According To You

Prologue

The never ending battle with who will who end up. Maya had looked around in a crowded room while each and every face said something else.

There was Lucas Friar who couldn't decide whether he wants to be with Maya or Riley purely because he didn't want to hurt either one.

Then there was Riley Matthews who didn't know what she wanted to do regarding the triangle.

There was Farkle Minkus who had suddenly grown intense feelings towards Riley.

And then there was Maya Hart, the girl who has always loved the one boy who pushed her away.

Maya exhaled, her hands nearly in her hair, while she didn't know what to tell any of her friends. She didn't want them to break apart but she also didn't know how to do anything without it.

"Think you can help them?" Zay asked.

The person that he had talked to was Josh Matthews, the youngest of the Matthew brothers and Riley's uncle. But what he also was, was someone who Maya had fallen in love with many years ago. Josh didn't give Zay an answer. The eighteen year old had looked round at the young high school students while he wondered why Cory had sent him with to chaperone.

"Do you know why my brother asked me to do this? Because a college freshman isn't really the right person to chaperone a bunch of high school students," Josh said.

"Because Maya's in love with you," Farkle said as everyone looked at him. "And Mr. Matthews wants you to realize all of that because that is what will end the triangle," he said looking at Maya.

"I can't do this," Maya said rushing past everyone as she got her jacket from the coat hanger.

"You're doing what he's been doing for ten years, Maya, don't run away," Riley said as Maya looked at her.

"Maybe I don't know what to do otherwise. I am his daughter after all, aren't I?" Maya said as she went out of the lodge.

"So what's the deal, man? It's obvious that Maya has feelings for you, not Lucas," Zay said, his gaze fixed on Josh.

Josh let out a sigh, shaking his head. "One Texas cowboy is enough for me. But you don't know the whole story here, Zay."

Just then, Cory came rushing down the stairs, his expression one of pure panic. "Where's Maya?" he demanded, his eyes darting around the room. Riley and Lucas exchanged a worried glance, both of them murmuring a concerned "uh-oh."

"I lost baby Shawn!" Cory cried, his voice tinged with desperation. The usually composed teacher was visibly frazzled, as Josh chuckled.

"We're calling Maya 'baby Shawn' now? That's quite unique. Don't worry, Cor, she's right outside. I'll go talk to her in a minute," Josh said as he pulled Zay aside. "Listen, there's a lot more going on here than you know. Maya's feelings for me - it's complicated. I care about her, but there are some serious obstacles we'd have to overcome."

Zay furrowed his brow. "What kind of obstacles? You're not married or anything, are you?"

Josh shook his head. "No, nothing like that. It's about the age difference. And the fact that I'm her best friend's uncle. Cory's not exactly going to be thrilled about the idea."

Zay whistled lowly. "Whoa, yeah, I can see how that would be a problem. So what are you gonna do?"

Josh ran a hand through his hair, a conflicted look on his face. "I don't know, man. I need some time to think," he said.

Meanwhile, Maya had stormed out into the cold, angry tears streaming down her face. She shouldn't have let herself fall for Josh all those years ago. It had only led to heartbreak. And now, with the whole group caught up in this tangled web of emotions, she felt more lost than ever.

As Maya stood outside, shivering in the cold, she couldn't help but replay the events of the past few years in her mind. It had started innocently enough - a crush that developed as she spent more time with Josh, Cory's younger brother. She'd always admired his confidence, his charm, his adventurous spirit. And as she grew older, those feelings only deepened.

But she knew the obstacles were insurmountable. The age gap, the familial connection - it was a recipe for heartbreak. And yet, she couldn't help herself. She had fallen for Josh, hard. Every interaction, every shared laugh, every fleeting touch had only served to deepen her affection.

Now, seeing the conflicted look on Josh's face, Maya felt her heart sink. She should have known better than to hope for a happy ending. Their worlds were just too different. He was a free-spirited college student, while she was still in high school, with so much uncertainty ahead of her. How could they ever make something like that work?

Maya wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the chill. Inside, she could hear the anxious voices of her friends and family, all caught up in the drama. But out here, in the quiet of the cold night air, she finally allowed the tears to flow freely. This was never going to work. She had to let Josh go, for both of their sakes. The heart wants what it wants, but sometimes, the head has to overrule the heart.

As the tears streamed down Maya's face, she heard the sound of the door opening behind her. Quickly wiping her eyes, she turned to see Josh standing there, a concerned look on his face.

"Maya..." he started, taking a tentative step towards her.

She held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "Don't, Josh. I know what you're going to say, and I don't think I can bear to hear it."

Josh ran a hand through his hair, a frustrated expression crossing his features. "Maya, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you like this. I care about you, you have to know that. But the reality is, the age difference and the fact that I'm Cory's brother - it's just too much to overcome."

Maya let out a bitter laugh. "I know, Josh. I knew it all along. I should have never let myself fall for you in the first place." She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly in the cold. "It's my own fault. I got caught up in the fantasy, the idea of us together. But I should have known better."

Josh took another step forward, his brow furrowed in concern. "Maya, I don't want to lose you. You're one of the most important people in my life. I know this is complicated, but you mean so much to me."

Maya shook her head, fresh tears starting to fall. "That's the problem, Josh. I don't think I can be 'just friends' with you. Not after everything. It's going to hurt too much." She turned away, unable to meet his gaze. "I think it's best if we just... go our separate ways. For both of our sakes."

Josh opened his mouth to argue, but the sound of the front door opening behind them made them both jump. Cory's voice rang out, tinged with worry. "Maya? Josh? Is everything okay out here?"

Maya quickly wiped her eyes, forcing a tremulous smile. "Everything's fine, Cory. I was just... getting some air." She shot a pointed look at Josh, silently pleading with him to play along.

Josh hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly."Yeah, Cory. We're good. Just needed a minute." He cast one last,anguished glance at Maya before heading back inside, leaving her alone with herthoughts and the weight of her broken heart.