The following weeks, Maya and Josh fell into their routine. Meeting outside her dorm at 8:00 a.m. bathed and dressed for a new day of hard work and extra stress. Lunch and dinner together and with the rest of the gang and, study sessions and finally, sleep. As far as they were both concerned, it didn't pass quick enough. It was full of long study reunions before leaving for Christmas break.

Finally, it was their last day and though it was, the stress from heavy homework and surprise tests was still there.

"Josh, this room is a mess. My God! I can't even find my stuff!" she huffed.

"Tell me about it. My roommate is a pig. He never cleans anything, maybe I should talk to him."

"But look at your part! Clothes thrown everywhere, books under the bed, my… what is my bra doing on top of the desk?!"

"Stop screaming at me! You're not my mom. I didn't have the chance to clean I've been busy studying and helping you!" he yelled. "By the way, you left that bra there." He was red.

"Oh, so this is my fault?! And I didn't ask for your help you prat! "

"Maya, stop! We're just stressed. Were about to leave okay? Let's relax please. I hate arguing with you." He grabbed her by the shoulders.

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"Me too." He sighed. "Come on, let's finish packing, then we can go home and enjoy the break that we bot deserve."

"Yeah." She kissed him.

Three days later (December 25):

It seemed as if their day had been pulled out of a movie, a scene with the most amazing instrumental background music. Never had they thought moments like this would occur to them or that they'd like it. To them, these kinds of things were far too cheesy and unrealistic, but to their surprise, it was a different thing to see it than to live it.

The older women were busy at home cooking for their Christmas dinner, giving the kids a chance to enjoy the snowy day out. Riley and Lucas were at Lucas' home appreciating a small brunch his parents had cooked for Riley. They were very fond of her and the whole Matthew's family.

Auggie was out with Ava, (with adult supervision) out in front of the building having a snow ball fight and making snow angels. Such love birds they were.

Maya and Josh, having no idea what to do, went out for a walk hand in hand not knowing where they were going but simply relishing the comfortable silence they were in.

Recently, they had been making the best of each day knowing an important event was close. Six months and Josh was making his way to God knows where. He still didn't know where o what he was going to do first. These thoughts were on both their minds constantly so being away from school, ready to spend the holidays together was a great distraction and perfect excuse to ignore it, hopefully not leaving the inevitable conversation to the last minute.

They walked for about ten minutes until shouts and loud laughs could be heard from a far, parents talking and kids laughing and playing around the frozen lake.

Josh smiled and turned to Maya. "Wanna skate?"

Maya had never in her life skated in a normal rink, let alone on ice. In fact, she didn't know how. "We don't have skates." She made up an excuse.

"That's fine, there's a small cottage that lends you a pair. C'mon." he said pulling her to his side, wrapping his arm around her shoulders ready for a nice skate session.

"Hi." Josh greeted to the nice old lady in charge of the small cottage. "We need two pairs." He said before giving the lady their shoe sizes. He seemed really excited so Maya didn't have the heart to reject his invitation onto the ice.

She walked slowly and held on to him as if he were her life. "Ow! You're little but strong as a horse." He laughed. "Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" she shot a bit too fast and it made josh laugh just a bit.

He obviously knew something was up. "Alright… then let go." He dared.

"What?" she said nervously.

"Let go and skate."

"Sure…" she looked down at the ice and then around to the grown-ups and small kids who passed by as if skating was just like walking. "Piece of cake."

She advanced as if she were part of a patriotic march, her skates not even sliding on the ice. Well, they did. When they did she fell right on her behind.

Josh laughed hysterically. "That was so exquisite and well handled, Hart." He laughed more.

"Shut up! You're drawing attention!" she whined but Josh ignored her. "Pick me up you horrible, horrible person!"

He extended his arm taking her hand in his but his laughter was taking all his energy and concentration so when she was just lifting herself up the ice he snickered and let her go letting her fall back down.

"Josh!" she shouted and decided to have revenge. She grabbed his leg making him loose balance and fall on his own behind.

"Ow!"

"Yeah, not laughing now huh?!" Maya smirked.

After fooling around, making fun of each other and calling one another nasty names, Josh started teaching Maya how to balance herself and move around the ice.

Five times she fell and she was sure her butt was purple by now, but she finally got it and was now sliding across the rink as if it was hers.

"Perfect! Like a swan." Josh teased.

"Well, my sore and bruised butt was not going to suffer for nothing." She laughed. "Don't recommend you see it."

"As if we were to have a chance." He whined.

They skated along each other's sides, then hand in hand. After a few minutes she was brave enough to let Josh carry her on his back while skating and let her turn when she was down to the beat of the Christmas carols playing.

