"And to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The class finished the Pledge, and sat down.

"Miss Lawrence," Mr. Feeny announced, "I couldn't help noticing that you didn't recite the Pledge of Allegiance this morning." He said, and Topanga nodded. 

"Yes, sir." She answered. "I elected not to." 

"Why was that?" Mr. Feeny asked.

"I didn't feel like it." Gia snickered at that.

"This is gonna be cool." Cory whispered, turning to look at Shawn and Gia.  

"What was that, Mr. Matthews?" Feeny asked, causing Cory to freeze.

"Uh, I said 'this is gonna be cool', Mr. Feeny." He said, as Gia rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. 

"Why?"

"'Cuz you're finally gonna nail Topanga for being weird." Cory stated, and Gia was practically fuming in her seat.

"Do you think it's weird to engage in social protest?" Mr. Feeny asked. 

"I think it's weird to pick on me when she didn't say the Pledge of Allegiance." 

"Well, Mr Matthews," Feeny said, walking up to the board, "it  seems that you and Miss Lawrence have opposing positions for this morning's debate." 

"Uh-oh." Cory said, his eyes widening. 

"You've been set up, bud." Minkus said, causing Gia to laugh. 

"Mr. Feeny told you not to say the pledge?" Cory asked, and Topanga smiled, nodding. Gia reached over and gave her girl best friend a high-five. 

"Today's social studies discussions- American traditions; the Pledge of Allegiance versus Social Protest." Feeny announced, writing it on the board, "Mr. Matthews, defend old Glory. Miss Lawrence., defend the right to dissent."

Gia watched as Cory and Topanga stood up, getting ready to defend their side. "Just because it's tradition doesn't mean you have to do it." Topanga said.

"But it's the pledge," Cory exclaimed, "It takes, like, ten seconds to say. Why can't you just make everybody happy?"

"Because if I'm forced to do it just because it's some tradition I don't understand, then it doesn't make me very happy." Topanga retaliated.

"Can you spell peculiar?" Cory asked, giving Topanga a look.

"Oh, and you're normal? You talk to a flag every day and you don't even know what you're saying." Shawn started to hum "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah," and Gia nearly lost it.

"That's what makes this country great." Cory continued, and Gia rolled her eyes. "That flag. Because that flag gives us the right to have this discussion and this discussion is the most important discussion we will ever have, and-"

The bell rang and Gia ran out of the room,

~~~

"Parent's don't understand how important the weekend is, you know?" Cory said, as Shawn sat down, leading Gia to sit next to him. 

Ever since the incident in the girl's bathroom, Shawn had made sure that Gia ate every day, even if it was just a few french fries, or an apple.

"Yeah." Shawn agreed, "Like there's not enough pressure on us being in the sixth grade all week." 

"And then they want us to do stuff on out only days off." Gia frowned as Cory and Shawn talked. She, in fact, had never experienced something like that before. Her and her dad weren't exactly the closest.

"Only three days till Monday." Minkus said, placing his tray down next to Gia.

"Minkus, I'm sure that if you check your ticket stub you'll see that your seat is in the goon section." Shawn pointed out, looking at Minkus.

"I'm just leaving my tray here while I get an apple, okay>"

As soon as he left, Shawn's attention shifted to the hamburger, as Cory continued. 

"I mean; my weekends are jam-packed. I have no spare time." Cory said, shrugging.

"Minkus left his hamburger here." Shawn said, licking his lips.

"Oh dear..." Gia sighed.

"I get up Saturday morning and I watch 'X-men'." 

"It's very hard for me to be alone with Minkus' hamburger."

"Here he goes..."

"My next stop is the comic book store."

"Especially when it's sitting there begging for more salt."

"You're gonna kill him, Shawn."

"Then in the afternoon I hang out with you guys."

"I don't know if this is a personality disorder with me or what." Gia watched as Shawn poured all the salt from the salt-shaker on the burger.

"You're mental." 

"Then it's home for Saturday night pizza night."

"But I'm never happy unless I'm doing stuff like this." Shawn put some pudding on top of the salt.

"That's disgusting."

"And then it's four hours of video games and it's a good night."

"I don't mean just a little happy."

"I'm serious, Hunter, I'm gonna hurl."

"Where's a spare minute?"

"I mean, I'll have this moment and know it was a good day." Shawn finished as he placed the bun back onto the burger, and Gia groaned in disgust. 

"I can't take the pressure of a father/son softball game." Cory explained, and Shawn nodded, while Gia looked down at her plate.

"Oh, I hate those." 

"They take it so seriously." Gia sighed, suddenly not feeling very hungry. 

"I'm going to the restroom." She mumbled, hurrying off quickly. She got to the bathroom, closing the door. 

Why couldn't she have a real dad?

(Slightly short, but it was hard to fit Gia in the episode :) hope y'all are having a good day. Love you guys, God bless ~<3~)