A/N- Hey kiddo's, so here's a new story, because I cannot get a life. I should warn you, that the angst is real in this. Also, there are mentions of sex, nothing explicit, but still. Mentions of underage drinking, parental neglect, and the marijuana. So, enjoy the chapter, and if you want to, leave a review. Hope you enjoy!

"I don't like Lucas." She murmured, as a look of realisation came over her face. Of course she didn't, she just that wished it hadn't taken her 4 years to figure it out.

"I don't like Lucas." She repeated, just a little louder, a rush of joy and mostly clarity filling her with undeniable energy.

"I DON'T LIKE LUCAS!" She finally cried, jumping up from where she sat on the fire escape, twirling around, ignoring the cries of the angry old men in the building opposite hers.

"This is perfect! I figured it out! I liked him because Riley liked him, and because I was so influenced by Riley, I was too blind to the truth! Even after I changed back from imitating Riley, I was just lying to myself! Oh, this is amazing! The triangle is over! Riley will be with Lucas and I'll be... alone." She stopped, plopping back down onto the stairs. It was like a bucket of ice had just been thrown over her, and it left a bad taste on her tongue.

"I'll be alone. Riley will have Lucas, and I'll have... no one." The other shoe had dropped. She'd been so excited that she'd finally figured out her feelings, she hadn't realised what that would mean. It had happened to her before, of course. Friends had gotten in relationships, then ended up cancelling plans, ignoring calls, and pulling away. They forgot about her, so they could be with their partner. But that'll never happen with Riley, she told herself, we're best friends.

But for how long, said a darker voice in the back of her mind. She couldn't think about this. She just couldn't. She felt herself begin to hyperventilate, and tried her best to snap out of it. It was far too late for all this panic, and her mother was still out with Sean. She couldn't talk to Riley, what would be the point? Hey, just realised that the cowboy is all yours, please don't leave me? Yeah, that'll go over well.

She shook her head, trying her best to distract herself, but it did no good. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore, everything was eating her up. She grabbed her phone and wallet, and climbed down the fire ladder, rushing to the subway.

Running away, are we? She tried to push that little voice away, but not before it delivered it's most original line yet- Guess you really are your father's daughter.

"Hey, Maya!"

"Maya! There's the party girl!"

"Where you been girl?" She grinned widely, slightly buzzed, when she saw her friends. Running meant heading to Jersey, to some of her old spots, ones she hadn't visited since she'd gotten caught up in Riley Town. This club in particular was her favourite. It was easy to get in, just had to know the tricks of the trade. Slip the bouncer a 50, and he looked the other way. Show the bartender a good enough fake, he didn't ask any questions. It was sleazy, dirty, and her favourite type of place. She glanced over her friends, an amalgamation of different ages and races, all sharing the same unspoken barely covered dress code.

"Sorry guys, I've just been... figuring stuff out."

"Whatever girl! We're just glad you're back!" She grinned at that, she missed this level of acceptance. Sure, her friends at school loved her, but there always had been a silent judgement. They'd put her in a box, expected to carry out her duties and not break away from said label. Sometimes, life as the Golden Duo wasn't all that golden. She smiled warmly as her friend Diamond pulled her in for hug, handing her a shot in the process. It was like old times; dancing, drinking, and howling at the moon.

"Hey, we got some new meat here ladies! Mai, why don't you teach this guy the Hart!" Her friend Diana cried from the edge of the crowd, pushing a gorgeous brunette towards her. He seemed to be around her age and was dressed in all black head to toe, topped with a soft leather jacket... just how she liked them.

"Maya Hart?!" He cried in some surprise, voice difficult to hear over the loud, pumping music. She eyed him warily, but doubted he'd really try anything in such a public place.

"Who's asking?"

"Ethan Granes. We went to middle school together!" She nodded, too buzzed to really care. She had already helped herself to the bar's extensive cheap liquor. He opened his mouth to speak again, and Maya realised this guy talked wayyy to much. Time to put that pretty talkative mouth of his to use. She cut him off, grasping his jacket and yanking him towards her. He looked at her taken aback, as she began to run her fingers down his body, all while swinging her hips. She circled him, a predatory look in her eyes before pushing his face closer to her own.

