A/N: Hi Maya Peaches! It's definitely a Lucaya story. Trust me, love :3
I cut this chapter weirdly just because I thought it was too long as a whole, but this is Part One of this specific chapter.
All of you guys are beautiful people and don't you dare ever forget that. (Just wanted to say that because sometimes we all need a reminder). Thank you for all your support guys! I appreciate the sweet comments and the lovely words you have for me! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own GMW, but Cynical!Maya is my heart and soul ❀(*´◡`*)❀
Choosing social dancing at a community center on free tango night hadn't just been a plan to get the wedding party together to converse and get to know each other. It had also been a calculated move on Maya's part so people could practice ballroom dancing for the actual wedding. Some of them were completely clueless, like Wyatt and Darby. Billy was a little lost too as was the disgruntled Smackle.
But of them all, Zay was absolutely the best. Most everyone was shocked when he had easily done the steps from the first time they'd learned a few of them. She found out from Zay that he used to do ballet and took ballroom to help his balance. In addition Charlie's, Zay's, and Lucas' mothers had forced them all to take ballroom lessons for many years. They had the most experience and had been helping the others.
The rest of the party was doing fine, and Maya's plan was succeeding since some of them partnered up with each other when they had the chance to chat.
Maya had been making her rounds, circulating around and making sure everyone was having a good time and introducing herself to the people she didn't know. When Missy had given her a pointed look, Maya had pretended like she was doing it to be polite, but she knew the real reason was because she was trying to hold off on talking to Lucas. She really didn't want to discuss this thing. It was kind of embarrassing. But she knew Missy would interfere and start pulling strings if she didn't keep up her end of the bargain.
Maya walked over to the chairs on the side, sitting down next to Zay who was just watching the crowded room as people practiced the steps that Margeaux, the instructor, had shown them.
"Why aren't you dancing?"
Zay shrugged, taking a sip from his water bottle. "Felt like taking a break. Watching the mess."
They watched as Jade accidentally stepped on the foot of someone she had been dancing with and Maya and Zay both grimaced.
"This was a really good idea, Maya. Think how bad this could have been bad if the day of the wedding came and people hadn't learned this."
"Yeah. I've seen it happen in weddings before. The maid of honour tore the bride's dress when she couldn't get the steps right."
Zay snorted in amusement, drinking some more water as he leaned back in his chair.
Maya watched Charlie try to help Sarah get one of the steps, explaining it to her carefully. Charlie had definitely been the most accommodating about the people who couldn't seem to get it that easily. He was pretty patient and very nice to wait until he was sure the person got it. It made her wonder how he could possibly be best friends with Zay in their little trio since their personalities clashed.
"You know, I've been thinking. What's up with your trio of best friends? You're unbalanced. You've got Mr. Perfect Prince Charming, you've got Mr. Wisecracking Smartass. You." She gave Zay a pointed look. "And then there's Mr. Sweetheart Nerd. Too much nice."
"Who the fuck is Mr. Perfect supposed to be? I certainly hope you are not talking about Lucas."
"I was."
Zay laughed so hard, his water almost squirted out of his nose.
"Maya, stop playing. You of all people should know Lucas is not perfect." Zay wiped his mouth. "And especially not back when we were in school. He got in fights all the time. Granted, he was more like a Batman type person who protected those he cared about rather than a delinquent, but still. He thinks that acting like this gentleman is how he's supposed to be, but anyone who knows him can see that holding his real self back is more stressful. At least you're a good outlet for stress relief though."
Maya wanted to say she was totally surprised, but the fact of the matter was, she wasn't. Not in the least. Because she had already known. She had already suspected it.
"A good outlet?"
"To let off some steam with. Every time he talks to you, he doesn't put on airs. That sparkle comes back in his eyes."
Maya gave him a weird look.
"You know? That twinkle? That smoulder? That look like he's about to eat you?" Zay waggled his eyebrows. "And by eat, I mean—"
"Stop." Maya rolled her eyes. "There's no sparkle. And I'm glad to know I'm apparently a punching bag for his temper."
Zay rose a brow at her with a small smile on his lips. "Right… Punching bag. Well I'm calling it now."
"Calling what now?"
"You'll see," he responded cryptically.
"Zay you're annoying as hell."
"So are you, sugar. I lost about a day's worth of profits after you came in my bar. You're going to drink me into bankruptcy if you ever come back. So you've been banned."
"Whatever, you dumbass."
Zay's response was interrupted by an ow! that resounded through the air. They both glanced at Lucas near them, who had unfortunately gotten his feet trodden upon by Riley once again. Maya grimaced. That was the third time in the past couple of minutes.
