Maya couldn't believe that she was actually here; sat in the middle of a NYU art class room waiting anxiously for the teacher to arrive so they could finally start. Okay so technically she wasn't an NYU student yet, but she had already received her acceptance letter for their art program and would be officially attending here next year. What was she doing there now? Well as the arts are so undervalued the stupid schoolboard cut her advanced technical drawing class at school, the principal took pity on the aspiring architect and set it up with the university so that she may complete her credits. Yes Maya hart, troublemaker extraordinaire, wanted to be an architect. She didn't know when it happened but somewhere along the line the math and physics all just came easy to her, it just seemed like a part of the creative processes. Long gone were the days when she would let her grades slip, she know had an –A average and would be attending one of the best colleges on the east coast on a full scholarship. She was pretty proud of how she had turned her life around the only downside was that she had somehow managed to do it without Riley. Once in high school, Riley became popular and just started phasing out her old friends, even perfect Ranger Rick, star athlete and future prom king. It stung at first but they were still friendly at least, just not friends, and Maya stayed friends with Zay and even Farkle, the three were inseparable. After her class Maya met Zay at the campus coffee house where he was waiting for her so they could head over to Farkle's.

"Hey how was your first day?" he asked her after she found him.

"Unbelievable!" she answered awe apparent on her face "the teacher is incredible and they have so many cool instruments I could never use anywhere else. I can't wait to start here, imagine what I'll learn next year if one class in one class I've already learned so much"

"Dude what happened to you? You used to be cool, a few years ago the Maya hart I knew wouldn't have been caught dead acting excited about school" he nudged her side as they joined the queue, both in need of a serious caffeine dose.

"I grew up, you should try it sometime"

"NEVER!" they both laughed. That's what Maya always loved about Zay, it didn't matter that most of what he said made no sense because he could always make her laugh and deep down he was kind of a genius. She didn't know what she would do next year with Zay in Rhode Island at Brown and Farkle in Boston at MIT. After they got their orders they were about to leave when Maya felt someone grab her wrist and pull her back.

"Oh my God Maya?" she didn't have to turn around or even hear the voice to know who had spoken to her, the moment his fingers wrapped around her small wrist she felt a shock go right through her body, those fingers could only belong to one person.

"Josh!" she smiled and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug "It's been so long, how are you?"

"I'm good, studying away but I'm kind of sad now. I mean just josh? What happened to uncle boing? He teased.

"Shut up!" she laughed and pushed him away, mortified at how he affected her only four years ago.

"I'll meet you outside" Zay said and left but not without throwing a knowing smirk her way.

"So how've you been? A little birdy told me that I'll be seeing a lot more of you around campus next year. And by little birdy I mean tall awkward bird that still hasn't grown into her limbs." Maya was shocked to say the least, she hadn't even told Riley about her acceptance letter. Though she and Riley were no longer friends, Maya maintained her great relationship with Mr Mathews who somehow had followed them to high school as their principal (shout out to Boy Meets World and Mr. Feeny). Even if he had told her, why would she tell Josh?

"Really? We're not really close anymore" his face fell slightly but Maya knew he had to have known, how else would he understand her absence at the Mathews'?

"Yeah I heard about that too. I'm sorry Maya but for what it's worth, I know she misses you"

"Really because it doesn't' really seem that way my end"

"She told me your taking a class here this year, made me promise to watch out for you." Confused as she was, Maya couldn't help but light up inside at the news. The kind of friendship she shared with Riley never truly goes away, she knew Riley still loved her because Maya still loved Riley. Evidently she didn't just light up on the inside, if Josh's huge smile was any indication. "So when's your next class?"

"I'll be here Mondays and Fridays after school"

"You want to grab coffee here after your class on Monday? We should catch up"

"Yeah of course"

"Cool give me your number and I'll text you" she wilfully gave him her number, surprised at how she could now have a perfectly friendly conversation with the guy who could once make her lose all her senses with a single look. "oh and Maya" he said just before exiting the coffee shop "you grew up gorgeous" he smirked. Okay so maybe he could still make her a bit dizzy with those stupid brown eyes of his.

"You didn't do too bad yourself Mathews" she remained in the shop for a little while longer trying to calm down before getting Zay who undoubtedly would see how flustered she was.

"What was that?" he asked.

"That is Riley's uncle, we were just catching up"

"Yeah okay, whatever you say" he joked pulling an arm around her as they finally made their way to Farkle's.

Maya's weekend dragged by, she was anxious to get to her class again, or at least that was what she was telling herself anyway. When Monday morning finally arrived she told herself that she simply put on her favourite outfit and took twice as long to do her hair because she wanted to make a good impression on her new teacher who would probably teach her again next year. This had nothing to do with a certain brown eyed uncle boing.

