To say Maya's day had been dreadful would be an understatement of epic proportions, first she slept in and ended up getting detention for being late to Biology, and then some moronic freshman spilt his soup on her and as if that wasn't enough the only other person in detention that day was Missy Bradford who insisted on spending the entire hour insulting not only her, but Riley, the Mathews and pretty much everybody else she knew. So yes, when Josh arrived at her door at seven thirty she couldn't have been happier but apparently not even the relief and happiness of seeing Josh could mask the toll her horrible day had taken on her and her boyfriend was not oblivious to this.

"Hey, what's the matter?" he asked after leaning in for a quick kiss and taking her hand as they made their way towards the restaurant.

"Nothing, I'm just having one of those days but I have higher hopes for the night"

"What happened?"

"Traffic, horrible teachers and bitchy high school girls not to mention the klutz that spilt his lunch on me. I feel so icky; no amount of shampoo in the world could help"

"Well you don't look it, you look stunning"

"I'm starting to think you would say that even if I showed up in a potato sack"

"That's because you would look beautiful in anything, even a potato sack"

"See; ten minutes and you're already making me feel better. How was your day?"

"Good I got a new lab partner, Leslie, she's so much better than the last guy. He was such a moron and I really need a good grade"

"And the new girls smart?"

"Yeah I definitely think we'll be getting a good grade"

"And pretty?"

"I don't know, I guess but I only have eyes for one girl"

"Oh really? She must be pretty great to have snagged a guy like you"

"Yeah she is and she's smart and she's funny. I don't really know what she's doing with a nobody like me"

"I think I might have a pretty good idea why" she leaned up and gave him the kiss she had been wanting to since she first saw him, throwing in every single emotion she had for him and trying to thank him for just being the great guy that he was. But of course, as was the habit with the young couple, they were quickly interrupted.

"Gross guys get a room" Riley said as she walked up with Lucas.

"Hey man, how are you?" Lucas shook the other young man's hand. "It's been a long time"

"Sure has howdy"

"Oh god! You really are dating Maya"

"Sure am Bucky Mc BoingBoing" he joked "do I have permission to use that?" he quickly added to Maya.

"Of course babe, what is mine is yours"

"Oh God let's just sit and eat before I puke"

"I thought you would be happy for them" Lucas said as he sat next to riley in front of the other young couple.

"I am I'm really happy, I just don't want to see it. I can't believe you're actually dating"

"Really? I kind of saw it coming?"

"What?" Josh asked "how?"

"Dude you were super obvious"

"Really? Because I didn't pick up on it" Maya said surprised.

"Need I remind you of how you interrogated me when I set her up with my buddy Billy?"

"What?" Maya laughed.

"Dude!" Josh yelled "you're totally breaking the bro-code"

"Oh come on! All the little looks? You practically murdered her prom date last year with that death glare. Not to mention how you were looking at her when you picked her up"

"It was pretty awkward now that I think about it Uncle Josh"

"Yeah then maybe you shouldn't have forced me to be your chauffer"

"It was either you or Shawn or Cory"

"You probably made the right choice then"

"Speaking of my dad and Shawn, we're totally throwing a party when they leave town right?"

"As if Zay would let us waste the opportunity"

"Am I invited?" Josh asked Maya flirtatiously.

"Definitely, you're invited to the after party too" she answered equally as flirtatious.

"Seriously guys this is gross"

"You're the one that wanted to go on a double date, I was against this idea from the very beginning" and there it was, by acknowledging that this was indeed a date, tension filled the air and the situation quickly became awkward.

"I'm glad you did" Lucas grabbed Riley's hand in an attempt to save the situation "otherwise I wouldn't be out with the most beautiful girl in school"

"Second most beautiful" Josh corrected as he wrapped his arm around Maya's shoulders.

"Jeez, thanks Josh"

"Sorry Riley you're not my number one girl anymore"

"Thanks babe" Maya gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"See she kisses me"

"Yeah and as we know her kisses are like… what was it? Summer rain?"

