Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything from Girl Meets World.

And at least we have finally reached the end of this story. If I haven't said it enough, thank you to all my wonderful readers. And a special thank you to those who have taken the time to write a review and share your thoughts. Your feedback has been helpful in crafting this story.

So anyway without further ado, I present to you the final chapter of the story. Enjoy!

Epilogue

With a clearer direction for her future, Maya gradually gained a renewed sense of motivation and enthusiasm. She knew she had made the right choice the moment she had contacted the organization to inform them that she was accepting their offer to go to Costa Rica in September. The months that followed were a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation. But they were also marked with an underlying sense of trepidation and sadness. Major changes were afoot. Riley would be going to NYU, Lucas and Zay to UT, Farkle to MIT and Smackle to Yale. For more than four years, they had navigated the rough waters of middle school and high school together. It seemed inevitable and yet still hard to believe that they were now all going off in different directions.

Eventually the time for graduation arrived. The momentous day was filled with an overwhelming flurry of congratulatory speeches, camera flashes, and exuberant embraces. Just the week before, Josh had also graduated from NYU. To honor both occasions, Katy and Topanga collaborated to host a big celebration at the café. Close friends and family alike were invited to partake in the festivities.

It was Maya and Josh's first time being reunited since their stay at the Mount Sun Lodge. Though they tried to keep their interaction light and casual, they couldn't help but steal glances at each other from across the room throughout the party. In time those stolen glances became stolen kisses in the back storage room of the café. Luckily only Riley was privy to the couple's secret rendezvous.

Throughout the summer, Maya worked part-time at the café to earn some extra pocket money for her trip. The days she wasn't working were spent babysitting Liam, having countless sleepovers with Riley, and exploring the city with her friends. Once in a while, she and Josh would stay up late into the night talking on the phone. For the most part however Maya kept in touch with Josh sparingly, worried that she would become too attached before leaving for Costa Rica. The lighthearted mood that accompanied the beginning of summer began to shift towards the end of the season. In the first week of the August, Maya and Riley organized one final get-together with their friends. Three days later, Lucas and Zay both left for Texas. It was a particularly difficult time for Riley who, despite trying to put on a strong front, was devastated by Lucas's departure. A week after, Farkle and Smackle also left for their respective universities and soon Riley would be leaving to move into her dorm in NYU.

Maya and Riley spent most of August helping each other pack and shop for essentials. When the day came for Riley to move into her dorm, Maya accompanied the Matthews to NYU. The campus was bustling with bright-eyed eager freshmen also moving into their new residence. Josh also joined them much to Maya's delight. Towards the afternoon, he offered to take the girls on a small tour around campus while Cory, Topanga and Auggie went out to eat. Josh held Maya's hand throughout their walk and Maya cherished each sweet moment, knowing that it would be her last time seeing him for several months.

A week later, merely a few days into September, it was Maya's turn to leave. The morning was marked with bittersweet emotions as Shawn, Katy, Liam, and the Matthews accompanied her to the airport. Maya and Riley were gazing up at the giant monitor that displayed all the arrivals and departures, looking for her flight number. She would be boarding her plane in half an hour. They rejoined their families who were surrounded by people exchanging tearful goodbyes and rushing to their designated terminals.

"You have all your essentials packed?" Shawn asked, tenderly gazing at his step-daughter. He had given her a digital camera for her graduation gift, knowing she would put it to good use in Costa Rica.

"You didn't forget to pack your toothbrush or extra underwear, did you?" Katy chimed in as she Liam's position in her arms.

"Mom!" exclaimed Maya, bringing her palm to her forehead in embarrassment. "Trust me, I didn't forget anything. Ask Riley. She was with me last night going through that unnecessarily long checklist she wrote."

"Are you sure you didn't forget anything?" came an unexpected voice.

Maya swiftly spun around to see Josh standing behind her with a handsome grin tugging on his lips. Curiously enough, he had on him one backpack and a small carry-on luggage. She faltered and blinked in disbelief at the sight before her.

