A/N: I don't know how this chapter happened. I didn't plan on this being the chapter. But then it got longer and I was just like - chapter. Make it a chapter and move on because I didn't want to have to shorten it and adding substance would have made it feel overdone.
So - since I had no better name for what happens in this chapter - enjoy the Matthews.
Maya was standing at the station with Mr. & Mrs. Matthews, who came early to make sure she purchased the right train ticket. They also gave her pepper spray and a taser, "You can never be too safe, Maya."
Mrs. Matthews is the one who hugs Maya first. She wanted her mother to see her off, especially since it was five in the morning, but she knows that the diner needs someone to open. Mrs. Matthews was far more pleasant anyway so Maya wasn't about to start complaining.
"Now Maya, you need to call us as soon as you cross in the Pennsylvania, okay? And I don't mean call Riley – I mean call one of us." Mr. Matthews is gesturing back and forth between himself and his wife. Maya is nodding her head vigorously. She's surprised that her mother okay'd the trip at all; let alone Mr. & Mrs. Matthews!
"Understood." Maya bellows strongly. It's mostly to hide the fact that she's pretty much frightened of only being thirteen years old and riding on a train for two hours by herself.
Mrs. Matthews shakes her head at her husband, "I'm sorry, Cory, but I think one of us should just ride with her at least to the state line. Maybe Eric can meet us there?"
Maya loses a little bit of the discomfort building in her chest, but it doesn't stop her from asking Mrs. Matthews, "Why wasn't that the plan to begin with?"
"It was. Your mother insisted that we don't spend any more money than we already have on the trip. She assured us that you could take care of yourself. Your mother trusts you…" Mrs. Matthews begins with a sincere smile on her face, but Maya sees the same thing in her eyes as she sees on her own. It's not even really disbelief so much as discontent. An anger that even though everyone knows something is wrong it continues to happen anyway.
As an attorney, Maya is surprised that Mrs. Matthews hasn't learned to keep it hidden better. Mr. Matthews then starts talking for his wife, "We don't really agree with your mother on this one. It's not that we don't trust you, but you're still really young to be on a train by yourself."
"I'll go with her, Cory. You go home with the kids. I'll spend the day with your mom. Maybe we'll do some baking!" Mrs. Matthews begins walking away to get a ticket for the trip. This leaves Maya and Mr. Matthews alone together. He bends down and holds her shoulders in place.
"You know that you can call us Cory and Topanga, right?" Maya wasn't expecting this. She shakes her head at him, though, knowing that she would never do that. He's her teacher and even though he is also like family – he'll always be a teacher to her first, "Seriously. I can't be called Mr. Matthews in my own home. Especially if you marry Josh someday! You'll be my sister-in-law… which would be really weird, Maya. Not just the idea but also being called Mr. Matthews still. All of it… weird!"
She giggles. The fact that she does gives Mr. Matthews some comfort and he straightens back up, checking for his wife unconsciously as he does so. Maya hopes to love someone like that someday. Maybe if she's lucky Joshua will be that person. Mr. & Mrs. Matthews were high school sweethearts. They'd been friends since they were her age, so it's possible that she could end up being with Joshua for the rest of her life. She can't resist smiling wide at the thought.
When. Mrs. Matthews returns she also has two bottles of water and two bags of chips, "Are you ready, sweetie?"
Mr. Matthews gives his wife a quick kiss before both ladies usher themselves into fairly empty car. They don't talk much because Mrs. Matthews is working on her phone, occasionally making quick calls to follow up on specific tasks that need completed. Maya just stares out of the window while listening to music.
When the do finally arrive at the Philadelphia train station just under two hours later, Maya rubs her eyes not even having realized she fell back asleep. As she begins remembering what she was doing for the day she literally jumps up onto her feet, "Holy cow!"
"Oh it's been too long since I've been back." Mrs. Matthews remarks as she, too, gets onto her feet. The ladies walk sluggishly to the door and step onto the platform shakily. As soon as they get out the feel a gust of cool air, which Maya actually finds refreshing. Heading towards the main building is the longest walk of her life.
"I can't believe you paid for this day trip, Mrs. Matthews. We're just kids. Nobody in their right mind would have paid for two teenagers to have a silly date. I can't thank you enough for thinking that I somehow deserve this." Expressing appreciation is difficult for Maya, and it's even harder when it is to the Matthews family. They already do way too much for her. None of this was necessary but still they did it.
Mrs. Matthews slips her arm around Maya's shoulders as they are walking, "You should know that Josh's parents pitched in half of the cost. We all think you two are good for each other. And even though nobody has told me about Josh's legal issues – there is such a thing as public record."
Maya giggles. She has never thought of Mrs. Matthews as the defiant type, but she clearly has a hint of it somewhere inside. As her head bobs a little bit and her hair sticks to her cheek from the fierce wind, "He's going to be off of probation soon. He's supposed to come to New York for Valentine's Day."
Mrs. Matthews doesn't respond at that point, but Maya just feels like there's no way she's not smiling. Maya can't help but wonder what Mrs. Matthews actually likes. She's so well put together and successful that Maya feels like the woman probably can't have too many interests outside of her family. But she obviously loves making kids happy – otherwise Maya wouldn't be the Matthews' project.
Once they are inside a loud whooping sound startles Maya. On the other hand, Mrs. Matthews just continues on towards the crowd that caused the noise. When Maya finally gets herself back together she finds Joshua standing in front of her – and then lifting her up off of the ground by her waist – and spinning around!
"This isn't a movie, homeboy." Maya remarks with her usual hint of sarcasm. But the smile on her face proves that she was actually really tickled by Josh's gesture. As soon as she's replaced on the ground their arms fly around each other playfully.
Joshua speaks first, whispering into her hair, "I almost forgot you were a real person."
Closing her eyes, Maya just takes in his scent. Today he smells very faintly of mint and… Bananas? Maybe he had a banana for breakfast? She doesn't think long about it, replying to his statement with one of her own, "I beginning to think I was dreaming the whole thing. I am rather unappealing as a romantic partner."
Joshua slips his hand into hers and begins leading her back towards the adults. Mrs. Matthews is making so gestures to her phone while talking to the side at Grandma Matthews. Maya feels so comfortable with all of them and she can hardly believe that she's been so lucky. Everyone welcomes Maya with a hug, except Eric Matthews, who actually gives her a noogie.
"You're going to be my new little sister in like five years, right?" Eric Matthews jokes. Joshua just runs a heel into him with a stern look on his face. Everyone else actively ignores the comment and heads back outside to head to the Matthews' home. However, once they are outside Josh stops Maya and approaches his parents. They whisper intently for a few minutes before Mrs. Topanga Matthews finally has to step in and end the conversation.
Maya expected everyone to be mad about something as serious as the chat looked form afar, but Josh returns to her with a huge grin on his face, "I know that you just got off of the train. But I was hoping you'd be up for hot chocolate and ice skating." She doesn't even look back to make sure everyone else okay with it.
"As long as you make it worth my time. I can't promise my legs will know how to work when we get there, though." If she isn't being a tiny bit harsh when she speaks, then she has forgotten exactly who she is as a person. Josh seems pleased with her, going as far as kissing the top of her head, and yanking her back to the train with tickets already in his hand; "You got a whole day planned? That's adorable."