A/N: Hey everybody. First of all, thank you so much for all your nice reviews on the last chapter. I really enjoy reading your thoughts and I'm glad that you seem to like this story so far. Second of all, I'm sorry that I took so long to write this chapter. There were actually two reasons: for one, I was really busy with my studies; and also, writing this chapter cost me a lot of nerves. I had a general idea of what I wanted to write until I actually started. In total, I think I changed directions four times during my writing process and got really frustrated (I think the only scene I kept from my first attempt is the one between Katy and Shawn in the end, everything else has been altered at least a little bit). Some of the dialogue is taken from "Girl Meets the New Year" and "Girl Meets Ski Lodge Part 2". Needless to say, I am very curious about your reactions to this chapter. So, once again, feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Girl Meets World characters.

Piece by Piece

He never walks away (II)

"He never walks away/He never asks for money

He takes care of me/'Cause he loves me"

"How long are we avoiding this?" Maya impatiently looked at her best friend. They were sitting at Topanga's, each with a copy of Sense and Sensibility in their hands.

"But Peaches, whatever do you mean?" the brunette asked innocently.

"Oh, I don't know." Maya shrugged. "Maybe the fact that it's been weeks since the infamous Semi-Formal and you and your three suitors are still tiptoeing around each other, not willing to address the issue at hand."

"Well, you're one to talk," Riley tried to distract her best friend. "What about you and a certain uncle of mine? You two looked awfully cozy out there on the dance floor and yet neither one of you has made a single attempt to talk about it since. How is that even possible? You were both here at Christmas. There were more than enough opportunities. And still, nothing!"

"Don't change the subject, Riles," Maya said sternly. "We can talk about me and Uncle Boing later, but we'll talk about you first."

"What's there to talk about?" Riley asked. "I still haven't made up my mind; I'm still confused. I mean, how is that even possible? Liking three guys at the same time? It doesn't make sense!"

"Well," Maya mused, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I'm glad you mentioned that. Remember what Harper wrote on the blackboard today in English: 'does love make sense'? And, more importantly, does it even have to?"

"You actually paid attention in class today?" Riley felt her best friend's forehead. "Peaches, are you feeling alright?"

Maya swatted Riley's hand away. "I'm fine, Honey. And if you remember correctly, I did not want to discuss this topic either."

"I think your exact words were something along the lines of 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no'," Riley pointed out.

"Precisely," Maya agreed. "I still think Hop on Pop would have been an equally good but much less uncomfortable choice for a novel, but what can I say?"

"Ah, Dr. Seuss." A warm smile appeared on Riley's face.

"Thank you." Maya grinned at her best friend. "But anyway, in the end, what Harper said actually got me thinking."

"About why in God's name Charlie Gardner has seen not only Pride and Prejudice but Sense and Sensibility as well?" Riley asked innocently.

"Riles, we all had to watch Pride and Prejudice." Maya laughed. "And it wasn't so bad. Even Shawn liked it – but don't you dare tell him I told you that."

"My lips are sealed." Riley grinned sheepishly. "But really, a guy voluntarily watching Jane Austen movies ... who knew?"

"That's still not what I was talking about!" Maya exclaimed. "And now stop trying to distract me, it's not gonna work."

"Oh, come on," Riley grumbled. "Okay, I'm all ears. What were you thinking?"

"Well, as we learned, you need both sense – good, intelligent judgement – and sensibility – feelings – in order to make a relationship work," Maya explained. "You can't hide away your feelings, but you also shouldn't let them overwhelm you. Romance does come with conflict, there's no easy way to reach your Happily Ever After. It can come at a great cost and sometimes people and relationships aren't what they appear to be in the first place. But if, in the end, you find love – isn't it worth taking those risks?" Maya paused for a second, giving her best friend time to process everything she had just said. "So, I think that, in order to find out which guy you really like, you should take a step back and listen to what both your heart and your head tell you to do."

Riley was quiet for a moment – stunned by what her best friend had just told her. She took everything Harper had taught them today and turned it around so that it applied to Riley's current situation. Oh God … "Maya! You're turning into my Dad!"

"What? I resent that!" Maya exclaimed. "You take that back, missy!"

