Shallow Pleasure || Chapter Ten
"If it means something, take it to heart…"
…
He gazed down at the car floor, and his thoughts spiraling as he firmly held Fawn in his grasp. He didn't have a reason to be nervous, although, he couldn't hide it. What would she think after all? Josh didn't believe he could handle her reaction.
Despite not technically talking much about their risqué night together, he did think of Maya as his girlfriend. Ever since the moment happening has he always regretted the way he treated her just before her leaving for London, and would never forgive himself. Nevertheless, grateful that Maya has at least.
Josh couldn't ask for anything more, though what does randomly insinuating that he wants to give a gift to someone he cares about more than anything mean when you're still on the rocks with them? It's protocol to give a card for someone's birthday, and to give someone a ring for marriage. What did wanting to give someone a puppy hint? Josh didn't want make things awkward for him and Maya in any way, but he wouldn't know the truth just by standing around. Albeit, notably distracted by Maya to think of anything else.
Josh hasn't seen or heard from her since early this morning, and anxious just to hold her in his arms again, hear her voice, and kiss her lips. The thought even causing him to smirk, which Laurel quickly noticed, and the corner of her lips slowly starting to curl up as she smiled. It was plain to see how much Josh cared about the girl he was trying to impress, and only hoping to be just as lucky as her because in Laurel's eyes: Josh was a great guy. "Could you please calm down." She said, and Josh immediately locked his eyes with hers.
"What do you mean?"
"You're thinking too much, it's all in your face." Laurel remarked, and Josh awkwardly chuckled. "Fawn's job is just to suggest the idea of having a pet to your girlfriend, which if you play your cards right, she has no reason to want otherwise." She assured, but still Josh had his doubts. He didn't know Maya's mood as of now, and didn't want something as unexpected as a dog to possibly make things any worse for her.
He scratched his head dubiously. "You don't get it, Laurel. I… I truly love this girl. I would do anything to see her smile, and I can't afford to screw up after all that I've caused her already. If she ever left me again, that'd probably it." Josh confessed, and Laurel's face quickly distorted into perplexity.
"Wait, I'm confused? What do you mean by again and probably it?" She queried, but Josh could barely find the words. He forgot Laurel didn't know much about him and Maya aside from the obvious caring and being affiliated with one another. Regardless, he had no issue speaking highly of his feelings for her.
Josh smirked as he gently stroked the fur on Fawn's back. "Maya. That's her name. Our relationship with each other is a little… complicated. At least, it used to be."
"And what's so complicated about you two? Not to pry, of course." Laurel said grinning, though Josh easily sought pass her ruse.
He was beginning to like Laurel more and more with each minute they continued to spend together, and with Hayes nowhere to be seen, glad to have another friend he could be himself with.
Josh stammered, skeptical to admit to someone of him and Maya's former struggles with each other. "She's… three years younger than me." He stated.
Laurel arched an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate, therefore, puzzled when he hadn't. She didn't understand the predicament. "And?"
"What do you mean? That's it."
"Don't make me laugh, Josh." Laurel scoffed before snatching Fawn out of his lap. Josh looked at her, taken aback. "Don't tell me you denied her feelings just because she's a little younger than you, please don't tell me that." She pressed, and Josh shrugged. He didn't expect Laurel's reaction to be so pensive.
"I'm not proud of it, but yeah. So?" He said and flinched as a hand quickly made contact with the back of his head. Josh hissed, while cradling the spot where he'd just been hit.
Laurel rolled her eyes. "I should throw you out of my car if you're going to be like that." She threatened. "I'll have you know, most perfect relationships almost never have similar age deficits, and if you care about Maya like you claim you do, then you should've accepted her love from the very beginning."
"Laurel—"
"Zip it! I'm honestly surprised she gave you another chance because you almost don't deserve it. Love is nothing to toy with Josh."
"You've never even met Maya, so why are you automatically taking her side?"
