Exams were once again upon them, and Maia was beyond grateful that this would be the last of them. Graduation was just around the corner and freedom beyond that.

Still, for the moment, on every inch of the campus there could be found a senior with their head buried in a book. It might have been due to this that Maia was now seeing Jordan more often working in the library. It's true he was only in third year, but Maia had a funny feeling he was taking a few fourth year courses. She smiled, and sometimes waved whenever she saw him before settling down to cram for her own exams. It was a nice little moment, and Maia found she looked forward to them. Sometimes the smallest gestures had the biggest impact.

Slowly each cramming session, and subsequent exam passed. Though she knew time was flowing at the normal rate, it felt all over the map as her last few weeks of university came to an end.

It was a strange feeling sitting in the library at her unusual table, knowing that this would be the last time she ever had to cram for an exam in this room. Well, unless she ever came back for her master's, and that was way to far off to contemplate at the moment.

It was a beautiful library, with tall ceilings and rows and rows of books beyond the counting, though, of course they were all counted, tagged and bar coded. It somehow ruined the poetry of the place, but still the warm wood paneling and comfy chairs created a welcoming environment.

From where Maia sat she could see Jordan with his head down writing with great concentration. Maia smiled for a moment as she looked at him. It had been weeks now that they'd been waving and smiling without speaking. The same thought that had been going around in her head for months reappeared as she observed him there. A thought she kind of wanted to express to him, but at the same time she didn't. Maia had come to enjoy the security of their small moments, and was scared an actual moment would crush it.

So instead, she choose a table, pulled out her books, and got to work. Only one exam left. Maia could see the light. She was almost through the tunnel that was her bachelor's degree.

The minutes passed slowly as she read and re-read the chapters she'd be tested on tomorrow. Her eyes blurred as she tried with all her might to focus. When Maia finally couldn't study any more she packed up her things, and headed home to find Sizzy making out on the couch. With a roll of her eyes, Maia walked past them to escape into her room.

This time tomorrow, it would all be over.

Despite going to bed early, Maia didn't sleep well that night, but this didn't surprise her. Making sure not to skip breakfast she headed to her exam and tried to pour all the information she'd forced into her head yesterday onto the exam paper in front of her.

When the teacher called out for everyone to put their pencils down, Maia breathed a sigh of relief. It was actually over now. No matter how she'd done Maia was finished University.

It was a strange feeling leaving that exam room knowing she didn't have anything else to study for. Despite this, her feet carried her to their usually destination: the library.

Somehow the room looked smaller now, though she knew this was impossible. She had no reason to be in here. She'd been looking forward to rewarding herself with a television marathon since her very first study session, and yet here she was, not in front of her tv. But why?

Then she saw why. Jordan was sitting where he usually sat with his head in a book. Now that the week was over she wouldn't get to wave to him in the library anymore. In fact, now that her school was over she wasn't even sure if she'd ever talk to him again. Once the marks were posted that was it. She'd likely never set foot on his campus again while he still had another year here.

It was then that he looked up, and like usual, waved to her. Suddenly feeling brave, Maia walked over.

"Hey," she said with a smile.

He looked surprised, but not upset. "Hello," Jordan replied.

"Do you mind if I sit?" Maia asked.

"You shouldn't have to ask that," Jordan told her. "You're always welcome, you know that."

Maia laughed a little, mostly out of nerves as she sat down.

"How are you?" Jordan asked her.

"Good," Maia replied. "Just finished my last exam."

"Lucky," he smiled. "I have one more."

"Ah, but you hardly need to study for it I'm sure," Maia smiled.

"Thanks," Jordan said. "Though as usual, you give me too much credit."

"You could have gone to any school you wanted," Maia reminded him. "Don't sell yourself short."

"There are different kinds of intelligence," Jordan stated. "Books and school isn't always the most valuable kind."

"There you go again," Maia smiled. "Selling yourself short."

"We shall have to agree to disagree on this point I'm afraid," Jordan chuckled.

It was so strange to be so close to him. Maia's hand rested on the table no more than a foot from his. And there was that thought again. Everything now the opposite of how it had been at the start. It was so strange, and yet now she could perfectly understand how he'd felt before.

"Not that I'm not glad to see you," Jordan began. "But you've never come over to talk to me before now. Everything okay?"

Maia nodded. "Just feeling nostalgic, I guess. Kinda just hit me that I'm done with University."

