At least he thought he would.
Before he could make it back to New York, news came down the line that Maya and Lucas were going out.
Josh did what any sensible seventeen-year-old would do in his place.
He locked himself in his room and started playing music to drown out his heartache.
He didn't even know why it hurt so much.
Maya wasn't his girlfriend.
She was a fourteen-year-old kid.
But she was his forever and he couldn't compete with Lucas 'Ranger Rick' Friar.
That kid was ridiculously good looking and way too nice.
Josh was a good person but he wasn't offensively nice like Lucas.
Fuck.
Since when did Maya become the kind of girl that liked boys like that?
"So what's your problem?"
Josh rolled his eyes.
"Go away Morgan." He groaned, not bothering to look at his older sister.
He'd forgotten she was coming to visit this weekend.
"Aww looks like Joshy-Woshy is mad." She said.
Josh knew she was teasing but he really hasn't in the mood.
"Fuck off Morgan." He growled, through a pillow at her.
She dodged it.
"Geeze dude. You really are pissed. What happened?" She asked, sitting next to him.
"I'm in love." He said miserably.
Morgan fucking laughed.
"You don't sound too happy about it." She said.
"She has a boyfriend."
Morgan made a sympathetic noise.
"I'd tell you that there are other fish in the sea but considering you're Cory 2.0." She joked.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?! I'm nothing like Cory!" Josh snapped.
"You are in all the places that count." Morgan said sagely.
Josh groaned and laid back on the bed.
"I'm doomed."
Morgan smirked.
"At least you're not as big a nerd as Cory." She said.
"I got early acceptance to NYU and I'm going to be the valedictorian unless I really fuck up." Josh deadpanned.
"That just makes you smart Josh. Cory was a fucking moron in high school." Morgan said.
Josh sighed.
"So tell me about this girl your so in love with. Do you go to school with her?" Morgan pressed.
"No." Josh said.
"Oooo a college girl then?" Morgan asked, eyes twinkling.
"Just drop it Morgan."
Josh was tired of thing about it.
He just wanted to be alone and wallow.
"Tell me!" Morgan cried as she began beating Josh with his pillow.
"MORGAN STOP! STOP! IT'S MAYA!" Josh yelled.
Morgan stared at him, wide eyed.
"Shit dude." She said.
"I know!" Josh all but wailed.
"She's fourteen!"
"I'm fully aware of the fact!" Josh hissed.
"So do you want to be buried or cremated? Also would you be upset if I bailed Shawn out of jail? Topanga would take care of Cory."
"Morgan! Stop being funny and help me!" Josh pleaded.
Morgan sighed.
"This is all Cory's fault." She complained.
"How is this Cory's fault?" Josh asked.
"Before he moved to New York he told you that you'd find your 'Topanga' one day. You took that shit to heart and became a love sick little fool." She said.
"There's nothing wrong with love Morgan!" He protested.
"I'm not saying that there is." She said.
She stood.
"A lot of people will tell you that you can't fall in love when you're a kid but you and I both know better. Cory and Topanga always loved one another but, Kid, it wasn't always sunshine and daisies for them. They had to fight to get where they are. If you really care about this girl, then don't let some cowboy dipstick take her from you."
It took Josh approximately .001 seconds to figure out he had nothing to worry about when it came to Lucas and Maya.
Because of three things.
Lucas was heads over heals for Riley
Riley was deeply in love with the country boy
Maya wasn't Maya
It was true.
He knew Maya.
She was brave and powerful and fierce and sarcastic.
Not the person that was currently occupying the body of the sad eyed girl he'd loved since he was a kid.
So Josh left it alone.
Maya had to figure this out herself.
He had to give her the chance.
Instead he threw himself into college and settled for talking to Maya through text messages and the times he saw her at the apartment.
Besides it wasn't like he could do anything about it.
He was eighteen and she was fifteen after all.
And then Topanga showed up at his dorm with a duffle bag and a dangerous smile.
"Hi Josh!" She greeted.
"Hey Topanga." He said.
Secretly he was a little in love with Topanga.
He was also a lot terrified of her.
"Want to go hiking?" She asked sweetly.
"Is this you genuinely asking me to go or is this you asking me to make it seem like I had a choice?" Josh asked wearily.
"This is me needing help to put an end to this blasted love square!" Topanga declared.
"Square? There's another person?" Josh asked.
He didn't need another person to have to worry about.
Topanga shot him a look that said Really?
"Oh no. I'm not a part of this Topanga." Josh said, holding up his hands.
"I was at your wedding Josh. Your wife is very confused." Topanga said.
Josh let out a frustrated sigh.
"Why does everyone keep bringing that up? We were kids!"
"Because she still wears the ring you gave her around her neck." Topanga said.
"Does Cory know? Does Shawn?" Josh asked.
Topanga shrugged.
"I don't know?" She said.
"Does it even matter Topanga? It's not like we can be together. I'm eighteen." Josh said in defeat.
"Ever hear of the Romeo and Juliet Law?" Topanga said.
"Sorry I'm premed not prelaw." Josh snarked.
"A fifteen-year-old can date people up to twenty-one years of age." She said smartly.
Josh shook his head.
"Look I appreciate this Topanga but Maya isn't ready for this. She thinks she can handle an adult relationship but she isn't ready. I can't just be the token college boyfriend." He said.
Topanga gave him a sad look.
"You aren't giving her enough credit Josh. No one thought me and Cory were ready either and look at us now." She said.
"We aren't you and Cory!" Josh yelled.
"You're right. You're Maya and Josh but you guys are built the same. Not everyone meets the love of their life when they're kids but maybe you two were lucky enough to. You'll never know unless you try."
Josh sighed.
"Where is this hike?" He asked.
"… Mount Sun Lodge."
Josh blinked.
"We're all going to die aren't we?"