I have a lot of personal stuff coming up soon, but I'm gonna try to keep posting on a regular-ish basis. Can't promise one everyday, but who knows, I'm having a lot of fun writing this right now so we'll see. Hope y'all continue to enjoy it :)
Winter Break had been different this year around. Frakle and his family had gone off to some odd family vacation. Lucas had been visiting his father in Texas. Riley had taken a few short trips to visit her mom's parents. All while Maya was the only one stuck in town the entire time. It wasn't like she had any other family to visit. At least Christmas had been just a fun as the previous year. Shawn had even gotten Maya a gift, something she hadn't been expecting. Regardless, this was one of the first years Maya had spent most of the holiday on her own. Not something she generally enjoyed. Especially since her mom had to be working most of the time.
Luckily the holiday season was almost over, and Maya had been sitting in their usual spot at Topanga's waiting. Farkle was due back anytime today and Riley should be showing up eventually, she always did unless she wasn't home. With Maya's mom working today, it was just easier for Maya to arrive early and just wait. The hot chocolate in front of her remained untouched, Maya's legs tucked under her as she stared out the window. The snow in New York was beautiful really. Even though it made travel difficult, when in a safe little cafe it was easy to just enjoy the snow falling. It was calming even, helped her mind focus, or lose focus rather, kept her from thinking too much about anything at all.
"Hi Maya."
Finally someone had arrived. Maya had begun wondering if anyone ever actually would. Turning her head she smiled up at Lucas. It took her some time, to finally be able to keep her mind functioning around him, but she had gotten there. The thoughts were still there, she woke up some morning thinking about him, wondering if she even remembered the kiss correctly. Hoping desperately that because it was her first kiss, her only kiss, that's why she kept thinking about it. It made sense, it had to.
"So Sundance, how was cowboy town? Did you enjoy the hoedowns? Get a new hat? Please say it was a twelve gallon…please say you brought it with you."
Lucas ruffled his hair, attempting to remove the snow that had fallen. When Maya moved slightly to avoid the droplets, he changed his tactics. Leaning forward he ruffled the rest of the snow out of his hair onto Maya.
"I'm melting! I'm melting!"
Curling up into a tiny ball on the couch Maya's arms flared around her attempting to keep the water droplets from falling on her. They started laughing loudly before finally composing themselves into acting like normal human beings. Pulling off his coat, Lucas hung it on the coat rack and returned to take a seat next to Maya.
"The hoedowns were wonderful Ma'am. But I'm afraid I left the hat at my dad's, didn't think I'd have any use for it here."
"Come on Huckleberry. You need to give me something to work with. I don't think you take this game as seriously as you should be. "
An eyebrow rose as Lucas smiled. The first time they spoke, he knew they would get along. He didn't even have to say a word as she went through their entire relationship in a matter of seconds. Ever since that moment, he knew there was something about Maya that was special. She had a fire in her, and he was happy to help that. Leaning forward, he whispered into her ear.
"I went to a rodeo, got on a bull and everything. There is a video on my phone."
Maya's head snapped quickly to the side. This information was almost too good, this was better than good. This is better than learning about his cowboy singing great grandfather. A devilish smile grew on her face as she started at him. Their faces were inches apart but for one moment it didn't even faze her.
"If you lie to me about this, I may never forgive you. You know I won't let this go right?"
"I'm fully aware. Do your worst. See if it's enough to finally break me.
His eyes narrowed in on Maya's, challenging her. A smirk grew on his face as they continued to eye each other. Both waiting for the other to blink first, or look away first. With their eyes locked, neither noticed as the other licked their lips. Or that both of their breathing seemed to be dependent on one another. It was Lucas that cracked first; he didn't even realize it had happened until all he could see were her lips. As he continued to stare he found himself started to close the gap between them. It would just take one more inch and he'd be able to find out how those dreams of his finally end.
"Lucas."
The name snapped him back to reality. Pulling back quickly he looked around to find the person who said his name. His heart began beating faster expected to find Riley staring at them. It was his biggest fear, since the week she didn't speak to either of them. Riley seeing something like this, him making this mistake in front of her and destroying the group of friends he had. But she wasn't here, the more Lucas looked around the more he realized it wasn't Riley that said his name, it was Maya. His hand reached up to scratch the back of his head.
"You used my name."
"Yea, I did."
Maya had no idea what made her stop him. That was the moment, the moment she dreamt about, the moment that ran over and over again in her mind each night. The moment she works so hard to stop seeing run through her mind every time she saw him. But something in her made her say Lucas. Something either wanted her to feel the way his name felt on her lips or knew that was the right thing to say to make him stop leaning closer. She could have said nothing, she wanted to say nothing. But instead she stopped it. Maya's fingers ran though her hair as she turned away from Lucas, she looked out the window for a moment, looked around the café, and looked at just about every square inch possible that didn't hold Lucas. She didn't know what to say, his name was the furthest her brain had thought through. She didn't even know why she said it.