"Josh?" she stammered. "What are you doing here?"

"I may have forgotten to add him on the list," Riley said as she playfully nudged her best friend.

Maya's brow furrowed in response. "What's going on?"

"Well after giving it a lot of thought and talking with my advisor and family, I decided that maybe a gap year would do me some good too," he said, taking a step towards her.

Maya's breath caught in her throat as she tried to process what he was saying.

"I don't get it. How is this even happening? What about NYU?"

"NYU agreed to defer my acceptance to the Master's program for a year. And Riley helped a lot with getting my volunteer application to the right place. I also talked to your parents beforehand to make sure it was okay that I went with you on this trip."

"You guys knew about this?" Maya asked as she turned to her family with misty eyes.

"For the record," Shawn sternly stated. "I'm not completely thrilled about Junior Matthews going away with you to an exotic country for a whole year but…at least I know he'll take good care of you."

The look of understanding and approval in everyone's eyes told Maya that they all generally shared the same sentiment. Her heart swelled with euphoric joy at this unexpected surprise.

"Is this really what you wanna do?" Maya asked, still overcome by shock.

"This is really what I wanna do," Josh said with sincere conviction. "Besides we've played this game long enough, don't you think?"

A wide smile spread across her lips and in her elation she kissed Josh, shocking everyone around her. Riley looked on with girlish delight while Shawn stood nearby clenching his fists and taking deep breaths to quell his rising temper.

"The joys of fatherhood, eh Shawnie?" Cory jokingly said as he patted his friend's shoulder.

"Ahem," Shawn said, ignoring Cory's comment. "Overprotective father standing right here."

Maya pulled away at the sound of her father's voice, her face flushing bright red with embarrassment.

"Sorry," Josh hastily uttered, though he struggled to suppress his smile.

"You guys better get going," Topanga advised as she glanced at her watch. "Your plane will be boarding soon."

Upon hearing this, Maya started her round of goodbyes, giving each person and tight heartfelt embrace.

"I love you, kiddo," Shawn said as he gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"I love you too, Dad," she said, hugging him for a few seconds longer.

Shawn was usually reserved about displaying his emotions but even Maya could see that he was struggling to hold back some tears.

"Take care of Mom while I'm gone, okay?" she said to Liam as she embraced both him and Katy.

As Maya turned her attention to the Matthews, Katy glanced at Josh and said, "You take good care of my baby girl, you hear me?"

"I promise," Josh sincerely said with nod.

At last, Maya reached Riley. They stood face-to-face both teary-eyed and overcome with emotion. For a brief moment, the bustling commotion around them seemed a world away.

"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Riley said in between sniffles. "Josh wanted to make sure all the paperwork was through and the flight was booked before we let you know."

"Best graduation gift ever," Maya said, choking back her own tears. "Thank you."

Unable to put their feelings into words, they reached out and pulled each other into a fierce embrace. They knew the time for their inevitable separation had come and yet neither one felt ready to let go.

"Have a good trip, okay?" Riley said. "And be sure to use the bear repellant I got you. I know there probably aren't any bears out there but I figured it'd work just as well in the Costa Rican wilderness."

Maya chuckled as she pulled back and gazed at Riley. "Thanks, Riles. Good luck to you too. Blaze the trail for when I get back."

Riley smiled understandingly and then raised the hand on which she wore her friendship ring.

"Thunder."

"Lightening," Maya replied, raising her own hand to grasp Riley's.

Soon after a boarding announcement for Maya and Josh's flight was made, prompting them to finalize their goodbyes and head towards their terminal. As they rushed off, Maya took one last glance at the people she loved the most. After seeing the encouraging smiles on their faces, she grasped Josh's hand and together they wove through the crowd of travelers. Though she was sad to temporarily leave behind one extraordinary relationship, Maya confidently stepped into the future knowing she was about to embark on a new adventure and new extraordinary relationship with Josh.

Once again, thank you for all your support, encouragement, and kind words. You guys are the best!