"Well don't you look nice" Shawn smiled when she joined him for breakfast. Shawn and her mother finally got their act together and got married last year and Maya had never been happier well maybe she was happier when they told her last month that she had a little brother on the way.

"I want to make a good impression on my new teacher at NYU. You never know, I'll probably take a couple of her classes in the years to come, better start sucking up now" she joked.

"Really because I had dinner with one Cory Mathews on Saturday and he happened to tell me that you were meeting a certain younger Mathews today" Crap, he caught her.

"oh josh?" she tried to play it off "we're just gonna grab coffee and catch up, it has been almost four years since I'd seen him"

"Yeah well maybe if you and Riley patched things up that wouldn't be true"

"Shawn there's nothing to patch up, we just grew apart"

"Well grow back together Cory and I dreamed our whole lives are kids would be best friends and you go and break up! Of course if you marry josh then that won't really be an issue will it. Think about it, you could be Mrs. Boing"

"Is anyone ever going to let me live that down?" she sighed clearly exasperated "and don't get your hopes up, it's just coffee"

"I once took your mother out for just coffee it's never just coffee"

"Whatever, I've got to get to school" she got up and walked towards the door "I'll catch you later"

"Have fun at school but don't have fun at coffee" he joked although she was pretty sure there was a part of him that was serious, ever the over protective dad

"okay have fun at work" after he and her mom got engaged, Shawn got a job at the New York Times writing a weekly column so he pretty much just sat at home all day pretending to work. On her way to school Maya couldn't help but reflect on how much her life had changed in such a short period of time. Shawn's job came with a pretty nice increase in salary so she and her mom finally meant moving out of their dingy old apartment and into a new loft with Shawn. That also meant that Katie could take some time of work to finish culinary school, she was now the sue chef at a trendy restaurant downtown. She used to be one of the most pessimistic people she knew, but she really did get her happy ending in Shawn. The only thing missing was her best friend.

When she arrived to school Lucas was standing by her locker, as fate would have it they were locker neighbours throughout all four years of high school so even though they weren't as close as they once were, they were still pretty tight.

"Sup Ranger Rick?"

"Seriously, I've lived in Manhattan for more than five years" he rolled his eyes "are you ever going to get tired of that"

"Don't hold your breath Sundance"

"Hey Maya, Lucas" Maya couldn't help feel bad for Riley as she greeted them in passing, she could barely look at them. Even though she just walked past them barley speaking Maya knew her well enough to know that she was heartbroken. She figured she owed her for asking josh to watch out for her.

"She likes you dude, get your head out of your ass"

"Well I like the old Riley, the one who doesn't have her head stuck up Missy Bradford's ass"

"What the hell happened between you two?"

"Nothing, that's the problem, she was going to let Missy… it doesn't matter" he slammed his locker. "Don't you ever miss how things used to be?"

"I try not to think about it"

"You know she's going to Columbia in the fall?"

"I figured it would be Columbia or NYU, she would never leave the city she loves it here"

"Maybe next year when we get away from this crap the three of us can hang out"

"I have no interest in watching you pine over each other, I will however be happy to continue to remind you of your deep country roots every time I see you on campus next year"

"Maya seriously"

"She stopped talking to me Lucas! Or did you forget that part?"

"She regrets it I know, you should talk to her"

"Lucas my man!" Zay called as he approached them "I hear you're having a party on Thursday"

"Yeah, my parents are going out of town and since there's no school on Friday… Are you guys coming?"

"Definitely"

"I might" Maya added

"Yeah you might be busy with your new friend!"

"SHUT UP!" she threatened.

"Don't tell me Maya Hart, the Maya hart that has every boy in the school terrified to go near her, is actually letting a guy take her out"

"No" she deadpanned "I'm having coffee with Josh Mathews to catch up. I ran into him on Friday but we're just catching up"

"Please, with you and uncle boing nothing's ever just"

"Seriously will you all just let that go!" she yelled at him as he walked down the hall way.

"Don't hold your breath" he yelled back without turning around "Mam"

The day seemed to drag by longer than even the weekend had but eventually the clock struck three thirty and she headed over to NYU for her class. Maya had known that she would love college but she never realised just how much, she was only taking one class but she couldn't wait to be here full time. After her class she texted Josh to let him know that she had finished and he came and picked her up.

"How do you like college life?"

"Too much! I can't wait for the fall"

"Are you going to live on campus or are you staying at home?"

"Definitely campus I need a break, especially when you think about how in about seven months there's going to be a baby screaming all over the loft"

"Oh that's right, how is your mom? I bet Shawn's over the moon"

"To say the least yeah, but I could do with less moods swings. What about you? What are you doing next year?"

