Ya'll are gonna like this.

"Hurry! I hear something!" I whisper harshly to Maya, beckoning her with my arm to get back in my vehicle. From outside Farkle's house, we then see his porch light flicker on. Probably cursing all the while, Maya crouches behind the car and makes her way into the passenger seat of my truck. Buckling herself in with ridiculous speeds and smacking my shoulder repeatedly, she urges me to drive away. Shifting gears and laughing my heart out, we then drive into the sparkling city.

Minutes pass before Maya speaks a single word, rolling down her window and leaning far out the window.

"I remember while we were in Texas... we could see the stars. But you can't see them here, there's too much ambient light…" She talks in a dreamy tone, and I watch her from across the way with my sight in slow motion. Her hair whipping all around and getting caught in her hands, she is such a dream.

"Maya?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm seriously glad that we all went out like this. It was fun."

"Wow! Ranger Rick has some positive statements for once!" Maya replies, playing off my compliment as she then rolls up her window. Turning back to me, I glance at her and see her warm smile. "I'm glad too. I think we all needed this." She pauses, leaning back in her seat. "And I swear, it's so good to be able to breathe fresh air again, just to get away from everything…" I suddenly sense her demeanor changing, her voice trailing out slightly through the last few words. Paying her another glance, I see she has tears in her smiling expression. Deciding not to ask her why, I offer my hand without a single word. Silently, she intertwines her fingers with mine. Switching on the radio, we drive further into the city as quiet music plays over the speakers.

"You get all ready, you get all dressed up...to go nowhere in particular...Back to work or the coffee shop…..Doesn't matter because it's enough..to be young, and in love."

I hear Maya humming along as we approach the parking garage for her apartment complex. Knowing that Maya lived on her own, neither of us were concerned that she would be breaking a curfew. Driving underneath the artificial lighting and dark atmosphere of the garage's underground parking spaces, I pull into the drive and cut the engine.

Silence looms between us, I don't know if I should speak- or open her door for her? Offer to walk her to her apartment?

"Thanks for driving me home. There's still a lot of tin foil left, so...You can make lots of Christmas tree ornaments..and baked potatoes." Maya chuckles, unlocking her door and stepping onto the cement ground. Beginning to walk away, she stops abruptly and turns back towards me.

"Well? Aren't you going to walk me to my apartment?"

I immediately laugh and open my door, hoping she doesn't notice how much I awaited that question. Walking to her side, together we make our way up the stairs and into the elevator.

Standing in silence, I watch the numbers on the buttons light up as we pass each floor. Turning to Maya, I give her a sarcastic dreamy smile and watch as she dies laughing. Stopping suddenly, she looks at me with a serious expression.

"Honestly, I haven't had that much fun in a long time. Thank you." Pausing and stepping closer, she lowers her voice. "I don't say it often, but I really do like you."

"Well. That kiss you gave me certainly portrayed that.."

"That was a mistake. I meant it, I intentionally kissed you and I meant to- but it was a mistake."

"It doesn't have to be, Maya…" I say in a hushed whisper, holding her chin in my hand. Her eyes look up at me and I want more than anything for her to agree with me, to just give me a sign…

Ding!

The elevator doors open to Maya's level, a long hallway sits before us and I'm the first to take a step out onto the carpeted floor. Though pulling away from being in such close proximity was rather difficult, I could see the tears welling up in her eyes and I wouldn't want to make her cry. Maya stands in the elevator for a few seconds and stares at her feet, then looks up and me and forces a smile. Leading me to her door- L36, she fumbles with her keys and jams them into the lock, but before she can turn the handle, the door swings open and a pair of eyes stare back at her.

Oh no.

Josh holds open the door, leaning against the frame with a smile on his face. Tapping his fingers lightly on the wall, I feel my insides twisting in my stomach. Maya inhales sharply and initially has a terrified expression, but quickly hides it and smiles with charm.

"Hi Josh...I see you're watching the apartment for me, thank yo-"

"Maya, get inside." Josh cuts her off, I already feel red hot anger swelling inside me. Maya closes her mouth and smiles again, turning to me and beginning to bid me farewell.

"Thank you Lucas, for walking me here and-"

"I said get inside." Josh mutters through his teeth, raking his hand through his jet-black hair. If I hadn't possessed the perfect amount of self-control, I would have strangled him on the spot. Now with an irritated expression across her fair complexion, Maya looks at Josh and sighs deeply.

"Would you please give me a moment, so I can say goodbye to my friend without you interrupting me?"

Maya, you're just going to make him more angry!

No Lucas, don't scold her, she can say whatever she wants, he deserves it. Don't be afraid.

"I asked you two times, I'm not going to ask you again- get inside now."

"I'm not finished talking to-"

Suddenly Josh thrusts his arm forwards, grabbing Maya by her arm and pulling her forwards. Once she is closer to him, he grabs her on the back of her neck and tries to force her into the apartment.

And all that self-control I spoke so highly of, leaves me completely.