Old Soul, Young Heart
Chapter Four, Should of, Could of, Would of.
°~*...*~*...*~°
The atmosphere looks completely picturesque with the colorful tinted sky, the sun beginning to set, and lush greenery as far as the eye can see. There's birds flying overhead, a subtle warm breeze in the air, and a gravel road that leads straight to the home. Maya is awestruck as she gazes at the stunning lake house, expecting some old, rustic cabin with chipped wood and plenty of bugs flying around. Instead, presented with a modern, renovated home with insulated windows, a driveway, and a shingle roof. Albeit, anxious to look inside, assuming it's just as attractive as the outside.
Josh carefully parks the car, shutting off the engine, and turning his head to witness the blonde's overzealous reaction. It'd been a grueling drive from New York City, stopping halfway to stay at a motel for the night before continuing the rest of their trip the next day. He would have to thank his friend a billion times to properly showcase his gratitude for letting him stay here as none of this would be possible without his immense generosity. Needless to say, unable to stop smiling at how excited Maya appears, while he's just happy they have it all to themselves for a couple of weeks. "Ready to see the inside?" he asks, and Maya hurriedly looks at him.
She nods. "I thought you'd never ask," Maya smirks, unbuckling her seatbelt, and hopping out of the car first.
She waits for Josh to walk up beside her—the both of them taking another moment to gaze at the lake house, and Josh eventually leads the way up the front porch with Maya hot on his trail. He then bends over, grabbing the spare key underneath the mat, and opening the door wide enough, so Maya can easily go inside.
A foyer with shiny hardwood floors, a kitchen with a wall oven and cook top, cathedral ceilings, a fireplace, four bedrooms, three and half bathrooms, and even an indoor pool along with the massive lake out front. It honestly feels like paradise, and Maya doesn't feel worthy enough to stay in such a lavish and luxurious home, especially since she doesn't even know the homeowners.
She senses Josh's presence as he walks up next to her, his persona casual and nonchalant as he stands with his hands in his pockets. He briefly looks around, remembering everything from the last time he'd been here, which was during spring break of his sophomore year in college. "Awesome, right?"
"Awesome doesn't even begin to explain how amazing this place is…" Maya mutters, and eyes expressive as she proceeds to admire the beautiful architecture. "Are you sure it's okay for us to be here?"
"Yeah," Josh says. "My buddy won't be here again until July with his family, so he said it's fine if I'm here now." He assures, and in seconds is Maya blushing.
The sole reason she'd been skeptical to come is literally surrounding her, mocking her of what will never be, which is finally being with Josh romantically. You don't just agree to go with a guy on vacation unless you're certain he likes you too and right now, Maya doesn't know what Josh thinks of her. She starts to squirm, feeling uneasy, and refusing to look at Josh despite his directly intense stare.
She's suddenly acting strange, but he doesn't know why. He then steps a little closer, softly grazing a hand on her arm, but quickly retracting when Maya flinches. "Hey, are you okay?"
"What?"
"Why are you acting weird all of a sudden?" Josh interrogates, and Maya harshly swallows the dry lump stuck in her throat.
She moves away from Josh, wondering where the bathroom is. "I guess I'm a little tired after the long drive. I'll be okay," Maya replies, although Josh still seems unsure. "Where's the bathroom?"
"Uh, I think there's one right around that corner," Josh points, his memory slightly foggy.
Maya follows his direction, walking until she sees a door, and peeking inside to make sure it's a bathroom. She then flicks on the light, closing the door behind herself, and leaning against it before sliding down onto the cold tile floor. How in the world is she supposed to control herself for three whole weeks? Josh being even more handsome now than he was in his teenage years, and now inviting her on vacations as if he doesn't remember the huge crush she has on him or the deal they previously made together. Maya doesn't understand how any of this is even happening right now, but should probably try enjoying it just in case this is all an elaborate hoax of some kind.
Tess will probably barge through the door, ruining any chances of something happening, and whisking Josh away to get married, while she's left behind with a broken heart and sitting in a pool of her own tears.
Maya takes a deep breath, hugging her knees to her chest, and continuing to sit for several more minutes until Josh's voice unintentionally startles her. She winces, moving away from the door as she quickly stands up, and listening closely as Josh talks to her from the other side. "Maya? Maya are you—" he tries to ask, but interrupted when the door starts to open.
