A/N: Proxy chapter until I revise and tweak it up. There was another way to write this, buuuut it didn't work out the way I wanted it to, so the start is abrupt because I cut out most of the first section. Gonna fix it eventually. In the meantime, please accept this chapter lol. I'm sowwy :3

Thank you for the kind reviews. You all are so sweet and it means a lot to me! I know updating this has been ups and downs and a lot of long pauses, but through it all, you guys have given me time to work out the kinks and get my act together. Thank you so much, loves! :3

Disclaimer: I don't own GMW or A Walk To Remember.

When Lucas had originally heard a bit of Maya's singing in the drama room so many weeks ago, he hadn't realized how amazing her voice truly was. The little snippet he had heard was nowhere near close to the breathtaking quality of her singing when she put her heart into it.

It was clearly resonating with everyone watching the play, nurses and children alike. Everyone's rapt attention was stuck on Maya, pouring her heart out into the song, mesmerizing the room. Lucas himself was struck silent, listening to her and feeling the pain in her voice. He didn't know why, but he could feel the sorrow and despair underlying her words. It was heartbreaking. And he knew he wasn't the only one who thought that. He saw a couple nurses wiping their eyes of tears. And Riley herself was misty eyed, leaning her head on Farkle's shoulder and clearly trying to keep herself from sobbing.

It was fascinating to Lucas how radiant she was up in her makeshift tower, a single spotlight on her, the light almost forming a halo on her head. She was unbelievably beautiful, and Lucas felt his heart racing in his chest as he watched her. More than ever before, Lucas wanted to tell her how he truly felt about her. He wanted to alleviate the heartache lingering in her words.

Maya sang the last few notes of the song to shocked silence in the room before glancing at him with a soft smile. Her eyes were glassy with some unguarded emotion, and Lucas found himself frozen in place. Unable to do anything but stare at her in awe and feeling like she'd poured her heart out to him. Like in her own way, she'd just revealed everything in her life that had been a source of her melancholy.

He didn't know how long they'd been standing there—it felt like it'd been an eternity—but then Maya's expression changed, and her brows furrowed slightly in confusion. She gave him an expectant look, raising a brow at him and after a second, Lucas realized they were still in the middle of the play. He subtly looked around. The other castmates were giving him the same expectant look. It was clearly his line, but he couldn't remember what he was supposed to be saying.

"Tower." Farkle subtly coughed inconspicuously in his hand so only Lucas could hear it.

Snapping out of his trance, Lucas cleared his throat and approached the tower, gazing up at Maya like the lovestruck prince he was acting the part of.

(Not that it was an act at all, to be honest).

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!"

~.~.~

"You kids did an absolutely amazing job," Nurse Joy complimented. "It was a fantastic play. The kids loved it."

"I'm glad they did." Maya smiled happily, nudging Lucas' arm. "It was all his idea."

Lucas rubbed the back of his neck bashfully. "None of this would have been possible without all of us to make it happen though."

Nurse Joy chuckled. "Well you and your friends are incredible for doing this for the hospital. I can't thank you enough for giving the kids some joy."

He was glad they had enjoyed themselves. These kids had it hard, and knowing he'd been a part of the joy they'd experienced today—even if only for a little while—gave him a rush so powerful, better than any of the ones he'd experienced in his delinquent days.

Disregarding Lucas' near cue miss, the play had gone without a hitch. Riley had played the evil witch well, though knowing her personality, it had been hard for anyone to take her seriously. And Farkle as a talking horse had made them laugh and laugh. And Maya, despite having had reservations being the princess, honestly fit the role to a T. The kids had been ecstatic to see her as the heroine. They'd all been taking so many pictures with the children after the play, letting them live out some of their fantasies.

"Look at them," Maya said fondly as they walked slowly through the throng of kids and nurses in the waiting room, playing and chatting. "They all look so happy. I'm glad we did this."

"Me too," he said, watching proudly as Alex gave Nadia a rose, a bright red blush on his chubby cheeks. He'd taught him well. She took it with a shy smile before leaning forward and dropping a soft peck on his lips. Alex turned tomato red, looking like he was about to faint. He gave Lucas a thumbs up and Lucas chuckled to himself. "They deserve to be happy."

Nadia moved through the small crowds over to the both of them, a bright, cheerful smile on her face. A woman who looked almost the spitting image of Nadia right down to the amber hue in her eyes trailed beside her. She was smiling as well, but Lucas could see something worn out and somber in her gaze, almost resigned. Kind of like the look that was always present in Katy's eyes whenever he saw her.

"Mama, Mama!" Nadia exclaimed, tugging on her sleeve. "Can you take a picture of me with Maya and Lucas? I want to show Sofia that I met a real live prince and princess!"

Her mother chuckled, ruffling her hair. "If they're okay with it."

"It's not a problem at all." Maya reached out to Nadia and the girl took her hand, giggling as Maya spun Nadia into her and wrapped her arm around her. "Your older sister is going to be so jealous that you got to meet a real prince and princess."

"You and the prince have to hold hands though!"