"Oh you suck! You can't use something I said when I was drugged against me. Not cool Riley"

"Oh yes I can, you and I both know no one will ever let you live that down. Back me up here guys"

"Sorry babe but I'm with Riley"

"You're hardly one to talk" Lucas interjected "need I remind you that you used to call him uncle boing"

"No!" she groaned "seriously no more of the boing thing, it's dead now"

"Don't be embarrassed babe it worked; besides I thought you were in it for the long game"

"Obviously I am but I would rather not be reminded of how much of a lunatic I was"

"Maybe but you were a cute lunatic"

"See this I like" Riley said "this is cute"

"How's school been? Maya told me what was going on with that little bratty friend of yours"

"It's okay but practice has been really awkward. I guess Missy thought the other girls would freeze me out like she is but they aren't. I think they're all kind of tired of her drama"

"Probably, I mean people just want to enjoy their senior year, I know I did. This is the last time you'll all be together"

"I know, at least we'll all still be in the city but I don't know what I'll do without Zay and Farkle"

"You'll make new friends I promise" Josh assured "college is amazing and for the first time in your life you'll actually be surrounded by people who have things in common with you. It's a completely different world. Have you decided yet Riley?"

"No but I have to give an answer next month. I really don't want to talk about it I get enough of that at home, I just want to relax"

"Okay then are you guys excited for the big game?"

"Yeah especially now that I know we're throwing the victory party"

"Now this is something I don't want to talk about" Lucas said "it's are last shot at a title before we graduate and coach has really been pressuring me plus my dad's coming out from Texas just to watch. The man couldn't care less about my birthday but give him a football game and he gets the first plane"

"At least your dad sees you Lucas" Maya consoled "I'm lucky if I get a phone call once a month, I don't even think my sisters know I exist"

"Maybe you should go see them" Josh said "they would probably love having a big sister and it's not their fault you dad bailed"

"I know but I just don't want anything to do with him. I have Shawn now and if one day the twins want to get to know me I'm there but for now…"

"Okay just know that I'll be here for you know matter what"

"Me too" Riley smiled "and that goes for you too Lucas"

"Thanks"

As she walked home with Lucas, Riley couldn't help but smile at how well the evening had gone. It was as if nothing had changed, they were fourteen again and head over heels for one another. Even after all the pain they had both suffered, and the loss of innocence that inevitably came with growing up, they still fit together perfectly. This was how it was supposed to be, easy, not forced like it was with Todd or awkward like it had been with Jeremy.

"I kind of wish you lived further away" Lucas said as they approached her front door.

"Me too but you know if you asked me out on a second date we could hang out again, we could even go alone this time"

"I had a lot of fun tonight Riley do you maybe want to go to a movie or something tomorrow"

"I had fun too and yes I would love that"

"I know it's not as romantic as the subway but would it be okay if I kissed you goodnight"

"It would be more than okay" she whispered before leaning up and kissing him. Just like it had five years earlier on the subway cart, Lucas's heart jumped up his throat. How could someone as sweet as Riley make him feel something as fierce as this? Riley's reaction was similar, she never would have imagined that even after all these years the boy could still do this too her. But unfortunately, like all good things, the kiss came to an end.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow at eight"

"Cool"

Maya could honestly say that she had never in her life been as nervous as she was right now, dinner with josh had gone great, just like things always did when she was with him, but now that she was walking across campus with him the nerves had finally begun to set in. what if they didn't like her? What if they thought she was just some stupid kid? What if she just ended up embarrassing herself?

"Maya" Josh started just before they entered the student lounge, of course he always knew what she was thinking, "don't be nervous; I like you so they'll like you too"

"Okay just don't hate me if I end up embarrassing you"

"First of all you're Maya freaking Hart; you're like the coolest person on the planet if anything I'm going to embarrass you. Secondly, I could never hate you now come on"

"okay"

"Hey guys" Josh greeted a bunch of people sitting around couches drinking beer and laughing. "This is Maya and Maya this is Dylan, that's Maria, that's Hannah, that's Simon and I think you know Drew"

"Dude I thought you were dead" she joked echoing the sorority girls words from that night.

"Yeah I am" he laughed "you know I was rooting for you blondie, you want a beer?"

"Yeah thanks"

"So Maya" a blonde girl Josh had introduced as Hannah said "Josh said you'll be coming here next year. Does that mean we'll actually get to see him because he's been AWOL since you started dating?"

"Eh! I might let him go occasionally" she joked.

"Cut me some slack guys I mean I did have an operation that saved a three year old girl's life and then I got slammed by that stupid paper in Mc. Allister's class"

"Whatever dude but it would be nice to see your face occasionally"

"Hey you saw me in the hospital"

"An hour in which he proceeded tell us how perfect you are Maya" the redhead named Dylan joked. "but seriously are you excited to start in the fall?"