"Enough talking, pretty boy. Dance with me." His look of shock quickly transformed into one of lust. He nodded dumbly, and she turned, moving with him in time to the music. They danced for a while, slowly getting hotter and hotter, and drinking more than was probably healthy. He pressed up against her back, and she grinded on him to the beat of the deafening reggaton. Finally, he leant forward and mouthed neck, kissing slowly as if waiting for permission. She arched her back and whipped her hair to the side to allow him more access. He hissed as she pushed back against him, and the sound went straight to her belly. Her friends hollered in approval as she spun around and kissed him. She didn't know if it was the alcohol or facing the fear of loneliness egging her on, but she pulled back, standing on her tippy toes to whisper in his ear.

"Do you wanna get out of here?" She lowered herself and bit her lip, nervous about what he would reply with. There was no need for her nerves though as he smirked, grabbed her hand, and sped towards the door. She laughed wildly as she was dragged through the crowd, adrenaline adding to her high. She could faintly hear her friends shouting their obvious approval.

"Get it girl!"

"Have fun you two!"

"Remember to use a condom!"

She sent a sultry wink to the girls before giggling and following the boy out the door. They kissed even more once the exited the club, barely parting their lips for a second. Finally, he hailed a cab and they clambered into the back. He told the cabbie some random address, but Maya wasn't really listening and she didn't really care. All she knew was that she wanted this guy, and he wanted her. That was all she needed.

They stumbled into his apartment, kicking their shoes off, and tearing their shirts off. She drew her hands across the hard panes of his chest, allowing her brain to catch up with her body.

"Won't your parents mind?"

"They're at a meeting outta town for the week. We've got the place to ourselves. Jump." He ordered as he lifted her onto the kitchen table. She began kissing him even deeper, running her hands over his lean body. Suddenly, she pulled back, remembering something very important.

"Do you have a condom?" He nodded breathlessly, playing with her belt buckle absentmindedly.

"In the bedroom." She hummed, dragging her fingertips down the length of his body, enjoying the shivers she left in her wake. She glanced up at him from under her lashes, and it dawned on her that she liked watching him squirm.

"Then why are we still in here, gorgeous?" He grinned toothily and picked her up again, carrying her towards his bed, tossing her onto the mattress. She quickly pulled her shorts off, until she was just in her underwear and bra. Not for very much longer though, as he pulled the thong down her legs and she undid the clasp on her bra. He quickly kicked off his own pants and boxer briefs before he approached her.

"Condom." She breathed and he nodded while panting, pulling one out from the side drawer, and hurrying to slip it on.

"Are you ready?" She paused. This would be her first time. She'd always imagined it to be perfect, with perhaps, well, Josh. She liked this guy, but on the other hand, she barely knew him. Did she trust a practical stranger with something like this? She tried to be logical, she really did, but the way his teeth and tongue had set her entire body on fire? Well, thinking really wasn't her strongest suit at the moment.

"Maya? I need you tell me you're ready. I need you to tell me you want this, or it stops here." She shook herself out of her daydream. She didn't want to turn back now. She was nervous, but she completely wanted this. She bit her lip, and eyed him over before nodding.

"I want this E." He watched her carefully for a moment before grinning, placing another kiss on her lips. She was ready.

A/N: Haha, so yeahhh, that just happened. So confession time, I actually started writing this at the beginning of, I want to say season 3. Waaaay before the Ski Lodge episode. Anyway, funny thing was I was a giant Lucaya shipper, but I fell in love with this kinda AU!Maya. Btw, I do not endorse underage drinking. It's just in the story. Don't drink until your legal age kiddos. Also, as I tried to reiterate, if you're going to engage in sexual activity, don't risk it, wrap your biscuit. Alrighty then, get prepared for some angst kids. Until next time.

(UPDATED A/N) So, re-reading this as a full grown adult there are some glaring issues with this story. Firstly, not enough consent! Secondly, where in the bloody hell did I put my English major while writing this, my professor would be ashamed. Here to do a bit of rewrites, bare with me please