Riley shook her head in laughter before calming down a bit. Everything Maya had just said was true … but that didn't mean that the brunette wanted to hear it. "You know what's a book where no one has to take any risks? Hop on Pop."

"Don't I know it." Maya rolled her eyes. "Riley, we have to talk about this!"

"Since when are you so keen on taking risks for love?" Riley asked exasperatedly before suddenly getting a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You know, Peaches. What you just said seems to apply to another couple I know very well."

"Uh-uh." Maya shook her head. "I'm one step ahead of you – and your uncle for that matter. I already know that I like him. I just don't know if he likes me back. The last few weeks he's been sending out mixed signals all over the place. One minute, it looks like he still only sees me as his little niece's best friend; and the next, it almost seems like he likes me, too. You see, Riles, I'm just as confused as you."

"Well," Riley mused. "A very wise person once told me that 'romance comes with conflict, there's no easy way to reach your Happily Ever After. It can come at great cost and sometimes people and relationships aren't what they appear to be in the first place. But if, in the end, you find love – isn't it worth taking those risks?' Maybe you should take your own advice. Talk to him about it. Let him know that whatever it is he is doing is confusing you and ask him what exactly he wants."

Maya was quiet for a minute there before clapping her hands together in mock-excitement. "Well, would you look at the time. We really should get a move on. We still have a bunch of homework left to do. Sense and Sensibility won't read itself!" And with that, the blonde buried her nose in her book. Riley chuckled but quickly followed suit.

A little while later, Riley slammed her book shut enthusiastically. "Maya, you know how girls decide who they love?" she asked excitedly. "They throw a ball."

"Cinderelli!" Maya joked and Riley giggled.

"Apparently, these sorts of things get decided at the ball," Riley mused. "You know what we need? A ball." Maya looked at her best friend skeptically. "It might help us make sense of feelings." The brunette stood up and suddenly started gushing in a posh British accent. "What is essential to our current dilemma, my dear Maya, is to host a ball. A grand ball. A New Year's Eve ball. We shall invite all of the eligible gentlemen of good breeding …"

The girl was interrupted by none other than one of the eligible gentlemen himself suddenly appearing in front of her – seemingly out of nowhere. "I hear you're having a party."

"How?" Riley asked exasperatedly.

"Come on, Charlie Gardner. We'll get things sorted out at the dance!" Maya excitedly exclaimed in a southern belle voice. "Even though that didn't really seem to work the last time – oh well."

"Ball!" Riley corrected, spinning around to face her best friend.

Maya rolled her eyes. "America!"

"Oh. Well, am I included in the things that need sorting out?" Charlie asked with a shy smile.

"Well, Mr. Gardner you are in excellent standing and well regarded in the village," Riley mused. Charlie did a formal bow and the brunette girl curtsied awkwardly. Maya was sitting next to them and had to bite her tongue to keep herself from laughing – those two dorks were just too adorable together. And they did make a cute couple. "He never makes it easy, does he?" Riley swooned after Charlie had left the café.

"Speaking of tough decisions …" Maya started just as the other two eligible gentlemen came through the door.

"Hi," Lucas greeted.

"Hey, Huckleberry." Maya nodded.

"So, uh, Charlie Gardner just asked me if I was invited to your party. I told him that I didn't know about any party, and he smiled like a Charlie Gardner, gave me this weird bow, and walked away," Lucas explained slowly. "I still like him."

"Well, of course you're invited, Lucas," Riley assured him.

"Oh, thanks, but I don't want to be some last-second invite," Lucas told her, looking really disappointed that the brunette had apparently forgotten him. Boy, the guy had it bad.

"Well, I do. I'm coming, right?" Farkle quickly asked and Maya couldn't help but smile at the lovestruck teen. Well, it definitely seemed like her best friend would be in for a lot of trouble at the party – sorry, ball.

"Uh, everybody's coming. I thought of the party, like, two seconds ago. I don't know how Charlie does it," Riley explained.

And speak of the devil, Charlie Gardner himself had just entered Topanga's – again. "Heard you just talkin' about me. What'll be interesting is who's with who at midnight."

"For why?" Riley asked. "For why would that be interesting?"

"Oh yeah." Farkle nodded. "I'm told who you're with when the clock strikes 12:00 is how you'll spend the coming year." The three guys stood next to the brunette, looking at her expectantly. Riley quickly averted her gaze to the ground.