"That's the understatement of the century; I am so over High School"

"Everyone feels that way in senior year" Drew said.

"I told you so babe. Didn't you take Technical drawing freshman year Hannah?"

"Yeah with Roberts"

"I'm taking that class now for my AP Art credits" Maya said "I love her"

"She's incredible plus if you take technique 2 you'll have her in sophomore year. Do you know what you want to major in?"

"Yeah I'm declaring right away, architecture"

"Well I'm a structural engineer major so you'll take a bunch of the same classes as me. If you want I can send you all my notes, I'm kind of a neat freak so I have everything"

"Oh my God yes, thanks. That's so nice"

"It's cool but you can help me with my drawing because it is not my forte and Josh told me you're like seriously talented"

"I'm okay I guess. I like to paint in my free time"

"You're better than okay babe, she actually designed and painted that symbol " Josh said pointing at the complex tribal looking sign she had spray painted on her black shirt"

"What?" Maria asked excitedly "that's incredible. How did you do that?"

"I don't know my aunt gave me the shirt and it just looked so plain and boring. Sometimes I like messing my clothes up"

"Messing them up?" Hannah asked "girl that totally looks professional I can't believe you did that"

"It's my little sister's birthday next month do you think you could do one for her. I have no idea what to get her she's such a freakin hipster she'd hate anything store bought" Simon asked "I'll pay you"

"Don't be silly I'd be happy to do it just bring me one of her old shirts and I'll have it for you the next day"

"If he's getting one I want one too" Hannah said.

"Yeah could you make one for guys?" Dylan asked.

"Okay guys" Josh intervened "why don't we play some pool before you enslave my girlfriend"

"Good idea" Maria said.

"Yeah I'm ready to kick some serious butt" Dylan joked.

"Oh really? Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is?" Maya asked.

"I think that sounds like a challenge"

"It is"

"Okay we'll play doubles, drew and I against you and Josh. Loser has to pay for more beer"

"You do realize that neither Maya nor I can buy beer dude? Two months to go still"

"Okay well you can pay and someone will go"

"Believe me" Maya said cockily "we won't be paying"

The game inevitably finished twenty minutes later with Josh and Maya's victory over the other two boys much to their displeasure. Why had she been nervous? Of course Josh's friends were cool.

"Okay" Maria said "if you're going to wipe that cocky smirk off Drew's face then we need you around all the time"

"I have never known a girl that could shoot pool like that" Drew said.

"Wow that's not sexist" Simon said sarcastically.

"Right on bro" Hannah high fived him.

"Her step dad's epic at pool, he's been grooming her for years"

"Whatever, my patriarchal male ego is too hurt to go shopping so here's thirty bucks one of you can go for beer and snacks"

"Wow pretending to be sexist to get out of something" Josh said "that's a new level of lazy dude"

"I can't believe you know words that big Drew" Maria joked "good boy"

"Come on" Hannah conceded "Maria and I will go. You want to come with Maya?"

"Sure it'll give you time so that patriarchal male ego of yours can heal" she joked with Drew.

Evidently the minimart was actually quite close to the student lounge, though Maya did greatly enjoy the ten minute walk getting to know and joking with the girls who it turns out, she actually had quite a lot in common with.

"But seriously you have to come up to the Hamptons with us for the first week of the su-" Maria quickly stopped speaking when she heard one of the boy's undeniably mention Maya's name. She motioned for the other girls to hush and they started listening.

"Seriously dud Maya's awesome" Hannah smiled at Maya upon hearing Simon's words.

"Yeah dude and if she keeps playing pool like that you should marry her because god knows your ass needs help"

"She's awesome at poker too" Josh bragged.

"She must be awesome at quite a few things to have you wrapped around her finger like that" Drew joked as Maya's face turned several shades redder.

"Shut up dude! I'm not going to talk about her like that"

"Please you're telling me you don't love hitting that dude you waited four years for her to be legal"

"Drew we're not all jack asses like you" Simon defended.

"And not that it's any of your business but I'm not "hitting that" as you so eloquently put it"

"Seriously? You've been dating for a month"

"Call me cheesy but I want it to be special. She's not some random girl you know?"

