Author's Note: Please don't forget to REVIEW! And thank you to those who have already reviewed, followed, and favorited this story! (Edited by Chereche!)

UPDATED: 12/12/16

Disclaimer: I don't own Girl Meets World; just the story!

Chapter Eleven: Taking the Jump

It was 5:30 in the afternoon, and Maya and Lucas were in the middle of the park. They hadn't meant to end up there, but it had kind of just happened. It was nice though. Despite it being cold, which Maya was used to having lived in New York her whole life. The native-born Texan on the other hand did not enjoy Manhattan during this time of the year at all. The small girl got a kick out of it each year, watching their Huckleberry freeze his butt off in weather that didn't faze anyone else. Seriously, he looked like a plump turkey ready for Thanksgiving, with all the layers he wore.

"So, are we going to go home now, or what?" Lucas asked, breaking the silence they had kept for a good 20 minutes.

"Why go home now? It's so pretty out here!" Maya gazed at the city skyline and the lines of trees.

"Because it's like 0 degrees."

"Gosh, Ranger Rick. Have some stamina!" She pulled out her phone, and flipped to the weather app. "And it's only like 46 degrees."

He shivered. "Yah, that's like a good 20 degrees below what we have in Texas."

She rolled her eyes. "Embrace the New York experience, Sundance! And don't you worry, winter doesn't last forever."

"You realize it's still fall, right? And that was a little cheesy, Shortstack."

"You need to stop calling me that," Maya protested. "That's the only thing you call me."

"Was that an implication that you want me to give you nicknames?" Lucas raised his eyebrows.

"No...and it's not like a Ranger Rick could come up with any good ones, anyway."

"Well, I might just surprise you," he winked. "Consider it a hint for your future Christmas gift."

She shoved him. "That better not be my present!"

Lucas laughed, and pretended to suddenly be very interested in the mud puddle ahead of them. Maya narrowed her eyes, and shook her head.

"You got a lot of butt-kicking in your future, Huckleberry."

After that, it was quiet again for a while, and they happily walked underneath the trees. He wasn't sure how long she was going to hold out, knowing she got cold easily after a while, and that's when Lucas noticed Maya discreetly shivering.

He laughed. "That didn't last long."

"Hey, at least I'm not complaining!" she scowled. "And if I'm cold, then it's actually cold, because I'm a born New Yorker."

"Whatever, Clutterbucket." Lucas rolled his eyes.

"Is this what I get for saying something about being called Shortstack?"

"Yah, it is."

"Fine, but I'm only letting you off the hook cause I'm freezing. Do you want to get some hot chocolate or something?"

"That's sounds like a good idea," Lucas agreed, his teeth chattering.

"Do you know how far "Topanga's" is from here?" she asked.

He frowned. "No, I'm not sure."

Maya groaned, and looked around, standing on her tip-toes to get a better view. Lucas found it amusing due to the fact that he was still taller than her when she did it, and the rows of trees and people blocked their view. Laughing, he pulled out his own phone, and looked up the address on the GPS app.

"I think this will be a lot more effective," he said, pointing to the screen.

"Probably." She agreed.

They headed down the lane, trying to stay warm. It took them a lot longer than they expected though, and it was getting dark by the time they actually reached the end of the park. Maya insisted on a quick break by a small pond, because her heels were killing her feet.

"I hate and love these things at the same time." Maya grumbled, rubbing the bottom of her foot.

"You choose to wear them," Lucas reminded, sitting next to her on the park bench.

She ignored him, and stared out at the pond, completely enraptured by the sunset and the way it was reflecting on the water.

"I really wish I had my paint with me, right now," she whispered.

"You'll just have to make do with a memory."

"Gosh, have I ever told you how unbelievably cheesy you are?" Maya rolled her eyes.

"Yah, like 50 times today...but, you could always take a picture instead."

She did just that, and glancing down at it in disappointment, knowing it couldn't do the landscape justice. She tried to implant the scene in her mind instead. Because as ridiculous as Huckleberry was, he was right; this was a gorgeous sunset she knew she couldn't help but remember.

After watching the sun finally set beneath the horizon, and the stars start to appear, Maya decided she wanted to do something fun. Turning to Lucas, she gave him a mischievous grin, which made his eyes fill immediately with concern.

"Oh, great. What's it going to be this time?"

"I dare you to jump into the pond," she smiled, pointing to the water.

"Are you crazy?! It's freezing out here already!" He gaped.

"Oh, come on! We'll both do it."

