Authors Note: I don't own GMW.

Maya sat on her bed, sketching Barry Mc-Bear Bear and thinking about how the day had gone. It was certainly not how she had pictured it, although seeing Josh was almost worth almost missing Tacopalooza.

He once again showed her how devoted he was to his family, and Maya though of how her heart had sped up when he insisted on findng Riley's bear. Once again her heart began to race as she recalled the way he held onto her hand for one minute and thirty seconds. His greeting was more intimate this time than in the past, and Maya had hope for their future.

Suddenly her phone went off and she grabbed it from her nightstand as she shaded Barry McBear Bears stuffing face. A smile lit her own face as she read Josh's name.

What are you doing?

Drawing. She answered, abandoning her book to wait for his reply. Maya knew from past experience that he was quick to answer her back. Ever since they agreed on 'someday' and talked all night at the ski lodge, they had grown closer and talked more about things that mattered.

Feel up to some company?

Maya swore her heart stopped as the message came through. She paused as she thought about her mom and Shaun in the room down the hall, then shrugged. It wasn't as if anything would happen. Josh was intimidated by her stepfather, if only because he thought of him as a big brother.

Okay. Her finger flew over the screen as she replied, and she smiled to herself. How could she miss a chance to hang out with Boing when he was offering?

A knock at her window startled her and she could barely make out his dark features as the light from the mini-mart across the street flashed behind him. Maya moved quickly to let him in and grinned at the two coffee cups from Topanga's in his hands.

"You knew I'd say yes." She accused, propping on hand on her hip and suddenly embarrassed by her Hello Kitty pajama set Riley had given her for Christmas last year.

"As if you would say no." He shot back, handing her a cup and raising an eyebrow at her attire, "Riley?"

"Riley." She confirmed, sitting on her bed with her back against the wall and tapping the spot next to her. Josh crossed the room and sat down, taking a sip of coffee before speaking.

"So…you and Zay."

Maya smiled slyly as she took an exaggerated sip of her coffee to delay answering. "Jealous, Uncle Boing?"

"I'm not your uncle, Maya." He smiled, avoiding her accusation. It stood in the air, though, and Maya was the first to speak.

"I don't know. We're just friends, and I can't see myself being attracted to him. But it was sweet of him to offer." She said, looking down at her cup, "So…jealous, are we?"

Turning towards him for an answer, she made the mistake of looking him in the eyes. Time froze. Well, it didn't stop, because Maya could still hear the ticking of her wall clock. But it seemed like they were moving in slow motion as they stared across the short distance.

So close. He was so close. Their faces were inches apart and Maya would swear that her heartbeat was audible clear across town. She swallowed hard and fought the urge to close the distance and kiss him. She felt the weight of her question in the air and wasn't sure she wanted an answer.

Josh was also working to compose himself, and could feel his cheeks heating with what could only be described as the telltale sign he was nervous.

"Of course not." He lied, "I want you to experience everything high school has to offer and dating is…is a big part of that."

"Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt." Maya whispered, looking down at the take-out cup in her hands.

He fell silent as he realized she was talking about seeing him with other girls and felt a pang of guilt as he confessed, "I lied. I am jealous. I rarely have a problem with anyone, but with this guy I feel like I could hit him. I don't want to see you with him."

Maya understood that he was connecting with her by admitting how he truly felt, and wanted to tell him that they didn't have to wait, that she was willing to do anything to have him. But she also knew that it wasn't the right time. They would have their someday, but that wasn't today.

Instead, she reached out her hand and grabbed his, smiling as he laced their fingers together. Then she took a breath before speaking softly, "I don't like Zay the same way I like you. In all the time that I've liked you, there's never been anyone else who even compares. You are my soulmate, Josh, and you can't get rid of me that quickly."

He chuckled at her honesty and then fell silent as she continued, "Besides, I don't even think that's what he was thinking about. I think he was just trying to be nice."

"Maya," Josh interrupted, knowing full well how the girl was feeling, "You are gorgeous. One of the reasons I remind you about our three year difference is because I need to remind myself that you are off-limits. You are full of fun and life and I would be jealous of any guy who gets to spend time with you because you make everything better. Don't undervalue yourself, not anymore."

She felt amazed at his words and was touched that he put thought into their growing relationship and her. Hope rose in her chest as she smiled at him, and he smiled back, their faces again inches apart.

Her phone began to ring next to her and she looked down to see Riley's name popping up on the screen. She answered quietly, and Josh could hear Riley almost shouting on the other end.

"Peaches! Are you okay?"

"Yes, Riles. What's up?" Maya felt Josh squeeze her hand and smiled into the phone, realizing that for the first time she was keeping something big from her best friend.

As if sensing her thoughts, Josh took out his own phone and typed something before showing it to her. Maya's smile grew as she read his words and was amazed that he was willing to put himself out there for her to continue being honest with Riley.

Shaking her head, she tried to follow what Riley was saying, "-and so maybe you and Zay could come with us. I think Lucas told him that he had to officially ask you, but I really want to go, and my dad will probably be okay with it if you were with me."

"Riles, I don't like Zay like that. But I'll text him and let him know that we're your chaperones for the night. As friends." Maya tried to reason with her friend, happy that the triangle was resolved and Riley had her happy ending, but feeling depressed that she couldn't get her own with Josh. Someday. "But listen, I'm feeling really tired and just want to sleep and-"

"-forget about Uncle Josh giving Zay permission to date you?" Riley interrupted softly. Maya groaned as Josh looked stricken and released her hand to stand up, walking over to the window and staring out into the night.

"Yeah, Riley. I'll see you tomorrow." Maya hung up the phone and walked over to Josh. "Hey, listen, you know she's naïve. She didn't know you were right next to me, either. She was just being…Riley."

"Why didn't you tell her?" He asked hoarsely, as though he worried about her reason.

"I didn't want to lose the moment…" She said, "But I guess that didn't work out the way I was thinking. I just wanted to hold onto you before you escape into the night."

Josh grabbed her arms and stepped forward until her back was against the wall. Maya gasped at his intimate proximity before her eyes slid down to his lips. His lips parted as he breathed and he spoke in a tense tone, "You have absolutely no idea how you affect me, Maya. Every time I am around you I am amazed at how you change, how mature you've become. I don't understand how this happened, and I hate that I can't stop thinking about you. You are all over the place. But I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to be the reason you miss out on something –"

"Something more? Something better? Or someone?" Maya almost shouted, pushing him away, "I don't think you understand, Josh. I like you. I really like you. I know how I feel, and I know this isn't something that won't just go away if you avoid me. I don't think you want that, anyway. You know what, Josh, it's my life and I get to decide how to live it. If I decide that I want to wait for you – then I will."

She turned toward the wall to hide her tears and felt Josh move behind her. "Maya-"

"Josh," she turned around and froze. He was definitely closer than she could ever remember him being, and she held her breath while he leaned over and kissed her cheek gently. "Until next time, ferret."

"Until next time, Boing."

Maya watched Josh as he went to the window and crawled out, glancing back at her dark form.

A/N: Please review! : ) More coming soon. I promise.