Story Number: #2

Length: 2395

Name: Runaways At Midnight

Pairings & Characters: (Lucaya) Maya, Lucas, Riley, OC

Description: The more we stay, the further apart I feel from you. The more I convince myself I want to stay, the more I need to leave. But only if I can leave with you.

A/N So guys hope you enjoy this story I got the idea about midnight last night and I just went like shot up out of bed and started writing. Any Lucaya fans want to give me ideas and requests for the rest of these oneshots? It'd be much appreciated.

BTW in this AU everything is the same except Lucas lives with his drunk and negligent uncle.

…

Maya's POV

I set down my pen inside my diary, my final transcript inscribed on the last few pages. I take a deep breath, as my heated breath fogs the glass window pane facing outside of Riley's window. The lights shining through every window in every city block are unfocused through the rain and distance. A faint reflection can be seen in the mirror. Short. Blonde. Worried. Just as I thought, the reflection was my own.

I wish I could stay, I really do. There's people here, places here, that I don't want to forget and miss out on. But if don't leave, I'll never be allowed to be with who I want to be, to act how I want to be. I turn back to Riley, managing to find my navy blue hoodie at the side of the bed. I zip it up quietly, trying not to wake the sleeping girl.

I know. I should've told her, but Riley, she wasn't great at keeping secrets. She would have told Farkle, who would have told his parents and so on and so forth. Of course I'll miss Riley. I'll miss her so much, and I don't think time will ever heal that. I just hope she understands why eventually. I smile down at her, and rub her hair affectionately. "Goodbye Riles."

I sneak out the door, tiptoeing ever so silently through the front door, feeling the extremity of the crisp and wet night air as I enter the sprinkling rain that soaks my hair within seconds. I quickly pull the hood up over my head. After running across the unstable road, carefully dodging an Audi speeding through the streets, I take a final look at the Mathew's apartment block.

If Riley needs me, she'll figure it out.

14 hours later

OC's POV

"This house. It's nice." I say, pacing into the main living area. There are already some police officers here, talking to friends and relatives and searching the nooks and crannies of the apartment. I see a brunette haired girl, mid height, still in her pajamas. She looks distraught, tears evident on her pale face. She is being comforted by what seems to be her parents, who also look grief stricken.

There are two boys in the corner of the room, fully dressed, unlike the small family I saw earlier. One strong and tall, one awkward and small. They both seem reasonably worried. They are most likely friends of the victim in question. The tall one looks slightly distracted, like he has somewhere he has to be, while the short one just looks panicked and stressed out.

"Detective Osbourne?" A hand firmly touches my shoulder, and I turn around to face the man that was hugging the girl earlier, her father most likely.

"Yes, I'm guessing you're the father?"

"In a way, I suppose. That girl over there," pointing to the brunette, "she's my daughter, and she's her best friend. She would…stay here often. Didn't go home much."

I listen to his quivering, anxious words, writing down anything that might help.

"Her father…he left when she was young, so I guess she accepted me as her father figure. I'm Cory, by the way."

"Would you be able to introduce me to everyone here? It will help the investigation if we know all the witnesses."

He takes a deep breath, nodding and motions the rest of the relations over to where I sit at the dining table. All except for the mother and small child that were with the father and brunette girl. They sit down one by one, none of them wanting to face the task that must be done before advancing to a new stage. I first face the brunette at the end of the table, wet tear lines on her small face. I try to give her a reassuring smile, it helps to make sure your witnesses don't approach the situation as hopeless.

"What's your name?"

"Riley. Riley Matthews." She sniffs, wiping he sleeve under her nose.

"So, what happened between you and Maya yesterday?"

"Nothing. We didn't have any fight, she was fine when we were at school…I juts, don't understand why she thought she would need to leave." Her voice chokes up close to the end, as she holds back tears. "I would never do anything to hurt her, she's my best friend."

I nod, writing things down in my spiral notebook. Her story sounds believable, I really think that she is worried about Hart. I turn my gaze upon the two boys, both of them with their hands together, looking down at the table. I first question the smaller looking boy.

"And what's your name?"

"Farkle. Minkus."

"And, how did you know Maya Hart?"

"Well, I'm her friend. I've known her for three years, and we get along fairly. Though occasionally, my romantic pursuits have not been well received. But…when I say occasionally, I mean almost all the time," He attempts a chuckle, but soon his smile fades and he returns his eyes to the table.

"And did you hav-"

"Look," the taller boy interrupts, "I know this is important, and I want Maya to be safe as much as anyone, but…I have somewhere to be." He gets up off the table, pushing in his seat and attempting a hasty exit.

Cory holds his hand up. "Wait. Excuse me?"

Riley stands up, anger seething from her eyes. "Lucas, she's your friend too. Whether you like it or not, you're staying so we can find her."

There is a silence, with Farkle and Cory not daring to intervene with the ex lovers. Ever since they broke up, their friendship had been slightly more on edge, so I'd heard.

"I don't need this." Lucas huffs, grabbing his jacket from the lounge, and heading for the door. "I'll see you guys later."

For the purpose of investigation, I decide not to intervene. His clear anger with Maya Hart and disregard for her safety would suggest that he knows where she is. Or did something to her. I'll bring it up with his family later.

"Riley, who does Lucas live with?"

"He lives with his uncle. His parents sent him to Texas, after an…incident. His uncle's, kind of, negligent. Every time we visit his house, he's always drunk."

"Really? I'll have to look into that." I write that down on a separate page before turning back to the original. "Do we have anything from Maya that might lead to where she went?"