Maya skittishly stands in the doorway, while Josh looks her up and down. "Sorry,"
"It's fine. You were just in there for a while. I wanted to be sure you were okay," Josh responds with a worrisome expression, and soon an awkward silence surfaces.
Maya then saunters out of the bathroom, looking around curiously. "So, where are we sleeping?" she questions, hopelessly wanting to change the subject.
Josh scratches his neck, confused by the sudden uncomfortableness Maya is exuding. "The rooms are upstairs. You can head up if you want, and I'll get our bags out of the car."
"Okay…" Maya mumbles, faintly smiling, and staring at the back of Josh's head once he starts to walk away to go back outside; infatuated with his fluffy, chocolate brown hair.
She then locates the staircase before slowly creeping up, and instantly breathless when her eyes catch glimpse of the area. Spacious bedrooms with their own bathrooms, freshly clean carpeting with central air and heating, ceiling fans, and large windows with a great view. Maya is mesmerized by the sight, and soon stumbling into the master suite that's truthfully bigger than her and Riley's apartment. She walks over to the king-sized bed against the far side of the wall, and itching to jump on it like she's a little girl in third grade again.
Maya sits down on the foot of the bed, fascinated with the immense softness of the mattress, and starting to kick off her shoes with a wicked smirk curling onto her lips. She starts to stand up, listening out for Josh, and beginning to bounce and dance like no one's watching. Her blonde hair is flying, her smile is enormous, and her laugh is contagious. Maya doesn't even notice when Josh is leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded, and an amusing smile on his face. He dropped all the bags upstairs in the hallway, distracted when he heard the subtle sound of springs, and peering into the master bedroom to see Maya with a giddy smile plastered along her cheeks.
It isn't until he walks over to the bed that she finally notices him, but still her jumping doesn't stop. Maya offers a hand, yanking Josh onto the bed, so he can bounce along with her. She can feel her heart thumping, pondering whether it's because of the excitement or her closeness with him, but still chipper nonetheless.
Afterwards, her eyes widening when Josh holds both of her hands, while they continue to jump, and eventually spinning her around, so her back is against his chest. Josh's breath feels warm along the back of her neck, but sending chills down her spine as he whispers to her. "You know, we could sleep in here together if you want," he implies, and it doesn't take long for the jumping to subside.
Josh is still holding Maya close, staring at the profile of her face, and she looks undoubtedly sheepish. He invited Maya along because he figured her wild and free-spirited attitude would help to relax his nerves, but isn't sure anymore what to expect if she continues to act weird around him.
Maya turns her head so she can face him better, and making the mistake of glancing at his lips again. "You mean, in the same bed together…every night?"
Josh chuckles. "Well, yeah. Why do you sound so nervous? We did kind of do it already at your apartment."
"But that was by accident," Maya prompts, and Josh's grin disappears. "We were up late and tired after all the packing,"
"So…you regret it?" Josh asks, and Maya's lips are taut.
Of course, I don't regret it, but why give myself false hope? Maya infers, cowering under Josh's intense stare.
She looks away, cheeks hot and palms sweaty. "If you want to, then I want to." Maya assures, and Josh's smile returns.
He softly caresses her cheek with his thumb. "C'mon, let's unpack."
Maya nods.
Josh hops off of the bed first, and cradling Maya's waist as he helps her down. He doesn't immediately let go, staring deeply into her eyes, and Maya nearly chokes when she catches him looking at her lips even for the slightest second. "Josh,"
"Hmm…"
"I…I," Maya stammers, losing track of her thoughts.
You usually don't stare at someone's lips unless you want to kiss them, and Maya is dazed by the possibility.
Josh squeezes his eyes shut, shaking his head. "Oh, uh…sorry."
"It's fine…" She retorts, smiling crookedly, and Josh's cheeks flush.
He voluntarily chooses to bring their bags into the room, dropping them onto the bed, and putting his clothes into the drawers, while Maya utilizes the closet. She then stumbles upon her bathing suit, remembering where they are, and sending a witty grin Josh's way.
He lifts an eyebrow, curious. "What?"
"What do you mean, what? Let's go jump into the lake!" Maya exclaims, while holding up her two-piece bikini. "What do you say? Ready to blast some music, and slip into our bathing suits?" she smirks.
Josh laughs. "I guess so," he replies, desperately searching for his swim trunks, while Maya goes into the bathroom to change.
He then goes to find the stereo, turning it on and opening the windows, so they can clearly hear the music down by the water. There's even a grill on the deck, hankering for some hotdogs and hamburgers, and going into the kitchen to check the freezer.