And Maya? Maya just sat there, right in the middle of everything. And, while she really did feel sorry for her best friend, she couldn't help but be amused by the situation. Mostly, because it kept her distracted from her own messed up feelings. No, not messed up. She knew exactly how she felt – she just needed to decide on what to do with those feelings. "Well personally, I think it should be very interesting."

"Okay, Peaches. I know you too well. You must have an opinion! You know who I should choose!" Riley – dressed in a pretty, blueish-grey dress – exclaimed.

"I do have an opinion." Maya – dressed in black tights and a gold-brown loose-fitting top – nodded. The two girls were sitting at the window in the Matthews' living room. A lot of their classmates as well as Cory, Topanga, Katy and Shawn were already there, ready to start the party – sorry, ball.

"Then what is it? Tell me!" Riley cried desperately. "Who should I choose?"

"I'm not gonna tell you," Maya said firmly.

"What?" Riley exclaimed. "Why? Why would you do that?"

"Because it's not my decision to make," Maya explained. "I'm here to help you in any way I can …"

"Then tell me!" Riley interrupted.

"… but I'm not gonna tell you who to pick," Maya ignored her best friend's comment. "It's not my place. And while, of course, I have an opinion, I do not want to influence your decision with it. It's your heart that's at stake here, not mine. And my first choice doesn't necessarily have to be your first choice."

"But I don't know my first choice! I don't know what my heart wants – or my head for that matter." Riley was looking completely panicked by now. "Maya, I'm desperate here. Help me out!"

"Riley, I love you. But I'm not gonna cave." Maya shook her head. "It's like I said earlier this week. You need to stop freaking out – take a step back and look at the situation from a different point of view. Listen to what both your head and your heart tell you. There is no way you like all three guys in exactly the same way."

"But …" Riley started.

"No but," Maya interrupted. "Just … take your time. Spend some time with the guys tonight, talk to them – just like before things got confusing. That's why we are having this … ball. So you can meet the eligible gentlemen. And don't worry, I won't leave your side for even a second if you don't want me to. I'll be right here if you need me."

Riley glared at her best friend. "I know you're right. But right now, I hate you – just a little bit."

"I know, Honey." Maya smiled. "And I love you, too."

"I ain't doin' it," Auggie declared as he stepped out of his room, dressed as Baby New Year. Maya and Topanga both had to bite their lip to stop themselves from bursting out laughing – the sight of the boy in diapers was just too much for them. And because of that, neither one of them was physically able to say anything to the matter.

Riley, looking slightly more disturbed than amused, just nodded slowly. "Yeah, okay." The boy gave her a solemn nod before racing off towards his room. With him out of sight and hearing range, Maya and Topanga just couldn't keep in their laughter anymore.

"Did you see that?" Maya was just shaking her head.

"I know!" Topanga could barely get the words out.

"Guys!" Riley reprimanded.

"Sorry," the other two said and slowly started to calm down.

"Thank you." Riley shoved Maya in a friendly sort of way and Maya shoved her back. Both girls started giggling and Topanga watched them with an adoring look on her face.

The woman took a look around the room and couldn't help but smile. She saw Cory and Shawn sitting on the couch, talking about God-knows-what. Whatever it was, it definitely seemed to be important. There hadn't been many times in all the years the three of them had known each other that she had seen them so somber and serious. And naturally, they didn't manage to keep up that mood for too long. In a blink, Cory had tackled Shawn in a hug and the two of them were playfully scuffling and laughing.

They were soon interrupted by a blonde woman approaching the couch, hesitantly asking permission to sit down. Both men gave her wide smile; Cory nodded enthusiastically and, after Katy had taken a seat, Shawn leaned over to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The two lovebirds soon started a conversation, with Cory only occasionally chiming in. But he didn't seem to mind. His eyes wandered the room before meeting hers. Their gazes locked and they shared a content smile, happiness for their respective best friend's evident in them. Yeah, Topanga thought. It had taken both Shawn and Katy a long time and many (failed) relationships, but finally they were in a good place; and would hopefully be in each other's lives for a long time to come. And maybe, Maya would finally get a real family.

