A/N: a little late on the update but better late than never! Enjoy this chapter you guys!
I don't own GMW, just the plot of this story.
Chapter 4: "Tiny Problem"
The car ride felt never-ending. Soon night had fallen and the roads were pretty empty. Zay was almost asleep in the front seat, just like I was in the back. Next to me, Maya sat with eyes glued to her phone. I watched her face as the bright screen illuminated it. Most of the time, her expression was blank and I could tell she was on her social media. Other times she would wear a smile, letting out a lighthearted giggle, telling me she was probably on her Tumblr. But other times, times when my heart would sink a little for multiple reasons, her face would drop. I could see the little wrinkles in her forehead appear and her eyes fight back glassy tears. Her little fingers would type out a quick message, then return to one of her other expressions, indicating she was on her social media again.
I didn't know if I should say anything. I pretended to be asleep or paying attention to the road, but all of my attention was on her. Finally the small blonde seemed to have enough. She bent over and angrily shoved her phone in her bag on the floor. Her back leaned back against the seat with a thud that caused even Farkle and a half-asleep Zay in the front seat to look back curious. But they turned their attention away quick, probably chalking her reaction up to tiredness from the road trip. But I knew better. I had been watching her the past few hours getting more and more upset from her interaction over her phone, with Josh no doubt.
"You ok?" I asked in a quiet voice, hoping the boys wouldn't hear me in their front seats. Maya's head had previously been hiding in her hands as she remained still. Once my words came out, she looked up, managing to wear a smile as if nothing was wrong.
"Yeah," she nodded. "Yeah I'm just tired." She wasn't believable. Maya Hart was not ok; that was for sure. But I respected that she didn't want to talk about it, at least not now with Zay and Farkle with us in the car. So I just nodded and went back to pretending to stare out the window.
How could she want to be with a guy like Josh? I thought this often, to be honest. But seeing how upset she was over this break-up just made me plain confused. Even after the break-up, Josh was currently doing something to hurt her. God I couldn't help but think of how lucky Josh was that I wasn't in the city with him. Not much could stop my blood from boiling over with rage. I'm the one who always talks to Maya, makes her feel better, holds her when she needs me to. I'm the one that loves her like she should be loved, but for some insane reason, he's the one who actually gets to be with her. Well, not anymore I guess…
Soon, I noticed the car slow down. I actually paid attention to what was out the window and noticed we were pulling into a hotel parking lot. Without much warning, the car stopped completely and shut off. It was funny how on long car rides, all you want to do is get out of the car and into a bed. But when the car actually stops, you just want to stay put for a little longer.
"You guys get all the bags and meet me in the lobby. I'll go check in," Farkle said, getting immediately out of the car. I guess that feeling didn't apply to the person who was driving; they would always just want to get out of the car. It took the rest of us a couple minutes to gather the strength and get out, stretching our legs. Zay walked ahead, eager to get into bed. I stayed back with Maya, grabbing the handle to her suitcase.
"I can carry it Lucas," she insisted with a small voice. I shook my head simply.
"It's fine." I walked towards the hotel lobby before she could say anything. When she caught up to my side, I looked at her. "Are you sure you're ok?" Honestly, I expected her to talk to me now. We were alone, unlike how we had been for the past day. I knew something was wrong. She was upset and I thought more than anything she would talk to me about it. But instead she nodded.
"I'm fine Huckleberry." The arch in my eyebrow gave away the fact that I didn't believe her for a second. But we arrived at the door of the hotel lobby too soon to do anything about it.
We walked up to the desk where Farkle and Zay were standing. A long, worried face was being worn by both of them, although I couldn't help but think Zay also looked just a little bit amused.
"So we have a tiny problem," Farkle announced once we met them at the desk.
"What?" Maya asked for both of us.
"Oh you'll see," Zay answered, making his way to the elevator. We all followed behind him. I didn't say much, mostly due to being so tired and ready to pass out in a bed. Maya, however, was full of questions about what the so-called 'tiny problem' was. I don't think I had ever tuned her voice out before, but I did now.
It wasn't until Farkle slipped the room key into the door and we all walked in that I started to be concerned with the 'tiny problem.' The problem being the room only had two beds: a queen sized and a small twin size bed next to it.
