AN: I really, sincerely, truly, want to thank everyone for their reviews! A new reader (Allie) reviewed both chapters today, and it was the push I needed to finish this one! So, Allie, the last scene is for your little Joshaya heart! Hope you like it!

I want to address something another reviewer asked about. The characters are all sophomores in high school in a mythical world where they are basically married off at 16, so yeah, there's going to be some underage drinking, sexual situations, and other teenaged mischief, hence the T rating. Sorry if that bugs you, but I didn't think it was too much of a stretch. (I definitely got drunk in high school, not that I'm promoting underage drinking. Just say no kids!)

Anywho, more at the bottom!

November 28th

Riley flitted around the bakery, trying to make sure everything was perfect before the guest of honor arrived. Farkle and Smackle sat on the couch, watching her run around seemingly without purpose. She would move a decoration an inch, run to another table, come right back to the same decoration, and put it right back where it started.

"Relax, Riley. Everything looks great," Farkle attempted to calm her.

"Great isn't good enough for my Peaches! I want everything to be perfect on her big day!" Riley exclaimed, rearranging the gifts on the coffee table for the third time.

"You know Maya isn't going to care about any of that stuff, Riles. She'll just be happy you all are here," Josh called from behind the counter. He had started working at the bakery whenever he could fit it into his schedule. Katy and Topanga were pretty lenient when it came to the charming young man, so he managed to work and keep up with his classes quite easily.

Riley smiled over at him. "I didn't think you were on the schedule today."

Josh rubbed the back of his neck as he responded sheepishly, "I thought Katy and Topanga could use the extra hands. They'll be pretty preoccupied with the festivities I'm sure. Uh, what's Maya's birth time again?"

Riley looked down at her phone. "We have about an hour."

She frantically attempted to put her phone back in her pocket, but her jittery, jerky movements caused her to drop her phone on the ground. Smackle calmly picked it up and set it on the coffee table.

"Maya will be here any minute! Where is everyone?" Riley shrieked.

"Bubbles! Maya said she didn't want a big party. Just us. So we didn't invite anyone else," Smackle explained for what felt like the millionth time.

Pouting, Riley moved the giant cupcake she made. "I was hoping she would change her mind and at least let me invite Evan."

"Nope, just us. Her mom and your parents will be here when it's time," Smackle confirmed.

Riley ran a hand through her hair, glancing outside to see a familiar blonde couple sitting at a table. It was one of those crazy days where it was unseasonably hot, so everyone tried to soak up as much sun as they could. She hadn't talked to Lucas much after waking up alone at Darby's, but she had noticed things had cooled off between him and Missy.

They were still very friendly, Missy would constantly be touching him and Lucas would respond with a casual arm over her shoulder, but they weren't gross. Riley couldn't remember seeing them kiss since the night of the party, not that she was watching them.

She half believed she had imagined the whole night, having never drunk that much before, but she knew she couldn't have dreamed up how good it felt to be in his arms and Lucas always had a strange look in his eyes whenever they met hers. It was as if he was waiting for her to do something, but she wasn't sure what he wanted. So she kept her distance and he kept his.

When they did happen to bump into each other, Lucas was extremely gentle with her, treating her like she was as fragile as antique glass. He didn't tease her or try to flirt with her, but he was kind. Too kind. She couldn't figure it out.

She was shaken out of her thoughts by a blur of blonde curly hair.

"My Peaches! Happy Birth-"

"Breakroom. Breakroom right now," Maya said, clutching a brown paper bag in one hand and grabbing Riley with the other as she dragged her into the back of the bakery. Maya closed and locked the door, plopping onto the couch without another word.

"What do you have there, Maya? Is everything okay?" Riley asked, coming to sit next to her, her face tight with concern.

Maya pulled out a blood red fabric wrap, handing it to Riley, who gasped when she saw it. "Is this a band, Maya Penelope Hart? Why do you have it?"

Maya swallowed, her eyes moving wildly around the room as her nerves seemed to be getting the better of her. "Because if I don't get it today, I want you to use it on me. Or if I do get it and I don't like what I see."

"But Maya... why would you want to do this?" Riley asked, desperate to understand. "It's only the first day."