Topanga looked at the two girls in front of her. Both of them were engaged in a round of playful banter. "Oh, girls," Topanga said, managing to catch their attention. "Take a look around. These are the people of your lives – last year, this year, and for at least the next four years of high school. Treat them right. Here's to the right decisions for the right reasons. Happy New Year, you two."

"Thanks, Mom." "Thanks, Mrs. Matthews." The girls gave the woman a hug.

"So, Riley. Right decisions, huh?" Maya teased and the brunette glared at her.

"You know what?" Topanga turned to the blonde. "I really appreciate you, Maya." She put an arm around the grinning girl. "I think you're pretty fierce. Making my daughter face her problems and all. It's good that she has you."

"I have no idea what the two of you are talking about," Riley said stubbornly. "But don't you have some decisions to make as well, Peaches?" she asked innocently.

"Me?" Maya asked, pointing to herself. "Oh no, I'm good."

Just then, the door burst open and none other than Josh Matthews walked in. "Happy New Year, family!" the boy called with a big grin. "My brother!"

"My brother!" Cory exclaimed and rushed over to hug the boy, Shawn hot on his heels.

"Joshie!" Auggie, now dressed in regular clothes, immediately raced over to join the three of them.

"Okay, I'm no good." Maya couldn't keep her eyes off of the boy and promptly stumbled.

Topanga was quick to catch her. "I gotcha, Honey," she assured and patted the girls head.

"You okay there, baby girl?" Katy asked, approaching their group with a knowing smile. She took her place next to Riley, who sported a mischievous grin of her own.

"Just peachy, Mom," Maya said through gritted teeth. Boy, that guy really had a way of messing with her head and she didn't know how she felt about that. The blonde watched him talk to the two men and all kinds of different feelings started coursing through her. It didn't help matters, when Josh approached their little group next. He greeted his niece, sister-in-law and Maya's mother before turning to the blonde herself.

"Maya." Josh nodded with a big smile on his face.

"Josh." A shy smile spread across Maya's features. Good God, what was the matter with her? She used to be able to babble on and on about anything and everything when he was around. Not that the babbling idiot thing seemed to work; but still, it was better than this.

Josh, however, didn't seem to mind. He just enveloped the blonde in a big hug and Maya quickly relaxed into it. Okay, the blonde thought, this she could handle. "So," Josh started, after reluctantly letting go of the girl.

Everything else that he might have wanted to say was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. "I got it!" Riley immediately said. She started to walk towards the door but stopped dead in her tracks after a few steps. She turned around to her best friend with a panicked expression on her face.

"Oh, calm down. I'm coming." Maya laughed. "Not leaving your side for even a second, I remember. Talk to you later, Josh." The blonde mentally patted herself on the back for managing to act so casual around the boy while physically linking her arm with Riley's and heading towards the door. Maya opened the door and was greeted by the sight of none other than the three eligible gentlemen themselves.

"Hi," Lucas said.

"Hi." Farkle smiled.

"Hi," Charlie added.

"Hi," Riley repeated.

None of them said another word. "Well," Maya said slowly. "This is gonna be awkward."

Well, after that the evening got even more interesting. While Riley had taken Maya's advice and was taking turns spending some time with each one of the guys, Maya was making sure to keep the other two occupied, so no uncomfortable situation would come up for her best friend. It was proving to be rather difficult because all three of them seemed to have made it their goal to spend as much time with Riley as possible. After an hour and a half of this, Maya was exhausted. She had played a round of The Friend's Game – a Game for Friends with Lucas, Farkle and a couple of kids from school while Riley had been talking to Charlie. She had planned on playing Twister next, but Cory had ripped the game right out of her hands and had proceeded to hide it – "No Twister" had been his mantra. So, instead she had danced with both Charlie and Lucas while Riley had been talking with Farkle and was now looking for a way to distract Charlie and Farkle while Riley was talking with Lucas. She had led both boys towards the snack table and was now looking for a Plan B when, once again, the doorbell rang. Josh went over to answer it.

Maya's eyes lit up when she recognized the person entering the apartment just now. Checking that Charlie and Farkle were still busy getting some food, she bolted towards the door – right past a stunned looking Josh – and tackled the newest guest in a big hug. "Isaiah Babineaux, you beautiful guy! I'm so glad you're finally here – you're late by the way, mister. Come along, I really need your help."

