Chapter One – The Dance
Maya's POV
"I'll play the long game." Those five words replayed in my head continuously for the past two days and never failed to put a smile on my face. These past two days have definitely made up for the past two years of being in a miserable love triangle with my best friend and the cowboy. They're both so happy as they are together, it almost makes me angry at the fact I tried to destroy it. Even though we all understand why and there's no hard feelings I can't help the small amount of guilt, especially now that I know I was ignoring my real feelings all along. Farkle and Smarkle grew a lot closer since the trip too, you could definitely tell love was in the air, and I completely hated it. Don't get me wrong I'm extremely happy to see all my best friends so head of heels, but it hurts that they can hold their love choices hand in public and kiss them as they please. I'm sitting around having to wonder just how long the "long game" is. I get why it's necessary as much as it does suck. I'm 15 and he's 17, but in a few short weeks he'll be 18. Now the legal age of consent is 16 (trust me I've spent years researching this) but I feel like Josh will continue being nervous until I'm fully legal. Technically unless we're sexual and both of our families approve there's nothing illegal about us dating now. But technicalities don't matter, to a stranger it would look creepy, an adult with what's still considered a child.. Jailbait.
At the same time who cares! Our friends support us, and I highly doubt our families would mind, they've known us both our whole lives. Why should age matter if we really mean so much to each other.
Maybe he doesn't really like me. Maybe he just didn't want to hurt my feelings when I was already so fragile that day at the lodge. He's never been one to easily hurt someone. Thoughts like that always pop in my head and it always hurts like hell.
Why would he let me hold his hand and stare at me the way he did. Why would he get so involved if he didn't care? Why would he tell me we'd be together someday if he knew he wasn't interested? I'm officially arguing with myself. Great. I'm beginning to hate the word someday. I overthink this way too much, but I can't help it. I know its worrying Riley when I'll let myself think this way.
"We haven't seen each other since the ski trip!" I exclaimed falling dramatically on Riley's bed "He's just trying to protect my feelings."
Riley rolled her eyes, already having heard this speech. "Maya, has he texted your or called you since?"
She had a point he's texted me "Good morning gorgeous." Both mornings so far. When I texted him goodnight last night he replied with "I can't wait for someday."
"We're staying in each other's lives like we promised." I eventually replied.
"We'll I'm sure tonight will get your mind off this someday drama. You deserve a drama free night." She had a point I deserved a distraction. Not just from Josh, but all I've bottled up. My dad leaving, my mom never being around, the fear Shawn will abandon me too, the fear someday will never come. My general trust issues with almost any male. Tonight's the fall dance and Riley's set me up on a blind date to help distract me. Now that she's happy and in love she wants everyone to be.
"Do I tell Josh about this?" I asked still unsure if going on this date was in the rules we've yet to set up. Would he even care? I know that it's thoughts like that that are the reason I need to go, but at what cost? What if this causes someday to never come? He did say that he lives his life I live mine, but will this hurt him? Deep down I want to keep waiting for someday, but I know Riley's right I shouldn't pause my life and stay lonely until he's ready.
"That's up to you peaches. Do you want him to tell you when he's on a date?"
I thought for a second, yes I want to know so I'll feel less guilty about dating, but no I don't want to sit around thinking of him with someone else all night. "Yes and no. Like I want to know but I don't want the pain if that makes sense."
"Well I personally think waiting for someday is ridiculous. Look at you!" She said pulling me up and fluffing my recently curled hair. Riley did my hair and makeup, and picked out my dress. While it was out of my comfort zone, I knew I looked really good. She dressed me in a full lace, black dress that went to just above my knees. The neck line was a little lower cut than I was comfortable with, but I had to admit it made me look very grown up. It hugged my body perfectly and showed off the cleavage I typically hid. Riley curled my hair in perfect waves that went all the way down my pack. My makeup was very simple. A natural smoky eye with perfectly applied mascara, but dramatic red lips that took my make up from natural to sexy.
"Job well done Riles, I look a lot older, do you think this guy will like me?" I asked, trying to make myself care about him when I don't. I took one last glance in the mirror when I heard the front door open and a voice that made my heart jump yells "Hey family."
"Why is Josh here!" I yelled. Riley looked as surprised as me and shrugged her shoulders and she finished applying her pink lip stick to match her white dress. I quickly slide on my black heels and ran downstairs towards the boy who has been haunting my thoughts, not caring why he was here, just wanting to see him again.
Riley reached the living room before me and I heard her ask. "Hey uncle Josh, what are you doing here we're all going to the fall dance."
"I know. I'm helping Corey chaperone." He said with pride that his older brother asked him for help.
"I need all the help I can get now that you have a boyfriend." Her dad added laughing.
How am I supposed to concentrate on this date with Josh there?
I decided to leave it up to fate.
"Hey Riles where's Maya is she not going?" he asked nervously. With that I decide to stop being nosey and enter the room.
"No I'm going, just finishing up my makeup Boing." I said with a giggle. His face was priceless he's standing before me with his mouth wide open and a blush creeping on his face.