"This has to be the dumbest idea you've ever had."

"Trust me, Ranger Rick, I've done worse." Maya rolled her eyes.

"Okay, but this is really stupid," he insisted.

"Aw, are you scared?" she taunted.

"Um, scared of getting pneumonia! Don't you think you should have reason for concern?"

Maya crossed her arms, and stared up at his face.

"Can you just not be Moral Compass for one minute, and do something fun?"

"This isn't fun for anyone sane."

"Hey, insanity is a form of sanity!" she retorted.

"That's ridiculous thinking." He snorted.

"Okay, fine; tell you what. I'm making it into a bet, if you don't agree to do it right now."

He raised an eyebrow, and Maya grinned triumphantly.

"Great. So, here are the terms and conditions. If you do this, I have to call you Lucas for a whole week."

"Hang on." He held up a hand for her to stop. "It has to be a whole month."

Her jaw dropped. "A month?!"

"Yup," He said, smirking.

"Nu-uh." She shook his head vigorously.

"Then I guess I'm not doing it."

Sighing, she folded her arms, and glared at him. "Fine...but if I win, you have to do whatever I want for a day."

"Just a day?" He asked in surprise.

"Oh, you want more?"

"No! But, it just seems a little weird for you to be so—generous."

"What can I say? I'm a very considerate person!" Maya grinned. "But, just keep in mind that you have to do whatever I want; no matter how crazy or stupid you may think it is."

"So basically you're forcing me to either risk getting sick, or having to suffer a day of torture at the hands of Maya Hart?"

"M-hmm."

"Normally I would pick any other option besides doing whatever you want, but I really can't get sick right now," he decided reluctantly, after glancing at the chilly water.

"Hah! I win!" she cried.

"Not yet. You still have to do it first," He reminded.

"But, you backed down! I win by default."

"Nope. It doesn't count," he said, shaking his head.

"Ugh. You're such a—"

"Language, Ms. Hart," Lucas warned.

"What? All I was going to say was that you're such a Cowboy..." she winked.

Maya glanced between Lucas and the pond, then making her decision, started to make her way down to the shoreline. Lucas's mouth dropped, as he scurried to catch up with her.

"I didn't think you'd actually do it!"

"Of course I'm doing it. I get to boss you around for a day," she said, hopping over a tree branch.

"But, you could get sick from this," he protested.

"I'll be fine! I never get sick."

"But, you could."

She ignored him, and climbed over a big rock, scrambling up the hard surface. Jumping down on the other side, she trotted to the waterline, and dipped a tentative finger in. Crap, that water was cold. She could feel Lucas's judgmental gaze boring into her back as she stood up, so she made sure to put a blank and indifferent expression on her face. Then, tossing off her shoes and hat, she took a deep breath and started to run towards the water; deciding to just jump in and get it over and done with.

Lucas stopped her, right before she hit the water.

"Maya."

"Yes?" she asked hopefully.

"You should probably take off your coat too," he said.

"Oh, right." She said sheepishly, handing it to him.

And now there were no more delays. So, she sprinted towards the pond in bare feet and crashed into the previously calm lake. She was right, it was like jumping into ice water, and immediately her feet felt numb. There was a moment when the ripples had calmed down, and Maya was peaceful and serene, still recovering from the cold shock she had received. But, then reality set back in, and she panicked. The water was completely dark, she couldn't feel the bottom, and she hadn't taken a deep enough breath so her lungs were crying for air. She was glad she had taken off her coat, because even the thin layers she wore were dragging her deeper and further away from the shore. Maya didn't know how long she had been down there, but she felt her consciousness slipping away. It was kind of nice actually; slipping into the cold, silky embrace of the water...

And then, something grabbed her around the waist, pulling her up to the surface, where she gasped as air made its way into her dying lungs. Coughing and spluttering, she eventually found herself laying on the shore, spitting extra water out of her mouth. After getting over her initial panic, she groaned, and rested her cheek on the rocky ground.

"Maya, are you okay?!" Lucas lifted her up gently, making sure to keep a good grip on her.

"I'm fine." She returned hoarsely.

"That was so stupid!" His voice was quivering a bit.

She blinked at him through waterlogged eyes, and seeing that he was soaking wet, realized that he must have jumped in after her. His eyes were wide, and even though he had taken a swim in freezing waters, he wasn't shivering at all.

"Thanks," Maya croaked.

Lucas looked at her a bit longer, and then pulled her in for an embrace. She leaned in; he was warmer than she was.

