Lucas and Maya woke up from the bang of a door. They both blushed and jumped away when they noticed the compromising positions they both found themselves in. None of them got to speak a word before Lucas' mom, Susan, walked into the living-room.

"Maya, dear, you came back!" Susan exclaimed, surprised but very happy at the same time.

Susan adored the blonde girl and could not wait to have for her oblivious son to finally realize he was madly in love with her. And from the looks Lucas was sending to the back of Maya she didn't have to wait any longer.

"Miss. Friar, it's nice to see you again. How have you been?" Maya greeted her with a warm smile, she liked Susan very much- she was like a second Topanga.

Lucas was still shocked every time she saw Maya interact with his parents, she still was the same witty and funny Maya but she showed that she could also be very polite when she wants to.

"Maya, how many times have I told you to call me Susan" Miss. Friar scolded the girl gently "Tell me, are you staying for dinner?"

"Oh, I can't impose on you like that" Maya rapidly shot down the offer.

"Don't talk like that, you would never impose on us sweetheart. If anything we would be very grateful, as neither my husband or older son will be joining us tonight. Both of them very busy with university and work" Susan replied "Please stay, I am making tacos"

How could Maya turn down her favorite food? She stayed and surprisingly enough had a pleasant night with the Friars. She continued being the polite angel Susan thought of her but also continued teasing Lucas on the side. Who didn't stay quiet and take the teasing but returned it. Susan smiled secretively at the two of them, giggling on the inside about how they looked like an old married couple.

"Thank you again for a delicious dinner, Miss... I mean, Susan" Maya thanked her, as she left the Friar home "What are you doing ranger boy?" she asked Lucas as she noticed him following her.

"What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't walk you home" he replied.

"No need, it isn't like I haven't done it before" Maya said not giving it that much of a though, oblivious of the anger that her words caused Lucas.

"Miss and Professor Matthews allowed you to walk home on your own so late before?!" he practically screamed in disbelief "How could they?! Do they not know how much trouble you could have had?!"

"Wow! Hold your horses cowboy!" Maya told Lucas, surprised by the strong reaction she caused on her friend "I am fine, nothing happened to me"

"But it could have happened!" he snapped back, silencing Maya "I know you care about them very much but you cannot negate how dangerous is for a girl your age walk into your neighborhood so late" Maya could not object to his point "I am walking you home, this is final"

None of them spoke another word, it was only until they finished their journey in the subway that Maya broke the silence.

"About before... I did not mean to fall asleep on you" the blonde girl said, that was the closest of an apology the boy would get from her.

"I didn't mind it... if anything I quite liked it and wouldn't mind a repeat" Lucas replied shamelessly. Maya whipped her head towards him, eyes wide in surprise. The boy simply smiled and gently took her hand on his "I noticed something today. Something so clear that makes me want to slap myself for being such an oblivious fool" he chuckled to himself, eyes never leaving those clear blue orbes he loves so much "I like you Maya"

"N-no, y-you don't like me! You like Riley!" she protested, not believing him... not wanting to believe him. She tried to escape, to run and hide but he did not allow it, holding her hand tighter "Let me go!"

"No! I won't let you go until you listen to me" he barked at her, holding her tight enough to not let her escape but not wrong enough that it would hurt "I like you Maya Hart! And you can't tell me I don't. All this time I wanted to make myself believe I like Riley but that's a lie. Me continuing this illusion wouldn't be fair for neither Riley or me and you know it! I always fussed over Riley because she bring this protective urge from me, like Zay and Farkle do. She is this ball of sunshine covered in a bubble, unaware of the dangers of the world, living in a fantasy. She is cute but that's it. She is a friend I want to protect and believe me Maya, confessing to you is as hard to me as it is to you because I know how much it will hurt Riley. But answer me honestly Maya: does Riley really like me? Or she likes this persona she believes I am? This persona I tried to be but honestly I am not and will never be" Maya could not voice an answer "That's what I thought"

"I c-can't accept you, Lucas" Maya said softly, barely a whisper that if he had not been so close Lucas would have never heard.

The boy did not know what surprised him the most, how vulnerable she sounded or that she had called him Lucas for the first time.

"You can't or you won't?" the boy asked. She did not reply "Maya, look at me" she did, but slowly "I have always like how strong and fearless you are. Facing the all the complications life throws at you headfirst. But right you I am quite disappointed" his words seemed to work as efficiently as a slap on her face "Because being honest with ourselves Maya you know that this has nothing to do with Riley. Yes it will hurt her and yes it will be awkward at first but you know your friendship will come through. I cannot say I know what it feels to have your dad... abandon you. But I know that you can't continue running away and hiding from love afraid of being hurt! So make me a favor Maya and find out what you truly want and be brave enough to go for it headfirst like the girl I like" his words shocked Maya to the core "We already got to your home" with that said Lucas turned on his heels and left a stunned Maya behind.

