Hope isn't for suckers.Maya observes with a smile at the young brunette linked with her arm.
Hope.
She breathes in softly and surely.
Is definitely not for suckers.
Feeling her gaze upon him, Josh peers down to the blonde and smirks.
"What," he asks with a cute laugh.
"Nothing," she pauses, "I'm just thinking that hope isn't for suckers."
He looks at her curiously, but shrugs it off with a slow nod of agreement. He then takes her hand and leads her to a row of light blue bikes. Making their way to the self-serve kiosk, Josh selects his options with a tap to the screen while Maya reads aloud.
"Indego, Philadelphia's bike share program," she plainly states. Eagerly, Josh walks over to the bikes.
"Your chariot awaits," he says displaying the light blue two wheeler with his hand. Maya freezes, mouth agape, clutching her purse, and mysteriously her face shifts from ghostly white to deep red at the same time.
Baffled Josh asks, "You do know how to ride a bike. Don't you, Maya?"
Closing her mouth with the realization she clearly did not want to admit, Maya waves her hand nonchalantly.
"Psssshhh," she voices while walking towards him. "Of course I do, Joshua. It's just been a while. But you know what they say," she continues while straddling the bike, "its as easy as riding a bike."
Putting her feet to the pedals, Josh lets go. Unfortunately as he turns his back towards his bike, he suddenly hears a horrifying high pitched whawhawhaaaahhhhhhh. Following the sound, he faces Maya who begins to tip over, falling slow motion to the ground. Trying to hold back his laughter, Josh runs to her.
"I'm fine," Maya says while bolting up and dusting her clothing off. "Don't you say a word, Matthews." She ends with a stern point of her finger, walking past Josh.
Josh holds up his arms in surrender, still holding back his laughter. He bends to pick up the bike, then guides it back to where Maya stands, bright red with embarrassment. Avoiding eye contact, Maya continues to stare up at the bright blue sky. Josh presses his lips together, beaming with amusement at his blonde friend. AHEM. He sounds outloud to gain her attention. Ignoring the indication, Maya stands still pursing her lips towards the sky. Finally she turns to face him and slowly slides her finger around the seat of the bike.
"Sooo," she starts, "It may have been a lot longer than a while since I've been on one of these." Josh stays quiet, waiting for Maya to elaborate. "Ok, longer than longer than a while." Josh's eyes fixate still on the blonde, pestering her to speak the truth. "Ok, fine. Never. I have never ridden a bike. Happy?"
"Ecstatic," Josh says playfully.
"Excuse me," Maya asks confused.
"You heard me," he responds. Maya scowls at Josh, waiting for an explanation. "Now," he says, "I get the pleasure of teaching you."
Flushed with humiliation, Maya shifts her head from left to right and dramatically mouths the word 'no'. , Josh bobs his head up and down and just as dramatically mouths the words 'o yea' as he passes her her bike. Vigorously Maya crooks her head no and pushes the bike back to him. He in turn smiles audiciously, gently pushing the bike back to her direction, and simply nods his head yes. Jaw clenched, Maya places firm hands on the bike, then puffs out a breath of determination. Countering, Josh smugly bends, placing his hands on the bike and smiles with his mouth closed. Both stare at the other unwaveringly until finally Maya breaks the silence.
"It ain't happening, Matthews. So we can just return this bike here to that rack over there," she says pointing her head towards the line of blue bikes.
"Mmmmm…. I think you're wrong, Hart," Josh says confidently.
"O you do, do you?"
"Yea I do," Josh says leaning a little closer.
A new shade of red washes over Maya's smooth white skin as the proximity of Josh catches her off guard. She folds her arms over her chest in an attempt at composure; then, letting out a breath through her lower lip blows a piece of her golden locks up.
"Finnnneeee," she agrees through gritted teeth. Reluctantly she grabs the handle of the bike with one hand and the seat with the other. "I suppose, it wouldn't be an entire waste of time to learn to ride this thing."
"That's my girl," Josh responds casually unaware of the implication until he sees Maya's eyes perk and mouth open, teasing at the idea. "Uhh.. " he says trying to formulate a sentence.
"You called me your girl," Maya says tauntingly. "My, my," she says with a 1950s flair, "I never knew you were so forward Joshua Matthews."
"Maya," Josh states sheepishly.
Ignoring him, Maya continues, "Is this it, Joshua Gabriel Matthews? Has our time come? Is it someday?"
"Maya," Josh says again.
Maya peers back to Josh and laughs. "Well, that relationship didn't last very long," she says jokingly.
Josh smiles sincerely before grabbing his bike to guide Maya to their next destination.
Hands on the handles, the pair walk their bikes silently down the street. Old brick buildings line their path as friendly faces wave hello. Maya smiles at the small historic town, feeling the warmth of happiness of its people mimic the warmth of the bright sun beaming down on them.
"Hey, you up front," Maya says cheerfully at the college boy in front of her.
Josh peaks over his shoulder and responds, "Uh huh."