"Surprise!" Zay yelled. I wasn't amused. Both me and Maya turned our heads to Farkle to find answers.
"Sorry!" he begged. His face was already red with embarrassment as he tried to explain. "I booked the room before Maya was coming with us. This was the only room they had left but it was fine when it was the 3 of us! And I asked downstairs but they're all booked up. They don't have any larger rooms available," he explained. This wasn't a choice situation, but it was understandable. Inviting Maya was last minute; the whole trip was last minute sure, but inviting Maya was like hours before the start of the trip. Farkle had so many other things on his mind I couldn't even blame him for forgetting about the room situation. "I promise I'll call the other hotels and make sure it fits 4 people."
"It's ok Farks. But what do we do about tonight?" Maya wondered. Although I knew she was upset, her excuse about being tired wasn't a lie. She had yawned a few times since walking into the hotel and her eyelashes fluttered over her eyes, begging to shut.
"Look Maya you take the little bed," I said. I quickly eyed a little couch on the side of the room. It looked more like a loveseat in all honesty, not much room, but it would do. "I'll sleep on the couch," I volunteered, pointing out the couch.
"Lucas you don't have to do that!" Maya tried. Ignoring her, I moved over to the couch, setting my bag down next to it. I turned to see Zay already curled up on one side of the big bed.
"You think he's going to move?" I asked, laughing.
"Farkle got this room because I'm not even supposed to be here! Ok I will sleep on the couch it's not a big deal."
I wasn't having it. There was no way Maya was going to be uncomfortable on that couch all night while I relaxed in a cozy bed. Even though Maya was much smaller than me and would have more leg room on the couch. No! I pushed that thought out of my mind and let out a little laugh.
"Maya I'm sleeping on this couch alright? End of story. Even if you were to somehow get to this couch, I still wouldn't sleep in the bed. So please just take the bed?" I begged. I put on my most charming 'Huckleberry' smile. I could see a smile appear on her face as she gave in.
"Fine Sundance you win," she smiled. I took just a minute to admire it, her smile. The admiration was cut short when I noticed Zay smirking at us from the bed. My eye contact dropped from hers. "Thanks." Maya threw in before disappearing in the bathroom.
I sat on the couch to take off my shoes. At least the couch was pretty comfy. I grabbed an extra couple pillows from the cabinet by the TV, but was met face to face with Zay as soon as we both heard the shower start in the bathroom.
"Really? You gave her the bed?"
"It's called being a gentleman Zay," I huffed, setting up the pillows and blankets on the couch. I glanced over at Farkle. He was breathing steadily on the bed, assumingly asleep. I was afraid if he had an idea of my feelings for Maya, he would feel conflicted about telling Riley. Why would he listen to me about telling his best friend he has feelings for her, if I can't even tell my best friend I have feelings for her?
"Lucas why can't you just tell Maya how you feel?" Zay pleaded.
In my head, there were so many reasons why I couldn't tell her. But right now I just didn't want to overwhelm her. She had so many emotions about Josh and their whole situation, whatever that situation was. It all felt so unresolved with Josh that adding more feelings on top of it would just confuse her. She didn't deserve that. She deserved to be happy. Even though I knew I could make her happy, much happier than Josh, I couldn't help but think now wasn't the time. It wouldn't be fair to her. And I didn't want to be selfish, not with her.
So I lied. "Because I don't feel the way you think I feel about her Zay. Not anymore. So there is nothing to tell." I lied through my teeth. My back turned to him as I rummaged through my bag for my sweatpants to sleep in. I changed, completely ignoring Zay's frustrated mumbling.
"I'm not an idiot Lucas! I see how you look at her," he continued.
"Zay Maya is important to me. But as nothing more than a friend. Why can't you understand that?" I was trying to sound angry, but I don't think it was working. I wasn't angry because although it was annoying Zay wouldn't let it go, he was right. And he was just trying to help me. He just didn't understand the predicament.