The thing about Riley was that she tried and she wasn't terrible, but because of her clumsy nature, she tended to trip on her feet. And that was the main reason why Maya had made this the social gathering event of the evening. To get Riley to practice some more dancing in heels because it wouldn't do if her wedding dance ended with her tumbling into the cake and tearing her dress.
"Not like that." Margeaux said, rubbing her temples in irritation. "You're trampling on his feet like a herd elephant…"
"Sorry…" Riley apologized sheepishly. "How are you so good at this, Lucas?"
"I was forced to take lessons when I was younger," Lucas said with a smile. "It's alright. You'll get it."
"Not before his toes fall off…" Zay muttered.
Maya couldn't help her snort. She made the mistake of looking briefly around the room. Her eyes met Missy's and she gave Maya a blank stare, a brow arched expectantly. She was clearly still waiting for Maya to tell Lucas her concerns. Maya sighed, looking away.
"That's it! I can't take this anymore. You need to see a live dance so I can point out to you what you need to fix." Margeaux tugged Riley away from Lucas. "You. Blonde woman sitting over there. Come dance with this young man and show her how it's done."
Maya stiffened, her brows rising in surprise. Zay glanced at Maya in amusement.
"What are you going to do now?" Zay asked patronizingly.
"I'm good, thanks." Maya replied to Margeaux. "Besides, I can't dance either. And I can't dance in these heels, they're too high."
"Maya, you practically live in heels." Riley gave her a look. "You were doing fine all of tonight. I saw you."
"I've seen men dance hip hop in heels higher than those. You'll be fine." Margeaux said. "Besides, I've been watching you. Great technique."
"I'm really not good at it." Her eyes briefly met Lucas' who was looking a little anxious. "Not good at all."
"Please Maya?" Riley asked her. "I know you know how to do this. You took some tango classes in college. Help me? I don't want to embarrass myself at the wedding."
"Fine…" Maya finally grumbled, rising up from her seat and ignoring Zay's borderline ecstatic look.
She approached them slowly, wondering why it felt like she was on the chopping block.
Great. The exact person she'd been trying to avoid, she could no longer avoid.
Maya walked up to Lucas and placed a hand on his shoulder, the other clasped in his free hand as they set themselves in the proper hold for a tango. It was awkward and neither of them had particularly pleased expressions on their faces.
"Pay attention to where Maya is placing her hand on his shoulder. See her foot placement?" Margeaux explained to Riley. "That is about as close as the feet will get."
Maya glared at Lucas, wishing that this whole thing could be over already. Lucas had an uneasy look on his face and was looking out of the window, loosely holding her hand. They were both feeling uncomfortable about this and Zay—that jerk—was snickering over by the chairs, laughing at their predicament.
"Will you stop looking at me like you want to rip off my balls and force feed them to me?" Lucas finally said, glancing down at her.
"But I do," she said faux sweetly.
"Can't you at least chill out right now?"
"No. Not in this situation. You're too close—"
"Not my fault. We're demonstrating."
"—and your hand is too low on my back. Lift it up."
He narrowed his eyes. "This is where it's supposed to be."
"I don't like it there. Lift it up or your shin will suffer as will your toes. I'm not afraid to use these heels."
He rolled his eyes and lifted his hand further up her back.
"No no no!" Margeaux barked. "Put your hand lower! Lower back, fingertips past the spine. Yes, just like that. And get closer. A tango is supposed to be intense and intimate and passionate. Like sex with clothes on!"
"Okay, we're done here." Maya let go of Lucas abruptly, taking a wide step back and feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.
"Yeah." Lucas looked uncomfortable.
"Guys c'mon!" Riley said, putting her hands on her hips. "Do you want me tripping on my own feet?! Get back in position."
Maya closed her eyes with a sigh of defeat, stepped back up to Lucas and assumed the position again at a fairly far distance. Margeaux put her hands on both their backs and forced them closer until Maya was almost pressed up against him and the only thing her nose was filled with was the scent of his cologne.
"Good. Romeo! Play some music!" Margeaux's smile grew as she clapped her hands. "Now! Everybody dance! Dance!"
Lucas and Maya's gazes both snapped to Margeaux incredulously.
"What?!"
"Dance or I'm kicking you both out of my class." She growled ominously.
"Maya, just dance! I need to watch and learn." Riley said.
"You learn best from practicing and trying the moves yourself." Maya argued.
"Not if you're stepping on your partner's feet every ten seconds." Margeaux drawled. "Now dance! Dance!"
Maya sighed and turned back to Lucas who was watching her patiently, waiting for her to make up her mind.
"So I guess we're…?"
"Yeah." she grumbled. "We're dancing."