Josh

I wake up in Cory and Topanga's guest room. The thoughts of last night play in my head. I had never seen Cory so angry until he saw Riley come home in tears after a party.

Apparently, Riley had walked around looking for Lucas, her boyfriend (ex-boyfriend now), and found him making out with a girl in a bedroom. Lucas didn't even see Riley walk in. She came home in tears and didn't even tell Maya she was leaving. Maya showed up ten minutes later with a worried expression. She ran up and hugged Riley and they went to Riley's room to talk.

I walk out into the kitchen and realize no one is here. I look at the time 11:45am. I sigh and walk towards Riley's room. She usually forgets to close her window so I go to close it for her. When I walk in I'm surprised to see a certain blonde sitting in the bay window.

"Maya?" I ask.

She jumps a little and looks up. Her face was stained with tears that she tried to hide. She quickly looked back down and pulled her knees to her chest.

I go and sit beside her.

"Maya, what's wrong?" She shakes her head but I don't believe her.

"Maya, you know I can tell when you're lying. Just tell me what happened."

"Josh can I ask you something?" she asks quietly.

"Anything."

"Why do all the boys go after Riley? What am I doing wrong?"

It is true, Riley was liked by most boys in their senior year of high school. I didn't think Maya thought much of it until now. I sit there for a second and don't say anything. Why would she think she's doing something wrong? She's perfect the way she is.

"You know what, never mind. You don't have to answer the question. I'm just ugly and worthless."

I have never seen this part of Maya before. She was so vulnerable and sad, and that broke me inside to see her this way.

"Maya you are perfect just the way you are. You just have to find the right guy that will love you no matter what. I know that sounds hard but it will happen soon. Oh and you are not ugly at all. You are one of the most beautiful people I know."

She looks up and I see a smile start to form, but it's small. We just stare at each other for a moment. Then she talks, "Josh I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I don't usually let my guard come down, but you just pushed it right over."

"You didn't make me uncomfortable, I'm glad I could help."

She stands up and so do I. She pulls me into a tight hug and cries lightly into my chest. I feel tears on my skin and that's when I realize I'm shirtless. I didn't mean for that to happen.

I stroke the back of her hair and she squeezes me tighter. Her head only goes to my chest, and I rest my chin on her head.

She looks up and I look down at her. Her beautiful sea green eyes are glistened with tears. I stared into those beautiful eyes for a good two minutes before our lips touched. I don't know who leaned in first, but I was glad one of us did. We pull away and she looks at me with shock on her face. I smile lightly. She smiles too.

"I thought I was too young for you." she says quietly.

"That's what I used to think. Then I started to see you as more than just my niece's best friend. I saw you as the beautiful high school girl I was falling for."

She smiles up at me and I kiss her forehead.

"How are we going to tell Riley, Cory, and Shawn? I'm not worried about Topanga, but the rest of them might kill you." she says softly.

My eyes widen a little. I have to tell them or Cory will never trust me again.

"I have to tell them. I couldn't live with the guilt if I didn't. We can tell them at the dinner tonight with everyone."

She nods and buries her head into my chest.

"I love you Josh."

I've been waiting 2 years to hear those words and I never thought they sounded so amazing.

"I love you too Maya."

We spend the rest of the time we have alone in the house, cuddled up with her next to be watching movies. When we hear the door open, we know it's Topanga and I leave Riley's room.

I walk into the kitchen and see Topanga putting basil in a pot.

"Hey Josh." she says finally noticing my presence in the room.

"Hey Topanga!" I say a little to happily.

She gives be a weird look but I ignore it. She shakes it off and continues cooking.

When everyone is in the room getting food I yell over all of them, "Maya and I have a surprise after dinner!"

Everyone looks at me and Cory's eyes go wide.

"Is it presents?!" He asks excitedly. I shake my head and he frowns.

We all sit and eat for a while and everyone gradually throws their food away. They all sit back in the living room waiting on me to tell them the surprise.

Maya walks up and stands beside me.

I look over at Katy and she smiles lightly. I nod in her direction.

"Shawn and Katy, I'm in love with your daughter and I would like your permission to date her." I say and Maya laces her fingers in mine.

Shawn stands up and looks from Maya to me to our hands. Riley just sits there with her mouth wide open. Katy and Topanga smile lightly. Cory looks like he's a little angry and a little shocked.

Maya squeezes my hand nervously. I brace my self for whatever comes next.