"Wow" Drew said "I've never seen you like this"

"Yeah dude" Dylan added "you must really like her"

"I don't like her; I love her" Maya's heart jumped right out of her chest. She wasn't angry, that's what friends were for, she spoke to Riley about her and Josh's intimate life she was just embarrassed. But no matter how embarrassed she was about hearing Josh talk to his friends about their sex life, or lack thereof, she couldn't have been happier in that moment. If Josh confessed his feelings to his friends, he was telling the truth.

"Go to the bathroom and calm down a little" Maria said "you look like a Babybel wrapper"

"Don't worry" Hannah whispered "we'll cover for you"

"Thanks"

The rest of the night went incredibly well and as she and josh made their way to her apartment Maya couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. The entire way she smiled and laughed with Josh feeling happier than she had in a long while.

"So did you like them?"

"Of course I did, they're really cool"

"Even though Drew's kind of an idiot"

"He's a loveable idiot and by the way Hannah and Simon have the hots for one another you need to do something about that"

"What? Did Hannah say that?"

"No but it's super obvious; you just can't see it because you're used to seeing them in a group of friends. Trust me they like each other"

"I have to say I'm really happy that you didn't freak out and dump me"

"What are you talking about babe? It was just hanging out with your friends"

"Not that. I'm not stupid Maya, when the girls came back with the beer they were grinning like morons. You heard what I said"

"Did you mean it?"

"Of course I did. I wanted to wait until the perfect moment to say this but Maya, I love you"

"I love you too" she whispered before leaning up and engaging him in a kiss. Before things got too carried away Maya pulled away. "We should take this upstairs"

"What about your parents?"

"They're dropping Jack off at the airport; we have a least an hour"

As it were they didn't have an hour they had twenty minutes and needless to say Shawn was not happy when he walked in to find his baby girl making out with her boyfriend on the couch.

"Daddy!" she yelled pushing Josh of her, a loud bang sounded as he hit the floor "did Uncle Jack make his flight okay?"

"You" he pointed angrily at Josh "get out before I kill you"

"Relax baby" Katie told her husband "they're adults and they were just kissing"

"I still don't want to see it"

"We'll go somewhere else next time" Maya tried.

"There won't be a next time because you're never leaving the house again"

"Shawn seriously calm down" Katie tried.

"I don't want too"

"Shawn you know me, you practically helped raise me; I'm a good a good guy and I love Maya, a lot. I'll take good care of her I promise"

"You make it really difficult to hate you"

"I try my best"

"Do you two want to join us for ice-cream?" he asked more relaxed but with a hint of hostility. "Your mother had a craving so we stopped at that place you like on Broadway"

"What do you say?" she asked Josh.

"I could stay for a little while longer." He answered as they all walked over to the kitchen island and sat down. "So Mrs. Hunter how are you feeling? Only four months to go right?"

"Call me Katie please just because your dating my daughter doesn't mean I'm any scarier"

"Really because I used to love hanging out with Shawn and now just the mention of his name makes me nervous"

"As it should Josh" Shawn joked "I know I'm giving you a hard time but I am really happy for you "

"Thanks" a half an hour later it was time to retire to bed and Josh quickly bade the family goodbye leaning in to quickly kiss Maya on the cheek, knowing Shawn would probably kill him if he chanced anything else.

"Wait I'll go with you, I have to go buy some chorizo from the corner store otherwise Katie will wake me at five AM to go"

"Hey!" she said indignantly "you try turning food into a person. Stop complaining"

"For you I would go to the end of the world my dear" he said as he and Josh made their way to the door.

"Bye, I'll call you tomorrow Maya"

"I'll be back in ten minutes is there anything else you need?"

"Pickles"

"Okay honey"

"So I'm guessing you're really coming because you want to give me the intimidating father talk; Cory beat you to it"

"I just want to talk Josh. I know you like Maya-"

"I love her Shawn, she makes me really happy and I think I make her happy too"

"You do and that's why I really am glad you two got together but I want to make sure you understand that you're either all in or you stop now because she can't take more heartbreak josh"

"You know how Maya has that really annoying habit where she sucks her teeth when she's focusing on something?"

"Yeah"

"I even love that. I don't think you understand just how much I love her and I would never ever hurt her Shawn. I'm not a leaver I'm all in"

"That's good to hear kid"

Chapter seven, hope you liked because honestly it was one of my favorites to write. As always please leave a review J