"I thought you were going to teach me to ride this thing," she says lightly as they continue to walk.
"I am, but we gotta make a quick stop first," he responds without turning.
"Don't tell me it's another surprise," Maya whimpers.
Josh laughs with a shake of his head before adding, "No. We're already here."
Maya follows Josh to the rack to park their bikes. As he places the locks on for safekeeping, Maya walks up to a woodsy picturesque store, gleaming as she reads the sign in her head.
Matthews... Outdoor Adventure Shop.
In all the handful of times she visited Philly with Riley, never once did they stop by the Matthew's family store. Although Mr. Matthews had mentioned it from time to time, Maya was only left imaging what such a store would look like and what a feeling it would be to be part of a family who owned something more than just a home to bring them closer. Elation consumes her as she thinks of how full circle her life is becoming. Shawn married her mother. Her mother is pregnant with her sister. And although owned by her best friend's mother, she had Topanga's as a second home and a place that brings her family and friends closer together. Lost in her reflection, she suddenly feels a light press to her shoulder and snaps back to reality.
"Let's go," Josh says opening the door.
Maya strolls modestly into the store where an atmosphere opposite of the world she knows greets her. Yellow kayaks line the wall and life jackets hang next to a large stuffed bear. The smell of pine trees fill her nose as the warmth of the heater brightens her cheeks. Eyes growing ever wider, Maya spots pictures of the family who captured her heart hanging on the wall of the staircase. Wandering over to get a closer look, Maya chuckles in admiration at all the faces she knows too well; a yelling cory flailing his arms and a determined Topanga sit upright in a bright orange raft battling a roaring river, an ever goofy Eric wide mouth by strong winds sprawls his whole body as his skydive instructor's desperate face holds the yellow chute chord, and lastly she stops in front of a whole Matthew's family picture, where the love on their faces illuminate only more by the fire shared between them.
"That is one of my favorite memories," Josh says arms folded and leaning his shoulder into the wall.
"Mine too, little man," a deep voice affirms from the top of the stairs.
The blonde and brunette both twist their heads to put a face to the voice. Standing with a toothy grin atop the flight of stairs, a tall, slightly muscular middle aged man with chocolate brown skin, brush cut hair, and a clean cut goatee starts to descend the stairs.
"Eli," Josh shouts, enthusiastically and meeting the man halfway with a hug.
Pulling away slightly, the man grabs Josh by the shoulders and looks him up and down, scrunching his face.
"You need to eat more, kid."
"What? I'll have you know I can rep out 2 plates," Josh says flexing his biceps.
The man in front of him laughs as he wraps his arm around Josh's neck.
"Still got nuthing on me.." Eli concludes as they reach the bottom of the stairs where Maya is. "And who's this pretty lady, friend of yours?"
Maya looks up, to face the man. She opens her mouth, but before she is able to respond Eli continues to speak as he looks from the boy stuck in his headlock to the little blonde standing in front of him.
"WAIT A MINUTE. Is this the cute blonde you were telling me about a while back?"
Josh's face turns red as he gives his older friend a stern look. Stunned, Maya shifts her eyes from Eli to Josh, and her ears begin to burn from the attention. Finally Josh maneuvers himself out of the hold, and raises his finger to begin his explanation. However, seeing the blonde's smug smile and raised eyebrow he forgoes his plan.
Instead Josh tilts his finger to a vague direction and states, "I'llllll…….be over there." And in the same instant bee lines towards a random direction. Maya follows the boy with her eyes, biting the top of her lip with a smile until she hears a deep hearty laugh. Slowly she turns back to the cause of Josh's embarrassment.
"That boy never changes," the man says shaking his head in amusement. "Never been too smooth with the ladies," he says in a whisper walking towards Maya, "especially the cute ones," he ends with a nudge to her side.
"I find that entirely hard to believe."
"Oh, believe me," Eli says, "I've known that boy since he was a kid. Great observer. Caring. Athletic. But, when it came to girls he tended to be clumsy. Much like his little niece."
"You know Riley," Maya asks as they begin to walk towards the register.
" 'Course, I do. I know the whole Matthew's clan; Alan, Amy, Cory, Eric, Morgan, Shawn…," Eli says behind the register.
"Shawn," Maya questions from the opposite side of the counter.
"Uh huh, Shawn Hunter." Eli pauses looking at Maya, "which would make you Maya Hart. Or is it Hunter now?"
"Still Hart. We're waiting on the last of the paperwork to go through, but I should be an official Hunter soon enough."
"Well Maya Hart soon to be Hunter, I'm Eli Williamson, and it is very nice to finally meet you," he ends sticking out his hand.
Maya proceeds to shake his hand eyeing him carefully. When she let's go, she twitches her mouth in one direction and states, "So, Eli, why do know so much about the Matthew's family and me?"
Eli laughs and responds, "Well you can't be best friends with Jonathan Turner without hearing a thing or two about that family."
Maya nods in agreement as she scans the store for her brunette tour guide.