"Because I know how it feels to declare your love or have strong feelings for someone only for nothing to ever happen. You're lucky," Laurel said, and Josh intently stared at her. "My last few boyfriends didn't think of or treat me like you do for your girlfriend, and I would give anything to know what that genuinely feels like."
Josh sat there speechless, and wondering how to respond. Laurel suddenly had him thinking maybe he didn't deserve to be with Maya after all, and that Roland really should be the hero to "sweep her off her feet". Nonetheless, he still wouldn't let that happen.
He loathed even the mere sight of Roland, so willingly allowing him to be with the girl he's known almost forever wasn't an option. "I'm sorry, Laurel. I really don't know what to say. I mean, if I didn't already have Maya then maybe…" Josh tapered, and his eyelids low as he scrutinized the car dashboard. He wanted to stop himself before he could say anything he wouldn't be able to take back.
Meanwhile, Laurel's countenance softened, though only for a moment. She smiled remotely, and leaned halfway across the middle console toward Josh.
She tenderly cupped his cheek, and whispered to him quietly. "She's waiting for you, Josh." Laurel murmured, and Josh could soon sense his face starting to heat up. "Kiss her, say you love her, and tell me the good news tomorrow. You're a good guy, Josh. Remember that." She encouraged, and Josh's heart rate instantly accelerated.
Making Maya happy was practically a second job he never wanted to fail at.
He pursed his lips. "Have I mentioned lately how awesome I think you are?"
"It might've come up." Laurel snickered and smiling as Josh smiled back at her.
She then handed Fawn back to him, and watching as he began to open the passenger car door.
Josh silently stepped out, and turning back around to glance inside of the car at her. "Wish me luck. No wait, it's bad luck to say good luck, right?"
Laurel laughed. "We're not at the theatre, Josh." She said, and he blushed, feeling embarrassed. "Good luck."
Josh continued to smile. He still had a few butterflies fluttering around in his stomach, but Laurel easily managed to lessen his nerves a lot more than previously. He cared about Laurel, too but right now only one girl had been worthy of his attention.
He began walking away from the car after grabbing the rest of Fawn's things out of the backseat, but quickly stopping at the sound of a car horn. Josh spun around with a quick pivot, and seen as Laurel shouted out to him through the passenger window.
"Woo her with your charm, Beckham! It's your superpower!" Laurel exclaimed, and Josh couldn't help but laugh; slightly amused by the mention of her given name for him.
However, Josh wasn't worried. With his good looks, laid back persona, and attractive smile, he couldn't imagine not getting the girl he wanted most. All Josh had to do now was get to her, and he would definitely keep Laurel's words in mind.
He stepped through the double doors of the apartment building, and hearing the tires of Laurel's car screech along the pavement as she sped off. Josh couldn't stop thinking about her, or her words to him. Although, the nostalgic feeling not lasting long as something unsightly promptly provoked him. Josh walked up a little closer, while holding Fawn protectively. He glared Roland up and down, and silently debating whether or not to ignore or spark an argument with him.
Josh ultimately opted to ignore.
He casually ambled pass Roland with barely a glance in his direction, and almost successfully getting onto the elevator until his voice abruptly subsided him. He slowly turned back around, and watching as Roland stood up to his feet. Josh looked at him suspiciously, not understanding why he'd been here at all. "What do you want?"
"Why the hostility? Can't we just talk?" Roland replied, and face stern compared to his usually witty expression whenever taunting Josh. "I just need to know," He stated, drawing Josh's curiosity in more. He truly didn't want to waste his time entertaining Roland, although, choosing to use the opportunity for his own selfish benefits. Maybe he would gain some information for himself.
Josh shrugged. "Is this about what I think it is?"
Roland smirked, and gazed down at the lobby floor. "It wouldn't be about anything else." He said grimly, and Josh readied himself for the unexpected.
He smiled confidently. "Take your best shot."
