An: Oh my goodness! I have never had a story with such a HUGE response before. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm loving the feedback, and I tried to respond to some of you, but wow, I wasn't expecting so much love.
I have a policy where if I get a review and I'm at home after I read the review, I take a minute to go to my computer and work on my story. Sometimes it's just editing or outlining. Sometimes I add a whole scene. Sometimes just a word, but I try. So when I get over 40 reviews on one chapter, the next chapter definitely gets done sooner!
Joshaya fans, you guys rock! Not only did ya'll review, you gave some long, insightful reviews! Since most of you are probably new to me as a writer, I'm going to go ahead and tell you something I tell all my readers- I only write happy endings. I repeat, I only write happy endings. It might take a while to get there, but I'm not going to pull the rug out from under you. There's enough crappiness happening in real life, I don't need it in my fics. There's no way I wouldn't make Joshaya soulmates. If I say a story is Joshaya, it'll be Joshaya. Just like I don't want to read Lucaya stories, I'm not going to trick you into reading stories that aren't Joshaya.
A lot of you picked up on some things Riley said about Josh, and I just want to remind you... RILEY said it, and I think it's more indicative of her feelings about soulmates, not necessarily how Josh feels. That conversation is in Maya's mind, but Josh has no clue.

I'm rambling too much, so story!

December 17th

Riley was knee deep in a Red Planet Diaries marathon when Josh came into her room. She rolled her eyes, knowing the question before he even asked.

"No, she's not here. I haven't seen her since school got out yesterday," Riley recited tiredly. Josh had been grilling her for information on Maya for weeks now. Maya had made her promise to stay out of it, and she was doing the best she could to honor her best friend's wishes.

She didn't exactly know what had happened when Maya and Josh talked on her birthday, but Maya had made it a point to avoid her house and the bakery at all costs ever since. Whenever Riley questioned her about it, she acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary. But here Riley sat on a Saturday night, Maya-less, which was anything but ordinary.

Josh had been spending every available moment slinking around the apartment, and now that his finals were over, he had become downright unbearable.

"I'm sorry, Riles. I just don't get it. Why is she avoiding me? I tried giving her space. She ignores my texts, my calls. Every once in a while she'll send one that says 'I'm fine' but that's about it. When I bumped into her at the bakery, she got all weird and mumbled something about being late to a 'business meeting' and left before Katy even had time to finish making her coffee," Josh huffed, plopping down on the bed beside her.

Riley shrugged, having had this conversation with her uncle several times. "Maybe she has a new business venture you don't know about. Trust me, Josh. She hasn't said anything to me."

Josh sighed. "Will you do me a favor? Will you tell her I'm going out of town for a few days? Justin is driving his roommate back to Ohio and doesn't want to make the road trip by himself. I don't want her to think I abandoned her if she shows up, and I don't want her to avoid the apartment when she doesn't have to... I sent her a text, but I don't know if she's even reading them."

Riley nodded. "I'm sure she's reading your texts and listening to your voicemails, but I'll tell her tomorrow just in case. When are you leaving?"

Josh ran a hand over his face. "Now I guess...I was waiting, giving her a chance to come say bye... God, I feel like an idiot. Maya chased me around for years, and I ignored her. I guess I'm getting a taste of my own medicine, huh, Ri?"

Shaking her head urgently, Riley replied, "You know that's not why she's doing this. She just needs time."

"But that's just it. We need time. Together. We are both going through this, we're both adjusting. We should be doing it as a team," Josh said petulantly. "I just don't understand how she can go from hot to cold, just when we can finally be together."

"Why don't you stop by her house on your way to Justin's? I'm sure if she knows you're leaving she will want to say goodbye."

Josh shrugged. A few weeks ago, he was certain Maya would welcome him with open arms if he ever showed up at her doorstep, but now he wasn't so sure. After their makeout session on her birthday, they had agreed to sleep on it and give each other a little bit of space, but he assumed she had meant a day or two, not this.

"Josh, you and I both know Maya has been crazy about you ever since you guys met. That's like... 10 years of her pining for you! All of a sudden, the attention you never wanted, you're craving. Can't you see how that can be confusing for her?" Riley tried to explain.

"It's confusing for me, too! I never thought we would really wind up being soulmates or else I would have done things differently."

Riley's eyes widened in understanding. "Maybe that's the problem! Go talk to her. Tell her you had feelings for her before."

Josh shook his head, still not quite getting it. "Give me some insight here, Ri."