Maya sighed, getting up and pacing around the room. "If I don't get it today, Josh isn't my soulmate, so I don't want to know who is. It's Boing or bust, Riles."

Riley was silent as she fingered the band in her hands. Teens who didn't believe in the markings, often wore thick fabric bands around their arms to hide the place where their scar showed up. Once they turned 18, they could legally have a permanent band placed in the area and remove their name from the online registry that helped soulmates find each other. The fabric ones were made in a way that the wearer didn't have to take it off until their 18th birthday, they could wear them in the shower and everything.

Some upperclassmen had bands on their arms, but Riley mostly ignored them. It made her heart hurt to think anyone could just give up on their beloveds like that. She had never heard Maya talk about it before today.

"But, Maya, the universe knows what it's doing. If it isn't Josh, it will be someone even more perfect for you."

Maya shook her head. "There is no one else for me. I have wanted Josh from the moment I met him, no one else. It's like my heart and soul already know who they belong to."

Riley pulled Maya back down to sit next to her. "He won't do the same, Maya. I do believe he has feelings for you, but he won't abandon destiny for you. Even if you could convince him to be with you, he would leave when he got his. He can't help himself. It's how we were raised."

Maya gulped and nodded, knowing the truth behind her friend's words. "I've wanted this moment for so long, honey. Today has already been really overwhelming. All I know is right now the only way I can deal with the possibility of Josh not being my soulmate is with a band. I have two years to decide if I want to make it permanent, but right now it's the only thing getting me through this."

Thoughts of Lucas rose up unbidden in Riley's mind. She quickly shook them off. Lately, whenever anyone talked about their mate, the blonde was on her mind. She didn't want to think about that too much, so she put her focus back on her friend. "Well, we will find out soon enough, and no matter what you decide, Maya, I've got your back, okay? Forever."

Maya glanced at her phone. "I better go see my guests. We only have 20 minutes before 11:58."

Riley shoved the band back into the bag, rolling the top up tight and hiding it under the cushions of the couch. She hoped they wouldn't need to use it.

Maya had made quick work of unwrapping the presents her friend bought her, glad to have something to do with her hands. Smackle seemed to sense the anxiety she was feeling because she kept trying to keep her calm. While she appreciated her friend going out of her comfort zone to rest a soothing hand on her shoulder, the tea did little to ease her unsettled thoughts.

Josh stood behind the counter, idly wiping down the same spot over and over again as he pretended to work. Both her mother and Topanga hovered around her, their nervous and excited energy, making her even more anxious. Cory stood off to the side, tearing up and grabbing his heart at random intervals. Meanwhile, Riley had been unable to sit still for even a second, doing everything in her power to make sure Maya had the perfect day. Farkle was the only person acting semi-normal, well normal for Farkle that is, and Maya had never been more appreciative of her friend.

"It's almost time!" Katy shrieked, glancing down at her watch as she wrung her hands together. "Baby girl, no matter what happens, just know that I love you, okay?"

Maya nodded, not looking up from the large chocolate cupcake with purple icing that Riley had placed in front of her.

"Even if it doesn't come today, it doesn't mean it won't come at all," Topanga reassured, running her hand through Maya's hair.

Maya made eye contact with Riley from across the seating area. "I know."

She stood up, walking away from the group to glance at the window. "Can you guys stop hovering? I need a little space."

She rubbed her scar spot and stared at the man who had occupied so many of her thoughts. She didn't know what she would do if he wasn't hers. Come to think of it, she didn't know what she would do if he was. She had been so focused on getting the scar, on proving her feelings to be true, the after part had only just recently became the focal point in her mind, and every scenario terrified her.

She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she tried to squash the panic that was growing inside her. She stood in front of the window, Josh standing at the counter, their family and friends in between them, and as the burning sensation welled up on her arm, she didn't need to look down to know what it said.

Josh's eyes widened as he felt a pain shoot into his arm. He turned his shocked gaze towards the blonde, his voice hoarse as he croaked out, "Maya?"

The group between them was silent as they all came to the realization of what was happening. Maya looked between them and Josh, the feelings inside of her overpowering her.

"I'm sorry," she cried as she turned and ran out the door.