Maya's cheeks flushed a little red in surprise, and she briefly frowned, glancing at Lucas and then averting her gaze quickly. Lucas could have sworn he saw Nadia wink at him, but he smirked, taking Maya's free hand in his and lacing his fingers with hers. She shot him a warning look, an embarrassed blush adorning her face, but he didn't let go, unfazed by it and mentally celebrating the fact that she didn't try to get out of his hold.

Once Nadia's mother had taken the picture, Nadia turned around and hugged Maya, burying her face in her chest and squeezing her tight. Maya was a little caught off guard by the action, but smoothed down the back of her hair, a serene look on her face as she stared down affectionately at the girl.

"Maya, I'm leaving the hospital tonight…" Nadia muttered after she pulled away, staring up at Maya. "My treatment has been completed."

"You're cured?" Maya asked, a hopeful smile on her face. "Officially?"

Nadia glanced briefly at Lucas, and he knew what she was conveying to him with her stare. She was asking him not to reveal the truth to Maya. He nodded subtly, and she turned back to Maya, resting her chin against her with a brilliant smile on her face. Lucas looked away, feeling guilty. Maya cared so much for Nadia. And she wouldn't even know that she would never see the young girl again because her time was almost up.

"I… I am." Tears pooled on Nadia's lower eyelid, her lower lip quivering though she tried to maintain her smile. "I… I'm moving to California with my family, Maya."

"Hey. Don't cry." Maya gently wiped a lone tear tumbling down her cheek. "It's not like we'll never see each other again. You can always come back and visit me whenever you want."

"Will you still be here if I visit?" Nadia asked, sounding a little worried. "Can you stay?"

Lucas expected Maya to answer immediately, but her smile slipped a little bit before she could plaster it back on her face. But Lucas could tell the cheer in her eyes had already been replaced by that sorrow that seemed to embody her entire being whenever he looked into her eyes.

"I'll do my best to stay until May," she responded quietly, though there was no confidence in her words.

He frowned in alarm, staring at Maya in confusion by her statement. Until May? Was Maya moving after high school ended? She caught his look and through her expression, Lucas could tell that this was another thing she didn't want him to ask about. He mentally added it to his list of mysteries about Maya that he'd resolved to solve.

"You promise?" Nadia choked up, her nose starting to run as she struggled to keep her tears at bay. "You'll be here, and I can visit you whenever I want?"

"I promise," Maya said softly, stroking her cheek gently, the warm smile never drifting from her face.

"I love you, Maya."

"I love you too, Princess Nadia."

She hugged her tighter, closing her eyes and resting her forehead against Maya's chest as her breathing grew jagged from her soft crying. They stood there in each other's embrace, Maya rocking the girl gently and soothing her quiet weeping.

"Nadia," her mother said tenderly, calling her attention. "Time to go, sweetie. Say goodbye to your friends."

"See you later, Maya." She let go of her and gave Lucas a tight hug. "Goodbye, Prince Charming. Try not to make your girlfriend mad all the time."

"I'll do my best," Lucas responded at the same time Maya said, "I'm not his girlfriend, Nadia!"

With those words, she ran back over to her mother, giggling and taking her hand as they walked away. Lucas and Maya watched her go in silence, the room surprisingly quiet despite all the chatter around them and the bustling as the nurses began to herd the children back to their rooms. Nadia turned around one last time, her eyes red from her tears as she waved at them from a distance. Maya beamed, lifting her hand and waving as well.

As Nadia disappeared around the corner with her mother, Maya slowed her waving until she'd stopped entirely, her arm slowly dropping back down to her side as she stared at the place where the girl had left. Lucas thought he imagined the first sniffle. But when he heard it again, he looked down at Maya and saw that her eyes had welled with tears and her shoulders were shaking. She inhaled jerkily, a soft whimper leaving her lips.

"She's not going to make it, is she?" Maya whispered, the pain in her voice nearly breaking Lucas' heart.

Lucas didn't know what to say. It was the truth.

"That's how it works," Maya continued, her voice cracking, tears dropping from her eyes and trailing down her face. "They leave the hospital when the treatment no longer works. When they don't get cured and don't have long to live."

"…Why didn't you tell her that you know?"

"Because she'd worry about me. And then she wouldn't be able to go in peace."

Her voice broke as she said the last words, and Maya started sobbing heavily. He didn't say anything; just came around to her front and pulled her gently forward. She fell against him, wailing harshly, gripping his shirt with shaking hands. Lucas rubbed her back gently to console her, hoping in some way, he was helping her and hoping that Nadia's last month could be as peaceful, carefree, and joyful as possible.

~.~.~

"Sorry about being emotional," Maya muttered, stuffing down one of the costumes further into the costume bag when it almost fell.

"No, I get it. It must be hard," Lucas replied, holding the door open for her as they made their way to the parking lot of the hospital. "Nadia told me you've been her big sister since she got to the hospital. I'm sorry."