"No way. I love you both, but you two need to figure things out yourself. I'm not even sure I'm right. You need to talk to her."

Josh relented, giving Riley a hug before going to his room to grab his bag.

Just as Riley was about to turn her show back on, her mom walked in the door. She heaved an annoyed sigh.

"No, Mom, I don't know what's going on with Maya."

"She's not answering my calls."

"Well, honestly, it's really weird that you're always calling her," Riley teased.

Topanga shrugged. "Old habits die hard. I'm so glad Katy is more present in her life, but for a long time, we are all she had." Topanga grinned widely as she continued, "Plus she's family now."

Riley rolled her eyes. "She always was family."

Both Matthews women drifted to the bay window, having a seat next to each other. "You're right. I was so excited for Maya, I haven't had the chance to ask you how you were doing in all of this."

"I'm happy for Maya. And Josh," Riley shrugged. "And I know this is all going to work out just fine. It's going to be weird calling Maya my aunt, but it's a small price to pay to see two people I love end up where they belong."

"But..." Topanga pressed on.

"But... all this stuff has me so worried about my own path. What if I get my scar and it isn't what I thought it would be?"

"Oh sweetie," Topanga cooed. "It never is. You can't prepare yourself for the unknown. You might get your scar next month, you might not. You might know your soulmate, you might not. All you can do is believe in yourself, believe in love, and adapt to the changes that are headed your way."

"What do you know about it?" Riley grumbled. "You don't even remember what your life was like without Dad."

"And you don't think that had its own set of challenges we had to overcome? I love your father, and walking through life with him by my side has been the greatest gift God has ever given me, but can you imagine always feeling half of a whole? Having your life laid out before you before you were even potty-trained? People envy us, and I wouldn't trade what we have for anything, but we struggled, too."

"I know, Mom. It's just..." Riley trailed off, swallowing and licking her lips as she tried to articulate what she was feeling. "I look at you and dad, Auggie and Ava, and I can't help but wonder why I haven't got my scar yet."

"Maybe you haven't met him yet, sweetheart."

Riley blinked back unbidden tears, thinking about Lucas, as she whispered, "That's what I'm afraid of."

"What do you mean by that?" Topanga asked, focusing in on Riley's face. "Is there-" Topanga was interrupted in her questioning by Cory and Auggie entering the room.

"I take it Josh already left?" Cory asked.

"You just missed him. I think he was going to try to see Maya before he left."

Cory nodded. "I'm sure. He's held himself back from her ever since he moved in. The dam's burst now. He can't stay away."

"You think so?" Riley asked. Sure, she thought Josh had some affection for Maya, but she had no idea he was harboring any deep feelings all this time.

"Of course! You can't be around your soulmate and not feel drawn to them. Scar or no scar."

Auggie nodded in agreement. "When Ava's moving van pulled up, I couldn't explain why, but I had to know who was inside. Where's Aunt Maya?"

Riley rolled her eyes. "I don't know! And stop calling her that!"

"Is something wrong, Riley?" her father asked.

"Yes! I love Maya! I love Josh! But their relationship is their business! I want to help them, but Maya asked me to stay out of it, so I am. If she gets out of control, I'll pull her back. I promise, but right now, I really don't want to spend every minute of every day freaking out about their relationship! I have my own stuff to worry about!"

"Stuff? What stuff?!" Cory screeched.

"Yeah, Riley, what is going on with you?" her mother asked.

"You have no stuff!" Auggie accused, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Oh my god!" Riley shrieked, covering her face with her hands. "Can I please just watch my show in peace? Tomorrow morning we can have a heart to heart about Josh, Maya, the fact that everyone is paired off but me, whatever you guys want to, but can I just have one night where I don't hear about scars or soulmates?"

Auggie and Topanga agreed and rushed out, but Cory was more stubborn. "Riley, this isn't like you. I thought you would be excited to see Josh and Maya together. You have always been so invested in the idea of finding the one. It worries me to see you like this."

"I know, Dad, but... Did you ever wonder what your life would be like if you didn't get your scar? If you made the choice to be with mom all your own?"

"I did make a choice. You'll understand when you get yours. It's not all black and white. You won't see a name and automatically be in love with that person. You still have to follow your heart and trust yourself..." Cory sat on the bay window, tapping his daughter's knee encouragingly. "Is there someone you would choose to be with if you could?"

Riley shrugged, refusing to make eye contact as she fiddled with her phone in her hands. "It doesn't matter. My birthday is in a month. I know when I get my mark all of these confusing feelings will go away. Everything will be perfect when I meet my soulmate. I'm sure of it."