Josh came around the counter as Riley headed toward the door, only to be stopped by both Cory and Topanga.

"Cor, she's... we're... she's mine," Josh said firmly, clutching his arm. Maya Penelope Hart was written in black script, deep and dark.

"Mom, she needs me. She's just scared. I have to find her," Riley begged, trying to get around her parents.

Topanga and Cory both firmly shook their heads.

"We need to give her some space. She'll come to us when she's ready," Topanga said, wrapping Riley in a hug. "There are some things you can't fix, sweetheart."

"She'll come back, Josh. You know she will," Cory reassured his brother.

Josh gazed out the window, searching in vain for his soulmate, before nodding in agreement with his brother. "I should probably call the parents."

Katy clapped her hands together. "And we should clean up this mess."

Everyone set about doing their tasks as Josh disappeared into the breakroom. Falling onto the couch with a sigh, he reached into his pocket.

He waited impatiently for his father to answer the phone. "Dad?"

"Josh! How's it going?" Alan asked, his happiness evident in his voice. "Your mother and I were just talking about you. Do you want to come home with us after Christmas for a few days?"

Josh shook his head even though his father couldn't see him. "No, I don't know if I can do that right now. Is mom around? I need to talk to both of you."

"Is everything alright?" Alan asked as he searched his home for his wife. Josh assured him everything was fine, he just needed to talk to both of them at the same time. "Okay, Josh, your mom is right here. I'm going to put you on speaker."

"Hi, honey!" his mom called out. "Everything okay?"

"Yes, mom. I'm okay. Cory's okay. Everything is fine. I just... I got my scar today."

"You got it? You got it! That's fantastic!" his father cheered. "Who's the lucky girl? Do we know her? Have you looked her up on the registry?"

Amy pulled away from the hug Alan had wrapped her up in as she did some mental calculations, glancing at the calendar on the wall. The date confirmed her suspicions as she asked, already knowing the answer, "It's Maya, isn't it?"

"How did you know that?" Josh asked, sounding surprised.

Amy shrugged at her husband, who looked equally surprised, taking the phone from Alan as she spoke. "I didn't know know, I just speculated, but I know today is her birthday. I think Riley mentioned she was born around lunchtime."

"That's so amazing, Josh! Can we talk to her?" Alan asked, barely containing his excitement. Maya was already an honorary Matthews, and he knew how deeply she cared for his son.

"She ran away, dad. I don't know... I haven't even talked to her yet," Josh confessed, resting his head in his hands.

"Oh, dear... Everyone deals with destiny their own way. She's probably just feeling overwhelmed. I had a week to get used to the idea of your father before meeting him, and I didn't have any real expectations. Maya has had a crush on you for so long... Just give her time. I love you, Josh," Amy said as she took the phone off speaker and handed it back to her husband.

"Thanks, mom."

"Son, are you happy?" Alan asked, taking a seat on the couch, his pose unknowingly mirroring his son's.

"I don't know how to feel. She just took off," Josh admitted.

"Not many people are lucky enough to know their soulmate before receiving their mark. You and Maya not only knew each other, but there are some serious feelings already there, at least on her side."

"On mine, too, Dad," Josh confessed. "I tried so hard not to. She's so young, and I didn't want to complicate the family or put her through anything like what her mother had been through. All this time, I have been pushing her away when I could've been... loving her. She knew, and I just couldn't see it. I didn't want to."

"Oh, Josh, you couldn't have known when you were 10 that the universe would see fit to pair you with your niece's best friend."

"I got to go, Dad. I can't just sit here. I have to do something."

Saying their goodbyes, both men hung up the phone. Instead of getting up, Josh sank further back into the couch, feeling an odd lump. Reaching under the cushions, he found the brown bag Maya had rushed in with earlier. Curiosity peaked, he opened it, feeling his heart clench at the contents.

A sound at the door caught his attention. Seeing his niece standing there, he held up the offending item. "What the hell is this, Riley?"

Riley cringed at her uncle's tone. "Maya, she asked me. She wanted me to help her. If it wasn't you, she didn't want it, Josh."

Josh immediately deflated, tossing the band and the bag in the trash. What had he ever done to deserve such devotion? Riley immediately rushed to him, wrapping him in her arms. "She loves you, Josh. She just doesn't know quite how to do that yet."

