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"Here is to another weekend free of homework and worry."

Topanga's was unusually dead, only Maya and Riley were there slipping on their smoothies in their usual spot. Everything was finally back to normal and it had been for quite some time now. Maya lifted her glass toward her best friend.

"We have a paper due for English on Monday Maya."

"You have a paper, I have a very exciting weekend of laziness and fun."

Shaking her head, Riley decided to just cheers Maya instead of arguing. There wasn't a point honestly; no amount of pushing was going to get her to actually write the paper. It took years, but Riley had perfected the art of the right push with her best friend. There was a skill in deciding what was worth fighting and what was best left to fight for another day. A paper, definitely a fight for another day.

"I'll miss you next year in high school."

Maya grinned brightly knowing she won for now. Though to be honest she had already finished the paper, it wasn't exactly a complicated one. Still it was fun watching Riley squirm at the thought of her best friend not making it though a class was too good to pass up.

"Like you'll ever be able to get rid of me. I've already got a deal with your dad. He'll make sure I pass 8th grade and I make sure you survive the High School. It's a win win for everyone involved."

"I resent that, I can survive high school. I'll be just fine. I'll just need to find the perfect group – a best friend, loyal but dorky smart guy, and Mr. Perfect."

With her hands held together, Riley's head tilted to the side, smiling thinking about high school. There was still the school year to finish but high school was just around the corner and there was no denying she spent hours thinking about it. High school would probably change everything, and truthfully she couldn't imagine it with anyone other than the group she already had. A few months ago was the worst time Riley could have ever imagined. For nearly a week she thought she'd lost her entire group. The only person left was Farkle and it was as if her entire future that was one so clear was completely blank. The future was finally back into focus and being able to see it all again was perfect.

"Thank goodness you've already got all of those. No need to search any longer."

"Yaaaaaay"

Riley jumped from her seat as she screamed while Maya just shook her head laughing. Behind them the door squeaked softly as it opened. The earlier silence of the café was quickly filled with two arguing boys.

"I don't care how many expansion packs you have, if you can't use the basic skills you're a goner."

"What are you talking about?! The gadgets are all you need!"

Rounding the couches, Lucas and Farkle made their way to sit down. Frakle was quick to take the seat right next to Riley. There was a millisecond of hesitation as Lucas realized he would be sitting next to Maya. It was the only option. Taking a seat toward the edge of the cushion, he did his best to keep all of his limbs on his side of the couch, attempting to keep a bit of distance between Maya and himself. The only person who seemed to notice was Maya, who pulled her legs down from their crossed position on the couch, helping to increase the space.

"Huckleberry, Farkle, this is not video game chat time. This is friend saving time. Riley is under the impression she can replace us all when she gets to high school."

"But you can't! I have a plan and there are still at least four years left before it really starts to play out. What about our 11 kids?"

Leaning over Maya reached for Farkle, patting him awkwardly on his shoulder before leaning back into her seat. A joking frown grew on her face.

"I'm afraid you'll need a new plan."

"Is that an offer?"

Maya's eyes widened and her head shook quickly. There was a disturbing smile on Farkle's face as he started to lean toward her. Continuing her exaggerated displace of no, Maya scooted further away from Farkle until she was pushed up against Lucas, her hand find its place on his leg.

"Nope definitely not, never an offer. Riley's got the kid thing covered."

Pouting Farkle returned to his sit. Next to him Riley remained silent for a few moments longer as she watched her friends. This is what it was all about. These people were the most important people in her entire world and she was going to do everything in her power to keep it that way. The week of not speaking was more than enough to last a life time. Never again. They were stuck together forever, especially if Riley had any say in it.

"Don't worry guys. I've decided to keep you all."

"Even Farkle?"

Maya eyed her friend with a questioning look as she spoke. Despite readjusting herself slightly after quickly moving out of Frakle's grasp, Maya's hand was still on Lucas' leg. It wasn't a conscious thought, in fact the only person that even noticed it was Lucas. Every ounce of his will power was dedicated to making sure he didn't acknowledge the hand on his leg. Don't look, don't react, keep it together. She doesn't even know what she's doing. It's nothing.

