Happiness. That's what every parent wants for their child. Or should want. They want their child to grow up feeling loved and accepted in this world of hate and cruelty. In this world of pain. Because there are some beautiful moments out there. Moments that make you realise the joy of life. That's every parent's goal. For their children to see that joy.

Everyone was in History Class. (Are they ever anywhere else?😂😂)

"A lot has happened these past few months...", said Mr. Matthews

"Biggest understatement ever", said Camila.

Mr. Matthews let out a small laugh. "I don't think there are any other words that I'm allowed to use to describe it"

They all laughed.

"But remember this... you got here by the power of friendship, love and acceptance. Cars, Trains, Buses pollute our world... just like hate, violence, ignorance. Don't go by hate. Don't go by violence, ignorance. Go by love. By friendship. By acceptance"

"Cheesiest thing you've ever said Matthews", joked Maya.

Mr. Matthews laughed, along with the Class.

"Is he ever anything else?", said Zay, laughing.

The Class laughed again.

"Why are we like this?", laughed Ava

"We just are", replied Lucas, before bursting into more laughter, mainly because of Zay's laugh.

The Principal that was acting as Head until the actual Principal was back walked into the Classroom.

"What's going on here?", he asked sternly.

"... Mr. Matthews not teaching again? Shocking", he added, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Maya glared at him and Mr. Matthews sent her a quick look, to tell her to leave it.

Maya sighed and didn't say anything, but still glared at him.

"Sorry Sir... we were just talking about the year so far. We were just about to get on with the work", said Mr. Matthews

Zay raised his eyebrow slightly at him.

The Principal nodded and slowly walked out.

Zay watched him leave. " We were just about to get on with the work?", he repeated.
"... Sir you aren't fooling anyone"

They all laughed.

He walked back in. "Ah yes... Maya Hart? Could you please step outside for a minute"

Maya shook her head. "You can say it in here"

He raised his eyebrow at her and sighed, but nodded.

"Why did he raise his eyebrow higher than Mount Everest?", whispered Ava.

The others held back their laughter, even Mr. Matthews.

"Miss Hart you're father would like to take you out of this School. He's going away to Australia and has said he is taking you with him", said the Principal.

Maya's eyes widened. "He said that? Why would Shawn be moving to Australia?"

He shook his head. "Not Mr. Hunter. Kermit Hart", said The Principal.

Maya's eyes widened. "B-But... But... I can't go. I have a life here!"

The Principal raised his eyebrow again, as if to say 'that's debatable'.

"What about your mom Maya? And Uncle Shawn? They won't let him!", said Riley, desperately trying to give them all Hope.

Maya shook her head. "I guess we'll find out after school"

                *AFTER SCHOOL*

The Group waited anxiously in Topanga's. Maya wouldn't let them come with her.

Riley tapped her hands furiously on the table.

"Riley, do you mind stopping please?", asked Zay.

"The girl you're in love with isn't leaving IS SHE?!", snapped Riley.

Zay raised his hands. "Sorry ma'am"

Riley sighed and put her head in her heads.

Zay looked at her. "Riley... we're all worried. Maya means the world to us too".

"And Maya wouldn't go down without a fight", said Lucas.

"Lucas is right. She's a fighter and you know it", joined Farkle.

"She values friendship a lot, that's one of the first things I noticed about her", said Ava.

"And that fiery side of her, don't forget that", laughed Chloe.

"Fiery side? That's every side of Maya", laughed Camila.

They all laughed.

Farkle looked at Smackle, waiting for her to join in and say something too.

"Smackle what's wrong?", he asked, whispering.

She shook her head and stared at her phone. "I have to go", she said and left.

Farkle got up to run after her but Maya came.

"Peaches! What happened?", asked Riley, running to her.

Maya hugged her tightly. "He's coming here now. He told me I had 10 minutes to convince him to let me stay. He said he wanted to move with me to try and make things right between us"

Riley nodded, relieved that he was giving Maya a chance.

"Where's Smackle?", asked Maya.

"She left just now", said Farkle.