Josh nodded against her neck. "I've been an idiot."

"You were trying to do the right thing."

"I was trying not to get hurt."

"You were trying not to hurt her, Josh. We both know that. Just like we both know this will work out."

Josh sighed a heavy sigh. He was trying to keep it together for his niece, but even she could see he was struggling.

"Come on," Riley said, gesturing to the door.

"Where are we going?" Josh asked, even though he was already following her.

"Where do you think Maya will go if she was upset, happy, excited, or scared? Where does Maya go when she has big, tough, life-changing news?"

Josh grinned, feeling lighter. He may not know much, but he did know the answer. "Bay window."

"Bay window," Riley confirmed, guiding him out the door.

When Maya ran from Topanga's, she had no idea where she was going. Normally she would head straight to the bay window, but she couldn't go to the Matthew's place, not now. She raced up the steps to the sidewalk and ran smack into a firm chest. Lucas grabbed her to keep her steady.

"Lucas?" Maya asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I walked Missy to the subway, and I realized I forgot my..." Lucas shrugged, looking over her shoulder.

"She's still in the bakery," Maya responded idly rubbing her mark.

Lucas glanced down long enough to realize her arm said Matthews before the blonde girl yanked her arms out of his grasp. She untied the flannel shirt from her waist and roughly put it on.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked, trying not to dwell on what he saw. Matthews? Surely, Riley and Maya weren't soulmates. Riley was definitely straight. Sure, the two girls had a very weird, intense, close, relationship, but he assumed she was Farkle's before and just wound up looking foolish. Still a small bit of jealousy gnawed at his gut.

"Can you get me out of here?" Maya asked, ignoring his question altogether.

Lucas shrugged, figuring if he stuck with the blonde he would get some answers. "Where do you want to go?"

With one last glance over her shoulder at the bakery, Maya responded, "Anywhere but here."

"Where the heck are we, Cowboy?" Maya asked as they entered an underground garage.

"A car garage."

Maya sent a glare toward his back as she struggled to keep up with him. "Obviously. What are we doing here?"

"Getting a car."

"Listen here, Bucky, I am not stealing a car with you. I don't know what you heard about me or my need to break shit, but I'm not-"

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Jesus, Maya, we aren't stealing a car. We are getting my truck."

He gestured to an old beat up red Ford pick up.

"You have a car?" Maya asked, sound incredulous. "I've never seen you drive it."

"I don't usually. It's a pain in the ass in the city, but we aren't going to stay in the city."

"We aren't?" Maya asked with raised eyebrows as she climbed into the passenger seat, Lucas slamming the door behind her.

When he started up the truck, loud country music began blaring from the speakers. Lucas immediately turned it down, his cheeks red with embarrassment, but the damage was done. Maya was laughing so hard she could hardly speak.

"Oh my god! Big bad Lucas Friar listens to country music!" she wheezed. "You're just an ole' Huckleberry after all, ain't ya?" she asked with a horrible southern twang.

Lucas' blush deepened, but he tipped an imaginary hat in her direction. "Whatever, Blondie. You wanted to get away, I'm getting you away, so you might want to be a little nicer to me."

"Speaking of, why are you being so nice to me, Huckleberry?"

"Us huckleberries are suckers for damsels in distress," he teased with a shrug, offering no further explanation.

Maya overtook his radio, changing the stations rapidly, listening to bits and pieces of songs, all of which she sang like she had loved them her whole life, as they drove out of the city without speaking another word.

Farkle and Smackle quietly picked up the remnants from the party, throwing away the trash and putting Maya's presents in a sack. Smackle left the sack underneath the counter for Katy to take home after the end of her shift. Since Josh left, she took over, knowing her daughter well enough to know she wasn't what Maya needed right now.

Topanga had tried to call the younger blonde several times before Cory finally took her cell phone from her, reassuring her that everything would work out as he led her out the door.

It wasn't long before the couple had been left alone in silence. A silence only broken by Smackle's laughter.

"What's so funny, my dear?" Farkle asked, quirking his eyebrow at his girlfriend.

"Apparently running away from your beloved is a normal human reaction."