"Ah, makes sense," Jordan replied. There was something Maia couldn't quite put her finger on in his tone. Was it disappointment? There had once been a time when she'd thought she could read him like a book, but now she was wondering if that had actually all been arrogance on her part.

There was silence for a moment, but neither of them looked away. Maia's attention remained focused on her hand, and how easy it would be to move it just that short distance to touch his hand.

"We've come full circle," Maia said, finally extressing the thought she'd been holding onto for weeks.

"What do you mean? Jordan inquired.

"From you wanting me and being rejected... to… me wanting..." she trailed off, not quite able to bring herself to say it.

"I find that hard to believe," Jordan said softly. "I keep waiting for this kindness to fade, and for you to hate me. Like you should."

"I could never hate you Jordan," Maia smiled. "Hate myself, hate the world maybe, but not you."

He looked at her for a moment as if processing what she'd said. "I could never reject you," Jordan told her in a whisper. "Or hate you." He paused for a moment before adding, "I don't think I'm capable."

Maia's heart was beating a little faster as she threw caution to the wind and moved closer. Her hand touched his, and she felt that spark that nothing in life so far had been able to put out.

When he moved closer she knew somehow that everything would be okay. Their eyes locked for a moment, and she knew what was about to happen. She closed her eyes and felt his gentle kiss on her lips. For being without passion, it was somehow more emotional. It was a kiss that promised more.

When they pulled away, his hand was wrapped around hers, holding it firmly. Suddenly Maia felt lighter than air. She couldn't keep the grin off her face.

"You're so beautiful when you smile," Jordan whispered.

"And you are beautiful when you smile back at me," Maia told him.

Jordan had to let go of her hand to pack up his textbooks, but he grasped it once again as they walked together out of the library. It was strangely wonderful how little words were needed. There was a sense in the air of starting over. Maia knew in her heart that he wanted to be here beside her, fingers intertwined. Everything would be different this time because finally they were both on the same page.

A short walk later - hand in hand the whole way - they arrived at Jordan's apartment. Once inside, Maia noticed a new face. Jordan introduced his new roommate as Jon, or Clary's brother, who'd been staying with them since after the Christmas holidays.

"Between Jace babysitting his cousin, and you bringing home girls, this place has really failed as a bachelor pad," Jon stated.

Jace's reply was to elbow Jon in the ribs. "That's Maia, you idiot," Jace added with a punch to Jon's shoulder.

"Oh man!" Jon whined. "Between this and Clary coming back in June, the three musketeers are so over!"

"It's only April," Jace reminded Jon. "And you should be happy for your friends when they are smiling."

Jon just grumbled something about it being late April, before shoving Jace onto a bed that was situated in the middle of the living room. Likely to get him back for the elbowing and shoulder punching of a few moments earlier.

"Oh, it's like that is it?" Jace mocked, as he stood up and went after Jon.

"Let's leave them to it," Jordan whispered into Maia's ear. She smiled as she followed him past the rowdy brothers and into Jordan's bedroom.

The door clicked shut behind them. Jordan's slow moving hand held her waist as his face came to meet hers. It wasn't like they'd been before. These kisses were soft, tender. His hands gently moving down her sides as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Hmmmm," Jordan sighed as he buried his face in her neck. "I've missed you."

A part of her wanted to check and ask if he'd missed her more than he'd missed Paige, but she didn't say a word. Instead, Maia decided to just enjoy the moment. Her insecurities could wait.

The slow kisses and caresses eventually moved from standing by the door to laying on the bed, though there was still a lack of passion to them. Maia could sense it wasn't going to go that far. This was almost better. Just the intimacy of physical nearness. It was something she and Jordan hadn't ever been good at before, usually jumping right into passion, and skipping all the steps in the middle.

Maia wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, just holding each other without talking or taking off any clothes. Their bubble was finally burst by her phone ringing. Maia got up and found it on the floor. The time on the clock shocked her more than the caller ID.

"Do you need to answer it?" Jordan asked.

"No," Maia replied. Declining the call, Maia sent her roommate a quick text instead.

'I think Jordan and I got back together,' Maia texted Izzy. 'I don't know when I'll be home.'

Then she left her phone on the floor again, and joined him in bed where they held each other until their stomachs demanded that they get up and find some dinner.

"Ordering pizza was a great idea," Maia chuckled as she picked up a slice.

"Even if we had to get up to get the door?" Jordan laughed.

"Getting the door is significantly less time out of bed than going to a restaurant or cooking," Maia explained.

