Summer Daze

Chapter Eleven | Finally.

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Maya comes to the first red light, while in en route to the carnival, and anxiously bouncing around in the driver's seat as she impatiently waits for it to turn green. Meanwhile, Josh is sitting beside her, watching in amusement before chuckling to himself. He shakes his head. "You know, I could've drove."

"You drive like a grandpa sometimes, Boing." Maya says quickly, and Josh gasps. He'd been standing outside with Marc, waiting for Maya to finish getting ready, although there was nothing wrong with her before. Needless to say, noticeably hiding the love bite he'd given to her earlier with concealer, and Josh couldn't help snickering to himself about it.

He glances out the front windshield as the light turns green, Maya practically smashing the gas pedal to the floor as she goes straight, and Josh can't get over how cute she becomes the minute they're about to do something fun. He chills back in the passenger seat, enjoying the ride, and bobbing his head to the music emanating from the speakers. Josh then looks in the rearview mirror before completely shifting his body to peer out of the back window. Marc's car is directly behind theirs, opting to give the couple some privacy, and Maya briefly tears her eyes away from the road long enough to glimpse at Josh. "Is everything okay?" she asks, putting on her blinker, and successfully making a left turn.

Josh nods. "Just making sure Marc is still with us,"

"Hopefully he's as excited as I am," Maya beams, teeth on full display as she smiles widely, and tightly gripping the steering wheel with both hands in attempt to calm herself. "We don't have a lot of time, and I want to get on every ride there." She announces, and Josh sits back in his seat, staring at her.

His eyebrows furrow. "Don't tell me you've never been to a carnival either. You really need to get out more," Josh declares, and Maya playfully punches the side of his arm.

"Be quiet. At least my first time going will be with you…" Maya says shyly, heart pounding, and growing sheepish when Josh starts to tease her.

"Awww, that's so sweet." Josh mutters, pressing a hand over his heart, while exuding overly dramatic bliss. "I'm happy we're doing this together, too." He says quietly, and puckering his lips to peck Maya's when she stops at another light.

Maya's cheeks then flush. "Dallas and Juliet will meet us there…" she murmurs, bowing her head shamefully, and Josh firmly holds her hand.

He sends her a comforting smile, and Maya's insides churn. "Stop thinking about it, okay? What's done is done. They're not blaming you, so there's no reason to keep feeling guilty. Let's just have fun tonight,"

"Okay."

In a few more minutes, they arrive at the carnival's parking lot, having to park fairly far away, and Marc doesn't park too far away from them. Maya hurriedly grabs Josh's hand, dragging him behind her, and Marc quickly follows after them. There's already a bit of a line by the time they reach the ticket booth, and Maya is eagerly dancing in her spot in line with Josh and Marc on either side of her, amused by the extreme happiness she's displaying. The trio then becoming distracted as they look inside of the park to see some of the active rides, and Maya tightly squeezes Josh's hand, pointing at all the rides they're going to get on, and what order.

Josh laughs prior to wrapping his arms around Maya's neck as she stands in front him, facing the front of the line. She's so short that he can easily see over her head, only growing a few more inches since the last time he saw her. He then looks next to him at Marc, who's been quiet the entire time. He's standing with his hands in his pockets, and a dull expression on his face. Josh leans in closer to whisper to him. "What's wrong?"

"Huh?"

"You look like you just witnessed a dog die," Josh says, and Marc stiffens. "Relax. We're here to have fun."

"Yeah, I know. You're right…" Marc responds, anxious to get inside of the park in hopes of feeling less like the third wheel.

It takes about seven more minutes until it's finally their turn to get their tickets, Maya ultimately passing the time by quietly mumbling the lyrics to a DJ Khaled song that eventually comes on, and searching the area for Dallas and Juliet. "I see them," Maya says, and letting go of Josh's hand to run up to them, while Josh and Marc take their time, purposely wanting to stay behind.

"Congrats, by the way on finally making Maya yours. How does it feel?" Marc asks, sounding like a reporter, although genuinely supportive, and Josh looks down.

He stares at his feet, while they walk. "I still haven't officially asked her," Josh confesses, and both of Marc's eyebrows go up, surprised.

"But I heard you call her, babe. I figured that meant you two were together?" Marc presumes, and Josh takes a deep breath.

"I mean, she practically is mine. Maya knows how I feel about her, and I know how she feels about me. Titles are kind of irrelevant in my eyes, but I suggested we take things slow to be sure this is what we want. We're not very good at doing that, though…" Josh says smiling.

Marc looks away from Josh to gaze at Maya, flustered by the apparent agreement. "I don't get it. I thought we were on the same page when I told you not to hold back with Maya, otherwise someone else will take her from you."