Farkle chuckled lightly. "I wouldn't classify anything Maya does as normal, but everyone is entitled to their own feelings and their own reactions."

"But you've surely realized, I'm not normal," Smackle pressed on.

"No one is normal, Iz, least of all me. I like you just the way you are," Farkle assured her.

He cautiously wrapped an arm around her shoulder, feeling relieved when she leaned into him. Touching each other had become a relatively new part of their relationship, Smackle still very unsure. She was learning to trust him though, and Farkle was grateful for every bit of progress they made together.

"Besides, I would chase you anywhere, Isadora."

"I'm not running. Not anymore," Smackle said earnestly, turning in his arms to face him.

As the young soulmates gazed deeply into each other's eyes, the feelings overwhelmed Smackle and she leaned in, her lips meeting Farkle's in a gentle, soft, chaste, first kiss. It was over almost as soon as it began, but for Farkle, it was a frozen moment, a lifetime of feeling odd and alone worth it because it brought him this woman, this perfect for him woman, who was quirky and good and funny and so damn smart.

He wanted to say so many things when she pulled away, but his emotions choked him and all he could do is giggle. He, Farkle Minkus, giggled, and Smackle giggled back!

"Thank you," Farkle said, simply and sincerely, grateful for so much more than his first kiss. He didn't have to say anything else though.

Smackle knew, and she felt the same way.

"Okay, Shortie, why are we here?" Lucas asked as he pulled over into a scenic overlook at a state park.

"That's a pretty good question, Huckleberry. Why are we here? Where are we?" Maya shifted around in her seat looking for a sign. "Are you going to murder me?"

Lucas shrugged indifferently. "This is where I go when I need to get out of the city. I'm from Texas. Nature soothes me. I thought it might help."

Maya rolled her eyes. "I'm sure Riley would eat this shit up with a spoon, but yeah, it does nothing for me."

"I wasn't trying to do anything for you. You wanted out. We're out. Now quit avoiding the question and tell me why."

Maya shrugged. "I got what I wanted. I'm not used that."

"Your mark?" Lucas asked, glad she was leading the conversation where he wanted it to go. "You wanted it? Who does it say?"

Lucas held his breath, his heart in his throat as Maya pulled her arm out. "Joshua Gabriel Matthews."

Internally sighing in relief, Lucas' brow furrowed in confusion. "Who is that? I know you said you loved a Matthews, but..."

"Riley's uncle. My boing."

"Ew. So you got stuck with an old guy?"

Maya laughed, feeling some of the tension inside of her release. "He's a freshman in college."

"Okay, so you love him or whatever. What's the big deal?"

"I love him. He doesn't love me," Maya said pitifully. "I don't know how to do this."

"No one does. That's kind of the point. Look, I'm not going to pretend I have any sort of advice to give-"

"That's a relief," Maya grumbled under her breath.

"But I've been told the universe knows what it's doing. I don't know what a soulmate is or what they are supposed to do for you, but happiness isn't something you should run from, Hart. If you got what you wanted, you should hold onto it with both hands for as long as you can."

Maya took a moment to study the man next to her. It unsettled Lucas that this blonde seemed to be able to read him when he didn't want her to. "Maybe you should take your own advice."

"What's that supposed to mean? My arm is clear."

"I saw you. I know you took care of Riles on Halloween. You care about her, and she obviously cares about you."

Lucas shrugged sulkily, realizing he couldn't deny it. "For how long? She may care about me now, but she won't when she gets her scar."

"And how can you be sure it won't be you?"

"I told you-"

"Yeah, yeah, you don't get a scar," Maya mocked, waving her hands around. "I thought the same, but here I am all scarred up."

"Well, I see no point in hoping for something I'm never going to get."

"Well, sometimes hoping works out, and if I've learned anything in this life, Riley is the person you bet on. If you matter to her, you matter, Huckleberry."

Lucas gestured to her arm. "If you believe that, then what are you doing sitting here with me?"

Maya pouted. "Can we not talk anymore? I just don't want to think right now."

"Want to make out?" Lucas teased.

Maya pretended to vomit as she got out of the car.

"I was just joking," Lucas said, following her. "What are we doing?"

