Author's Note: I know these past chapters have been pretty short, so how about a longer-ish chapter? This chapter has the goods, I'm telling you right now. :D

Suggested Song: "Wanted" - Hunter Hayes

Previously on Girl Meets Heartbreak: "Dad" ... "Maya... I'm responsible for you"... "I would never go with you" ... "Maybe there is someone who can fill that void...maybe it is someone you already know" ... "I just...I want to be wanted."

~~~~~ยง~~~~~

Maya decided not to open the box yet. She put it on the desk in her room and just left it there to sit. It was a new year and Maya had decided that everything had to be new. She decided not to think about her father, or her mother for that matter. She was going to be a better student (which she laughed at, knowing nothing was going to change regarding school). She was going to be a better...whatever she is to Shawn. She was going to be a better friend. She was going to be better, a new Maya.

It was their first day back after winter vacation. Maya did her usual morning routine. She went over to the Matthews's and dragged her friend, who was having a crisis of nuclear proportion (she had a zit), out of bed and had her ready to go within minutes.

Riley extended her arm to her best friend. "You ready to take on the new year?"

"Girl, I'm ready for the world." Maya laughed. And with that, the two scampered off to the subway.

They had their normal subway interactions. Each passer-by contributing something to the girls' experience. So, it surprised Maya when Riley decided to get candid while holding the germ-infested silver poles of the subway.

"Maya," her serious tone coming out of nowhere, "if you decided to go out with Lucas, I would be okay with it."

"What?" Maya said confused.

"If you and Lucas were to start going out, I would be happy for you. You guys would be really cute together."

"Where is this coming from, Riles?"

"I just want you to know that you have my blessing."

"Thanks, but I don't think that is ever going to happen."

Riley looked at Maya as if she were some lame puppy. Then she proceeded to slowly pat her head.

"What is this? What are you doing? Stop that. Stop it. RILEY!" Riley flinched back.

"You guys would be really good together. Just think about it," Riley finally said.

Maya couldn't stop thinking about what Riley said for the rest of the day. That was strange - even for Riley. It haunted Maya. She hadn't even thought about dating Lucas. In hindsight, maybe she had. She was the first to spot Lucas on the subway that fateful morning. He always did know how to cheer her up. And she did enjoy their little game. Was she into Lucas? Was he into her? NO! She was not going to go there. Even with Riley's blessing, she couldn't go against her friend like that. There is a code for that - or something.

"Hey beautiful." Farkle jokingly flirted, interrupting her day-long thought train.

"Hey pretty thang." Riley played along.

Maya laughed. "You guys are goofballs!"

"You guys wanna do somethin' tonight?" Lucas asked.

"We never did see that movie. What do you say, ya'll up for it?" She taunted Lucas.

"I'm game." Lucas said ignoring the blonde.

"On a school night!?" Riley and Farkle panicked together.

"Yeah, why not?" Maya asked. "Just tell your dad it's for me and he'll be all for it, Riles."

"Give me at least a day. Can we go tomorrow?" Riley asked.

"Yeah okay." Maya said. Farkle and Lucas went agreed too.

They heard the bell ring. "Let's go." Riley said.

The rest of the day went by really quickly. As much as Maya hated to admit it, it felt good to be back. She actually had a good day. She forgot all the hurt she had in the school atmosphere. She was surprisingly happy. She was excited to hang out with her friends who she missed dearly. Maybe, just maybe, she would make it through all this mess.

The next day seemed to drag a little more. Riley managed to get approval for the school-night movie. It was like the anticipation cast a spell over time to slow it down. Minutes took hours. When school finally ended, Maya raced home. They were catching the early movie, so that didn't give her much time to dump her school stuff and freshen up.

When she got to Shawn's apartment, a man in a suit was standing outside their door waiting. "Maya Hart?" He presumed.

"That's me," She answered unsure.

"I'm Donald Burton. I'm your mother's lawyer. We're still working out the details of the will, but she wanted you to have this as soon as possible." He handed her a worn white envelope. "That is all for today. We'll be in touch about the rest of the will's contents."

"Thank you?" Maya looked down at the envelope confused. The front read "Maya, please read."

She waited until she was inside sitting on the couch before opening the letter.