"So," Eli begins capturing the blondes attention once more, "seeing as how I'm watching the store for Alan while they're in London. What brings you two to Philly?"
"O," Maya looks down and starts to tap the glass counter, "my mom had some pregnancy problems early this morning. Everything is fine, but Josh brought me out here as sort of a distraction. We we're gonna go on a bike tour, but ……. I don't knoq how exactly to ride one, ped say. Now Josh insists on teaching me."
"Josh," Eli laughs abruptly, "that Josh there," he says pointing at the brunette staring at camping supplies, "HE is going to teach YOU to ride a bike?"
"Yes," Maya says hesitantly. "Why are you laughing?"
"I'm sorry. It's just a coincidence."
"What is?"
"That the day I meet you is the same day that Josh is gonna teach you to ride a bike," he says with an immense smile.
"How's that a coincidence," Maya asks staring at the man with bewilderment.
"Because, I was the one who taught him," he chuckles again while thinking, "In fact, it was on the same day as the picture you were just looking at earlier."
Maya makes a face to silently inform the man to divulge the story, which he acknowledges by leaning towards her, his elbows resting on the counter.
"Alright, I'm assuming since he brought you all the way over here, you two must be close."
Maya bashfully nods in agreement.
"And I assume then, you would know Josh pretty well."
"I guess," Maya states. " I mean you said it before yourself. Great observer. Caring. Athletic." She starts to motion with her hands as she lists more of Josh's qualities, "He's a great listener. Loves his family. Smart. He's pretty much a…. well…. Matthew's. He's perfect."
Laughing Eli proceeds, "Well, even 'perfect' people have their moments. And Josh is no different." He pauses and looks up at the ceiling as he recalls the memory. "He was a bright eyed nine year old when we left for the trip in that picture. Seriously, that kid lived a carefree life. Great family, great looks, and he was a natural at everything. Until, his bubbly, clumsy little niece brought out her bike as soon as we got to our campsite."
Nodding in recognition, Maya begins to imagine the scene with a cute little Riley and an even cuter little Josh.
"You see, nine year old Josh hadn't learned to ride a bike just yet."
Maya's mouth opens in shock. Amused, Eli chuckles and rubs his chin between his index finger and thumb.
"I know. I think most of us were pretty shocked, but assuming like most things, Josh felt he would be able to ride it no problem. So, he asked Riley for a turn. Immediately, the boy crashed and crashed and crashed. And not gracefully I may add. Finally, he had enough, tossed the bike, quit trying, and ran off."
Once again, Maya sits dumbfounded "He just quit? Josh?" Maya blurts out.
"That's how we all felt. I don't think any one of us had really seen Josh that frustrated before."
"So what did you do," Maya asks.
"We let him cool down for a bit. Then, I walked up with a chocolate bar, and we chatted. He was pretty embarrassed for how he reacted, but I told him it was natural. Things don't always come easy," he says almost applying the talk to any situation, "Sometimes we get confused and overthink things. We get angry and frustrated and that's ok. It's ok to feel. What's important is what you do next. How your next move will affect you. And you just gotta make sure that that next move is one that'll make you happy. Because at the end of the day happiness is what everyone is after."
Maya soaks in the inadvertent lesson. Filing it in the section of her brain where Cory Matthews mostly resides.
"Then we walked back to camp," Eli continues, "He calmed down, and we practiced for a while until finally he zoomed from one end of camp to the other." Eli laughs before ending his story as an image pops into his head. "And when he did that he stood up and raised both arms," he states mimicking the motion, "and he shouted, 'I am JOSH THE MIGHTY!!!" Both start laughing profusely at the thought of a gloating nine year old Josh, until the present day one interrupts them.
"What's going on over here," Josh asks looking from Maya to Eli.
Maya takes a cue from Eli who puts a finger to his mouth and says, "Nothing, we were just talking."
Unconvinced, Josh presses his lips to the blonde and squints his eyes.
Eli interrupts the stare by asking, "what you got there?"
Josh raises his hand and nods at the items responding, "put it on my tab?"
Putting his hand out to receive the items, Eli begins to stuff them in a brown paper bag.
"Oh, I forgot one more thing," Josh says running back to area from where he came.
Maya and Eli share a moment and chuckle a little. The blonde peers over to Josh to confirm he isn't making his way back over. She leans closer to Eli and inquires, "Hey, really quick…" Eli bends over the counter to add more secrecy. Maya bites down on her bottom lip before continuing, "did Josh really talk to you about me?"
The man stands and laughs inwardly as he nods.
"I can't tell you exactly everything he said, but" he leans back to Maya and whispers in her ear. Maya begins to shyly smile and tap her mouth with finger.
Suddenly, Josh pops his head out and says, "Alright! All set. Thanks, Eli! Can you grab the bag, My?"
Maya stands, nods, then faces Eli. As he hands her the bag, he once again puts his finger to his mouth in a hush. Maya in return motions zipping her mouth shut before making her way back to Josh; this time with a new skip to her step and happiness in her heart.