Author's Note: So, I've actually had this chapter written for a while, but I figured now that Josh is getting introduced, it's a good time to show y'all what I thought Josh's character would be like. Also, Jealous Lucas! Just saying...

Disclaimer: I don't own Girl Meets World nor the characters :(

"I can't remember ever feeling this way,
A burning feeling rushing all through my veins.
What got in me is something more than envy.
I should be above it I know, but I just can't let it go."

-Jealously, Jennifer Nettles

Lucas isn't quite sure what exactly he's feeling.

All he knows is that Maya is by the window in the Matthews' apartment, throwing heart-eyes at Riley's uncle, Josh, and he doesn't like it. Not one bit.

Everyone else–even Mr. Matthews–seems to think Maya's little crush is cute, but watching her and Josh laugh and talk together is giving Lucas an ache in the pit of his stomach for some reason.

Maybe it's because Josh is older than them; or maybe, he's just not used to seeing Maya act so goofy and Riley-ish over anything, let alone a guy, but every time she flips her hair or bats her eyelashes at Josh, Lucas clenches his jaw tightly and grips the arm of the Matthew's sofa until his knuckles turn white.

Apparently, he's not doing as good a job of hiding his feelings (whatever these feeling are) as he thinks, because a minute later, Riley turns to him concernedly and asks if he's alright.

"Maybe he's just scared of the movie," Maya calls out mockingly, shoulder-to-shoulder with Josh. "Sundance has a weak stomach for blood."

Josh laughs amusedly. "And you don't, I'm guessing?"

"Nope," Maya says, grinning teasingly at him, "how about you, Pennsylvania?"

"I need some air," Lucas says suddenly, assuring Riley he's fine as he strolls outside the apartment steadily. He may look like his calm, country-boy self, but on the inside, his blood is boiling and he's even more angry that he can't figure out what's making him so angry.

So what Maya has a crush on Josh? he thinks to himself as he steps outside into the chill New York air. It's none of his business.

No one else seems to be as upset as he is, but it's just, it's their game, his and Maya's. And now, she's teasing Josh and coming up with stupid nicknames just for him (seriously, what kind of nickname is Pennsylvania, anyway?), and Lucas feels like he's losing something he never even realized he needed so much.

"Hey."

He turns and there's Maya, stepping outside with an oversized leather jacket that looks suspiciously similar to the one Josh was wearing when he first arrived resting on her shoulders.

"Hey," Lucas says softly, watching silently as she walks over to him.

"Look," Maya says suddenly, placing her hands in her back pockets casually. "I'm sorry about what I said back there. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Riley made you come out here and apologize, didn't she?" he remarks knowingly.

"That obvious, huh?" she asks, blowing out a breath that turns visible in the cold night.

"Pretty much," he replies with a half-hearted smirk.

"Well, she's worried," Maya says matter-of-factly. "And I know with your terrible sense of direction, you could go for a walk up the street and end up in Manhattan."

"So you're here to protect me?" he smirks, raising his eyebrows teasingly.

Maya snorts amusedly. "From yourself, maybe."

There's a brief moment of silence, and before Lucas can even think about what he's saying, he blurts out what's been weighing on his mind for the last hour.

"So you like Josh."

Maya tilts her head back and groans. "That really is the worst kept secret in the world."

Lucas's mouth lifts in a force, sort of half-grin at her discomfort, but doesn't say anything.

"I don't know," she remarks thoughtfully. "He just seems different from any of the guys around here. Not that that means much considering he lives in Philadelphia, and he's Riley's uncle. I guess that's the talent I inherited from my mom." Her eyes meet his for a split-second before she averts them towards the ground. "We both fall for guys we shouldn't."

"Guys?" Lucas repeats softly, and when he looks at her profile, his heart lifts in anticipation.

But instead of answering, Maya simply looks back at him and says softly, "You should go back inside; Riley's probably wondering where you are."

He nods, knowing their real conversation is over, and heads back towards the building's main door.

"Are you coming?" he asks when he sees Maya hasn't moved.

"Not yet," she says, sitting down on the stairs and leaning against the stone. "I think I'll stay out here a little longer."

Lucas pauses, taking in the image of the blond in the over-sized jacket, huddling against the cold with a thoughtful look on her face. He still isn't sure what he's feeling, but whatever it is, makes him walk back over and sit down next to her.

"What are you doing?" she asks, surprised.

"I think I'll stay too," he answers nonchalantly. "I mean, I could get lost going to the door and end up in New Jersey. I need you to watch out for me, ma'am."

Maya grins, and in that moment, as they smile at each other in the dark, New York night, Lucas realizes there's nothing more he wants than to spend the whole night out here with this impossible girl, and learn every way to make her smile.

Man, is he in trouble.

A/N: I don't know why, but Lucas fainting at blood is something that I so want to be canon. Anyway, please review, thanks!