"Wow, Maya." Zay looked quite flustered. "To what do I owe such an enthusiastic greeting."

"Oh, just come along, Zay." The girl dragged the boy further into the living room, right past Josh who had a frown on his face. Maya decided to ignore it for now, she had more important things to deal with. "I need you to go talk to Charlie Gardner while I spend some time with Farkle."

"Why?" Zay asked.

"Because!" Maya exclaimed. "I'm trying to help out my best friend here. Now please." The blond batted her eyelashes and gave him her best puppy-dog-look.

"Oh fine." Zay shook his head.

Maya squealed and quickly gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks. I owe you one."

"I like cookies!" Zay called after her.

"Duly noted." Maya grinned, turned around and ran straight into somebody. "Oh, I'm so sorry."

"No problem, kiddo." Shawn grinned at the girl. "What's the rush?"

"Oh, you know." Maya chuckled. "Just your regular nighttime-teen-drama."

"Oh sure." Shawn laughed. "So, listen. I like Josh, but you'll tell me when it's time for me to give him the overprotective father … figure speech, right? I already got the baseball bat – two actually, one's at my place and the other one is in Cory and Topanga's room."

"Shawn!" Maya exclaimed blushing. "Not my nighttime-teen-drama! Riley's. I'm fine."

"Phew." Shawn looked relieved, but only for a moment. "You sure you're fine? I saw Topanga having to catch you earlier when Josh arrived."

"Well, fine-ish," Maya admitted. "But that's not the important thing right now. Right now, we're dealing with Riley's drama."

"Alright then, I'll go tell Cory to go get the bat." Shawn started walking off.

"Shawn!" Maya repeated and grabbed the man's arm. However, the blonde couldn't stop herself from laughing. Shawn chuckled and gave the girl a side-hug. "Don't worry, we're working on figuring out all of the drama."

"Glad to hear it." Shawn nodded. "You're a great friend, Maya. You know that?"

"I do my best." Maya smiled. "And now I have to go talk to Farkle. I'll see you later, Shawn. Go, keep my Mom company. I don't know what they're talking about, but she and Mrs. Matthews are looking awfully suspicious over there." The two women were standing in the kitchen, talking in hushed voices.

"Like I said, those two are even worse than Cory and me." The two laughed. "But I'll do my best."

"Farkle, my good friend!" Maya called as she approached the boy.

"Maya, my little matchmaker!" Farkle grinned at her.

"Nope, no matchmaking here." Maya shook her head. "Just trying to help my best friend make a decision."

"I know," Farkle said. The boy was quiet for a moment. "Do you know?"

"Do I know what?" Maya asked.

"Who she'll pick?" Farkle elaborated.

"I'm afraid even she doesn't know," Maya admitted. "She's confused. That's why we're having this ball."

"Oh," was all Farkle said. "You know, I realized something."

"Oh yeah. What?" Maya asked curiously.

"You remember how I always said that I loved both of you ever since first grade?" The blonde nodded. "Well, I'm beginning to think I was right. But I guess I love both of you in different ways."

"Like, one more than the other?" Maya asked.

"No, I think the quantity of how much I love you is pretty equal," Farkle pondered. "I think it's the quality that's different."

"Can you elaborate on that further?" Maya asked, only half-joking.

"Well, with you and me, it's more that I love you like I would love my favorite sister," Farkle explained. "And with Riley it's …"

"Different?" Maya suggested.

"Yeah." Farkle nodded.

"Well, for what it's worth," Maya started. "I love you too, bro." They both shared a laugh.

"Oh, that I knew. Any other kind of love in that big heart of yours is reserved for a certain brunette at the other end of the room." Farkle gestured towards Josh, who was currently talking to Cory.

"Well, I don't know about love," Maya pondered. "But I do like him. Now if only I knew how he felt."

"I think chances are he might reciprocate them," Farkle said.

"How do you know?" Maya asked.

"I don't know," Farkle admitted. "But I have a feeling."

"Well, I guess only time will tell." Maya paused for a second. "I guess we're both a bit kept in suspense at the moment."

"I guess we are." Farkle nodded.