"Aw come on Maya, could you really see your life without Farkle in it?"

At least while his mind was racing, Lucas was able to keep his exterior appearing composed. Tilting his head down, he smiled at the top of Maya's head.

"No…." Glancing over her shoulder she smiled in return, their faces just inches apart. "But a girl can dream can't she?"

They hadn't been this close since the kiss. It was an active choice on both their parts, though never discussed. Maya liked to believe it was because she never wanted to give Riley the impression she was actually interested in Lucas. Being too close would probably just upset Riley and it was Maya's goal in life to never upset her best friend. Riley was too good for this world and Maya was going to keep it that way. Sadly if she was honest with herself, she kept her distance all these months for a completely different reason, because the idea of repeating that kiss was one of the few things constantly on her mind. Maya kept that idea locked away in the tiniest part of my mind, a part she tried desperately not to think about.

With her head still tilted toward Lucas she licked her lips and he was mesmerized by the action. They were right there; it would be so simple, so easy to just lean down those last few inches. He had done it once before. It was instinct last time, and it was instinct this time that made him want to do it again. It would appear his will power was getting a massive work out. In Texas he was never able to keep it together this long. Knee jerk reactions were what caused him to be kicked out of his old school. The fall out of this knee jerk reaction though, that would destroy something far more important than just some old school. No, kissing Maya would destroy their group. Lucas doubted they could survive another kiss. Despite licking his own lips he pulled his attention away from Maya. Barely a second had passed.

"Personally I'm glad we're all stuck with one another. And I'm glad y'all fell into my lap on the subway."

"See guys, Lucas gets it. I've decide on us all, and no one is going to break this group up."

"The princess has spoken and I will protect your wishes with my life."

Pulling forward, Maya's hand finally raised from Lucas' leg to make a grand flourish motion as she bowed from her seat. Once the bow was complete she reached for her neglected smoothie and took a sip. Protect the princess, it was her job title really. A job Maya took every seriously even when her mind went off the deep end toward things that could seriously hurt her friend. As long as she kept those deep end thoughts from bubbling up to the surface though, Maya was good. She'd find a way to keep it together.

"Well if that's the case, I have another wish."

"Whatever you want Pumpkin."

"Let's get out of this place and go someplace fun."

"Oh but this place has the couches and the smoothies, and the not having to move thing all rolled into one! Must we leave Riles?"

Despite it sounding like she was protesting, Maya I was already gathering herself up as she spoke. It wasn't as if Topanga's was all that busy, in fact the second the four of them left it would be completely empty. Regardless it was an early Friday evening and the weekend did need to be attended to. The rest of the group followed Maya's lead. Riley and Farkle made their way to the door while Maya grabbed the smoothie glasses. Turning around she barreled into Lucas, who was apparently about to help. The two glasses were held out to her side, avoiding the collision, though that just meant their bodies were pressed against each other.

Glancing up at Lucas, Maya just stared blankly for a moment. A very vivid memory was flashing though her mind and she couldn't for the life of her refocus her attention. Luckily Lucas seemed in far better control of himself. Grabbing the two glasses from Maya's hands he just smiled down at her before turning and walking toward the counter to drop them off.

"Hurry up Hop-Along, we don't have time for your cowboy manners. We have a weekend to partake in."

"Yes Ma'am."

Riley and Farkle had already made their way out of Topanga's. Still watching Lucas, Maya ran her fingers though her hair. She'd find a way to keep this together. Riley want them to be friends forever and that meant Maya had to get over whatever it was that made her mind fall apart whenever Lucas was in her proximity. She would make this work. Lucas returned and put his hands on her shoulders, grinning, he forced her to turn around and began pushing her toward the front door.

"There was a mention of a weekend. Let's go Shortstack."