Yeah, just like those cheesy films.

The sun was starting to set and they took it as their cue to leave. Walking back home the sun set completely, leaving them only to be guided by the Christmas lights hanging from the houses close.

They walked in the middle of the street, Maya's arm surrounding Josh's, her head against his shoulder.

"Is it me or is this just like those lame Christmas romantic movies on t.v.?" Josh asked.

"Yeah!" she chuckled and idea suddenly coming to her. "You know what happens next right?" she smirked stopping their tracks and looking into his eyes.

"Mmmm… I don't know…" he played, grabbing her by the hips.

"Oh, well then we should get going." She faked to be disappointed and tried to get out of his grasp with no success for Josh tightened his grip and pressed her to him.

"Of course I know what happens next." He whispered against her lips making her close her eyes to take in the most perfect moment. He smiled at that before closing his own and the gap between him.

Very gently he kissed her for a while and they both felt light headed as if their knees were about to give in. Breaking apart, he looked into Maya's eyes which looked as if she had just woken up and he chuckled.

"That was amazing." She said while Josh grabbed her by the neck and kissed her forehead.

"It was."

Entering the apartment the smell of delicious roasted ham and vegetables hit their nostrils.

"Smellin' good!" Josh said.

"And just in time to eat. C'mon grab a plate." Amy replied.

Dinner was ready and it was a rather noisy one at that. It was a typical thing when the whole gang got together. Laughter and friendly bickering filled the apartment. It was the most chaotic yet comfortable vibe they loved so much.

Present exchange was near so both Josh and Maya retrieved to get their own.

Standing near the door they showed each other the wrapped up boxes and Josh squealed in delight. Yes, he was twenty one but a child. Ripping the wrapping paper quickly they revealed the present hidden.

Being the most excited, Josh finished first revealing an exploding box of photographs and notes Maya had collected over the year ever since they were dating.

"I know that…" she looked down to her hands. "That you're going to go away soon and I just wanted you to take something that reminded you that I was still with you even if I'm not in person."

He looked up at her and smiled. "I love you." He kissed her.

Maya opened up her present. It was a beautiful personalized sterling silver necklace with an M&J attached to it.

"It's so pretty!" she exhaled. "Thank you so much." She kissed him again.

"You deserve it.! He smiled against her lips.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Merry Christmas." He smiled.

Yeah, great day, but life isn't that fair sometimes…

New years came by and, as expected, it was spent in family. It was all going well until it was time for the fireworks.

Usually, they all go down to a lonely field free of trees. Shawn always brought different kinds of fireworks from different places he'd visit and the boys always looked forward to it.

"Wait what about one of each kind at the same time from different places of the field?" Josh proposed.

"How about all the same ones together?" Cory added.

Like little kids they seemed. It was quite funny. Maya loved to see Josh in action. His excitement and happiness could light up the whole field without help of the lights coming from the small explosions. The adrenaline he felt was obvious and so was his interest and amazement when they fireworks hit the sky.

He lived to impress Auggie so he always lit the pyrotechnics and moved away slowly. This time, however, he backed away slowly not knowing the fire lit up too fast.

"Okay, Auggie! You ready?!"

"Yeah!"

Josh lit up the firecrackers and backed away but they exploded too fast.

"Josh!" Maya screamed.

Everyone looked towards him just in time to see the firecrackers pop and cause a big explosion blocking the view of Josh's form.

"Josh!" she shrieked along with everyone else. They couldn't do anything until the exploding stopped and when it did the first one to run was Maya followed by Cory and Shawn.

"Josh!" Maya cried seeing Josh's laying form on the ground. "Oh my God!" she hit his face softly to wake him up but all she got was a groan in pain. Her hand slid down to his neck but while it slid she felt a moist texture on it. It was hurt but she couldn't see how badly.

"Shawn go get the car!" Cory orders taking Josh in his arms with Alan's help. He was trying to say something but somehow it wasn't understanding.

"My God, son!" Alan exclaimed.

The women were behind taking Auggie while Riley tried to calm Maya down.

"Maya, please! He's going to be okay, c'mon lets go. We'll follow them to the hospital." She had to drag Maya from Josh's side.

Another disaster right on New Year's. She knows this year will be tough, surely.

Author's Note: Whoops! Cliffhanger! Sorry! Next chapter will be up soon! Thanks a million times for my dear beta Abooknerdandproud ! And please review you guys! I need to know you're still here to keep going. Oh and I know I said no more accidents but Oh my God I've had this idea so many days I just had to.