Hey Baby Girl,

Where do I start? If you're reading this, I am not around anymore and I am so sorry for that. I'm sorry we don't have forever. I never wanted you to get this letter so early in your life. I know you must hate me for leaving you too. I hate me for that. Maya, I thought I knew what living was, but my life didn't start until I had you. I regret not being able to be there for you as you experience life. I hate that I won't be able to hold your hand or kiss your boo-boos like I used to. But I guess I stopped doing that when your father left, and you are definitely not five anymore. Oh boy - this letter gets harder to write each year. Maya, I am so proud of you for the woman you are becoming. I know you've been hurt in the past, but don't let this break you. Maya, you don't need me. You never did. You are a strong, talented, and beautiful young woman, there is nothing you can't do. You don't need me to accomplish your dreams. If anything, I held you back. I wasn't able to support you or spoil you the way I wanted to. But you found a good, loving family with the Matthews - with Shawn. They were always better for you than I was. Maya, I failed you. Time after time, I failed you. I let you down I can never apologize enough. I won't be able to be physically there for you anymore, but I will always be here for you my love. If you hold me in your heart, I will always be with you. Don't cry for me, Maya, but carry on and make a new life for yourself. Find someone to love. Find happiness, and when you do, don't let it slip away. I've written letters for you to open as you experience each big moment in your life, but that doesn't mean I won't be here for you during the little and everyday things. Maya, no matter what happens to you, I could not be more proud. I love you with all of my heart. Goodbye dear.

Love,

Mom

Maya sat on the couch crying, tears staining the paper. She read the letter over and over, memorizing each word, each dotted 'i' and crossed 't'. She was so distracted that she didn't realize she completely missed the meet up time with the gang.

When she didn't show, it was Lucas who volunteered to check on her. He rushed to the apartment. The door was unlocked, so he slowly proceeded into the family room where he saw a crying Maya on the couch. He ran over to her and took a seat beside her.

"Maya? What's wrong?" She handed him the letter and he read over just as carefully as she did. "Oh, Maya," He said beginning to cry. He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and brought her into a tight hug. He drew circles on her back with the palms of his hand. When she had had enough, she pulled away.

"I was stupid to think I thought I could move on! I thought I could be happy, but every time I start to something like this happens. I can't forget her, I don't want to. I just - I want the pain to go away. I want it to stop hurting so much!" Maya cried.

He didn't know what to say. For a while he just rubbed her back and let her cry. All he knew was, the last time he saw her like this, she secluded herself in her room and pushed her friends away.

"Maya, thank you for sharing this with me. Please don't ever shut us out again. I can't bare to not see you," Lucas pleaded.

"Why do you care?" She said between tears.

"Because Maya. Your mom's death taught me that we don't have much time. There isn't enough time to worry about the little things. I can't...I can't - what I'm trying to say is, Maya, I like you. Seeing you hurt breaks my heart."

"So, you pity me?"

"No, I don't pity you, Maya. Being iced off by you made me realize that I hate not being with you. I realized it didn't work between Riley and me because she isn't you. It's always been you. I want you, Maya."

"Oh."

"That's it? 'Oh'?"

"Lucas, you dated my best friend."

"That was forever ago. You and I both know she moved on."

"Lucas...I can't go out with you right now."

"Why not?"

"I'm not stable!"

"I don't care."

"What do you want from me?" She asked.

"Tell me honestly how you feel."

She hesitated.

"Come on, Maya. I like you. I have ever since you came up to me on that subway three years ago! I. Want. You."

She thought about what her mom said about her finding happiness. Then she thought about what Riley had said to her about her blessing and being okay with this. Did she know he was going to do this? Finally, her eyes met his watery puppy eyes and she gave in. "I like you too." She whispered.

"What was that?" Lucas tilted his head so his ear was closer to her mouth.

"Don't make me say it again." Maya said stubbornly.

"Oh, come on! I just poured out my heart to you. Say it."

"I like you, okay?!"

Lucas smiled as he turned his head ever so slightly, just until their lips were a minty breath a part. Lucas cupped his hands around her tiny, porcelain face. Her heart stopped when he inched his lips slowly towards hers until they were completely connected. Her lips were so small and soft. His lips were bigger and greedier, but surprisingly gentle. Years of unspoken longing unleashed into that long, hungry, and passionate kiss.

"What's this?!" Shawn yelled storming in, allowing the couple to gasp for the air they had been deprived of. "Get out. Out!"

Shawn lifted the boy off the couch from the back of his shirt. Lucas threw his hands up admitting defeat, prompting Shawn to release Lucas so that he could walk on his own. Shawn shewed the boy until he was fully outside. Then he slammed the door. It was like he had taken a page from Topanga and Ava's playbook. Lucas smiled from behind the door, while Maya remained happy on the couch.

It was worth it.

They're together! Or are they? Was this just a kiss or are they in it for the long haul? Find out in the next chapter. Dun dun duunnnn!