"Wow Maya." Was all he said as he continued to stare at me.
"Definitely going to need help protecting her too." Corey added obviously getting protective on the dress I was wearing. "I get a weird vibe of the Chance guy. Lucas I doubt will try anything with me there, but him I'm not so sure."
"Who's Chance?" Josh asked trying to act as if he didn't care.
"Her date. I set them up. Figured it would be good for her." Riley said taking full responsibility for my date.
"And why does my brother not like him?" Josh asked finding it harder to maintain his cool.
"Where do I start my brother? He's never stayed awake for a class. He sleeps around on his girlfriends, because they are always in my classroom crying over this kid. Oh and let's not to mention he's a senior." That one statement both Riley and I was hoping he'd leave out set Josh off.
"SENIOR! How old is he Riley! Why would you set Maya up with him!" he's officially lost it, but his jealousy proved he does care and I couldn't help but smile.
"He's just recently 18, and Riley thinks we're both rebellious so we would get along. He apparently thought I was cute and asked her to set it up, she didn't give much of a choice. He'll lose interest if don't go home with him tonight." I said.
"IF! There's no way in hell you're going anywhere alone with him!" I smiled a crooked smile, I loved this new side of Josh.
Josh's POV
The reason Corey had asked me to help was obviously to help watch Riley, but that wasn't ever my main concern. I wanted to make sure Maya stayed safe. I knew when I saw the gorgeous blond standing in front of me for the first time tonight that it was going to be a difficult task keeping hormonal teens off of her. I haven't been able to keep her off my mind for a long time, I honestly wanted an excuse to spend time with her. She looked so breath taking if I have it my way no one will remotely lay a hand on her tonight.
I could tell by my older brother's laugh that he didn't think we'd have a problem with Riley and Lucas, but as bad as it is my niece isn't the first one on my mind to protect tonight. Before me stood the gorgeous blond that I haven't been able to stop thinking of the past could of days. She looked breath taking, and there was no way in hell some hormonal high school boy was laying a hand on her.
As I soon learned she does have a date. A horrible one. I was failing horribly at not showing too much of my feelings to her or anyone else for the matter. At the same time why shouldn't I be angry! This Chance kid is older than me and gets a date with Maya and its fine! Yet I have to wait for someday.
"Hey Corey Maya and I will meet yall at the dance, I want to have a talk with her alone about older boys and what to watch out for." I said trying my best to get some alone time with her.
"Thanks Josh, I think she needs it. We'll see you two there." He said before leaving with Riley.
I stared at Maya for a moment before speaking. "You look so gorgeous, I wish you didn't have a date." I said as I hugged her. I knew I shouldn't show this much affection it only added to our feelings and made waiting for someday harder.
"Well someday you'll be that date won't you?" she asked with a smile.
"As long as you want me to be I will, I'm playing the long game remember?" I said brushing a strand of hair behind her ear causing her to blush.
"What was with your little break down back there? Chance isn't that bad." It bothered me more than I was willing to admit that she defended him. Hell I didn't even want her speaking his name.
"Does it matter?" I asked.
"Yes Josh it matters, we're confusing enough without keeping things from each other. Please talk to me."
I sighed knowing that I had to tell her the truth, I couldn't lie to her anymore. "Maya, he's older than me. You have no idea how badly I want to take you to this dance and show you off, but since I'm in college it's unaccepted and it sucks that I can't be with you. I'd do anything to be a few years younger. I don't want to scare you with all of these feelings you're still young I know, but I hate the idea of seeing him touch you, and no I don't want you canceling. You're living your life you deserve to have a normal date to a high school dance just as I did."
"Scare me? You can't scare me Boing. I don't even know what your feelings are, but I'm sure mine are stronger. I've told you before this isn't just a crush. You'll find someone better and forget about me, but I can never forget you."
That hurt. While we're being honest, why not tell her the truth. "Maya I'm saying this one time before someday and that's it. That ski trip finally getting you off the Lucas ship made me so happy. You've grown up so much and are so strong and as hard as I try I can't lose my attraction for you as wrong as it is. Don't tell me it's not wrong it is. I'm too old, it's the sad truth. Don't for one second say you feel more though. Look I don't know if this will make sense. When I was a kid Corey told me he hopes I find my Topanga one day, and that's you Maya. Ever since we was kids I could tell you anything. While we weren't really that close I could still read you like a book, as you could me. We have a bond and just I feel like you're the girl my brother wanted me to find." I say looking down at my shoes hoping I didn't scare the still young girl.
She lifted my face up and smiled. "Maybe I'm your Topanga, maybe I'm not we will find out someday." She lightly kissed my cheek before adding. "We should get going I have a date."
"Please don't remind me." I said trying to block that image from my mind.
Before we entered the dance I pulled Maya aside.
"Boing we're already late." She complained.
"I really do want to make sure you're prepared for an older boy Maya. He's going to try more than just dancing and I want you to be prepared." I said in a caring way.
"If I promise not to fuck Chance can we please go inside?" I was shocked by what she said I was speechless. She never ceased to amaze me. I opened the door and gestured her inside.