Josh pulls out a pack of hotdogs along with some steak since there isn't any ground beef, and stopping dead in his tracks when he turns around to see Maya.
A solid black halter bikini top with a geometric print for the bottoms, beach flip-flops, and a sheer black sarong tied at her waist. Meanwhile, her blonde hair is sitting up high in a ponytail, and her porcelain skin is smooth and hairless.
Josh is speechless witnessing her beauty, and subsequently licking his lips. "Wow," he mumbles, and Maya could say the same about him.
Deep blue colored Calvin Klein swim trunks with flip-flops, and chiseled abs on full display; Maya doesn't try to hide the satisfying grin on her mouth, and Josh looks modest as he blushes nervously. "This was definitely a good idea," she says, biting her lip.
Maya helps him to take all of the food and ingredients outside, and watching closely as Josh prepares the grill with a 'Kiss the Cook' apron on.
If only she could.
She then tugs on Josh's arm once the food starts sizzling, and guiding him over to the lake just a few feet from the house. Maya slips out of her flip-flops, tossing her sarong aside, and looking at Josh expectantly. "Aren't you jumping in with me?"
"I think I rather watch," Josh smirks with a wink, and Maya playfully rolls her eyes.
"Fine. I'll be sure to give you something to look at then…" She whispers coquettishly as she lightly jabs a finger into his chest.
Maya takes one last look at the water before stepping backward, so she can get a running start. She then jumps into the air, launching herself toward the lake, while pinching her nose closed, and splashing down until she's temporarily unseen underneath the surface of the water. She swims back to the top seconds later to witness Josh's reaction, which clearly displays infatuation. "What is it about you that I just can't my eyes off of you?" he says rhetorically, kneeling close to the water, and admiring how her beautiful skin glimmers under the radiant light of the currently setting sun.
She smirks. "I don't know, although those are some pretty strong words from a guy with a—"
Silence.
Maya pauses mid-sentence, and violently screaming as she falls under the surface seemingly out of nowhere after casually floating in the water.
Josh is perplexed when she suddenly disappears, aimlessly wailing her arms, and sinking back underneath the water in one fell swoop. He widens his eyes as he panics, seeing nothing but constant bubbles, and running to the edge of the lake before diving in to rescue her. "Maya!" Josh yells before going under, frantic and scared as he tries to spot her, but his vision is obscured by the murkiness of the water.
Josh then swims back to the top, his skin glistening from the water droplets, and hair nearly blocking his sight as it falls over his eyes. He attempts to call Maya again, but still she isn't responding. Josh is desperate to find her, wondering what could've happened, and repeatedly going under water in hopes of finally seeing her, but to no avail. The water is completely still after a while aside from his own movements with Maya nowhere to be seen. Josh now regrets not going in with her when he had the chance, although none of it makes sense. How does someone just disappear in a matter seconds unless they're some kind of magician?
Maya's suddenly been taken, and Josh doesn't know what to do.
PLEASE REVIEW, I love reading all of your feedback!
Okay, it's happening guys. This is just the start of the weird things to take place, so let's see how this turns out. More characters will also be introduced soon enough in these upcoming chapters, so be prepared for that as well. I'm attempting to write Suspense/Mystery for the first time, so just bare with me on this ride. I apologize in advance if things are confusing, don't make sense, or are exaggerated, but just remember these stories are just for your entertainment. Everything might not always be correct or realistic, but I'll do my best regardless.
I also want to give a quick hi to my new story followers/favorites: JadePixieDust, jevans47403, Goldie Locks Girl, and MaryK09 just to name a few. I appreciate your interest in the story :)
Recap:
1. Maya and Josh [finally] arrive at the lake house.
2. Josh is concerned because Maya is acting strange.
3. Maya decides to swim in the lake, and mysteriously disappears.
Author Replies:
Dan is slicc: I don't know why anybody would call someone annoying when they're taking the time to review to their story, but just know I would never think that of any of my readers. I'm nothing without you guys, lol.
Joshayaluver: "I believe this story will be my new obsession." –the words of a wise shipper.
somuchlovexoxo: I may never stop apologizing, lol because I can't help how self-conscious I am about my writing. Regardless, I agree with everything you said in your review, and now I'll patiently be waiting for your next one.
Thanks to everyone that read, reviewed, and followed. Much appreciation!