"Please don't do that again...you scared me so much," he whispered.

"Hey, I'm okay now, Ranger Rick." She smiled up at him, her teeth chattering. "And now I know not to jump into ponds in the middle of November."

He was still worried, but couldn't help the small smile that tugged on the corners of his lips. Then, noticing her appearance, he became concerned once more, and wrapped her coat around her quickly.

"It's okay, Lucas. I'm just a little cold," she reassured him.

"Your lips are blue, you're deathly pale, and you're shaking so hard you kind of look like you're having a seizure," he disagreed.

"Then, how does something hot sound?" She suggested.

"I'm not taking you to Topanga's anymore. You're going straight home." Lucas handed her the hat.

"No, please don't." Maya gripped his arms. "My mom will freak out when she sees me."

"You're soaking wet!"

She didn't have an argument for that, so they stood in silence for a while, the only sound being Maya's teeth clacking as she shivered.

"And now, we go." Lucas spoke up, noting her attempts to warm herself up by hopping a little.

"But, she'll kill me! And it will all be your fault!" Maya whined, her lips numb.

"Well then, at least you won't get sick if you're dead," he smirked.

"You jumped in too! You could easily get sick," she pointed out.

"I was only in there for a little while. You were in there way too long." Lucas's face darkened again.

"Ugh, I really hate you, Huckleberry." She allowed him to wrap an arm around her as they made their way back to the path.

"I know."

"So, did you guys hear about that news story they spent all day talking about?" Zay changed the subject.

They had been discussing their upcoming Chemistry project, which he hadn't even started, so he had no interest in the conversation.

"What? Oh, yah...I heard something interesting on the news yesterday," Farkle said, shaking his head. "Gosh, how could people do something like that?"

"Like what?" Riley perked her head up. "What happened?"

"Uh, do you really think we should be discussing this in front of Riley?" Lucas asked nervously.

"Oh, c'mon! I have to grow up sometime...stop treating me like a kid!" she pouted.

"No, he's right. We should just talk about what we came here for." Farkle agreed.

"Which was...?" Zay asked, completely oblivious.

"Maya!" They all shouted in unison, looking at him in exasperation.

"Oh, yah...her."

"So, this conversation is long overdue, but it's going to be pretty short," Farkle stated. "We just need to make sure everyone is clear on how to deal with this and make it better."

"Okay, how do we do that?" Riley asked, her mind still half focused on the secretive news story.

"Well, I think the first thing we'll need to address, is the root of Maya's insecurities...I mean when you get rid of a weed, you pull it by its roots, right? Same thing here."

"But, Maya doesn't let us know anything...she hides from everybody." Lucas pointed out.

"It's going to take a lot of time and patience...it honestly could take months for us to even find out what's wrong initially, but during that time we'll just need to keep our eyes open for subtle hints."

They half expected Farkle to bring out a list or an essay on how to help people with insecurity, but he didn't. Instead, he folded his hands, and looked gravely at his friends.

"Did anybody else do any research?"

"I did." Riley's attention was completely on Maya now. "I read that it's super important to be supportive, which I think we all are, but you know because of her home life she hasn't always felt that way...so, we need to make it extra clear we're always there for her."

Lucas nodded. "And that we need to build her up...you know reminding her of how great she really is, even though right now she doesn't see it."

"Good," Farkle smiled. "This is going to work. We can fix Maya."

"I have something to add." Zay spoke suddenly, holding up his pointer finger.

"That's a shock," Farkle mumbled underneath his breath.

"Look, Maya's important to me too...so I spent some time researching. I learned that's it's really common for insecure people to view things irrationally, which Maya does a lot. That just means that whenever she starts to spin out of control, we need to be extra sensitive to what's going on, so we can stop or help her rationalize her thinking."

The group of friends—minus Maya—looked at each other. Every single one of them was so loyal to the others, that they would go anywhere or do anything to ensure that their friends were okay. It's what made them so close, and it was a really special and rare bond.

Riley interrupted the sappy moment by going back to their previous conversation. "So, what news story?"

She glanced at the slice of toast on her plate, and groaned as she realized she wouldn't have time to eat it before she left. It got worse, as there was a knock on the front door, and Ms. Hart had to put on her coat as she answered it. With a sleeve in the left arm, and her keys in between her teeth, she unlocked the door, and opened it to reveal Lucas.

"Hi, Lucas!" she mumbled through the keys. "Sorry, I'm already running late for the diner, and I'm having to multi-task."

