Maya was finishing up reading the chapter Josh had assigned her to read. Once she was done she looked up and saw Josh staring at her.
"What?" she asks self-consiously
"Nothing" Josh looks down and Maya could swear he was trying not to blush. She tried to ignore it.
"I think it's time for a break, don't you think" Josh asks
"Agreed" She pushes her book away eager to get a couple minutes of rest she gets up and heads to the refrigerator "Would you like some water?" she asks Josh
"Sure thanks"
She opens the refrigerator and grabs too water bottles and heads back to the table
"So how was school?" Josh asks her as she hands him his bottle
"It was okay, your brother went on and on about the principles of US Government or something like that, I don't know I kinda of tuned him out"
"And now we know why you need the extra help" Josh chuckles
Maya laughs too "Yeah I guess paying attention would help huh"
"But then we wouldn't get to have this one on one" Josh smiles
Her eyes meets Josh and her stomach flips and she feels her cheeks begin to heat. She looks down to make sure he doesn't notice.
"So uh how were your classes?"
Josh smiles seeing her nervous "It was fine had a huge Biology paper to finish, Thats why i wasn't there today" he explains
Maya nods "Will you be there tomorrow?" she asks curiously
Josh smirks "Why , miss me already?"
Maya rolls her eyes "You wish"
Josh smiles liking her sassy side. His smile and the way he stared at her made her stomach do another flip, she looked away and back to her books.
"We should get back to work" she says
Josh chuckles "Do I make you nervous?" he teases
"Of course not" Maya tries to say confidently as she opens her book again to read
Josh tries to hide his smirk he just sits and watches her as she reads and taking in every detail, like how her eyebrows raise in concentration and how he can see her mouth move as she is reading the words. He couldn't deny that she was very beautiful.
He was so lost in his thought he didn't hear Maya ask a question about what she was reading until she waved a hand in his face to get his attention.
"Hello anybody there?" she asks as she waves her hand in his face
"Sorry, I uh got distracted" he says
He had to get better at keeping his mind on work
The next day at school
Riley and Maya are making their way through the halls
"So anymore run ins with Ranger Rick?" Maya asks
Riley sighs "No nothing, he hasn't spoken to me in days"
"Maybe he's just nervous" Maya suggests
"You think?" she asks
"Trust me Riles the guy likes you"
"You really think so?" Riley asks hopeful it makes Maya giggle at how adorable her best friend was.
"I do"
They enter Mr. Matthews class
"Uh oh" Maya hears Riley says
"What?" Maya asks. She turns to look at where she is looking and sees what she is talking about . Up at Mr. Matthews desk she sees Josh talking to one of the girls from the class.
"Don't worry, it's probably nothing" Riley assures
"Whatever i don't care" Maya mumbles as she goes to sit at her desk.
She tries not to look up at them but she can't help it and she finds herself watching as they talk. It was so obvious the girl was totally flirting with him, she twirled her hair like a moron as she gave him a flirty smile.
It made Maya want to barf
"They're probably just talking about class" Riley says
"I don't care Riley" Maya repeats
"Sure that's why you haven't stopped looking at them since we got here"
"I can't look away cause it's so disgusting how desperate she is"
Riley laughs
"I have never seen you jealous before, it's so cute" Riley squeals
Maya rolls her eyes "I'm so not Jealous"
"Sure your not"
"Hello ladies"
They look up to see Josh standing over them, the girl had already moved to sit by her friends who were all giggling.
"Hey Uncle Josh, see your making new friends"Riley teases
"Yeah Sarah was just asking questions about University" Josh shrugs
University yeah right Maya thought she could barely spell university
"Hello Maya how are you?" Josh says turning to the blonde who was very silent
"Fine" Maya says as she looks at her textbook and tries to avoid looking him in the eyes.
"Everything okay?"Josh asks sensing some tension
"Fine" Maya repeats
Before Josh could ask anymore Cory entered the classroom
"Hello class take your seats"
Josh takes one last look at Maya before going to his spot in the back.
Class quickly ended, and Maya begins packing her things
"Hey"
Maya looks up to see Josh
"Hey" she says
Riley looks between the 2
"Uh i'll see you later Maya" she dashes out the door before Maya can say anything
"You okay?" Josh asks
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" she answers
"I don't know you just seem upset is all"
"I just have a lot on my mind" Maya answers
"Anything I can help with" he offers
"No I'll be fine" she assures
Josh nods "Okay if your sure"
Maya nods. At that moment Mr. Matthews approaches
"Hey you two glad you guys are together so i can give Maya this" he says as he hands Maya something
"What's this?" she asks
"it's the pop quiz from the other day" he explains.
Maya looks at the paper and she cant hide her smile
"An A really?" she asks
Cory nods "Good work Maya, your really improving, I see the tutoring is paying off" he says
"Yeah it is" Maya agrees truthfully
"Well keep it up" he says as he returns to his desk
"Congrats" Josh says smiling at how excited the blonde was
"Thanks, and thanks for your help" she says
Josh smiles "Anytime"
He really is a sweet guy Maya thinks
"I should get to class" she says
"Okay, well I'll see you around"
Maya nods "See ya" she says as she leaves the classroom
Josh is left staring at her as she leaves
Cory walks up to Josh "Everything okay Josh?"
"Yeah I'm good" Josh says turning to his brother
"Well I just want to thank you for helping Maya, I knew you were the right person for the job" Cory tells his brother
Josh smiles "Thanks Cory, and it's no problem I actually like hanging out with Maya'
Cory smiles "I'm glad, Maya's tuff she doesn't open up to a lot of people"
Josh nods "Yeah she's a little guarded but I hope soon she'll be able to open up to me"
"I hope so" Cory nods as he goes back to his desk. Josh follows
"Hey can I ask you something?"
"Sure" Cory says not looking up from his desk
"I 've asked Maya before but she didn't want to answer i think it is a delicate issue for her"
Cory looks up "What is is?" he asks curiously
"What happened to her father?" he asks
Cory sighs "Yeah that is a sensitive area for her, but it's not for me to tell you Josh"
"Does it have anything to do with why she is so guarded?" he asks
"Yes I believe it has a lot to do with it, I've known Maya since she was a kid and her life hasn't always been easy, she doesn't have a big support system at home, Topanga and I have tried to be there for her as much as we can but theres only so much we can do."
Josh nods
"That's also why Im glad you too are getting along" Cory says
"Me too" Josh smiles deep in thought.
He felt like Maya was really starting to accept him and that made him happy, he really wanted Maya to be comfortable around him and be another person she could count on.
He knew it wouldn't be easy, But he felt that Maya was worth it.