The following week was an awkward one. The popular group of class was divided into two: Maya and Riley, and, Lucas and Farkle- plus the new boy, Zay. Everyone thought it was about Lucas keeping a secret from Riley but what they did not know was about the chaos inside Maya's head and the pain inside Lucas' heart. Though it was a week that both of them needed to sort their issues. Lucas to be one hundred percent sure about his declaration of love and not second guess it was all about him being sad and Maya having been there to collect the broken pieces. And Maya to master the courage to take the next step.

"Ranger Rick!" Maya called out as she saw Lucas leaving the school.

"Maya?" Lucas said, shocked that it was the blonde girl the one who came for him and not the other way around.

"Here" she slapped a pamphlet on his chest "I took a small job recently. Nothing too big or dangerous, and my mom knows about it" she assured him rapidly as she saw the growing worry on his eyes "Once a month I'll sing at a bar/restaurant, this Sunday it will be my first gig... I want you and your family to come see me. No one else!" she warned him with a glare promising pain if he betrayed her trust "I will give you my answer then" she said that quietly before rushing away, this time it was her the one that left a shocked Lucas behind.

Sunday came faster than either Lucas or Maya expected. The Friar family went to Clover early, to take their time to know the place and order. They all knew about Maya's condition thanks to Lucas and were worried that she would force herself into a precarious situation for money. They all like Maya quite a lot. They were quite relieved and happy when they saw that the place was a good one. A family bar/restaurant where young college students came to recite poetry and parents to spend a nice night with their children.

"Guys look, there's Maya!" Susan said excitedly, pointing at the stage- where Maya was taking her place on the stool with her guitar.

Maya looked at the crowd instantly recognizing them, she flashed them a smile and a small wave before reading herself to play.

"Hi everyone, my name is Maya Hart and I will be singing you today an original song composed by me. I hope you all like Run and Hide" she said, stunning Lucas.

Run and Hide? Could it be about that night? the boy asked himself, expectant of an answer which he was sure would come within the song.

I don't wanna buy what they're sellin' these days

Sayin' feelin' and fallin' is all a mistake, no, no

And why does everybody look at young hearts?

Feelin' love, like it's just a matter of time before they break, no, no

Lucas heart ached at her words, cause he knew they weren't simply a song but what she truly felt. Her damn father made a mess of her.

They started sayin', when you can't hide, run

When you can't run, hide

Started thinkin' love's a loaded gun

Nobody wants to fight

And when did we all start thinkin' that the world

Stop spinnin' in a kiss goodnight?

And when did our heartbeat beatin' too fast

Stop meanin' it was worth the while?

At moments like this Lucas wanted to know who her father is so he could punch the living day out of him. How could someone hurt Maya like this?

I wanna, I wanna be loved

I wanna, I wanna be loved

I wanna, I wanna be loved

And I don't wanna run, I don't wanna hide

For a second Lucas could breath. This... this was his long awaited answer! Is she telling him that she will take a leap of faith and date him? Please let it be that!

Traded out our eyes to light a screen

Traded out holdin' hands to holdin' back everything, no, no

No, no, oh

And words got shorter and quiet got longer

And all of a sudden love started lookin' like a memory, no, no, no

Their eyes met and then Lucas was sure, tonight he would gain a girlfriend. One who would help him heal as he would with her.

They started sayin', if you can't hide, run

If you can't run, hide

Started thinkin' love's a loaded gun

Nobody wants to fight

And when did we all start thinkin' that the world

Stop spinnin' in a kiss goodnight?

And when did our heartbeat beatin' too fast

Stop meanin' it was worth the while?

Without the young girl and boy noticing the rest of the Friar family was smiling knowingly at each other, touched by the declaration of love from the young Maya Heart.

I wanna, I wanna be loved

I wanna, I wanna be loved

I wanna, I wanna be loved

And I don't wanna run, I don't wanna hide, no

Tonight not only was Lucas gaining a girlfriend, Susan and Paul, Mr. Friar, were gaining a daughter, and Steven, the oldest son, was gaining a sister.

They started sayin, when you can't hide, run

When you can't run, hide

But, love don't gotta be a loaded gun

Oh, a losin' fight

And when did we all start thinkin' that the world

Stop spinnin' in a kiss goodnight?

And when did our heartbeat beatin' too fast

Stop meanin' it was worth the while?

Lucas made a decision hearing her repeat that phrase over and over again during the son: he will make sure to help her see that love was worth while and not something to fear.

But I wanna, I wanna be loved

I wanna, I wanna be loved

I wanna, I wanna be loved

And I don't wanna run, I don't wanna hide

There was no longer a need to run away and hide but to face things headfirst like the brave Maya she is. She finally knew what she wanted and will gain it, like he always does.

And I don't wanna run, I don't wanna hide

And I don't wanna run, I don't wanna hide