Roland paused, seemingly for dramatic affect, and stared at Josh intently. "Why'd you do it?" He simply asked with his tone steady and monotonic.
Josh despised the knowledge of Roland knowing as much as he did, and nearly wanting nothing more than to jab a fist directly in the center of his face just to satisfy himself.
He already felt bad. He didn't need the whole world knowing about it, too. Regardless, not allowing Roland to gain the last laugh as he refused to display any signs of weakness or uncertainty. "I guess I don't have to ask what it is you're talking about."
"I just don't think you understand how lucky you are." Roland said, and Josh cringed. Yet another person conclusively affirming his relationship with Maya to be utter luck, and suddenly he felt beneath himself.
"Want to explain what it is you mean by that?" Josh grunted.
Roland then slowly began walking up to him until only an ample space separated the two of them. He stared at Josh spitefully. "It's probably obvious by now, but I still have to ask, anyway. So here goes," He promoted. "Do you feel bad at all about how you treated Maya all those years ago?" Roland interrogated, but Josh didn't reply.
Of course, the answer had been yes, but for some reason did Josh struggle to vocalize such.
He diverted his eyes, while irately grinding his teeth. "What is it are you expecting me to say?" He said quietly, and Roland furrowed his eyebrows.
"Love goes a long ways. You had your chance to be with Maya, but threw it away for what? A reputation and a social status? She loved you so much. Still loves you actually. That much I know for sure, and I don't think it's right." Roland argued, but Josh didn't protest. Instead, choosing to finally acknowledge Roland's opinion. Although, the decision greatly being a difficult one. "I know there's plenty of other special girls to admire, but she might as well be the only one. Maya's heart is enormous, and the way she puts others above herself is commendable. There's hardly ever a time I don't see her smiling, and the talent she has for art is unexplainable. She deserves so much, and I really don't think it's with someone of the likes of you." Roland admitted, and Josh tightly clenched his fists.
He looked at Roland angrily, but proceeded to sustain himself. "And why is that? Just because I made one mistake?"
"Sometimes one mistake is all it takes." Roland said. "You shamed her, Josh. You embarrassed Maya, and laughed in her face like you didn't care one bit about her feelings. You even let your friends say degrading things to her, and all after sharing a kiss with her—a kiss she probably thought she was never going to get to have with you. She was so much better off without you here distracting and confusing her, but a few desperate apologies and some agitating persistence shouldn't matter. I don't think Maya should've forgiven you, and I don't think you two should be together."
"And you honestly believe I care about what you "think"?" Josh spat, and Roland sighed. "Are you saying Maya isn't capable of making a smart decision?"
"Don't twist my words."
"I don't have to!" Josh shouted, bothered by Roland's constant need to expose him for a horrible, unforgiving person. He had, had enough. "I know I hurt Maya, and I feel like shit because of it because whether Maya was to forgive me or not, I would still have to go the rest of my life with what I did to her! You think you're telling me something I don't already know? You're wasting your breath, and if trying to convince me that I should let Maya go, so she can truly be happy with someone who's not me, then fuck off. As long as she's willing to let our past be exactly what it is, then I'll gladly accept that. Like you said, she loves me, and I love her too. Maybe even more, but I do." Josh retorted, outraged, and heavily breathing. He wasn't okay with anyone disrespecting what him and Maya had together.
Roland snorted. "If you really love Maya, then you would do what's best for her. You know letting her go is the right thing to do, but instead, continuing to allow your ego to affect your already poor judgement. You and Maya don't have to be together to prove you care about one another."
"This is what she's always wanted, and so have I. It just took me a while to ignore how other people thought, and to stop listening to their opinions because they're not the ones whose feelings matter. I didn't give Maya a chance because I was brainwashed into thinking that being with her at the time would be a bad thing, which maybe it would've been, but I could've at least showed her a little more affection. She has spoken so highly of me like no other girl has, and I love her even more for that. So quit questioning how I feel because by now, I've made it clear." Josh said bitterly, and turning away from Roland before he could even open his mouth again.