"I don't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't have done that. Almost did that. I'm sorry Maya."
There was no denying he was an idiot. What was wrong with him? He knew better, every ounce of his body knew better. He knew better than to sit next to her, knew better than to whisper in her ear, knew better than to get so close he could see the dark blue boarder of her irises and the way they faded to a pale blue. Lucas watched her for a moment as she looked at everything but him, when it seemed like she was finally capable of look his was, he turned his head down and stared at is hands balled up in his lap.
"You never should have done any of it."
Anger was boiling up in Maya and she had no idea who it was directed toward. Sadly for Lucas, there was really only one person she could yell at. Standing up she turned to him, her voice rising. They had never spoke about this, never said a single word about it and it would appear it was time to.
"You nearly destroyed my best friend. You and your stupid impulse could have ruined the only good thing I have in this world. I found you on that train for Riley! You were supposed to be her first kiss, not mine! You're Mr. Perfect, Moral Compass. You should've known better! How could you? You never should have kissed me and I sure as hell wasn't supposed to like it."
The final words slipped out of her mouth without her permission. In fact Maya didn't even realize she said it until Lucas's head popped up, finally looking at her. He sat there as she yelled, knowing full well he deserved it. Two things stuck out to him, Maya's first kiss and she liked it. He started blankly at her for a moment as the full explosion finally processed through her mind. Her mouth gapped as she tried to think of something to say, something to take back a few things. Standing up, Lucas walked toward her, the closer he got the more her head shook no. His hand reached for her arm, shoulder, anything really and finally Maya stopped shaking her head. She was suddenly still, her eyes like a deer in headlights. Just as Lucas was about to grabbed her arm, Maya turned on the spot and darted out the door.
"Maya wait! I…"
She was gone before he could say something, out the door up the stairs and into the snow. At least the snow had stopped falling. Lucas stood for a moment, replaying everything that had happened. Starting at the door, something in the corner of his eye pulled his attention, Maya's leather jacket. Crap, she's gonna freeze. Throwing on his own jacket, he grabbed hers and ran out the door. Her small footsteps were clear in the snow and Lucas followed them until he found her leaning against a building, just a few blocks away. Her arms were crossed trying to stop herself from shivering. Despite her desire to run away again, Maya didn't flee when Lucas pulled her forward slightly and wrapped her jacket around her shoulders.
"You're gonna freeze out here Maya. We need to get back."
Maya pulled her arm through the sleeves of her jacket.
"Think that's possible? Go back before all of it?"
Shaking his head Lucas took a small step closer to Maya. She leaned into the brick wall of the building, attempting to shrink away from Lucas as much as possible.
"I didn't know it was your first kiss."
Maya's hand rose to stop Lucas from saying more.
"Eh, whatever. I was pretty good at keeping that a secret."
It took everything in her power to keep her eyes on Lucas, but she couldn't do it anymore. She turned attention to the snow on the ground. They should have talked about this all sooner, or never at all. He knew it all now, or at least the important parts. The fact it was her first kiss, the fact she liked it. Though she kept how much she had been thinking about it to herself. Lucas took another small step closer to Maya. His hand reached out and gentle guided her chin so she was looking at him again.
"I liked it too."
The confession from Lucas sparked Maya's interested. Pushing away from the wall, she stood up straight, closing the distance between them in the process. Lucas's hand dropped from her chin and found its way to the side of her waist. She was too shocked to notice the way his hand made her side tingle.
"You…"
Lucas nodded slowly, his hand slowly slide from her side to wrap around her waist, pulling Maya closer to him. Licking her lips, her head tilted up as he leaned down toward her.
"I'm tired of never doing anything."
Their lips touched softly at first. As Maya's eyes fluttered closed she fell into Lucas. His other hand found his way around her waist. Pulling her closer, Lucas lifted Maya up slightly. Taking a step forward, he pushed her against the building just as her arms wrapped around his neck. Lucas shifted slightly, one arm remained around Maya as his other hand pushed against the brick for support. Their lips parted and he grasped her upper lip between his. A soft whimper escaped her throat as sucked lightly on her lip. Lucas finally pulled away. Gently he lowered Maya back down onto the ground before taking a step back. Their eyes locked as she tried to even out her breathing. Lucas caught himself smiling brightly.
"Can I take you to a movie, put our hands in the popcorn at the same time and see what happens?"
Maya nodded her answer yes. Part of her knew this was probably a mistake. There was too much of a chance this would all blow up in her face. There was too much to talk about, to figure out. But most of her didn't care. At least not right now. Right now she wanted to go anywhere where with Lucas; right now she couldn't keep her eyes off of him. Lucas reached out his hand and Maya entwined her fingers with his. Stepping away from the wall, he led her down the street.