Maya opened her arms wide, motioning around her. "This. Show me this nature you speak of. I need to be soothed."

With a nod, Lucas led her over to a nearby trail.

Riley and Josh sat at the bay window, both idly playing on their phones, both glancing anxiously out the window every few minutes.

"I can't take it anymore!" Riley screeched as she tossed her phone over to her bed. "Where the heck is Maya? I'm so bored!"

Riley jumped a mile in the air when Lucas came climbing into her window. "Calm down, Princess. I come bearing gifts."

Lucas nodded at Josh. "One soulmate."

Maya rolled her eyes as she climbed in behind him. "Get over yourself, Huckleberry. I'm sorry, Riles. I just..."

"I know, Peaches, I know," Riley said, coming and giving her a hug, her eyes drifting over to Lucas. "What's going on?"

Maya shrugged, trying to ignore Josh's hot gaze on her back. "Ranger Rick took me on a hike! I almost died!"

Josh stood, sizing up the other man, jealousy flaring hot and heavy in his gut. He held out his hand. "I'm Josh."

Lucas shook it, trying hard not to laugh. Could this guy be any more obvious? He glanced at the two girls. "Is this guy for real? Dude, she has a scar."

"Maya, can we talk?" Josh asked, cautiously, ignoring Lucas to take a step closer to the blonde.

Maya nodded solemnly, giving Lucas a pointed look.

"Oh! Riles, can we go up to the roof?" he asked, remembering the plan he and Maya came up with on the way back to the city.

"What did I tell you? Only I call her Riles!"

Lucas rolled his eyes. "I'm not listening to you, midget. Riles?"

"Uh, sure. You two stay here. The parents don't need to know Maya's back yet," Riley said, following Lucas out the window.

Once outside on the fire escape, Riley took the lead, guiding him up to the roof.

"So you and Maya? Hiking? That seems... unexpected," Riley said, rubbing her arms as the night air hit her. "Huckleberry?"

Rolling his eyes, Lucas shrugged off his jean jacket and handed it to her. "You know nothing happened between us. I didn't kiss her on Halloween. Why would I do something now that she has someone?"

Riley shrugged temperamentally. "Why would you go off with her for hours and hours?"

"I saw her scar, and I thought... nothing it's stupid. I was just trying to help."

Riley slipped on the jacket, resting a hand on his arm. "Tell me. I promise I won't laugh."

Lucas gave a put out sigh before giving in. "I saw it said Matthews and I thought you two..."

Despite her earlier promise, Riley giggled. "Are you just trying to pair me off with everyone of our classmates that gets their mark?"

Lucas roughly pulled his arm out of her grasp. "I told you it was stupid."

"Why would you care?" Riley asked, pressing forward.

"Now you're the one being stupid."

Riley pouted. "Well, you never said anything."

"I thought the fact that I can't keep my hands off you said enough," Lucas deadpanned.

Riley's pouted deepened as she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "But you have kept your hands off! You haven't kissed me in almost a month!"

Lucas' face transformed as a devious smirk crossed it, his eyes lighting up knowingly. He walked over to her, hauling Riley roughly against him. "Have I been neglecting you, baby?"

Riley struggled against him, pushing at his chest. "Quit being a jerk!"

Lucas firmly kiss her lips, pulling away just enough to say, "If you wanted to kiss me, you could have just done it, Riley."

"When? In my dad's class?" Riley bit back, turning her face when he tried to kiss her again.

"Sure. In class, in the hall, at lunch, at the bakery. I always want to kiss you, baby," he teased, finally catching her mouth again as she gave in to his charm.

"Stop calling me that!" Riley giggled as he tickled her sides.

"You told me you liked it!"

"I did not!"

"I guess only Drunk Riley likes it."

"Drunk Riley is a slut," she insisted.

"No, Drunk Riley likes me," Lucas corrected as he kissed her again, smiling against her lips as she finally wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Sober Riley kind of likes you, too," Riley murmured begrudgingly against his lips in between kisses, causing his smile to spread even wider across his face. "Especially when you smile."

Lucas had never smiled as big as he was smiling right then, he was sure of it. He knew he was grinning like an idiot, but seeing Riley's smile matching his own, he suddenly didn't care.