He stepped onto the elevator, and staring at him with an ominous glare.
Roland then said one last thing to Josh just before the doors closing. "She's all yours, Josh. Although, hopefully she'll be mine in due time." He smirked wickedly, and Josh's blood quickly started to boil as he could no longer see Roland's face.
"Do you honestly want to know what I think?" She asked as Maya silently sat squeezing one of her pillows up against her chest. She stared absently at nothing in particular, and thought of no one other than three specific guys. She nodded her head, wanting to hear the truth. "You know I've never been a full supporter of you two, but didn't argue with you for the sake of your feelings."
"You still could've talked to me." Maya said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Riley twisted her lips, shaking her head. "No Maya. If it's one thing I've learned since middle school, it's that love is unpredictable. There's no better word to describe it."
Maya then looked back up, and gazed at her best friend with a solemn expression on her face. The visit was more than a surprise, although, she really did need the comfort, and from what better person than Riley? Her debark wouldn't last—staying long enough merely for business, so Maya planned to make the most of her friend's company. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, your feelings for Josh—I understand them now." Riley said, admittedly. "I didn't back at the time like when you had us sneak into his college just to see him because it seemed absurd to me that you could like him as much as you did. Do."
Maya blushed, and bit the corner of her lip. "Absurd?" She repeated.
Riley smiled. "Josh is older than you, Maya. Always has been, always will be. Although, instead of trying to settle for someone you had more of a chance with, you never gave up. You were never a strong believer of hope, but for some reason, you had the most hope I've seen in any person when it came to Josh returning your feelings. I see the way you look at him. How you seem lost in his eyes, and immediately becoming weak in the knees whenever he comes around. Your smile is ten times brighter when he's standing next to you, and I'm sure your heartbeat quickens just from hearing his voice. We've been best friends since we were really young Maya, and I have never seen you like someone like you do Josh. I can tell he's important to you." She said, and no one else could possibly explain it better.
Soon Maya inhaled, while her eyes aimlessly wandered around the space of her bedroom. "Thanks. Although, I sense a but coming."
Riley's grin then quickly faltered as her face displayed absolute seriousness, prepared to state her thoughts on the matter. "Do you ever… think about it at all?" She said cautiously, and Maya looked at her tensely. Riley didn't have to be specific for her to understand. "I mean, I've never seen you that upset since the time you saw your dad again. I thought you were mad at him?"
"I was, Riley, but why would I want to think about that time?" Maya bellowed, and Riley looked at her incredulously.
"Then why are you putting yourself in the same awkward position again? Now, Josh is family and I love him, but I'm not going to be bias. If someone treats you like that, chances are they will again." Riley said, despite being aware of Maya not wanting to hear any of her wisdom. She was the utter definition of blindly in love, and Riley didn't want to see her go through yet another heartbreak, especially with the same guy, who's already already hurt her once before. Josh didn't care about her feelings then, so why care now? Riley didn't buy it.
"Why is there always someone constantly telling me how wrong this is?" Maya growled, fed up with the constant uphill battle. She knew Riley meant well, but for so long has she wanted to be with Josh, and now they finally were. Nothing else could make her more happy.
"You've been through a lot, Maya. I'm not saying people can't change, but sometimes you realize the person you thought was the one maybe isn't after all." Riley insinuated as she began to smirk to herself, and Maya knew exactly what had been on her mind.
She tautly bit down on her bottom lip. "And you're happy?" Maya asked reluctantly, and Riley's cheeks immediately turned a brilliant shade of red.
She nodded, smiling. "I wasn't meant to be like my parents. Lucas and I, we weren't meant to last forever, but that's okay because now I have a career as a motivational speaker with a girlfriend, who loves me, and I'm satisfied." Riley said, beaming. "I'm not saying Josh is inevitably going to hurt you again, but the odds don't seem to be in your favor of it not happening."
