Amy: Cory is going on his first date. Isn't that sweet? Alan: Yeah. Poor slob. Alan: What are you saying? You're his father. You should be proud. Alan: Hey, I've been on the guy side of dating. [...] I wonder if I can still warn him about the minefield he's about to step into without ruining his life. Amy: Well, Cory doesn't appear to be suffering like you did. He's actually excited about this date. I overheard him telling Shawn that he couldn't play basketball today because he was going out with Topanga. Alan: Topanga? Cory's always teasing her, making fun of her... Oh, no. This is bad. Cory: Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Amy: Cory, I think this is so wonderful. Alan: Son, this is the stupidest thing you've ever done. Cory: Before I shoot myself in the foot, which stupid thing are we talking about? Amy: Your date with Topanga! Alan: What were you thinking? Cory: Everything started getting all fuzzy after that telegram movie. [...] But ever since we saw it, people are doing really strange things. Amy: Well, you certainly are. You've never asked a girl out before. Cory: Yeah, well, neither did Shawn. Amy: Did you ask Topanga out so you could keep up with Shawn? Cory: Whoa. That's weird. How did she know?
"Boy Meets Girl" is the 21st episode of season one of Boy Meets World, and the 21st episode overall. It first aired on May 6, 1994. The episode was written by Janette Kotichas Burleigh and was directed by David Trainer.
When the class watches an old telegram about puberty, Cory declares that both he and Shawn will stay 12 until they turn 42. Shawn, however, soon falls for a girl named Hilary, and Cory has to adjust to his friend's development. Angry at Shawn for missing their scheduled game of basketball, Cory enlists Minkus' help for getting a date of his own out of jealousy.
Minkus does his best to describe to Cory how to find a girl he can relate to, but soon tires and tells him to "just go for the first thing in a dress." However, he soon finds that the only sixth grader wearing a dress is the weird Topanga. Although initially put off by her unusual references to astrology, Cory makes a date for a lunch at IHOS.
When Amy finds out, she is delighted to think of all the fun Cory could have dating, while Alan feels strongly that dating will be as miserable to Cory as it was to him. When confronted by them, Cory semi-explains what's going on, with Amy guessing the rest. Realizing that it was wrong to form the date to catch up to Shawn, he decides to call and cancel. However, he dodges the chance to explain to Topanga, and instead fakes sick.
The next day, Cory decides to help his mom with the laundry, as Mother's Day is approaching. While goofing around throwing clothes into the laundry basket, he answers the door to see Topanga. Feeling sorry for him, she came to bring him bancha tea to help him feel better.
Cory admits what he was up to, and Topanga is surprisingly understanding. She stays to help him with the laundry, and they chat about astrology and what to get their mothers for Mother's Day. Later, Shawn and Eric are certain that they ended up having a date after all, which Cory aggressively denies at first.
He talks to Topanga at school on Monday, telling her it was not a date, but thanks her for her help in writing Amy a poem for Mothers Day. Cory remarks how Topanga knows a lot about women, to which Topanga replies that it is because she is growing into one. She then folds down Cory's shirt collar and walks into class. Cory quickly pulls his collar up, but then smiles as he folds it properly himself.
At the end tag of the episode, Cory and Shawn are sitting on the floor at school, talking about how they survived their first dates and are still best friends. Cory tells Shawn that they'll always stick together, and face things like second dates, proms, engagements, and marriages together, with Shawn agreeing. Just then, Hilary rushes by saying "Hi Shawn" while Topanga, who is rushing across the other direction, says hi to Cory as well. Cory and Shawn look at each other and mutter a "later!" as Shawn follows Hilary to the other side of school and Cory walks in after Topanga inside Feeny's class.
Riley and Maya digitally inserted into footage from this episode
In this episode, Cory begins to show real signs of having a crush on Topanga, even admitting to Shawn that they had a date. Cory also leaves Shawn to be with Topanga in the end tag.
Girl Meets World also has a similar-plot episode ironically dubbed Girl Meets Boy, in which Riley and Lucas have their first real connection, as Topanga and Cory do in this episode.