"I understand you're a liar. You love her!" he raised his voice. "I just want you to be happy Lucas. Because you're my best friend," he said getting sentimental. I opened my mouth to speak, but stopped when I heard the shower turn off in the bathroom. Maya's quiet singing echoed in from the bathroom and I knew she would step into the room soon. This was definitely not the conversation I wanted her to walk into.
"Can we please drop this?" I whispered. I got a reluctant nod from Zay as Maya walked out from the bathroom. Silence ensued, Maya walking around to her bag to grab something to sleep in. Zay crawled into his side of the big bed with already fast asleep Farkle, giving me a look.
I didn't say a word to Maya as she went back into the bathroom to change. Even after she came back out and got settled in the small bed, it was quiet. The only noise was her small voice asking if I was ok with her turning out the light. I nodded back with no words. The light went out but some moonlight shown through the window and into the room. I could hear my 3 friends' breathing, steady and sure as they slept.
I laid awake in the darkness, unable to get my best friend's words out of my head. But I couldn't tell Maya how I feel. Don't think I haven't wanted to for the past 3 years, because I have. But she was always with Josh. Every time they fought, I thought about telling her. But I stopped knowing that I couldn't use her moment of weakness to my advantage. That's how I felt now but elevated. If I told her now, it was as though I was using her break-up to help myself. Taking advantage of her heart at a time when it's most fragile.
So for now, I would settle. Being her caring best friend would be enough. But what if that wasn't enough soon? There were already times when I felt like it wasn't enough, like if I didn't have more with her I would explode. Maybe inviting her on this trip was a mistake? Maybe this was too much time to spend together.
My hands slide over my face. This was so frustrating. I started to think about Farkle. If this was what he was going through since he was little, then god that kid deserves a break. It's only been about 4 years for me and I'm already about to crack. I glanced in Maya's direction. The covers laid over her, preventing me from seeing her face but I settled for watching the blanket move up and down slowly.
I don't know when I fell asleep. But I was dead tired so I'm not surprised I passed out out of the blue. But waking up came with pain. The couch, though pretty comfy as couches go, was not made for someone my height to be sleeping on. I rolled over as my now open eyes met with the morning sunlight. Groaning, I sat up, reaching behind me to try to message a part of my lower back. I thought I had woken up before anyone. That is until I heard Maya's voice. I looked over to the bed and saw it empty. The sound of her voice came again. I couldn't quite make out what she was saying, but I could hear it coming from the balcony off to the side of the room. Before I could get up to check on her, she opened the sliding door to the balcony and came in.
She hadn't yet noticed me awake and sitting up on the couch staring in her direction. I would've spoken, made her aware of her presence, but I was too busy noticing the tears in her eyes. Her quiet sniffle sounded like a bomb dropping on my heart. No, this wasn't the first time I had seen her cry. I had seen her cry just two nights ago and countless times before that. But I was supposed to be keeping her from crying on this trip and here she was, the sun barely up and she was already emotional. She turned, finally looking me in the eye. Her eyes were red with tears. She wiped it dry with the sleeve of her sweater and walked past me into the bathroom.
"Just let it go Lucas," she pretty much demanded in a sharp tone. She slammed the door to the bathroom shut, waking up Farkle. Of course Zay could sleep through anything, but Farkle looked up at me confused.
"What's going on?" he questioned groggily.
Not knowing exactly what was going on, I shrugged. "Maya's upset." I ended it with that. I resisted the urge to blame Josh out loud, even though I knew he was most likely who Maya was talking to outside.
Maya Hart was not ok; that was for sure.
A/N: Maybe a little bit of a filler chapter? The next chapter has a lot more angst and a little humor lol
Not much to say in this author's note. Just that if you haven't taken a look at my Lucaya one-shot complication story, you should check it out! And in other news, I'm currently working on an asshole!Friar story… so we'll see how that turns out. I like it so far:) lol
ALSO I know we're a little down about the show being cancelled but you know what? I have so much faith that it will get picked up by Netflix so it's Disney Channel's loss. It can really reach its full potential on Netflix without all the limitations that Disney Channel put on the writers… and Netflix is A1 at making shows so maybe this is for the best!
Random question: Does anyone watch iZombie? I just finished watching it and I would love to discuss if anyone else is into it lol