Cory and Maya each walked around in a daze for the next 24 hours. They didn't see each other during that time, but they did nothing but think about the other. Eventually the time would come for them to cross paths again. They both came to the school early Monday morning and found each other before seeing anyone else. As they stood in an isolated area of the school hallway, Cory said, "Maya. We need to talk." Maya then said, "We do Mr. Matthews. And... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come onto you like that and..." Cory then said, "No Maya. I didn't stop you. Maybe I should have but... I mean I liked what happened but..." Maya then said, "But it was so wrong. You're too old for me." Cory then said, "And you're too young. If anyone found out what happened it could land us, especially me, in serious trouble." Maya then said, "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone... but... I have to ask... was I... was I a good kisser?" Cory smiled as he said, "Yes. Amazingly so." Maya smiled as she said, "Good because... that was my first kiss ever." A startled Cory said, "It was?" Cory and Maya then stood still for a moment. Then Maya said, "So... what else did you do this past weekend?" Cory then said, "Well... aside from excising, I spent a lot of time watching Red Planet Diaries. I know it's a silly show but..." A wide eyed happy looking Maya said, "I love that show too. Or I would continue to do so if my mom would get me cable again. I know the new season premiere is this Saturday night and now I'm gonna miss it." The Cory said, "Well... if you want... you could come over to my place this Saturday and see it." An excited looking Maya said, "Really? Yes. Yes, I'll come." Then Cory said, "Okay. Will your mom mind you being gone that evening?" Maya rolled her eyes as she said, "She works all night on the weekends. She won't miss me. Not that she ever does." Cory nodded as he said, "Okay. I'll see you then." Maya smirked as she said, "It's a date then?" Cory nodded as he said, "Yeah. It's a date."
On Saturday evening, Cory was wearing a suit as he prepared two plates worth of food at the dinner table in his house. Cory then heard a knock on the front door. Cory then went over to the door, opened it, and saw Maya standing in a silky red dress that went down to her ankles, and was also wearing red lip stick and make up. Maya made a smirk as she said, "I'm ready for our date." A surprised Cory said, "Maya... you're well dressed up for a stay at home kind of date." As Maya stepped in she said, "And you're pretty dressed up for a stay at home kind of date too. So I guess we just wanted to look good for each other." Cory smiled as he said, "Hmm. Perhaps. You wanna eat before the show comes on?" A smiling Maya said, "You read my mind."
Over an hour later, Cory and Maya sat on Cory's couch together watching TV. Maya was curled up next to Cory with her head laying on Cory's shoulder. As the show ended, Maya began to close her eyes as she said, "This has been the best evening ever." Cory then said, "Maya. Don't you have to go home?" A smiling Maya said, "My mom won't miss me and I'm getting tired. Do... do you mind if I sleep here for the night?" Cory then said, "I guess. I'll get a blanket out for you so you can stay on the couch and..." Suddenly Maya grabbed onto Cory's arm with her hand as she said, "Do you mind if I sleep... with you tonight... right here?" Cory smiled as he said, "Sure." Maya then cozied and snuggled up next to Cory and rested her head on his lap. Cory then began to stroke Maya's hair as he sat back. The two held remained close to the other as they began to drift into sleep.
For the next several weeks, Maya began to go to Cory's house every Saturday evening to watch television with him, and the two would always fall asleep in each other's arms on the couch. They would still talk a bit at school, but tried to keep some greater distance from each other now. However one afternoon after school, Maya was working out alone in the school weight room. She usually showered after she was done in the girls' locker room but the custodian had accidentally locked it early. Wanting to get cooled off and knowing she was alone, Maya then sneaked into the empty boys' locker room to get clean. Once she was in, Maya stripped off all her clothes and began to shower naked in the boys' locker room showers. Meanwhile Cory was heading towards the boys' locker room. He often showered there to save on his water bill at home. Cory entered the boys' locker room and instinctively like he always did, immediately took off all his clothes. However as soon as he walked into the shower area, he stood surprised as he saw a completely naked and wet Maya standing before him. Then Maya's eyes turned and widened as she saw a naked Cory and said, "Mr. Matthews!? What are you..." A blushing Cory stepped back and said, "Sorry. I usually shower here and didn't know you did too. So sorry." Maya then said, "It's okay. Just please don't tell anyone you saw my ugly naked body in here." Cory then said, "Don't worry. I won't. And by the way... your body definitely isn't ugly." Maya then made a big smile as she turned her back to Cory and continued to shower. Cory then walked away but looked back briefly to catch one more glimpse of Maya's nude backside. Then Cory turned to walk out but as he did, Maya turned around briefly again to catch one more glimpse of Cory's nude backside.
That Saturday evening, Maya walked into Cory's house with a worried look on her face. A concerned Cory said, "Maya. What's wrong?" Maya then said, "It's my mom Mr. Matthews. She got a new job that pays better but... it's down in Florida. We're moving... in just three days." A shocked looking Cory said, "I'm... I'm sorry Maya. Look. I'll make this work somehow. I could find a job where you live and..." An upset looking Maya said, "And what? Work at my new school? Don't you think people would find it strange you just happened to move to the same town as one of your students for no good reason?" Cory then said, "Maya... we can find a way to..." Maya then said, "To stay together? Mr. Matthews, long distance relationships rarely work. And our relationship... it's already so wrong as it is. I shouldn't love you but... Oh God, I do. I love you so much Mr. Matthews." Maya began to cry as Cory held Maya in his arms. As he held Maya close, Cory said, "I know Maya. What we have is something no one could understand. I wish we lived in a world that would allow our kind of relationship to be acceptable. But... you're right... this probably isn't going to work." Maya then said, "But it doesn't make what we feel any less real though does it? Because I love you more than anyone else in existence Mr. Matthews. And in my heart I know... I will never meet another man that I could love like you." Cory then looked into Maya's eyes as he said, "I love you Maya Hart. I do now, and I always will. And I know I will never meet another woman that I could love like you." Then Maya took a step away from Cory and looked into his eyes as she said, "Then before we part ways, I have one favor to ask of you." Cory then said, "Anything. Just name it." Maya then took a deep breath and said, "Make love to me Mr. Matthews. Take away my virginity this evening and make me a woman."
TO BE CONTINUED...