Riley and Maya sit at the bay window.
Riley: What happens if it's terrible?
Maya: What's a matter, Peaches?
Riley: College. I don't wanna.
Maya: Yeah, you do.
Riley: No.
Auggie walks in and plops down on Riley's bed.
Auggie: Got high school in a week. Dad's my teacher.
Maya: I don't miss that.
Riley: I do! I wanna go back.
Auggie: Be my guest. Ava keeps texting me about being "locker neighbors". I don't even know where my locker is! Is there an HOA? What if some big kid tries to rob me of my textbooks?
Riley: Yeah, Maya, what if some big kid tries to rob him of his textbooks?
Maya: Riles. College. Auggie. Nobody uses textbooks anymore. Welcome to the internet age.
Riley: Maya. No.
Maya: I love you, Riles, you know I do. But I leave for Buffalo tonight. I have to go. So do you.
Riley: I know, I know. I'm just... scared.
Auggie: Of college?
Riley: Of the world, of everything. Of being without Maya.
Maya: You're never without me. Ring power, remember?
Riley smiles softly and touches her ring to Maya's.
Riley: Ring power.
Maya: Forever.
Later that day, at Topanga's...
Farkle, Lucas, and Zay enter the café and sit in their regular seats. Riley and Maya are waiting for them there.
Farkle: I... have something to tell you.
Zay: Me?
Farkle: No... I was talking to Riley.
Zay: Nobody's ever talking to me.
Lucas: I talk to you.
Zay: Yeah, okay.
Farkle takes Riley's hands.
Farkle: I changed my mind.
Riley: About me?
Farkle: No, never about you. About college.
Everyone gasps.
Farkle: I found a school... closer. I know it sounds crazy, but I got us all an interview there.
Riley: Us all?
Farkle: Well, except for Smackle. I think Harvard needs him more than we do.
Lucas: That's for sure. Kid's gonna cure cancer. I just know it.
Zay: So, where's this mystery school?
Maya: Please say Paris. Please say Paris.
Farkle: Pennsylvania.
Riley: What?
Lucas: I second that, what?
Zay: Third.
Maya: Fourth, I wanted that buffalo. What's Pennsylvania got?
Lucas: Maya, we talked about this. You don't get a buffalo.
Maya: I will break up with you right now.
Lucas: Sorry, dear.
Farkle: It's called Pennbrook. Riley's parents went there. And it just so happens that former New York Senator Eric Matthews put in a good word for us.
Riley: My Uncle Eric?
Maya: No, I'm sure it's some other former New York Senator named Eric Matthews. Right, Farkle?
Farkle: ...No... The very same.
Maya: Oh. I'd've put money on it being someone else.
Farkle: Anyway... My father might have also... bought the science wing. And there's this really nice lady who teaches there, your uncle said she loves him.
Later, Riley and Maya sit with their parents in the Matthews' living room.
Topanga: Pennbrook?
Riley: Farkle says Uncle Eric knows someone there.
Cory: He does, yes. But how did you all get in?
Maya: We haven't, yet. Farkle got us an interview. And his dad bought the science wing.
Topanga: Oh.
Shawn: Try again.
Topanga: Oh!
Shawn: Better. Still not convinced.
Topanga smiles really wide.
Topanga: OH! That's wonderful!
Shawn: Yeesh.
Katy: So... You going to go?
Maya: I don't know. Lucas says he still wants to go to vet school. But everyone else is on board.
Riley: Don't worry, Peaches. He can come and visit us.
Maya: Yeah...
Two days later, the gang meets at Topanga's once again, sans Lucas.
Riley's laptop is open.
Cory: You think she'll like them?
Topanga: I know she will.
The video call starts.
Woman: Hi, it's so nice to meet all of you! I'm Rachel Maguire, the Dean of Admissions here at Pennbrook University.
Farkle: This lady loves your uncle?
Riley: I don't know. Lady, do you love my uncle?
Rachel: I sure do. He's one of my best friends.
Zay: So... Are we in?
Maya: She hasn't even asked us anything yet.
Rachel: First, I'd like to see if any of you have questions for me.
Maya: Yes, um, Miss, are we in?
Rachel: I'd like to say no... But Mr. Minkus gave us a sizeable donation, so, yes, you're all in.
Farkle: You're welcome.
Rachel: Yes... Well. I'll see you in three weeks.
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