Chapter Twenty-Five ~ Idina

Saturday

I readjust my navy bow in the mirror and take one last look at the entirety of my outfit. A blonde figure, more specifically, Maya comes up on my right side in the mirror and places her arm on my shoulder.

"Idina, you look beautiful, don't be nervous you'll be fine," she says as Riley comes up in a similar style on my left side.

"Yeah, if anyone should be nervous it's him because you are on fire!" she says snapping her fingers sassily. I turn around to both girls as they meet behind me and excitedly smile.

"Thanks, y'all, and I'm really glad that on my first date my two best friends will be by my side."

"If anyone should be nervous it's me! I'm going out with Uncle Boing!" Maya shrieks.

"Ms. Confident is love struck I see," I tease as Riley and I each uses a hand to make a heart. She pushes them apart, then tries to act chill.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine,"

"I'm going out with Lucas Friar, again. I never thought I would say that. Maya, Idina, should I be scared?"

"Of Treetop?" I reconfirm using one of my nicknames for Friar.

"Sure honey, you be as scared as you want," Maya chuckled. I giggle and look down to steal a glance at my outfit, a teal dress with black and white patterned rose and skull leggings, my favorite pair of boots, my lucky "love" necklace, and my black jacket that only has the top loop buttoned up.

"Alright, enough girl talk," Maya grabs one of my arms, and then one of Riley's, pulling us out of the bedroom and towards the living room. When we enter I see Auggie falling asleep in his food, but Topanga's distracted by us, wearing an expression of shock and proudness. My mom had to do inventory for the clinic tonight, so Topanga pulls out her phone and snaps a quick picture of the three of us to text her, blinding me for a few moments. I blink to regain my vision as Mr. Matthews walks up to us from the table.

"Wow, you girls look gorgeous," he says.

"Thank you, Mr. Matthews," I say. Topanga comes on Riley's side and hugs her.

"You girls have fun tonight okay?"

"We will Mom," Riley assures her mother, then looks at Maya and me, "It hasn't even started, and yet I know this is going to be a night I remember for the rest of my life."

"Same," I reply as Maya nods her head. Cory lifts up Auggie bridal style and carries the sleeping young boy off to bed. I place myself on the bench next to Riley who's in the middle of Maya and me. Topanga snaps one more picture before Maya becomes somewhat annoyed.

"Please stop blinding me! The light, it burns," she sarcastically says. Topanga looks at her.

"Maya, I know your mom would be here if she could, and Idina, I know your mom would too,"

"Yeah, the clinic has her tonight," I reply, Topanga straightens herself up some.

"Well consider me your honorary mother girls."

"Thanks, I do," I reply.

"Always have," Maya agrees.

"You've always been my mom, unless there's something you're not telling me," Riley jokes, and we all have a light laugh. The doorbell disperses out laughter, as we see Mr. Matthews run from the hall, jump over the couch and to the door, then stops to catch his breath.

"I got it," he shakily announces still trying to get his pulse back to normal. We silently giggle as Mr. Matthews opens the door to reveal Joshua Matthews.

"My brother!" Josh shouts.

"My brother!" Matthews shouts attacking his younger brother in a hug. After their hug, Josh walks over to us. Riley stands and he gives her a hug.

"Hello Niece," he says while hugging her, "You look great Riley. Lucas is a lucky boy."

"Thanks, Uncle Josh," Riley replies with a big smile. He walks over to my side and puts his arm on my shoulder.

"Well hello Matthews," I say looking up at him since he's a few inches taller than I am.

"Well hello Jennings," he replies, "Almost didn't recognize you. Thought a supermodel was in the room."

"Haha, yeah right. Thanks, Josh," I say; I look over at Maya then nod my head at Josh, signaling him to go talk to his date. He takes his arm off me and struts over to her. She twirls her hair, pretending to look cool.

"Hey Maya," he says.

"Hey Josh," Maya replies squirming a little.

"Just so we're clear this is not a date. Got it? It's just two friends tagging along to their friend's dates."