"Like you?" Josh intentionally blurts, and Marc tenses. Nevertheless, not given the chance to respond as they finally catch up with Maya and her friends.

Maya's smile is large, and her eyes bounce back and forth between Marc and Josh. "Marc, this is Dallas and Juliet. Josh has already met them. We all used to work together," she announces, and Marc gets a good look at the pair—Juliet looking nice in a floral dress that stops just above her knees, and wearing plain black flats to match. Meanwhile, Dallas looks casual in a short sleeved plaid shirt with a tank top underneath it, and wearing khaki shorts with sneakers.

Marc nods. "Nice to meet you," he says nervously, and both Dallas and Juliet smile friendly at him.

Once the introductions are out of the way, Maya zealously declaring that they all get on the roller coaster first, which everybody seems to agree to. Maya leads the way, her hand intertwined with Josh's, then Dallas and Marc behind them, and Juliet backing up the rear.

Marc glances over his shoulder at her, beginning to slow down, and waiting for her to catch up. She's walking with her head down, clearly skeptical, but eventually looks up to see Marc giving her an assured smile. He doesn't say anything, but opting to stay with her as they finish walking to the line for the roller coaster. They're all in line for a few minutes, Juliet still not saying much, and Marc seems to be the only one to notice her uneasiness. It's nearly their turn, but it's obvious Juliet doesn't want to go on. "Do you want wait here for them?" he asks, and Juliet gapes at him.

"W-What do you mean?"

"If you don't want to ride, then I can wait down here with you until they're done."

Juliet pushes her glasses further onto her face, not wanting to hold up the line. She nods. "Okay…"

Marc delicately smirks. "Hey, I'm going to wait here with Juliet!" he shouts, notifying the others, and they nod.

Maya makes sure she picks a seat where her and Josh can sit next to each other, while Marc notices Dallas looking back at him as he climbs up the steps to the ride. Marc is perplexed, and stepping out of line with Juliet to begin waiting for everyone. They don't really say much to each other, Juliet blatantly preoccupied as she watches the ride horrifically, glad with her decision not to get on.

Marc stares at her profile, curious. "Are you afraid of roller coasters?"

"Absolutely." Juliet replies, not even speculating whether to lie. "They just seem dangerous, so I prefer not to ride them."

"I'm sure Maya would argue that," Marc teases as the blonde's jubilant screams seem to be the loudest out of everybody. He then thinks back to the moment of Dallas staring at him like his choice to stay with Juliet was the wrong one. Marc awkwardly shifts around on his feet. "Hey, just wondering, but is Dallas your boyfriend by any chance?"

"Dallas? No. He's more like an annoying brother. We've been working together for a long time, so we're just really good friends."

"Are you sure? Because I kind of got the sense he was mad about me staying with you or something,"

"We've both made it pretty clear we don't like each other in that way."

"But feelings can change." Marc says, but still Juliet refuses to believe otherwise.

She looks at Marc humorously. "Just trust me, okay?"

[…]

Josh's face is focused as he concentrates on the target in front of him, and the sarcastic man sitting above the tank as he wittily taunts him. He rotates the ball in his hand, while Maya stands behind him on her tip-toes, rubbing his shoulders. Josh has already wasted one attempt at trying to land the guy inside of the dunk tank, openly under pressure as a small crowd gathers around him—some waiting their turn, and others merely curious of whether he can do it or not.

Following the roller coaster, Maya eagerly wanting to enjoy the rest of the carnival, suggesting the bumper cars immediately after, and then the drop tower succeeding that. Elsewhere, Dallas, Juliet, and Marc voluntarily joining in with whatever the blonde wants to do. However, the group eventually splitting up after completing nearly all the rides to either eat or play games. Josh has never left Maya's side, taking turns winning each other prizes, and feeding one another cheese fries once momentarily stopping to grab a bite to eat.

They've accumulated several prizes, which consist of plastic green shutter glasses, a stuffed sock monkey, a feather boa, and a water soaker—all that Maya won for Josh. Josh on the other hand, getting Maya a plush Pikachu, a blowup guitar, an inflatable beachball, and now attempting to win her a giant stuffed tiger.

Josh cracks his neck, positioning himself to throw the ball, but unfortunately missing for the second time. The guy laughs. "C'mon, my grandma throws harder than that!" he shouts, causing the crowd to laugh, and Josh gets frustrated, clenching his fists.

Maya looks at him sympathetically. "It's okay, Josh. Shake it off. You still have one try left," she encourages, and Josh turns his head to stare at her.

He falls weak the minute she smirks at him, and now with another boost of energy to make her proud. "Here, hold my boa…" Josh says, putting it around Maya's neck, and shaking out his limbs prior to preparing himself to throw one final time.