Cory stood slowly, studying his daughter. "The mark isn't some magical cure, Riley. You'll still be you with your thoughts, feelings, and values, so if you have a conflict, you should try to resolve it now. Don't push it off waiting for the universe to fix it for you."

"Thanks, Dad, but honestly right now, I'm just stressing out about Maya, and the only thing I can do about that is to just let her come to me. So I'm going to just try to binge my show and relax."

Cory agreed that sounded like a good idea, giving his daughter a good night hug, and closing the door behind him on the way out.

"Finally, I'm alone!" Riley huffed, falling back on to her bed, but before she had the chance to even turn on her show, she heard a tap at her window. "You have got to be kidding me!"

She rushed over, opening the window to see Lucas perched on the other side, looking pissed off. "What are you doing here?"

Josh barrelled down the stoop, skipping the last few steps in his haste, and turned right.

"Where you headed, Boing? Justin's is the other way," Maya called from her perch on the bottom step.

Josh did an abrupt about-face, looking down in shock at the girl who had eluded him for weeks. He brushed off his surprise and did his best to turn on the charm, giving her his best smile. "Just off to see my soulmate. What are you doing here?"

Maya shrugged, looking away from him. "I didn't want to you to leave without saying bye, but I didn't want to go inside and join the circus."

Josh rolled his eyes. "Hey, you've always wanted to be a part of this family. Welcome to the crazy."

Maya stood, taking a few steps in his direction. "Matthews has been extra crazy. He keeps looking at me with watery eyes and calling me his sister-daughter. It's creepy, and if Topanga strokes my hair anymore, it might fall out."

"Well, we wouldn't want that," Josh murmured, reaching out and tucking a strand behind her ear. "Any other reason you've been avoiding the apartment?"

Maya swallowed, nodding her head. "Auggie keeps calling me Aunt Maya, and Riley keeps squeezing me and acting like I've graduated high school or something. She's so proud... Even though I didn't do anything."

Cautiously, Josh grabbed her gloved hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb. "So no other reason?"

"Well..." Maya started, looking down at their joined hands. "I may have gotten my first kiss and freaked out a bit."

"Jesus, Maya!" Josh exclaimed, eyes wide. "I didn't know it was your first kiss. Shit."

Maya laughed. "Would it have made a difference?"

Josh reached up with his free hand, gently cupping her cheek. He stroked her jawline with his thumb, and even though his hands were cold in the frigid air, it sent warmth all throughout Maya's body. She licked her lips, staring up into his eyes.

Josh, captivated by the twinkle in her blue eyes, took that as a sign as he tenderly placed his lips over hers. Unlike their first kiss, Maya let him take full control as he set a slow pace, gently massaging her tongue with his. He squeezed the hand he still held, pressing it against his chest so she could feel his heart racing. He smiled into the kiss as he played with the ends of her hair, releasing it to stroke down her arm. When he landed on her free hand, he took hold of that one as well, lowering their other hands and stepping forward until their bodies touched.

Maya shook her hands free, bringing them up to his neck, playing with the hair found at his nape, and freeing up Josh's to spread underneath her coat. He briefly stroked her back before cupping her hips, gently guiding her to lean into him. Maya raised up on her tiptoes, arching her neck even more in an effort to feel more of his lips on hers, to which Josh obliged, increasing the pressure but still maintaining the same torturously slow pace. Kissing her for another minute or so, he pulled back, pecking her lips once, twice, before tenderly kissing her forehead.

He pulled away but kept his hands on her side, murmuring, "I would have done something like that."

"Well, that way works, too," Maya replied, leaning her head against his chest, causing Josh to hug her.

"I don't want to leave now. Will you walk with me to Justin's?"

Maya nodded. "But only because that kiss was really nice."

"Naturally."

Josh kept his arm around her the entire walk to Justin's apartment, and Maya pretended not to notice that he usually takes the subway to his friend's. They kept the conversation light, even though Josh was dying to press the blonde about her disappearance from his life. When they reached the complex where his friend lived, he lingered at the bottom step.

"Come up with me. We can drop you off at your house on our way out of town."

"That's not on the way."

"I don't care. I don't want you to walk back by yourself, and I'll take the extra few minutes I have with you."

Maya rolled her eyes. "Quit being weird."

"I'm serious!"

"A month ago, you avoided me at all costs!"

Josh grabbed her arm, turning her to face him. "Because I wanted to be with you."

"Please!" Maya scoffed. "I don't believe you."

Josh shrugged, pressing the buzzer for Justin's apartment. "You don't have to, but it's the truth. I can't say I've known from the moment we met like you can, but I can say that this past year of seeing you every day, I have done everything I could not to act on these feelings. I don't know when it became more than friendship, but it did."

Justin buzzed them in, and Josh headed toward the elevator as Maya trailed after him.

"But you could have acted on your feelings! We could have been together all along!" Maya protested.

"At first, I thought you were still too young." Ignoring Maya's eye-roll at his statement, he pressed on, "Then I didn't want to take the chance we would get hurt. What if I gave in and then got my scar? It wouldn't have been fair to you or my soulmate."

Maya wanted to push him even further, but they were at Justin's door. Josh leaned over, kissing her temple as he knocked.

"I'm just glad everything worked out," Josh said, not noticing that Maya didn't agree.

When Justin opened the door and swooped both of them into a big hug, Maya tried to ignore the nagging doubts in her mind. Is Josh with her because he wanted to be or because he was raised to believe in the scars? Were they even really together yet?

She did her best to shrug off the negative thoughts and just enjoy their time together, but much later on after Justin dropped her off and Josh had walked her to her door, kissing her breathless one last time, when she laid in bed, she wasn't thinking about the great time they had or the bright future she had hoped for. She was thinking about scars and soulmates and what it really meant to want to be with someone. She was thinking about Josh and what might have happened if fate hadn't forced his hand.

"Where are Riley and Maya tonight?" Smackle asked Farkle when he returned from putting her coat up.

Farkle shrugged. "Riley's having a quiet night at home. I think she needs to decompress after everything that has happened recently."

Smackle furrowed her brow in confusion. "I know Riley shows the utmost concern for her friends, but has Maya getting her scar really taken that much of a toll on her?"

"You didn't know Riley before. All she has ever wanted is to find her soulmate. Now that I've found mine and Maya has hers, she's feeling the pressure."

"Oh, I just assumed Lucas was easing her troubled mind," Smackle said casually.

"What? The two of them?" Farkle's mind raced as he thought over their interactions from the past few months. He knew Lucas held a torch for Riley. He always had, and lately, he had noticed Riley's gaze lingered over the Texan more often than not, but he hadn't noticed any earth-shattering change between the two.

"My dear, they slept together on Halloween night."

"What?!" Farkle shrieked, shooting up off the couch like a rocket. "Riley slept with him!? No, she wouldn't do that. She's saving herself."

Smackle grabbed his hand, guiding him back down to the couch, chuckling at the misunderstanding. "Not like that. They rested together."

Farkle's mind worked overtime as he tried to piece together the new information. "Maybe Riley's starting to have serious feelings for him?"

Smackle's eyes widened in realization. "Maybe it's like Maya and her Boing! Riley wants Lucas to be her mate! I'm sure she's feeling a bit overwhelmed. We should keep an eye on her in the future. When is her birthday again?"

"January 19th."

"One more month."

"One more month," Farkle confirmed. "Thank you for caring about my friends."

"They're my friends now, too," Smackle insisted. "I'm so grateful the universe brought us together, but if I'm being completely honest, I'm almost just as grateful that you brought me Maya and Riley. I've never belonged to a group before."

Farkle hugged her to him, relishing in the fact that she didn't even hesitate to find comfort in his arms now. "You do belong, Iz. With all of us."

Riley let Lucas into her room before hurrying over to her door and locking it. It would be catastrophic if her father walked in and saw a boy in her room.

Over the past few weeks, Lucas Friar was no stranger to Riley's bedroom, making Maya's absence from it much easier. At school, they were pretty lowkey, keeping to their own sets of friends, but Lucas had pulled her into a closet or two, down in the hole, underneath the bleachers. Riley tried to ignore the fact that the reason he knew of all these secret makeout spots is because he had spent a lot of time making out with other girls. She tried to just focus on the fun and excitement of having someone that was just hers.

Besides they did more than makeout. Sometimes they watched tv, sometimes they napped, but Riley's favorite by far was when they talked. Lucas was pretty tight-lipped about his home life, but he loved to talk about Texas and his life there. The night he confessed he wanted to be a vet when he grew up, revealing that he had never told anyone else, Riley knew she was in trouble.