"What do you want me to do then, Riles? I love him, okay? I can't control that!"
"And you shouldn't have to. Josh means a lot to you, and normally that's enough. What I am saying, however, is not to limit yourself. You've never given another guy an opportunity of being with you, and if you can give Josh a second chance, then why not give one to somebody else?" Riley suggested, and Maya pondered. She couldn't deny the logic. She really hadn't given any other guy a chance since it felt too uncomfortable being with someone else, while the only other person she could ever think about was Josh.
Roland has confessed his love for her countless times, and always has she turned the other cheek. She knows what it feels like, but still did she never think of it as anything else besides finally getting to be with the one she's fantasized about for so many years.
Riley lightly touched Maya's shoulder, and slowly did their gazes meet. Riley stared at the blonde intensely. "Prove me wrong, Maya." She urged.
Maya then softly wiped her eyes of tears she didn't even know had fallen. "You mean, prove to you we're meant to be?"
"Prove you're doing what's best. Make decisions that will make you happy, and if being with Josh does that, then forget about me and everyone else telling you otherwise. This is your heart, and your feelings. Only you two know what you want."
Maya sniffed, and leaned forward to embrace the brunette. "I love you,"
"I love you, too." Riley said, and Maya smiled.
Their hug together then breaking, and Maya clearly noticing the concerned look on Riley's face.
She cocked a brow questionably. "You were a little shaken up when I first got here. Still worried about Hayes?"
"It's strange," Maya murmured, and shaking her head in disbelief. "He's never acted like that before. I just want to know where he is, so I know he's okay."
"Don't stress out about it too much. For all we know, things could be worse. I'm sure an answer will come sooner or later."
"How are you always so sure about these things?" Maya remarked, admirably.
Riley smirked, and dramatically tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Better confident and optimistic than doubtful and pessimistic. Words I live by."
Maya smiled, rolling her eyes. "You know you can sleep here tonight too if you want, right?"
"Are you kidding me? So Josh can popup any minute, demanding to be alone with you, so you two can get cozy with one another? Thanks, but I'll pass. I will gladly give you two your privacy."
"But—"
"No. Besides, I have a comfy hotel bed and a patient girlfriend waiting for me. I'll just talk to you tomorrow. We can hang out before I leave London. I promise." Riley said, and stepping off of the bed to walk to the door of Maya's bedroom.
Maya closely followed her in tow. "We've only hooked up once, Riles. Trust me, we're not going to be those couples, who do it all the time."
"Yeah, let's not talk about this. It's…" Riley teased, and her spine shivered.
Afterwards, hugging the blonde one final time with Maya voluntarily seeing her out the door. She then shouted out to her. "Tell your girlfriend you were mine first!"
"Goodnight, honey!" Riley said happily, and skipping down the hallway to the elevator doors.
Maya subsequently sighed. She had officially been alone again, and her thoughts still cloudy of Hayes, and what to do about Roland. Nevertheless, beginning to close the front door until the sudden noise of a bark catching her off guard. Maya scrunched her nose in perplexity prior to opening the door back up to see a silhouette standing in the doorway, and a smile instantly appeared across her cheeks.
"Last minute pizza date? Sorry, I didn't make reservations." Josh smiled, while holding a box of pizza in his hands. He had just missed his niece's visit, although, he would have the chance to see her tomorrow.
Elsewhere, Maya squealed as she laughed. She stepped further out of the threshold, and grabbing the collar of Josh's shirt, so she could bring his lips down to hers. "I'm mad at you, by the way…"
"Why? What I do?" Josh asked in between their subtle kissing.
"I thought you would be here when I got back." Maya said, and Josh broke their moment together as he backed away. He rubbed the back of his neck, anxious.
"Yeah, something had came up actually. I would've been here a while ago, too but decided on pizza at the last minute." He explained, blushing.
Maya then stared down by Josh's feet, and looking at the small pet standing next to him. "And it came with a cute, adorable puppy?" She said.
