written by Lena
Note: The full title is "Snowflakes and a Pear Tree." FFnet again wouldn't let me write the full title.
"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree"
Maya sat by the window, watching as the snowflakes hit the glass and began to pile up along the window sill. The glass was cold to the touch and Maya rested her head in her hands, winter break couldn't seem to come fast enough. Still a whole week before Christmas break. Maya was just waiting for Riley to get back from Christmas shopping. She had wanted to go with but Riley insisted she stay, Maya guessed it was because Riley was going shopping for her secret santa gift.
"Knock, knock," Maya heard a voice say by the door. She glanced up to see none other than Joshua Matthews standing in the door frame. A sudden smile creeped up her face.
"Joshua Matthews," Maya began cooly with what she hoped sounded smooth, "What an unexpected surprise," Maya drawled, grinning madly now. She, like every interaction with Josh, attempted to gain the upperhand; Josh, naturally being the older partner in their blossoming relationship, always had it.
"Well, there are a few things happening today," Josh began, he couldn't stop the smile that seemed to appear whenever Maya was around. "I took my last final, I'm finally home from college, you know, till next semester," Josh paused for Maya to applaud, she just groaned.
"Don't rub it in," Maya replied.
"Well, that's not all the news, I also thought you might like to know that today, and officially for the next few weeks…" Josh trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. Maya could have sworn she saw a blush begin to rise and sure enough, she noticed his ears tinged pink.
"And…" Maya prompted.
"Well, it's you know, that weird few weeks of the year where we're only two years apart? You know, I was just uh…wondering, we could catch a movie or something. Listen, this isn't, I mean, you don't have to…" Josh was growing more uncomfortable by the minute. Maya meanwhile was nearly bouncing from excitement. She hadn't realized how much Josh was in this long game until this moment. She thought about it and realized that for it to be the weird weeks when they were the same age, Maya would have had to have a birthday, which, from what she could recall, she hadn't. She didn't feel like correcting Josh though, in fact, she felt like jumping up and down and screaming and crying and a couple hundred different emotions she couldn't quite place. All this realization happened in the mere seconds of awkward silence in which Josh was painfully avoiding eye contact.
Sarcastic as always, she replied "Well, I don't know, I'll have to check my schedule." Maya dramatically spun on her heel until she was facing Josh and announced, "Okay, I'm free!" She smirked and grabbed her purse from the bay window. She knew if she could see herself, she'd resemble a perky brunette and she tried desperately to remind herself to chill out. She managed to calm herself enough so that the only indication of her excitement was a spring in her footsteps as the pair stepped out the door.
They saw Frozen II, not too romantic and one neither minded seeing. They left the theater, hands close but not touching. "Wanna go for a walk?" Josh suggested. Snow was still falling, the ground coated with a few inches already. They made it to Central Park, streetlights lighting up the walkway. Maya shivered slightly and Josh draped his coat on her arms. He was in a thick wool sweater and didn't mind the cold. Maya and Josh just talked. Josh talked about his classes and college and Maya talked about her art.
"So, would you say college is hard?" Maya asked.
"Well, I don't know. I guess. I didn't fail any classes so maybe that's a good sign," Josh shrugged, chuckling at his own joke. Maya couldn't help but grin. They walked past a sign advertising carriage rides. Maya, having secretly wished to travel in one since she was a young girl, let out an over dramatic sigh.
"You know, my legs are getting a bit tired." Josh, clueless, saw the carriages and suggested a ride. Maya happily agreed. The couple hopped in and the driver threw a heavy blanket over them. They started off in a trot, Maya listened closely to the clomp of the hooves and the crunch of snow beneath the wheels. She watched as the snow continued falling, observing all the people walking around. They traveled by the frozen lake, skaters gliding on the ice.
Josh was observing Maya's amazement and wonder at the world around her and couldn't help but smile to himself. He never realized how beautiful she was, especially when she was in awe.
"Hey Maya." Maya turned her attention away from the window and towards the boy beside her. "You know, I think you're pretty cool, kind of like a little snowflake," Josh said with confidence. Maya grinned, the sparkle in her eyes visible in the dusk light.
"Ooo, did you just call me pretty?" Maya provoked.
"I said pretty cool, but I guess you're not half bad looking," he added, making her blush. The carriage was silent, and Josh feared he went too far.
"Hey Josh," Maya interrupted the silence.
"Yeah, Maya?"
"I like you." Maya bumped him with her shoulder, closing the small gap between them. The two suddenly didn't seem worlds away. Maya leaned in to Josh, leaning her head on his shoulder and began humming. Josh listened closely and recognized the old carol. He began humming along with her.
"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree."