A/N Our journey into the loophole continues! Enjoy!
Freshman11: Maya is staying for the weekend with Riley. I mentioned a few chapters ago that this is an established thing in my head from previous years in which Katy had to work late on Maya's birthday. Last year was an exception because she began to bond with her mother and was kind of annoyed at Riley still for having her tied up, lol
Part X
After Josh gave Maya a soft kiss on her forehead that she absolutely swore warmth radiated from, they separated. Josh was to join the family through more traditional means (the front door), while Maya climbed in the apartment through Riley's window.
"Peaches! I was wondering when you would be back. I know I was a bad friend by abandoning you on your birthday weekend to spend time with Lucas…" Riley said as she hugged her friend and sat with her at their bay window.
"Riles, please. You and Ranger Rick are still in your sickeningly adorable honeymoon stage and spend every Sunday together. It's fine with me because he smartly gives me priority on the other six days of the week when I need you, as of course he should. I wasn't expecting you to give up your whole weekend for me. We're growing up, Pumpkin" Maya said reassuringly "and besides, I had other stuff going on."
Riley looked relieved at first then furrowed her brow in confusion at Maya's last statement, undoubtedly wondering what plans her friend had without her.
Before Riley could ask Maya jumped in "So, tell me about the Cowboy on skates? Are their broken bones to worry about?"
It was Maya's turn to be relieved as Riley predictably got that goofy "Lucas-induced" grin on her face and went into a detailed explanation of her date. Apparently bloodshed was minimal and Lucas was ever the patient gentleman as Riley fumbled around the ice. It wasn't as if she did anything wrong by spending her day with Josh, but she knew the less the family knew about it, the easier the alternate reality would be for both of them to maintain.
A voice called out "Dinner time!" and the girls made their way to the kitchen to join the rest of the family. Josh was sitting on the couch deep in discussion with Auggie about his Ava problems. Apparently she was jealous of his "bro-mance" with Doy. Maya overheard "I mean I gotta have my bro-time, right Uncle Josh?" at one point and couldn't withhold a snicker. Josh looked up and smiled at her, causing her knees to almost give out, before he re-focused on his nephew with whom he had yet to spend much time with on this visit.
Dinner was pleasant and conversation mostly consisted of Riley describing her "almost injury-free" ice skating date, followed by Auggie updating the family on the problems he was having with his "woman." Josh knew Auggie looked up to him like a big brother and tried to keep a straight face as he passed down "guy wisdom."
Josh was seated across from Auggie, next to Maya on the dining table bench, and Riley sat on her other side. Maya didn't know how to feel. After a day where they were able to be so open with each other, holding hands, talking about everything, sharing smiles and hugs, to suddenly be thrust back into the reality where she and Josh could NOT be a couple was like a cold shower in the morning after a beautiful dream. She hid her emotions well but was quiet during the meal.
Josh knew what was bothering her. He felt it too, the awkwardness of being so close yet so distant at the same time. But Josh was able to hide his emotions more easily by distracting himself with Auggie's need for his company. When Topanga was up getting leftover birthday cake sliced for desert Josh reached down and grabbed Maya's left hand with his right under the table. It was a small gesture but the smile it put on her face as she looked at him through the corner of her eye and the squeeze she gave him in return told him that no gesture was too small for this girl.
Maya remembered earlier in the day when she saw Lucas grab Riley's hand under the table and she thought it was such a cheesy but "them" gesture. She now realized she was being overly judgmental. Letting go of his hand Maya accepted the plate of cake Riley's mom handed her. Maya then looked at Riley too say something, and noticed her best friend had a curious expression on her face. Riley looked at Maya closely, then glanced at Josh, then back at Maya. It was as if Maya could see the imaginary lightbulb suspended above Riley's head suddenly illuminate as she put the pieces together.
Riley gave her a knowing look, whispered "Bay window. Bay window after dessert."
Maya nodded because she knew she had been caught. Riley had figured it out.
To be continued…