"I'm staying here" She was ashamed to admit it, but her heart soared knowing that she would be with Josh next year "two years left of med school and then hopefully I'll get an internship in the city"

"I can't believe you're going to be a doctor"

"I know it's really not fair that I'm this handsome and I'm going to save lives"

"Where are we going?" Maya had suddenly realised that they were nowhere near the coffee house from last week.

"Well as you're going to be here next year I figured I'd show you the best burger joint on campus. Scratch that, the best burger joint in the city"

"How did you know I love burgers?"

"Because I know you, that's why I also know you haven't eaten since lunch, too excited about your class I'd guess"

"Okay, that's scary but I'm hungry so I don't care" they quickly entered the little corner restraint and Maya immediately knew she would be eating here more often. As soon as the scent of beef filled her nostrils her stomach growled. Josh ushered her over to a corner booth, she noticed that he sat next to her not in front of her, and handed her a menu. "Oh my God this smells incredible"

"You will not be disappointed" and she wasn't it was without a doubt the best burger she had ever eaten.

"How did you find this place?"

"Campus secret, don't worry you'll discover all the tips and tricks once your here. You'll have me to show you"

"I look forward to it! So how's life?"

"Pretty good though now that you're in it again better" If Maya didn't know any better she would guess he was flirting with her, but really flirting. They had always had a bit of a flirtationship but nothing like this. "You look beautiful by the way" She suddenly felt relieved she had decided to wear her favourite skirt.

"Thanks"

"So you doing anything cool this week?"

"Buky mc Boing Boing is having a party so I might hit that"

"First of all I'm hurt, I thought I was the only boing in your life" she rolled her eyes.

"People really need to let that go"

"Secondly, seriously you're still calling howdy names? Hasn't he been here for like five years?"

"You're still calling him howdy and who are you to talk Philly?"

"Whatever Brooklyn"

"It's Manhattan now, I'm such a traitor" they finished their burgers and decided to split the brownie Sunday. Maya couldn't believe what was happening she had long ago accepted that her feelings for Josh were unrequited but after today she was beginning doubt that. She had to admit, sitting here with Josh, their legs bumping constantly from closeness, and sharing a dessert, felt nicer than she had ever imagined. She had always liked Josh, who wouldn't? He's a great guy, but she never thought things would feel so natural with him. He was the only person she could talk about Riley with without feeling that sharp sting in her heart. The meal ended too quickly and she had to head home to do homework.

"Can we get the cheque please?" Josh asked the waitress who answered of course. "You want to hang out again on Friday? Provided you're not super hung-over of course"

"Please we both know I can take a drink, unlike a certain niece of yours"

"That does not surprise me, so what do you say? Want to catch a movie? You'll probably tired even if you're not hungover"

"Sure" the waitress brought the cheque and Maya went to pull out her purse but josh was quick to stop her. "Josh" she hesitated thinking it was unfair for him to pay for everything "You don't have to"

"I want to"

It might have been a while since she had spent time with Josh but she knew him and she knew that he rarely got nervous, his cockiness was once something she found incredibly attractive. That was why she was so surprised to see him now, fidgeting and refusing to make eye contact. "A gentleman should always pay on the first date they teach us that in Philly, Brooklyn" She felt like her heart had jumped right out of her chest, this was a date. Before sitting here talking to him she would have been happy to date Josh but now she was ecstatic. She never could have imagined what it would be like if she stopped fawning over him and just talked to him like a human, it wasn't until now that she realised they actually had a lot in common. But she was afraid, afraid he'd break her heart again.

"Date huh? What will people say Josh? You're so much older than me" she joked sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"We're both adults besides I'm in it for the long game"

"Why now Josh?" he sighed obviously uncomfortable with the question but she pressed anyway.

"You were a kid plus I promised Cory I wouldn't make a move. Do you really think it was easy for me? The coolest girl I knew the only one that really got me was fourteen, Maya I always liked you I just felt wrong about acting on it when you were a kid"

"Wow good answer" she smiled "I guess the timing's finally right"

"So about that movie... Second date?"

"I'd really like that boing"

"Come on I'll walk you to the subway" All the way to the station Maya couldn't wipe the smile off her face and from what she could tell neither could Josh but unfortunately in ten minutes they were there. "So I'll call you"

"Okay bye" she hugged him somewhat awkwardly, I mean come on! Couldn't he just make a freakin move and kiss her? She cursed herself as she went down the stairs, she was such a chicken.

"Maya!" Josh chased after her "I forgot something" she was going to ask him what but before the words were of her mouth his lips were covering hers. Sheer bliss, that's what she felt as Josh gave her what she was sure was the most tender kiss in history. "I'll see you on Friday!" he smiled and walked away leaving Maya feeling more flustered than she had all evening but mostly, feeling exited for Friday.

So this is a story I'm writing I hope you guys like it, if so review and let me know if I should continue I love getting feedback. The next chapter will probably be Lucas's party and you will find out why Riley can barely look at Maya.