"Yeah sure, let's see what he says by the end of the night," I whisper in Riley's ear, making her giggle. The intercom chirps on.

"Farkle," a voice speaks through the microphone, "and Lucas." another voice adds. Riley runs to it and presses a button.

"Come on up!" she excitedly shouts. Cory runs over to Josh.

"You better watch them. You watch them good," he says. Josh salutes him.

"Yes sir," and when he walks away whispers to us, "Alright girls, my one rule: Don't die. Have fun!" he shouts. We hear a knock, and Josh runs to the door before Cory can reach it. He swings it open to reveal our dates, Farkle, and Lucas.

"You two!" Cory shouts.

"Us!" they shout, then high five Josh before walking in, but Farkle stops, causing Lucas to almost fall when he sees me. His eyes widen as I stand. Riley walks over to Lucas, and helps him up, linking her arm in his.

"Hello Lucas," she says, trying to sound mature.

"Hi Riley," he replies. She looks down.

"I'm really happy you're standing next to me," she says, then they walk out the door, and Josh and Maya follow. Farkle is still frozen, as I walk a little closer to him.

"Hi, do I have something in my teeth?" I worriedly ask because he's staring at me for so long.

"N-No, you're perfect. I know every definition, but the only definition of true beauty that I know is held by the girl standing in front of me." I look down and look back up with a smile, then run my hand through my hair. He grabs my hand and our arms swing a little back and forth.

"This is my first date. Like, ever. I'm not really sure how this works, but I do know I'm glad that you're the one who I get to spend it with," I say then we walk out after our friends.

Our friends wait at the end of the hall, and before we leave Mr. Matthews runs out the door.

"Have them back by 10 sharp and no later!" then he smiles at us girls, scowls at the guys, and closes the door as he walks back to the apartment.

We walk hand in hand with our dates to the subway and make our way through the doors. Maya and Josh hold onto a pole in between two benches, while Lucas and Riley sit down on one of the benches. Farkle and I sit on the other.

"I'm really happy we're doing this, all of us, together," Riley says.

"I have a feeling this is gonna be a great night," Lucas says. I look up to see Maya and Josh's hands touching on the pole and mentally squeal. Lucas and Riley are talking, while Farkle and I just sit here.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous I guess," I say looking at him.

"You have nothing to be worried about Idina, I've loved you since the day we met. Nothing will ever change that."

"Y-You love me?" I ask shocked, "How can you be sure?" He takes my hand and places it on his chest.

"Feel that? My heart, it beats faster for you. It lives for you, it flutters like a butterfly in the wind. It knows you were meant to be right here, sitting next to me, in this subway car, on this night." I smile, but put my hand down.

"Love: an intense feeling of affection. No one's ever felt that for me except my mother. Not even my father truly felt that way. I don't even really know what love is."

"Well, if you didn't know, I'm very good at school. I know I can tutor you. Let's just take this step by step,"

"I'd really like that," I grin. Then I stand up to fix my dress. The subway veers, causing me to fall into Farkle's lap.

"Well hello there," I chuckle.

"This seems familiar," he replies laughing a tad as well, "I'm Farkle."

"Interesting name, very unique; I love it. Idina, Idina Jennings."

"Lovely name Idina."

"You know this really smart guy once told me that sometimes fate causes things to fall into your lap for a reason."

"Well, then fate's doing a pretty good job with timing because I was just about to ask my date if she'd like to be my girlfriend." I scoot back into my seat and look at his brown eyes.

"Of course Farkle," Our fingers fiddle together as our hands connect.

"You know those memories, moments, even fleeting seconds, that we're gonna remember for the rest of our lives?"

"Yeah," he leans in and mushes his lips together with mine. His lips are sweet, soft, and warm with a hint of a cool breeze that hits us as the train moves.

After we finish the first kiss of our new relationship, the subway comes to a halt.

"This is one of them," he finishes. Farkle stands and reaches for my hand.

"You ready?" He asks. I uncross my legs and reach up for the outreached hand, grinning at my boyfriend.

"For anything."