Riley rubs her temple in frustration. "There is her diary, but…I don't want to violate her privacy. I swore I would never read that diary."

"Well, I'm sorry, but that diary could mean the difference between finding Ms Hart, and never seeing her again."

She sighs, knowing she can't win the argument, and agrees.

…

I reach under the bed against the wall, in the girlish room piled high with tops and skirts. I finally take out a thick, grey notebook, with little notes sticking out of it. I hold it up in front of the family at the door, Riley in particular.

She nods. "That's it. That's her diary."

I flick to the last two pages of writing, and scan it carefully.

5/6/15

That was yesterday.

I'm writing this, not in hopes that you will straightway find me, but in the hopes that my closest friends will figure it out in time. I know what I'm about to do will hurt those I leave behind. I know that, but I'm getting closer to insanity everyday that I stay here.

The longer we stay, the further apart I feel from you. The more I convince myself that I want to stay, my need to leave increases. But I'll only leave if I can leave with you.

To Farkle, your constant romantic advances may have annoyed me, but I truly am flattered that you were that infatuated with me. You have been a great friend through the years, and I will miss you.

To my mother, I do love you. Just because I left doesn't mean that I never appreciated what you have done for me. Though, if you ever see my father, ord forbid he ever shows his face, tell him to go fuck himself. He doesn't deserve to have a wife like you. Thank you, and I will miss you.

To the Matthews family, you have been my second home and my second family. Cory, you are like the father and wise old owl that I never had, thank you. Topanga, your amazon warrior spirit inspired me during a tough period in my life. Auggie, having a little brother would have been great, but he would never be half the little brother you are.

To my best friend, Riley, stop blaming yourself. There was nothing that you could have done to be a better best friend. In actual fact, I should have been kinder to you. Truly, you are the best friend that I could have ever asked for, and I know that I will see you again soon. Until then, I know you will find happiness. Thank you, and I will miss you.

To anybody who thinks they have been forgotten on this list, this was not me forgetting you. It was merely that the list of things you have done for me has been more negative than positive, and I don't care to talk about all the things you have done to me. For others that have not done negative, then it is for you to figure out why you are not on this list.

May love find you all,

Maya Penelope Hart

Maya Hart wrote this last night. From the looks of it, just before she disappeared.

"Well, I have some good news. She wasn't kidnapped, and I don't think she was killed. She ran away." I say as I put the diary back down on the bed, placing my hands in the pockets of my jacket.

Riley looks taken aback, but still more relieved than noted before. The same goes for the rest of the members in the room. A thought crosses my mind.

"Was Maya ever showing romantic interest in anyone?"

Farkle and Riley pause for a moment, until he speaks up. "Well, I suppose…she always looked like her and Lucas were into each other."

Cory shakes his head, no. "No. I don't think she'd be interested in Lucas, they were always just trying to annoy each other…Josh!" He exclaims. Noticing my confusion, he continues, "He's my brother and Riley and Auggie's uncle. Though, he is significantly younger than me. He's attending the local university, but he's on break right now. Maya always had an interest in him."

I immediately head for the door. Cory looks slightly curious as to my concerns. I motion for him and Riley to join me, "Well, where does he live?"

…

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

"Still nothing?" Riley asks impatiently. She sighs, "We've knocked about ten times already. Are you sure he's home?"

Cory rubs his temple in frustration. "I thought he was. None of his friends are in town, and Eric told me that he would be home all week."

"Unless…" I say, "He lied."

"What? Why would he lie?"

"Perhaps, just perhaps, he realized that he had feelings for the young Maya, and fled the town." I contemplate. Riley's eyes widen in shock, and I step down the balcony and gently push them forward with me as I quicken my pace towards the Matthew's car.

Suddenly, I hear the door creak open behind us. Slowly turning my head, I see a 19 year old boy, with brunette hair, similar to Riley's. He stands only in a bath towel around his waist covering only his bottom half, leaving the rest of him soaking wet. "Hello?"

"Josh?" Riley questions, "You're not with Maya?"

"Why would I be with Maya?"

…

"Well, it's not Josh."

"That doesn't make any sense. Maya has always been interested in my brother."

"It's obvious that this little crush is no more. Maybe she never actually liked him."

"Possibly."

"Then the question still remains. Who did Maya run away with?"

"I have to say, I've looked at all options. Riley might have an idea."

"Fair point…Mr. Matthews, where is Riley?"

…

Maya's POV

"They took me to Josh's house, thought he was the one you ran off with you. I just neglected to tell them the truth." Riley's voices crackles through the bad connection on the phone, as I feel two strong arms wrap around me and a warm breath on my neck.

"Riley. Thank you…so, so much. I owe you my life."

"Hey, all that you owe me is a promise." The line goes silent for a few moments, before she speaks again. "Promise me. Promise me you'll be safe."

I smile, though she can't see me. "Riley, I promise."

More silence. "I'm really gonna miss you guys."

More smiling. "Not as much we'll miss you."

And the line goes silent.

I turn to him, finding his eyes fixed on mine. His hug deepens as I snuggle into his shoulder. "I love you Maya."

He lets go for a short time, cupping my cheek in his hand. "Is this what you want?"

I gently grasp his hand that lies on my face. "I've never been more sure." Islowly lean forward, planting a passionate kiss on his lips, as they move in sync with mine. After what seems like an eternity, we slowly part for breath. I rest my forehead on his as he carries me over the hill, into the next town.

"I love you too Lucas."