"A little while ago, Riley asked me for my opinion," Maya suddenly said. "About who I think she should choose."

"Oh." Farkle looked at her timidly.

"I told her that I wouldn't tell her. It's her decision to make." Farkle nodded. "But for what it's worth, I'm rooting for you. Team Farkle all the way."

A small smile spread across Farkle's face. "Thanks, Maya. That means a lot." He took a step towards her and gave the blonde a hug.

"Anytime, Farkle." Maya smiled and hugged her friend tightly. "Anytime."

As midnight was approaching, everyone started heading towards the roof of the building. Twinkly lights were spread around the façade, making it look like stepping into a fairy tale. Maya was walking with her mother, who had her arm wrapped around her daughter.

"This really is a nice way to spend New Year's, isn't it, baby girl?" Katy asked.

"It really is." Maya nodded. "It's been a pretty good year, hasn't it?"

"It really has." Katy looked over at Shawn with a loving expression on her face.

"You look happy, Mom. Are you?" Maya asked.

"Very much, baby girl. What about you?" Katy inquired.

Maya looked around the roof and her eyes found Josh's. "Getting there, Mom."

Katy followed her daughter's gaze and a smile spread across her face. "Things have a way of working themselves out. Just give it time. Three years might seem like a lot right now but in a couple of years, it will seem like almost nothing. Even Josh might realize that eventually."

"From your lips to God's ears," Maya only half-joked and Katy laughed.

"And it looks like someone wants to talk to you now." Her mother was right, Josh was heading right towards them. "Now, I'm gonna go make myself scarce. Find Shawn or something. See you in the New Year, baby girl."

Maya hugged her mother. "See you later, Mom."

"Hey there," Josh said as he came to stand in front of her. "Haven't seen a lot of you tonight."

"Yeah, I've been a bit preoccupied." Maya nodded. "Your niece is a piece of work," she joked.

"Yeah, I heard Shawn mention something about some kind of nighttime-teen-drama. Does this have anything to do with it?" Josh gestured to where Riley was currently standing, talking to Charlie Gardner.

Huh, seemed like her best friend had made her decision. "I guess so," Maya said slowly.

"And judging from your reaction you would have rather had her end up with Howdy or Dr. Turtleneck," Josh concluded.

"Dr. Turtleneck actually," Maya admitted. "But don't tell Riley. It's her decision to make. What my first choice for her would have been doesn't matter."

"I respect that." Josh nodded.

"You seem to quite the observer there, Boing." The blonde smirked at him. "Care to elaborate on how you figured out your niece's mess of a love life?"

Josh was quiet for a second. "I'm a lot younger than my brothers and my sister," he suddenly said.

"So, they won't have a relationship with you either?" Maya was confused about where he was going with this.

Josh ignored her comment. "So, I spent a lot of time just watching them."

"So far we're still talking about you and me," Maya teased.

Josh shook his head. The boy had to bite his lip to stops himself from laughing. "Stop it!"

"No!" Maya replied stubbornly with a grin on her face.

"I've learned to be pretty good at observing people," Josh continued. "Understanding what's going on with them. You sure you're ready to hear this?"

Maya nodded. "Right now."

"Even if it was bad for me?" Josh asked.

"Right now," the blonde repeated firmly.

"What I observed about you is that you are the best friend anyone could ever have," Josh blurted out. "Maybe it's cause your dad left. Maybe it's cause you never felt that love. But it gave you the greatest capacity for love that I've ever seen."

Maya was stunned. "Say that again."

"Why? You didn't understand it?" Josh asked, a confused expression etched on his face.

"No, I understood it," Maya said innocently. "Say it again. Say it 50 times. Say it in French."

"You heard me the first time," Josh realized and shook his head.

"I did." Maya nodded. "Thank you, but you're wrong. It's Riley that's the best friend you could ever have."

"Hm." Josh thought for a moment. "What I've also noticed, Maya, is that you've cared about Riley so much for so long that the moment she decides to care about somebody else …"

"Our three eligible gentlemen," Maya added.

Josh nodded. "… you needed to help her make a decision. You could have just had fun tonight, you know, hanging out with your friends and family. But instead you did everything you could to enable Riley to sort out her feelings for those guys. And right now, it seems like she might have done just that." They both looked over to where Riley was now standing with Lucas. Huh, seems like she didn't have things figured out quite yet. Maya would definitely have a talk about that with her later. "And even if he wouldn't have been your first choice for her, you respect her decision."