They stopped by his truck where they had loaded up the other set pieces. Evening had long fallen, and Lucas had promised Farkle and Riley that he and Maya would clean up and take care of the rest. The two had left to go home, bidding the others farewell. It'd taken quite a few trips, but they'd managed to get everything in his car to be returned to school the next day.

Up until then though, Maya had refused to talk about her small break down, pretending it hadn't even happened it seemed. She'd seemed a little embarrassed about it, and Lucas could tell she wasn't one to cry in front of others or show weakness. It made him wonder how many nights she must have spent crying on her own, no one to comfort her. In a way, he felt privileged that she'd trusted him enough and let her guard down in front of him for a moment.

"Again with the apologies, Huckleberry?" Maya smiled slightly, poking him in the abdomen as she turned to face him. "But thank you for doing this. I'm glad she was able to leave the hospital with a good memory. And I'm glad all the other kids had fun too."

"I'm glad too," Lucas mused, taking the heavy bag of costumes from Maya and setting it in between two of the sets.

He lifted the set piece he'd rested beside him and placed it carefully as well, being cautious to make sure it wouldn't fly out or something while he was driving. The last he wanted was to be a hazard to the people in the street.

"So where to?" he asked. "Are you hungry?"

Maya shook her head, though she gave him a grateful smile. "Honestly, I kind of want to go home and spend time with my family right now. I think my mom doesn't have her second job today."

"Alright. To your place it is." He shut the back of his truck's trunk, wiping his hands of the bit of dust. "Just so you know, the offer still stands if you get hungry along the way."

"I'll keep that in mind…" She made as if to leave, but then paused, contemplating him for a moment with a pensive expression on her face. "You know… I thought I could still be mad at you, but after tonight, I don't think I can anymore."

The corner of her lips lifted into a real smile, one that reached her dancing eyes and once again, Lucas felt his pulse racing. Every time she smiled, he fell for her more and more, reminded yet again of how special she was to him.

"Lucas, I forgive you for being an asshole," Maya stated. "Thank you for showing me that it wasn't a mistake to let you back into my life."

She fell silent, blinking up at him and smiling happily. He held her gaze, his heartbeat drumming in his ears.

And without thinking about it, he cupped her face in his hands and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. Maya inhaled sharply, her shoulders tensing immediately. Her eyes widened and her breathing stalled for a few seconds as she went perfectly still.

But in the next second, she planted her hands on his chest and shoved him away from her as hard as she could.

Lucas stumbled a bit backwards, surprised by her reaction, but more than that, by the terrified look on her face. She looked as if he had slapped her, her fingers gingerly touching her lips. She slowly brought her gleaming gaze up to his, a dangerous look creeping into them.

"Maya—"

"What the fuck was that?!" She pushed him again for good measure, her eyes glinting with something akin to absolute disgust.

"I-I'm sorry." He put his hands up in apology, the words spilling from his lips in confusion. "I-I just thought…"

"You thought what?" Maya wiped her mouth roughly with sleeve. "That it was okay for you to snag yourself a reward just because I forgave you?!"

Lucas' brows rose in alarm. "No! That's not it—"

"What the hell do you take me for anyway?!" she screamed, glaring at him.

He didn't know what had her so angry with him, but clearly she was misunderstanding something. He'd kissed her because he liked her.

"Maya, wait." Lucas swallowed thickly, trying to get her to understand. This situation was quickly devolving into his worst nightmare. When he'd kissed her, he hadn't expected that kind of reaction. Hell, he'd even thought for a moment she would reciprocate. Clearly he'd been wrong. "I promise that's not what I—"

"Take me home," she growled. "Right now."

Maya turned away from him to get into the truck, the expression on her face completely guarded and closed off. Her eyes were cold as ice. Even worse than when he'd betrayed her trust. She wasn't going to listen to anything he tried to say anymore.

The ride back to her place was entirely silent, Maya seething in the seat, a death glare on her face and teeth clenched tight. She didn't look at him at all, staring dead ahead and tapping her foot impatiently as he drove through the roads.

"Maya…" he started, trying to get her to look at him, pay attention to him, listen to him. Anything.

She made no indication whatsoever that she acknowledged him, remaining perfectly still. And Lucas knew he'd lost her again. Only this time, he had a feeling he'd lost her for good.

He stopped in front of her apartment and was on the verge of exiting his car so he could walk her to her door, but she turned and gave him such a dirty look, it stopped him right in his tracks.

"Don't you dare walk me up," she spat, her lip curled in disgust. "And don't ever come back here again, got that?"

He could say nothing nor do anything as she hopped out of his truck and slammed the door shut. She stormed away into her building, not turning back once as she left. She hadn't even said goodbye.

Lucas groaned, dropping his head onto the steering wheel repeatedly. He was such an idiot. He wanted to beat himself up so bad for messing up that badly. Right when things between them had finally gotten patched up and returned to a semblance of normalcy, he just had to try his luck and ruined their relationship again. By kissing her no less! Why couldn't he be smart and use his words and tell her how much she meant to him? Instead, he'd made her uncomfortable and ruined her trust in him yet again. There was no way he would ever get the chance to confess now.

"Nice move, you dumbass…"