She cared about him. Too much. Much too much for someone who was hoping to find her soulmate next month. She thought about the look on his face when he described helping a horse give birth, and she couldn't imagine not seeing that look one day. She couldn't imagine someone else could evoke such feelings in her. She tried to keep their relationship fun and upbeat because she was sure a guy like Lucas didn't need a girl like her being clingy and needy and taking things too seriously.

Usually, he came in with a rogue grin and kissed her breathless, but not tonight. Tonight he was downright pissed off and for the life of her, Riley couldn't figure out why.

"I thought you were busy tonight."

"I was."

Riley waited for him to elaborate, but he didn't. Instead, he began pacing a hole in her floor.

"Okay..." Riley said, stretching out the word as she tried to figure out her best course of action. She couldn't force Lucas to talk. No one forced Lucas Friar to do anything he didn't want to do. She also couldn't stand here and do nothing when someone she cared about was so obviously struggling. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Okay..."

Riley grabbed Lucas by the arm. "Come sit with me," she said, gesturing to the bay window.

Lucas rolled his eyes but allowed her to guide him to the middle seat. "You know I don't believe in your "magic" bay window bullshit, Riley. I don't want to talk about it."

Riley sat down next to him, so close their thighs touched. "We don't have to talk. I just want to sit with you."

She took his hand in her lap, trying to offer comfort, but it wasn't long before Lucas stood up and started pacing around again like a caged animal.

"Seriously, Luke, I want to help. Tell me what's wrong."

He threw a glance her way before shaking his head and continuing to pace. Watching him for a moment, Riley came to a decision. Deciding to try a different tact, she stood up, blocking his path before grabbing his face and planting firm kiss on his lips. She kept her hands on his cheeks until he started kissing her back reluctantly, then she moved her hands to his chest, feeling his pounding heart beneath her palms. She tapped a slower rhythm with her fingertips, trying to calm his nerves.

She nibbled on his lower lip, pulling him out of his own head and forcing him to open his mouth and let her in. She slid her hands up around his neck, following with her lips, pulling him down as she kissed a path to his ear. She sucked on his earlobe, pressing her lips against the shell of his ear.

She continued to stroke and massage the nape of his neck and shoulders, kissing behind his ear and neck until she felt the tension release from his body. When he seemed to relax under her ministrations, she pressed her body against his, returning her attention back to his mouth and nudging him gently back until the back of his legs hit her bed. Getting the hint, he took a seat on the edge of the bed, spreading his legs to give her room between them.

He ran his hands up her back, pulling her in close and allowing her to ease his mind. She perched herself on his thigh, and he quickly grabbed her waist to steady her. Riley allowed the kiss to continue for a few more minutes, having forgotten why she had started kissing him in the first place and getting lost herself.

When she finally pulled away, she bit her lip, her chest heaving from the force of her deep breaths. Lucas thought she had never looked more beautiful, her hair falling out of her ponytail, makeup-less, and thoroughly kissed.

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to, Lucas, but I'm here for you," she said sincerely, pressing her head against his shoulder as she wrapped herself around him.

Lucas sighed, resting his head against her as he mumbled, "Missy got her scar tonight."

Despite herself, Riley scanned his arm, relieved to see that it was still unmarred.

"Okay..." Riley pulled back, slipping from his grasp to sit on the bed.

She tried to process his words. Missy, his some time girlfriend, got her scar, and he was pissed. Weren't they over? She wiped her mouth as she stalled for time. "So... What's she going to do? Who is it?"

Lucas shrugged. "She looked him up on the registry. He lives on the west coast. She and her mom are going there... I don't, she probably won't be back."

"Oh," Riley said, standing up to create some space between them. She wanted to help him, to be a good friend, but at the same time, her heart was crushed, seeing him so upset about another girl. "Well, I'm sorry."

She observed the boy sitting on her bed. He was leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring down at his hands. He looked so lost and forlorn, she wanted to reach out to him, so she shoved down her own hurt feelings.

"If you want her... You should go after her. Fight for her," Riley insisted, turning to look out the window so he wouldn't see the tears welling up in her eyes.

"What?"

"Some people reject their mates. Obviously, you two have a connection... If she knew how you felt, she might-"

"Are you serious right now?" Lucas asked, coming to stand behind her. He reached for her arm, but she jerked out of his grasp.

"What do you want me to say, Lucas? I'm trying to be supportive, but I didn't really expect you to come over here, looking for comfort because your girlfriend is leaving you! What do you want from me? I'm trying, Luke. If you want Missy, what are you doing here?"

Lucas shook his head, clenching his fists at his sides. "I don't want to be with Missy!"

