted to thank you, you've been the best child campaign manager anyone could ask for."

"You don't have to thank me, Eric, it was an honor." Cory and Topanga suddenly come rushing out.

"Mom, Dad, did you hear, Eric's gonna be one of our leaders," Riley proudly announces.

"Yeah, we heard."

"So where are you going?"

"Far far away. As far as we can go!" they run out the door, leaving us in a fit of joyous laughter.

Someday

One day, someday, could be today.

If you let go, you may never know. So why stand idly by?

Make it, don't fake it, don't let it slip on by.

Because someday, just maybe, is closer than you realize.