Maya frowned a little.

Kermit walked in.

He smiled at the others who in return, stared at him blankly.

He sat down. "10 minutes Maya"

Maya nodded. "D-Dad... I know you want to right every wrong you did. But... the you'll only be making another mistake by taking me away from the people I love"

Riley nodded and moved forward.

"When I first saw you, and you didn't know I was Maya's best friend... I felt something I don't usually feel. Anger. This man, who left Maya for so many years, waltzes back in here and has the audacity to ask if we were best friends? It just showed how little you knew about Maya! But I felt something else. Pity. You left Maya and missed out on all the lessons Maya learnt, you missed out on seeing her grow into the beautiful and amazing person she is today.  Trust me, my family AND my friends, who are basically family, will back me up when I tell you that seeing Maya grow is one of the most beautiful things ever. And YOU missed out on that. I pity you because you'll never know what it feels like to hold Maya in your arms and say, truthfully that watching her live her life and learn warmed your heart. Because you never watched her. So you want to start now. In a way, I understand why you want to take her away. But she belongs here. You can get her all the clothes, friends, food she wants but it'll never be the same in Autralia as it is here."

It was silent. Riley always had a way with words, that was no secret. But you could see the emotion in her voice, the cracking of her voice with those final words.

Kermit sat silently for a few seconds, before finally speaking.

"The fact that you care about Maya so much is something I'm always going to be grateful for. But... Maya needs friends who will put down everything to be with her. She'll make those friends in Australia", he said.

"With respect, we ARE all here for Maya", defended Farkle.

Kermit shook his head. "The other girl... Smackle was it? She's not here"

Maya frowned a little, her head down.

"She had to do something, but she was here before", said Farkle.

"Go on Farkle, defend your girl", whispered Zay.

"Look if she can't be with Maya during this time what's to say you all won't leave her too?", said Kermit.

Just then, Smackle ran in. "S-Sorry! Something came up. What's going on?"

"Something more important then my daughter?", he said, gently grabbing Maya's arm.
"Come on... we're leaving", he said, pulling at her arm, not enough to hurt her.

"No! Please! You can't do this!", yelled Riley, her voice a mixture of whispers and screams, combined with cracking.

Lucas put his arm around her waist and put his face in her shoulder, trying to comfort her but also trying to keep himself together.

Smackle ran back in, pulling Maya back. "Wait!", she yelled.

"What now? This is getting silly now! My daughter belongs with me", he said.

"I'm not saying she doesn't. I just wanted to give her this", said Smackle.

She got out the clock she bought Maya for secret Santa.

"My Clock? Why did you bring it?", asked Maya.

"I asked your mom if I could take it and bring it to you. I brought it because you fixed it. It was broken and you fixed it. If you really are going to leave, you need something to remind you of how far you've come", said Smackle.

Maya had tears in your eyes. She ran her fingers across the clock. She looked back up at Smackle. "Th-Thankyou".

Maya hugged Smackle, crying.

Kermit looked at his daughter hugging Smackle.

The others joined the hug.

Kermit sighed and watched them embrace.

8 people and more to give the hugs he never gave.

Riley's speech along with Smackle's words got to him.

Maya didn't need him. That little girl that would cry every night- THAT'S who needed her father.

This young woman standing before him had her own family. Family who STAYED.

He can't take that away from her.

He slowly slipped away while they were hugging.

They all pulled apart reluctantly.

"Where's your dad?", asked Riley.

Maya's phone vibrated.

Kermit: You belong here. Stay beautiful Maya.

Maya smiled at the message.

She showed the others the message.

They all smiled.

"I'm so happy you're staying", said Riley, kissing her cheek.

"RILAYA!", the others yelled.

"We'll never stop", laughed Zay.

They all laughed and sat down in Topanga's, being themselves.

I am so so so sorry for not updating! I wrote it out but deleted it all because I didn't want to put what I wrote. I tweaked it and might leave what I DID right FIRST for another day.

Again, thankyou so much for staying with me this far and putting up with me.

Love you, Hope Catsz.