Josh chuckled. "This is Fawn. I made arrangements to take her in for the night because I was really thinking of getting one for you…" He confessed. "Although, I don't know if you're more of a cat person." He teased, grinning.
Maya bent down to lift Fawn into her arms, and cooing adoringly. Soon intertwining her hand with Josh's as she pulled him inside with her.
They sauntered over into the living room, and Maya refused to let Fawn go as they all sat comfortably on the couch.
Josh set the pizza onto the table across from them, and grabbing him a quick slice, while admiring the sight beside him as he chewed. It had been the exact reaction he hoped for out of Maya. "How come you've never thought to get a dog before? You obviously love them." He asked, and Maya simply shrugged.
"I'm always so busy. Having a pet would just be too much."
"Would it make a difference if we took care of one together?" Josh implied, and Maya quickly looked away from Fawn long enough to gaze at him.
She laughed. "What are you saying, Joshua?"
"I'm saying, because you're always so busy, it often leaves you tired and stressed out. I figured a pet would be perfect in giving you some comfort and security, especially considering you live alone."
"You've been thinking about me that much?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Josh said earnestly, and Maya's smile grew in size with each passing second.
She gazed back down at Fawn, while softly scratching behind her ear. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, anything. What's up?" Josh replied, noting Maya's reluctance.
She deeply exhaled. "You're my… boyfriend now, right?" Maya questioned shyly, and nervous with having to ask.
Although, Josh finding her bashful side to be cute, and momentarily silent before mustering a response. "I was hoping to be, anyway." He admitted, and Maya flushed.
"This is real then, isn't it? You and I. How we feel about one another?"
Josh scrunched his eyebrows, and looked at Maya skeptically. "As real as it gets. I love you, Maya. Nothing is going to change that. Do you… you know, lov—"
"More than anyone." Maya said hastily, and it feeling good for her to finally admit.
Josh smiled a toothy grin. "So why do you sound so worried?" Maya's eyes wandered the ceiling as she thought of what to say, and he could tell from the look on her face what it was she was thinking. Josh sheepishly looked down as his hands. "Has anyone been talking to you lately, by any chance… about us?" He presumed.
Maya nodded warily. "I don't want to be wrong about you, Josh."
"And you won't be, Maya. I promise you. I love you, and if you allow what we have to continue, then I know we'll be together for a long time." Josh assured, and scooting closer to Maya on the couch. He wrapped an arm around her neck, encouraging her to rest against his shoulder. He held her gingerly. "I got you, Maya."
"I know. I got you, too." She said, and feeling as Josh gently kissed the top of her head.
He stayed with Maya that night, not leaving her side for more than a minute as the two eventually curled underneath a blanket together, while finishing off the rest of their pizza. Josh even starting to believe that being with Maya really was luck. She's wanted them together for the longest time, and was not going to let opinions from others affect her how she felt.
Josh wouldn't dream of hurting Maya again, but still did he have to prove himself because actions always speak louder than words.
The time had almost been five o'clock in the morning, and Josh gradually woke up to use the bathroom. He squinted his eyes open, and glanced at the sight in front of him: Maya's frizzy blonde hair and eyes shut as she slept next to Josh on the couch, while Fawn laid on the floor right beside them. Her lips were parted and her snores were quiet, while proceeding to sleep. Josh smiled, and hopelessly attempting to stand up without disturbing her. Once successful, grabbing his phone off the coffee table before trekking down the hallway.
It took him roughly three minutes before finally washing his hands. However, glancing at himself in the mirror to acknowledge his pale skin and the heavy bags under his eyes.
Josh then checked his phone for any sign of Hayes, but still had his friend not returned any of his calls or messages. He didn't understand it. Although, just beginning to turn off the light when a notification promptly came through. Josh glared at the screen, hoping for the text to be from Hayes, but surprised as to what he'd seen instead.