"Maya Harte." I heard a deep voice call walking over to hug her.
"Chance! Sorry I'm late." She apologized hugging him back. I can handle hugs right? I spent my night watching them carefully. Growing angrier by the second. Every time he'd whisper something in her ear and she'd laugh, every time I'd catch him glancing at her body in a way he shouldn't be. The slow song came on and I knew I would lose my cool. His hands were to low and I could tell by Maya's face she was uncomfortable. I could have killed him there, but I couldn't show my feelings not with Corey here.
He was really testing me though. I watched him lean in and watch Maya pull away. She wasn't going to let someone like him take her first kiss, I knew her to well. I nearly snapped when he grabbed her face and kissed her anyways. Maya had so many trust issues with men to begin with, I knew that his blunted disrespect he's slowing wasn't helping.
She soon fought him off and stormed away but not without him angrily following her outside. Obviously I stayed unnoticed, but close behind in case she needed me. We were in the parking lot now, so I could act as angry as I pleased.
Maya's POV
I can't believe he stole my first kiss! The whole night he's been nothing but rude. He'd make gross jokes about my body, and then proceed to check out other girls in front of me without shame. He had the nerve to steal my first kiss. I knew he was following me out, and that he'd be angry but I honestly didn't care. I knew what he was doing the whole time, but he'll learn he can't play me. All the punches he'd get me I knew they were spiked. He just wanted to take advantage of me, but I know how to control myself, I consider alcohol as sad excuse for stupid behavior.
"Do you really plan to walk away from me!" I heard the asshole yell.
I stopped and turned to him "You realize I'm 15 right? You just stole my first kiss! You was nothing but gross and rude and disrespectful all night! You honestly expected anything out of me! I can assure you I will never sleep with you."
"Yes you will! I took you to this stupid dance. I bought your ticket I helped your reputation by being a freshmen here with a senior, you owe me!" he said grabbing me scaring me for a moment.
"You really think I care what anyone thinks of me? I never wanted to go with you to begin with!" I yelled as he pushed me against a wall and forced a kiss on me again, this time harshly grabbing my chest. I was in tears trying to fight him off.
"What the hell man! Haven't you seen a couple make out before?" I heard Chance yell as he was pulled off of me. I slid to the ground already knowing my savior was Josh. He quickly glanced at me to make sure I wasn't hurt before punching Chance in the face.
"She obviously wasn't willing you little pervert. She's also underage so I suggest you get out of here and leave her alone before I call the cops!" With that Chance ran. Josh came over and squatted in front of me.
"Are you hurt?" he asked with so much care in his eye.
"No. I'm fine. I can handle a prick like him, but thank you for your help. I like seeing this side of you. It makes me feel special." I said looking at the ground.
"I'd help you any day Maya you know that. He wasn't laying another hand on you it took all I had not to kill him when he stole your first kiss. That was supposed to be with me, or at least be important. At least be out of love. You are special Ferret. More than you will ever know." He said pulling me into a hug. I was trying so hard not to cry, but failing. "Let's get you home I'll text Corey." He said carrying me to his car. "So to Riley's or to your's?" he asked cutely.
"Mine. I don't want to relive this with Riley tonight. I'm still too scared, and she can't know that. I know he would have done something horrible to me had you not saved me." He tightened his grip on the wheel at that.
"I should kill him. I want to kill him." He said as he pulled into my apartment building and parked.
"Josh I know this may be against the someday rules, that we really need to make, but I'm scared and no one's home will you please stay with me. I'll make you a pallet in the floor I won't try a thing I promise." I could tell he was thinking of the right thing to do.
Josh's POV
I knew it was wrong to stay, but I couldn't leave her alone plus I'd go mad with worry. So I quickly texted Corey what happened and that I needed to be at my dorm tonight to study so he wouldn't expect me home.
"I'll stay with you Maya, we have some rules to make apparently." We both laughed. God it was so nice to hear her laugh.
She led me upstairs to her apartment and to her bedroom. She walked silently to her closet and pulled out a sleeping bag and extra pillows. "For when Riley spends the night, it's rare so it's hardly been slept in." she said laying it out by her bed. "Can you help me with the zipper on this stupid dress, I want to change in my pjs and never see this it again." I motioned for her to turn around so I could reach the zipper, I hate to admit this made me nervous.
"Such a shame, this dress looked breath taking on you." I whispered in her ear as I unzipped the back, trying to ignore that jolt of electricity that shot through me. She thanked me quietly and wondered off to her bathroom to change cloths. She emerged moments later with a notebook and pen.
I looked at her questionably, "We obviously really do need rules for this long game." She answered my stare with a smile.
"I agree I said sitting beside her on the bed ready to make up these sets of rules. Little did I know these would be the hardest rules I'd ever have to follow. Especially since both of us aren't exactly known for following the rules.
I was just so in love with how Josh and Maya happened in Girl Meets Ski Lodge I had to write this! I hope you guys like it, it's my first GMW fanfiction. Please review!