Zaya

Disclaimer: Now, I'm not a fan of using ship names in titles but this was the best I could honestly come up with. Plus it seemed right to use for this. And surprised I've updated so soon? Shoot, me too! But after the last update I got to thinking about these two and it just wanted to come so here we are! Oh, and as always, I own nothing but what you see here!

Summary: Maya and Zay begin to grow closer to one another.

In the days to come after the whole Tacos/Missing Bear incident, Maya and Zay slowly found themselves becoming closer to one another. And it was something both liked quite a lot even though Zay tried to keep from being hopeful it might become something more then just a more solid by the day friendship. Maya herself was thankful this was even happening. The fact it had nothing to do with Riley or that stupid triangle she was forced to be part of for awhile was even better in her eyes. Their best friends were together and while they could talk to Farkle and maybe even Smackle, it just seemed so much easier to talk to one another as they could relate to one another in a few ways. An incident at one point with a Junior girl who had called Zay a particularly nasty name had gotten the girl a black eye from a very unhappy Maya and had been willing to do more then just that to the girl. Something that earned her the respect of not only the respect of the other Juniors who hadn't really liked the girl all that much.

But also the respect of the senior trio Thor, Nikki, and Francesca. The fact only Matthews, his students, and Lucas knew about it out of their circle was a surprise since the whole thing had spread around. Riley, Farkle, and Smackle wouldn't even find out til sometime later after the Junior girl had started to target them. Something that earned her another black eye from Maya and making for a fairly unhappy Riley in the process. Not that Maya cared as she wasn't about to let anyone degrade those she cared about. Zay himself swore he fell just a bit more for Maya Penelope Hart after she'd given that girl the first black eye. Unfortunately the second black eye had gotten Maya a suspension from school but she didn't even care as she had done what she felt was right. And if she was being honest with herself, and she was, she was starting to feel an attraction towards Zay.

And Maya could plainly see he was interested in her and nobody else. Something that greatly appealed to the blonde artist and decided to see where the whole thing would take them. Much to the immense happiness of Zay. Even if he was a little worried where Josh was concerned. But as Maya would point out, she knew that realistically, it just wasn't gonna work between her and Uncle Boing. That and the fact that Shawn had helpfully pointed out that someone like Josh who was pretty much entering his adult years had no business being around a teenaged girl like her. Something she had thought about and later realized he was right. And despite the fact they hadn't bothered to hide their new status, it somehow seemed like Farkle, Riley, Smackle, and Lucas never even noticed a single thing. But neither Maya or Zay were bothered by it since the lack of interruptions allowed for the two to grow pretty close as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Even encouraging the other more and more in their chosen interests. Which would give Maya some amusement for her paintings when he did Ballet right in front of her. Sometimes in one of her own skirts! Which had been an odd sight for Shawn at one point but he said nothing as he still vividly remembered the time he dressed up like a girl! Even offering a few pointers to his daughter's boyfriend. Something that amused the heck out of her for more then one reason. The fact Zay took it as seriously as he did despite the fact he didn't have too was even better in her eyes. Naturally, their friends would find out about the two of them in a way neither of the two had hoped it would happen! 3 months in to their relationship was when it would happen as well. And the two had been in Maya's room at the time making out on her bed when Lucas, Riley, Farkle, and Isadora burst through the door as the four had been wondering where the heck they were since they were 20 minutes late! Screaming could be heard after that and making for Shawn to make a remark about it. "Well, I guess those 4 finally found out." Said the man with a smile before taking a sip from his cup of coffee.

Katie lightly whacked him on the arm for it but he only gave her an unrepentant grin. Ten minutes later and the whole thing would still be quite funny for Shawn once the four had the couple on the couch and were interrogating them. "Man, I wish Cor was here for this." Muttered the man and making his wife roll her eyes at him.

"Mmm… Knowing him and you, the two of you would probably make the whole thing more crazier then it needs to be." She told him teasingly and getting a fake look of hurt as he held a hand to his chest.

"We would never!"

The look she gave him clearly told him she didn't believe a word of that. Causing him to once again grin at her. Their attention was soon turned to the kids once more as Lucas repeated himself again. "Seriously! When did this happen!? How did it happen!? Where did it happen!? And did you two know!?" Asked the former Texan as he pointed a finger towards the two adults.

"Yep."

"Of course Lucas, how could we not know?" Asked Katie reasonably.

"They knew and we didn't!? Does our years of friendship mean so little that they would know first!?" Cried out Riley.

Maya sighed as her best friend and sister in all but blood was being overly dramatic yet again. "Honey." Began the girl soothingly and sweetly.

Something that thankfully worked. "Peaches..."

Maya then got up and held her best friend's hands and looked into her eyes. "As we know by now, life tends to let adults know things first more often then it does us kids unless, you know, we're actively looking or something. So with that said, they found out on their own. And besides… Its not like we tried to hide it."

"Yeah, Sugar, we were about as in the open as a Bull in a China Shop."

"No you weren't!" Yelled out an incredulous Farkle and beating Lucas to the punch!

"Oh trust me Farks, we were. You were just too busy focusin' on other things like Izzy here for example and Lucas and Riley here have been… Well, Lucas and Riley." Countered Zay with a shrug.

"Even I have seen the two together on occasion. Acting in ways that some would consider sweet." Spoke up Smackle.

Who felt her friends, along with her boyfriend were being far too dramatic about the whole thing. Then again, they all did (Well, Riley mostly!) tend to get that way about a lot of things so she supposed she shouldn't be too surprised about this. "Why didn't you say anything Smackle?" Wondered Lucas.

She only shrugged at him. "Because, I saw no reason too."

"But what about Josh?" Riley wondered in confusion.

"Feelings change Honey, part of life. And with Zay? I'm glad it happened." Maya replied softly as she looked at Zay with a smile on her lips that made him smile back.

She reached out with a hand and he quickly took it and squeezed it as she stood beside him. Lucas felt a sense of hurt that his ol' Shortstack had moved on to his long time best friend. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a bit happy the two had clearly found one another in the way they had. And he could only hope that the two would be very happy together for however long it lasted between the two. No telling how Josh was gonna handle the whole thing unless he already had been told. But it would be a bridge to cross if it ever came down to him not knowing and then finding out. Farkle was glad to see one of the greatest girls he ever knew find some happiness with a guy like Zay. And he finally got why Maya had given that girl a black eye to begin with as he vaguely remembered that girl giving Zay a very unpleasant look at one point.

Riley was just unsure of the whole thing as she felt hurt that Maya hadn't ever came and outright told her about the whole thing. Even if they hadn't been hiding the whole thing to begin with! Which she still wasn't sure how she had missed it to begin with! The girl planned to have a very important talk with her best friend and sister in all but blood once she got her alone. And then one with Zay as well! Cause if he hurt her Peaches, there would be some kinda Heck to pay!

Author's Notes: Hope folks enjoyed!