Maya then claps, chanting Josh's name simultaneously, and soon with the crowd joining in.

Josh winds his arm back, his eyes steady on the target, and flinging the ball forward until finally a bell goes off, sending the guy flying into the tank. Lights are flashing, screams are resonating, and Maya nearly knocking Josh down as she happily jumps on his back. He puts his hands under her thighs, securing his hold on her, and carefully walking up to the game owner to claim his prize. "The giant white tiger, please."

"Here you go." The guy says, handing Josh the toy, and cheeks hot when Maya kisses the side of his face.

"Thanks, Boing."

"Anytime."

The carnival is just about to close, Josh and Maya ending the evening with a ride on the Ferris Wheel when a firework show starts.

Maya leans her head against Josh's shoulder, full of bliss as her eyes glimmer from the reflection of the firecrackers. "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah," Josh says, content as they hold hands. "You?"

"Mhmm," Maya hums, pursing her lips to hide her smile. Official or unofficial, she will be satisfied as long as they're sharing moments like these together. "Let's end the night off right…" Maya states, lifting her head, and Josh looks at her questionably.

He parts his lips to speak, but instantly going silent when Maya cradles his cheek, and pressing their mouths together.

The kiss between them is sensual…passionate…invigorating—an endearment like no other, and the sound of the fireworks seeming to silence for as long as their lips are entangled together.

Josh then pulls away, eyelids low as he continues to stare at Maya's mouth before intently looking into her eyes. "I give up," he says, and Maya is visibly confused as her face distorts. Josh sighs, heart pounding, and cheeks burning with electricity. "Will you be my girlfriend, Maya?" Josh sheepishly asks, and Maya chokes, her eyes wide, while replaying the words over and over again in her head.

"Why the change of heart?"

"That was just me being overprotective of your feelings," Josh says, staring at Maya longingly. "I've known for a long time how you've felt about me, and could never do anything about it. Then you admitted to me that you shortly tried dating someone else for the first time, but broke up because you couldn't stop thinking of me even when we weren't together. You have to admit, being your first real boyfriend, and finally getting to be a couple is kind of a scary thing for me. I feel a lot of pressure trying to keep you happy, but I realize you're already happy, so I should just keep doing what I'm doing, right? I'm still afraid of the truth…that we actually aren't meant to be, but I guess if we really want to be with each other, then we'll do whatever it takes no matter how tough things get for us. I want to go home with you, Maya. I want us to spend the night together, and wake up to each other's faces. I want us to have meals together, and snuggle up on the couch as we watch TV. I want us to do everything we're doing now, but the only difference is we'll finally be together. I don't care anymore about how fast we maybe going. I just want to be with you."

"Are you sure, Josh?"

"I'm positive. Like you said, it's not like we're strangers. If we want to be a couple, then we have every right. I love you, Maya…What do you say?" Josh asks bashfully, and Maya grins.

She leans in to softly peck his nose. "I would be delighted to be your girlfriend, Joshua." Maya says in a random British accent, and Josh chuckles, shaking his head at her silliness.

"This is why people say I'm lucky…"

[…]

Marc sits at a wooden picnic table, chin resting in his palm, and countenance colorless as he watches the stunning firework show. He's waiting along with Dallas and Juliet for Maya and Josh to finish their Ferris Wheel ride before going home, although currently alone with Dallas as Juliet is busy using the restroom. However, not paying Dallas any mind—the two not saying much to each other the entire evening after the weird stare down between them earlier. Instead, Marc purposely trying not to look at him, while Dallas indulges on a plate of funnel cake. His gaze is attentive, noticeably looking at Marc, and wiping his hands on a napkin before clearing his throat. "I didn't realize we were playing the quiet game."

"What?" Marc replies, looking at Dallas.

Dallas smirks. "You've had this faraway look in your eyes all night. What's so important that you can't stop thinking about it?"

"Nothing." Marc groans dismissively, resting his cheek back in his palm, and Dallas sighs.

"Do you want me to guess? Because let me tell you, I'm an awesome guesser,"

"Just drop it, okay?" Marc exclaims, and Dallas holds his hands up in surrender.

Another quietude then surfaces, and Dallas chews loudly, which gets on Marc's last nerve. He clenches his fists, desperate not to explode, and Dallas secretly smirks to himself as he's successfully getting under Marc's skin. "Want some?" He offers, and Marc sends him a death glare.

"No, thanks." Marc mutters irritably, and Dallas shrugs, proceeding to eat.

Their silence only lasts for about thirty seconds until Dallas speaks up again, and it causes Marc to tense up. "Juliet told me you pressed her about why I looked at you earlier," he implies, but Marc doesn't respond. "Why couldn't you just ask me yourself?"