I can see you, honey. The message read, and Josh froze. He stood stiff, while his breathing temporarily stopped.
Josh read the message over and over again, but still did it feel bizarre. He then inhaled, nearly choking on air. Josh flung his phone across the counter at the mirror as he yelped, and shattering it instantly. He calmly watched it crack, and staring at the tiny pieces falling down into the sink. He didn't want to believe it. It wasn't possible.
"Josh? Josh what's wrong?" Maya moaned sleepily, and rubbing her eye from the abrupt arousal, while Fawn stood at her feet, wondering the same.
Josh briefly jerked his head sideways, and stared at Maya as though he'd seen a ghost. "Maya…"
"Yeah? What is it, Josh?" Maya said worriedly, and turning her head to see the broken bathroom mirror. She looked back at Josh, perplexed. "Should I ask?"
Josh frantically shook his head, while at a loss for words. "I don't think I can stay here..." He mumbled, barely audible.
Maya's face contorted. "What do you mean?" She asked, but Josh didn't answer her. Instead, bringing her close to his chest as he embraced her, and burying his face in the crook of her neck. His heart wouldn't stop racing, and he could feel himself going dizzy. Josh simply wanted to hold Maya, and nothing more.
The number of the text might've read unknown, but the person behind it clearly hadn't been.
PLEASE REVIEW » It only takes a minute to give a little feedback. Now, this chapter is very long with 5,000+ words, so hopefully this makes up for the somewhat long hiatus.
Recap of Chapter:
Roland threatens to take Maya away from Josh.
Riley comes to London on business, and visits Maya. I also decided to make Riley homosexual because I thought it would be more interesting than mentioning Rucas or Riarkle.
Josh gets a strange text message, who he believes is from Holland, indicating she might be closer now than he thought.
There's four sets of dialogue that happens throughout this chapter: Laurel & Josh, Josh & Roland, Maya & Riley, and Maya and Josh, and each conversation speaks on the same subject, but with different cases.
Laurel learns a little more about Josh's relationship with Maya, and completely disagrees with the fact of Josh originally ignoring Maya's feelings simply because of their age difference. Nevertheless, still encouraging Josh to go to Maya with his surprise, and just to be with her. Then there's Roland, who believes Josh isn't worthy of having another chance with Maya after what he and his friends did to her. Roland thinks that Maya shouldn't have forgiven Josh at all, and only wants Josh to realize that just because you love her, it doesn't mean what happened in the past should be overlooked and forgotten. Almost as if saying, it's inexcusable. Riley for the most part, has the same opinion. With Maya as her best friend, she doesn't want to see her hurt and distraught again like she had been previously when her and Josh were last together. She's going to support Maya's decision regardless, but would much rather prefer Maya to give someone else an opportunity to make her heart pump, instead of only holding onto her hopeless fantasy of being with Josh, considering she believes that the person you may have thought was be the one probably isn't.
Despite all of this, however Josh and Maya only listen to each other. They finally say, I love you to one another, and have officially made their status together clear.
I hope this chapter wasn't too confusing, and I apologize for any possible mistakes as this wasn't the easiest chapter to write. Nevertheless, please, please, PLEASE tell me what you guys think.
What are your thoughts on Josh's friendship with Laurel? Do you think Roland is being stubborn or determined? How do you feel about Riley's cameo? Tell me how you liked the Joshaya scene towards the end. Who do you most agree with: Laurel, Roland, or Riley? Are you worried about Hayes, or you honestly couldn't care less? It's almost time for Holland, too so get ready.
There's so much you guys can review about, and I love the feedback so much. It keeps me motivated to write. Thanks to all that have read, followed/favorited, and reviewed. Much appreciation! I'm also in the process of possibly making a new Joshaya story called Written in the Scars, so if you want, you can read and review to that as well. Also, if you really don't prefer to leave a comment on the site, I do accept messages to my tumblr blog potentialpeach. Until next update, :)