He led her to a bench again the wall, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and adjusting her legs to drape over his lap. With his free hand, he grabbed one of hers, kissing her cheek as they looked up at the sky.

"Lucas Bernard Friar! You're acting awfully goopy for a bad boy!" Riley teased, leaning into his side.

"I'm the baddest, baby," Lucas said in a low voice as he kissed around her ear, sucking on her lobe for a second before pulling away to rest his head against hers. "And that's not my middle name."

When they were finally alone, Maya took a seat at the bay window, Josh doing the same, trying to keep a healthy distance from her. He didn't want her to run again.

"So..." Maya said, the silence hanging thick in the air.

"So, I guess this is it," Josh replied, waving between the two of them.

Maya shot him a dirty look. "Try not to sound too disappointed, Joshua."

Josh scooted closer to her. "I'm not... Maya, I am not disappointed. I guess I'm in shock or something. One minute I didn't have a soulmate, and the next, I did, and it was you... And then you were gone."

"Sorry about that. I just needed to get out. Clear my head."

"With that guy?" Josh asked incredulously, pointing out the window with this thumb.

"Don't insult me by acting jealous, Boing. I've been crushing on you for half my life and now we're permanently tied to each other. Don't be an idiot," Maya snapped.

"Well, sorry for thinking your feelings had changed when you literally ran away from me!" Josh shouted, standing up. "This is just so typical of you, Maya. You want something until you get it and then you could care less."

"You know that isn't true, Josh!" Maya insisted, standing up as well. "You know how I feel about you. I just couldn't deal."

"And what happens the next time you can't deal? When I'm not this amazing, great, perfect, guy you've built up in your head? You just going to leave me?"

Maya stared at him in disbelief, her mouth opening and closing, as she tried to process his words. "You think I don't know you're not perfect? Newsflash, Josh, I'm not a little kid with a crush anymore! I know you! I've practically lived with you for over a year! Trust me, I know you can be an ass, you use all the hot water in the shower, and you're damn annoying when you don't get your way! Plus, you're always making jokes about everything!"

"Hey, pot! You're black! You are the queen of making jokes at inappropriate times!"

As they yelled at each other, they stepped closer and closer until Maya was on her tip toes in his face, both of them panting with exertion, Maya's fists clenched at her sides.

"And you drive me crazy! I'm not at all worried that you're going to disappoint me! If anyone is the disappointment, it's me!"

Josh grabbed her arms, his hand covering the scar that started it all, as he crouched down until he was at eye level with her, his nose grazing hers.

"You are not a disappointment, Hart," he said fiercely before pulling her body flush against his and covering her lips with his own.

Maya was shocked at the sudden kiss, but she adapted quickly, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck. This was not a gentle kiss. It was hard and rough, clashing tongues and teeth as they battled for dominance. Maya's inexperience and passion balanced out in a way that Josh found intoxicating as he groaned into the kiss, clamping his arms tightly around her waist as he tried to get even closer.

Their hearts were pounding in unison, so fast and so loud it was ringing in both of their ears. Maya didn't want the kiss to stop, so when Josh tried to pull his mouth from hers, she bit his bottom lip, pressing herself so close to him he couldn't figure out where she ended and he began, pulling him back into the kiss. Josh complied easily, bringing his hands up to cup the back of her head, simultaneously guiding her and giving in to his long buried desire to run his fingers through her long locks.

Finally, breathing become an issue, so they both pulled away, but not too far as Josh rested his forehead against hers.

Still panting, he grinned mischieviously as he said, "Well, we know that part works."

AN: So... Good? Bad? Either way, lots of smoochies! I was going to wait for a Joshaya kiss, but I figured they'd already been waiting for nearly a decade, and I wanted to showcase the differences between the 3 couples' journeys.

While this is primarily a Rucas story, I want to honor the other couples and explore some friendships I haven't in other fics yet, primarily Lucaya and Josh/Riley, but all the Lucaya stuff is just as friends! Don't worry, guys, I won't go over to the dark side.

I'm super nervous about my Joshaya stuff because I haven't ever written the two of them as a real couple. I've heavily hinted at them in a couple one shots, but this is my first story with them actually being together.

Hope you enjoyed! See you soon-ish!