"It's okay, Ms. Hart. I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to check on Maya," he apologized.

"Aw, you're really sweet. She's sleeping right now, but I checked on her last night and she seemed fine, though I wouldn't be surprised if she came down with a cold soon." She chuckled, putting her coat on fully, and grabbing her purse from the side table. "She probably won't admit it, but she'd be very grateful that you checked in on her."

"Well, it was kind of my fault," he said, stepping inside as her mother scrambled for the last of her items.

"No, it wasn't. She told me all about it." Pausing to look at the boy, her gaze softened. "Thank you so much for helping her. It scares me so much to think about what could've happened."

"She would have done the same for me, even if she is half my size." He laughed lightly.

"Yah, she would have." Ms. Hart smiled. "Okay, I'm very sorry but I have to run, but let Maya know I should be home around 10 or 11 tonight. Thank you again!"

"Of course," Lucas smiled as she shut the door.

Only then did he realize that he was in Maya's apartment, alone. Her mother must really trust him to leave them by themselves, even if they had met multiple times, though it was usually at the Matthews' or the diner. At least Shawn wasn't there. Boy, that man scared him, and he wasn't even dating Maya! Not that the thought had crossed his mind, or anything.

He set down the bag he had been holding on the kitchen counter, then made his way cautiously to Maya's room. Unsure of whether or not to knock, he decided on the latter being the southern gentleman he was.

"Go away, mom. I love you, but I feel sick and I don't want Lucas or anyone else to know!" a grumpy voice called.

"Too late." He stepped inside, trying not to grin too widely.

A mess of tangled blonde-blue hair lay face down on the bed, curled deeply in the blankets. At the sound of his voice, she raised her flushed, pink face and scowled.

"Who let you in, Huckleberry?" she said, sounding stuffed up.

"Your mother." He laughed, perching on the edge of her bed.

"Ugh." She buried her face back into the pillow.

"Aw, are you sick, Shortstack?" he teased.

"No," she said from the pillow.

"Great! So, how does a walk sound? I've got nothing else to do...maybe we could go swimming while we're at it."

"Just go make me soup already...I know you brought it," she smirked.

Lucas shook his head, and went to do just that. As he re-entered the kitchen, he tried to think back to when Maya and him had gotten so close. I mean, he was here making her soup in her house! Maybe it had started when they had the opportunity to spend a lot more time alone, because Riley and Farkle had been busy doing who knows what. They still all hung out together as a group, but ever since that Halloween dance, something had felt a little different between him and Maya. Not in a bad way either.

He opened the cupboards, and tried to remember exactly where their pot was. Yes, pot. The Harts weren't exactly known for their home cooked meals...or their organization apparently. As he rummaged through dishes, his mind wandered to yesterday. Again, they had been alone, walking through the park. Why was that again?

Lucas grinned in triumph, as he brought the pot out from the depths of the cupboard, and set it on the stove. He turned on the heat, and began the search for the can opener next.

Oh, yah. They were all supposed to meet up after school, but Farkle had a debate and Riley was going on a last minute date with Charlie, and Zay had suspiciously claimed he was doing his homework...Lucas actually suspected he was watching the cheer leading practice; it was his best friend's weakness. But, that was what had been happening frequently; all his friends rushing around to do various things.

And then they had been doing community service together, and Maya had started to open herself up to him. That had been really special for him, especially since she had that whole insecurity thing, and she was confiding in him all these things. Not to mention that he got to see the best part of her when they just hung out outside of school. It was like when they first met, and there wasn't any leftover awkwardness from the silly triangle, and no insecurities holding her back from being herself.

Lucas had successfully located the can opener, and had poured the soup into the pot. Now he just had to wait, and let his thoughts wander. Their friendship had definitely grown, but there were still the arguments and tension whenever he brought up something like her new clothes and makeup styles. He wasn't going to lie; he didn't like it, but he needed to remember to let nature take its course and be patient like Farkle said. It would all work itself out eventually, right? And in the meantime, it meant he got to spend lots of time with the "Blonde Beauty". Just thinking about the name made him blush slightly, and aroused old feelings of annoyance at Zay for bringing it up 50 gazillion times. Even if he called her that only in his mind, he wished he could actually speak it, so it could boost her self-esteem. That was the only reason, right?

"Hey, Huckleberry." Maya trudged into the kitchen slowly, her hair a crazy, wild mess around her shoulders. "Where's my soup?"

Right.