"Then what's the problem? You should be happy she got her scar!" Riley turned to face him, eyes on fire. "Are you jealous or something?"

"No!"

"Well, then explain it to me! Damn." Riley shook as the tears finally came rolling down her face. She was mad at herself for letting herself feel so strongly for him. She angrily wiped at her cheeks and eyes. "God, how could you come over here to talk about another girl?"

Lucas felt all the tension return to his body, the control snapping. "Are you fucking serious? I didn't want to talk, and you made me. Now you're sitting here pissed off at me, assuming you know how I feel? That's bullshit, Riles. I don't want to be Missy's soulmate. I don't want to be anyone's soulmate! Excuse me for being upset that my only true friend is going to California and probably won't be back. God forbid I have feelings beyond who I want to fuck."

Riley flinched at his harsh words, feeling two inches tall. She was so worried about her own feelings and insecurities, she pushed him further away. For the longest time, she thought Missy and Lucas mainly had a physical relationship. Just recently, she had started to wonder if there was more to it, if it had become more romantic because they always seemed to come back to each other. It never occurred to her that their closeness was purely platonic.

Riley glided across the room, reaching for his hand. "She might come back."

A single tear fell down Lucas' cheek before he regained control of his emotions. "She won't... Her dad isn't very nice to her. She's been dying to leave. If this guy is at all interested in her, she'll file the paperwork to go be with him, and her mom will sign it."

Riley nodded slowly in understanding. Once you got your scar, you could legally move in with your mate's family if your parents signed off on it. A lot of couples did it. Yogi had moved in with Darby's family.

"I'm sorry she had to go through that with her dad, but I'm glad she had you."

Lucas hugged her close to him, whispering into her skin, "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I..." Riley trailed off, unsure if she wanted to reveal more of her feelings, but unable to stop herself. She owed him an explanation. "I'm not used to feeling this way about a guy. I've never... wanted anyone else. I should have heard you, instead of letting my own crap get in the way. I know you have feelings, Lucas. I'm sorry your friend is leaving."

"Me, too," Lucas mumbled, kissing her exposed collarbone.

"I like your pajamas," he teased, laughing against her skin. She was wearing rainbow-colored shorts and a purple cami that had tiny unicorns all over it.

Riley smacked him playfully. "You want to watch Red Planet Diaries with me?"

He agreed, and after double checking that her door was locked, she guided him to her bed. Slipping off his shoes, he settled onto the middle of her bed. He rested her laptop on his thighs while Riley snuggled into his side, his arm slung over her shoulder.

They watched a few episodes, but the day had taken an emotional toll on Lucas, his eyelids growing heavy.

"If you're going to fall asleep on me, Friar, you need to set an alarm. You got to be out of here out before my parents wake up."

Lucas smiled with his eyes closed. "You asking me to sleep over, baby? I knew you couldn't get enough of me."

Riley rolled her eyes, taking her computer from him and placing it on her nightstand as they both slid into a more comfortable position, Lucas on his back with Riley resting her head on his chest.

"If you want to leave, you can," Riley responded, her own eyes closed as she made no move to get off him.

He shook his head even though she couldn't see him. "I'm where I want to be. I know I've been with other girls, but you need to know, it wasn't like this, Riley. You are the only real thing in my life. Missy... I'm really going to miss her, but we weren't like this. We... haven't kissed or anything since Halloween, but she is still my best friend. I don't know what I'm going to do when school starts."

Riley sat up, and Lucas opened his eyes to stare into hers. "I'll be your friend, Lucas. You never have to feel alone anymore."

Smiling he sat up and kissed her sweetly. "Go to sleep, Riles. I'll be out of here before sunrise."

When they settled back down, Lucas quickly drifted off into a peaceful sleep clinging to her tightly, but sleep didn't come so easy for Riley. She couldn't believe she was actually starting to dread her birthday, a day she had been looking forward to her entire life. Beyond wondering and worrying about that, she was stuck on one thing Lucas had said earlier.

I don't want to be anyone's soulmate!

Not even hers?

AN: Ugh, I hate the first scene with the Matthews family, but I reworked it a couple times, and I finally decided to stop obsessing and leave it as is.

So... Riley is starting to question everything she ever believed in. Meanwhile, Lucas is starting to really open up to her. Smarkle is just plain adorable. Josh and Maya are not quite on the same page yet, but the conversation has started!

Up next- a little Christmas cuteness and the introduction of one of my favorite characters!