Chapter 1

"I wish I was going with you" Lucas pouted slightly while Riley gathered her things at her locker, "so you won't be all by yourself". Riley turned to him exasperated "Lucas I take the subway every day, I can make it two stops to NYU. I can easily graduate high school with only 4 classes this year, why waste time here when I can accrue college credits? If I take 3 classes this fall, 3 in the spring, and 3 in the summer, I can start college next year as a sophomore instead of a freshman. It just makes sense." She leaned up to kiss Lucas goodbye only to be stopped by his lips on her forehead. "I'll miss you" he said sadly. "I'll miss you too" Riley answered, "since you have baseball practice I'll meet you right here in the morning."

Riley entered her English 101 class 20 minutes later and searched for a place to sit. It was a bit of a shock, no Maya, Lucas, or Farkle there to slide in next to, everyone was a stranger and they all seemed much older than 18. She found a seat and then busied herself taking out a notebook and pen, too shy to introduce herself to the students beside her. Suddenly she heard a voice to her right "this seat taken gorgeous?" Riley looked up and was stunned; looking down at her was a beautiful man, with light-brown skin and hair and violet eyes. Seeing that he was still staring at her she nodded no quickly. As he slid in he turned to her "didn't see you at freshman orientation, what's your name beautiful"? A blush crept up into Riley's cheeks; she didn't want to admit she was only 17 and still a senior in high school. "Freshman orientation was huge" she answered slyly, "I'm sure you wouldn't remember seeing me." "Oh I wouldn't have forgotten you" the man said intensely. "My name's Miguel by the way". "Riley" she answered briefly, and was saved from further conversation as the professor came in and started speaking.

The rest of Riley's English and History classes were uneventful, although she was surprised that she already had a quiz in History on Friday. She made her way home to find Maya sitting in her room. "So how was your first day of college?" Maya asked as she pulled Riley to the bay window. "It was ok, busy, I already have a quiz on Friday, and I know the students are probably only 18 or 19, but they seem older. They seem..." Riley drifted off, thinking of meeting Miguel that afternoon. "Riley?" Maya questioned, startling her. "Sorry", Riley continued, "just hard to explain. They seem more confident than we are, than I am anyway." "You'll get there, it's just new people" Maya reassured her, patting Riley's arm. Suddenly they heard voices coming from the living room "My brother, my brother"! "Baby!" Maya squealed, sure it was Josh and not Eric who had arrived. She didn't even make it to the door before Josh came in and Maya jumped into his arms, kissing him passionately. Maya and Josh had been dating for almost two years now. At first neither Katy and Shawn or Alan and Amy (or for that matter Cory and Topanga) were thrilled about the arrangement, with Maya having just turned 16 and Josh 18 and in college, but now that Maya was almost 18 they kept their mouths shut and accepted it. Riley and Auggie had taken some time to get used to it too. Riley loved both Josh and Maya, but for almost the first year the image of them kissing grossed her out. She thought she was over it now, they were so happy together it was hard to be anything but happy for them. However, as they stood in her room making out, Riley found herself irritated. "Could you two maybe get a room please" she snapped. Maya and Josh broke apart, Josh looking around at Riley's room "Well, if you want to step out we could use yours" he teased. At Riley's foul and disgusted look Maya slapped Josh lightly on the arm. "Stop it Josh, don't gross Riley out. I'm sorry peaches; I thought you were ok with us now." Riley immediately felt bad. "I am, and I am so happy for you guys, I just don't need to see you all over each other you know? Josh is still my uncle."

"Ok" Josh condescended easily and sat on the bed holding hands with Maya. "I actually just came over to see how your first day at NYU was" he continued. "Good" Riley answered, "just a little more fast-paced than I am used to, I'll have to start studying tonight." "Wait until you're an upperclassman" (Josh was a junior at NYU), "they start teaching the first day. Hey if you can come over before your first class sometime we could have lunch". "That would be great!" Riley gushed. She loved spending time with Maya, but couldn't remember the last time she had been able to spend time with Josh without her. "Anyway, we'll get out of your hair so you can get started on that homework" Josh said as he turned to Maya "want to go get some coffee?" "Love to" Maya answered, pulling Josh over to Riley so Maya could kiss her on the cheek. "Bye peaches, call me if you want to take a break." Riley watched them leave, marveling that it took Maya falling in love to finally use the front door.

That night, Riley lay in bed frustrated. Lucas had late baseball practice, so they didn't see each other the rest of that day, but they had finished the day the usual way, texting "I love you, sweet dreams". Usually Riley could fall asleep right after that, but tonight she found herself awake, thinking about how she snapped at Maya and Josh, which really was unlike her. As much as she tried not too, she couldn't stop thinking about Miguel either. It wasn't that she wanted to date him; she had been dating Lucas for three years and loved him. Having someone that attractive flirt with her was an ego boost, but that wasn't what was keeping her up either. She couldn't stop thinking about the way Miguel looked at her, but couldn't figure out why someone looking at her was unusual. Finally she realized no one had ever looked at her that way, not even Lucas. The intensity, mixed with something else, something she had never experienced before. Riley suddenly realized why she had snapped at Maya and Josh; they had that same look whenever they were near each other: desire.

As requested, I finally wrote a fanfiction with Joshaya. What do you think so far?