"I was helping her," Maya said more to herself than to him.

"You did," Josh confirmed. "And she would do the same for you."

"She did." Maya thought back to how Riley was always trying to get Maya to talk about her feelings for Josh. Now sure, partly that was because she wanted to distract herself and the blonde from her own love life. But for the most, it was because she wanted Maya to be happy. She had accepted the thought of Maya eventually being with Josh – even if that could one day make her Riley's aunt – because she wanted what's best for the blonde. Now there was no way she could tell Josh all that. But there was one little thing she still didn't quite understand. "And why is this bad for you?"

"Well," Josh started without being able to meet Maya's eyes. "I guess that's a bit of a longer story."

"I've got time." Maya smiled at the boy. "Shoot."

"Alright." Josh took a deep breath. "I guess seeing you handle this situation and making Riley your priority reminded me of how mature you have become. And for me to ever think that I don't need a friend like you in the world just cause I'm a little older; that would make me a lot less mature than I want to be." Maya smiled at him. "Looking back, I started thinking when Katy had her accident. It reminded me that life is short and that some things are more important than others."

"I get that." Maya nodded and chuckled a little bit. "But I don't really know where you're going with this."

Josh laughed nervously. "Truth be told, I don't know exactly either. I don't know everything." Josh took a deep breath. "But I do know one thing. You once said you were playing the long game."

Maya nodded and took a deep breath as well. It was now or never. Would she take her own advice and take a risk for love – even though it scared her. Oh hell, what did she have to lose. "I like you, Josh. I still like you."

Josh shot her a brilliant smile. "I like you, too." Maya's heart skipped a beat. "And I'd never want you not to be in my life. So, how about we try this …"

"Boyfriend and girlfriend right now," Maya joked. Even she knew that they weren't ready for that, but she couldn't help herself. The shy and timid girl she had started to become around Josh ever since the Semi-Formal was finally packing her bags, letting the old Maya take over once more.

The boy shook his head laughing. "No."

"Boyfriend and girlfriend eventually," Maya tried again. Josh didn't reply, he just smiled. "You're not saying no." Maya smirked. "You have to say something."

"I'll play the long game," Josh blurted out. "Live your life, I'll live my life. I know you're out there and I'm out there, too."

Maya liked the sound of that. "So, what exactly are you suggesting we do now?" The blonde asked curiously.

"I like you, Maya," Josh repeated, and Maya smiled. "I don't think rushing into anything right now is a good idea. If we do this, when we do this – us – I want it to last. Cory once told me that, one day, I might meet a woman as wonderful as Topanga; and make a friend like Shawn. I think I found both of that – in you." With a shy smile, he held his hand out to Maya and the girl took it, a huge smile on her face.

"Well, I have to admit, you do have a point there. And I agree, rushing into anything would be a very bad idea." Maya nodded slowly. "But I have one thing to add: we do live our lives, but we don't walk away from each other." Josh nodded at her to go on. "So, here's what I suggest: we hang out, we spend time together, we get to know each other more – as friends. And then, when we're both ready, we'll try the whole boyfriend and girlfriend thing."

"That's a very smart and mature idea, Maya." Josh smiled at her.

"I have my moments." The blonde giggled.

"So, someday?" Josh asked tentatively, squeezing Maya's hand.

"Someday," Maya agreed with a warm smile. The girl looked at the clock. "You know, Josh. They say that the person you are with when the clock strikes twelve on New Year's is the person you'll be with for the next year. And would you look at the time, it's only five minutes till midnight."

A big smile spread across Josh's face. "Well, then I guess it's a good thing I'm standing right here in the company of a gorgeous blonde girl. Wouldn't you think so?" he asked a bit shyly.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Maya agreed, smiling brightly at the boy.

Unbeknownst to them, they had a couple of observers on the other side of the roof. Shawn was standing there, his arm around Katy, his eyes never leaving the two teenagers.

"Stop glaring, Shawn." Katy laughed. "Look at them. They're cute together."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Shawn said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, hush you." Katy shook her head. "They're not doing anything. They're just standing there … oh look! Now they're holding hands!"