"Fair," Jordan laughed. Still eating pizza, they had their legs all tangled together, and music playing in the background.

Once all the pizza was consumed, Maia laid her head back down on Jordan's chest with a content sigh.

"Doesn't quite feel real," Jordan whispered, as he squeezed her a little tighter.

"I know what you mean," Maia whispered back before leaning her head up to kiss his neck.

"Stay here tonight?" Jordan asked. "So come morning I don't think this was all a dream."

"Sounds perfect," Maia replied, as she closed her eyes.

In Jordan's arms Maia slept peacefully, a dreamless comfortable oblivion. Even before she opened her eyes she could feel that he was still in the bed with her. Good morning greetings were exchanged, soft kisses and cuddles before their stomachs alerted them once more of their need for food. Reluctantly getting up, Maia looked for her phone to check the time. She found it on the floor and laughed at Izzy's flood of messages.

'OMG that's amazing! How'd it happen? I want to know everything'

'Can't you pry yourself off him long enough to text me back?'

'Seems not. Well whenever you get home I want details woman!'

'OMG we need to go on a double date! Send me times, I have reservations to make.'

'Urg, how can you two still be having sex. I'm almost jealous. Simon's in an exam right now.'

Maia's laughter grew louder and louder as she read the messages.

"What's so funny?" Jordan asked her.

"Izzy has been texting me like a spaz," Maia answered. "I foolishly told her I was with you, and she wants to know everything." Maia chuckled.

"Ah yes, nosy friends," Jordan said, moving closer to stand behind her and wrap his arms around her. "Those are the best and worst kind."

"True," Maia agreed, leaning her head back into his shoulder.

Their moment of stillness was ruined by a loud voice calling down the hall. "If you two are done having sex now you might want to join us for breakfast. If either of you can still walk that is."

"I'm gonna kill Jace," Jordan grumbled, but Maia just laughed. She turned in his arms, and kissed him sweetly before heading for the door.

"Smells good," Maia told Jon as she entered the living room to find waffles on the table.

"Not as good as spending almost a whole day having sex," Jon grumbled.

"God I miss sex," Jace whined.

"Guys we didn't-" Jordan began, but Maia touched his arm to stop him.

"Sex is awesome, isn't it," Maia grinned.

"I still can't believe you two were so quiet," Jace observed as they all sat down to eat. "Like so very quiet."

"What can I say," Maia shrugged. "Orgasmicly silent. That's me."

"Urg," Jon and Jace groaned together as they stuffed their faces full of waffle. "I'm so jealous I might hit you."

"Oh come on," Maia scoffed. "It can't be that bad. How long as it been?"

"Clary's been gone since August," Jace stated looking utterly miserable.

"Cassie and I broke up before that," Jon whined.

"Okay Jace I get, but Jon!" Maia scoffed. "You're single. Go out and get some." Jon's only reply was to take another huge bit of waffle. "Ah yes eat your feelings. That will definitely help you get a girlfriend." Maia sniggered.

"Shut up," Jon snapped, though the anger of it was rather ruined by his mouth full of food.

"Can I please put them out of their misery?" Jordan asked Maia in a whisper, though he was clearly holding back laughter.

"Nah, they'll be okay," Maia whispered back also trying not to laugh. "It'll be a motivator for them."

Both laughing, Maia and Jordan finally sat down to eat their breakfast while avoiding angry looks from both sexually frustrated boys.

Look at me go! Updating this story twice in less than four months. lol. It's like the good old days again. Also surprise surprise! The next chapter is finished as well. ^_^

Okay who is happy with the way Jordan and Maia worked out? And who is still mad at me on behalf of Paige?

Sneak Peek Chapter 150

He tried to distract himself. Snapping at Jordan was only so amusing, and besides he really didn't have any problem with Maia being here. Jace knew he was just lonely. With the three musketeers down to the dynamic duo, Jace was spending more and more time with Jon. When neither work nor Jon could distract him however, Jace tried volunteered to babysit Lucie a little more than usual. But really there was nothing that could distract him from his worries. Nothing but seeing Clary could answer his questions.

Time began to play tricks on him. Passing faster and slower at the same time.

It didn't quite feel real to him when one day he looked at a calender and realized that there was now just a fortnight left until her return.

Then there was only a week until Clary's plane was due to land.

Four days till he had to be at the airport.

Three days left.

Two days…

Tomorrow…

Today.