"I only wanted to know if she was your girlfriend."

"Juliet? No. Never." Dallas declares, his answer similar to Juliet's.

Marc looks at him profusely. "Why? Is there something wrong with her?"

"She's not my type," Dallas says simply, and shrugging as he takes another bite of funnel cake.

"Your type?" Marc repeats, clearly judging. "What's not to like about her?"

"Would you date her?"

"I don't know her."

"When has that ever stopped anybody?" Dallas challenges, and Marc sucks his teeth. He couldn't wait for everybody else to return, so this awkward conversation could be over.

Marc looks away. "Whatever, just forget it."

It's still a few minutes before everybody's together again—the carnival preparing to shutdown for the night, and Marc can't help but notice how much more perky Josh and Maya appear since before watching them get onto the ride. Meanwhile, everybody else clearly exhausted as they're ready to leave until finally exiting the carnival grounds, and going to their respective cars. They all bid a temporary farewell, and Marc couldn't be happier to go home.

He pulls his keys out of his pocket, opening the door, and starting to get inside until a presence startles him. Marc quickly turns around to see Dallas standing with his hands in his pockets, and staring at him harshly as he contemplates what it is he wants. "What's up?" Marc asks aggressively, but never getting a response. Instead, taking a step back once Dallas moves closer to him; their noses almost touching as Dallas angles his mouth with his, and Marc is literally holding his breath by the unexpected closeness. Needless to say, he isn't denying it.

Meanwhile, Dallas' breathing is steady, and tone daunting as he whispers to Marc with a canny smirk. "You can't fool me, Marc. I can tell when somebody is interested…and the way you're desperately trying not to look at my mouth right now is the dead give away." Dallas proclaims, and Marc tightens his jaw, speechless as he doesn't try to defy the serious accusation. "Make sense now why Juliet isn't my type,"

Marc gulps, his chest heavily rising and falling. "What do you want?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Dallas says, backing away slightly, and Marc stares at him intensely. "I want to see you again."

PLEASE REVIEW, the more of you to comment, the faster the chapters come :)

I love all the responses I got last chapter, and I hope I continue to get just as much because I love hearing from you guys!

I had this chapter already typed up before posting Chapter Ten, and considering the responses I got regarding Joshaya, I'm sure this chapter was refreshing. I also can't believe how many of you thought the no more than two kisses was hilarious, lol. That's the last thing I was expecting anybody to talk about when typing that, but Josh only made the rule because the more he kisses Maya, the more he has urges to take it further, so better to limit himself than to be unlimited, haha. Regardless, the rule is irrelevant now.

Recap:

1. Josh, Maya, and Marc go to the carnival with Juliet and Dallas.

2. Let the church bells ring because Joshaya are FINALLY together. Hence, the title of this chapter.

3. It's revealed that Marc is bisexual. I've had this idea since the beginning when I thought of this character, and using my hiatus for thinking of how to execute it. When I first introduced Juliet, a lot of people were saying to make them meet, so they could get together and then Marc could leave Joshaya alone. Then I started thinking, why does it have to be Juliet? When I reread the story, I realized I never specified Dallas' sexuality or whether he even has a girlfriend or not, so when I thought of the carnival, I figured this would be the best time to reveal everything about Marc. I also wanted to make it like a big surprise, hoping nobody would suspect it until I announced it in the story, so hopefully I accomplished that with most of you. More regarding Marc will be explained in the next chapter. I also want to say that what Marc did for Juliet at the roller coaster was just him being nice. He doesn't like Juliet like that, so don't take his conversation with Dallas too seriously either. It was just necessary for the brief talk between them at the end of chapter.

4. Dallas asks Marc out.

Author Replies:

somuchlovexoxo: Lol, I wasn't going for creepy when I wrote that scene. If Josh walked into a room to see Maya sleeping, admiring her just like Marc did would you still think the same thing ;)

By the way, Chapters Twelve and Thirteen are already complete, so if I continue to get reviews like I've been getting, then I will keep my word, and post chapters frequently.

I also don't know how I will be ending this story or when, but I wanted to ask you guys for anybody that might actually answer: How many of you enjoy my writing/stories? (I don't know who's read all three, or just started with this one), and would you recommend/share this story with other Joshaya shippers? Just curious. I don't know if I'm going write another Joshaya story after this unless I have a high demand for it. Otherwise, the most I would do is head canons instead. I don't know.

ALSO: If anything in this chapter concerns you, I advise you to send me a PM rather than typing a review, presuming what you have to say isn't pleasant or is personal.

Thanks to everybody that read, reviewed, and followed. Much appreciation!