"They're what?" Shawn was about to march over there to give the younger Matthews a piece of his mind.

"Shawn!" Katy exclaimed. "Let them be. We'll just keep a watchful eye on them, okay?" Secretly, the blonde was glad that she had someone else looking out for her daughter. Earlier, Topanga had even told her about Shawn's baseball bat being stored away in her and Cory's closet.

"Fine," Shawn grumbled. He was quiet for a moment before perking up a bit. "You know, Katy," Shawn started nervously. "They say that the person you are with when the clock strikes twelve on New Year's is the person you'll be with for the next year."

"Do they?" Katy asked curiously. "What people?"

"Oh, you know people." Shawn shrugged but Katy wouldn't budge. "Okay, it was Farkle."

Katy burst out laughing. "You taking flirting advice from a Middle Schooler there, Shawnie?"

"Well, what can I say." The man blushed and gestured to where Farkle was currently standing with Riley. "He seems to have gotten things together much earlier than I did. So, I thought why not take a few pointers."

Katy smiled. "Well, if Farkle really is right, I'd say I'm glad that to be standing next to you."

"You are?" Shawn inquired.

"Shawn, I like you." A big grin came across the man's face hearing those words. "Surprised I have to tell you that. And I'm glad I haven't managed to drive you away – I don't really have the best track record when it comes to relationships."

"You're preaching to the choir here." Katy laughed at that. "And for the record, I like you too – very much so. And I'd count myself lucky if there's even the smallest possibility that we'll be spending the next year together – and hopefully many more," Shawn mumbled the last part, but Katy caught his words anyway.

They heard everybody else starting the countdown till midnight. "Well, in that case we better make sure to be right here with each other when they finish that countdown."

"I think we'll manage that." Shawn grinned and leaned in towards the blonde. Just as the crowd reached zero and the big firework started, their lips met in a soft kiss – filled with promises and possibilities of an amazing future together.

"So," Maya said as she and Riley were sitting in the brunette's bed after everyone had gone home. They were both dressed in their pajamas but nowhere near ready to go to sleep. "That happened."

"That happened," Riley agreed.

"What exactly happened?" Maya asked. "You were standing on the roof with Charlie … and then with Lucas …"

"And then with Farkle," Riley added.

"Farkle?" Maya exclaimed. "Why didn't I see that."

"I don't know. Maybe because you and Uncle Josh were too busy making googly-eyes at each other," Riley teased and Maya instantly blushed. "So, you and Josh?"

"Someday." Maya smiled happily. "Maybe. Who knows?"

"You look happier," Riley observed. "I'm glad you guys got a chance to talk things out and come to an … agreement?"

"Me, too." Maya nodded. "And you and …?"

"Not Charlie," Riley admitted. "It would have made sense to be with him … but my heart wasn't in it. He deserves more."

"And so do you," Maya told her best friend. "And you'll get it. So, is it Lucas or Farkle?"

"I don't know," Riley said. "I'm still confused but it's getting better. I like both of them. With Lucas, there's been something between us from the very first time we met – and I guess that's never really gone away. And with Farkle … I've always loved Farkle – you know, as a friend. But now I'm starting to think that it might be more. Ugh, I don't know."

"You're confused," Maya repeated her best friend's words.

"Yeah." Riley nodded. "They both told me to take my time, that they're not going anywhere. And I think they're right. We're still young. Why rush into anything."

"That's a very smart and mature idea, Honey," Maya echoed Josh's words from before.

"I thought so," Riley agreed. "But hey. I haven't thanked you for everything you have done tonight. Making sure that I got the chance to reassess my feelings."

"It was my pleasure." Maya smiled. "Besides, you would have done the same for me."

"In a heartbeat." Riley leaned over to hug her best friend. "You know what, Peaches. Boys will come and boys will go. There's not much we can do about that. But there is one person that I want to keep in my life forever."

"Yeah? Who?" Maya joked.

Riley shoved her. "Maya, I'm being serious here."

"I know, Honey," Maya said earnestly. "And I wholeheartedly concur. What's important is that we have each other. Best friends forever. Everything else, we'll figure out eventually. You know, piece by piece."

Riley nodded in agreement. "One step at a time."